Salomon Ultra Glide 3 trail running shoes

The Salomon Ultra Glide 3 trail running shoe is a comfortable neutral trail running shoe with a high midsole, suitable for running longer distances, even ultra distances. Just by looking at it, you can tell that it’s a new generation of Salomon’s well known trail running shoes. Maybe due to the increasing competition or the big changes in the last 2-3 road running shoes, Salomon has taken a new direction in trail running shoes, which we are happy about, because the Salomon Ultra Glide 3 trail running shoes have become a very good shoe. Not only the high sole, but also the complete redesign of the outsole makes the shoe comfortable and suitable for longer runs. The Ultra Glide 3 is also available in an S/Lab version, which has a different upper and midsole foam than the Salomon Ultra Glide 3, but also a much higher price.

Salomon Ultra Glide 3 upper

The upper of the Salomon Ultra Glide 3 trail running shoe is made from a stronger, thicker mesh material to protect the foot well while trail running. It fits true to size and has a medium-width upper, a change from previous Salomon trail running shoes, which generally had a narrower construction. The shoe has a quick lacing system, the lacing holes are laced, hug the foot well and have a synthetic leather reinforcement for durability. The tongue of the shoe is medium padded and the top is widened to prevent debris from entering the shoe. There is a small pocket at the top of the tongue to stash the rest of the laces so they don’t get caught on anything while running. The heel collar is low, well padded and stiff to keep the foot comfortable and secure. The midsole foam fold over the upper, forming a sidewall for better stability, which is great for longer runs. Where the midsole meets the upper, the upper has an extra layer of waterproof rubber that expands in front of the toes to protect them. The upper features SensiFit and EndoFit technology for comfort and security.

Salomon Ultra Gide 3 midsole

The Salomon Ultra Glide 3 Trail Running Shoe Midsole is made entirely of Salomon EnergyFoam, a soft but not too soft, lightweight, dynamic foam. The EnergyFoam is a blend of EVA and olefin, making it lighter and more flexible than pure EVA foam. The midsole is 41mm at the heel, which is unusually high in the field of trail running shoes. When running long distances, it’s important to have enough foam under the sole, but this can often result in poor stability. Stability is essential for trail running, even for those with a neutral foot position, as it provides a more secure feel on inclines, making it easier to go downhill faster. The Ultra Glide 3 trail running shoe has very good stability despite its high sole, which Salomon has solved by using a wider than average midsole, a relieveSPHERE outsole solution and a high midsole sidewall for good stability. Compared to trail running shoes, the midsole provides a soft, comfortable feel, but is also dynamic, which is especially noticeable when supporting longer runs. The midsole also allows you to run faster, but as the name suggests, its good energy return is more noticeable on longer runs.

Salomon Ultra Gide 3 outsole

The Salomon Ultra Glide 3 trail running shoe outsole covers the entire midsole, which makes for a stiffer, more stable, taller, softer midfoot. The rubber lugs of the outsole are 4mm deep, providing good traction on easy to moderate trail. The outsole of the Salomon Ultra Glide 3 trail running shoe features relieveSPHERE technology. relieveSPHERE technology was developed by Salomon over several years with the goal of reducing foot fatigue during long runs, including ultra runs. The wavy design of the outsole distributes pressure better, landing you in a different place with every step so you actually get tired later and can run longer. The best thing about relieveSPHERE technology is that it works completely unnoticed, so you’ll just notice that you’ve run your usual distance and your feet are less tired. The assumption and execution of Solomon’s relieveSPHERE technology was great.

Who and what kind of runs are the Salomon Ultra Gide 3 trail running shoes for? Summary

The Salomon Ultra Glide 3 trail running shoe is a neutral running shoe suitable for running even longer distances. The upper is cushioned for comfort to help you wear it for longer time. The midsole is highly cushioned, soft and comfortable, but with enough dynamics to support your longer runs. For stability, the midsole foam folds over the upper to form a sidewall; in addition to being tall, the midsole is also wide, which further increases stability. The outsole features 4mm deep rubber lugs for traction on light to medium technical terrain. Thanks to the outsole’s unique relieveSPHERE technology, you’ll be able to go longer on the trail with less foot fatigue.