Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe review – opinion, price, comparison, who it is recommended for

Who the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe is recommended for

• Recommended if you are looking for a comfortable, well-cushioned shoe for longer trail runs.
• Recommended if you run on moderately technical terrain and stable foot lockdown is important to you.
• Recommended if you want a trail shoe that remains comfortable on slower long runs with walking sections.
• Recommended if you need a lot of cushioning but do not want an unstable, overly soft shoe.
• Recommended if you have a wider foot, because a wide version of the model is also available.

Who the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe is NOT recommended for

• Not recommended if you are looking for an explosive shoe for fast trail races.
• Not recommended if you regularly run in deep mud or on wet, technical rocky terrain.
• Not recommended if you are looking for an extremely light, race-optimized trail shoe.
• Not recommended if you expect very precise, aggressive grip on difficult technical terrain.

Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe upper

The upper of the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe is made from a double-layer mesh material. The outer mesh is made from a stiffer, rougher material that looks thin, but is very durable and protects the foot well. The softer inner layer provides comfort and wicks away moisture and sweat well. Because of the two layers, its breathability is not outstanding, but it cannot be called poor either.

Since the upper is clearly focused on comfort so that longer ultra distances can also be run in it, both the heel collar and the tongue are heavily padded. The tongue is wide and thick, protects well against debris, and also softens the pressure of the thin, sharp, wire-like lace of the quick-lacing system. There is a pocket at the top of the tongue where the remaining part of the quick lace can be tucked away so that it does not catch on anything on the trail.

The upper is medium-wide, there is room around the toes, while it is narrower in the midfoot and heel areas, holding the foot well. The good news for runners with wider feet is that the shoe is available in a wide version.

The midsole wraps strongly up onto the upper around the midfoot and heel areas, so it provides protection and gives the foot a very stable hold.

Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe midsole

The midsole of the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe is made from a moderately soft, moderately firm, balanced EVA foam called optiFoam. Its balance is also clear from the fact that you can even run faster sections in it, but its real advantage is felt mainly on longer runs: it has a lot of cushioning and good stability despite its height.

The 41 mm midsole counts as a high midsole among trail running shoes, although more and more trail running shoes are now coming out above 40 mm. The midsole is not wider than average, so its volume is not distractingly large, and its stability does not come from being very wide, but from the fact that it is not too soft and the midsole wraps very high up onto the upper. It holds the foot so closely and securely, and this midsole is firm enough, that it can be very stable while running. It is a typical trail running shoe that is a very good choice for your lower-intensity, run-walk weekend long runs. The relieveSPHERE outsole fits this perfectly, and it also defines the geometry of the midsole, because the sole of the shoe is not straight but wavy. With these waves, you make contact with the ground over a larger surface area, and the pressure is distributed over a larger area, which results in later fatigue. There is no separate rock protection plate in it; protection is provided by the high foam, the full-coverage outsole and the wavy, recessed geometry. I did not miss a rigid plate even on sharper stones, and in return some ground feel remains.

Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe outsole

The outsole of the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe is made from Salomon’s own All Terrain Contagrip rubber, meaning it is designed for all surfaces. It is not too soft, but it cannot be called too hard either. It grips well even on harder, solid surfaces, but naturally it also wears faster there. The outsole covers the entire midsole, which gives a lot of security and also increases its grip. The lugs are not densely placed and their height is also average (4 mm), which means the shoe is not made for extremely technical terrain, and it may not provide the highest level of grip during fast runs either. At the same time, it is very reliable on moderately technical terrain. As in the previous version, the relieveSPHERE technology is used here as well; with a strange analogy, the outsole is just as uneven as the terrain you run on. And that is exactly the point: this allows it to contact the ground over a larger surface area, improves grip, distributes pressure over a larger area, and you noticeably fatigue later in it. The shoe delivers what its name promises: it is an excellent, durable companion even over ultra distances.

What is it like to run in the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe?

Cushioning and midsole

The midsole of the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe has a high level of cushioning; compared to other trail running shoes, the midsole is high at the heel, measuring 41 mm. The midsole is made from a balanced midsole foam that is not too soft, but not firm either. It has good dynamics, but it is more for long runs than fast runs.

Stability and ride

The midsole of the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe is high, but slightly wider than average, and the midsole wraps high up onto the upper, giving the shoe good stability. Because of the wavy sole design, it contacts the ground over a larger surface area, which increases not only the grip but also the stability of the shoe.

Upper and comfort

As its name suggests, the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe is suitable even for ultra distances, so it is essential that its upper is comfortable. The shoe delivers this perfectly: in addition to protection, it also offers a high level of comfort thanks to the thick padding.

Ground contact and grip

Thanks to the unique relieveSPHERE design, the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe contacts the ground over a large surface area, which improves grip. The outsole covers the full midsole, but the lugs are not densely placed on the outsole. With this solution, grip is minimally reduced, but mud is less likely to stick in it. Its grip is perfect for moderately technical terrain, but it struggles more noticeably on difficult, deep muddy terrain and wet rocky terrain.

Pace and dynamics

Compared to other trail running shoes, the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe can be considered light. This also affects its dynamics. You can feel its lower weight during faster runs, but this is more useful on longer runs; the midsole is not explosive enough to run at a sustained fast pace in it. It handles the fast sections of interval workouts, but there are more dynamic shoes within the brand for long fast runs.

Long run vs pace vs training

As its name includes, the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe is a running shoe intended for long trail runs. You can run the occasional faster section in it, but its dynamism shows more in endurance. It is not a racing shoe; there is an S/Lab version, which is more suitable for racing.

Who is the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe recommended for, and who is it not?

The Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe is primarily made for longer, moderately technical trail runs. If you are looking for a durable, comfortable trail running shoe in which your legs fatigue more slowly, and you do not run on very difficult technical terrain in it, it can be an excellent choice.

If you are looking for a trail running shoe for fast trail runs or trail races, the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe may not be the best choice. It is less lively and explosive, and while it is not considered heavy, it cannot be called extremely light either.

What has changed compared to the previous version? Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe vs Salomon Ultra Glide 3.

Most of the changes were made to the upper compared to the previous version. The upper is made from a new mesh material with better breathability. The two-layer mesh material is comfortable on the inside and durable on the outside, holding the foot more firmly.

The midsole has become a touch wider, and its stability is also somewhat better because of this.

What is the difference compared to the S/Lab version?

The Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide 2 trail running shoe is a more expensive trail running shoe that can also be used for racing. It is heavier, but accordingly it can also do more.

Its upper is made from a Matryx-type mesh material, which is more durable and provides better hold.

The midsole differs significantly: the S/Lab version contains 2 foams, with a more stable Energy Foam frame on the outside and a softer, more responsive Energy Foam+ core on the inside, which makes the shoe more dynamic.

Is there a difference between the men’s and women’s Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe?

Structurally, the women’s Salomon Ultra Glide 4 trail running shoe does not differ from the men’s version. The color range is different and the official weight of the women’s version is also lower, but this is because the weight of the women’s Ultra Glide 4 is measured in a different size than the men’s version.