Aero Glide 3

https://preview.redd.it/u00hiigcy44f1.jpg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e25ed6341dd60f8f5985866a5109c9ed892fcad1 https://preview.redd.it/lsoshr1ey44f1.jpg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6af9b353183a608bcbad8f309c47f1b842dbfffc I have 300 miles on the road version of the Salomon Aero Glide 3 (including a 50k, a marathon, and several 20-30 mile long runs) and recently attended two demo runs to try out the GRVL version (\~10 miles total), so I thought I’d create a write-up mostly about the road version and add some notes toward the end of the post about the GRVL version’s slight differences. **About me:** Female, 5’7”, 150 pounds, 50-75 miles per week, heel striker, less than ideal running form, paces in the 8:30-11:00/mi pace range on road/light trail. **General shoe description:**  It’s like the Saucony Triumph 20 and Nike Invincible had a baby, but lighter. I loved my several pairs of Triumph 20s (and 21s) because they were workhorses with a smooth ride and ideal cushion level. I loved my Nike Invincibles because they were bouncy and fun, but protective. The Salomon Aero Glide 3 is the best combination of these two shoes - smooth ride, goldilocks cushion, maximal protection on long runs, *and* bounce - but lighter. Noticeably lighter.  **Fit:**  The fit on these shoes is not quite standard. They do run long, as many have stated, but not so long that I felt I needed to size down. I stuck to my standard size and it has worked out well, especially for longer runs. I just tighten the laces. The upper is baggy too. It doesn’t impact how my foot feels, but it does look a little funny. Some shoe nerds may notice I am wearing a men’s colorway. I just liked it better and crossed my fingers that they wouldn’t be too wide when I ordered it online. Later, while attending the GRVL demo, I learned that *these shoes are unisex fit,* according to the Salomon reps. I tried on both the men’s and women’s to confirm for myself. I have a slightly narrow foot and did find these wider than other Salomon shoes I have tried on, but not too wide. But, I do have my laces tied pretty tight. All around, this shoe is just slightly bigger than one would think it would be at a given size, but again, this does not bother me. I do not think it is worth sizing down.  **Running Feel/Ride:** On my first run in it, I said out loud, “This is my new favorite shoe,” and I meant it. The ride is bouncy, but stable.  I don’t notice much of a rocker feel. It’s similar to the Triumph 20/21’s rocker. I like that, but it might be a downfall in the mind of some runners. The cushion level is my ideal level of cushion… not a sinking in feeling, but a soft, stable cushion. The best part about the cushion is that it does not bottom out. As stated before, I ran in these for a 50k race (gravel), marathon (road), and several various terrain 20-30 mile runs. My feet felt protected the whole way through. I do notice the bounce less over longer runs though. I haven’t tried to push pace in these much. I am running long runs and recovery runs in them. Though they are light for being a max cushion shoe, I can’t see them being great for pace pickups. These shoes excel in the long run realm.  **Durability:** I have 300 miles on my pair and they still feel well-cushioned and bouncy. There is some wear and tear on the bottom, but nothing crazy (see photo above). If anything, I am noticing less wear than I have in other shoes I own at this milage. I suspect I'll take this to \~450-500 miles. **Using the road version on gravel & light dirt trails:** I have been using the road version on gravel and dirt trails primarily. I have maybe \~⅓ of the 300 miles on road, and the rest on gravel or dirt trails. I have noticed no problems with this. The cushion level is such that I am not feeling rocks under foot, the shoe is stable even across roots and such, etc. However, I do think the GRVL version would be slightly better for these use cases. I will talk about that later in the post.  A positive worth noting related to trails and such - this shoe sheds mud like crazy. I went through a super muddy trail and after I got out of the mud, I could see the mud sliding off the shoes. Even the fabric parts of the upper! The shoes looked almost fully clean by the end of the run. I have never seen a shoe do that before. It dries fast too. The grip is solid in the road version. I am a PNW’er and have used this in the rain more than I have used it in the sun. The only time I have slipped a little was in the mud. The GRVL version’s grip is likely better for muddy situations. Edit: I ended up buying the GRVL and have since used it on wet rocks and pavement, as well as mud. I can confirm grip is better. **Using the GRVL version on road:** I’ll give a short, general run down of the GRVL version toward the end of the post, but wanted to make a quick note here about using the GRVL version on the road. In the demo runs, we ran on roads to get to trails. I didn’t notice any difference between the road and GRVL version on roads.  **Slight annoyances**:  The road version makes a sound when running, especially on the road. It’s like it’s suctioning to the ground? I can’t quite describe it. This is not something I noticed with the GRVL version. It doesn’t bother me, but I thought I would mention it in case others are more sensitive to this sort of thing.  Also, the laces are slippery. I have to double knot them every run or they are untied within 20 minutes. **Road vs GRVL version:**  As stated before, I have 300 miles on the road version across a variety of terrains, and recently went to two demo runs to test the GRVL version for a total of \~10 miles, also on a variety of terrains.  I did not notice any difference in fit between the two, nor did I notice a difference in feel or ride.  The reps said the main difference between the two is that the outsole is hardier, which makes the shoe slightly heavier (I did not notice a weight difference on foot) but grippier and with more protection/less ground feel (ground feel is *not* a problem in the road shoe, but a little more protection certainly can’t hurt).  The other difference is the tongue. The road version doesn’t have a plush tongue, but plusher than the GRVL version. It has an odd shape that makes it stick out from the foot, practically inviting debris in. The GRVL version is sock-like to keep gravel and other things out. I prefer the tongue on the GRVL version.  If I were to order this shoe again (and I think I will), I would order the GRVL version, simply because both shoes *feel* the same, but the GRVL version is just slightly hardier. I don’t think wearing down the outsole of the GRVL version on roads would be super problematic because there aren’t really deep lugs, just a thicker outsole in general.  See edit at the end - I *did* end up buying the GRVL too! **Overall:** The Salomon Aero Glide 3 makes an amazing long run shoe across a variety of terrains. The GRVL version is simply a hardier version. Edit: I ended up buying the GRVL and put 150 miles on it in just a few weeks, including 40 and 50-mile ultras (50 mile was sand & gravel, 40 mile was semi-technical trail, gravel trail, and road). Grip is better on the GRVL version and the ride is just fine on the roads too.

Good question! I take the MagMax on lots of 10+ mile runs too. Both are great, but the Aero Glide 3 is smoother. The weight is noticeably lighter, and between the two, the MagMax feels just kinda clunky. I love it and use it often for long runs, but it's just slightly less ideal for long runs because of the weight. I'd say they are equally cushioned, and neither bottom out for me, so equally protective. I come home with slightly fresher legs in the Aero Glide 3, I assume due to the difference in weight. The MagMax's grip is better though!

The grip on the road version is good on wet roads, in my experience. I have read that others found it "just okay," but I haven't had any issues and I live in the PNW where it rains more days than it doesn't. It wasn't raining on the days I ran the demos in the gravel version, so I can't speak to the grip on road for that one from experience, but the Salomon rep said the sole is meant for better traction in general. On Salomon's website, part of the gravel version's description mentions "gravel grip for optimal traction both on the road and off it." While the roads weren't wet during my demo runs, it did seem like the traction was better on the gravel version.

I have only tried the NB Rebel v5, so I can't compare to v4, and I tried a women's size in the v5, so it's hard to compare it to the unisex Aero Glide 3 fit. I can't speak much to width, but I can safely say the Aero Glide 3 is longer, pretty significantly. In the size I usually wear, my toes were hitting the front of the shoe in the Rebel v5, whereas they have extra room in the Aero Glide. I do know Salomon is known for running narrower, but this is one of their wider shoes. I would guess it's still slightly narrower than the Rebel v4, but I can't say for sure.

**Runner Profile:** 150 pounds, heel striker with less than ideal form, 50-75 miles/week, minimum of 10 pairs in my shoe rotation at all times **Other Shoes I Love:** Original MagMax, Glycerin Max, Salomon Aero Glide 3, Triumph 20, Evo SL **First Run:** 8 miles @ 9:40/mile pace on mossy sidewalks, pavement, wet grass, mud, and gravel. **Fit:** True to size. My one complaint about the original MagMax was that it was slightly snug when the laces were tight enough for lock-down. That is not a problem in v2. The upper seems more relaxed. The rear/heel is slightly roomy, as it was in the original, and I had some heel slip, but tightening the laces fixed it without compromising the fit in the mid- and forefoot. Other reviewers are saying otherwise, so YMMV. There is plenty of room in the toe box for normal width feet. **Cushion:** A few reviewers have said it is slightly firmer than v1. I disagree. Step-in feel is much softer. When running, it feels less soft than step-in, but still softer than the original MagMax. It has a little squish to it, whereas v1 is more of a firmer-style cushion. **Ride:** This shoe reminds me of the Nike Vomero Plus and the Salomon Aero Glide 3. It's bouncy, but not aggressive. A smooth, soft bounce. It doesn't have much of a rocker. I didn't have any stability issues, even in chunky gravel and on unmanicured grass. Other reviewers say they felt some heel instability at faster paces, so that's something to note. It's obvious the foam is different than v1. It feels more refined. Smoother and slightly more responsive. **Weight:** I didn't think I'd notice the little bit of decrease in weight, but I did. It made a much bigger (positive) difference than expected. **Grip:** I don't even need to say anything here. It's great. **Looking Forward:** I plan to use these for daily, recovery and long runs. I can see them slotting into my collection as my next go-to all-arounder. These are just plain comfortable and fun.

Oh man, that's hard. I put 500 miles on the Aero Glide 3, including multiple ultras, so it has a special place in my heart. I am loving the MagMax 2, but I would have to go Aero Glide 3 if I *had* to choose between the two, simply because of the weight difference (and I'm probably biased, for the reason stated above). That being said, now that it is winter, I would choose MagMax 2 because it is grippier. If you live in a wet or snowy area, that is something to consider. The Aero Glide 3 is fine, but MagMax 2 is better in that aspect. I wrote a pretty in-depth review on the Aero Glide 3 if you are interested (just scroll down a few posts on my profile).

Yeah, that slight firmness in v1 is nice for a lot of use cases! I'll need a replacement for that kind of shoe still with v2 being softer, but I am not at all sad about that. I love a soft shoe and primarily got v2 because of the grip anyway. I've been looking at the Mount to Coast lineup for a firmer shoe to add to my collection. We talked about that a couple months ago and I am still going back and fourth on it. I wish I could find somewhere to try them on. I keep hearing amazing things about the Puma lineup, especially the ones you mentioned being absolute bangers. I have only ever tried the MagMax because I live for ultra cushioned shoes and worry the others don't quite match my desired cush level. Maybe the Magnify would fit my firmer (but not too firm) spot though?