Salomon - Aero Glide 3 GRVL

I asked a similar question recently and picked up a pair of Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL. Was a little skeptical because it’s a higher stack than I like, but man are they money on relatively flat gravel trails.

Salomon aero glide 3 GRVL I use these myself for a very similar purpose. Love them so far.

Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL is the answer here

I bought these Salomon GRVL for the same purpose as you and I couldn’t be happier. Been travelling for 2 months around SEA and I’ve used them for exploring but also for 3 runs per week plus the occasional gym drop in. I love them!

I’ve got 30 miles on the GRVL edition of the Aero Glide 3, they are living up to the hype thus far and I bought them for this exact same surface OP. You can’t guarantee everyone will like/love the same models of shoes, but these are purpose built for that hard packed gravel. I would also tell you they run a “smidge” small, but they stretch a lot after your first few runs. I almost went up a half size but then read a couple reviews talking about the upper stretching out quickly. Glad I stayed true to size, they fit like a glove after the break in period.

Hi there, I've been a sneaker geek for a while, even my line of work gets me to work with several footwear companies. During my last onebag travel of 6 months I started running quite a lot. I wore some Nike trail sneakers as only footwear, I picked some cheap ones (nike juniper) but running on them took a bit of its toll to my body. For this year's trip I literally ordered and tried on most trail runners from: nike, on, hoka, new balance, asics etc. I found two main challenges with good trail runners: * Looks: accent colors that would not blend well with day to day urban city exploration or night life. * Rocker and cushioning: shape and midsole very geared towards running that does not allow for a natural walking pattern. Unstable at walking paces: * Sole: geared toward heavy trails, mud and such. would wear out fast on asphalt just walking. This would apply to: nike zegama, nike pegasus trail, on cloudvista, hoka speedgoat , new balance hierro, new balance garoe, asics trabuco. To a lesser extent (had less agressive rocker patterns, typically cheaper): nike juniper, new balance nitrel, hoka challenger. The brand I found mixed the best of both worlds was the lineup of Salomon Aero, wether for asphalt or trail. In particular the Aero Blaze or Aero Glide in their GRVL (gravel) versions. They are cushy when running but have no noticeable rocker or unstability whilst walking. Their gravel line is a hybrid for asphalt and relatively easy trails so the sole is suitable for most amateur trekking. I went for the **Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL** as their had an all black colorway, also have an all white one. https://preview.redd.it/9ks3ch9035jf1.jpg?width=1801&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6a6cbbb3e1e431483ce12796f0ed028c75eb6661 The only drawback is that the sole is massive, although again, not unstable, but when packing them they will take up some extra space compared to a normal shoe, although they are very light for such a big midsole on a "trail" runner. I am just surprised at the amount of non-runners using Hoka's aggressive rocker shoes for walking, some advanced runners already have stability issues with Hoka whilst running. Anyhow, I hope this helps someone, if you want specific personal feedback on any of the shoe models I tried on feel free. I guess the one that let me down the most were the pegasus trail, the fit was not ideal for me and the rocker and specially how soft the heel area was made it probably one of worse from the list although I had the highest expectations based on all the recommendations. The good thing is that nowadays you can order most online and if not used you can return them back, so you can really try them on side by side with other models.

I’ve put 80k into a pair of these and love them. They’re very well cushioned without being too soft, are very stable and feel nice and bouncy. Light too.

I love mine, especially the deep cushion and bounce.

I love my Salomon Aero Glide 3 Gravel shoes for that exact purpose.

https://preview.redd.it/tqxfaswtyw8f1.jpeg?width=585&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2d2239ccdef45de30015c1f7f47a8ec516b2ab60 Nearly half of my weekly 80\~90 miles are on the trails so I have the corresponding trail shoes collection in the garage. With summer having arrived, I've got the light colored shoes out right now. I have black or darker versions for some of these for the rainy winter season. The most recent additions this year are the Mount to Coast T1, La Sportiva Progidio Pro, Norda 005, VJ Ultra 3, Puma DNE Trail, and The North Face Enduris 4, which are all fantastic in their own ways. Old faves are the Salomon S/Lab Genesis, Hoka Tecton X 3, Terrex Speed Ultra and Speed, TNF Vectiv Pro 2, and Norda 001. I also got the Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL that I got specifically for road-to-trail and mainly running on gravel paths, which is working out very nicely. There are two more shoes that I'll probably add later in the year - the TNF Vectiv Sky 2 and Nnormal Kjerag 2. Kinda curious about the Prodigio Max based on my extremely positive experience with the Prodigio Pro. Overall, I'm very happy with what each shoe offers and how they complement each other. They all beckon me to go out and run long and hard every day.

I'm a big fan of Mount to Coast. In fact, I just got back from a 13-mile trail run with 2,500ft of elevation gain in the T1. I've got over 50 miles on the two pairs over the past two weeks and they've become one of my 2\~3 new favorites. They are so comfortable over the long runs. Even after 15 miles, my feet and legs feel fresh and I feel like I could keep going on and on. I guess the foam tech isn't up to par with the full-PEBA on the Tecton X 3, the full LSP on the Speed Ultra, the "super" TPU on the 005, or the Dream foam on the TNF Vectiv Pro 2/3, but MTC's LightCell is really nice - very balanced with just the right amount of bounce, very good responsiveness, and excellent stability without having a plate. It's tuned very well for the trails and feels quite different from their LightCell foam on their road shoes R1, S1, and P1. I'd say midsole foam "tuning" for trail running is quite different from that for the road. All-out speed isn't as important. I think the right balance between bounce/propulsion (speed), stability, comfort, responsiveness, resilience, durability, and consistency over long distances is what really matters for the trails, and I feel the MTC T1 has that balance that makes it a joy to run in. The T1 isn't as exciting or as fast as the aforementioned plated race shoes or the 005, but it isn't far behind, and over ultra distances, it'll be up to the runner, not the shoes. Of course, that can be said for road super shoes as well, but Courtney Dauwalter is still winning ultra races in the "outdated" S/Lab Genesis (still a great shoe by the way!). Trail running is such a different game from road running. At the very least, the T1 is a great lightweight workhorse trainer (8.5oz in my US men's size 8), but I'm sure it'd handle ultra races very well. MTC started out specializing in ultra distance running for the road, which is a niche field, but that tech adapts very nicely for trail running. In fact, I get the feeling that trail running is where their focus will be in the future. I really like their road shoes but I absolutely *love* the T1. Saw the review of it by Humble Running (my favorite trail shoes/gear channel) and I knew it'd work for me and it has exceeded my expectations. For me, it's neck-to-neck between the Prodigio Pro and T1 for 2025 Trail Shoe of the Year.

Oh yeah, the Aero Glide 3 (both road and GRVL) is the surprise shoe of the year for me. It wasn't on my radar at all and I was skeptical about another road shoe from Salomon but, after seeing all the positive reviews from ShoeTubers I trust, it seemed they would fit in very well and they have. Again, very balanced - not too squishy soft and not firm with good bounce and a solid and stable feel on the landings. Did a 10-mile road run in the AG3 yesterday at various paces and I enjoyed every step of it.

I’ve tried on a few shoes with higher stacks while looking for a softer and foamier ride and it feels really unstable to me. I’ve been rocking the ASICS Fuji Lite Trails and Topo Mtn Racer 3s which have nice cushion but not the aggressive drop and I like that middle ground. I tried on the Salomon “GRVL” shoe recently (idk the model) and I’m feeling like this style is going to get more popular. The stack was massive. It was kinda fun but I only tested it out of the door on the road and can’t imagine it working for me. Even the two-track I regularly run is steeper and rockier than they feel stable on.

I would look out for a "gravel" shoe. Salomon Ultra Glide3 Gravel or one of the Craft Gravel Shoes

I use Solomon trail runners, non-waterproof because my feet overheat easily in the summer. They've seen the presis in the summer without issues, and have decent grip.

I just ordered a pair from my local running store, only commenting to suggest you try them on first. I'm a 12 in Salomons and a 12 to 12.5 in Hokas, and I had to size up to a 13 in the 001s.

The best ones are the ones that fit!! I have wide toes and wore Solomon trail runners for a long time. I switched to Merrell Moab hikers a couple of years ago. Both are 13 Wide (EEE).

The downside of trail runners to me (Solomans) was I would sometimes get foot bruises on sharp rocky ground. I switched to hiking shoes (Merrell's) and I feel it's a better compromise between trail runners and boots. Pretty light and more comfortable.

My Solomans had a rock plate (thank you for pointing out my omission), but I feel a big difference with my Murrell Moab's. To each there own, I know trail runners are the favorite, the Moab works better for me (I have dainty feet, I guess).

What do you want to do? I love my Solomon trail runners but if I'm sliding down shale I'll take the Keens all day long. Both are good brands in my experience.

Over the years I’ve worn trail runners from Merrill and Salomon, or standard running shoes from Nike and NB. A comfortable fit was the main criteria. Even on wet ground I’d rather have fast drying sneakers than boots.

I like Oboz boots. I also like my Solomon trail runners. I've done massive days in both, totally depends what you are more comfortable in. I do personally find benefit in some ankle protection and waterproofness. Some folks poopoo that... but I bet they have wet feet.

Salomon trail runners. They’re my goat shoes - the only thing they don’t get a grip on is wet wood.

Absolutely, did all of the ABC trek in trail runners (Hoka, Salomon). You really appreciate the lightness of them.

I love my Salomon trail runners. I prefer them to my hiking boots and exclusively use them for hiking.

I'm a fan of Solomon hiking shoes (or really their trail runners) with Gore Tex and micro spikes! The spikes stay in my pack most of the year, just in case I go further than planned or I got unexpected conditions. A must have for me.

Current Salomon trail runners have to thick of a sole and cant feel rock well beneath them but I do agree that ideally trail runner style would be cool. maybe the ones I have just dont work well for this specific use case.