Salomon - Ultra Glide 4

I recently got Salomon’s new Ultra Glide 4. To me it feels like the perfect combo of some cushion/bounce while still feeling very stable in terms of the ground contact (and also excellent grip so far on mossy wood bridges and in the snow). I believe it has a 6mm heel drop (I actually prefer higher bc I have Achilles issues) and it feels like a nice middle ground. Might be worth a try to check out although I’d order from REI so you could actually test drive them on the trails to see how they work, and still have the option to return if needed, bc I don’t think Salomon allows worn returns

I’ve got two Salomon “glides”, the first road one, and the the ultra glide (non slab) both rub in the outside of the exterior ankle ball and turn them a nightmare to run in. It’s a pitty the ultras are brand new, only 80 kms and don’t know what to do with them.

I think my last pair were a well worn pair of Ultra Glides, then £58 for the soling. Or the other pair, I picked up for £70 in the sale and then the same. So even new, you're only looking <£130, which is far below what the new super trail runners go for these days. Prodigio Pro was £170 new.

Trail version of the brand you already like. But if that doesn't work, Salomons are usually a good bet if they fit. Ultra Glide, Sense Ride, or Genesis are all sort of all-rounders that for me feel close to road shoes.

I haven't tried any of those, but did try an earlier Peregrine (10 maybe), and didn't like it. Too "dead" and heavy for my liking. But the newer versions are better from what I've read. It could be worth a try, given how popular they are. I do have all three of the Salomons I mentioned, but also have and like the Merrell Long Sky 2 and their Agility Peak, which I'm wearing more these days because they have a wider toe box.

Ultra glides are my vote for mixed use. The smaller lugs are nicer on road. I use the sense ride 5, ultra glide 2 and just finished a pair of the Genesis non-pro version and those were great for trail but I don’t think I would care for them on road.

The Nnormal Kjerag is special. I also loved my OG Salomon Ultraglides.

Hadn't seen these yet, very interesting coming from Salomon. I ran in the OG Ultra Glide (not S Lab) and liked them but found they just didn't hold up as well as prior Salomons. Those were the last pair from the brand I had a good experience with and have just moved on since.

Hello. I come from the same issue. I had major issues with Plantar Fasciitis after running in the Speedcross and S/Lab Speed for many years. My first shoe was the Hoka Speedgoat Evo. That was an epic shoe, but sold out everywhere so quickly I only ever ran in one pair. Since then I’ve tried many similar shoes, looking for great grip, soft and bouncy ride, but good stability as I over-pronate, plus I recently developed osteoarthritisin my big toes. So, I really rate the following: - Hoka Mafate Speed 4. Good all rounder - Salomon S/lab genesis. A little narrow and unstable but speedy and shed mud quickly - La Sportiva Prodigeo Pro - great foam and good grip, lightweight. - Saucony Xodus Ultra - 1 and 3 are pretty good, ignore the 2. - Hoka Tecton X 3 - my go-to race shoe for hard packed trails and gravel I like the Speedgoat, Catamount, Fuji Lite, Ultra Glide too but they all have compromises that the shoes above don’t have in the same way.

Hello. As a lot of people say, a good road shoe will be good on the hard packed trails as well. But if you want a bit more traction and security, go with something that has a good foam and a smaller lugs. Options I’ve run in and like include: - Hoka Mafate Speed 4 / Tecton X - Salomon Genesis / Ultra Glide - La Sportiva Prodigio Pro - Merrell Agility Peak 5 - Brooks Catamount 4 - Saucony Xodus Ultra 1 / 2 (avoid the 3) For reference I am 85kg and usually run 30km / week.

Hoka Mafate 5 is comfy and fun. Mafate Speed 4 is still good but a little narrower and not quite so bouncy. I used to run in Speedgoats a lot but think the 5 & 6 are missing some comfort and the foam isn’t returning the energy of newer shoes. Salomon Genesis or Ultra Glide are both good if you can accommodate a narrower fit. I prefer the protection of the Genesis over the Ultra Glide. Prodigio Pro is also fun and bouncy, but much lighter, less protection around the ankle and so a bit more stripped back. Everyone I know loves them though. Hoka Tecton X 3 is a similar proposition to the Prodigio but both are spendy. Hoka is slightly more stable and bouncy but there is very little in it. If you want the best outsole rubber money can buy, look at the VJ Ultra 3. Seriously, the lugs and rubber is like glue. Finally, the Saucony Xodus Ultra is a good shoe for distances like this. It’s also comfy and protective. Just avoid the 2 or 3 and go for the latest version 4.

Hello - I would say that the Prodigio Pro will feel a bit too squishy for general walking around. I walk the dogs in a pair of Salomon GTX Thundercross. They’re stable enough, comfy, and waterproof. The Ultraglide are also a good option. I’ve also had numerous Inov8 Roclite, Trailfly which are also good for hiking if you like zero drop. Hoka are also comfy if you stay clear of the racing shoes - Challenger ATR or Speedgoat. I also like the ASICS Fujilite for walking. I’d suggest avoiding the S/Lab Genesis, Tecton X3, Mafate 5, Prodigio Pro, Nike Trail Ultra, or anything with a PEBA Foam or really pronounced rocker. They will be too squishy, unstable and wobbly underfoot.

Hoka is my go-to for this sort of thing. Mafate 5 is super plush, bouncy and fun. Tecton X3 is great for gravel and works well in the technical stuff too. Anything else you look at will be heavy or narrow. I like Salomon a lot, but the S/Lab Genesis is a little too narrow for more than 25km, and the Ultra Glide doesn’t seem to have the real bounce conpared to the Hokas. Saucony Xodus Ultra is great over the distance, but I felt it was a little clunky and heavy - for some reason the Mafate felt more agile. Speaking of which - Merrell Agility Peak 5 would be a good choice. I hate to say it but I really dont rate many of the Asics trail shoes. Fuji Lite is fine for a daily but not for a race day shoe.

Salomon ultra glide is the only shoe I've worn i could be happy in anywhere. 100 mile race, sure; class 3-4 high Alpine scramblefest, why not; long road to trail runs, still fun. Not the widest, but much wider than most of the classic shoes, and you can still get a nice foothold on a small hold while scrambling

I would try them on because everyone has a different foot but I have a pretty large Haglund's on one foot (and likely a little less extreme one on the other - never x-rayed though) and really like the Salomon Ultra Glide (wide), Topo Mtn Racer, just got a pair of the Nike Zegama. I don't know if I would call the heel counter soft (certainly not a shoe expert) but there is padding in the heel which in my case keeps the bump from getting too irritated. YMMV.