Salomon Ultra Glide 4 Review
By David Salas
Salomon Ultra Glide 4Price: $159.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 9.9 oz, 280g (men's size 9), 8.9 oz, 252g (women's size 7)
Stack Height: 41 mm heel / 35 mm forefoot ; Lugs 4.5 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Shoe Purpose: Maximum Cushioned Trail running, Ultra Running
Pros: Excellent weight to cushioning ratio, Very well done rocker for long outings
Cons: Though plush, the upper does fit snug through the midfoot, Outsole could be a touch more grippy
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Salomon Ultra Glide 4 is a maximum cushioned trail running shoe that offers some versatility. The shoe has an exceptional weight to cushioning ratio for the trails, being 41mm of stack height and just under 10 ounces in men's size 9. The Ultra Glide 4 is intended for long outings, varying surfaces, and some versatility in pace. The Ultra Glide 4 accomplishes all of these in a very friendly package at $160. The Salomon Ultra Glide 4 is an immediate competitor for max cushion trail running shoes.
SIMILAR SHOES: Altra Olympus 6, HOKA Challenger 8
PAST MODEL: Salomon Ultra Glide 3
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
David: The Salomon Ultra Glide 4 fits true to size in my men's 9.5. The upper is interesting, in that it is very plush, but still snug through the midfoot. This is mostly because of the volume, not the width. The volume in the forefoot is good and spacious. The heel and midfoot are normal width, with the forefoot being a little bit wider. The upper material is very plush, but still surprisingly breathable. I had no issues with my foot overheating when I was out for longer trail outings. It is also really well integrated into the sidewalls of the shoe. You certainly feel a cradling of the foot alongside some gentle guidance measures.
The Ultra Glide 4 does use a speed lacing system. I had no issues with it and it held really well. I never had to readjust it out on the trail. Even though the volume through the midfoot is a little low, the tongue is very padded. I did not have any issues with biting from the speed laces. The upper material itself also held up really well on the trails. I felt like I could turn hard and really push the material without it giving way. I actually really enjoyed the overall fit and upper of the Salomon Ultra Glide 4. I was a little nervous about the volume in the midfoot initially, but I did not have any issues with it once I started running. A little more space might be nice, but that would be me being picky.
David's Typical Size: Men's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit David well: Nike Vomero 17, Saucony Ride 16, Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Shoes that have fit snug: HOKA Arahi 7
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon Aero Glide
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes, hiking
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: No
How Flexible is the Shoe: Very mild, pretty stiff
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: Potentially
Is This Shoe Orthotic Friendly: No
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Average
PERFORMANCE
David: The Salomon Ultra Glide 4 performed very well for me. The Ultra Glide 4 has plenty of cushioning underfoot with its 41mm stack height. The weight, 9.9 ounces, is also very light for how much foam there is and how plush the upper is. The midsole feels like a softer EVA that is further softened by a podular design in the foam. The outsole is still full contact, though the midsole itself has crater like pods to help with force attenuation. The rocker profile is dialed in very well. This is one of the smoothest rockers that I have experienced in a trail shoe.
Given the weight to cushioning ratio, the shoe does offer a lot of versatility. If you like to send it... these can do the job. For me, this is great for long outings and trail runs of all surfaces. I found that I could easily settle into rhythm. The forefoot felt a little stiff with steeper climbs. Downhill, the traction held up well in nearly every scenario. I did slip a little on some slick rocks, but everything held up well otherwise. The shoe flowed incredibly well through well groomed trails, and did hold up well in the technical sections that I went through. The Ultra Glide 4 also feels good standing and walking. The Salomon Ultra Glide 4 can easily be a trail running shoe for training or ultra racing. I think it can easily serve as a solid hiking option as well.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
David: Despite the stack height, the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 does run pretty stable. The foam is soft, but no soft that it feels mushy or overly compliant. The shoe also has really tall sidewalls in the rearfoot and midfoot that noticeably keep the foot feeling centered. The full contact outsole is trustworthy in nearly every reasonable scenario. The upper is also surprisingly secure. It is really plush, but it does hold its integrity when you throw hard lateral forces at it. There is also a wide underfoot platform with some sole flaring that is well integrated. I don't see any major issues with stability in this model.
Thoughts as a DPT: Subtle Stability
By David Salas, PT, DPT, CSCS
Anytime you are making a shoe for maximum cushioning, stability will be a concern. As you get higher and higher off of the ground, you start to lose some proprioception and your feeling of the ground. Depending on the foam, there may even be a small balancing act while standing on it. Because of these concerns, it is important to make a platform that is stable and reliable for the runner. This can be done in a few ways. Unfortunately, our foot will still do what it wants despite some of these elements, but the presence of these things can change how the shoe feels subjectively on foot. That can still play a large role in stability. The Salomon Ultra Glide 4 did a good job of implementing some of these small things.
The first thing they did was lock in a secure platform. When you look at the Salmon Ultra Glide 4, they use a classic highly stacked rocker profile. From there, they widened the platform underfoot and added some sole flare. Sole flare is an extension of foam either medially or laterally beyond the footbed that you are standing on. This adds some general rigidity to movement, but also gives you a secure platform to stand and lever off of. They then provide a cradling experience in the foot. Your heel sits lower in the shoe than the foam which encapsulates your foot. They create a bucket sensation in the heel that extends further forward into the midfoot thanks to the tall sidewalls. The upper is also incredibly secure and ensures that you have a great lockdown so that you can use these features efficiently. The outsole can also act as a stability measure. The rubber itself also adds some rigidity and can firm up the ride some. The 4.5 mm lugs are spread out in a way where they can grab the dirt without catching too much of it and still providing good traction. The Salomon Ultra Glide 4 feels very cushioned underfoot, but it still feels sturdy and stable without the usage of any posts or dual density midsoles. Everything in the shoe is subtle, but it is implemented really well.
RECOMMENDATIONS
David: I really enjoyed my time in the Salomon Ultra Glide 4. The main recommendation that I would make is to make the volume through the midfoot just a touch higher. It did feel like it was squeezing my foot a little initially and I had to trust the process that I would not have an issue. Thankfully I didn't, but it might have been a deal breaker if I was buying shoes in a store based on the initial step in.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
David: The Salomon Ultra Glide 4 is a maximum cushioned trail running shoe for those that like having a noticeable rocker in the shoe. The Ultra Glide 4 can easily triple as a trail training shoe, ultra racing shoe, and a hiking shoe. The light weight also provides a lot of versatility in terms of pacing and ability. Tall sidewalls do help with some stability measures as well. Those wanting a smooth rocker with balanced compliance will enjoy the Ultra Glide 4. It is mostly intended for long outings. The Salomon Ultra Glide 4 does serve that purpose really well.
GRADES
David
Fit: A- (Upper dimensions are really good throughout. Great security. Volume is just a little low through the midfoot.)
Performance: A- (Very versatile while still maintaining great cushion and ride at easy paces as well. Only a little bit of slipping on wet or damp areas on rock specifically.)
Stability: A (Secure upper, full contact outsole, tall sidewalls, good sole flaring.)
Value: A (At $160 this shoe is immediately competitive with the rest of the trail market.)
Personal: A (This is my favorite trail shoe of the year right now.)
Overall Design: A-/A
SHOP | SUPPORT DORSalomon Ultra Glide 4Price: $159.95 at Running Warehouse
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