Another Pair of the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 have been out splashing the trails. Team Accelerate Runner and Sports Therapist Taylor has also been lucky enough to get his hands on a pair of these beasts of a trail shoe. Check out his thoughts below...
Weight - 283g (Men's UK 8)
Drop -6mm
Key features -Contagrip outsole with 4mm lug depth, OptiFoam midsole and Quicklace system.
Best for -Long-lasting comfort over mixed terrain with a stable, and lightweight feel.
Straight out the box:
As someone who normally sways towards the lighter, more cushioned running shoes in the market, I was very excited to try a trail shoe that seemed to include these attributes as well! The part of the shoe which probably interested me the most was the Relieve Sphere technology used in the outsole. The shoe's dimple-like structure helps to absorb shock in these 'pressure point' areas and distribute force evenly through the foot, adding to the overall fit and comfort of the shoe.
How they Performed:
These shoes Performed brilliantly over a range of different terrains, especially when hopping on and off between lighter trails and heavier, muddier conditions (and trust me, with all the rain we have had in the UK these were definitely used in very muddy sections!) They felt lightweight and stable on this type of terrain, and more importantly didn't feel clumsy or clunky, as this is the main downside I find with a lot of trail running shoes. I noticed just how breathable the shoe was as well which added to the overall comfort and ride of the shoe. The upper of the shoe has been made with simpler and more breathable materials for improved airflow when it's hot, and better water evacuation for dryer feet when it's wet.
Even though this shoe isn't labelled as a 'door to trail' or 'hybrid' shoe', I also found it to perform pretty well on harder terrain, even tarmac in places! I wouldn't recommend taking this shoe on tarmac for long periods of time, due to the sticky outsole probably wearing down quicker, but it just goes to show how versatile this shoe really is!
The only concern I had with this shoe before I tested it was that I didn't quite know how the higher stack of the shoe would perform on more technical terrain, but I must say I was pleasantly surprised at how stable the shoe felt. There were times on very sharp, slippy rocks that it may have felt a little unstable for people who are maybe used to a more minimal trail shoe, but I never felt unsafe or at risk when wearing this shoe. It really does hug your foot brilliantly and the quickLACE system provides a minimalistic but strong lace for one-pull tightening, also making this shoe extremely easy to get on, but also to get off when your shoes are caked in mud and you can't feel your fingers!
Final thoughts:
If you are looking for a trail shoe that isn't sluggish and heavy, but can also deal with a range of different terrains you may come across, then the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 is a fantastic option to have in your range of running shoes. It is a comfortable, lightweight trail shoe that is a real all-rounder for trail running and long off-road miles.