Why Is the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 So Good? Our Honest Review

My very first trail running shoe was a Salomon shoe. Unfortunately, after that first pair, I veered away from Salomon. And I just need to say, I’m so glad Salomon is back in my life, specifically the Ultra Glide 4!

Upon taking them out of the box, I was pleasantly surprised at how light weight they were and was super excited to try them out after looking at the unique bottoms with the divots and placement of lugs.

As someone who is looking for an everyday trail shoe as well as a 50k race shoe all in one, this shoe works great in all those scenarios for me. Because it’s winter, I didn’t get to try them out on any super technical trails, but I felt light, poppy, and confident on a variety of terrains including gravel, single track, and steep ups and downs.

Salomon Ultra Glide 4 Overview

I’ve really gotten into trail running as recently as in the last year, this is the first shoe in that time that I’ve been super excited about. It’s got all the cushion you want underfoot for long days, but doesn’t feel heavy or bulky.

The overall comfort in this shoe is evident with each step. While our team had a lot of fun in the S/Lab Ulta Glide this feels like a much more usable shoe for the majority of runners, plus it’s not $250.

Recently I’ve been pretty attached to Hokas (Speedgoats and Mafates) because I’m a sucker for cushion. As I’m sure you know, those are pretty big and bulky shoes. The Ultra Glide 4 seems to have the support and cushion that I’ve come to love, while also not feeling as big and bulky.   

Although it’s winter here and I’m currently training for a road marathon, so the days of trail running are currently a bit limited, I was able to get in some runs between 8-12 miles on varying terrains of gravel paths, dry single track trails, and several steep ups and downs.

I tend to avoid snow and ice at all costs so I didn’t push my luck there. Luckily we did put the S/Lab version through ALL the technical terrain and mud, having the same outsole we feel very confident in the technical trail capabilities.

The most important thing for me with any trail shoe is trust and confidence. I want to trust my shoe to get me through any terrain and I want to feel confident while running.

The Ultra Glide 4 does that for me. I felt confident no matter the terrain (no slipping and sliding or toe clips), I felt light and poppy through the duration of every run. I also felt like my feet and ankles were getting the support I’ve come to look for with any trail shoe.

While I’m not trying to do any time trials on the trails right now, this shoe is great for the everyday trail run. And although I haven’t done any runs yet over 12 miles in them, I would totally trust these to hold up for those long summer runs in the mountains of 4-5 hours.

I’d also race in these. I think they’d be super ideal for the 50k distance. I say that because although they do feel light and poppy and fast for me, I know there are faster shoes out there that might be better for faster, shorter trail distances.

Style-wise, the Ultra Glide 4 is a dang good looking trail shoe for women, compared to what other brands are putting out there. I also love how you can tuck the laces in the carrier in the tongue. I hate the feeling that my shoe laces can come untied while you’re mid run or race!

I loved this shoe as soon as I opened the box. I got the shadow gray/tapioca color combo, but after looking on the website, I love all three of the color options for women. I have found it rare indeed to come across trail shoes that are aesthetically pleasing to me as a woman, or feminine at all.

Quick Take