Known for its innovative approach to trail running, Salomon’s newest addition, the Ultra Glide, is no exception. Using “Relieve Sphere” technology, the outsole is designed to relieve fatigue and reduce pressure from repeated turnover on trails. Its wavy geometry certainly pushes the envelope in design—but it comes with a hefty price tag.
The Ultra Glide promises comfort over long distances on rugged terrain, featuring SalomonFOAM+ AND SalomonFOAM cushioning (that’s right, double the foam!), a 6mm drop, and 4mm lugs.
After testing it out, I found it responsive, ridiculously comfortable, and a bit bouncy at the start— but is it really worth the $250 price tag?
Let’s find out!
Who’s It Good For:
Who is the Salomon S/LAB Ultra Glide good for? Let’s break it down with some common categories:
- Wide Feet: Yup! The roomy toe box is a fit for wide feet.
- Technical Trails: You bet! The 4mm lugs are made for technical trails
- Long Runs: Absolutely! The max cushion and Relieve Spheres in this shoe are literally designed for longer adventures.
- Front of the Pack: This is made for more mid-to-back-of-the-pack runners. People who will be on their feet for a loooong time– Long trail runs, mixed terrain adventures, and ultra races
The Salomon S/LAB Ultra Glide offers maximum cushioning for long distances, but it comes at a steep price.
Salomon S/LAB Ultra Glide Overview:
I couldn’t wait to test out the Ultra Glide shoes! It debuted at the 2024 UTMB races (if you’re unfamiliar with these iconic trail races, I highly recommend Googling them—they really know how to put on events!).
The wavy outsole design and the “Relieve Sphere” technology piqued my curiosity. Much like ON’s garden hose design, it might look weird, but these spheres are there for a purpose.
At first, I wasn’t sure how the golf ball-shaped indents would help relieve fatigue. I imagined they might make the shoe unstable on technical terrain due to the outsole not being flat.
But here’s the thing: we don’t technically run on the bed of the outsole—the lugs hit the ground first and disperse pressure across the outsole, hence the strategically placed sphere-shaped indents. They’re designed to spread out pressure and alleviate typical hot spots.
Pretty cool!
The maximum cushion is noticeable right away. These are downright comfortable with a little bounce! On my first run, I was surprised by how bouncy they felt the first few miles. 
However, as my body settled in and the distance grew longer, the bounce seemed to calm down, but the comfort was still there. It felt bouncy but never unstable. I didn’t feel like I was on a pogo stick, but I could feel the energy rebounding in my steps. Not surprisingly, there is science behind this design, too!
Salomon first layered their SalomonFOAM, a lightweight EVA foam, on the Relieve Sphere outsole to help deter foot fatigue during long runs. Then, they layered their SalomonFOAM+ (a mix of PEBA and EVA) to create a nice, bouncy footbed. The double-layered foam makes a noticeable difference! By the time the miles started stacking, my feet still felt very comfortable.
Even on more technical terrain, the cushioning wasn’t overwhelming. They were still responsive and stable, even on rocky downhills. The bounciness provided just enough spring to make me feel quick on my feet, not heavy or weighed down.
What I don’t worry about is the All Terrain Contagrip® outsole and 4mm lugs. That is their tried and true outsole that meets the demands of trail running. It’s grippy and durable over multiple terrains that I run over.
In fact, Salomon’s outsoles seem to outlive all my other trail-running outsoles! That says a lot about a shoe; the Colorado Rockies tend to eat shoes quickly!
Salomon S/LAB Ultra Glide Specs
- Heel-toe drop: 6mm
- Weight: 10.23oz (unisex)
- Stack: 41mm
- Usage: Trail running, long runs, and ultra trail races
- Available in 1 color: Fiery Red / Pompeian Red / Vanilla Ice
- Not available in wide
- Available at Salmon.com for $250
To truly test the comfort, I did some active recovery miles in them after running a hot, rocky 50k in Arizona. My winter treadmill-running feet were wrecked after that race, but the Ultra Glide’s max cushioning made it possible for me to actually get in recovery runs. Being able to run after a race like that, when my feet felt as beat up as they did, is a testament to their cushioning!
While I do love the comfort of the midsole, I do have reservations about how durable it will be. It takes up over half the shoe, is squishy, and I worry that it won’t hold up to knicks from rocks. Time will tell on that front.
Salomon S/LAB Ultra Glide Fit
I found the fit to be true to size, with a secure, snug, deep heel that keeps things in place without feeling tight or sloppy. The toe box has more room than I expected, which is great for those with wider feet or who want room for toes to splay.
Salomon calls the fit “Standard,” and I’d agree. It wasn’t too narrow or too wide.
Quicklace systems– you either love them or hate them. I don’t mind them and have grown a new appreciation for them from my latest Ultra. My fingers swelled so much that I could hardly re-tie my shoes during the race. Never did I wish I had the Quicklace system more than at mile 28. But I regress.
With the Ultra Glide, I first struggled to find the right amount of tightness in the right places. It took me a couple of minutes to find what I liked, and they stayed put once I dialed it in. The extra laces easily fit into the pocket in the tongue. My older Salomon Sense Ride laces never fit in the pocket very well, so the ease of this was appreciated.
The gusseted tongue is thin and strategically padded so the laces’ pressure doesn’t get too tight and cause issues. The side tongue fabric is very thin and stretchy. It keeps debris out and the tongue in place, and I never felt any chaffing from where the seams connect it to the tongue.
Like many of the Salomon shoes, the heel collar is slightly taller but padded. Again, I didn’t experience chafing or blistering and felt like my heel stayed put. In fact, I didn’t feel any hot spots at all during my runs. That’s a massive win in my book!
The uppers are double-lined on the sides with fabric and a tightly woven mesh. The mesh is tight enough that grass seeds or dirt won’t get stuck. However, right above the toes, the fabric changes. It omits the woven mesh and instead has a layer of stretchy fabric that allows for maximum breathability and wiggle room.
In fact, my feet were at a comfortable temperature whether I ran in the winter of Colorado (6º) or the winter heat (70º) of Arizona.
UPDATE S/Lab Ultra 1.5
Crazy to say, but they actually did a middle release of this shoe just to adjust the heel!
This update focuses on an improved heel design that’s lower and more plush than its predecessor. At first glance it isn’t super noticeable, but it feels great. It’s low enough that it didn’t cause any friction or pressure when I took them straight from the box for a three hour trail run.
Because it’s low, I did have to do some trial and error with the Quicklace system to lock my heel in place, but once I did, there was zero discomfort. This will be a welcome update for anyone who experienced friction or unwanted pressure on the heel in the original, and for those that didn’t mind it, this update shouldn’t cause any pushback.
Similar Shoes
If you’re looking for alternatives with similar performance characteristics, here are a few options worth considering:
- Hoka Tecton X3: (Has a similar squishy cushion feel, but adds a carbon plate)
- Altra Olympus: (Offers a that zero drop, but LOTS of cushion)
- Saucony Xodus Ultra 3: (Beefy and usually a more narrow fit than other brands)
Overall, I think the Salomon S/LAB Ultra Glide is a fantastic shoe for anyone prioritizing maximum comfort, whether due to injury recovery or personal preference. It’s designed for long days on the trails and is geared for ultra distances.
The added cushion will likely appeal to mid- and back-of-the-pack runners seeking extra comfort for longer runs. However, I’ve seen a few professional runners wear the Ultra Glide on easy, long-run days, and a few races. It’s still a new shoe, so I bet we will see more of it in the coming trail race season.
With no carbon plate and a slightly heavier build compared to other trail shoes, the Ultra Glide prioritizes comfort over speed. As a mid-to-back-of-the-pack trail runner, I’m okay with this tradeoff, especially for longer distances.
Now, as for the price—$250 is steep and mirrors the cost of shoes that do include a carbon plate.
Ultimately, it depends on you and your feet—yours may love these shoes at whatever distance you’re running, and the comfort might be exactly what you need to keep going.
Ready to go? Checkout out now at Salmon.com for $250
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