Salomon Ultra Glide 4 Review: 4 Comparisons

Salomon Extremely Glide 4 ($160)

Execs:

Extraordinarily comfy for lengthy miles and restoration runsGood vitality returnSurprisingly mild for a max cushion path shoe4.5 mm lugs and Contagrip outsole can deal with assorted terrainLarge match accommodates bigger ft and swelling throughout ultrasNice climbing/strolling shoe as nicely

Cons:

Thick higher retains some warmth and moistureTraction isn’t 100% on moist path/rockCan’t tighten down midfoot fairly sufficient on low quantity ft

Stats

Spec. Weight: males’s  285g US 9.5 :: girls’s  255g US 6.5

Pattern Weight: girls’s 9.4 oz / 264 g US8.5

Stack Peak:  41mm heel /  35mm forefoot 

Platform Width: 92 mm heel / 80 mm midfoot  / 115 mm forefoot 

Most comparable footwear 

Saucony Xodus Extremely 4

Hoka Speedgoat 6

Nike Zegama 2

Asics Trabuco Max 4

The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Jen: The Extremely Glide 4 is the most recent incarnation of Salomon’s max cushion path coach and ultra-distance racer, and it’s clear from the start that it’s designed for consolation. Though I’ve cherished a variety of Salomon footwear through the years, from the primary version of the Sense Experience via final 12 months’s S/LAB Pulsar 4, this was my first encounter with the Extremely Glide line. 

Should you’re used to Salomon’s lower-volume S/LAB lasts, the Extremely Glide will really feel considerably wider, however stays true to measurement in size. The beneficiant quantity via the midfoot and toebox will accommodate medium to extensive ft in addition to foot swelling throughout long-distance races, however was somewhat robust to lock down for my comparatively slim midfoot. The basic Salomon Quicklace system tucks into its ordinary lace storage – no surprises and no complaints right here. 

The higher is the one actual replace from the earlier model, and it was revamped for elevated sturdiness, a greater match, and extra breathability. With 80 miles of testing on them up to now, sturdiness does appear good: no indicators of wear and tear in any respect.

The higher is thickly cushioned for consolation, as is the heel collar. I discovered the match to be somewhat higher within the rear of the foot than the midfoot, with no slippage. 

This model was redesigned to enhance breathability, however the beneficiant padding does nonetheless include tradeoffs so far as airflow and drainage are involved. My ft stayed moist for some time after creek crossings, though that didn’t result in any hotspots or blisters.

Overlays on the earlier model have been eliminated, leaving solely help reinforcements constructed instantly into the engineered mesh and reinforcements across the laces. Total, the Extremely Glide 4 is comfort-forward and durable, able to deal with massive miles. 

Midsole & Platform

The energyFOAM EVA mix midsole is generally unchanged, with total weight dropping round 10 grams from the earlier model.

A stack top of 41 mm/35 mm implies that there’s loads of that foam underfoot for consolation and rebound. Given the primary impression of consolation and sturdiness, I used to be pleasantly shocked with the vitality return right here. It’s not made to be a front-of-the-pack race shoe and doesn’t have the supercritical energyFOAM+ of final 12 months’s S/LAB Extremely Glide, nevertheless it’s not going to carry you again when choosing up the tempo on runnable sections of path or doing strides. 

The pronounced raised sidewalls prolong barely larger than the footbed, giving the impression that the shoe is even taller than 41mm within the heel. 

Whereas I skilled some lateral motion throughout the shoe because of the extensive midfoot, there was no lateral instability from the stack top regardless of a reasonable 92 mm  heel width and 115 mm forefoot width.

Outsole

The Contagrip rubber outsole, a compound discovered throughout most of Salomon’s trail-oriented fashions, handles most terrain very capably. As different testers famous within the S/LAB model, suitability for technical terrain is restricted by the roomy match relatively than the outsole. 

Moist rock was a problem, nevertheless it’s a problem for many outsoles. 

The revolutionary relieveSphere geometry present in earlier variations of the Extremely Glide is retained in v4, together with 4.5 mm lugs. Concave sections are supposed to alleviate strain underfoot in high-impact areas. I skilled some slight strain underneath the bottom of the large toe doubtless associated to the relieveSphere contouring, however in any other case I didn’t word a distinction in really feel underfoot relative to a standard outsole.

The Contagrip rubber is delicate sufficient that particles can get embedded, as with the big part of pinecone above, however that’s fairly uncommon. 

Particularly for a shoe designed for path ultras, the Extremely Glide 4 feels surprisingly good on road-to-trail runs. Maybe it’s the malleable outsole materials, or maybe simply all that energyFOAM, nevertheless it’s simply as comfy on gravel or pavement as it’s on softer surfaces. 

Experience, Conclusions and Suggestions

Lengthy miles? Medium to extensive ft? This might be your new favourite shoe. At the same time as a devotee of the narrower, sleeker S/LAB line, I discovered myself received over by the mixture of max cushion but energetic trip. It may be fairly good to not really feel all of the rocks underfoot generally. 

The Extremely Glide 4 shines as an ideal every day coach for top mileage athletes and may be a stable race day possibility for ultrarunners who worth consolation over prime velocity or it may be a do-it-all climbing/operating workhorse. $150 is rather more affordable than the S/LAB model ($250) and looks like a cut price if it’s as sturdy because it appears up to now.

Additionally an ideal canine strolling shoe. Scotty approves!

Jen’s rating: 8.9/10 😊😊😊😊.5

Experience (30%): 9/10

Match (30%): 8/10 – would match a wider foot a lot better, however I couldn’t get it locked down sufficient via the midfoot to be steady operating rapidly on technical terrain

Worth (10%): 10/10

Type (5%): 10/10 for distinctive sidewall, is available in quite a lot of colorways

Traction (15%): 8.5/10

Rock Safety (10%): 10/10

4 Comparisons

Salomon S/LAB Extremely Glide (RTR Evaluation)

I didn’t evaluation that model, which differs primarily within the presence of supercritical foam within the midsole and a lighter higher. The S/LAB Extremely Glide is meant as a race shoe however isn’t a lot lighter, and RTR testers famous that $250 appeared steep. Some testers additionally instructed sizing half a measurement down within the S/LAB UG, whereas I felt that the UG4 was true-to-size lengthwise even when somewhat extensive. Each variations are equally able to dealing with lengthy haul miles, however with out a lot distinction in weight or a plate on the premium model, most runners might be fairly completely satisfied saving the additional $100 and choosing the UG4. 

The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 (RTR Evaluation)

The Enduris 4 was one in every of my favourite all-around path footwear of 2025, and has an analogous really feel underfoot from a consolation and stability perspective. The Enduris 4 is barely heavier at 9.3 oz vs. 8.9 oz for the UG4 in my USW8.5 and has a wider base and extra rockered geometry although nonetheless 6 mm drop. Whereas the toebox is equally roomy within the Enduris 4, the midsole is barely narrower and suits my foot higher, so the UG4 may get the sting for runners with high-volume ft. 

Saucony Xodus Extremely 4 (RTR Evaluation)

One other nice all-around shoe, the XU4 sports activities supercritical PWRRUN PB foam within the midsole and a full-length Vibram Megagrip outsole, however weighs in about an oz heavier (10.0 vs. 8.9 oz in USW8.5). The higher of the UG4 feels barely thicker and fewer breathable to me, however each are very comfy. Once more, each are true-to-size, however the UG4 will match wider ft, whereas the XU4 feels extra dialed for lower-volume ft on technical terrain. Each provide good worth (XU4 $170, UG4 $150). 

Brooks Cascadia 19 (RTR Evaluation)

Consolation and worth are prime of thoughts for each these footwear. Whereas the most recent model of the Cascadia is considerably lighter than v18, it’s nonetheless barely heavier than the UG4 and the bottom is noticeably wider all through. Nonetheless, the inside footbed isn’t fairly as extensive because the UG4 (although the Cascadia does are available in a large model). Each are generously cushioned and favor an all-day tempo, although they’re able to choosing it up properly. These are two that I attain for steadily for every day miles. 

Thanks for studying our evaluation!

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