The Salomon Ultra Glide is a highly anticipated shoe that delivers on the promise of more Salomon cushion - but it does have some caveats. What do you think of the new Ultra Glide? Also, I mentioned Profeel Film across the upper by mistake (its the protective layer through midsole). I blame lack of sleep - as I'm sure you guessed, It's the welded overlays that I'm referring to!
Great review, but I do wanna know about the grip on wet stone and how they perform on very technical routes. And do they have drainage holes (is that the words?) in the sole?
is it a good shoe to run 10-40 km as a 82kg man?? i need good cushining but not hoka style because i twist my angle easily as i step external with my feet
These have been my go to trail shoe for the last two months, and after 200km I can confirm everything you have said here. I’ve commented elsewhere that these shoes are like the lovechild of Salomons SpeedCross and Pulsar. Love this shoe, but yes do wish the midsole remained as fresh as the first few weeks. Agree, the upper is just a bit over engineered - can get warm, but the protective forefoot has saved my toes more than once. One thing you didn’t mention is the outsole. I find it to be softer than the SpeedCross and more like the Pulsar. Unfortunately the outsole has shown significant wear and will not likely make it passed 350km. We’ll see. Fair and honest review! Cheers!
Just went over 450 mi in my Glides and picked up another pair. Not my racing shoes, but perfect for long cruisers and general training. I run very little pavement and the soles have lasted, a little worn, but nothing unexpected for that mileage. I weigh 160lbs and haven't notice that much midsole breakdown. Thinking Ill retire them in just over 500 miles, they have held up great for me.
I spent an hour at a Salomon stockist in the large city an hour and a half away, trying on the various shoes, I ended leaving with a nice Salomon belt and a couple of soft flasks. Salomon shoes have never come close to fitting my gnarly old feet, once the get this shoe in stock I might do as you suggest and try it. Thanks for the review.
Only run once on mine so far but loved them. Great lockdown around the heel even when hitting steep hills. Midsole felt fast and a good mix of cushion and energy return. My only issue was the fit seemed really narrow which is odd as everyone else is saying it’s a roomy toe box. They do seem to have stretched a little even after just one run so hopefully this won’t be an issue after a few runs.
You literally answered every single question I had about this shoe! I like some of the ideas behind this shoe, but I’ll probably wait for the 2nd or 3rd iteration of this shoe just due to the midsole breakdown and too much overlay on the upper. The overlay, especially, is a dealbreaker for me. Thanks for the awesome review as always!
You shouldn't base you decision about the shoe on any review. Try the shoe. I run only 40k in this one so far, but for me it is perfect. I have also tried Sense Ride 4 and I don't agree that Ultra Glide upper has to many overlays, it protected me from quite a few rocks very well, while Sense Ride has very soft upper and I would say they are for a friendlier terrain. Also, Ultra Glide is much more stable for me and I didn't have any problems with breathability, temperature this days is above 30 Celsius and my feet were fine :). This is just my view on the shoe, but so many factors effect how they will fit you, guess the biggest one is what you are used to so far.
Quality production as always. Although I have to mention that they did attempt a max cushioning shoe model before - Salomon Sense Max Pro. I still have it in fact, back from year 2017. And the midsole just didnt work - as of course it was too hard, classic Salomon...
I’ve been looking for a replacement of the Sense Ride 2 after being disappointed with the 3 and 4, hoping the UltraGlide is more like the 2! I can see the S/Lab Ultra4 using this midsole and making probably their best shoe
Did you never get your hands on the S/Lab Genesis? Seems like their higher tech ultra shoe but no one has really reviewed it. (And thanks for thee great reviews as always!)
Unfortunately the midsole flattening is a showstopper for me. I noticed the creasing in the midsole as you were holding it. I’m thinking that may be a sign of premature midsole breakdown. As always, thank you for the great review.
When running down hill, does the toe get jammed up? Does the tongue scrape the top of the ankle? How many miles have you put into it, do you recommend it for someone who runs trails 4 times/month, no longer than 8 miles total?
Two runs (8 and 11) in the mtns of Vermont on very technical and muddy/wet trails. They've done alright, more stable and capable than I thought they might be, not as cushioned as I was hoping. Traction has been strong as expected even on the slickest stuff. Foothold has been good though I wonder what they might be like for someone with a narrow, low volume foot. A few observations. Less than 20 miles and the midsole looks like I've run 200. Tons of creasing. Ran a couple miles on a gravel forest road at the end of today's run and felt almost every little rock. Why they didn't put a layer of Profeel film in the forefoot I don't know, but the layer of firmer foam doesn't do a whole lot. Finally, I noticed on a long downhill they don't quite soak up the pounding, the way I was hoping. Maybe I need more time in them but so far I'm not blown away.
I completely agree with the lack of protection, with everything else about the shoe I'm fine, although I thought they have more cushion and I personally rate the wet grip below Vibram, Continental, PWRTRAC...running the North Face Vectiv Enduris also, similar purpose, 30gr. heavier, still more enjoyable on Long runs.
I gave my last Salomon shoes away (speed cross). I intended to run with them on trails. They were too hot and gave almost no forefoot cushioning. It felt like running in soccer cleats. I switched to a Pegasus Trail with no regrets. Forefoot cushioning and comfort is all there.
I feel like the toe box has minimal cusion. I'm still trying them. I am wearing a speedgoat 5 on one foot and the Salomon Ultra Glide on the other. We shall see.
Wow! Surprised by your comments of flattening out. Salomon had a booth at the Pike’s Peak Marathon and went on and on about how the foam on this shoe was designed to last and not break down. Was the main selling point for me. Guess I’ll stick with Hoka.
Thanks for this honest review. I wish that I had read your review of the Altra lone peak 4 before buying. Worst shoe I've owned. Only lasted 200km before midsole completely compressed on medial heel. 50km the midsole peeled away (outer peeled at 10km). Your review was the only one not gulping cool-aid on the lone peaks at the time. So I've been loving the sense ride 3 and looking forward to the UG. Now with your review on the midsole I will skip this. I weigh 72kg and tend to collapse shoes on medial side. I like the sound of a TPU midsole in the Saucony Xodus 11 or maybe stick with Optivibe from Salomon. I have over 800km (500 miles) on Salomon Sonic balance with creasing of midsole but still feels like plenty of life left. Hoping you'll review the Xodus before I need to buy. The Xodus 10 is actually cheaper here than the Sense ride or Ultra glide and supposedly TPU midsoles outlast the shoe. Thanks
Just ran a 21k race in the Pulsar, so good, I could use the Pulsar for a 50k, but think I would like a little more cush , UG is a buy for me. Thanks for the review Ginger.
I am a light runner so the midsole flattening i don’t notice at more than 100km but i do notice that the outsole lugs are not as durable as my other salomon shoes. I had the first sense pro, first slab ultra and both 6th slab shoes so i was surprised that this model doesn’t have that durable contra grip that i’m used to from Salomon.
Great review, and for now I think I'll stick to the Sense Ride, which I like a lot. The extra cushioning of the Ultra Glide sounded nice, but not if it doesn't really go the distance.
Bought them and sent them back. Loved them but the overlays caused discomfort in my little ties, rubbing. Not even running just trying them on. Loved Sense Max.
Hey ginger runner try the index 1, nice road training shoe with a very interesting direction from Salomon. Also the midsole is also very nice somehow very resilient, soft enough but not overly so. Nice shoe and WAY better performance than any other runnning shoes I have tried with an ecological idea over the years.
Ugh...your description after taking this shoe to higher mileage was what I was worried about. It looks like the EVO Speedgoat is being phased out and was really hoping that this could be a potential replacement. Thanks for giving that important detail about the midsole breakdown. Maybe I'll give this a go on a second iteration from Salomon.
@@jp05598 yeah…huge bummer. Also, weird marketing decision after Hoka put all its top athletes in it at Western States. I messaged Hoka through social media on it and whoever runs their Twitter just sort of dodged the question. I don’t know if it’s because of sales and the general public really isn’t buying the shoe or if they are making updates and those updates are just delayed…
My 1st pair of EVO SGs the midsole completely flatten out a little after 250 miles (I am about 100 miles on second pair). Still one of my favorites. I would recommend the VJ Ultra for EVO replacement which so far is my trail shoe of 2021. Light, great traction, durable, fast, and good cushion.
I hope the Pulsar midsole holds up...... I really enjoy the brand. T. Olson could have used a few hundred pairs. Enjoyed the thoughtfulness w the review.
Agree with everything, I'm close to 150km and the UG feels like a more cushioned Sense Ride 1, which is nice, but this is no max cushioned shoe and for me a 50k shoe only. It also lacks protection, I prefer the optivibe like in the Sense Ride to be honest. The grip is typical Salomon, perfect in dry, average in wet...the UG is no competition for Hoka in the max cush section, it has lots more Grund feel though, good or bad ist up to personal likes. I also run the North Face Vectiv Enduris, which is for similar terrain (non technical, more dry outings), I prefer the Enduris, more cushion/protection, rolls better, although heavier...
Awesome review. Interesting how you find it compares to the sense ride. A have heard it described as a soft hoka torrent so guess it fits in between the torrent and the speedgoat?
I'm still pretty pumped for this shoe. I've been able to take their regular shoes out for hours and miles on miles but if they had just a LITTLE bit more cushion, I'd be happy. Honestly, the S Lab Ultra is near perfect for me, just want something a little softer. Hoping this isn't on the clunky/dead feeling end like the Sense Ride. Not concerned with flattening out of midsole, but worried when you compare to Altra which are dead/flat out of the box.
@@TheGingerRunner I definitely noticed in your b-roll shots a lot of creasing and had me a little worried. I tend to get hundreds of miles out of almost any shoe, so not too concerned. Can't wait to wear these bad boys for Grindstone. :)
I just got this shoe in and it's completely different to the s/lab ultra 3 (I've tried to use that shoe). After one run I'm pretty happy with it. The cushioning is great and makes it a fun shoe to run in. The upper is just ok, it doesn't have the lockdown of the s/lab ultra 3, if they took upper and put on the Ultra Glide midsole then we'd have a serious shoe. The Pulsar might be that shoe though, I've yet to try it.
@@30m3 Glad to hear the comparison. My UGs just showed up in the mail and wow, that's some serious cushioning! I think this will be a fantastic 100 miler shoe but I'm a little concerned about the midsole durability.
Great shoe as with the Sense Ride - both with good mid=sole cushioning and excellent for mixed terrain although a bit of a toe stubble on the steep downhill. Maybe I'm just lacing it wrong.
After a 20k trail run and a 7k hike, I can’t say I’m a fan of the tongue/boa system. It creates hot points that are painful from the get go. I have a hard time imagining this getting better with time, let alone running an ultra in these. Being used to Altra, the first run was a bit rough, but by the hike, things improved in terms of fit. The lacing didn’t however. Planning at 33k 2500m run next weekend, I’m wondering if these are the shoes I should wear…
GingerRunner how you are doing, great video, may I ask you a quick question I am traveling to Mount Everest base camp in November, and I want to get a shoe, I have 2 options X ultra 4 vs Hoka speedboat 5. Thanks for any help.
Have taken mine on two long mtn runs with tons of mud and water. They're ok in terms of drainage. The water comes out but not super quick and the shoes don't dry super fast. But not terrible.
my big complaint with overlays like that on the heel is that they screw up my turning agility. Like you're trying to take a hard right on a street corner or trail turn, and the shoe is fighting you. I noticed that on the North Face Enduris.
Hmmmm, interesting. Seth DeMoor gave the shoe a 7.98 which neared his 8.0 threshold of a great shoe. Therefore, I decided to give it a try. Will have to see how it compares to my Hoka Challenger ATR 6 and Torrent V1.
Planned obsolescence from Salomon- and most shoe companies. Hoka and and some Nike foams hold up okay. PBAX foam is the best right now, but few use it. Many companies manufacture similar foam- it's widely available. Producing a long lasting mid sole is easy and has been well understood for some time. But few companies want to produce something that lasts.
Was very excited for these. Review is spot on about the upper. It feels more restrictive to me than the sense pro 4. Felt discomfort immediately at try on with my big toes. I am enjoying the TOPO mtn racer 2. Hope to see your review if you’re reviewing it.
What running shoes do you recommend for someone that has been basically walking in nothing but flat shoes (vans/ converse) their entire life. I tried something a bit curved and got knee pain right away 🫤 * note* I’m a as newbie to running as they come 😂 I don’t know anything * I’m only at 8 miles 😂
for me true to size, a touch longer though, but sizing down wouldn't work for me, better a bit more room then less...If you're between sizes usually size down 0.5 size, hope this works...
I’m not sure how much you weigh but how much does the midsole breakdown change as the weight of the runner decreases? I’ve been looking forward to these shoes for 20+ mile runs. I’m currently in the Sense Ride 4 and I’ve not had any issues up to 15 mile trail days but I will be increasing my mileage once the summer heat breaks here in the Phoenix Valley as a buildl towards the BCT 60 K
yooo. help. i need shoes that are decent for trail running but i usually sadly run on road in city. Which shoes should i go for? are these ones it? the only other people have recomended is the hoke atr challenger but i feel i will destroy those in 5 months.
I think they're 10.9 oz in a mens 9. Certainly sound like a bit of a trail tank based purely off the weight, but salomon usually does a good job of making shoes feel lighter on foot than they are
If you mean the Sense Pro Max, the UG is much softer, much more flexible, lots lighter...a different league (I didn't like the Sense Pro Max as it runs like a brick)
Just my perspective regarding the Pulsar and the Energy Surge midsole: Yes it breaks down pretty fast, but then it stabilizes. For trail running I actually prefer it as it's more tamed and still more cushioned than the Sense series. btw Profeel film is the rockplate not the overlays on the upper
The stabilization just makes the midsole feel like other Salomon midsoles so losing that dynamic defeats the purpose of the design, IMHO. Excited to see what's next though!
thats dissapointing to hear about the midsole flattening because thats exactly how i feel about my brooks catamounts they were great right out of the box for the first 100 miles but now i feel more impact on the front midsole from the cushioning flattening out. For $140+ shoes we should get at the very least 300+ miles before that ever happens but im still excited to try the salomon ultra glides regardless.
So after 2 runs and now this review I may send this back. It was really great out of the box for the first run. Lots of energy return! Second run it was very humid and my feet got wet - the shoe hang onto every drop of sweat! It did not drain at all. There was literally water standing in the shoe when I took it off. This caused the sock liner to slip and bunch up as well heading down a steep rocky descent. Happy Solomon is going for max cushion with more room but for the price I’m pretty disappointed- and considering the midsole looks like it will go flat soon?? - blah. 😞
More room in the forefoot than most Salomons? Maybe, but the toebox has a very agressive taper which means that it feels very narrow if you don't have the toes to match and I find it more restrictive than the Slab Ultra 3. I don't quite understand why they have such an agressive taper on a long distance shoe. Also that heel collar, normally something Salomon does well, has too much padding. It does nothing except make the shoe bulky and hot. This was the shoe that was going to save me from the weight of the Inov8 Trailfly but it seems I'm going to have to take the weight of the Trailfly for now!
and heel lock is difficult because of padding, not to mention the challenge to get this properly done with the quicklaces...at least without putting too much pressure on top of the tongue...
@@Thefifaplayeryant Totally agree. Excess padding in the heel just makes things less secure and doesn't add to comfort. I cut the quick laces out of most of my Salomons due to the fact that they are less comfortable, harder to adjust the tension and they are actually slower to tighten and stow away than a pair of normal laces. That said, loads of people seem to love them.
@@benarlett4767 I usually gave up on Salomon for the one and other reason as there always seem to be some issues for me...I must say I still like the UG for what it is, a nice daily trainer for most scenarios, but it's not the "holy grail" some reviews tend to sell...I guess it's a bit influenced by the brand, as after all it's indeed a Salomon for the masses, enough cushion, enough toe room and affordable, you just don't need to be Kilian to run these for longer mileage...
First run in my set today. Thankfully they are still Salomon. The volume and narrow foot bed just work for my feet. I have tried to like others but shoes are so personal. It’s just Salomon for me. I have 300 miles on my SenseRide 4 and these definitely have a more cushion to feel a more noticeable toe off and a slightly more flexible fore foot which all are welcome addition to my feet and stride
You sound more like you want to like it, rather than actually liking it. Which makes sense. You like the concept, but the delivery is lacking. A hot, over built upper and a midsole that breaks down prematurely makes the shoe a fail, IMO. Maybe next time they'll get it right.
Good review and have to say I love this shoe, I agree overall but I’ve had mine for 210km/130 miles now and not had an issue with any obvious flattening of the midsole. 90% of my miles are on woodland trails or gravel. I even ran intervals on wet slippery road the other day just to see how they felt and they were really responsive and comfortable on hard pavement so not lost any energy return, maybe slightly more compressed in the toe off area but hasn’t affected comfort or responsiveness for me so far. They have that indentation in the midsole around my forefoot as I get in most other shoes but that hasn’t as I said affected how they run I am a 68kg /150lbs runner so that does mean I wear mid soles down less, maybe it could be more of an issue for taller / heavier runners
Great review! I'm a Salomon fan but had a pair of sense ride 2s that midsole went flat and like paper thin at 350km. Unacceptable for the price and not keen to have that again on these guys. What a pity
Oh man, been watching your films for years, and I was really looking forward to this review. I agree the upper is a little over built, and as I’m only 60 miles in to my pair I can’t comment on durability yet, but I would definitely say it feels as cushioned as most Hoka I’ve tried and the toe box is far more accommodating. Was underwhelmed with the review, felt flat. Sorry man
Vous voulez un amorti qui ne se degrade pas , de la place a l avant pied , un superbe confort tout au long des kilometres , et une accroche qui s ameliore avec l usure de la semelle , ainsi qu une chaussure assez dynamique et qui pourra vous servir sur n importe quelle distance , essayez les NIKE terra kiger 7 , vous serez pas deçu .
After using Ultra Glide for more than 600km. I think Sense Ride 3 was better. The sole on the Ultra Glide wears off very fast. And sole becomes thin and looses protection. I cannot recommend this shoes over the Sense Ride. Sense Ride last 200-300 km longer.
Had the solomon sense pro and Roggs.. both look great..both uppers broke down after 400km. The lacing system broke after half that distance.. utter waste of money. Way better options n the market. Sad to say but over priced and poor longevity. Choose another more reliable brand.
Treason Salomon ! Treason ! You've become soft and weak and comfortable ! If i want soft i'll get some of those mushy horrible Hokas. I'm not gonna be able to look all techy and condescending at the start of my next race. Aaagghh !!
The Salomon Ultra Glide is a highly anticipated shoe that delivers on the promise of more Salomon cushion - but it does have some caveats. What do you think of the new Ultra Glide? Also, I mentioned Profeel Film across the upper by mistake (its the protective layer through midsole). I blame lack of sleep - as I'm sure you guessed, It's the welded overlays that I'm referring to!
Great review, but I do wanna know about the grip on wet stone and how they perform on very technical routes. And do they have drainage holes (is that the words?) in the sole?
is it a good shoe to run 10-40 km as a 82kg man?? i need good cushining but not hoka style because i twist my angle easily as i step external with my feet
Your reviews set the TH-cam standard for shoe and gear reviews! Always excellent and I appreciate the review and inspiration.
finally, a shoe with overlays on the sides where shoes break down.
These have been my go to trail shoe for the last two months, and after 200km I can confirm everything you have said here. I’ve commented elsewhere that these shoes are like the lovechild of Salomons SpeedCross and Pulsar. Love this shoe, but yes do wish the midsole remained as fresh as the first few weeks. Agree, the upper is just a bit over engineered - can get warm, but the protective forefoot has saved my toes more than once. One thing you didn’t mention is the outsole. I find it to be softer than the SpeedCross and more like the Pulsar. Unfortunately the outsole has shown significant wear and will not likely make it passed 350km. We’ll see. Fair and honest review! Cheers!
Just went over 450 mi in my Glides and picked up another pair. Not my racing shoes, but perfect for long cruisers and general training. I run very little pavement and the soles have lasted, a little worn, but nothing unexpected for that mileage. I weigh 160lbs and haven't notice that much midsole breakdown. Thinking Ill retire them in just over 500 miles, they have held up great for me.
You tamped down my enthusiasm with the midsole lifespan, but damn do they ever feel good when fresh!
I spent an hour at a Salomon stockist in the large city an hour and a half away, trying on the various shoes, I ended leaving with a nice Salomon belt and a couple of soft flasks. Salomon shoes have never come close to fitting my gnarly old feet, once the get this shoe in stock I might do as you suggest and try it. Thanks for the review.
Only run once on mine so far but loved them. Great lockdown around the heel even when hitting steep hills. Midsole felt fast and a good mix of cushion and energy return. My only issue was the fit seemed really narrow which is odd as everyone else is saying it’s a roomy toe box. They do seem to have stretched a little even after just one run so hopefully this won’t be an issue after a few runs.
You literally answered every single question I had about this shoe! I like some of the ideas behind this shoe, but I’ll probably wait for the 2nd or 3rd iteration of this shoe just due to the midsole breakdown and too much overlay on the upper. The overlay, especially, is a dealbreaker for me. Thanks for the awesome review as always!
Yeah, this shoe breaks new ground for Salomon - stoked to see what's next for sure. I hope they continue with the model!
You shouldn't base you decision about the shoe on any review. Try the shoe. I run only 40k in this one so far, but for me it is perfect. I have also tried Sense Ride 4 and I don't agree that Ultra Glide upper has to many overlays, it protected me from quite a few rocks very well, while Sense Ride has very soft upper and I would say they are for a friendlier terrain. Also, Ultra Glide is much more stable for me and I didn't have any problems with breathability, temperature this days is above 30 Celsius and my feet were fine :). This is just my view on the shoe, but so many factors effect how they will fit you, guess the biggest one is what you are used to so far.
Quality production as always. Although I have to mention that they did attempt a max cushioning shoe model before - Salomon Sense Max Pro. I still have it in fact, back from year 2017. And the midsole just didnt work - as of course it was too hard, classic Salomon...
LOVE this one.. finally - something for the normal to wider foot. Just did a first impression vid, impressed!!
I’ve been looking for a replacement of the Sense Ride 2 after being disappointed with the 3 and 4, hoping the UltraGlide is more like the 2! I can see the S/Lab Ultra4 using this midsole and making probably their best shoe
Super excited for this release...have had it on pre-order since May...shipping date has been pushed back several times, so STILL waiting!
Did you never get your hands on the S/Lab Genesis? Seems like their higher tech ultra shoe but no one has really reviewed it. (And thanks for thee great reviews as always!)
Preordering this shoe. Which color is best??
Unfortunately the midsole flattening is a showstopper for me. I noticed the creasing in the midsole as you were holding it. I’m thinking that may be a sign of premature midsole breakdown. As always, thank you for the great review.
I think they look like that new. If you look on Salomon website, you clearly see the creases.
I’m now 270 miles into mine and there has been an acceptable amount of flattening, but nothing like a Hoka would have done at that mileage
Salomon is saying this is a 500mi shoe, for whatever that’s worth.
Ordered a pair just before this video went live, hyped now hopefully the cushion will last and grip is good on wet rocks and mud
You'll still get a lot of fun miles in them! Enjoy and report back!
When running down hill, does the toe get jammed up? Does the tongue scrape the top of the ankle? How many miles have you put into it, do you recommend it for someone who runs trails 4 times/month, no longer than 8 miles total?
Two runs (8 and 11) in the mtns of Vermont on very technical and muddy/wet trails. They've done alright, more stable and capable than I thought they might be, not as cushioned as I was hoping. Traction has been strong as expected even on the slickest stuff. Foothold has been good though I wonder what they might be like for someone with a narrow, low volume foot. A few observations. Less than 20 miles and the midsole looks like I've run 200. Tons of creasing. Ran a couple miles on a gravel forest road at the end of today's run and felt almost every little rock. Why they didn't put a layer of Profeel film in the forefoot I don't know, but the layer of firmer foam doesn't do a whole lot. Finally, I noticed on a long downhill they don't quite soak up the pounding, the way I was hoping. Maybe I need more time in them but so far I'm not blown away.
I completely agree with the lack of protection, with everything else about the shoe I'm fine, although I thought they have more cushion and I personally rate the wet grip below Vibram, Continental, PWRTRAC...running the North Face Vectiv Enduris also, similar purpose, 30gr. heavier, still more enjoyable on Long runs.
I gave my last Salomon shoes away (speed cross). I intended to run with them on trails. They were too hot and gave almost no forefoot cushioning. It felt like running in soccer cleats. I switched to a Pegasus Trail with no regrets. Forefoot cushioning and comfort is all there.
As a long time Salomon guy, i also am happy for a cushioned shoe. I will wait for round 2 of this though.
been waiting for you and this review.., though I am already sold on this shoe, and ready to pre-order
I feel like the toe box has minimal cusion. I'm still trying them. I am wearing a speedgoat 5 on one foot and the Salomon Ultra Glide on the other. We shall see.
Yes i have 3-4 pairs with salomon shoes. The mid sole appears to be retired pretty fast
I'm a big S/Lab Ultra fan, so I'm worried this may be too wide for me. Great review as always.
Thanks for the review! How would you compare these to the Hoka Speedgoat EVO?
* I think you should do a cushioned trail shoe face off between this and all the most loved ones speedgoat etc
The box is on top of wardrobe ready to make its way into the rotation… Might wait for temps / humidity to drop here in HK…
Hey Ginger, how many miles do you have on these and when did u notice the midsole breaking down? Great insights in this video, thank you!!
Wow! Surprised by your comments of flattening out. Salomon had a booth at the Pike’s Peak Marathon and went on and on about how the foam on this shoe was designed to last and not break down. Was the main selling point for me. Guess I’ll stick with Hoka.
Thanks for this honest review. I wish that I had read your review of the Altra lone peak 4 before buying. Worst shoe I've owned. Only lasted 200km before midsole completely compressed on medial heel. 50km the midsole peeled away (outer peeled at 10km). Your review was the only one not gulping cool-aid on the lone peaks at the time.
So I've been loving the sense ride 3 and looking forward to the UG. Now with your review on the midsole I will skip this. I weigh 72kg and tend to collapse shoes on medial side. I like the sound of a TPU midsole in the Saucony Xodus 11 or maybe stick with Optivibe from Salomon. I have over 800km (500 miles) on Salomon Sonic balance with creasing of midsole but still feels like plenty of life left.
Hoping you'll review the Xodus before I need to buy. The Xodus 10 is actually cheaper here than the Sense ride or Ultra glide and supposedly TPU midsoles outlast the shoe. Thanks
can’t wait to try!
LOOKS AMAZING!!!!
Just ran a 21k race in the Pulsar, so good, I could use the Pulsar for a 50k, but think I would like a little more cush , UG is a buy for me. Thanks for the review Ginger.
I’m loving my Sense Ride 4s, but I may check these out next time.
I am a light runner so the midsole flattening i don’t notice at more than 100km but i do notice that the outsole lugs are not as durable as my other salomon shoes. I had the first sense pro, first slab ultra and both 6th slab shoes so i was surprised that this model doesn’t have that durable contra grip that i’m used to from Salomon.
Great review, and for now I think I'll stick to the Sense Ride, which I like a lot. The extra cushioning of the Ultra Glide sounded nice, but not if it doesn't really go the distance.
Great review! These are super interesting. I'd love to see a review of the Nike Pegasus Trail 3 on the channel.
Coming soon - VERY similar to v2
Bought them and sent them back. Loved them but the overlays caused discomfort in my little ties, rubbing. Not even running just trying them on. Loved Sense Max.
This is the one I've been waiting for!! Bring on the popcorn!
Hey ginger runner try the index 1, nice road training shoe with a very interesting direction from Salomon. Also the midsole is also very nice somehow very resilient, soft enough but not overly so. Nice shoe and WAY better performance than any other runnning shoes I have tried with an ecological idea over the years.
You had me at “voluminous.”
Ugh...your description after taking this shoe to higher mileage was what I was worried about. It looks like the EVO Speedgoat is being phased out and was really hoping that this could be a potential replacement. Thanks for giving that important detail about the midsole breakdown. Maybe I'll give this a go on a second iteration from Salomon.
Evo sg being phased out?! Prob my fav trail shoe ever
@@jp05598 yeah…huge bummer. Also, weird marketing decision after Hoka put all its top athletes in it at Western States. I messaged Hoka through social media on it and whoever runs their Twitter just sort of dodged the question. I don’t know if it’s because of sales and the general public really isn’t buying the shoe or if they are making updates and those updates are just delayed…
I love the EVO SG so much :(
@@amattrey The public were buying them. Impossible to find anywhere for ages!
My 1st pair of EVO SGs the midsole completely flatten out a little after 250 miles (I am about 100 miles on second pair). Still one of my favorites. I would recommend the VJ Ultra for EVO replacement which so far is my trail shoe of 2021. Light, great traction, durable, fast, and good cushion.
I hope the Pulsar midsole holds up...... I really enjoy the brand. T. Olson could have used a few hundred pairs. Enjoyed the thoughtfulness w the review.
Agree with everything, I'm close to 150km and the UG feels like a more cushioned Sense Ride 1, which is nice, but this is no max cushioned shoe and for me a 50k shoe only. It also lacks protection, I prefer the optivibe like in the Sense Ride to be honest. The grip is typical Salomon, perfect in dry, average in wet...the UG is no competition for Hoka in the max cush section, it has lots more Grund feel though, good or bad ist up to personal likes. I also run the North Face Vectiv Enduris, which is for similar terrain (non technical, more dry outings), I prefer the Enduris, more cushion/protection, rolls better, although heavier...
Awesome review. Interesting how you find it compares to the sense ride. A have heard it described as a soft hoka torrent so guess it fits in between the torrent and the speedgoat?
I'm still pretty pumped for this shoe. I've been able to take their regular shoes out for hours and miles on miles but if they had just a LITTLE bit more cushion, I'd be happy. Honestly, the S Lab Ultra is near perfect for me, just want something a little softer. Hoping this isn't on the clunky/dead feeling end like the Sense Ride. Not concerned with flattening out of midsole, but worried when you compare to Altra which are dead/flat out of the box.
You'll still get lots of miles out of this shoe FOR SURE. It doesn't have the same feeling as Altra, just a bit of the same behavior. Give em a shot!
@@TheGingerRunner I definitely noticed in your b-roll shots a lot of creasing and had me a little worried. I tend to get hundreds of miles out of almost any shoe, so not too concerned. Can't wait to wear these bad boys for Grindstone. :)
I just got this shoe in and it's completely different to the s/lab ultra 3 (I've tried to use that shoe). After one run I'm pretty happy with it. The cushioning is great and makes it a fun shoe to run in. The upper is just ok, it doesn't have the lockdown of the s/lab ultra 3, if they took upper and put on the Ultra Glide midsole then we'd have a serious shoe. The Pulsar might be that shoe though, I've yet to try it.
@@30m3 Glad to hear the comparison. My UGs just showed up in the mail and wow, that's some serious cushioning! I think this will be a fantastic 100 miler shoe but I'm a little concerned about the midsole durability.
hello these shoes are good for ankle support??i have a lot of ankle sprains! which is the best trail shoe for ankles;
Great shoe as with the Sense Ride - both with good mid=sole cushioning and excellent for mixed terrain although a bit of a toe stubble on the steep downhill. Maybe I'm just lacing it wrong.
After a 20k trail run and a 7k hike, I can’t say I’m a fan of the tongue/boa system. It creates hot points that are painful from the get go. I have a hard time imagining this getting better with time, let alone running an ultra in these.
Being used to Altra, the first run was a bit rough, but by the hike, things improved in terms of fit. The lacing didn’t however.
Planning at 33k 2500m run next weekend, I’m wondering if these are the shoes I should wear…
Any comment on sizing? I downsized from US13M to 12.5 in the SR4 compared all all Salomon slabs in the past. Does the ultra glide run long or TTS ?
FINALLY!!!
It’s time!!!!!!
GingerRunner how you are doing, great video, may I ask you a quick question I am traveling to Mount Everest base camp in November, and I want to get a shoe, I have 2 options X ultra 4 vs Hoka speedboat 5. Thanks for any help.
How’s the stability compared to the sense ride?
Would love to know your thoughts on creek crossings/ drainage. Also, amazing video all around.
Have taken mine on two long mtn runs with tons of mud and water. They're ok in terms of drainage. The water comes out but not super quick and the shoes don't dry super fast. But not terrible.
Next year Glide Max?
Love'm. Lace colours should match the outsoles in all styles. IMO. Thats my main beef. So they good!
my big complaint with overlays like that on the heel is that they screw up my turning agility. Like you're trying to take a hard right on a street corner or trail turn, and the shoe is fighting you. I noticed that on the North Face Enduris.
Hmmmm, interesting. Seth DeMoor gave the shoe a 7.98 which neared his 8.0 threshold of a great shoe. Therefore, I decided to give it a try. Will have to see how it compares to my Hoka Challenger ATR 6 and Torrent V1.
Planned obsolescence from Salomon- and most shoe companies. Hoka and and some Nike foams hold up okay. PBAX foam is the best right now, but few use it. Many companies manufacture similar foam- it's widely available. Producing a long lasting mid sole is easy and has been well understood for some time. But few companies want to produce something that lasts.
What about the outsole? I have a feeling that the lugs are going to wear out prematurely.
Was very excited for these.
Review is spot on about the upper. It feels more restrictive to me than the sense pro 4. Felt discomfort immediately at try on with my big toes.
I am enjoying the TOPO mtn racer 2. Hope to see your review if you’re reviewing it.
Ultra Glide 2 needs a review.
What running shoes do you recommend for someone that has been basically walking in nothing but flat shoes (vans/ converse) their entire life. I tried something a bit curved and got knee pain right away 🫤 * note* I’m a as newbie to running as they come 😂 I don’t know anything * I’m only at 8 miles 😂
Any comments about sizing? I've seen a few folks saying they run 1/2 size big?
for me true to size, a touch longer though, but sizing down wouldn't work for me, better a bit more room then less...If you're between sizes usually size down 0.5 size, hope this works...
I’m not sure how much you weigh but how much does the midsole breakdown change as the weight of the runner decreases? I’ve been looking forward to these shoes for 20+ mile runs. I’m currently in the Sense Ride 4 and I’ve not had any issues up to 15 mile trail days but I will be increasing my mileage once the summer heat breaks here in the Phoenix Valley as a buildl towards the BCT 60 K
Brooks cascadia 16 looks like a better bet, soft mid foot but maintains structural integrity. Brooks cushioning is one of the best
Would you reach for these or speed goats for runs up to 50km...?
Thank you for the great review. Does anybody know how it compares to the Pulsar?
yooo. help. i need shoes that are decent for trail running but i usually sadly run on road in city. Which shoes should i go for? are these ones it? the only other people have recomended is the hoke atr challenger but i feel i will destroy those in 5 months.
Altra snob? No LP5 Superior 5?
Hey Ethan,
Nice review!
I might have missed it, but what is the weight of the shoe?
I think they're 10.9 oz in a mens 9.
Certainly sound like a bit of a trail tank based purely off the weight, but salomon usually does a good job of making shoes feel lighter on foot than they are
US10 is around 290gramm, quite light for the amount of cushion
The midsole foam works for lightweight runners...
My next shoes!
can you thrown an old school Spence insole in there, when the midsole dies ?
What is the drop? How does it compare to the sense Ultra max that was out a few years ago?
If you mean the Sense Pro Max, the UG is much softer, much more flexible, lots lighter...a different league (I didn't like the Sense Pro Max as it runs like a brick)
Great review! Excited to try this shoe out soon. Also curious how it will compare to the Sense Ride 4, my current go to!
Just my perspective regarding the Pulsar and the Energy Surge midsole: Yes it breaks down pretty fast, but then it stabilizes. For trail running I actually prefer it as it's more tamed and still more cushioned than the Sense series.
btw Profeel film is the rockplate not the overlays on the upper
The stabilization just makes the midsole feel like other Salomon midsoles so losing that dynamic defeats the purpose of the design, IMHO. Excited to see what's next though!
@@TheGingerRunner Well I am loving the Pulsar right now, but I am only 60 kg so breakdown is maybe not as fast for me.
Dude... Ultra Gride. It has to be.
I loved this shoe right out of the box, but at 230 miles, the midsole is dead. 😢
thats dissapointing to hear about the midsole flattening because thats exactly how i feel about my brooks catamounts they were great right out of the box for the first 100 miles but now i feel more impact on the front midsole from the cushioning flattening out. For $140+ shoes we should get at the very least 300+ miles before that ever happens but im still excited to try the salomon ultra glides regardless.
Such a pity about the midsole! Oh well. Will opt for S-lab Ultra3’s then.
Sold out everywhere in Canada in my size.
I'll be contacting Salomon if the midsole breaks down that quickly on mine
So after 2 runs and now this review I may send this back. It was really great out of the box for the first run. Lots of energy return! Second run it was very humid and my feet got wet - the shoe hang onto every drop of sweat! It did not drain at all. There was literally water standing in the shoe when I took it off. This caused the sock liner to slip and bunch up as well heading down a steep rocky descent. Happy Solomon is going for max cushion with more room but for the price I’m pretty disappointed- and considering the midsole looks like it will go flat soon?? - blah. 😞
More room in the forefoot than most Salomons? Maybe, but the toebox has a very agressive taper which means that it feels very narrow if you don't have the toes to match and I find it more restrictive than the Slab Ultra 3. I don't quite understand why they have such an agressive taper on a long distance shoe. Also that heel collar, normally something Salomon does well, has too much padding. It does nothing except make the shoe bulky and hot. This was the shoe that was going to save me from the weight of the Inov8 Trailfly but it seems I'm going to have to take the weight of the Trailfly for now!
and heel lock is difficult because of padding, not to mention the challenge to get this properly done with the quicklaces...at least without putting too much pressure on top of the tongue...
@@Thefifaplayeryant Totally agree. Excess padding in the heel just makes things less secure and doesn't add to comfort. I cut the quick laces out of most of my Salomons due to the fact that they are less comfortable, harder to adjust the tension and they are actually slower to tighten and stow away than a pair of normal laces. That said, loads of people seem to love them.
@@benarlett4767 I usually gave up on Salomon for the one and other reason as there always seem to be some issues for me...I must say I still like the UG for what it is, a nice daily trainer for most scenarios, but it's not the "holy grail" some reviews tend to sell...I guess it's a bit influenced by the brand, as after all it's indeed a Salomon for the masses, enough cushion, enough toe room and affordable, you just don't need to be Kilian to run these for longer mileage...
Name for sense ride- ultra glide baby = Salomon sense glide
Sounds like a work in progress. Next version hopefully will be better
First run in my set today. Thankfully they are still Salomon. The volume and narrow foot bed just work for my feet. I have tried to like others but shoes are so personal. It’s just Salomon for me.
I have 300 miles on my SenseRide 4 and these definitely have a more cushion to feel a more noticeable toe off and a slightly more flexible fore foot which all are welcome addition to my feet and stride
So, I'll wait for the "Glide in a Sense"...
Someday Salomon might attempt the wider toebox.
You sound more like you want to like it, rather than actually liking it. Which makes sense. You like the concept, but the delivery is lacking. A hot, over built upper and a midsole that breaks down prematurely makes the shoe a fail, IMO. Maybe next time they'll get it right.
Good review and have to say I love this shoe, I agree overall but I’ve had mine for 210km/130 miles now and not had an issue with any obvious flattening of the midsole.
90% of my miles are on woodland trails or gravel. I even ran intervals on wet slippery road the other day just to see how they felt and they were really responsive and comfortable on hard pavement so not lost any energy return, maybe slightly more compressed in the toe off area but hasn’t affected comfort or responsiveness for me so far. They have that indentation in the midsole around my forefoot as I get in most other shoes but that hasn’t as I said affected how they run
I am a 68kg /150lbs runner so that does mean I wear mid soles down less, maybe it could be more of an issue for taller / heavier runners
No need to make heavy durable uppers that will outlast the midsole IMO I’d rather have lightweight and breathable
Great review! I'm a Salomon fan but had a pair of sense ride 2s that midsole went flat and like paper thin at 350km. Unacceptable for the price and not keen to have that again on these guys. What a pity
It could be because that model had exposed midsole at the forefoot. Same gripe with Altra Superior. At least the Glide has full outsole coverage
Midsole fine for me ! Hate the midsole on Hoka !
Ultra glides best trail shoes I've owned - Hokas the worse
Oh man, been watching your films for years, and I was really looking forward to this review. I agree the upper is a little over built, and as I’m only 60 miles in to my pair I can’t comment on durability yet, but I would definitely say it feels as cushioned as most Hoka I’ve tried and the toe box is far more accommodating.
Was underwhelmed with the review, felt flat. Sorry man
Vous voulez un amorti qui ne se degrade pas , de la place a l avant pied , un superbe confort tout au long des kilometres , et une accroche qui s ameliore avec l usure de la semelle , ainsi qu une chaussure assez dynamique et qui pourra vous servir sur n importe quelle distance , essayez les NIKE terra kiger 7 , vous serez pas deçu .
After using Ultra Glide for more than 600km. I think Sense Ride 3 was better. The sole on the Ultra Glide wears off very fast. And sole becomes thin and looses protection.
I cannot recommend this shoes over the Sense Ride. Sense Ride last 200-300 km longer.
Had the solomon sense pro and Roggs.. both look great..both uppers broke down after 400km. The lacing system broke after half that distance.. utter waste of money. Way better options n the market. Sad to say but over priced and poor longevity. Choose another more reliable brand.
Treason Salomon ! Treason ! You've become soft and weak and comfortable ! If i want soft i'll get some of those mushy horrible Hokas. I'm not gonna be able to look all techy and condescending at the start of my next race. Aaagghh !!