Review: Salomon Ultra Glide 2 and Glide Max TR Shoes

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Salomon has a well-established reputation among longtime trail runners for being focused on high-level performance. They have had the largest roster of elite athlete partnerships, many of whom contribute to the design, development and testing of new models. This approach has been evident in the characteristics of their shoe line, which are typically sleek and aggressive in design, prioritizing speed and agility over comfort, and tending to favor narrow foot profiles and runners who like a snug fit throughout the last of the shoe.

While those shoes are still featured prominently in the Salomon lineup, the company has more recently expanded its catalog to accommodate different types of runners. Their spring 2023 trail run collection features a couple of high-cushioned models built with long days and high mileage in mind. While they are still quite capable of handling high-performance demands, they seem ideally suited for mid to back-of-the-pack runners to use during big training blocks of steady mileage or cruising through ultramarathons. We tested two models: the Ultra Glide 2 and Glide Max TR. Both models share many build characteristics but also have some key distinctions that might appeal to specific customers.

Salomon Ultra Glide 2

Ultra Glide 2 women’s colorway

This is an update to the original Ultra Glide which was released in 2021. The newest version keeps the bottom half of the shoe largely intact, while the upper sees some improvements. The new engineered mesh is lighter with increased breathability and doesn’t appear to compromise durability based on our testing so far. A glued insole provides better stability underfoot, while a thinner collar and tongue wrap the foot and ankle comfortably. The overall weight spec for this shoe is identical to the original version, with the decreases in weight from the upper material being offset by a more extensive TPU layer around the toebox for added impact protection. As with the original version, the last of the Ultra Glide 2 is noticeably wider than most Salomon models, allowing wide foot profiles and room for toe splay in the forefoot. The overall fit is easily secured with the combination of a sock-like EndoFit sleeve, Sensifit wrapping system anchoring the uppers to the midsole platform and secure Quicklaces (with a convenient leash garage for storage).

Glide Max TR on top, Ultra Glide 2 on bottom

From the midsole down, the Ultra Glide 2 is largely unchanged. The midsole compound is Salomon’s Energy Foam combination of Olefin and EVA that provides nice cushioning as well as responsive energy return when you shift into a higher gear, with a slightly curved geometry to help you roll towards toe-off. The 6mm drop is kind of a sweet spot to accommodate heel strikers as well as midfoot strikers, particularly over longer distances when some midfoot strikers begin landing more on their heels with increased leg fatigue. Outsole lugging is virtually identical to the original, featuring proprietary Contagrip rubber and angled 3.5mm lugs. Generally, we’ve found the grip to be excellent in wet and dry conditions, and durability of the Contragrip seems solid after more than 100 miles.

Ultra Glide 2 men’s color way

Salomon describes the Ultra Glide 2 as a trail chameleon, and it does handle a variety of conditions well. The overall ride quality of this shoe is comfortable on long casual days but also has sufficient energy return and with its lighter weight, could be used as a racing shoe—particularly for mountain scenarios that include scree or granite.

Salomon Glide Max TR

Glide Max TR men’s colorway

This new model in the Salomon trail lineup is an offshoot of the Max Glide road shoe, released in 2022, for runners seeking max cushion and comfort. The TR version is built with the trail in mind, including added durability in the upper and improved traction under a thick midsole platform. It is built on the same last as the Ultra Glide 2, with similar (or enhanced) stability features, so the overall fit on both models should be identical.

Different lacing systems, similar rounded uppers

The first thing you may notice about the Glide Max TR, particularly if you are a longtime Salomon user, is a traditional lace system on the upper in place of the Quicklace system found on almost every Salomon trail model. A SensiFit system is still in place, and the laces hold their tension so the fit stays secure comparable to the Ultra Glide 2. Our hunch is that the traditional lacing is intended to expand Salomon’s market share, enticing runners who have never favored the standard Quicklace system while also making the Glide Max TR an easy switch for max-cushion runners who are accustomed to using HOKA or Altra models. One direct comparison for this shoe is the HOKA Stinson 6, which has stack heights of 38/33mm and is over an ounce heavier than the Glide Max TR.

New runners to the Salomon brand seeking a comfortable max cushion option will be impressed with the ride quality, as the Glide Max TR uses the same Energy Foam compound described above, with the same 6mm drop and rocker geometry to provide smooth transitions. Our anecdotal comparison to HOKA’s midsole compound is that the Salomon is slightly less plush upon landing and slightly more responsive with energy return, but these are subtle differences. With a higher stack height than the Ultra Glide 2, stability could be a concern on the Glide Max TR, therefore, the Energy Foam compound is gently contoured so that the foot is cradled by the material on all sides, decreasing the chances of accidentally rolling an ankle sideways. The outsole of this shoe is very similar to the Ultra Glide 2, with the same Contragrip rubber compound and 3.5mm lugs, and minor differences in shape, positioning and spacing of the lugs between models.

Glide Max TR women’s colorway

With a higher weight and higher stack height than the Ultra Glide 2, the Glide Max TR is better suited to runners prioritizing comfort over speed in their ultrarunning efforts, but both of these models present compelling options for runners who have previously avoided Salomon shoes for fit or cushioning reasons. We have been impressed with both models in our testing and anticipate they will make Salomon a more accessible brand for a larger variety of runners.

The Salomon Ultra Glide 2 and Glide Max TR are available in men’s and women’s versions at www.salomon.com.

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