If you’re anything like us, when you hear the name Salomon, your mind probably drifts to mountaineering gear, snowboarding equipment, or perhaps their renowned trail shoes and hydration vests. While we’ve reviewed a handful of Salomon road shoes over the years, none left a lasting impression—they often felt like trail shoes disguised as road runners, perhaps a tad too heavy or firm.
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But with the launch of the Salomon Aero Glide 3, that perception is changing. This, my friends, is one of the more unexpected and positive road running shoes we’ve tried this year.
Looks
This might be the first time we’ve felt that a Salomon road shoe truly looks like a road shoe. I even audibly remarked as such when I opened the box for the first time. The gray colorway is relatively simple and understated—not a knock, really. While I personally prefer a bit more flash, it’s refreshing to have something under the radar amidst a closet full of vibrant options. There are additional colorways that may suit your style if you’re not here for the grey.
Construction and Fit
Consistency and quality define this shoe. There’s nothing overly flashy about any one component, but a solid and consistent approach makes the Aero Glide 3 as great as it is—it doesn’t get in its own way. Pulling these on for the first time, it’s immediately noticeable just how light they are. They fit great and provide a super comfortable ride – bouncy and cushioned without turning into a non-responsive mush. Man, get ready for some real gushing over here.
Specs
- Stack Height: 41 mm heel / 33 mm forefoot
- Drop: 8 mm
- Weight: Approximately 8.9 oz for a US M9
Upper
The mesh upper is breathable and light, without significant flair, but it’s well-made and comfortable. It feels perhaps just a tiny bit roomy, which is a definite positive for some runners and less ideal for others. This might result in a bit of lateral movement instability as a result – but not a ton.
The tongue is partially gusseted, but what is most noticed about the tongue is something else entirely. It’s a surprisingly long tongue – one that is impossible to miss and spills out of the shoe noticeably. It’s only moderately cushioned, meaning if you prefer a tight, locked-in feel, you might experience some lace bite. Given the roominess of the upper, it’s worth noting. Personally, I prefer a looser tie and roomier fit, so this was right up my alley. However, others might feel like they’re swimming a bit if they prefer a snug fit.
That’s not to say its a bad tongue – I didn’t find the longer tongue obtrusive or annoying in anyway. It’s just…there – and that’s fine.
Midsole
This is where the shoe truly shines. The Aero Glide 3 features a 41 mm heel / 33 mm forefoot stack, utilizing Salomon’s new EnergyFOAM evo—a supercritical TPU foam. It’s bouncy and incredibly light. I’ve run various distances in this shoe, from quicker tempo runs to double-digit miles, and it handles both with ease.
The foam isn’t just bouncy for the sake of being bouncy; it has a responsive bounce-back nature that propels you forward nicely. This is extremely well done—perhaps one of a handful of shoes where we immediately felt within the first few steps, “Oh, this is gonna be something we pick up time and time again.“
And I wasn’t lying to myself, as more than a few times I’ve stared at my large swath of review shoes and, even to my own surprise, reached for this one over all the rest. I definitely haven’t said that about a Salomon road shoe before.
Outsole
The outsole is straightforward, and we had no real issues with grip. The Road Contagrip construction essentially follows the entire outside of the midsole with a small vertical strip along the forefoot middle. The rest is exposed midsole. Rooted in trail design, you know Salomon has grip dialed in.
That being said, coupled with its lightweight, it’s probably no surprise that these aren’t really designed to work on anything other than pavement. Maybe that’s a “no duh” statement, but if you’re planning on doing anything that takes you from pavement to gravel or light trails (and you may want to run in all terrains with a shoe that feels this good), you might need a little bit more. Actually, now that I say that, check out our review of a fun new option from Salomon…the Aero Glide 3 Grvl.
Conclusion
The Salomon Aero Glide 3 is a game-changer in Salomon’s road running lineup. It combines a lightweight design with exceptional cushioning and responsiveness, making it a versatile option for various running distances and paces.
While the upper’s roominess and the long tongue might not suit everyone’s preferences, the overall performance and comfort make it a standout daily trainer. If you’re looking for a reliable road shoe that doesn’t compromise on comfort or responsiveness, the Aero Glide 3 is worth considering. And if this shoe is the new road experience with Salomon – count us in!
Salomon Aero Glide 3
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