As each year closes, shoe companies continuously tantalize runners’ senses by dropping items in spaces like TRE in Austin that get runners amped up. There are always a handful of shoes that, both visually and construction-wise, get people talking and excited. We reviewed one of these a few months ago, but another one that really stood out is the S/Lab Ultra Glide from Salomon. This trail shoe has a lot of tech in it, as most shoes in their S/Lab line do. But it’s really a super unique shoe in a dynamic package.
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Looks
As mentioned, the visuals of the shoe really garner a lot of excitement. The upper is a bold red design paired with the fresh white wavy outer midsole, making it easy to do a double take. Generally, we don’t talk about the outsole in this section, but even this part of the shoe has an interesting bumpy wave design that we haven’t seen before. It’s really a unique and fun shoe to look at—new, unique, and fresh, without going overboard.
Construction and Fit
While the upper is really fun to look at, it’s not just limited to that. Salomon really makes a solid trail running upper construction across all their shoes. I haven’t felt that many of their trail shoes are super lightweight in nature, and obviously, that makes sense. Lightweight is one thing, but if it can’t hold up to the rigors of trail running, it’s all a moot point.
The S/Lab Ultra Glide is made of stretch knit mono mesh in the toe box and knit to the rear and overlays. It feels pretty broad and still hugs the foot nicely. It really is a nice fit. The base is pretty generous, and I think most feet will be happy with the amount of room that there is without feeling like you’re swimming. I think runners should also give this a few runs before judging completely. It felt perhaps a bit tight initially, but after a few runs, it seemed to break in.
There’s also a toe bumper up front, which isn’t super rigid, so I do wonder how it would handle a real solid root kick. But for most runners, it will probably be totally fine.
I also wonder how the heel collar will handle over time. It’s pretty narrow and surprisingly tall, and I did experience a little bit of rubbing—not blister level—but still could feel it a bit. Not sure how other foot anatomies will experience this, but just be aware. It’s soft without harsh corners or anything, so maybe it won’t be an issue down the road.
Overall, a nice fit after a short break-in period.
Specs
- Stack Height: 41mm
- Drop: 6mm
- Weight: Approximately 9.5 oz (men’s 9)
Upper
The upper is constructed from a stretch knit mono mesh in the toe box, transitioning to knit material towards the rear with supportive overlays. This design provides a broad yet secure fit, hugging the foot comfortably. Salomon’s Quicklace system, combined with a fully gusseted tongue, ensures an optimal fit, and the lace pocket adds convenience.
Midsole
The midsole construction combines elements from two lines of Salomon shoes, integrating two pieces of Energy Foam—used in the Salomon Genesis—for the sidewalls and part of the underfoot area. These components are connected and filled with Energy Foam+, the premium foam found in the Salomon Specter. This results in a substantial 41mm stack height, offering generous cushioning that feels premium.
Salomon really went all-in on cushioning—this is hands down the most cushioned shoe we’ve ever tested from them. But what’s wild is that, despite all that foam underfoot, it doesn’t feel overly squishy or out of control. There’s a surprising amount of rebound and responsiveness that I honestly wasn’t expecting. It’s soft, but not in a way that makes you feel like you’re sinking into it.
If anything, the responsiveness almost tricks your brain into thinking it’s firmer than it actually is. That might sound weird, but what it really means is that you get a cushioned ride without that wobbly, trampoline-like feeling some max-cushion shoes have.
A lot of that comes down to how Salomon built this thing—especially with the wider base and high sidewalls. They actually ran into some challenges molding it as one piece, so they had to make it in two parts and glue them together. Turns out, that design tweak worked in their favor.
The center glue line, combined with the rocker shape, added enough stiffness that they didn’t even need to throw in a plate for stability. That saved some weight and still kept the ride feeling structured and controlled. It’s one of those cool cases where a manufacturing challenge ended up making the shoe better.
Outsole
The outsole might look cool, but it’s not just for show—there’s actually some solid tech behind that wavy design. I’ll be honest, I was a little worried I’d feel those waves underfoot with every step, but nope, they disappear once you start running (which is definitely a good thing).
Salomon designed it this way to help spread out impact, especially in the areas of the foot that take the most beating. The idea is that by reducing stress on those high-impact zones, you can run longer and stay more comfortable. Does it actually work? Hard to say without months and hundreds of miles of testing, but the logic makes sense, and I had zero complaints about how it felt on the trail.
It’s also got a full-coverage Contagrip rubber outsole with 4mm lugs. The lugs are more flexible than I expected, which makes for a smooth ride, but I do wonder how they’ll hold up on really rough terrain over time. They’re also a little more spaced out than I thought they’d be, but overall, grip felt solid. Perhaps the outsole waves allow for less reliance on additional lugs (?) I didn’t have any sketchy slips or moments where I felt like I was losing traction. So while it’s a unique look, the outsole definitely holds its own where it counts.
The S/Lab Ultra Glide is a solid trail running shoe—truly a standout among versions we have tried lately. An important question may be—is it worth the $250 price tag? I would probably say that if you are an ultrarunner putting in a ton of challenging miles, these are going to be worth the investment. They are comfortable and functional. If you are a more casual trail runner, there’s still a ton of benefit to these—though a shoe at that price point may seem a bit excessive if you’re not logging serious mileage.
Whether you’re tackling ultra distances or just love a high-tech trail shoe, this one is an exciting addition to Salomon’s lineup.
Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide $250
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