Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide First Run Review: A Trailblazing Innovation?

It’s been almost a year since I last tested a Salomon S/Lab shoe, and that was when I took the S/Lab Pulsar 3 for a spin around Tehidy Woods. It was a great experience, but today we’re diving into something entirely new: the highly anticipated Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide. With its unique midsole design and promise of enhanced comfort over long distances, I couldn’t wait to lace these up and hit the trails.

First Impressions and Key Specs

Before we dive into the performance, let’s cover some facts and figures:

• Price: The S/Lab Ultra Glide comes with a hefty price tag of £230 in the UK.

• Weight: My UK size 10 pair weighs 326g, making it not the lightest trail shoe but reasonable given its high-stack cushioning.

• Stack Height & Drop: The shoe features a deeply cushioned midsole with a 6mm heel-to-toe drop, designed for long-distance comfort.

Salomon’s S/Lab range is known for pushing the boundaries of running shoe design, and the Ultra Glide is no exception. The first thing that stands out is its striking wave-like midsole geometry, which Salomon calls Relief Sphere Technology, designed to diffuse pressure and break down repeated impact over long distances.

Upper Construction & Fit

The upper is signature S/Lab—thin, breathable, and race-ready. It features Salomon’s Quicklace system, a simple pull-and-lock mechanism instead of traditional laces. It’s a love-it-or-hate-it feature, but personally, I’ve always found it works well.

The heel collar and ankle padding are on the moderate-to-thin side, with an interesting double-layer mesh construction, making the outer mesh almost transparent. Overall, the build quality is solid, as expected from Salomon’s high-performance line.

One thing to note is the sizing. I typically wear a UK 9.5 in most brands (Nike, Brooks, Saucony, Topo, Altra), but for Salomon S/Lab models, I usually size up. I opted for a UK 10 in these, and the fit is spot on—snug but with enough toe room for long-distance runs.

Outsole & Traction

Flipping the shoe over, we see 4mm lugs made from Contagrip rubber, Salomon’s go-to material for reliable traction. Given the wet, muddy conditions of my test run in Cornwall, I was initially skeptical about grip performance, but the outsole handled surprisingly well across mixed terrain—including compacted trails, loose rocky sections, and plenty of wet mud.

Test Run: Hitting the Trails

For the first outing, I took the S/Lab Ultra Glide on an 8-mile trail run along Cornwall’s North Cliffs and into Tehidy Woods, encountering a mix of mud, roots, rocks, and compacted paths.

First Impressions on Performance:

• Cushioning & Comfort: The deep midsole stack felt plush but well-balanced. It’s not overly soft, maintaining a good level of stability even on technical terrain.

• Responsiveness: Salomon has used Energy Foam+ in the core of the midsole construction, which provides a decent energy return. While not as bouncy as I expected, the ride was smooth and comfortable.

• Stability: Despite the high stack, the shoe felt stable, thanks to the dual-density midsole and cradle-like design that sinks your foot into the shoe for added control.

Interestingly, I could feel the Relief Sphere elements underfoot—not in a bad way, but I was definitely aware of them. I suspect a longer run will be necessary to truly evaluate how effective they are in reducing fatigue over ultra distances.

Final Thoughts (For Now)

Overall, my first run in the Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide was a positive one. The shoe offers a well-balanced combination of cushioning, stability, and grip, making it a promising option for long-distance trail running.

Pros:
✔ Secure, performance-driven fit
✔ Quicklace system (if you like it)
✔ Solid traction in wet conditions
✔ Comfortable midsole without feeling too soft

Cons:
✖ Price—£230 is steep
✖ Not as bouncy as expected
✖ Need more testing to verify long-distance benefits

At this price point, the big question remains: Are they worth it? Right now, I’m undecided. I need to put more miles into them to truly assess their durability and performance over ultra distances. Stay tuned for a full in-depth review after more testing!

Check out the full video featuring this trail running shoe. Have you tried the Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Do you think they’re worth the premium price?

Until next time—stay safe and keep on running!