Salomon Ultra Glide 2 Review
Salomon Ultra Glides 2 Review.
One of the joys of being a Race Director is that I can test the range of trail shoes and let the BTU Community know which Trail Shoes will be fantastic for our course. Salomon Brand has a fair amount to live up to; its reputation as the leader in innovation for trail running is massive. Could their shoes live up to the hype? How good can they be? I asked myself. So off I went on a few trail runs and also tested them down Township Break and more. After testing the shoes I can say and I am impressed with how they feel, the grip, fit, trust, colour, and performance, so much so that I've bought 2 of the Ultra Glides 2 because I LOVE ❤️ Them so much!
This is why I think of Salomon Ultra Glides 2 and why they are special shoes.
This is why I think of Salomon Ultra Glides 2 and why they are special shoes.
Fit - ENDOFIT™ - SENSIFIT™
In-store, I went up 1/2 a size to ensure I had enough room in my Toe Box. I have a wider foot, and traditionally, I would not be able to fit into European Shoes unless it is a wide foot. Salomon has the fit right, which is fantastic for runners with wider feet. I lent my second pair to another runner who previously could not wear Salomon's, and she also loved them. She'd previously had issues descending but stay just behind me when testing them on Double Break, part of the BTU100Mi Course.
I am double-jointed, my ankles flip out ALL the time, and they are skinny. With a wide foot and high arch, I have difficulty finding shoes that lock me into the shoe, and I feel secure. I found when I tried them on in the store my ankles were a bit loose; however, after a few runs, like by day 3, the memory foam, like a ski boot, moulded to my foot. I felt like the shoe fitted me like a glove with the Salomon Trade mark designed ENDOFIT™ - An internal fit sleeve designed to hug the foot in exactly the right places and provide a precise fit, and SENSIFIT™ wraps the foot from the sole to the lacing system providing a secure, precise and custom-like fit.
Feel
When I went for my first run in them, they felt FAST. I then realised why so many of the FASTEST runners across the globe wear them. Why did they feel fast? It felt like the shape of the toe box combined with the rocker or Reverse Camber encouraged proper form and technique. I didn't feel like the support negatively impacted my natural gate. Therefore, it set me up into the correct running form, and I wasn't encouraged to be lazy with the extra cushioning. I felt bouncy and light! Running felt like fun. The Energy Foam felt lightweight and responsive and was created by combining EVA and Olefin [OBC] to deliver long-lasting cushioning and bouncy energy return.
Trust - Quicklace™
I'm old skool due to my ankles: I'd love to be in control. I was seriously impressed once I got the hang of it. I love the little lace-storage -mesh pocket, too. When I got to the top of Township break, I stopped, gave a quick pull, tightened the shoes and raced down that monster with confidence in solid time and the Reverse Camber meant that I didn't slip over, and my bum remained clean! For those who run Township Break, it is a HUGE Bonus. There was no slipping forward in the shoe with ENDOFIT™ - SENSIFIT™; my toes and nails were safe!
Grip - All Terrain Contagrip®
The tread being the Salomon Trade Mark All Terrain Contagrip® combined with the Reverse Camber meant that I descended Township with no issues and created a more extensive surface area for grip to work. I forgot my poles for the accent, but I didn't need them; my usually wriggly untapped ankles didn't move in the shoe I was locked in, and more importantly, due to my foot being locked into the shoe like a glove with the MemoryFoam, there was no loss of energy with any sideways movement. The tread held firm on the loose rock climb. I tested the shoes on a 45-degree angle during the Wild Earth Store Run and easily ran straight up a rocky outcrop, leaving runners behind me a bit shocked as they thought about how to get up and over the rock. The tread is sticky for rocks and great on grass and all-around terrain because the All Terrain Contagrip® is built for the widest variety of surfaces. It delivers durability & confidence on wet, dry, hard or loose surfaces. I was impressed. The shoe transitioned from rocks, wet, mud, grass, concrete, and trails with no issues. You can wear this shoe for the WHOLE BTU Course, and not have a problem, including the final section on a concrete footpath.
What distances is it designed for? Any distance and will get you through an ULTRA!
These are maximum cushioning! I’ve never liked maximum cushioning shoes as I like minimalist shoes, but these are BRILLIANT! They don’t feel like they are slowing you down, and you are comprising on speed for cushioning and weighing only 239 grams. They are flexible and unrestricted, allowing your foot to be a “foot still” and all the muscles in your feet and calves to work correctly. I also could have a mechanical grip and feel with a 6mm drop, which has been a godsend; I’ve been able to re-hab an injury on the run, and the pain is reducing weekly. I tried these, and a 6mm drop has been a godsend; I’ve been able to re-hab an injury on the run, and the pain is reducing weekly, which is also a BONUS!
MASSIVE Thumbs up from me.
So what are the details?
Drop (in mm)
6
Inlay sole Textile Lining Textile
Heel stack height (mm)
32
Forefoot stack height (mm)
26
Outsole
Rubber
upper
Textile / Synthetic
Weight (g)
239
Lug depth (mm)
3.5
Where can you get them? Jump onto the Wild Earth Website.