Kit & Gear

REVIEW: Salomon Ultra Glide 2

The Ultra Glide 2 is an updated version of Salomon's most comfortable and grippy long-distance trail shoe that has been made more breathable and is still super-lightweight at 260 grams. Improvements to the Ultra Glide 2 build on the brand's foam expertise to deliver more comfort.

SHOP ALL SALOMON ULTRA GLIDE 2 TRAIL RUNNING SHOES NOW

Our SportsShoes Trail athlete, Ben Mounsey, has been busy putting these exciting new trail shoes to the test. Check out his review below;

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The Salomon Ultra Glide 2 in summary;

• An ultra-cushioned lightweight trail shoe

• Designed to adapt to varying terrains and surfaces

• Suitable for long to ultra-distances

• Perfect for training and racing

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS

It's never a great start when you really don't want to wear your new shoes for a trail run.

I won't lie, I've been waiting for a warm and dry weather window because I just really didn't want to spoil the look of this absolute beauties. I spent most of their debut performance dodging puddles and avoiding bogs before finally succumbing to the harsh reality of getting them wet and dirty. Note to self: next time I test a pair of white or cream coloured trail shoes - just go and jump in the nearest puddle ASAP! Do not prolong the agony.

As you've probably gathered, I like the look of the Ultra Glide 2...and the Sense Ride 5....and come to think of it, the Pulsar Trail Pro 2 is a bobby dazzler too. It's safe to say that this year's Salomon trail running range has really caught my eye and I'm very content spending time with them all.

Aside from good looks, another shared attribute is comfort, lots and lots of comfort. Feel good materials, a neat and effective lacing system and each with a really great fit (albeit slightly on the small size in terms of length - a common trend across the Salomon range).

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THE UPPER CONSTRUCTION: EndoFit™, SensiFit™ and Quicklace™

The upper of the Ultra Glide 2 is comparable to that of the Sense Ride 5, but with ever-so-slightly more comfort and padding. Side-by-side you can just about notice a bit of extra material and padding, most notably in the collar and the tongue. Both feel amazing to wear, especially the Ultra Glide 2 and it's exactly why I've given it a 5/5 rating in terms of comfort.

The majority of the upper material around the front and sides of the shoe is highly breathable, with a higher layer of protective rand around the entire perimeter. The toe bumper is also larger and in general it just feels slightly less stripped-back than both the Sense Ride 5 and the Pulsar Trail Pro 2. This also explains why it's slightly heavier in weight, although I would still very much class this as a lightweight trail running shoe.

As always, the Quicklace® system is an absolute winner, the best lacing system on the market in my humble opinion. Likewise, the adjustable Sensifit™ construction cradles the foot from the midsole to the top of the lacing system, providing a secure, snug, and virtually customized fit all around the foot.

The size and shape of the tongue is absolutely perfect. It fits comfortably on top of your foot, offers tons of comfort and protection and doesn't move around and lose it's position or shape when you're running. It is also gusseted (attached to both sides of the upper construction) and therefore helps to prevent mud and debris from entering the shoe.

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THE MIDSOLE: energyFOAM and Reverse Camber

Lightweight, responsive foam created by combining EVA and Olefin [OBC] to long-lasting cushion and bouncy energy return. Inspired by Salomon's ski heritage, curved midsole geometry helps you feel like you are floating over the ground.

With an energyFOAM midsole for longer distances, the Ultra Glide 2 is built on a higher stack than both the Sense Ride 5 and Pulsar Trail Pro 2 models. More foam means more cushioning and it's noticeable. I wouldn't say it's the most cushioned shoe I've ever worn and it doesn't feel overly soft and squidgy either. But it is springy and responsive with just the right balance of cushioning and ground feel. I feel the cushioning more in the heel area and when I'm travelling on hard-packed terrain at pace, that's when I notice the extra bounce and energy return.

The Ultra Glide 2 is a really stable shoe, partly due to the fact it's built on a slightly wider platform than the Sense Ride 5 (especially in the midfoot) and also because of the SensiFit™ and EndoFit™ technologies in the upper construction. It would certainly suit any runner lacking in confidence on uneven terrain.

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THE OUTSOLE: All Terrain Contagrip®

All Terrain Contagrip® is built for the widest variety of surfaces. It delivers durability & confidence on wet, dry, hard or loose surfaces.

This shoe is best suited to hard-packed trails and dry weather. Comparable to the Sense Ride 5, the 3.5mm lug depth just isn't going to cut it on extreme soft and muddy terrain, but that's not what this shoe is designed for. However, it will comfortably handle a mixture of terrain and it's by far the best grip of any other trail shoes with the same lug depth. My opinion is that the lug shapes, pattern and sizes (similar but slightly different to the Sense Ride 5) are very effective when it comes to providing traction on a range of off-road surfaces.

If you are looking for a trail shoe with a deeper lug depth, then the Salomon Speedcross 6 is a suitable alternative.

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OVERALL

I can always measure the success of a trail shoe and how often I use it based on where it lives at home. If it resides in the shed then it usually means I wear it occasionally and if they make it as far as the utility room floor then they're classed as a 'regular' starter. However, if they spend most of the time on my shoe rack in the porch next to the front door, then they've officially made it into the starting line up. You could say that this is the goal for all my trail shoes, the equivalent of climbing Everest. The Ultra Glide 2 is currently sat on this very shoe rack, so I guess that's probably all you need to know. I'm currently using on a very regular, almost daily basis, because it's a shoe which I feel comfortable using for the majority of my training. The only exception being in wet weather/muddy conditions because it's just not for for purpose. However, for anything else, it's more than up to the job and I really look forward to wearing it for high-levels of comfort and cushioning.

To quote Salomon, "The Ultra Glide 2 is a game-changing, ultra-cushioned trail chameleon. Designed to adapt to varying terrains and surfaces, it's long-distance comfortable and lightweight on foot, ideal for weaving through the changing scenery of wherever your mood or ambition takes you. Whatever the challenge, wherever you run".

SHOP ALL SALOMON ULTRA GLIDE 2 TRAIL RUNNING SHOES NOW

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For those who prefer more versatile shoe that's both comfortable and lightweight and pitched as a trail running all-rounder, then check out the Salomon Sense Ride 5.

And for dynamic performance over shorter distances, look no further than the Salomon Pulsar Trail Pro 2

The Salomon Trail Running range explained;

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Ben Mounsey is an elite fell and trail runner. You can follow all of his running adventures here

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