TRAILRUNNER AT PRO

These are the first affordable shoes from Salomon to offer a viable alternative to the more popular thru-hiker trail runner brands (I’m sorry, but what thru-hiker is dishing out $180 for a pair of shoes). It’s like assembling a whole Ikea shelf before taking a single step. There’s so many steps required just to put them on and keep them tight. At any rate, REI does sell one type of gaiter that doesn’t require Velcro, but I don’t know. Or maybe we just deserve all those pebbles in our shoes. Maybe we’re a smaller demographic than we think we are. No Place for Gaiters: As gaiters become more prevalent on long-distance trails across the country, I haven’t seen many companies adapting their shoes to accommodate that. The fringe from your jorts also helps you know which way the wind is blowing at all times. If you’ve never tried it before, give any pair of Salomons a spin in person and see what you think.

TRAILRUNNER AT PRO

Quicklace: This is a pro if you like it and a con if you don’t. Slickrock, gravel, sand, and pavement are all totally manageable. They’re well-suited to a lot of different terrains out west as well. I don’t see any reason not to get another two or three hundred miles out of them easily. Solid Versatility & Durability: After 300 miles, the tread has worn evenly and at a reasonable rate. And for the amount of cushioning that comes with it, I can’t complain. That said, I think these shoes are true-to-size and didn’t bother my feet in regular sizing.Įxtremely Lightweight: As stated before, they are actually some of the lightest trail runners on the market at the moment. And for reference, I like to wear Hokas in wide because I think my feet trend wide-especially given how flat they are after all these thru-hikes. Not Too Narrow: I’d grown so accustomed to the open plan flooring of the Lone Peaks that I didn’t know how I would like these. Salomon Ultra Glide At a GlanceĮxcept for this occasionally happening before the tread gets more worn down. With a blend of tried-and-true Salomon trademarks and some new, unique features, this shoe hits the right price point and is worth giving a shot-depending on what type of hiker you are. It offers up a tantalizing and totally viable alternative to some of the more popular brands found on America’s long trails. Well, Europeans and Americans alike can rejoice because that time may be no more: the new Salomon Ultra Glide is the company’s first affordable and truly lightweight trail runner to hit the market. That being said, the bulkiness of their trail runners has limited their popularity stateside.

Plus, their shoes have long done a great job of catering to the European style of hiking and trails. It makes sense that Salomons would be so popular there, given that they’re a European (French) company that uses quality-yet-affordable materials. (Dear international friends: please let me know if this is a completely fictional stereotype that I’m inventing from nothing. Let it be known that-based on some articles on the internet, a majority of the reviews on their website, and all those hikes I did in Europe in my 20s-it certainly seems undeniable that Salomons are the preferred shoe of most European hikers.

Trailrunner at