Salomon Ultra Glide 2 Reviews

A- overall (personal A): 'My go-to trail option right now.'

A chameleon of a trail shoe: adaptable on varied surfaces and a solid long-distance option with ample protection. Good for a long run or a dry, less technical 50-miler. Not for wet conditions.

377 km (about 234 miles) of trail running, including a 100-mile race worn start to finish without changing shoes or socks. The heel cushion hadn't broken down and there was no sole separation, though some front lugs broke off and the mesh started to fray. Downsides: the low lace keeper pressed on the top of the foot around 52 km (they doubt it is a design fault), and the hard toe box caused toenail trouble on technical mountain downhills. Their verdict is five out of five, a workhorse for flatter races.

A 31 km test run with 1000 m of climbing in the Ultra Glide 2 was a nice ride on icy, muddy terrain; prefers it to the Sense Ride 4.

Over 30 miles of testing, including a 25k trail race and runs in snow, slush and mud, by a tester of about 215 lb. They loved the max cushioning, which stayed comfortable through the race without feeling mushy, and found the grip good on packed dirt and rooted trails with little outsole wear so far. Downsides: snow and water get in easily through the mesh, the lugs slip on snowy hills and are not recommended on loose gravel or sand, and the quick laces can jam with mud. Best as a warm-weather shoe.