SALOMON ULTRA GLIDE 2 REVIEW: A SOLID DAILY TRAINER FOR GRAVEL & EASY TRAILS

Some trail shoes are built for mountain battles, others for fast and light racing, and then there’s the Salomon Ultra Glide 2: a shoe that just wants you to have a nice time.

I bought these with one goal in mind – a comfortable daily training shoe for gravel trails and easy terrain. Also, I found them on sale for 1,190 NOK and I’m always up for a bargain.

Now, after 647 km of running through Oslo’s forests, hills, and some questionable rocky trails around Åndalsnes, here’s the full Salomon Ultra Glide 2 review, covering comfort, durability, and whether they’re worth buying.

SALOMON ULTRA GLIDE 2 SPECS AND FEATURES

Weight: ~258g (Men’s UK 8.5)
Stack Height: 32.5mm heel / 26.5mm forefoot (6mm drop)
Upper: Breathable mesh with synthetic overlays
Midsole: Energy Surge foam for soft, responsive cushioning
Outsole: All Terrain Contagrip® (short lugs for mixed terrain)
Lacing: Quicklace™ system for a secure fit

Salomon describes the Ultra Glide 2 as a versatile trail running shoe designed for long-distance comfort on mixed terrain. But does it actually live up to the hype?

FIRST IMPRESSIONS, FIT & SIZING

FIT AND COMFORT

Straight out of the box, the Salomon Ultra Glide 2 felt comfortable and well-cushioned. The breathable mesh upperkept things light, while the toe box had enough space to avoid feeling squeezed on longer runs.
Quicklace™ lockdown? Works well. No foot movement, no adjustments mid-run. I’ve been always saying that for me, Salomon´s quick lacing system is the best in the world.

SIZING

✔ 43 1/3 in Hoka & Arc’teryx
✔ 42 2/3 in Salomon (this fit true to size)

If you’ve ever had issues with Salomon’s notoriously narrow fit, don’t worry – this one is more accommodating than some of their other trail running shoes.

WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?

✔ Runners who train on gravel roads, packed dirt, or non-technical trails
✔ Those who prefer soft, cushioned trail running shoes for longer distances
✔ Runners who want a shoe that feels comfortable straight out of the box
✔ People looking for a reliable daily trainer at a discounted price

❌ Not for runners who need aggressive grip for muddy or highly technical terrain
❌ Not the best choice for wet conditions as traction is average at best

PERFORMANCE

WHERE I TESTED IT

✔ Oslo’s gravel roads & rolling hills—perfect for this shoe
✔ Forest trails & smooth singletrack—held up well
✔ Easy rocky trails in Åndalsnes—not ideal but manageable

DAILY TRAINING: HOW IT HELD UP OVER 647 KM

CUSHIONING & RIDE
✅ Plush and smooth on easy runs—shock absorption is great
✅ Felt bouncy at first but softened over time
✅ By ~500 km, the foam wasn’t as lively anymore

TRACTION & OUTSOLE DURABILITY
✔ Fantastic for gravel & packed dirt—short lugs work well
✔ Lugs wore down fast—at 647 km, the outsole was mostly smooth
✔ Not great on wet or loose terrain—slippery on mud, wet rocks, and technical sections

I knew the short lugs wouldn’t last forever, but honestly, they held up better than expected.

BREATHABILITY & UPPER DURABILITY

✔ Good in warm weather—never felt too hot
✔ Upper held up well—no major wear or breakdowns

FINAL VERDICT: ARE THEY WORTH IT?

PROS

✅ Very comfortable—soft, cushioned ride
✅ Great for gravel & non-technical trails—smooth and easy to run in
✅ Secure fit with Quicklace™—no slipping, no adjustments needed
✅ Durable upper—held up well after heavy training
✅ Often found on sale—a great buy if you can get them for under 1,000 NOK/€80. There are plenty on Amazon.

CONS

❌ Outsole wears down quickly—expect to see smooth lugs by 400-500 km
❌ Not built for wet terrain—traction is below average in those conditions but that pretty much applies to all Salomon shoes.
❌ Foam loses bounce over time—cushioning wasn’t as lively after 400+ km

WOULD I BUY THEM AGAIN?

Would I buy them again? Not at full price. If I see them on sale under 1,000 NOK, maybe.
They’re great for daily training on gravel, but if you run in mixed terrain with wet conditions, the lack of grip is a deal-breaker. For dry, rolling trails? They’re a solid pick.

FOLLOW MY RUNNING ADVENTURES!

I hope you found my review helpful, if you have any questions, drop them in a comment below and if you wanna keep in touch just ollow me on Strava and Instagram! Have you tried the Salomon S/Lab Genesis? Did you love them or hate them?

See you on the trails! 😊