This guide is built to help you put together a complete Salomon rotation, or simply help you lock-in on the right pair of Salomon running shoes for your personal running requirements.
You obviously don’t need every shoe on this list, just pick the ones that fit your training and where you run.
Each recommendation includes:
- My YouTube review (subscribe here)
- A quick “why this one” summary
- Price + key specs (weights shown are for my US men’s size 9 pairs)
I recommend purchasing Salomon shoes direct at Salomon.com for all the colorway options, the most competitive prices + often sales up to 40% off • S/PLUS loyalty rewards • Free ground shipping for S/PLUS members • Easy 45-day returns • New email sign-ups get 10% off
Best daily trainer (best option for most road training): Salomon Aero Blaze 3
Price - $140 at Salomon (For the best price and colorway options)
Alastair Dixon
Key specs: 8.3oz / 235g (US M9) | 8mm drop | optiFOAM² midsole | Road Contagrip outsole
If you want one Salomon road shoe that can handle most of your weekly training without any drama, this is the one. The ride is stable, predictable, and lightly cushioned, with enough protection for longer miles but enough firmness to keep you feeling in control.
It’s not trying to feel bouncy or “springy”, and that’s exactly why it works so well for day-in, day-out running.
Worth knowing: Fit is true to size with a medium width and a roomy toe box; lockdown is solid, and it can run a touch warm on hot days.
Best max-cushion road shoe for long easy runs (comfort + protection): Salomon Aero Glide 3
Price - $160 at Salomon (For the best price and colorway options)
Alastair
Key specs: 8.9oz (252g) | 8mm drop
When I just want to cruise and stack comfortable miles, the Aero Glide 3 is the cushioned Salomon road shoe that makes the most sense. It’s built around comfort and a high-cushion ride, and in my review I call out that it delivers that “max cushion” feel while still keeping things light for the stack height.
Worth knowing: In my testing, it’s at its best on predictable surfaces (roads, paths). If you want more control on uneven stuff, I’d rather use the GRVL version below.
Update note: I’ve got Salomon Aero Glide 4 in for review, right now. I’ll update this pick once I’ve properly tested it.
Best race-day shoe (carbon / top-end racer — half + marathon focus): Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2
Price - $250 at Salomon (For the best price and colorway options)
Alastair
Key specs: 7.4oz / 210g (US M9) | 9mm drop (37.5mm / 28.5mm) | full-length carbon plate | narrow midfoot fit
This is my current Salomon road racer pick because it hits that sweet spot of lightweight speed + genuine comfort over longer efforts. The carbon plate and responsive midsole give it a fast, efficient feel when you turn it over, but it doesn’t feel harsh underfoot like some racers can.
Worth knowing: It’s true to size in length, but the midfoot runs noticeably narrow, and the collar can bother some runners with lower-set ankles (I mainly notice it more when walking after a run). Also… the laces can work loose unless you double-knot.
Update note: I’ve got Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 3 in for review, right now, and I’ll update this section once I’ve tested it properly.
Best road-to-trail shoe (door-to-trail, park paths, light trails): Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL
Price - $170 at Salomon (For the best price and colorway options)
Alastair Dixon
Key specs: 9.7oz (275g) | 8mm drop (40mm / 32mm) | Gravel ContaGRIP with shallow Chevron lugs
If your running week includes a mix of pavement, park paths, gravel, and light trails, this is the easy pick. The GRVL keeps the cushioned, long-run-friendly platform, but adds a grippier outsole setup that makes it feel more confident the moment the surface gets sketchy.
Worth knowing: This is still very much a “door-to-trail” shoe, not a technical mountain shoe. If you’re regularly on steep, rocky, or muddy trails, jump to the trail picks below.
Best all-mountain trail shoe (daily trail workhorse for mixed terrain): Salomon Ultra Glide 4
Price - $160 at Salomon (For the best price and colorway options)
Alastair Dixon
Key specs: 9.7oz (275g) | 6mm drop - stack height of 41mm heel / 35mm forefoot|
This is the Salomon trail shoe I like when I want one reliable workhorse that can handle a huge range of trail running, day after day.
In my review, I describe it as a polished comfort cruiser that feels smooth, protective, and confidence-building, especially when you’re not trying to run “knife-edge precise” every second.
Best ultra trail shoe (comfort + protection for long hours): Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide
Price - $250 at Salomon (For the best price and colorway options)
Alastair Dixon
Key specs: weight: 10.6oz (301g) | Drop: 6mm | Fit: True to size with a medium width
For long, slow-to-steady days where comfort matters as much as performance, this is the shoe I point people to in Salomon’s lineup.
The whole point here is staying comfortable, protected, and mentally “okay” deep into an ultra, when your form starts to fade and the ground starts to feel extra sharp.
Best trail racing shoe (fast, secure, and confidence-building up to 50K): Salomon S/Lab Genesis
Price - $200 at Salomon (For the best price and colorway options)
Alastair Dixon
Key specs: True to size (narrow midfoot) | Weight: 9oz / 255g | Drop: 8mm | Outsole: All Terrain Contagrip, 4.5mm lugs | Midsole: optiFOAM + Profeel Film | Upper: Matryx + EndoFit + integrated gaiter | Quicklace + lace garage
The S/Lab Genesis is my pick when I want a trail shoe that feels quick and precise, but still secure and protective enough for rugged, mixed terrain.
The midsole isn’t plush, but it hits a sweet spot between control, responsiveness, and good ground connection, which makes it easier to run fast on technical trails. The Matryx upper and bootie-style gaiter give really dependable lockdown and do a great job keeping debris out, and I feel confident pushing the pace on descents.
Worth knowing: The midfoot runs narrow and I noticed the medial arch for the first couple runs before it settled in. Dry grip is solid, but wet rock is still a weak spot, and the forefoot isn’t ideal for sharp alpine rock gardens.
Final tips for choosing the right Salomon shoe
- If you want one shoe for most road training: Salomon Aero Blaze 3
- If your priority is soft, protective road miles: Salomon Aero Glide 3
- If you want one shoe that handles road + light trail in the same run: Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL
- If you’re racing roads and want Salomon’s fastest feel: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2 (with the narrow midfoot caveat)
- If you want a trail racer for technical days: Salomon S/Lab Genesis
