If you’ve been looking for a high-stack daily trainer with bounce, room to breathe, and enough grip for mellow trails, the Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL might just tick those boxes.
I’ve been testing both this road-to- trail version and the standard Aero Glide 3 back-to-back, and while they share a lot of the same DNA, the differences in their uppers and outsoles could make one a better fit for your needs.
Let’s break it all down.
Key specifications
- Price: $160 from Salomon.com / Sportsshoes.com (For UK Readers)
- Weight: 9.7oz (275g) for US(M)9
- Drop: 8mm
- Upper: 3D open mesh with neoprene tongue, reflective details
- Midsole: Energy Foam EVO geometry (using optiFOAM² foam), soft and responsive with Reverse Camber geometry
- Outsole: Gravel ContaGRIP with shallow Chevron lugs for dry trails
- Extra attributes: OrthoLite insole, flat laces, recycled materials
Sizing and fit
Fit is generous, especially in the midfoot and toe box areas.
I’d say it runs true to size in length, but the volume and width make it ideal for wide-footed runners or anyone who likes space for toe splay and swelling on longer efforts.
If you have narrow feet, though, be ready for a looser midfoot feel.
Alastair Dixon
Performance review
The Aero Glide 3 delivers exactly what it promises: maximal cushioning with a light and easy-going ride.
The Energy Foam EVO midsole feels soft, bouncy, and surprisingly responsive—perfect for daily miles, long slow runs, and recovery days when you just want comfort on or off the trails.
Even with all that stack underfoot, the 9.7oz weight keeps things feeling agile on mild trails. It’s not a tempo shoe per se, but there’s enough pop in the midsole to pick up the pace now and then.
Transitions are smooth thanks to the Reverse Camber rocker, and the wide platform provides good lateral stability—at least on flat terrain.
The upper in this GRVL version isn't as breathable as the standard version but it's very well cushioned, padded and provides great heel lock on the run.
On the flip side, wet traction isn't going to be the best, based on my experience with Contagrip, but these aren't designed for running on wet slick rock, or muddy trails.
While the ride is stable on smooth surfaces like th road and gravel paths, take these onto uneven terrain or twisty corners and the soft midsole starts to feel a bit unstable.
There’s just not enough ground feel or structure for technical trail but once again, they're not designed for that. I'm just setting your expectations correctly.
Is the GRVL version better than the standard version?
That depends very much on how and where you run.
The GRVL version swaps in a tighter mesh material for the upper and a neoprene tongue.
While this setup helps keep dust and trail debris out, it sacrifices breathability.
Alastair Dixon
On warm days, my feet got noticeably hotter in the GRVLs. The neoprene tongue hugs the top of your foot well, and stops lace bite, but isn’t as comfy or airy as the standard setup.
Underfoot, you get Salomon’s Gravel ContaGRIP outsole on the GRVL version. It adds slightly more bite on dry trails and gravel paths, but the lugs are still pretty shallow—think light trails or fire roads, not anything muddy or technical.
Both versions share that same soft midsole, so you’ll get the same soft ride there.
I think you have to decide on what matters to you most, but the GRVL version does give you the option of running more confidently on light trails too.
My verdict
The Salomon Aero Glide 3 is a high-cushion daily trainer that brings a plush, airy ride in a lightweight package.
The midsole is soft but not sluggish, and that roomy fit makes it a solid option for long miles, easy days, and anyone who wants space for their toes or wider feet.
The GRVL version is a nice touch if your runs frequently involve gravel or dry dirt paths—but unless you’re truly mixing terrain often, I’d go with the road version for its superior breathability and airy comfort overall.
Alastair Dixon
These aren’t do-it-all shoes, and they’re not built for technical trails or wet conditions.
But for cruising through easy miles on smooth terrain, they’re a joy to run in—and excellent value for a premium foam road to 'light' trail running shoe.
You can pick up a pair for $160 at the stores below:
