The Salomon Aero Glide 4 feels like a smart evolution of a shoe I already liked a lot. It keeps the soft, lively, high-stack formula that made the Aero Glide 3 such an enjoyable daily trainer, but the overall package now feels a little more refined, and a little easier to trust for regular mileage.
What I liked about the Aero Glide 3 was how it managed to feel surprisingly light for such a high-stack shoe, while still delivering a cushioned, responsive ride that worked well across recovery runs, steady daily miles, and the odd pickup in pace.
That same DNA is still here in the Aero Glide 4, and that’s a big part of why this update lands so well for me. The difference is that this latest version builds on those strengths rather than reworking the formula.
It still has that feather-light feel on the run, still rolls smoothly, and still delivers the kind of comfort that makes you want to keep reaching for it and stacking miles. But with the more refined upper and equally fun ride, I think this is the better version of an already very good shoe.
Right now, I’d go as far as saying it’s one of the best max-cushioned daily trainers available for neutral runners.
Key specifications
- Price: $160 at Salomon
- Weight: 8.9oz / 252g for my US men’s size 9 pair
- Drop: 8mm
- Stack height: 42mm heel / 34mm forefoot
- Upper: Updated 3D open mesh with seamless inside-out construction, sensiFIT overlays, and a reinforced rubberized lacing plate
- Midsole: Full optiFOAM² supercritical TPU foam
- Outsole: Road Contagrip with circumferential coverage and heel decoupling
- Extra attributes: Reverse Camber rocker geometry, regular/medium width (D), neutral platform, designed for everyday road running on pavement and city paths
Sizing and fit
The Aero Glide 4 fits true to size in my usual US men’s 9. The midfoot feels secure without squeezing, and the forefoot has enough room for my toes to move naturally without the shoe feeling sloppy.
That’s an interesting point of comparison with the Aero Glide 3, because one of the defining traits of that shoe was its roomy, medium-to-wide fit and wide toe box. If you liked that sense of space up front, there’s still a lot to like here.
The Aero Glide 4 keeps that comfortable, accommodating feel, and still has a great heel -lock thanks to that wonderfully large tongue, but for me it comes across as a little more dialed-in overall.
If you have narrow feet, fit is still the main thing to pay attention to. The Aero Glide 3 could feel a bit too roomy for some runners, and while this new version works really well for my average foot shape, this is still one of those shoes where trying it on first is a smart move if you’re unsure but for most average feet shape, you'll be absolutely fine.
Alastair Dixon
Performance review
Big cushioning that still feels surprisingly light
One of the things that made the Aero Glide 3 so impressive was how light it felt despite the high stack and soft underfoot feel. I had exactly the same reaction with the Aero Glide 4 because it's the exact same weight.
At this stack height, a lot of shoes start to feel bulky or overbuilt, but that’s not the case here. The optiFOAM² midsole gives you deep, plush protection underfoot, yet the shoe still feels agile enough to enjoy at a range of paces.
It's also surprisingly grounded when making turns; I feel a lot more confident in these compared to some other max stack trainers.
That “surprisingly lightweight” character carries over, and it remains one of the biggest reasons this shoe stands out for me.
For daily training, that matters a lot. You get the comfort and protection you want from a max-cushioned shoe, but without the heavy, dead sensation that can make some rivals feel like hard work after a few miles.
The ride is even more enjoyable now
The Aero Glide 4 still has a well-balanced ride. Its cushioning feels soft but not mushy, and the transitions are smooth whether I'm landing more on my heel or midfoot. It also adapts nicely to different types of runs, which make it a really versatile option for weekly mileage.
The Reverse Camber rocker works with the new foam to create a really effortless heel-to-toe flow, and the ride feels lively in a way that keeps runs engaging.
It’s protective enough for easy days and recovery miles, but when I want to open things up a touch, it responds without fighting me.
That’s what I like most about this shoe. It doesn’t feel trapped in one lane. It’s clearly a comfort-first daily trainer, but it still has enough rebound and momentum to stop those middle-distance daily runs from feeling flat or repetitive.
If you enjoyed how the Aero Glide 3 could handle easy running, slower long runs, and the odd tempo pickup, the Aero Glide 4 keeps that versatility intact. It just feels a little more polished in the way it delivers it.
Alastair Dixon
I'm using mine as lifestyle shoes right now too, because I like how they look and feel for all day wear.
The upper keeps the comfort, but feels more refined
The upper was already a strength in the Aero Glide 3. I liked the seamless inside-out construction, the roomy fit, and especially the breathability.
They have a very easy, welcoming feel on foot.
The Aero Glide 4 still has that breathable, comforting, glove-like feel, but the upper now comes across as more refined. The updated 3D mesh is very breathable, and on warmer Florida runs it has been helping keep everything feel dry and comfortable.
And yes, one of my favorite little beneficial quirks from the Aero Glide 3 is still here: that wonderfully oversized tongue.
I mentioned in my Aero Glide 3 review how unusual it felt at first, but how quickly it became something I genuinely appreciated.
It makes the shoe easy to slide on, feel incredibly comfortable over the top of the foot, and, despite its size, stays in place really well thanks to the way it is integrated into the upper.
For anyone upgrading from the Aero Glide 3, that’s one of the reassuring things here: Salomon didn’t mess with one of the shoe’s most unique and best comfort features.
Stable enough for daily miles, with the usual neutral limits
The Aero Glide 4 works really well for me as a neutral daily trainer.
The platform and rocker help the shoe feel smooth and predictable, and I’ve had no stability concerns in normal road running. For straightforward daily mileage, it feels composed and easy to trust.
But even though it’s still a high-stack neutral shoe, if provides enough support for most and corners really well.
Alastair Dixon
Grip and durability feel dependable for the job
Grip was one of the few areas where I had some reservations with the Aero Glide 3.
On dry surfaces, the Road Contagrip outsole performed well, but I did notice that painted road lines and slick cobbled streets in wet conditions could feel less confidence-inspiring.
With the Aero Glide 4, grip has been reliable for me on dry pavement and light-wet surfaces, and early wear has looked absolutely fine. It does feel largely unchanged, right down to the tread pattern and rubber compound.
Durability also looks promising so far. The foam still feels lively, the upper feels well put together, and the shoe gives off the same kind of “built for regular mileage” confidence that made the Aero Glide 3 such a solid everyday option.
My verdict
The Salomon Aero Glide 4 takes what I already liked about the Aero Glide 3 and improves it without losing the character that made that shoe so enjoyable.
It still feels surprisingly light for a max-cushioned trainer. It still has that smooth, versatile ride that works well for daily miles, recovery runs, and steady longer efforts. It still has the roomy comfort, the breathable upper, and that oversized tongue that I genuinely loved on the previous version.
What changes is that the upper feels more polished, the fit feels a touch more dialed for me, and the ride remains every bit as fun while feeling like a more complete package overall; thi iteration has bumped the Aero Glide up several spots in my best cushioned running shoes roundup.
So if you already own the Aero Glide 3 and you’re wondering whether this is a worthwhile upgrade, I’d say yes, absolutely.
For runners coming in new, it’s one of the best max-cushioned daily trainers out there right now if you want plush comfort, lively protection, and a shoe that makes everyday running feel easier and more enjoyable.
