Salomon S/LAB Extremely Glide Overview

Recognized for its modern method to path working, Salomon’s latest addition, the Extremely Glide, is not any exception. Utilizing “Relieve Sphere” expertise, the outsole is designed to alleviate fatigue and scale back stress from repeated turnover on trails. Its wavy geometry actually pushes the envelope in design—however it comes with a hefty price ticket.

The Extremely Glide guarantees consolation over lengthy distances on rugged terrain, that includes SalomonFOAM+ AND SalomonFOAM cushioning (that’s proper, double the froth!), a 6mm drop, and 4mm lugs.

After testing it out, I discovered it responsive, ridiculously snug, and a bit bouncy firstly— however is it actually well worth the $250 price ticket?

Let’s discover out!

Who’s It Good For:

Who’s the Salomon S/LAB Extremely Glide good for? Let’s break it down with some frequent classes:

• Huge Ft: Yup! The roomy toe field is a match for vast toes.
• Technical Trails: You wager! The 4mm lugs are made for technical trails
• Lengthy Runs: Completely! The max cushion and Relieve Spheres on this shoe are actually designed for longer adventures.
• Entrance of the Pack: That is made for extra mid-to-back-of-the-pack runners. Individuals who might be on their toes for a loooong time– Lengthy path runs, blended terrain adventures, and extremely races

The Salomon S/LAB Extremely Glide provides most cushioning for lengthy distances, however it comes at a steep value.

Salomon S/LAB Extremely Glide Overview:

I couldn’t wait to check out the Extremely Glide sneakers! It debuted on the 2024 UTMB races (in the event you’re unfamiliar with these iconic path races, I extremely suggest Googling them—they actually know find out how to placed on occasions!).

The wavy outsole design and the “Relieve Sphere” expertise piqued my curiosity. Very similar to ON’s backyard hose design, it’d look bizarre, however these spheres are there for a function.

At first, I wasn’t positive how the golf ball-shaped indents would assist relieve fatigue. I imagined they may make the shoe unstable on technical terrain because of the outsole not being flat.

However right here’s the factor: we don’t technically run on the mattress of the outsole—the lugs hit the bottom first and disperse stress throughout the outsole, therefore the strategically positioned sphere-shaped indents. They’re designed to unfold out stress and alleviate typical scorching spots.

Fairly cool!

The utmost cushion is noticeable straight away. These are downright snug with a little bit bounce! On my first run, I used to be shocked by how bouncy they felt the primary few miles. Nevertheless, as my physique settled in and the space grew longer, the bounce appeared to relax, however the consolation was nonetheless there. It felt bouncy however by no means unstable. I didn’t really feel like I used to be on a pogo stick, however I may really feel the power rebounding in my steps. Not surprisingly, there may be science behind this design, too!

Salomon first layered their SalomonFOAM, a light-weight EVA foam, on the Relieve Sphere outsole to assist deter foot fatigue throughout lengthy runs. Then, they layered their SalomonFOAM+ (a mixture of PEBA and EVA) to create a pleasant, bouncy footbed. The double-layered foam makes a noticeable distinction! By the point the miles began stacking, my toes nonetheless felt very snug.

Even on extra technical terrain, the cushioning wasn’t overwhelming. They had been nonetheless responsive and steady, even on rocky downhills. The bounciness offered simply sufficient spring to make me really feel fast on my toes, not heavy or weighed down.

What I don’t fear about is the All Terrain Contagrip® outsole and 4mm lugs. That’s their tried and true outsole that meets the calls for of path working. It’s grippy and sturdy over a number of terrains that I run over.

In truth, Salomon’s outsoles appear to survive all my different trail-running outsoles! That claims rather a lot a few shoe; the Colorado Rockies are likely to eat sneakers shortly!

Salomon S/LAB Extremely Glide Specs

• Heel-toe drop: 6mm
• Weight: 10.23oz (unisex)
• Stack: 41mm
• Utilization: Path working, lengthy runs, and extremely path races
• Obtainable in 1 colour: Fiery Purple / Pompeian Purple / Vanilla Ice
• Not obtainable in vast
• Obtainable at Salmon.com for $250

To really take a look at the consolation, I did some lively restoration miles in them after working a scorching, rocky 50k in Arizona. My winter treadmill-running toes had been wrecked after that race, however the Extremely Glide’s max cushioning made it potential for me to truly get in restoration runs. Having the ability to run after a race like that, when my toes felt as beat up as they did, is a testomony to their cushioning!

Whereas I do love the consolation of the midsole, I do have reservations about how sturdy it is going to be. It takes up over half the shoe, is squishy, and I fear that it received’t maintain as much as knicks from rocks. Time will inform on that entrance.

Salomon S/LAB Extremely Glide Match

I discovered the match to be true to dimension, with a safe, cosy, deep heel that retains issues in place with out feeling tight or sloppy. The toe field has extra room than I anticipated, which is nice for these with wider toes or who need room for toes to splay.

Salomon calls the match “Customary,” and I’d agree. It wasn’t too slender or too vast.

Quicklace programs– you both love them or hate them. I don’t thoughts them and have grown a brand new appreciation for them from my newest Extremely. My fingers swelled a lot that I may hardly re-tie my sneakers through the race. By no means did I want I had the Quicklace system greater than at mile 28. However I regress.

With the Extremely Glide, I first struggled to search out the correct quantity of tightness in the correct locations. It took me a few minutes to search out what I appreciated, and so they stayed put as soon as I dialed it in. The additional laces simply match into the pocket within the tongue. My older Salomon Sense Experience laces by no means match within the pocket very nicely, so the convenience of this was appreciated.

The gusseted tongue is skinny and strategically padded so the laces’ stress doesn’t get too tight and trigger points. The aspect tongue material may be very skinny and stretchy. It retains particles out and the tongue in place, and I by no means felt any chaffing from the place the seams join it to the tongue.

Like most of the Salomon sneakers, the heel collar is barely taller however padded. Once more, I didn’t expertise chafing or blistering and felt like my heel stayed put. In truth, I didn’t really feel any scorching spots in any respect throughout my runs. That’s an enormous win in my e book!

The uppers are double-lined on the edges with material and a tightly woven mesh. The mesh is tight sufficient that grass seeds or filth received’t get caught. Nevertheless, proper above the toes, the material modifications. It omits the woven mesh and as an alternative has a layer of stretchy material that enables for optimum breathability and wiggle room.

In truth, my toes had been at a snug temperature whether or not I ran within the winter of Colorado (6º) or the winter warmth (70º) of Arizona.

Comparable Footwear

In the event you’re searching for options with comparable efficiency traits, listed here are a number of choices price contemplating:

General, I believe the Salomon S/LAB Extremely Glide is a improbable shoe for anybody prioritizing most consolation, whether or not on account of harm restoration or private desire. It’s designed for lengthy days on the paths and is geared for extremely distances.

The added cushion will probably enchantment to mid- and back-of-the-pack runners searching for further consolation for longer runs. Nevertheless, I’ve seen a number of skilled runners put on the Extremely Glide on simple, long-run days, and some races. It’s nonetheless a brand new shoe, so I wager we’ll see extra of it within the coming path race season.

With no carbon plate and a barely heavier construct in comparison with different path sneakers, the Extremely Glide prioritizes consolation over pace. As a mid-to-back-of-the-pack path runner, I’m okay with this tradeoff, particularly for longer distances.

Now, as for the value—$250 is steep and mirrors the price of sneakers that do embrace a carbon plate.

In the end, it is dependent upon you and your toes—yours could love these sneakers at no matter distance you’re working, and the consolation may be precisely what it’s worthwhile to hold going.

Able to go? Checkout out now at Salmon.com for $250

Searching for extra path speak?