A trail chameleon with game-changing versatility and comfort. ULTRA GLIDE 2 is a game-changing, ultra-cushioned trail chameleon. Designed to adapt to varying terrains and surfaces, it's long-distance comfortable and lightweight on foot, ideal for weaving through the changing scenery of wherever your mood or ambition takes you. Whatever the challenge, wherever you run.
A trail chameleon with game-changing versatility and comfort. ULTRA GLIDE 2 is a game-changing, ultra-cushioned trail chameleon. Designed to adapt to varying terrains and surfaces, it's long-distance comfortable and lightweight on foot, ideal for weaving through the changing scenery of wherever your mood or ambition takes you. Whatever the challenge, wherever you run.
A trail chameleon with game-changing versatility and comfort. ULTRA GLIDE 2 is a game-changing, ultra-cushioned trail chameleon. Designed to adapt to varying terrains and surfaces, it's long-distance comfortable and lightweight on foot, ideal for weaving through the changing scenery of wherever your mood or ambition takes you. Whatever the challenge, wherever you run.
A trail chameleon with game-changing versatility and comfort. ULTRA GLIDE 2 is a game-changing, ultra-cushioned trail chameleon. Designed to adapt to varying terrains and surfaces, it's long-distance comfortable and lightweight on foot, ideal for weaving through the changing scenery of wherever your mood or ambition takes you. Whatever the challenge, wherever you run.
Last updated at 12/18/2025 10:26:05
originally posted on REI
Fit - the fit feels true to size. My normal size for running shoes is 12.5, and that’s the size I needed in these. I’m a medium width, and again these work fine for my foot. I do think that the padding around the collar is a bit on the thick side, but it’s not causing any problems.Laces - I’m still getting used to the laces. I appreciate the quick pull, but it’s hard to cram the pull into the little pouch on the tongue once they are tight, which means they sometimes come untucked from the tongue when running and then hit you in the shin. I guess the advantage is that they don’t get loose or untied so no tripping, but that’s not a problem I’ve had with regular laces.Cushion - not too soft, but not too firm. Decent protection from rocks and roots, and good toe ... MoreFit - the fit feels true to size. My normal size for running shoes is 12.5, and that’s the size I needed in these. I’m a medium width, and again these work fine for my foot. I do think that the padding around the collar is a bit on the thick side, but it’s not causing any problems.Laces - I’m still getting used to the laces. I appreciate the quick pull, but it’s hard to cram the pull into the little pouch on the tongue once they are tight, which means they sometimes come untucked from the tongue when running and then hit you in the shin. I guess the advantage is that they don’t get loose or untied so no tripping, but that’s not a problem I’ve had with regular laces.Cushion - not too soft, but not too firm. Decent protection from rocks and roots, and good toe protection.Grip - i’ve only been able to use these in dry conditions, but on dry and slightly tacky trails the grip has been good with no loss of traction.Support - for me at least I feel like I need a bit of additional arch support, but nothing that a different pair of insoles wouldn’t take care of. Stability has also been good, with no twists or tweaks running over rocks and roots.Color - I have the rainy day colorway, and it’s ok, but maybe not a great choice for trail shoes depending on where you live. Again, I’ve only been able to use they in the dry so they are staying clean, not sure how they would clean up after some muddy trails.Breathability - my local trails stay nice and cool even when it's hot by PNW standards. Even with thin socks my feet get pretty warm in these, something to keep in mind if you run warm or are in a hot climate.
originally posted on REI
Salomon tries to find a hybrid solution to several concerns with trail running and by and large they succeed. For years I was all on board with zero drop for trail running, but now my aging knees are starting to bark at me and my joints need more cushioning, Therein lies the paradox. The more cushion you have, the more clunky the shoes fees and that is bad news in trail running.I was a little concerned seeing the photo on the website that makes it look like there are super huge lowers on these shoes. IRL the shoe is much more tapered toward the toes and the main cushioning is really at the heel. The effect is to feel much more cushioned at the point of impact, but overall the shoe still feels light.I was also skeptical about the quicklace system, but I've really ... MoreSalomon tries to find a hybrid solution to several concerns with trail running and by and large they succeed. For years I was all on board with zero drop for trail running, but now my aging knees are starting to bark at me and my joints need more cushioning, Therein lies the paradox. The more cushion you have, the more clunky the shoes fees and that is bad news in trail running.I was a little concerned seeing the photo on the website that makes it look like there are super huge lowers on these shoes. IRL the shoe is much more tapered toward the toes and the main cushioning is really at the heel. The effect is to feel much more cushioned at the point of impact, but overall the shoe still feels light.I was also skeptical about the quicklace system, but I've really grown to like it. The system is really secure and I like the feel of the much thinner laces they system provides. It also can tuck in to the top of the tongue of the shoe to keep it from bouncing as you run.The energy transfer is also great. The extra spring is a really nice advantage over zero drop. Also, as you can see the treads are grippy enough and served me well in the rain, but when I transitioned to pavement, they did not feel TOO grippy such that I was afraid I'd trip as I have with other trail runners on pavement.Finally, in an unintended test, I got caught in a rainstorm when I first tested them. Of course they're not waterproof, but I was very pleased that after removing the inserts and drying with newspaper overnight they were good as new. No nasty smell and the insert is not affected at all.Overall, it's the same solid Salomon construction that tries to find a good balance between cushion, grip, and weight. I'd definitely recommend these.
originally posted on REI
I tested this shoe on a wide variety of surfaces, including roads, urban gravel trails, buffed dirt trails, and technical rocky mountain trails. I found it to be a comfortable and nimble all-terrain shoe, best suited for hiking and trail running.Fist off: comfort. This is a reasonably comfortable shoe, but I wouldn’t call it plush. The midsole is made out of a dense, energetic foam. While comfortable enough, it doesn’t have that sink in, pillow-like feel that some ultra-cushioned shoes do. Rather, I found that it has a springy, firm feeling that allowed me to pick up the pace.Despite its billing as an “ultra” distance shoe, this shoe is surprisingly quick and agile. I was surprised at how capable it was on rocky, technical terrain. I also found the grip of the ... MoreI tested this shoe on a wide variety of surfaces, including roads, urban gravel trails, buffed dirt trails, and technical rocky mountain trails. I found it to be a comfortable and nimble all-terrain shoe, best suited for hiking and trail running.Fist off: comfort. This is a reasonably comfortable shoe, but I wouldn’t call it plush. The midsole is made out of a dense, energetic foam. While comfortable enough, it doesn’t have that sink in, pillow-like feel that some ultra-cushioned shoes do. Rather, I found that it has a springy, firm feeling that allowed me to pick up the pace.Despite its billing as an “ultra” distance shoe, this shoe is surprisingly quick and agile. I was surprised at how capable it was on rocky, technical terrain. I also found the grip of the sole to be quite aggressive. I had no issues moving up and down steep rocky slopes with technical sections.Perhaps the best feature of the shoe is the quick lace system. I absolutely hate laces: they come undone, trip you up, are hard to adjust, etc. The drawstring laces are amazing: once I got a proper fit, they didn’t came undone. That being said, the “lace garage” on the top of the tongue is a cool idea, but it is difficult to use.I would advise you to try the shoe on in store, or order multiple sizes. For me, the regular-width shoe runs a bit narrow. I imagine some might want to opt for the wide-width. The length is true to size.Personally, I would use this shoe for anything from a long day of hiking to running a half marathon on trails. Anything longer than that, and I would reach for something with more cushion. It wouldn’t be my first choice for roads or urban trails - the outsole is just a little too aggressive for that. I might use it as a winter road shoe on icy or slushy days.
Fit - the fit feels true to size. My normal size for running shoes is 12.5, and that’s the size I needed in these. I’m a medium width, and again these work fine for my foot. I do think that the padding around the collar is a bit on the thick side, but it’s not causing any problems.Laces - I’m still getting used to the laces. I appreciate the quick pull, but it’s hard to cram the pull into the little pouch on the tongue once they are tight, which means they sometimes come untucked from the tongue when running and then hit you in the shin. I guess the advantage is that they don’t get loose or untied so no tripping, but that’s not a problem I’ve had with regular laces.Cushion - not too soft, but not too firm. Decent protection from rocks and roots, and good toe ... MoreFit - the fit feels true to size. My normal size for running shoes is 12.5, and that’s the size I needed in these. I’m a medium width, and again these work fine for my foot. I do think that the padding around the collar is a bit on the thick side, but it’s not causing any problems.Laces - I’m still getting used to the laces. I appreciate the quick pull, but it’s hard to cram the pull into the little pouch on the tongue once they are tight, which means they sometimes come untucked from the tongue when running and then hit you in the shin. I guess the advantage is that they don’t get loose or untied so no tripping, but that’s not a problem I’ve had with regular laces.Cushion - not too soft, but not too firm. Decent protection from rocks and roots, and good toe protection.Grip - i’ve only been able to use these in dry conditions, but on dry and slightly tacky trails the grip has been good with no loss of traction.Support - for me at least I feel like I need a bit of additional arch support, but nothing that a different pair of insoles wouldn’t take care of. Stability has also been good, with no twists or tweaks running over rocks and roots.Color - I have the rainy day colorway, and it’s ok, but maybe not a great choice for trail shoes depending on where you live. Again, I’ve only been able to use they in the dry so they are staying clean, not sure how they would clean up after some muddy trails.Breathability - my local trails stay nice and cool even when it's hot by PNW standards. Even with thin socks my feet get pretty warm in these, something to keep in mind if you run warm or are in a hot climate.
Salomon tries to find a hybrid solution to several concerns with trail running and by and large they succeed. For years I was all on board with zero drop for trail running, but now my aging knees are starting to bark at me and my joints need more cushioning, Therein lies the paradox. The more cushion you have, the more clunky the shoes fees and that is bad news in trail running.I was a little concerned seeing the photo on the website that makes it look like there are super huge lowers on these shoes. IRL the shoe is much more tapered toward the toes and the main cushioning is really at the heel. The effect is to feel much more cushioned at the point of impact, but overall the shoe still feels light.I was also skeptical about the quicklace system, but I've really ... MoreSalomon tries to find a hybrid solution to several concerns with trail running and by and large they succeed. For years I was all on board with zero drop for trail running, but now my aging knees are starting to bark at me and my joints need more cushioning, Therein lies the paradox. The more cushion you have, the more clunky the shoes fees and that is bad news in trail running.I was a little concerned seeing the photo on the website that makes it look like there are super huge lowers on these shoes. IRL the shoe is much more tapered toward the toes and the main cushioning is really at the heel. The effect is to feel much more cushioned at the point of impact, but overall the shoe still feels light.I was also skeptical about the quicklace system, but I've really grown to like it. The system is really secure and I like the feel of the much thinner laces they system provides. It also can tuck in to the top of the tongue of the shoe to keep it from bouncing as you run.The energy transfer is also great. The extra spring is a really nice advantage over zero drop. Also, as you can see the treads are grippy enough and served me well in the rain, but when I transitioned to pavement, they did not feel TOO grippy such that I was afraid I'd trip as I have with other trail runners on pavement.Finally, in an unintended test, I got caught in a rainstorm when I first tested them. Of course they're not waterproof, but I was very pleased that after removing the inserts and drying with newspaper overnight they were good as new. No nasty smell and the insert is not affected at all.Overall, it's the same solid Salomon construction that tries to find a good balance between cushion, grip, and weight. I'd definitely recommend these.
I tested this shoe on a wide variety of surfaces, including roads, urban gravel trails, buffed dirt trails, and technical rocky mountain trails. I found it to be a comfortable and nimble all-terrain shoe, best suited for hiking and trail running.Fist off: comfort. This is a reasonably comfortable shoe, but I wouldn’t call it plush. The midsole is made out of a dense, energetic foam. While comfortable enough, it doesn’t have that sink in, pillow-like feel that some ultra-cushioned shoes do. Rather, I found that it has a springy, firm feeling that allowed me to pick up the pace.Despite its billing as an “ultra” distance shoe, this shoe is surprisingly quick and agile. I was surprised at how capable it was on rocky, technical terrain. I also found the grip of the ... MoreI tested this shoe on a wide variety of surfaces, including roads, urban gravel trails, buffed dirt trails, and technical rocky mountain trails. I found it to be a comfortable and nimble all-terrain shoe, best suited for hiking and trail running.Fist off: comfort. This is a reasonably comfortable shoe, but I wouldn’t call it plush. The midsole is made out of a dense, energetic foam. While comfortable enough, it doesn’t have that sink in, pillow-like feel that some ultra-cushioned shoes do. Rather, I found that it has a springy, firm feeling that allowed me to pick up the pace.Despite its billing as an “ultra” distance shoe, this shoe is surprisingly quick and agile. I was surprised at how capable it was on rocky, technical terrain. I also found the grip of the sole to be quite aggressive. I had no issues moving up and down steep rocky slopes with technical sections.Perhaps the best feature of the shoe is the quick lace system. I absolutely hate laces: they come undone, trip you up, are hard to adjust, etc. The drawstring laces are amazing: once I got a proper fit, they didn’t came undone. That being said, the “lace garage” on the top of the tongue is a cool idea, but it is difficult to use.I would advise you to try the shoe on in store, or order multiple sizes. For me, the regular-width shoe runs a bit narrow. I imagine some might want to opt for the wide-width. The length is true to size.Personally, I would use this shoe for anything from a long day of hiking to running a half marathon on trails. Anything longer than that, and I would reach for something with more cushion. It wouldn’t be my first choice for roads or urban trails - the outsole is just a little too aggressive for that. I might use it as a winter road shoe on icy or slushy days.
Purchased as a road to trail trainer for slower longer runs.The construction & quality seems high, i really like the fit of this shoe just about the right amount of toe box. Unfortunately i really dislike the tongue, not only it looks silly but its very big & can get very warm, i think this is to cater for a large toggle on the quicklaces. Personally i prefer the smaller pocket & neater design like with Pulsar. Apart from that the upper is good.They feel pretty average to run in not bad but not a shoe i look forward to, i really want to love them but they are not really what i expected, despite them being max cushioned shoe i don't feel they reduce any discomfort over long distances. Maybe they are aimed at heal strikers but i just prefer other shoes to these & ... MorePurchased as a road to trail trainer for slower longer runs.The construction & quality seems high, i really like the fit of this shoe just about the right amount of toe box. Unfortunately i really dislike the tongue, not only it looks silly but its very big & can get very warm, i think this is to cater for a large toggle on the quicklaces. Personally i prefer the smaller pocket & neater design like with Pulsar. Apart from that the upper is good.They feel pretty average to run in not bad but not a shoe i look forward to, i really want to love them but they are not really what i expected, despite them being max cushioned shoe i don't feel they reduce any discomfort over long distances. Maybe they are aimed at heal strikers but i just prefer other shoes to these & tend to keep my milage lower. They are admittedly cheaper so maybe a case of you get what you pay for.Grip is decent & does the job so far but not had anything too technical to throw at them.
I used these shoes over the course of several weeks on trails with varied terrain and elevation, and in both wet and dry conditions. Most hikes were between 3-5 miles and the runs we're usually a max of 2 miles, so no long distance runs or with heavy loads.One of the first things I noticed was how well the cushioning worked to help minimize the impact from hard terrain, something I really appreciated after the runs. I've had pretty bad back issues for years and just deal with sciatica as a price to pay for getting out there. But I really didn't experience it as badly with these shoes as others I've worn. Salomon shoes have always been a little too firm and rigid for me, but these really were comfortable.I'll add a coue of pictures showing the type of terrain I ... MoreI used these shoes over the course of several weeks on trails with varied terrain and elevation, and in both wet and dry conditions. Most hikes were between 3-5 miles and the runs we're usually a max of 2 miles, so no long distance runs or with heavy loads.One of the first things I noticed was how well the cushioning worked to help minimize the impact from hard terrain, something I really appreciated after the runs. I've had pretty bad back issues for years and just deal with sciatica as a price to pay for getting out there. But I really didn't experience it as badly with these shoes as others I've worn. Salomon shoes have always been a little too firm and rigid for me, but these really were comfortable.I'll add a coue of pictures showing the type of terrain I usually go on several times a week. Lots of rocks, roots, muddy spots, uphill and downhill with occasional water crossings depending on weather. The shoes handled everything really well, and I never hesitated to jump from one rock or log to another. I was a little surprised by that given the non-aggressive tread. I usually like to have more aggressive lugs near the toe box for digging in on steep uphills, but these were just fine.A couple of things I didn't like too much were the fit and the lacing system, which may have been interconnected issues. I felt like the shoes were wider than what I'm used to, so really had to tighten the lacing system down hard to feel like they were snug enough to not move side to side. And while I understand and appreciate the convenience of the lacing system, I just felt like I couldn't get it tight enough around my feet like I can with tradition laces.Oh, one other thing I liked was the tongue of the shoes which I've never really paid attention to before. I left liket they were really well cushioned and fit nicely against my ankles. Kinda strange observation, yeah, but I liked it!Overall, really comfortable shoe great for mixed terrain and hiking or trail running!
My overall impression is that these are well designed shoes meant for maximum comfort on trail. These will be in my rotation for longer runs on easy to moderate terrain in good weather. I’ll share my experience followed by a summary of pros and cons.As I do with all new running shoes, upon receiving them I immediately tried them for a couple miles on the treadmill just to test fit. They hugged my midfoot and heel well and provided a comfortable ride in this controlled test. After passing this initial screen, I took them out on my next easy run on a mix of paved paths and gravel trails. I was impressed with the ease with which I was able to run in these. The midsole provides ample bounce to make running fairly effortless.I do most of my trail running in woodlands ... MoreMy overall impression is that these are well designed shoes meant for maximum comfort on trail. These will be in my rotation for longer runs on easy to moderate terrain in good weather. I’ll share my experience followed by a summary of pros and cons.As I do with all new running shoes, upon receiving them I immediately tried them for a couple miles on the treadmill just to test fit. They hugged my midfoot and heel well and provided a comfortable ride in this controlled test. After passing this initial screen, I took them out on my next easy run on a mix of paved paths and gravel trails. I was impressed with the ease with which I was able to run in these. The midsole provides ample bounce to make running fairly effortless.I do most of my trail running in woodlands and lake areas with the most technical areas including rocky terrain. I also had the opportunity to take these on trail in both sunny and wet conditions.The upper is immensely comfortable in the way it molds around your midfoot and provides excellent cushioning and more than ample support. The drawback to this is that they breathe ok, but they do hold heat and perspiration. Related to the upper, I LOVE the Quicklace system. With the Quicklaces, I was out the door faster and it was so much easier to make adjustments on the fly. The pocket on the tongue is a nice feature for stowing the Quicklaces, but it slowed down on-the-fly adjustments so I instead opted to tuck the ends of the Quicklaces under the lower laces to keep them from bouncing around.The midsole cushioning performed better than expected. With any heavily cushion shoe, I expect to lose the feel of the terrain. I do find that these do a reasonably good job of providing ample feedback from the terrain despite the amount of cushioning no matter the foot position. Even if my step on the terrain was at a bit of an odd angle, I never felt like I was disconnected from the ground. The quality of the feel combined with the ample bounce made for a good comfortable trail ride.One thing I did note about the overall comfort is that the shape of the toebox is adequately roomy under the majority of conditions but I did experience some feelings of constriction (not discomfort) during some more technical spots on trails where my toes wanted to spread more in response to the terrain. A bit more room by the little toes would address this issue. I don’t normally get wide shoes but that might be a solution for those that prefer more toe splay.I had no issues with the rubber soles at any point. They gripped very well no matter what I stepped on. Of course, runners need to be careful about where and how they are stepping no matter what they’re wearing, and these are no exception. However, I have stepped on wet mossy rocks and not slipped.In wet conditions, at first I was impressed that the shoes stayed relatively dry inside and didn’t seem to retain any water from running through wet terrain and occasional puddles. Running in rain, however, is a different story. Once water gets in it doesn’t drain very well. They handled the wet terrain well but running in the rain made for an uncomfortable run due to the water retention. The designs of the uppers are excellent for keeping water out from the sides, but the reverse is also true: once water is inside, it has no way to leave.Pros• One of the best feeling max cushion shoes I’ve tried, striking a fine balance between support, shock and terrain absorbsion, and terrain feel.• The midsole provides impressively good bounce.• Love the quicklace system.• Tread performed superbly in all conditions.• Upper cushioning makes for a very comfortable fit all around.• These are impressively light for the amount of cushioning.• I get compliments on the colors.Cons• Like any max cushion shoe, you lose some of the feel of the terrain.• Toe box could be a bit wider or shaped to allow more splay. This was mostly noticeable in technical terrain.• The shoe would probably work best for a heel to midfoot striker. This is only a con for forefoot strikers. I’m a forefoot striker so I don’t think I was able to take full advantage of the cushioning and rocker geometry.• While well cushioned, the upper could breathe a bit better.• Water retention if water gets inside.
I've been running a bit with these on a flat terrain and yesterday I took them on a muddy wet trail close to home, it was rainy all the time but we had good tree coverage. Now I'm a beginner runner in general, so I can't really comment on that, but, I'm a much better hiker, and let me tell you, these guys compete one to one with my boots in terms of grippiness. They're really good, on pair with boots, even in wet terrain, and I'm talking clay like soil. Also, despite not being water-proof I can tell there's a level of water resistance on them since I'm soaked even during the rain and jumping here and there in some puddles. However, yes, you eventually get wet. The lacing system however, not a huge fan, I consider is not better than a normal lace and with the normal ... MoreI've been running a bit with these on a flat terrain and yesterday I took them on a muddy wet trail close to home, it was rainy all the time but we had good tree coverage. Now I'm a beginner runner in general, so I can't really comment on that, but, I'm a much better hiker, and let me tell you, these guys compete one to one with my boots in terms of grippiness. They're really good, on pair with boots, even in wet terrain, and I'm talking clay like soil. Also, despite not being water-proof I can tell there's a level of water resistance on them since I'm soaked even during the rain and jumping here and there in some puddles. However, yes, you eventually get wet. The lacing system however, not a huge fan, I consider is not better than a normal lace and with the normal lace you have more wiggle room to adjust as you like. It's definitely not faster than just laces. Overall a good shoe I will say 4.5. Almost perfect!
Last year when I was getting ready for a half marathon I switched my street shoe from a regular motion-control shoe to a more cushioned shoe and I thought I would like to try making the same move with my trail runners. When I first tried these on I didn't think I would like them. They felt too tight across the top of my foot, the toe box felt too big and I was worried it would trip me, the treads did not seem aggressive enough, and the "speed lace" just seemed a little silly. Then I took them on some runs and I was dead wrong. These shoes are really comfortable, easy on my knees, and still grip the trail. The shoe hugs your foot and keeps it locked into the shoe, which is great for blister prevention and stability. I was really surprised at how the heel was ... MoreLast year when I was getting ready for a half marathon I switched my street shoe from a regular motion-control shoe to a more cushioned shoe and I thought I would like to try making the same move with my trail runners. When I first tried these on I didn't think I would like them. They felt too tight across the top of my foot, the toe box felt too big and I was worried it would trip me, the treads did not seem aggressive enough, and the "speed lace" just seemed a little silly. Then I took them on some runs and I was dead wrong. These shoes are really comfortable, easy on my knees, and still grip the trail. The shoe hugs your foot and keeps it locked into the shoe, which is great for blister prevention and stability. I was really surprised at how the heel was cushioned, but I could still feel the trail on the balls of my feet and toes. That's a big deal for me. It helps me keep balance over roots and rocks, but also helps me feel more connected to what I'm doing. The treads were grippy and performed well on the trails I run here in Michigan (lots of roots, small stones and sand). If you are running in more mountainous areas, you might want something beefier, but my footing felt secure on these on woodland trails both ascending and descending. Bottom line for me was that I was able to comfortably up my mileage with these shoes and not feel beat up when I got home. If you try these on in the store, don't trust your first impressions... get them on a trail. With REI's return policy, if after that you end up hating them you can return them - but I don't think you will. (P.S. I still think the Speed Lace thing is silly and no faster that just actually tying your shoes...)
I would probably give this a 4.5 if possible.I generally wear size 11 in Nike and La Sportiva, but these seem to be just a bit big on me - no big deal. My toes just seemed to have lots of room to wiggle, while the rest of the shoe fit really well.I absolutely love the idea behind the 'quicklace' system instead of normal shoe laces, but the one thing lacking is some type of holster for the plastic piece to sit when the shoes are tightened. In the attached picture, you can see there is a lot of slack when the shoes are being worn and tight. When running/walking, that extra slack with the plastic piece at the end bounces around, hits your opposite ankle, and its just kinda annoying. If there was some type of way for it to be secured (maybe above the toes?) I would ... MoreI would probably give this a 4.5 if possible.I generally wear size 11 in Nike and La Sportiva, but these seem to be just a bit big on me - no big deal. My toes just seemed to have lots of room to wiggle, while the rest of the shoe fit really well.I absolutely love the idea behind the 'quicklace' system instead of normal shoe laces, but the one thing lacking is some type of holster for the plastic piece to sit when the shoes are tightened. In the attached picture, you can see there is a lot of slack when the shoes are being worn and tight. When running/walking, that extra slack with the plastic piece at the end bounces around, hits your opposite ankle, and its just kinda annoying. If there was some type of way for it to be secured (maybe above the toes?) I would give these shoes a 5 star.They are quite comfortable, have a good amount of cushion/bounce, and seem to be pretty lightweight - ideal for trails or even just walks. The treads on the bottom might be the only other reason I would not go a full 5 stars. Some of my other trail runners (La Sportiva) have some BIG knobby grips on the tread...these seem to be normal, but not over the top.I would also like it if more color options were available. The off-white kinda taupe color is good since white would be ruined in one rainy trail run, but these are the type of shoes that I like to see bright color combinations.Overall, I would recommended these for sure.
First time trying a pair of Salomon shoes and I am quickly becoming a fan. They are comfortable right out of the box with almost no break-in period required. I have to admit that I have always been skeptical of non-traditional lacing systems but I took the chance and so far I really enjoy the ease of use. I find it a little tricky to get the bottom portion of the laces tight, but once I get the bottom part snug, it's just a quick pull and synch to get them nice and tight and I haven't had any issues with them coming loose yet. The "garage" flap on the tongue is nice for keeping the toggle and extra cord out of the way. I usually change into my runners at the trailhead so it's nice to be able to quickly change in and out. My feet feel secure, and the rocker camber ... MoreFirst time trying a pair of Salomon shoes and I am quickly becoming a fan. They are comfortable right out of the box with almost no break-in period required. I have to admit that I have always been skeptical of non-traditional lacing systems but I took the chance and so far I really enjoy the ease of use. I find it a little tricky to get the bottom portion of the laces tight, but once I get the bottom part snug, it's just a quick pull and synch to get them nice and tight and I haven't had any issues with them coming loose yet. The "garage" flap on the tongue is nice for keeping the toggle and extra cord out of the way. I usually change into my runners at the trailhead so it's nice to be able to quickly change in and out. My feet feel secure, and the rocker camber makes for a smooth ride. So far I've been using these mostly for trail runs at the nearby State Park which is mostly dirt, grass and gravel with lots of rolling hills. I'm looking forward to putting some miles on these on an upcoming backpacking trip on the Superior Hiking Trail where I'll get to test them on some rocky surfaces as well. These shoes do come in a little on the narrow side, but there are wide options available if you're on the fence. Even so, the materials of the upper seem to accommodate a little more volume than they'd suggest while still keeping your foot locked in and secure. Overall very pleased with the shoes so far - just wish they offered them in some more muted colors.
