The Salomon Ultra Glide 4 is a big update to Salomon's most comfortable trail running shoe. Big enough that Salomon jumped straight from the Ultra Glide 2 to the Ultra Glide 4. I enjoyed testing the previous version of Salomon's ultra-cushioned trail runner in 2023—and still wear it for quick hikes and everyday use. So I was stoked to test and review a pair of the new Ultra Glide 4 as soon as it was released in 2026. My Salomon Ultra Glide 4 review gives hikers the scoop on this lightweight trail running shoe with plush cushioning.
Testing the new Salomon Ultra Glide 4 at White Sands National Park
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Salomon Ultra Glide 4 Review
The Ultra Glide is a running shoe—not a hiking shoe. But my Salomon Ultra Glide 4 review focuses on hikers, not trail runners. Given the Ultra Glide's recommended uses, my test hikes prioritized hiking fast (3-4 mph) on well-maintained trails, added a fun morning hike at White Sands National Park, and threw in some steeper, rockier trails to test the shoe's limits.
As always, my reviews are based on my personal experience hiking a minimum of 30 miles. Hiking Feet never publishes sponsored posts and doesn't accept any money or merchandise in exchange for positive reviews. My evaluation of the Ultra Glide 4's support, weight savings, fit, comfort, weather protection, traction, and overall value are based on my personal experience and my professional experience in the outdoor gear industry.
Testing the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 at the Ojito Wilderness, NM
Support
Trail running shoes generally provide less support and protection than true hiking shoes. That's true of the Ultra Glide 4, especially since it emphasizes weight savings and cushioning over protection. It's less supportive the Salomon's traditional trail running shoe, the XA Pro, and its best hiking shoe, the X Ultra 5.
Still, there's a little backbone under all the Ultra Glide's cushion. Just enough stiffness to give your feet and ankles a little help—not a lot. In my test hikes, Ultra Glide performed fine on mixed terrain, but it's best suited for fast hikes on well-maintained trails—not trails with gnarly footing.
The Ultra Glide 4 is imperceptibly lighter than its predecessor
Weight
That's okay—hikers generally choose trail running shoes for the weight savings, not support. And the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 is one of the lightest trail running shoes I own for hiking. My men's size 12 weighs 11.7 ounces per shoe. Per pair, that's 12-14 ounces less than the average hiking shoe in my size.
That weight savings could translate to energy savings if you hike fast enough and far enough. Ultra Glides may appeal to thru-hikers and fast-and-light hikers who prefer lightweight trail shoes to more supportive ones.
Salomon's Quicklace contributes to the Ultra Glide 4's fit
Fit
The Salomon Ultra Glide 4 runs true to size with more room in the forefoot and toe box than other Salomons. Normally, I can only wear Salomons in wide sizes. Surprisingly, I got a decent fit in the 12 regular. Salomon also offers these in wides. Overall, this fit favors hikers with regular to wide feet.
Comfort
The main reason to buy the Salomon Ultra Glide 4—on top of its good looks—is comfort. This is Salomon's most comfortable trail running shoe.
For me, the Ultra Glide's relatively roomy fit offers a good fit for my moderately wide feet. Salomon also upgraded in the the Ultra Glide 4 to improve ventilation on hot weather runs (and hikes). That's a comfort plus for me in New Mexico.
More importantly, this shoe's plush cushioning will score serious comfort points with many hikers. Salomon upgraded the cushioning for version 4 with OptiFOAM, which feels lighter and more responsive than the Ultra Glide 2's ride. Plus, there's a thicker stack of cushioning (41mm/55mm) than other max cushion trail runners I own and recommend. Testing them side by side, I found the Ultra Glide 4 slightly cushier than the HOKA Speedgoat 6 and more dynamic than the Topo Vista (another max cushion trail runner I like).
If you want to hike in a max-cushion trail running shoe, this one should be on your short list.
The Ultra Glide 4 works well in New Mexico's desert mountains
Weather Protection
Most hikers who choose trail running shoes over hiking shoes opt for non-waterproof styles. That's because they generally wear cooler in warm temperatures and dry faster than waterproof shoes if they get swamped with water or sweat. Salomon offered the Ultra Glide 2 with GORE-TEX waterproofing, but the Ultra Glide 4 is not available in waterproof.
The shoe will get wet immediately in puddles or wet grass. My feet got cold in two test hikes on snowy trails. But this shoe is well-ventilated to keep your feet cooler and less sweaty in hot weather. That's its only weather protection plus. The Ultra Glide 4 is not a 4-season hiking shoe.
Traction
Salomon changed the Ultra Glide's tread for version 4. There are fewer lugs, but they're slightly deeper and more aggressive than the rectangular lugs on the Ultra Glide 2. This shoe's built for mixed terrain.
On my test hikes, the Ultra Glide 4 was grippy enough for moderately steep trails and did better on rock than Salomons with more aggressive lugs. At the same time, it's not the best tread for sold rock or sloppy trails that are slippery with mud, gravel, and scree.
This is average traction for the average hiker who doesn't tackle trails that are too crazy.
The Salomon Ultra Glide 4 looks sick—and also performs on the trail
Value
At its release, Salomon priced the Ultra Glide 4 at $160. With the price of trail running shoes soaring—due to demand and (in the US) Trump's tariffs—that's actually average to slightly more affordable than comparable trail runners. Compared to other max cushion trail runners I recommend, the Ultra Glide 4 costs $5 less than the HOKA Speedgoat 7 and $15 less than the Topo Athletic Vista.
In today's market, it's a solid value, especially with its competitive weight and cushioning.
Here are current prices. Click on these links to see size and color options from leading outdoor retailers:
Men's Salomon Ultra Glide 4
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Women's Salomon Ultra Glide 4
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Salomon Ultra Glide 4: Pros vs Cons
The pros clearly outweight the cons in my Salomon Ultra Glide 4 review:
Should you buy the Salomon Ultra Glide 4?
I recommend the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 for hikers who prioritize weight savings and cushioning over stiff support and aggressive traction. The max cushioning and roomier fit will appeal to many comfort-oriented hikers, and the shoe's lightweight build should suit many fast hikers with light packs, especially thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers. It offers Salomon fans a lighter, more cushioned alternative to the XA Pro—and gives max cushion fans a worthy alternative to the cushy HOKA Speedgoat.
Based on my 2026 field testing, the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 has earned a spot on my list of the best trail running shoes for hikers.
best fit
standard to wide feet,
wide sizes available
best match
thru-hikers, fast-and-light hikers, max cushion fans
Salomon Ultra Glide 4 vs Ultra Glide 2
The Salomon Ultra Glide 4 (2026) is different from the Ultra Glide 2 (2023) because it has new mesh uppers that increase ventilation, slightly more aggressive tread, more cushioning, and lighter, more responsive optiFOAM for comfort and more dynamic performance. Salomon supposedly increased the durability, too, but I can't verify that since I only have 50 miles in my pair.
Both shoes feature Salomon's quicklace system and are made for distance runners who prefer a well-cushioned, comfort-oriented ride.
My Salomon Ultra Glide 2 (left) and Salomon Ultra Glide 4 (right)
Where to buy the Salomon Ultra Glide 4
This post includes buttons to buy the Salomon Ultra 4 from leading outdoor specialty retailers (Backcountry or REI) or directly from Salomon. (Salomon controls the pricing, so the shoe will cost the same everywhere you go.)
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Men's Salomon Ultra Glide 4
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Women's Salomon Ultra Glide 4
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