Salomon Aero Glide 4

The Salomon Aero Glide 4 is Salomon's take on a daily trainer with generous cushioning and a moderate weight, designed for neutral runners who want to run in comfort without feeling weighed down by the shoe. Although the French brand is world-famous for its mountain products, the Aero Glide series has been very well received thanks to a lighter, more agile profile than most maximalist road shoes. It is the road counterpart of the Aero Glide 4 GRVL, which is aimed at running on hardpacked dirt and gravel paths.

Compared with its predecessor, the fourth generation keeps the philosophy of maximum cushioning with low weight, but introduces a new, bouncier OptiFOAM²™ foam and an improved upper. The seamless 3D mesh upper still aims for that glove-like fit, now with a bigger (really very big) tongue and a reinforced lacing system. The fit tends to be generous: it seems to run slightly long and with some volume in the midfoot, so runners with narrow feet or between sizes may want to try half a size down. Breathability is good and the build is comfortable for long runs in mild weather.

Underfoot, the OptiFOAM²™ midsole offers a soft ride but with good energy return, without the mushy feel of other high-stack shoes. The 8 mm drop geometry and smooth profile ease transitions, while the Contagrip® outsole grips well on tarmac. It is an interesting option for anyone looking for a daily mileage shoe that can also handle faster paces, always bearing in mind that it is a neutral shoe with no support elements, and with that stack height it could be a little unstable for those who overpronate slightly.