Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide 2 Review: An Ultra-Distance Trail Racer Refined

Introduction

The Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide 2 has a slightly confusing story: even though this is the second official iteration, it is effectively the fourth version of this silhouette. The outsole and midsole have stayed the same through every round, because Salomon knows it has something special there. What has changed, again, is the upper, and this time that change finally lands.

The result is a high-stack trail shoe that positions itself firmly as a race day option for ultra distances. At $250 it sits in the typical price band for that category, and it earns its place with comfort, stability, and a ride that holds up on almost any terrain you point it at.

Fit and Upper: Finally Dialled In

The big update here is the upper, which now mirrors the construction of the Salomon S/Lab Genesis, a fan favorite race day shoe. The fit is generous in the forefoot and tapers toward the heel, getting progressively closer to the foot thanks to an integrated sock-like liner with a lower cuff than most shoes. It is a comfortable, secure fit that lets the shoe roll over varied terrain without worry.

Sizing runs a little long. A tester who floats between sizes found a half size down worked well with about a thumb of extra length, which felt fine thanks to the roomy forefoot. Most people should probably size down; if you are between sizes either way, going true to size works too.

One caution: the heel collar can feel slightly abrasive at first. There was some rubbing early on, but after a short break-in period, that disappeared entirely. The Quicklace system, padded tongue, and lace pocket on the tongue make dialling in the fit easy and secure, exactly as expected from Salomon. The upper itself is lighter than ever, and while it is arguably a touch overbuilt, the trade-off in durability and structure is a good one.

Midsole: A Unique Concoction That Keeps Earning Its Place

Underfoot, the Ultra Glide 2 carries the same midsole design that has been in every version of this series, and it remains genuinely distinctive. Inside sits Optivibe Plus, the plush, energetic foam also used in Salomon’s road racing options like the Phantasm 3. Impressively, that softer energetic feel holds up through the miles, showing real durability where many super foams fade.

That inner foam sits in a firmer carrier foam in a bathtub construction, which is what keeps everything stable. On its own, Optivibe Plus would be too volatile for trails; wrapped in the carrier, it delivers structure, control, and durability for long runs, long races, and multi-day efforts.

The geometry is tall: 41 mm heel, 35 mm forefoot, 6 mm drop, making it one of the tallest trail shoes around. Yet it never feels blocky. The wavy Relief Sphere formation disperses energy in high-impact areas and helps filter out almost everything underfoot. Stability is remarkable: this is a shoe that simply will not let you roll an ankle, even when the terrain gets technical.

Weight and Performance

The Ultra Glide 2 weighs 10.4 oz / 295 g in a US men’s 9 / women’s 10 (unisex sizing), and around 11.2 oz at a larger size. That is lighter than the Hoka Mafate 5, the Topo Athletic Vista, and the Merrell MTL Adapt, though not lighter than the Kiprun Kip Summit Max. Still, it is fairly heavy for a shoe that calls itself a race day option, especially the ones with plates that sacrifice everything for weight.

What it offers instead is comfort and security up top that few in the category can match. Comparisons come easily: the Mafate 5 shares a similar energetic cushion feel at high stack, the Adidas Agravic TT matches its versatility across terrain, the Topo Vista matches its stability and cushioning, and the Merrell MTL Adapt matches its ability to glide over anything without feeling it. In terms of long-distance racing performance, this one performs better than all of them.

Outsole and Grip: Contagip With a Twist

The outsole uses Salomon’s Contagip rubber, which has not been a favorite lately, but this formula works. It is full rubber, carries the Relief Sphere through it for extra divots, and has 4 mm lugs. Across dry spring conditions in the Rockies and wet miles in California, grip held up with no issues.

Value: What $250 Gets You

At $250, the price is average for a race day trail option, where the range runs roughly $200 to $300. The complication is that comparable max stack shoes outside the race day category cost $50 to $100 less. Against those, you are paying more for a shoe that is lighter, more terrain-capable, and more race-ready. For the niche it targets, very long ultras with comfort prioritized over everything, that premium is defensible, but a lighter package at a slightly lower price would be welcome.

Buying Advice: Who Should Pick This Up

This is a shoe for runners targeting ultra distances who want maximum cushioning without giving up stability or a secure fit. If your priority is the lightest, most nimble race shoe possible, look elsewhere. If you want a tall, plush, confidence-inspiring ride that can handle smooth and technical terrain alike, and that stays comfortable deep into a race, this is one of the strongest options available.

Conclusion

The Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide 2 does not look like a new shoe, but it feels like one. The proven midsole and outsole remain, the upper is finally comfortable and secure, and the heel issues that plagued early versions are essentially resolved. It earns strong marks for design and performance, a more cautious grade for value, and an overall score of 8. For anyone heading into an ultra, this is an easy recommendation.