Salomon Ultra Glide 2 First Impressions: A Subtle Update to a Comfortable Trail Shoe

Introduction

Some updates are revolutions. The Salomon Ultra Glide 2 is not one of them. Set the new shoe next to the original Ultra Glide and it is genuinely hard to spot the difference, and that is not necessarily a bad thing: the first version was a shoe many runners really enjoyed. The headline changes are a lighter, more breathable engineered mesh upper, a claimed tweak to the Energy Foam midsole compound, and a price bump to £140, up from £130 for the original.

This first look is based on an initial 7.2-mile run on flat tarmac and trail shortly after a half marathon, which made for a suitably honest test of underfoot comfort.

First Run: Comfort on the Hard Stuff

The first outing covered just over two miles of flat towpath and road, deliberately chosen to shake out legs that were still recovering from a hard road half marathon. Early impressions: the Ultra Glide 2 is comfortable on hard surfaces, and the midsole actually felt a touch firmer than the original, though that may partly be a case of a brand-new shoe needing to bed in.

One thing worth flagging from early feedback on the previous version: some runners found the midsole compressed and flattened after roughly 150 to 200 miles. The claim that Salomon has adjusted the Energy Foam blend could suggest an attempt at a longer-lasting, more durable midsole. That is speculation at this stage, and only more miles will tell.

Upper, Fit and the Quick-Lace System

The bulk of the updates live in the upper. Salomon has used a lighter, more breathable engineered mesh, which should address reports that the original upper could run hot on warmer days. Structural overlays run from the heel down through the midfoot, wrapping around the laces and toe box, with solid padding at the ankle collar and in the gusseted tongue. A substantial toe bumper adds good protection up front.

The fit is classic Salomon, at least for feet that suit the brand’s shape: excellent lockdown around the midfoot, a securely held heel, and just the right amount of padding around the ankle and tongue. One practical note on sizing: moving up half a size from UK 9.5 to UK 10 made a real difference for longer distances, adding toe-box length and volume without losing that secure midfoot feel.

Not everything has improved, though. The quick-lace cord system returns, along with the same awkwardly placed storage pocket on the tongue. Once the laces are locked down, stowing them is fiddly because they partially block the pocket. It is a small annoyance, but one that carried over unchanged from the original.

Grip, Protection and Durability Watch

Underfoot, the Ultra Glide 2 keeps the same all-terrain Contagrip outsole as the original, with 3.5mm lugs. On the dry, dusty and stony sections of the first run, grip and traction were never in question, and the ProFIL film in the midsole provided solid underfoot protection over rocks. The known limitation is mud: 3.5mm lugs struggle to bite in boggy, muddy conditions, and a slightly deeper lug, say four to four and a half millimetres, would have helped.

One early durability flag: after a single run, there is already visible wear on the lugs at the outside of the heel. It is far too soon to draw conclusions from one outing, but it is worth monitoring as mileage builds.

What the Midsole Tweaks Mean in Practice

The verdict on the ride is the most divided part of this first impression. Salomon says the Energy Foam compound has been tweaked for more comfort, but on this first run the midsole read as firmer rather than plusher. There was no pop or bounce compared with memories of the original, which felt softer, more cushioned and more energetic out of the box. Other dual-compound trail shoes in the same bracket delivered a bouncier, more energetic ride by comparison.

To be fair, this was a recovery-paced run on legs that were far from fresh, so there is every chance the midsole softens up and becomes more responsive as it beds in. A longer test with proper mileage will settle whether the firmer feel is a bedding-in phase or a genuine change in character.

Buying Advice

The Ultra Glide 2 makes sense for runners who valued the original’s fit and versatile do-everything character and want more breathability in the upper. If you loved the plush, bouncy feel of the first version, temper expectations slightly until the midsole has some miles on it. Consider sizing up half a size if you plan to use it for longer trail distances, and look elsewhere if your routes are consistently muddy, given the modest 3.5mm lug depth. At £140, it sits at a higher price than the shoe it replaces, so it is worth weighing whether a subtle update justifies the extra outlay.

Conclusion

The Salomon Ultra Glide 2 is very much an evolution rather than a reinvention. The fit remains a genuine strength, the new upper should breathe better, and grip and protection hold up well on dry, mixed terrain. The firmer-than-expected midsole is the main question mark, and the fiddly lace pocket and early lug wear are worth keeping an eye on. A longer test will tell whether the foam beds in to recapture the comfortable, energetic ride that made the original so likeable.