Salomon ventured into the maximalist world of operating footwear a couple of years in the past with the Salomon Extremely Glide for path operating and the Salomon Glide Max for street operating, however now with the Salomon Glide Max TR ($160) and its claimed 38-/32-millimeter stack peak on the heel and forefoot, it appears like Salomon has taken the total plunge into the market. Allow us to simply say that the wait has been value it.
The Salomon Glide Max TR has a refined rocker backside that’s in excellent concord with the plush midsole and subtly assertive outsole, such that no power is wasted as you cruise comfortably down the path. The surprisingly light-weight — 9.8 ounces (278 grams) precise weight for a U.S. males’s measurement 9 — shoe is completely at house on mild-moderate technical terrain, over hill and dale, and for ultramarathon distances even when some quicker miles are required. It invitations you to bomb the downhill and flats whereas being completely adept at trotting simply up the subsequent climb.
With this shoe, Salomon enormously will increase its attraction to a wider vary of runners who prioritize consolation — and commonplace laces — with out sacrificing some pace, agility, and ankle stability.
It is available in girls’s-specific and males’s-specific slot in as much as 4 colorways. I reviewed the U.S. girls’s measurement 8.5 (Euro 40 2/3), which is true to my measurement for Salomon footwear and one half to 1 measurement smaller than what I put on in different producers’ footwear.
Learn on to see why this shoe made it into our Finest Cushioned Path Operating Sneakers information.
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The Salomon Glide Max TR. All photographs: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Salomon Glide Max TR Higher
The Salomon Glide Max TR higher is maybe the least fascinating side of this shoe, and that could be what makes it excellent, no less than for the inaugural model. It offers a wider and extra accommodating forefoot match, which is able to attraction to these for whom most Salomon footwear are too slender, and it doesn’t really feel too fancy or too technical for individuals who possibly aren’t as comfy with the racier Salomon aesthetic at occasions.
As a longtime wearer and lover of a number of totally different Salomon footwear, I discover this to be a extra comfy higher than the Salomon Sense Journey’s final three variations — right here’s our Salomon Sense Journey 4 assessment — which I’ve been much less eager on, and a extra chill vibe than the Salomon Speedcross 6 — and right here’s our Salomon Speedcross 6 assessment — which I nonetheless love, however it serves a distinct goal in my quiver. This higher completely matches the plush-maximalist-but-still-responsive really feel of the shoe.
Light-weight engineered mesh is used to create a considerable higher with sufficient perforations for respectable breathability however a tighter weave than many mesh materials, which may be very efficient for protecting water, particles, and dirt out. Skinny overlays present a bit extra safety across the forefoot, successfully extending the protecting rand a bit whereas lessening the burden and stiffness across the toes. A thicker figure-eight overlay offers construction and help by way of the medial and lateral midfoot and heel, which works very effectively along side the usual lacing system for creating a cosy, safe match total.
Although they’re not the breeziest shoe, I haven’t discovered them to run too sizzling for my preferences regardless of nature protecting us within the 90s Fahrenheit for much too many days this yr in Colorado the place I stay, and I’ve appreciated the comparatively clear ft I end runs with. They’ve confirmed very sturdy towards conglomerate rock and sandstone, the occasional brush with cacti and canine toenails, and solely have a little bit of an indentation to point out for 200 miles of operating and powerhiking pushoffs on the medial facet of the ball of my foot. I’ve had no points with blisters or sizzling spots — or squeaks or creaks — even at this flex level.
The heel counter is structured and supportive, however nonetheless permits for lodging with the terrain, and the average padding across the ankle collar may be very comfy. I’m shocked by the dearth of a gusset for the reasonably padded tongue, but when I place it the place I would like it once I first double knot my footwear, it stays the place I would like it to so it finally ends up being a non-issue. All in all, this higher will attraction to those that desire a barely old-fashioned really feel with excessive tech material and development.
All this being stated, I received’t be shocked if Salomon chooses to loosen up the supplies and development ever so barely ought to there be a future model, however both approach, it’s an integral a part of a wonderful workhorse of a shoe.
A lateral view of the Salomon Glide Max TR.
Salomon Glide Max TR Midsole
I typically am not an enormous fan of rocker backside footwear — or maybe I ought to say that my physique isn’t a fan, as the final idea appears to worsen my knees and Achilles. However, the R.Camber rocker geometry Salomon employs within the Salomon Glide Max TR should have the refined, rounded apex at simply the suitable spot for my typical heel-toe transition as a result of it’s tremendous clean and has no tendency to clunk backward, no matter precisely how my foot hits the bottom whereas operating. It’s a noticeable enchancment even over the rocker within the Salomon Extremely Glide for me.
The Salomon Glide Max TR is a 6-millimeter drop shoe, however my physique is satisfied it runs extra like a 7-millimeter shoe, rather a lot just like the La Sportiva Jackal II. I used to be in a position to run in it with out heel lifts and solely a gentle sensation of posterior chain fatigue after 4 days in a row within the footwear. It is a vital optimistic for me.
The Power Foam compound offers unimaginable, bogginess-free cushioning and safety from poke-y rocks and roots, with out the necessity for a rock plate. These footwear make operating downhills enjoyable for me, even when strewn with rocks and roots — okay, let’s be trustworthy, rocks and roots are nonetheless not my very favourite — due to how clean they roll and soak up shock from above and beneath. The midsole and outsole flare additionally ensures stability on uneven terrain even with the lofty stack peak. It’s such a pleasure to run with out that fear-inducing sensation of a possible lateral ankle roll like some maximalist footwear encourage. Whereas these aren’t going to be perfect for individuals who crave vital floor really feel, if it’s plush you’re on the lookout for, this shoe has you lined.
The one downside I’m presently discovering with this midsole is a few vital creasing proper beneath the ball of the foot the place the utmost angle of pushoff is positioned. Up to now this hasn’t modified the operate or experience, however I’ll be taking note of any refined adjustments which will come up. I’m not noticing any creasing medially or laterally by way of the heel or midfoot, which bodes effectively for the general continued stability of the shoe particularly over longer miles.
A medial view of the Salomon Glide Max TR.
Salomon Glide Max TR Outsole
The outsole of the Salomon Glide Max TR offers wonderful grip on most terrain — except for deep mud and lengthy stretches of snow — given the multidirectional diamond formed lugs are solely 3.5 millimeters tall. Although the outsole doesn’t differ considerably from the Salomon Extremely Glide 2 or the Salomon Sense Journey 5, someway the traction on notoriously irritating downhills on my typical haunts is extra confidence inspiring whereas nonetheless sticking properly to the path on uphills and cambered turns.
The All Terrain Contagrip outsole materials is proving to be very sturdy as effectively given most of my path operating is on hardpacked dust with and with out jumbe-ly rocks. A barely deeper lug will do a bit higher on these steeper slopes with the ball-bearing rocks, however with as clean as this shoe rolls over the much less technical singletrack and jeep roads, it might be greatest to go away this outsole as is.
There’s some key weight-savings with the posterior-to-center cutout, and the location is completely positioned and functionally unnoticeable. I’ve had no points with any resultant rock intrusions into this space over the 200 miles I’ve on the shoe. A last good thing about this outsole particularly is the flare or width of the contact floor. On each different maximalist shoe I’ve tried, there’s been that lurking risk of a lateral ankle sprain whether or not by way of a tip off the sting of a sidewalk or an surprising rock or root interplay. I’ve examined the Salomon Glide Max TR completely, and haven’t as soon as had this sensation of impending doom. The sturdiness is spectacular because the outsole reveals no vital signal of wear and tear and tear, which is a perk of most Salomon footwear.
The outsole of the Salomon Glide Max TR.
Salomon Glide Max TR Total Impressions
The Salomon Glide Max TR is probably the most comfy and smoothest rolling maximalist shoe I’ve skilled and the one one which has felt comparatively gentle on my ft whereas guaranteeing my power is concentrated into propelling me ahead. The midsole blends soft safety and power return so effectively that I don’t really feel slowed by them on lengthy climbs and speedier flat sections, and I truly relish the downhills as a result of I can push the tempo with out feeling the pounding that normally causes me to sluggish my roll a bit.
This shoe is right for lengthy days on mild-moderate terrain, ultramarathons, or perhaps a path half marathon when you’re simply over feeling beat up on the finish of your journey. Moreover, they’re a extra forgiving entry stage shoe for somebody new to Salomon due to the 6-millimeter drop, wider match than most Salomon choices, and commonplace lacing. These can simply operate as door-to-trail footwear and even all-purpose footwear for individuals who haven’t fairly discovered their Cinderella maximal cushioning shoe simply but.
I’m actually to see the place Salomon takes the Glide Max TR. May there be a barely racier model sooner or later by way of some fine-tuning to the higher? Or would possibly it keep true to its present model with minimal tweaks and advances? Time will inform, however when you’re nonetheless trying to find your max cush experience and a much less extreme rocker backside than different shoe fashions, the Salomon Glide Max TR is a superb selection.
You may take a look at our Finest Cushioned Path Operating Sneakers information for extra on this shoe in addition to our ideas on the opposite greatest cushioned path operating choices presently available on the market.
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Name for Feedback
- Have you ever tried the Salomon Glide Max TR? What have been your ideas?
- How do you assume it compares with different maximal cushion choices available on the market?
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A high view of the Salomon Glide Max TR.
