The Key Specifications
- Price: $160 from Salomon (in a men’s and women’s version)
- Sizing and fit: True to size with a medium width fit
- Weight: 8.3 oz (235g)
- Drop: 10mm with a high stack height
- Toe box width: Medium-wide
- Stability: Neutral, so there’s no additional stability or support added
- Cushioning: High cushioning
- Best for: Bagging easy, comfortable miles on long runs and races when you’re not pushing the pace
Welcome to my in-depth review of the Salomon Aero Glide 2 – a highly cushioned Salomon road running shoe.
In this review, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the Salomon Aero Glide 2: its standout features, the aspects I’m enjoying, the places where there’s room for enhancement, and ultimately, who they’re for and whether I think they’re worth the money.
The Salomon Aero Glide 2 is positioned as a premium road running shoe, designed with the intention of making your regular running sessions as enjoyable as possible. It’s pitched as your go-to daily trainer. However, for those new to running or perhaps increasing your running mileage such as training for your first half or full marathon, its plush, cushioned support could very well also make it a race day contender.
It boasts a 10 mm heel-to-toe drop, is described by Salomon as having ‘maximal cushioning’, and it’s a neutral shoe without specific stability features for overpronation. On the scales, my US women’s size 7.5 tips at 8.3 oz per shoe (that’s 235g), making it lightweight for a shoe that doesn’t skimp on cushioning.
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The features of the Salomon Aero Glide 2 that I really like
Diving deeper into what sets the Salomon Aero Glide 2 running shoes apart, let’s start with one of their most impressive features: their lightness. I’ve already touched on this, but it’s worth emphasizing. These shoes incorporate Salomon’s Energy Foam midsole cushioning, which is not just lightweight but also exceptionally plush. If a cushioned running experience is what you’re after, these shoes are definitely an option for you.
As we transition into spring and summer — a crucial time to consider what running footwear will be the most comfortable for you to wear when running in the heat — it’s important to consider the breathability of your running shoes, because that’s what’s going to help keep your feet cool and allow evaporated sweat to move out of your shoes.
The Aero Glide 2 has good breathability, making it a good option for hot weather running. Taking a closer look at the upper, you’ll notice it’s designed to let air flow freely. While it might not be the most breathable option on the market — you know, those types where you can see your socks through the holes — it strikes a nice balance.
Moving on to the laces, they might seem unassuming at first glance, but I like what they’ve done with them because these laces have a textured finish, ensuring that once you’ve tied them to your desired tightness—they stay that way.
Now, let’s talk about the tongue of the shoe, and its padding – it’s exceptionally cushy. Similarly, the heel and collar areas offer a luxurious feel, reminiscent of slipping into a cozy pair of slippers, yet with the snug fit you want in a running shoe. For those who aren’t fans of the minimalistic, almost plasticky tongues found on some running shoes, the traditional, well-padded foam design of the Aero Glide 2’s tongue will be a welcome feature.
Lastly, a standout aspect of these shoes is Salomon’s Contagrip outsole, which is also used on many of their other footwear such as trail running shoes. This outsole provides outstanding traction, both in wet and dry conditions. Even on sunny days with sporadic wet patches from recent rains, I could really feel the grip.
The outsole has a tangible stickiness that offers resistance and confidence on slippery surfaces. Whether you’re navigating wet paths or simply desire more assurance in damp conditions, the Aero Glide 2’s grip performance is something you’ll definitely appreciate.
Features that I feel could be improved for the next release
Alright, so you might be wondering if there’s anything not to love about the Salomon Aero Glide 2. Well, indeed, they are great shoes, but there are a few aspects that might make them not the perfect fit for every runner. So, let’s dive into these considerations.
The first point to discuss is the heel to toe drop. At 10mm, this a is very popular drop height among many road runners and is likely to appeal to those who favor a bit of extra cushioning in the heel – that’s going to be the majority of people!
This can be especially beneficial if you’re a heel striker by nature or if you’re someone who likes the idea of midfoot landing but appreciates the extra cushioning for your joints during the later stages of long runs, perhaps while training for a half or full marathon when you may find yourself getting tired and starting to land further back on your feet. The additional heel cushioning can help mitigate the risk of overuse injuries by providing a softer landing.
However, if your goal is to push your speed — say, you’re training for a half or full marathon but with ambitions not just to finish but to achieve a fast time — you might find that a shoe with a lower drop and a more responsive feel could better serve your needs. Such shoes are designed to encourage a quicker pace and promote landing more on the mid to forefoot rather than the heel.
If this description fits your running goals, there are other shoes out there that might suit you better for race day and speedwork sessions, including speed intervals and tempo runs, for example. The Aero Glide 2, while an excellent choice for those long, slow distances where comfort and reliability are key, might not be the go-to option for your more intense workouts.
If that sounds like you, then a couple of other current options (as of the date of this review) for you to consider include the HOKA Clifton 9 and the On Cloudsurfer 7. For some more alternatives to consider, head over to our running shoe reviews homepage for our latest running shoe recommendations.
That being said, the Aero Glide 2 could still be a valuable addition to your collection of running shoes, offering a comfortable option for your longer, more leisurely runs – think those necessary long, slow runs that many running training plans (our free training plans included) will have you doing if you’re upping your mileage for a half or full marathon.
Salomon Aero Glide 2 review summary
Wrapping this review up, let’s talk about whether the $160 price tag for the Salomon Aero Glide 2 is justified. From my perspective, it’s a yes, for those in search of a daily trainer that excels in reliability, comfort, and allows you to effortlessly log those miles. The shoe offers an abundance of cushioning, ensuring a luxuriously plush ride that lets you forget you’re even wearing running shoes.
Thanks so much for reading this review, If you found it helpful, please don’t forget to drop a comment, and I look forward to catching up with you in the next one!
Salomon Aero Glide 2 Video Review
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