Salomon Glide Max TR Evaluation – iRunFar

Salomon ventured into the maximalist world of operating footwear a number of years in the past with the Salomon Extremely Glide for path operating and the Salomon Glide Max for highway operating, however now with the Salomon Glide Max TR ($160) and its claimed 38-/32-millimeter stack top on the heel and forefoot, it looks like Salomon has taken the complete plunge into the market. Allow us to simply say that the wait has been value it.

The Salomon Glide Max TR has a delicate rocker backside that’s in excellent concord with the plush midsole and subtly assertive outsole, such that no vitality 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 dimension 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 significantly will increase its attraction to a wider vary of runners who prioritize consolation — and normal laces — with out sacrificing some velocity, 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 dimension 8.5 (Euro 40 2/3), which is true to my dimension for Salomon sneakers and one half to at least one dimension smaller than what I put on in different producers’ footwear.

Learn on to see why this shoe made it into our Finest Cushioned Path Working Sneakers information.

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Salomon Glide Max TR Higher

The Salomon Glide Max TR higher is probably the least attention-grabbing facet of this shoe, and that could be what makes it excellent, at the very least for the inaugural model. It offers a wider and extra accommodating forefoot match, which can attraction to these for whom most Salomon sneakers are too slender, and it doesn’t really feel too fancy or too technical for many who perhaps aren’t as comfy with the racier Salomon aesthetic at instances.

As a longtime wearer and lover of a number of totally different Salomon sneakers, 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 overview — 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 overview — which I nonetheless love, nevertheless it serves a distinct function 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 first rate breathability however a tighter weave than many mesh materials, which may be very efficient for retaining 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 load and stiffness across the toes. A thicker figure-eight overlay offers construction and assist by means of the medial and lateral midfoot and heel, which works very nicely at the side of the usual lacing system for creating a comfortable, 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 retaining us within the 90s Fahrenheit for a lot 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 indicate 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 stunned by the dearth of a gusset for the reasonably padded tongue, but when I place it the place I need it after I first double knot my sneakers, 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 want a barely old skool really feel with excessive tech cloth and building.

All this being stated, I gained’t be stunned if Salomon chooses to loosen up the supplies and building ever so barely ought to there be a future model, however both manner, it’s an integral a part of a wonderful workhorse of a shoe.

Salomon Glide Max TR Midsole

I usually am not an enormous fan of rocker backside sneakers — or maybe I ought to say that my physique isn’t a fan, as the final idea appears to irritate my knees and Achilles. However, the R.Camber rocker geometry Salomon employs within the Salomon Glide Max TR should have the delicate, rounded apex at simply the appropriate spot for my normal 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, loads 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 sneakers. This can be a vital constructive for me.

The Vitality Foam compound offers unimaginable, bogginess-free cushioning and safety from poke-y rocks and roots, with out the necessity for a rock plate. These sneakers 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 take in shock from above and beneath. The midsole and outsole flare additionally ensures stability on uneven terrain even with the lofty stack top. It’s such a pleasure to run with out that fear-inducing sensation of a possible lateral ankle roll like some maximalist sneakers encourage. Whereas these aren’t going to be superb for many who crave vital floor really feel, if it’s plush you’re on the lookout for, this shoe has you coated.

The one downside I’m at present discovering with this midsole is a few vital creasing proper below the ball of the foot the place the utmost angle of pushoff is positioned. To this point this hasn’t modified the operate or experience, however I’ll be taking note of any delicate modifications which will come up. I’m not noticing any creasing medially or laterally by means of the heel or midfoot, which bodes nicely for the general continued stability of the shoe particularly over longer miles.

Salomon Glide Max TR Outsole

The outsole of the Salomon Glide Max TR offers glorious grip on most terrain — except 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, in some way the traction on notoriously irritating downhills on my normal 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 nicely 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 could be greatest to depart this outsole as is.

There may be 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 remaining good thing about this outsole specifically 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 sudden 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 exhibits no vital signal of damage and tear, which is a perk of most Salomon sneakers.

Salomon Glide Max TR General Impressions

The Salomon Glide Max TR is essentially the most comfy and smoothest rolling maximalist shoe I’ve skilled and the one one which has felt comparatively gentle on my ft whereas making certain my vitality is targeted into propelling me ahead. The midsole blends soft safety and vitality return so nicely that I don’t really feel slowed by them on lengthy climbs and speedier flat sections, and I really relish the downhills as a result of I can push the tempo with out feeling the pounding that often causes me to sluggish my roll a bit.

This shoe is good for lengthy days on mild-moderate terrain, ultramarathons, or perhaps a path half marathon should you’re simply over feeling beat up on the finish of your journey. Moreover, they’re a extra forgiving entry degree shoe for somebody new to Salomon due to the 6-millimeter drop, wider match than most Salomon choices, and normal lacing. These can simply operate as door-to-trail sneakers and even all-purpose sneakers for many 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 means of some fine-tuning to the higher? Or may it keep true to its present model with minimal tweaks and advances? Time will inform, however should you’re nonetheless looking for your max cush experience and a much less extreme rocker backside than different shoe fashions, the Salomon Glide Max TR is a wonderful selection.

You’ll be able to try our Finest Cushioned Path Working Sneakers information for extra on this shoe in addition to our ideas on the opposite greatest cushioned path operating choices at present available on the market.

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Name for Feedback

• Have you ever tried the Salomon Glide Max TR? What had been your ideas?
• How do you assume it compares with different maximal cushion choices available on the market?

[Editor’s Note: If you’re affiliated (i.e., an employee, ambassador, etc.) with a brand, please share your relation in each of your comments on this article. Thanks!]

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