Salomon Aero Glide 4 Review: Surprisingly Light, Seriously Cushioned
The Salomon Aero Glide 4 caught my eye when it dropped earlier this year. Salomon is mostly known for trail shoes, but they keep pushing into road running, and this feels like their strongest daily trainer yet. If you’re logging regular miles on pavement or smooth park paths and want something cushioned but not sluggish, this shoe deserves a look.
It weighs about 8.8 ounces in a men’s size 9.5. That’s light for a high-stack shoe. The stack sits at 41mm in the heel and 33mm in the forefoot, with an 8mm drop. You get plenty of foam underfoot without the shoe feeling like a boat.
The midsole uses Salomon’s optiFOAM², a supercritical TPU foam that balances softness with bounce. It absorbs impact well on landings, then gives some energy back so you don’t feel stuck in the ground. Pair that with the Reverse Camber geometry (a curved rocker shape borrowed from their ski background), and transitions roll smoothly from heel to toe. You don’t have to force your stride forward. The shoe helps you along. On easy runs or longer efforts, that saves energy and keeps things comfortable mile after mile.
The upper got a nice refresh. It’s seamless with an inside-out construction that wraps your foot snugly, almost like a second skin. No irritating seams or hot spots, even after 30+ miles. The 3D mesh breathes well, and the fit feels secure through the midfoot.
The outsole uses Road contaGRIP rubber with flat, wide lugs. It grips reliably on dry or wet pavement and holds up well over time. This isn’t a trail shoe (there’s a GRVL version for that), but it handles city parks or light gravel paths fine.
Who’s it for?
Runners who want a reliable everyday shoe for most of their training. Recovery days feel plush and forgiving. Steady long runs stay energetic without deadening your legs. If you like cushioned protection but hate heavy clunkers, the lively foam and low weight help it stand out against bulkier max-cushion options.
If you’re replacing something like an older Pegasus or similar neutral daily trainer, you’ll notice more cushion and a smoother roll here.
If you’re after a cushioned shoe that feels light and propulsive for daily training, give the Aero Glide 4 a try. Slip them on for your next easy run. You might reach for them more often than you expect.
