Salomon Ultra Glide 4 Wide Fit Review: UTS Snowdonia 50K Tested
Salomon Ultra Glide 4 Wide Fit Review: UTS Snowdonia 50K Tested
Out on the third climb of the grueling Snowdonia UTS 50K.
Practical Reflection
The UTS Snowdonia 50K is not a race that forgives poor footwear. With steep climbs, rocky paths, mountain steps, technical descents and long periods on your feet, it is a genuine test of comfort, grip and durability.
Having recently picked up the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 Wide Fit, I was keen to see whether it could live up to its reputation as a high-mileage trail shoe. After spending a full day in the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia), I came away impressed.
The standout feature was comfort. The generous cushioning helped reduce the pounding from rocky terrain and long descents, which is crucial for long-distance runners. The wider fit provided extra space for swelling feet over many miles, ensuring comfort and security even late in the race. Salomon's Ultra Glide 4 is designed with maximum cushioning, a 6 mm drop, and a protective platform, making it ideal for those tackling ultra distances on rugged trails.
Grip was dependable throughout. The All-Terrain Contagrip outsole provided confidence on rocky paths, mountain trails, and mixed terrain, allowing me to focus on the route rather than worrying about foot placement. While it is not a specialist mud shoe, it felt perfectly at home on the varied surfaces encountered during UTS.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the stability. Despite the substantial cushioning, the shoe never felt overly soft or unstable on uneven ground. The platform remained predictable when traversing rocky sections and descending technical terrain, helping to reduce foot fatigue over the course of the day.
For runners with slightly broader feet, the Wide Fit version deserves special mention. Salomon shoes have traditionally been known for their narrower fit, but the additional room in the forefoot made a noticeable difference without sacrificing security through the midfoot. This makes the Ultra Glide 4 Wide Fit especially relevant for outdoor enthusiasts seeking high-performance footwear that comfortably accommodates wider-sized feet.
Where can you buy these shoes?
Verdict
The Salomon Ultra Glide 4 Wide Fit proved itself to be an excellent companion for a demanding mountain ultra. Comfortable, protective and reliable over long distances, it strikes an impressive balance between cushioning and control. If your focus is on enjoying big days in the mountains, covering ultra distances, or simply finishing with feet that still feel relatively fresh, this is a shoe well worth considering. Knowing it can perform consistently helps outdoor enthusiasts feel more confident in their gear choices.
After 57 km and 3,600 metres of challenging kilometres in the mountains of Snowdonia, I would happily line up in them again.
