Salomon Aero Glide 3 Review (2025): Is It a Good Training Shoe?
Salomon continues to expand its road running lineup and is winning over more and more runners. While it hasn’t yet achieved the same level of fame as in the trail running sector, it continues to close the gap.
The Salomon Aero Glide 3 is a shoe designed for fast-paced training runs.
Is it successful in this regard? Can it do more? Is it a good choice for you?
That's what we'll find out in this comprehensive review.
Why should you trust me?
With a personal best of 2:38 in the marathon and a substantial weekly training volume, I test a lot of running shoes, and it feeds straight back into my own training.
I put the Salomon Aero Glide 3 through its paces during various types of workouts to evaluate its comfort and how it feels while running. I also consulted with runners of different skill levels to validate my impressions and ensure that my recommendations will be useful to as many people as possible.
Our verdict
A great, lightweight, responsive, and very versatile shoe for daily training.
- Weight: 250 g / 8.8 oz in men's size 42
- Energy Foam Evo Foam
- Height: 40 mm (heel), 32 mm (forefoot)
- Drop: 8 mm
- Speed training, racing
The Salomon Aero Glide 3 is back, much to the delight of fans of the series, and features numerous changes.
For the midsole, the brand has introduced Energy Foam Evo, a new generation of eTPU foam. This material offers an excellent balance between shock absorption and responsiveness, which should satisfy a wide range of runners.
Reverse Camber and Geometric Decoupling technologies, meanwhile, ensure very smooth transitions and a well-balanced feel upon impact.
The outsole is made of grippy Road Contagrip rubber, providing powerful traction on all urban surfaces. The new 3D mesh upper is very comfortable and breathable, although opinions on the fit were mixed.
In short, the Salomon Aero Glide 3 is widely considered the brand’s best daily trainer and a reliable training partner for any type of workout.
Pros
- Excellent traction on all surfaces
- Very comfortable and breathable upper
- Excellent shock absorption
- Excellent responsiveness and high versatility
- Good stability and durability
Cons
- Fit and breathability that didn't win everyone over
- Tongue without a gusset; slippage reported there (as well as at the heel)
Cushioning
The midsole uses supercritical Energy Foam Evo, which retailer listings describe as a blend of EVA and PEBA, although it is actually made of eTPU.
Some reviews mention a soft feel upon impact, but I find it to be fairly balanced, leaning toward the firm side, especially at low paces, which makes sense since the shoe is designed for speed.
The shoe, which has no plate, is less rigid than models with plates, which is not a problem for long distances.
With a maximum heel height of 40 mm and a forefoot height of 32 mm, the Salomon Aero Glide 3 offers excellent cushioning for a wide variety of runners.
The only drawback might be that they feel a bit firm, but even though I’m not particularly fond of firm shoes, I had no trouble covering long distances during training, proof that the shoe is more balanced than firm.
Its 8-mm drop is very standard and shouldn't require any special caution for those accustomed to standard drops.
Energy Return
With a weight of 250 g in size 42 (the same as v2 despite a higher stack height), the shoe remains lightweight despite its imposing dimensions.
The new foam offers excellent responsiveness. While it can’t be compared to carbon-fiber shoes, the energy return is satisfactory. The transitions from heel to toe are smooth thanks to the shoe’s geometry, which is based on two technologies:
- Reverse Camber: a curved profile that helps you accelerate, with the rocker pushing you forward
- Geometric Decoupling: a technology that allows the shoe to follow the foot's movement and better distribute body weight upon impact.
This provides good responsiveness that will allow any type of runner to pick up the pace, with a moderate but noticeable bounce.
Support and Stability
This shoe is designed for a neutral stride and does not feature any technology to stabilize the stride. However, its fairly dense foam and wide base still ensure good stability.
Some testers with narrow feet reported a poor fit and a feeling of instability when turning, which I didn't experience with my rather wide feet.
Foot lockdown
Salomon uppers are often of very high quality, and this one, made of 3D mesh, is no exception. Every detail has been designed with comfort in mind, thanks to the soft fabric lining and padding.
The construction, from the inside out (and therefore seamless), creates a very comfortable “second-skin” feel, as well as good protection in cold weather.
Upon examining the upper, I first noticed that it was very breathable, as the brand claims, with visible micro-perforations. However, some testers reported insufficient ventilation in hot weather, likely due to the external seams, which can hinder airflow even though they provide comfort.
Opinions were mixed regarding the shoe’s fit. The external reinforcements provide good support and a sturdy structure, but the forefoot is roomy, and I felt my foot was very well supported during transitions. I appreciated this extra space with my wide feet, but testers with narrow feet found the fit too loose, making the shoe unstable. So it’s best to try them on before buying, if possible.
The heel counter is well-designed and provides good support in that area. Some testers found it too bulky and cumbersome, but that wasn't the case for me. It may simply be a matter of personal preference.
That said, I do share the concerns about the tongue not having a gusset. I haven't had any issues with it slipping, but that could happen for people with narrower feet.
The lacing system, which uses flat laces, threads through the eyelets and allows for a secure fit. Despite a few minor drawbacks, the upper is well-designed overall.
Traction
The Road Contagrip outsole, with its outsole rubber coating in key areas, provides excellent traction and powerful grip, even on wet surfaces.
This makes it suitable for a wide range of uses: it’s ideal for running on trails or regular paths, although it does show its limitations on more technical terrain.
Usage
The Salomon Aero Glide 3 offers excellent shock absorption and generous cushioning, making it suitable for all distances. Only those who find the shoe a bit firm might have trouble on long distances.
Some runners over about 175 lb (80 kg) find it unsuitable, but that depends on personal preferences regarding feel.
Its responsiveness makes it a versatile shoe for training. From long, pace-driven runs to easy runs focused on building endurance, it will carry you well, even at a slow pace.
It doesn't perform as well for pure speed workouts or racing, but that isn't its primary purpose, and it remains a good option for those who prefer to avoid the stiffness of a plate.
Overall, the Salomon Aero Glide 3 is a versatile shoe that should suit a wide variety of runners.
Quality and Lifespan
With a sturdy upper, foam that retains its properties well, and a high-quality outsole, the Salomon Aero Glide 3 offers excellent durability, making it a great value for money.
The shoe is made with at least 10% recycled materials. It is not vegan.
Salomon Aero Glide 2 vs. 3
Some of the notable changes in this new version include:
- New, more comfortable upper (but with a slightly looser fit)
- New drop of 8 mm (compared to 10 mm)
- New, more responsive eTPU foam
- High stack for better cushioning
- New geometry for smoother transitions
The general consensus is that v3 is a more refined and higher-performing product, and the better choice. That said, v2 is still a good option for quick training sessions, definitely grab it if you see it on sale!
Conclusion
With the Aero Glide 3, Salomon proves once again to the running community that it’s not just a trail running brand.
This versatile shoe is best for a wide range of runners, offering excellent comfort that matches its stack height and a responsive stride. It’s a solid choice for daily training and is undoubtedly the brand’s best trainer to date.
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Technical Description
Technical Specs
| Terrain | Road |
| Pronation type | Neutral |
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Heel height | 40 mm |
| Forefoot height | 32 mm |
| Weight (men) | 250 g/8.8 oz |
| Weight (women) | 230 g/8.1 oz |
| Features | Recycled materials, Rocker |
| Athletes | |
| Release year | 2025 |
| Price | Check Prices |
Cushioning
| Softness | Balanced |
| Responsiveness | Medium |
Technologies
| Outsole | Road Contagrip |
| Midsole | EnergyFOAM, Reverse Camber geometry |
| Upper | Seamless 3D mesh |
Use
| Speed | Slow, Moderate |
| Distance | Short, 5K, Mid, 10K, Half marathon, Long, Marathon |
| Workout | Daily running |
Reference: Salomon Aero Glide 3 official website
