Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL review — my verdict after 55 miles of running
Although gravel running shoes are a new trend, in my mind, they are terrain shoes or road-to-trail in other words. The Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL definitely fits that bill as a universal road version of the Aero Glide 4 running shoe, with a different upper and outsole to make it trail-ready.
However, even pigeonholing the Aero Glide 4 GRVL as an all-terrain shoe is actually selling it short, because it’s one of the best road shoes available in my opinion, with the added benefit of a tough outsole that can handle light trails.
If you’re in the market for a heavy-duty everyday trainer, the Aero Glide 4 GRVL is one I’d put near the top of my list, especially if you like to run on both the road and the trail.
Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL review: price and availability
The Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL will be available to buy from 1 March 2026 and costs $160 in the US and £145 in the UK, which is about mid-pack in terms of the price of a high-end running shoe these days. The same price as the Salomon Aero Glide 4 road running shoe.
Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL review: design and fit
The Aero Glide 4 GRVL is available in five colors at launch, including the white and brown design I tested, which is confusingly called Vanilla Ice / Black on the Salomon website.
A max-cushied shoe with a stack height of 41mm in the heel and 33mm in the forefoot with an 8mm drop. Despite all that cushion, it’s very light, tipping the scales at 9.7oz in my US men’s size 9.
I tested a half size down from my normal running shoe size, which was a little short in length, so I’ll stick with your normal shoe size. Otherwise, the fit was perfect for me, with a quick lacing system that held my foot securely.
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The Aero Glide 4 GRVL has a mesh upper with overlays and a reinforced toe bumper, which adds extra protection for off-road running.
It uses a faster lacing system than traditional laces, which means you can pull the toggle up to get your shoes on quickly.
Sometimes I find this type of lacing system a little uncomfortable and it won’t be to everyone’s taste, but I didn’t have too much trouble with the Aero Glide 4 GRVL, and the flexible heel design on the shoe is more comfortable for me than the rigid feel of the Aero Glide 4 road shoe.
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The Aero Glide 4 GRVL uses a premium TPU foam called OptiFoam Squared in the middle, which has a pleasant feel. It’s not the flashiest foam out there, but it’s comfortable for long runs and responsive.
Like most max-cushioned shoes, the Aero Glide 4 GRVL has a rocker shape, which Salomon calls Reverse Camber midsole geometry. This isn’t the sharpest rocker, but it rolls you nicely from heel to toe with each step.
Outsole
The Gravel Contagrip rubber used on the shoe’s outer surface has 2.5mm wide chevron-shaped lugs, which help grip narrow trails while delivering a smooth ride on the road.
I found the outsole to perform very well on wet roads and light trails, and the thick rubber used should help ensure the Aero Glide 4 GRVL is a durable shoe.
Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL review: practical performance
I did a variety of training runs on the Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL on a mix of surfaces, including a 13-mile run and a few easy or steady runs. Some of these runs were completely on the road and some were on the road, but most were a mix.
In my experience, street-to-street shoes can end up being niche or very versatile shoes. The Adidas Adizero Evo SL ATR is a great shoe, but it’s quite niche, for example, because it’s only good on the road in wet or muddy conditions.
The Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL is an example of great versatility, in that it feels good on both wet and dry roads, as well as being a capable option for off-road running. It’s not the best option for mountain tracks, but for easy routes like park or forest trails, and dirt roads, it’s fine.
I loved the feel of the shoe on the roads and trail, too. It has moderate cushioning, but still feels light and soft, and the gentle rocker in the shoe helps you roll with your footwork perfectly.
The foam in the center is comfortable, and the ride is stable and supportive with light movements, but there is enough rebound to pick up speed again. It’s not as flexible as a high-end trainer like the Asics Megablast, but the Aero Glide 4 GRVL has more speed than most max-cushioned shoes.
Most importantly for me, riding on the road was not hampered by the thickness of the shoe, even compared to the regular Salomon Aero Glide 4, which I am currently testing.
I’ve enjoyed using the Aero Glide 4 GRVL on runs entirely on the road, and the outsole grips well on wet pavements, and has more durability and reliability on light trails as well.
It’s a little heavier than the Aero Glide 4 road shoe, but it’s still light compared to most protective sneakers, so I’d trade the extra weight to stick with it.
Should you buy the Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL?
For most runners, the answer is yes, you should buy the Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL, or at least consider it. It’s a versatile and fun shoe to run in, it can find a place in any shoe rotation, or be your only option for all types of running.
It’s a great hiking shoe, because it looks good, it’s comfortable when you walk, and it can handle a variety of runs on any terrain you may encounter, unless you often climb mountains on your hike, in which case it will be worth having a dedicated trail shoe.
Another good option in this category is the Hoka Challenger 8, which is similarly flexible and has a softer riding feel, but is not as stable as the Aero Glide 4 GRVL on uneven terrain, and I find the foam from Salomon more responsive.
If you actually run on very gravel roads, then the Aero Glide 4 GRVL is a good choice, but you can be deterred if you’ve never touched gravel tracks; it’s still a good all-around option.
