The New Salomon Aero Glide 3 Gravel - Optimised For Effortless Gravel Running

The latest shoe to arrive at Outside Sports from Salomon is their exciting new Aero Glide 3 Gravel. Salomon Running in France literally wrote the book on gravel running so if you love hitting the trails then this could be an ideal addition to your fleet of shoes. 

The Salomon Aero Glide 3 Gravel is a training shoe optimised for running over easy gravel trails, plus a little bit of road. It takes technology from Salomon road and trail shoes and combines them to create an entirely new category of shoe with an exciting blend of lightness, shock absorption and dynamic energy rebound.  

The overall feeling you’ll experience with the new Salomon Aero Glide 3 Gravel is a silky smooth run – you'll enjoy the unique sensation of gliding along your favourite trails - almost like you’re running on air. 

The Salomon Aero Glide 3 Gravel is a trail shoe that’s optimised for running on easy gravel trails as opposed to mountain trail running where you experience rougher surfaces and more challenging conditions – maybe including some water crossings. 

For a shoe better suited to taking you on mountain trails check out the Salomon Genesis for men and women. You can see in the images below that the Salomon Aero Glide 3 Gravel has much less aggressive sole lugs and a lighter, less protective upper than the Genesis - shown here on the right.

The challenges a gravel shoe must meet are very similar to those confronted by gravel bikes. There’s a loose surface where traction can change significantly from one step or wheel revolution to the next, and can vary from fine grit to small stones, to mud, and even sections with larger rocks – the town to Glendhu Bay lakeside trail at Wanaka is a perfect example of a trail that's tailor-made for the Salomon Aero Glide 3 Gravel.

The stack height is in the Goldilocks zone that provides maximum comfort and shock absorption with the stability you need on trail. There's a moderate 42mm at the heel and 33mm at the toe. 

The Salomon contagrip® rubber outsole provides traction and precise grip on the low friction surfaces of gravel trails. The lugs are more substantial than a road shoe, but not nearly as chunky as a mountain trail running or hiking shoe.  

Reverse camber is inspired by Salomon's heritage of innovation in snow ski design. Reverse camber is where a ski is curved like a bow along its length to provide a floaty ‘surfy’ sensation in deep snow. In the new Salomon Aero Glide 3 Gravel the ‘Reverse Camber’ midsole promotes a low-impact heel-to-toe rolling motion that helps you feel almost like you’re on wheels as you glide effortlessly over the trail.  

This ‘super foam’ composition is made from a mix of EVA and PEBA. Energyfoam Evo, combined with the high-stack and ‘Midsole Decoupling’ means the Salomon Aero Glide 3 is lightweight and exceptionally comfortable with an energetic, but not overly bouncy ride. 

With a pressure-point-free seamless upper the Salomon Aero Glide 3 Gravel fits your foot like a glove and helps keep the weight down while maintaining the durability you expect from a Salomon product. 

There’s nothing more irritating when you’re trail running than debris in your shoe. Salomon has you covered with a molded Ortholite®Sockliner that prevents pesky trail grit and mud finding its way into your shoe.

The upper is super breathable 3D mesh for comfort in warm to mild conditions.  

If you're training for one of the many gravel trail events in New Zealand, or just want your feet to feel great on every run, check out the Salomon Aero Glide 3 Gravel at Outside Sports stores in Queenstown, Wanaka, Te Anau and Tekapo or shop with us online right here.