Looking for a running shoe that’s as comfortable on tarmac as it is on trails? The Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL might be the hybrid running shoe you need.
In this review, we test it across mixed surfaces to see if it lives up to the gravel running hype.
What is the Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL?
The Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL is a gravel running shoe—designed to blend road and trail performance. It combines the cushioning and responsiveness of a road running shoe with trail-inspired grip, giving runners confidence on tarmac, gravel, towpaths, and everything in between.
Type: Hybrid road/trail running shoe
Price: £145 RRP
Weight: 275g (men) / 235g (women)
Drop: 8mm (40mm heel / 32mm forefoot)
Best for: Mixed-surface runs, easy to moderate mileage
First impressions
Right out of the box, the Aero Glide 3 GRVL impresses with a clean and purposeful design. It looks like a well cushioned road shoe with a bit of added grip—nothing too flashy, but it radiates quality. It’s nothing like my collection of gnarly trail shoes, and I’m a bit reticent to take these beauties onto the trails, but thankfully the weather is dry at the moment so I can avoid mud.
Fit and comfort
The fit is true to size and hugs the foot securely thanks to Salomon’s sensiFIT system. It strikes a good balance between structured and forgiving.
I took them out of the box and put them straight on for an off-road interval session I had planned, which involved a 15 minute warm up on tarmac, followed by loops around a meadow on a track through long grass.
As soon as I put them on, they felt light and so cushioned. I’m used to trail shoes where I can feel every rock and stone under my feet, so these felt really different, and bouncy.
On the run, my feet do tend to slip around in them a little, and I have developed a little blister on my right foot, just at the bottom of my big toe, so I need to play around with some different lacing options.
Performance on the run
This shoe is made for gravel running—a blend of road and trail. On test runs, it delivered a smooth ride on roads and a grippy, confident feel on light trails and gravel paths. I’ve been up and down hills in them, and have also pushed the pace both on and off road.
They feel responsive underfoot without feeling unstable. They would probably be comfortable on a long run, but I wouldn’t recommend them for technical trails.
Tested in dry conditions as we’ve had no rain in weeks, the GRVL held up impressively across multiple surfaces (grass, tarmac, gravel).
Weight, stack height, and drop
Despite its generous cushioning, this shoe stays impressively light.
Men’s weight: 275g
Women’s weight: 235g
Stack height: 40mm heel / 32mm forefoot
Drop: 8mm
Who is the Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL for?
This shoe is a great all-rounder for runners who want to mix road and trail without needing separate shoes. I would say they would suit a road runner who is used to the cushioning of a road shoe, but needs a little bit of grip on light trails or rough paths. Ideal for road runners exploring new gravel or park routes, or urban runners who dip into trail occasionally.
Pros
- Excellent cushioning for long-distance comfort
- Hybrid grip works well across surfaces
- Lightweight for a shoe with this much cushioning
- Comfortable fit with minimal break-in time
Cons
- Not ideal for narrow or highly technical trails, as limited protection and small lugs
- Lacks the snap of a racing shoe
Final verdict
If your runs take you from pavement to park and beyond, this is your shoe. It combines the best of both worlds—road cushioning and light trail grip—in one versatile package.
Light enough for long runs, cushioned enough for recovery days
A lightweight, cushioned hybrid shoe that makes gravel running feel effortless and fun.
