Our verdict

The Salomon Ultra Flow is a versatile door-to-trail shoe with a breathable-and-durable upper and a lightweight build. On our runs, we found it ready for many types of adventures and lighter than most similar shoes, making it enjoyable on mixed surfaces. We really liked how it stays stable for heel strikers yet nimble on turns. We think it’s a great pick for those wanting a fun, all-around trail workhorse at a fair price, though the steep drop and snug fit could be a major drawback for some.

Pros

  • Lightweight build
  • High-value pricing
  • Agile and quick-turning ride
  • Flexible build
  • Breathable yet rugged upper
  • Versatile door-to-trail capability
  • Stable enough for heel strikers
  • Fun to ride!

Cons

  • Misleading official drop
  • Narrow forefoot fit
  • Not for long distances

Audience verdict

N/A
Not enough reviews yet

Who should buy

The Salomon Ultra Flow is a great choice for:

  • Runners seeking an affordable shoe that can handle occasional hikes, light trail runs, some road miles, and even your next weekly trip!
  • Those who dislike bulky, maximalist trail shoes and prefer something fun and agile.
  • Trail runners with narrow feet who want a shoe for easy or mixed terrain.

Salomon Ultra Flow

Who should NOT buy

We think the snug fit of the Salomon Ultra Flow makes it less suitable for runners with wide feet. In our experience, the narrow toebox limits comfort on longer runs, and we believe there are better choices for those needing extra room, like the Altra Experience Wild or the Topo Ultraventure 4.

Additionally, we believe the Ultra Flow’s steep drop can feel uncomfortable for midfoot or forefoot strikers who prefer a lower offset. Based on our findings, we recommend alternatives such as the Hoka Speedgoat 6 or the Saucony Xodus Ultra 3.

Salomon Ultra Flow parts

Cushioning

Shock absorption

New

The Ultra Flow is far from the modern trail shoes that disconnect you from the terrain. With just 118 SA in the heel and a notably low 81 SA in the forefoot in our shock absorption test, it’s perfect for runners who enjoy a touch of ground feel without complete isolation.

Salomon Ultra Flow Shock absorption heel
Heel
Forefoot
Test results
Ultra Flow 118 SA
Average 120 SA
Compared to 53 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
62 SA
Shock absorption
158 SA

Energy return

New

Energy return is far from impressive, sitting at 57.7%, which is right around the average. However, considering the Ultra Flow’s reasonable price, we believe this result is more than acceptable.

Heel
Forefoot
Test results
Ultra Flow 57.7%
Average 55.6%
Compared to 53 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
44.0%
Energy return
76.0%

Heel stack

We measured the Ultra Flow with a heel stack height of 34.6 mm, which was surprising since the shoe appears thinner before being cut in half. This is exactly why dissecting running shoes is essential to uncover every detail.

Salomon Ultra Flow Heel stack
Test results
Ultra Flow 34.9 mm
Average 32.0 mm
Compared to 143 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
19.6 mm
Heel stack
42.4 mm

Forefoot stack

The forefoot is the complete opposite of the heel, coming in below the lab average at 22.4 mm. This is obvious even when walking, as it feels noticeably less cushioned up front, and when running, you can clearly feel the ground as you pick up the pace.

Salomon Ultra Flow Forefoot stack
Test results
Ultra Flow 22.4 mm
Average 24.5 mm
Compared to 143 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
13.4 mm
Forefoot stack
33.9 mm

Drop

Salomon claims a 6 mm drop, but just by looking at our photo, it’s clear that this isn’t accurate. We measured 12.5 mm (more than double!) which likely stems from Salomon not using the official World Athletics reference points for the heel and forefoot.

The feel on the run confirms this too: the shoe is noticeably steeper than 6 mm and feels more tailored to heel strikers.

Salomon Ultra Flow Drop
Test results
Ultra Flow 12.5 mm
Average 7.6 mm
Compared to 142 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
-0.1 mm
Drop
17.3 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

This shoe is a great reminder of why honest reviews and fair comparisons (not marketing) matter. Salomon describes the Ultra Flow as “ultra plush” on its product page, but in reality, that’s not the case.

With a 18.4 HA reading, it feels more like an average midsole, neither too plush nor too firm. And that’s perfectly fine, especially for a trail shoe where too much softness can lead to instability.

Salomon Ultra Flow Midsole softness
Test results
Ultra Flow 18.4 HA
Average 22.3 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 119 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
9.1 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
39.0 HA

Rocker

The Ultra Flow doesn’t feature a maximalist stack height, yet Salomon still equipped it with a noticeably rockered midsole. With a pronounced curve in both the heel and forefoot, it’s best suited for runners who enjoy this type of geometry in their trail shoes.

Salomon Ultra Flow Rocker

Size and fit

Size

Owners of this shoe, how does it fit?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large

Width / Fit

Typical Salomon sizing tends to run snug, and that’s exactly what we found with the Ultra Flow. It’s not a problem—feet come in all shapes and sizes—but if you’re part of the wide-foot club, this one’s probably not for you.

Our first measurement landed right around the average at 95.0 mm, which isn’t that narrow. But let’s dig a bit deeper into the fit.

Salomon Ultra Flow Width / Fit
Test results
Ultra Flow 95.0 mm
Average 95.7 mm
Compared to 64 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
89.8 mm
Width / Fit
99.9 mm

Toebox width

What makes this shoe feel a bit more cramped than the average trail model is its toebox width. We measured just 71.2 mm, which falls well below the current lab average.

Salomon Ultra Flow Toebox width
Test results
Ultra Flow 71.2 mm
Average 74.7 mm
Compared to 64 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
67.5 mm
Toebox width
85.3 mm

Toebox height

The height feels spot-on at 27.6 mm, and we believe it won’t cause issues for almost anyone, even on day-long adventures.

The mesh adds a touch of stretch and isn’t overly rigid, but make sure you pick the right size.

Salomon Ultra Flow Toebox height
Test results
Ultra Flow 27.6 mm
Average 27.3 mm
Compared to 64 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
22.0 mm
Toebox height
31.8 mm

Traction / Grip

Lug depth

The moment we picked up the shoes, it was clear they weren’t pure trail models but rather a door-to-trail option built for versatility across nearly any surface, including roads. That’s why we found small 2.8 mm lugs, any deeper and they’d feel awkward on hard ground.

Salomon Ultra Flow Lug depth
Test results
Ultra Flow 2.8 mm
Average 3.5 mm
Compared to 142 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
1.5 mm
Lug depth
5.8 mm

Outsole design

New

The outsole of the Salomon Ultra Flow uses Salomon’s All-Terrain Contagrip rubber, applied through multiple independent lugs with diamond and arrowhead shapes. These rubber lugs are segmented across the entire outsole and laid out in opposing directions from heel to toe.

We confirmed that there are no midsole foam exposures, which is cool. Rubber coverage is complete from heel to toe. However, a series of horizontal and V-shaped blue cutouts are embedded between the lugs in order to improve flexibility.

Salomon Ultra Flow Outsole design

Flexibility / Stiffness

New

And flexible it is, scoring just 11.0N in our 30-degree bend test. Those cutouts in the outsole combined with the moderate forefoot stack height promote a more natural ride, making this shoe a solid option for hiking as well.

Salomon Ultra Flow Flexibility / Stiffness
Test results
Ultra Flow 11.0N
Average 14.1N
Compared to 53 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
3.2N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
23.6N

Weight

One of the standout features of the Ultra Flow compared to many competitors is its weight. At just 9.1 oz or 258g, it’s a great choice for runners who can’t stand the sluggish feel of bottom-heavy shoes that are becoming more common on the market.

Salomon Ultra Flow Weight
Test results
Ultra Flow 9.1 oz (258g)
Average 10.2 oz (290g)
Compared to 143 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
7.5 oz (213g)
Weight
12.7 oz (359g)

Breathability

The Salomon Ultra Flow is a great example of how a wallet-friendly trail shoe can feature an upper that ticks all the boxes: durability, comfort and breathability.

We began by using our custom 3D-printed piece to direct smoke into the toebox, testing its heat expulsion compared to other shoes in our lab. The result was impressive, earning a 4/5 score.

A simple light test revealed a thin toebox material complemented by reinforcements around key areas to prevent early wear.

Salomon Ultra Flow microscope 1

Under our digital microscope, we confirmed that Salomon used a 3D mesh upper commonly seen in road shoes, with abundant ventilation holes and a dual-layer construction.

Salomon Ultra Flow mesh

We believe more brands should take this approach especially for road-to-trail shoes.

While thick, durable uppers often lack breathability and ultra-thin uppers usually lack durability, this one performs well in all scenarios by combining airy zones with heavily reinforced areas where it matters most.

Test results
Ultra Flow 4
Average 3.2
Compared to 119 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Stability

Lateral stability test

The Ultra Flow provides a slight touch of stability for neutral runners, but we wouldn’t recommend it for runners who genuinely need support due to its compact dimensions. It’s more of a classic shoe, offering a fun and agile ride at the expense of a narrower landing platform.

Torsional rigidity

While the Ultra Flow is flexible in terms of longitudinal bending, we were surprised to record a 4/5 in our torsional rigidity test. That’s slightly more than expected for a shoe of this kind, but on the upside, it does contribute an extra touch of stability.

Test results
Ultra Flow 4
Average 3.6
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

The heel counter is stiffer than we expected, likely intended to provide a slight stability boost for those landing on this part of the foot. However, for walking or hiking, a more comfortable and flexible counter would have been preferable.

Test results
Ultra Flow 4
Average 3.1
Compared to 135 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width - forefoot

We previously mentioned the compact dimensions of the Ultra Flow, but here are the actual measurements: at 111.9 mm in the forefoot, it falls below the average, keeping agility in its DNA.

As this type of shoe fades from the market, it’s great to see it here!

Salomon Ultra Flow Midsole width - forefoot
Test results
Ultra Flow 111.9 mm
Average 112.4 mm
Compared to 143 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
102.1 mm
Midsole width - forefoot
124.3 mm

Midsole width - heel

The heel measured 92.9 mm, further highlighting that, despite Salomon’s misleading official drop, this shoe is designed to work well for heel strikers and offer sufficient support.

Salomon Ultra Flow Midsole width - heel
Test results
Ultra Flow 92.9 mm
Average 89.5 mm
Compared to 143 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
72.0 mm
Midsole width - heel
106.0 mm

Durability

Toebox durability

Salomon put considerable effort into protecting the Ultra Flow’s toebox, making it one of the most rugged trail shoes we’ve tested in a while. That’s how it earned a strong 4/5 in our first durability test.

Test results
Ultra Flow 4
Average 3.1
Compared to 100 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

The heel counter lining also performed well, earning a near-average 3/5 and ensuring it won’t develop a hole too early in its lifespan.

Test results
Ultra Flow 3
Average 2.9
Compared to 99 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole durability

Our third Dremel test left 1.0 mm of damage. While this isn’t a concerning result or a dealbreaker, given the shallow lugs on this shoe, we had hoped for a slightly better outcome to enhance the durability of the All-Terrain Contagrip rubber.

Test results
Ultra Flow 1.0 mm
Average 0.9 mm
Compared to 93 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

The outsole is quite thin at 1.2 mm, helping reduce weight and improve comfort on roads, in line with its versatile, multi-surface design. While it may not be ideal for durability, it’s clear why Salomon chose this approach.

Salomon Ultra Flow Outsole thickness
Test results
Ultra Flow 1.2 mm
Average 2.3 mm
Compared to 143 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
0.9 mm
Outsole thickness
5.5 mm

Misc

Insole thickness

One unique feature of the Ultra Flow is its thick insole, which we measured at 7.3 mm... almost double the average we see in the lab! This extra thickness makes it feel like two insoles fused into one.

Salomon Ultra Flow Insole thickness
Test results
Ultra Flow 7.3 mm
Average 4.7 mm
Compared to 141 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
2.1 mm
Insole thickness
7.9 mm

Midsole softness in cold (%)

We placed the Ultra Flow in the freezer for 20 minutes and then retested the foam’s softness. The result showed a 26% increase, which is right around the average and exactly what we expected.

Test results
Ultra Flow 26%
Average 26%
Compared to 119 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
5%
Midsole softness in cold
68%

Removable insole

The thick Ortholite insole is removable, which is a plus. This allows you to swap in a thinner one for increased ground feel or to create extra space in the toebox.

Salomon Ultra Flow Removable insole
Test results
Ultra Flow Yes

Reflective elements

We couldn’t find any reflective elements on the Ultra Flow, which was a bit disappointing. It’s not a deal-breaker, but if you often run in low-light conditions, this omission won’t be to your liking.

Salomon Ultra Flow Reflective elements
Test results
Ultra Flow No

Tongue padding

We were surprised to find the tongue packed with 8.6 mm of padding. It's a sharp contrast to the lightweight focus seen in the rest of the shoe. It does, however, add plenty of comfort, especially for daily wear or hiking.

Salomon Ultra Flow lacing

The lacing system is well-executed, using standard punched eyelets except for one in the middle of the instep, where a loop helps manage pressure more evenly in that area. Definitely a nice touch for a shoe that doesn’t come with a premium price tag.

Salomon Ultra Flow Tongue padding
Test results
Ultra Flow 8.6 mm
Average 6.4 mm
Compared to 143 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
1.3 mm
Tongue padding
12.3 mm

Tongue: gusset type

The tongue is not gusseted, which reflects the true nature of the Ultra Flow: it’s not a pure trail shoe, but a hybrid designed to handle a wide range of situations at an affordable price. And lower prices inevitably come with some compromises.

Salomon Ultra Flow Tongue: gusset type
Test results
Ultra Flow None

Price

One of the biggest reasons to choose the Ultra Flow is its price. It comes in cheaper than most road-to-trail competitors, and its versatility makes it a great option for those wanting one shoe for running, hiking, or even traveling.

Test results
Ultra Flow $120
Average $147
Compared to 143 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
$60
Price
$260

Heel tab

The heel skips the usual finger-loop pull tab found on most trail shoes, opting instead for an extended heel collar reminiscent of many HOKA road running models.

Salomon Ultra Flow Heel tab
Test results
Ultra Flow Extended heel collar