Salomon Gravel Running Shoes Review
DISCLOSURE -THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER’S OWN.
Reviewed by Deborah Banasko
My husband is a keen runner no matter what the weather, so I was pleased to be able to recruit him to review a pair of Salomon gravel running shoes.
Salomon are a trusted brand which can be purchased online or if you prefer, you can search on the Salomon website for a local retailer. They specialise in shoes, clothing, bags and various accessories and equipment. My Dad already has a pair of Salomon trainers so the brand came highly recommended, and we chose to review the Men’s Aero Blaze 3 Gravel Gore-Tex in the black/asphalt colour. It is also available in tea/iron and vanilla ice colours.
The trainers arrived packed well, and first impressions were that they looked like they meant business and were exactly what you would expect from professional running trainers as opposed to fashion footwear. They have the traditional lacing system with eyelets, and the colour is a complimentary mix of medium grey shade with black, perfect if you aren’t into your flashy colours like my other half -although a large range of more colourful options are available in other styles if that’s more your thing.
The shoes were immediately comfortable and lightweight, with a snug protective and true to size fit that did not slip off. They are clearly high quality and a really strong shoe. When running the grip was excellent even on wet ground, and my husband told me that there was a gentle spongy bounce as he ran which he absolutely loved. The energFOAM² midsole is apparently responsible for soft landings whilst the optiFOAM² is a lightweight foam designed for that energy absorption and bounce. The website details these key features in more detail should you wish to read up on this further.
Switching between road, gravel and even slippery autumn leaves was not an issue as these shoes are suited for mixed terrain. If anyone is going to slip in the rain it’s my husband, but he felt really confident in these running shoes as they held their grip well on the wet and muddy roads of Yorkshire. They are also waterproof, which seems to be becoming more essential as we venture into November. He often runs home from the train station at night, and since wearing these he has never come home with wet feet.
The only niggle that my husband felt was after wearing them all day his feet became very hot and sweaty. This was after several hours and at this point he was indoors, so whilst I mention this observation it certainly would not deter him from buying another pair; in fact, when used for what they are intended (outdoor running), a warmer shoe is more likely a benefit.
My husband always buys specific trainers for running, but tends to pay less than this £145 Salomon pair and has generally felt that the brands he chose were just fine. Since carrying out this review he has said that he would never go back to the cheaper brands as he can see the value for money, and that you do get what you pay for; a more comfortable and confident run, and therefore a far more enjoyable exercise which makes you want to keep going for longer. This particular pair aren’t out to make a fashion statement, but they do exactly what you need them to do and I personally liked the style and look of them. His feet are cradled well and the trainers felt like they were made specifically for him, from the first wear.
We agreed that these trainers should be awarded 5 stars out of 5 for quality, comfort and optimal performance in a range of terrains and weather conditions. A top-quality brand!
RRP: £145
Rating: 5/5 stars
You can purchase this product here.