Salomon Men’s Aero Blaze 3 GRVL

Review by Will Trail

Initial Impressions

A recent addition to Salomon’s running shoe lineup, the Men’s Aero Blaze 3 GRVL is a lightweight, all-terrain design built for runners who mix pavement and dirt. This road-to-trail hybrid delivers confident performance across asphalt, gravel paths, and light singletrack, making it a versatile choice for everyday training and adventure runs alike. I had not run in Salomon shoes prior and was excited to try these out on my local trails.
The shoes are built upon a contaGRIP® outsole with 2.5mm deep chevron lugs around the perimeter and smaller nubs in the middle, delivering durable, surefooted performance across a range of conditions. The lugs are spaced to provide plenty of grip while not retaining too much soil.

Moving up on the shoe is an optiFOAM2 midsole made from energyEVOFOAM (a blend of PEBA and EVA foams) engineered to provide underfoot protection and energy-damping performance. The midsole construction offers a good amount of heel and midfoot cushioning while delivering a noticeable “bounce.” The sensiFIT™ upper is constructed of an engineered mesh structure that varies the weave to offer more support and breathability depending on the shoe area. A molded OrthoLite® sockliner matches foot contours and helps with cushioning and breathability.

The regular lacing system locks in for a secure fit and has four eyelets per side to spread out lacing pressure evenly.

Detailed Review

The fit impresses right away—no pressure points form when laced up, and the heel locks the foot securely in place to prevent lift. Quick to put on and adjust, the shoes deliver a stable, responsive feel while keeping things light on your feet.

I tested these shoes on gravel trail runs and hikes. The contaGRIP® outsoles are super grippy and provide enough traction to run or walk comfortably during inevitable loose sections of trail. I was never lacking grip in dirt, sand, or gravel settings. These shoes simply provide grip and let you decide what to do with it. I do think the outsoles are better used on gravel or dirt as there is a noticeable ‘stickyness’ when running on pavement.
The shoes breathe very well through the sensiFIT™ upper system, and I did not have any issues with my feet getting too hot. The 8mm drop is within my normal range for running shoes, and I didn’t develop any unusual pains or discomfort while using them.

I’m a heavy-footed runner, and I found the cushioning level to be excellent for my heavier footfalls. While the optiFOAM2 midsole cushioning absorbed impacts, I still felt a fair amount of lateral support and control. Some running shoes tend to offer high levels of cushion but can’t control the foot motion, feeling “squirmy.” Additionally, there’s a noticeable rebound “pop” from the energyEVOFOAM blend that I really enjoyed. High marks to Salomon for combining high levels of cushion and good control with the Aero Blaze 3 GRVL. These shoes feel very light on foot, and the 9oz weight is welcome.

The size 10.5 Men’s US shoes did take a few runs to break in, which is not surprising. I normally wear a size 10.5–11 Men’s US, and the toe box feels plenty roomy. I have standard-width feet, so wider-footed runners should take note. Personally, I’d get the same size for my next pair of Salomon shoes, as these fit me well. As always, fitting footwear in person is best.

Closing Thoughts

Over the runs and hikes I’ve used the Salomon Aero Blaze 3 GRVL shoes, I’ve been impressed by the fit and comfort provided by the laced upper and midsole. My feet felt securely locked into the shoes and, by extension, to the ground thanks to the sticky contaGRIP® outsole. The optiFOAM2 midsole cushioning works well with my heavy running style, offering solid support and control while maintaining an impressively lightweight feel.
Fit-wise, these run true to my other running shoes, so I recommend your normal size—or better yet, try them on in person. Salomon really nailed it with the Aero Blaze 3 GRVL, creating a solid mixed-terrain/paved running shoe that isn’t afraid of scrambling up gravel trails from time to time.

Will Trail

Will grew up in Idaho (fifth generation!) where he enjoyed the outdoors, riding his bike, participated in multiple sports, and working on the family ranch from time to time.

During college at Montana Tech, he played football for a few years and worked as a wildland firefighter during the summers.  He met his future wife, Erin Trail, there and after graduating with a degree in Geophysical Engineering, they moved to Texas where he was involved with racing his Subaru WRX, camping and powerlifting.