Heading To The Hinterland These Holidays? Pack These Running Shoes
from trail to town
By Kiri Johnston | 6th November 2026When you’re packing for a few days away, it’s tempting to bring a different pair of shoes for every plan. But if your hinterland escape includes an early run, a walk along a dirt track and a wander into town, you’ll probably want something that can cover a few bases.
That’s the idea behind Salomon’s gravel running shoes. They sit between a cushioned road shoe and a more rugged trail shoe, with styles suited to different surfaces and conditions. Here’s a quick guide to choosing a pair for your trip.
For a bit of road, then a bit of dirt
If your run starts on the road and eventually takes you onto a gravel path, the Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL is designed to handle both. It weighs 230g, has an 8mm drop and features 2.5mm chevron lugs for grip on unsealed tracks.
The cushioning is closer to what you’d find in a road running shoe, while the outsole gives you extra grip once the pavement ends. A good option if your route is a mix of surfaces.
For wet grass and rainy mornings
A morning run can look appealing until you step onto wet grass in the wrong shoes. The Salomon Aero Blaze 4 GRVL GTX has a GORE-TEX® membrane to help keep your feet dry in wet conditions.
It weighs 280g, has an 8mm drop and comes with an OrthoLite® sockliner. If damp paths or a passing shower are likely to be part of your weekend, this is the weather-protective option in the range.
For loose gravel and fire trails
If your route is more fire trail than footpath, the Salomon GRVL Concept is built for rougher ground. It weighs 262g, has a 6mm drop and features shallow 2mm lugs.
The integrated mini-gaiter helps stop grit and small stones getting inside your shoes, while energyBLADE™ Carbon plates and optiFOAM™+ cushioning are designed to give you a responsive feel underfoot. It’s the most trail-focused option of the three.
One less pair to squeeze into your bag
You might still want your favourite shoes for dinner, but for runs and daytime exploring, a gravel style can cover more than one kind of terrain. Which pair makes sense depends on whether your plans call for road comfort, weather protection or extra coverage on loose tracks.
Take a look at Salomon’s gravel running collection before your next hinterland escape.
