First Look: Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boot

If you’re chasing an FKT (fastest known time) or like to stay nimble on rooty, rocky or muddy terrain, you need a hiking boot that offers fortress-like protection without weighing as much as one. The X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots mark the sweet spot of support, traction, flexibility and weight, continuing the X Ultra series tradition that has been a Salomon mainstay since 2012. 

As the Hike editor for REI Co-op, I take boots very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that when I get a pair to test, I practically live in them: In order to really know a boot down to its sole, you’ve got to spend quality time (and plenty of distance) in them. That’s why I spent two months testing the X Ultra 5 Mid boots with daily wear, everything from epic weekend hikes to midday trail breaks, neighborhood dog walks in Minnesota and cliffy coastal scrambles in California.

The X Ultra family of footwear aims to have the stability and grip of a burlier hiking boot with the cushioning and agility of a trail-running shoe. And this updated fifth-generation edition does just that. While the X Ultra 5 Mid boots are an ounce heavier than the previous version, they still weigh under 2 pounds per pair (comparable to more minimalist trail footwear like the Altra Lone Peak 9). What you get is a cushier tongue and collar, both of which add comfort and stability. A bombproof woven upper brings exceptional durability and breathable comfort, while waterproof GORE-TEX lamination keeps feet dry and adds a bit of structure to the chassis.  

Another major selling point for these boots are the all-terrain outsoles, which combine a specialized rubber compound and dialed-in lug pattern that’s designed to tackle muddy, slippery, rocky and uneven terrain. Pronounced, angular lugs sink into soft surfaces like sand, snow and mud. This close-set design provides more sticky surface area to handle wet and slick environments. Perfect for shoulder-season adventures and ready to face rain and shine on the trail, the Salomon X Ultra Mids are versatile, high-performance boots to have in your gear closet. 

Testing the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots

Because it can take lots of trail time to truly get to know a pair of hiking boots, I’ve worn the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid Hiking boots almost daily for two months. In my home state, Minnesota, they’ve come with me across frozen lakes and ponds and on icy trails along the Mississippi River. In California, I wore them scaling cliffs at Montana de Oro state park in Los Osos, boulder-hopping in Morro Bay and tide pooling outside of Santa Barbara. They’ve been around the block (literally) dozens of times with my dogs, and they’ve been fully submerged (sometimes on purpose) in ponds, tide pools, puddles and the Pacific Ocean.

Pros

• Comfortable out of the box 
• Incredible traction on just about any surface 
• Waterproof but (mercifully) breathable with a nonfluorinated laminate
• As durable as a tank, but with Range Rover aesthetics 

Cons

• Could have a bit more underfoot cushion for high-mileage days 
• A bit warm to wear inside
• Heavily padded tongue makes it hard to cinch the collar tightly 
• Laces are unnecessarily long and tend to get caught in the opposite boot’s lace hook 

Best for

• Fast-moving hikes on variable terrain 
• When you really need to stick the landings 

Other versions

• Salomon X Ultra 5 Low Hiking Shoes: Buy women’s. Buy men’s.
• Salomon X Ultra 5 GORE-TEX Low Hiking Shoes: Buy women’s.

Traction

In my humble(ish) opinion, traction is the most important feature of a workable, dependable, performance-centered hiking boot, and the Salomon X Ultra 5 delivers. I tested them out on dry and wet sand, mud, rocks, gravel, deep puddles and slick grass. In addition to confidently tackling terrain like the steep, snowy Mississippi River Gorge trail and giddily scaling several sea-sprayed cliffs along California’s central coast, I also put these boots to the ultimate test: walking my dog. While she’s a very good girl with acceptable leash manners in most situations, when she sees a squirrel, you’d think she was burning jet fuel. Wearing lesser shoes, I’ve stumbled, lurched, lost my footing and slipped. Once, I wiped out completely and was dragged 20 yards down the block on my stomach. In these hiking boots, however, I stayed planted while walking this excitable pit bull mix on snow, ice, mud, rocks, sand and frozen leaves. (Outsole manufacturers should hire her for grip tests during squirrel season.) 

Comfort and Flexibility

A good hiking boot should also be comfortable for the long haul, supportive on your ankle and underfoot, and flexible enough for you to step, jump, balance, climb and descend with ease. Up top, the mid-height boots do strike a balance between rigid traditional hiking footwear and more pliable trail runners. The top of my foot felt securely cradled under the laces and upper panel, and an interior heel counter kept my foot from sliding forward on downhills or jogging. Salomons are often said to be rather narrow, and while I tend to struggle in footwear with smaller toe boxes, I found these true to size. The GORE-TEX laminate does contribute a little structure in addition to waterproof protection, and it made the interior feel quite warm.  

The X Ultra 5 felt solid and structured under my mid and forefoot—a bit stiffer than other Salomon boots I’ve tried. Responsive EVA midsoles do absorb impact on faster-moving hikes, and while a TPU plate adds structure and durability, long-distance trekkers might notice that compression changes the ride over time.  

While a heavily padded tongue provides cushioned protection at the ankle joint, I found it a bit too bulky and couldn’t tie the laces tight enough around the extra plush. As a result, the boots always felt looser around the collar than I’d really like when going over more complicated obstacles. (The laces are also overlong: Several times on my hikes the lace from one boot got caught in the other’s lace hook.)  

Bottom Line

This fifth-generation boot in the X Ultra series continues to strike the balance between burly protection and nimble responsiveness. They’re ideal for longer day hikes, fast miles over varied terrain and lighter-haul overnights. The glovelike fit securely cradles your feet and prevents slipping even during more intense charges. While its sleek design doesn’t look out of place in town, the X Ultra 5 is best for outside adventures. Despite being breathable, its waterproofing keeps things toasty inside the boot. The boot’s performance-to-price ratio seems appropriate, especially considering the top-notch traction and tough-to-scuff durable construction.