Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX Boot Review

The Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX is an insanely lightweight mid-top hiking boot that offers superb support, versatility and grip for your outdoor adventures.

Price: $369.95

Weight: 440g (Men’s US9)

Waterproof: Yes (PFC-Free Gore-Tex)

Materials: Synthetic

What I love: Long-lasting comfort, fantastic traction and superb lateral support, all whilst boasting a mind-bendingly light weight with no impact on durability.

They’ve done it again. Salomon’s X Ultra Range has long been synonymous with lightweight agility, excellent traction, and the ideal balance of speed and stability. Like those before it, the most recent X Ultra 5 GTX offers high levels of comfort and support for those seeking a lightweight companion on their hiking adventures. With an environmentally-conscious, breathable upper thanks to a new Matryx fabric and PFC-free Gore-Tex lining, the X Ultra 5 GTX is one of the most sustainable boots I’ve seen.

Comfort

Who doesn’t love a comfy boot out the box? With that being said, the X Ultra 5 is one of the most comfortable hiking boots I’ve had the pleasure of wearing. I really enjoyed the more conforming feel the boot offers, really keeping my foot in place whilst providing a nice fit up front in the toe box. The upper material of the boot is softer around the ankle, never digging or causing discomfort. I especially appreciated the new, more padded tongue that sits atop my foot nicely, allowing me to tighten the laces as much as I need without feeling any extra pressure cutting in.

The Orthalite insole was super comfortable throughout my testing, providing a plush feel under my heel and mid-foot. Throughout my testing, I didn’t notice any signs of compression in the insole foam. A common occurrence in some insoles, leading to a less cushioned feel.

Overall, the X Ultra 5s were very comfortable boots. I’ll definitely be reaching for them frequently when I hit the trails.

Traction

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it is the philosophy Salomon have applied when constructing the X Ultra 5’s outsole. Sporting their own in-house, tried and true Contagrip rubber. A high-performance rubber designed with maximum traction in mind.

The battle of Contagrip vs Vibram has been raging since the dawn of time (or at least since hikers started taking, not eating dirt seriously). While there is no right or wrong answer, I felt the Contagrip Salomon used here has been some of the best rubber I’ve seen on a hiking boot.

The lug pattern used plays a large role in this. They are deep (about 10% deeper than previous models!), and I found I really noticed this. Especially on slippery surfaces like loose gravel or wet, rocky paths.

Waterproofing

GORE-TEX. You know it. I know it. And with the inclusion of GTX in their name, the X Ultra 5 Mid GTX also knows it. The GORE-TEX membrane used here fully lines the inside of the boots, keeping the inside bone-dry. It’s important to note however, that with the boots’ relatively low ankle height, hikers should be considerate when stepping in puddles and through streams. As not to step in one deeper than the boots’ height.

I want to take a moment to commend Salomon here too. Using a PFC-free GORE-TEX in their boots is awesome to see and I hope all boot manufacturers follow suit. What is a PFC? I hear you say. To simplify it – they’re chemicals that last forever. They’ve been studied to accumulate in water, soil and wildlife.

So major props to the folks over at Salomon and GORE-TEX for using PFC-free materials! If I had a shiny sticker saying nice work I’d award you two.

Durability

The construction of the X Ultra 5 varies a bit from its predecessors – in the best of ways. Predominantly constructed from synthetic leather, the boot is more durable than before, whilst incorporating reinforced areas with extra textile on those high wearing areas.

The consistent use of traditional stitching across the synthetic leather portions of the boots is fantastic to see. Relying less on adhesives, the stitching allows the boot to last significantly longer. Stitching holds much better under stress and heavy usage.

I want to note here that these boots, by design, won’t outlast your traditional full-grain leather models. Different hiking boots play different roles. While the X Ultra 5 is more durable than the majority of other synthetic boots, full-grain leather boots shine in heavy backpacking and alpine expeditions.

While the X Ultra 5 can do all of these, I’d still recommend considering and trying on some boots such as:

• Salomon Quest 4D Men’s
• Salomon Quest 4D Women’s
• Scarpa Terra

Weight

Salomon’s X Ultra 5 Mids are insanely light for what they are. I was impressed to see these weigh in at just 444 grams for a men’s US9. This makes them one of the lightest boots on the market. However, they don’t suffer from the same impact on support, durability or support as some others do.

The one thing hikers love to do more than count grams is cut them. Cutting down on carried weight through opting for lighter boots is a great way to do this. Salomon has cut down on weight through their ADV/C chassis. Chassis here is a fancy word for a shank, which in turn is a fancy word for a piece of specialised plastic encased within the midsole. Helping give the midsole the structure and stability needed within a hiking shoe or boot. The chassis Salomon have used here is much lighter and slimmer than those found in other brands.

Who is this boot for?

The Salomon X Ultra 5s are designed for hikers and walkers who prioritise comfort, weight, stability and superior traction without the bulk and weight of traditional boots. I’ve broken down the categories of best potential matches for the boots.

1. Weekend Warriors

Casual hikers/walkers who appreciate the out-of-the-box comfort and reliable waterproofing. Requiring far less break in that traditional boots. Substantial enough for varied terrain but not overkill.

• Mile Crushers

Ideal for hikers covering long distances who need lightweight support. The balance of cushioning and stability works well with medium-weight loads. The chassis helps prevent fatigue on those long days.

• Technical Trekkers

Those who tackle trails at speed and need the dependable grip. The deep lugs and grippy rubber inspire confidence on rocky terrain. Filling the sweet spot between trail runners and traditional hiking boots.

With an ideal balance of weight (or lack thereof) and stability, I’ve found myself reaching for my pair of Salomon X Ultra Mid 5 GTX for almost every occasion. Protective, cushioned, environmentally friendly, lightweight, waterproof. It’s hard to find something I didn’t enjoy during my time with the boots. Whatever the adventure, I’m confident the X Ultra 5s would make a fantastic ally to any trip.