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

If you’re chasing an FKT (quickest recognized time) or like to remain nimble on rooty, rocky or muddy terrain, you want a climbing boot that provides fortress-like safety with out weighing as a lot as one. The X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots mark the candy spot of assist, traction, flexibility and weight, persevering with the X Ultra sequence custom that has been a Salomon mainstay since 2012. 

As the Hike editor for REI Co-op, I take boots very severely. So severely, in truth, that once I get a pair to check, I virtually stay in them: In order to actually know a boot right down to its sole, you’ve acquired to spend high quality time (and loads of distance) in them. That’s why I spent two months testing the X Ultra 5 Mid boots with day by day put on, all the things from epic weekend hikes to noon path breaks, neighborhood canine walks in Minnesota and cliffy coastal scrambles in California.

The X Ultra household of footwear goals to have the soundness and grip of a burlier climbing boot with the cushioning and agility of a trail-running shoe. And this up to date fifth-generation version does simply that. While the X Ultra 5 Mid boots are an oz. heavier than the earlier model, they nonetheless weigh beneath 2 kilos per pair (akin to extra minimalist path footwear just like the Altra Lone Peak 9). What you get is a cushier tongue and collar, each of which add consolation and stability. A bombproof woven higher brings distinctive sturdiness and breathable consolation, whereas waterproof GORE-TEX lamination retains toes dry and provides a little bit of construction to the chassis.  

Another main promoting level for these boots are the all-terrain outsoles, which mix a specialised rubber compound and dialed-in lug sample that’s designed to deal with muddy, slippery, rocky and uneven terrain. Pronounced, angular lugs sink into mushy surfaces like sand, snow and dust. This close-set design gives extra sticky floor space to deal with moist and slick environments. Perfect for shoulder-season adventures and able to face rain and shine on the path, 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 could possibly take a lot of path time to actually get to know a pair of climbing boots, I’ve worn the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid Hiking boots nearly day by day for 2 months. In my residence state, Minnesota, they’ve include me throughout frozen lakes and ponds and on icy trails alongside 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 outdoors of Santa Barbara. They’ve been across the block (actually) dozens of instances with my canine, and so they’ve been absolutely submerged (generally on function) in ponds, tide swimming pools, puddles and the Pacific Ocean.

Pros

• Comfortable out of the field 
• Incredible traction on nearly any floor 
• Waterproof however (mercifully) breathable with a nonfluorinated laminate
• As sturdy as a tank, however with Range Rover aesthetics 

Cons

• Could have a bit extra underfoot cushion for high-mileage days 
• A bit heat to put on inside
• Heavily padded tongue makes it exhausting to cinch the collar tightly 
• Laces are unnecessarily lengthy and have a tendency to get caught within the reverse boot’s lace hook 

Best for

• Fast-moving hikes on variable terrain 
• When you actually need to stay the landings 

Other variations

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

Traction

In my humble(ish) opinion, traction is a very powerful characteristic of a workable, reliable, performance-centered climbing boot, and the Salomon X Ultra 5 delivers. I examined them out on dry and moist sand, mud, rocks, gravel, deep puddles and slick grass. In addition to confidently tackling terrain just like the steep, snowy Mississippi River Gorge path and giddily scaling a number of sea-sprayed cliffs alongside California’s central coast, I additionally put these boots to the final word check: strolling my canine. While she’s an excellent woman with acceptable leash manners in most conditions, when she sees a squirrel, you’d suppose she was burning jet gas. Wearing lesser sneakers, I’ve stumbled, lurched, misplaced my footing and slipped. Once, I worn out fully and was dragged 20 yards down the block on my abdomen. In these climbing boots, nevertheless, I stayed planted whereas strolling this excitable pit bull combine on snow, ice, mud, rocks, sand and frozen leaves. (Outsole producers ought to rent her for grip assessments throughout squirrel season.) 

Comfort and Flexibility

climbing boot also needs to be comfy for the lengthy haul, supportive in your ankle and underfoot, and versatile sufficient so that you can step, bounce, stability, climb and descend with ease. Up prime, the mid-height boots do strike a stability between inflexible conventional climbing footwear and extra pliable path runners. The prime of my foot felt securely cradled beneath the laces and higher panel, and an inside heel counter saved my foot from sliding ahead on downhills or jogging. Salomons are sometimes stated to be fairly slim, and whereas I are likely to wrestle in footwear with smaller toe containers, I discovered these true to measurement. The GORE-TEX laminate does contribute a bit construction along with waterproof safety, and it made the inside really feel fairly heat.  

The X Ultra 5 felt strong and structured beneath my mid and forefoot—a bit stiffer than different Salomon boots I’ve tried. Responsive EVA midsoles do take up impression on faster-moving hikes, and whereas a TPU plate provides construction and sturdiness, long-distance trekkers may discover that compression modifications the journey over time.  

While a closely padded tongue gives cushioned safety on the ankle joint, I discovered it a bit too cumbersome and couldn’t tie the laces tight sufficient across the further plush. As a consequence, the boots all the time felt looser across the collar than I’d actually like when going over extra sophisticated obstacles. (The laces are additionally overlong: Several instances on my hikes the lace from one boot acquired caught within the different’s lace hook.)  

Bottom Line

This fifth-generation boot within the X Ultra sequence continues to strike the stability between burly safety and nimble responsiveness. They’re superb for longer day hikes, quick miles over different terrain and lighter-haul overnights. The glovelike match securely cradles your toes and prevents slipping even throughout extra intense prices. While its smooth design doesn’t look misplaced on the town, the X Ultra 5 is finest for outdoor adventures. Despite being breathable, its waterproofing retains issues toasty contained in the boot. The boot’s performance-to-price ratio appears acceptable, particularly contemplating the top-notch traction and tough-to-scuff sturdy development.

The submit First Look: Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boot appeared first on Uncommon Path – An REI Co-op Publication.