Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX Hiking Boots Review
An in-depth review of our favorite lightweight hiking boots
January 16th, 2026
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Our Verdict
My podiatrist has been encouraging us to make the switch from trail runners to hiking boots in favor of a more protective and stable piece of footwear for years. The Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX made us less begrudging about the whole transition because, unlike many pairs of boots, these came with the agility of a trail runner with a thicker sole and plenty of protection.
After this model was released in 2025, we tested them by hiking primarily in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, tackling moderate to challenging trails and climbing 10,000-foot peaks. Over the course of six months, our testers tackled between about 100 collective miles while evaluating qualities like grip, durability, breathability, and weather-resistance, and directly comparing them to 11 other pairs of hiking boots.
The Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX was the second-lightest boot we tested for our Best Hiking Boots for Women guide behind the Salewa Pedroc 2 by a tenth of an ounce. This makes them a reliable pick for those who prefer to travel quickly without shouldering a heavy load. They also excel when it comes to maintaining agility, reducing dry-time, and providing immediate comfort. While testing these boots we found that the interior GORE-TEX liner helped our feet to stay dry but the exterior DWR coating quickly failed, contributing to boot weight.
One drawback to this boot is its long and narrow shape, which isn’t the right fit for everyone.However, once you’ve found the right fit, this boot is agile and reliable in varying terrain.
Find more of our favorite hiking boots in our Best Men’s Hiking Boots and Best Waterproof Hiking Boot guides.
men's
Women's
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Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX Specifications
Price: $185
Weight (per pair, men's and women's): 1 lb 15 oz, 1 lb 11.6 oz
Cushion level (Light/Medium/Maximum): Medium
Stability (Neutral/Stable): Neutral
Heel-to-toe drop (mm): 11 mm
Stack height (heel/toe mm): 33 mm / 22 mm
Upper materials: Synthetic/textile upper with fiber reinforcements
Midsole material: EnergyCell EVA foam
Outsole material and lugs: All Terrain Contagrip rubber, multi-direction lugs with 3.5 mm depth
Waterproof technology (if applicable): GORE-TEX (PFC-free version)
Available sizes and widths (men’s and women’s): 7–14, 5–11, standard and wide widths
Suitable for vegans: Not confirmed
Comparison Table
| HIKING BOOT | MSRP* | MEN'S WEIGHT (PAIR) | WOMEN'S WEIGHT (PAIR) | OUTSOLE | MIDSOLE | UPPER | WATERPROOFING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX Mid Men's Women's |
$185 | 1 lb 5 oz | 1 lb 1.6 oz | All Terrain Contagrip rubber | EnergyCell | Kevlar and technical yarn Matryx technology | GORE-TEX |
| Asolo Acadia Mid LTH GTX Men's Women's |
$190 | 1 lb 19.6 oz | 1 lb 15 oz | Rubber | Mono-density EVA foam | Suede | GORE-TEX |
| KEEN Targhee IV Mid Waterproof Men's Women's |
$170 | 2 lb 8.6 oz | 2 lbs 2.6 oz | TPU | Luftcell polyurethane | Nubuck leather | KEEN.Dry |
| Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Men's Women's |
$280 | 2 lbs 9.6 oz | 2 lbs 2.2 oz | Vibram Rene Trac outsole and lugs | Double-injection DuraPU / DynaPU | Heinen Terracare nubuck leather | GORE-TEX |
| Oboz Sawtooth X Mid Waterproof Men's Women's |
$180 | 2 lbs. 6.8 oz. | 2 lbs. 0.6 oz. | True Tread rubber | Heel puck/rubber-blended adaptive foam | Oiled nubuck leather/CORDURA fabric mesh | B-DRY single-layer membrane |
Best for
Day hiking and short overnight trips
Mildly wet conditions
Intermediate hikers and backpackers
What we liked
Immediately trail ready
Water resistant
Comfort
Trail runner feel
Shock absorption
What could be better
These run narrow and long
Mild ankle support
How we tested
We wore the Salomon X Ultra 5 Hiking boots while navigating alpine peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park, tackling well-groomed trails in the Colorado foothills, and on sharp and uneven terrain over the course of about six months under sunny skies, and a touch of rain.
We tackled nearly 100 miles between our testers, submerged these boots in creeks and in the bathroom sink to evaluate both the DWR coating (Durable Water Repellent) and the GORE-TEX membrane to check for wetting out and breathability. And then we compared them to 11 other pairs of boots.
Testing Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX Hiking boot in water
Performance in the field
Fit and sizing
Most hikers find that these boots are true to size, but they run slightly long and narrow. They range in men’s 7-14 and women’s 5-11. This could create a sizing challenge for hikers with wide feet (although the boots are available in wide widths). The standard fit accommodated our slightly narrow feet.
Comfort and support
These were one of the most trail-ready boots that we tested because of their immediate comfort and malleable materials. While heftier boots required a slow break-in period, our testers found these to be soft, pliant, and supportive right out of the box. We immediately took these boots out for a 6-mile hike and felt supported throughout the entire trek.
Traction and grip
The outsoles of these boots are sticky and trustworthy. The combination of Salomon's proprietary Contagrip TA rubber and multi-directional lugs allows the boots to maintain contact with the ground even on wet, steep ascents and descents. While we conducted the majority of our testing on dry trails, we specifically spent time hiking near creek beds to test these boots’ ability to shed mud and maintain traction, and we never fell once.
Waterproofing and breathability
Hiking boots typically either come with a fully waterproof construction that’s not particularly breathable, or they’re breathable but not entirely waterproof. The Salomon X Ultra 5 hiking boots lean towards the latter category, allowing moisture to quickly wick away after they become saturated. But unlike the Salomon Quest 4 GTX, they’re not the best pair of boots for torrential downpours simply because they absorb water. A wet shoe is a heavy shoe, which can contribute to fatigue over the course of a hike.
The Salomon X Ultra 5 hiking boots were easily one of the most breathable pairs of boots we tested, but the DWR coating was quick to fail and the short ankle cuff made it more likely that we’d end up with moisture on the inside of the boots during creek crossings, as water can easily come up over the top. Still, their immediate comfort, malleable materials and stable base made them reliable in semi-technical terrain.
Waterproof testing the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX hiking boots
Warmth and insulation
Designed as a 3-season boot, these aren’t particularly insulated, but with a thick pair of hiking socks or winter socks, they’ll accommodate temperatures in the high 30s and 40s.
Drying time
When completely saturated, we found that these boots took less than 24 hours to dry in Colorado in the fall. Places with higher humidity levels will likely extend that dry-time by a few hours.
Creekside Hiking with the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX hiking boots
Durability and construction
Compared to earlier models of this boot, most hikers report a higher level of durability thanks to the added reinforcements on the side panels and an overall abrasion-resistant upper. Contagrip rubber outsoles are also known for supporting a lengthy boot lifespan. If we had to guess, we’d say that these boots will last 500-800 miles before showing signs of wear around the eyelets and in the midsole. While not quite as rugged as boots like the Salomon Quest 4 GTX or the KEEN Targhee IV Mid, the Salomon X Ultra 5 hiking boots seem to hold their own against sharp and jagged terrain.
Weight and packability
The men’s version of these boots weighs 1 pound and 15 ounces while the women's version weighs 1 pound and 11.6 ounces, making it one of the lightest hiking boots that we tested. Its materials are also relatively compressible, although we’d avoid unconsciously stuffing them in a travel bag to prevent the premature deterioration of the GORE-TEX membrane.
Features
Lacing System
The Salomon X Ultra 5 uses a traditional lacing system with eyelets on the ankle to secure everything in place. Like most boots, this system can be slightly customized to reduce or enhance pressure in desired areas.
The Lacing system on the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX hiking boots
Chassis
These boots use an advanced chassis system, which essentially means that it comes with a molded insert in the outsole to enhance lateral support. The rigidity of it helps the foot maintain control while the soft upper materials provide comfort, creating an ideal balance.
Toe Cap
A rubber toe cap protects the toes from stubs, while providing extra durability.
Colorways
The women’s version of these boots come in four different colorways including pink, gray, green and brown options. The men’s version comes with five different options including black, iron, gray green, aloe and asphalt.
Sustainability
The Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX hiking boots maintain an eco-conscious design by utilizing a PFAS-free GORE-TEX membrane, and some recycled materials.
Who should buy the Salomon X Ultra 5 Hiking Boots
Buy if you prefer to travel light and fast through variable terrain and wet conditions.
Skip if you have wide feet, and if you’re looking for aggressive ankle support, and a midsole that can handle long backpacking trips.
Where to buy
The Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX hiking boots are popular footwear, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Backcountry
Pros: Frequent sales for Expedition Perks members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
Zappos
Pros: 365-day free shipping on returns, fast delivery with free VIP program
Similar Hiking Boots
La Sportiva TX Hike Mid
Price: $209
Waterproof membrane: GORE-TEX
Weight (per pair, men's and women's): 2 lbs 1.5 oz, 1 lb 13 oz
Breathability: 4.5
Waterproofing: 5
Traction: 5
Like the Salomon X Ultra 5 hiking boots, the La Sportiva TX Hike comes with a lightweight design, heightened breathability and reliable waterproofing. These boots won our best overall hiking boots in our Best Hiking Boots for Women guide because of their agility, comfort, and technical performance. But their price runs steeper than the Salomon X Ultra 5 boots. Learn more in our in-depth review of the La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Hiking Boots.
La Sportiva TX Hike Mid
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Asolo Acadia Mid LTH GTX Hiking Boots
Price: $190
Waterproof membrane: GORE-TEX
Weight (per pair, men's and women's): 1 lb 19.6 oz, 1 lb 15 oz
Breathability: 4
Waterproofing: 5
Traction: 4
The Asolo Acadia Mid LTH GTX hiking boots come with a similar price as the Salomon X Ultra 5, but they’re a touch less breathable. These boots excel in their unique fit, which is what led to them winning best narrow hiking boots in our Best Hiking Boots for Women guide. Compared to the Salomon X Ultra 5, they have a wider toe box but a tighter fit in the middle of the foot. Learn more in our in-depth review of the Asolo Acadia Mid LTH GTX Hiking Boots.
Asolo Acadia Mid LTH GTX Hiking Boots
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Why you should trust us / About the Author
Mary Beth Skylis has tackled thousands of miles of trails over the past decade while thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, and the Annapurna Circuit. She wore a hefty pair of Vasque boots for the first 800 miles of the Appalachian Trail, where she learned what a truly durable pair of footwear could look like.
For the purposes of this article, Skylis also worked with Tommy Campbell – a Colorado-based rock climbing guide and mountaineer. Between our testers, we have about 55 years of hiking and mountaineering experience that’s taken us to places like Denali in Alaska, and across dozens of fourteeners in Colorado.
Find more of her work on her Treeline Review author page.
