 This Product
Salomon X Ultra 5 Gore-Tex - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  Best for Versatile Performance |  Best Overall Women's Hiking Shoe | Most Comfortable |  Best Bang for the Buck | Best Hiking Shoe Below $100 |
| Price | $170.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $209.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $180.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $110.40 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $70 List $49.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This hybrid design provides stability and waterproof protection that’s best for those with narrow feet | Featuring high-quality performance technology, this hiking shoe is designed to handle any backcountry challenge you dream up | Prioritizing comfort above all else, this thoughtfully-designed hiking shoe is ready for any trail | This affordable hiking shoe offers great support for those with high arches | The lightweight design and sneaker-like feel provide ample comfort under foot |
| Rating Categories | Salomon X Ultra 5 G... | La Sportiva Spire G... | Hoka Anacapa 2 Low... | Merrell Moab 3 - Wo... | Columbia Crestwood... |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Support (20%) | |||||
| Traction (15%) | |||||
| Water Resistance (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Salomon X Ultra 5 G... | La Sportiva Spire G... | Hoka Anacapa 2 Low... | Merrell Moab 3 - Wo... | Columbia Crestwood... |
| Measured Weight (per pair, size 8.5) | 1.54 lbs | 1.66 lbs (size EU 39.5) | 1.52 lbs (size 8) | 1.70 lbs | 1.50 lbs |
| Upper | Matryx: Kevlar and technical yarn | Abrasion-resistant mesh | Nubuck leather, recycled mesh | Pigskin leather, mesh | Leather, mesh, and webbing |
| Lining | Textile | Gore-Tex Surround | GORE-TEX Invisible Fit waterproof/breathable membranes | Recycled mesh | Omni-Tech |
| Midsole | EnergyCell | EVA | EVA (30% sugarcane) | Air cushion | Techlite |
| Outsole | Contagrip rubber | Vibram XS Trek | Vibram Megagrip rubber | Vibram TC5 | Omni-Grip |
| Width Options | Regular | Regular | Regular, wide | Regular, wide | Regular, wide |
The Salomon X Ultra 5 is a versatile design inspired by a lightweight running shoe yet features more support, trail protection, and waterproof performance for those serious about hitting the trail. The latest iteration is true to size, features more padding and perforated fabric at the ankle to increase comfort, while offering excellent traction, thanks to the proprietary Contagrip rubber. Whether you're day hiking or out for a weekend in the backcountry, the X Ultra 5 will provide more support and protection for your feet along the trail.
The X Ultra 5 is comfortable enough to wear right out of the box. Salomon has increased the padding that surrounds the ankle, which now measures one inch, and it has swapped the softer fabric for more of a perforated, Matryx material. The Matryx technology utilizes Kevlar and technical yarn to provide more durability without decreasing the breathability of the shoe. The toe box measures roughly 3 inches, making this a better option for those with narrow feet. The shoe is true to size, and the stiffer upper (while comfy enough for day hikes out of the gate) does continue to soften as you put more miles into the shoe.
Similar to the previous iterations, the X Ultra 5 is stiffer than a mesh running shoe, and the design is long and narrow, which can create a pinch in the forefoot if your foot is anything like our lead testers. This pinch isn't significant enough to create a hot spot or blister, but is definitely noticeable during longer hikes. And while Salomon does include new material in order to increase breathability, we still found the shoe to run quite hot at low elevations during the heat of the day.
The X Ultra 5 features a stable base of support thanks to an Advanced Chassis system that improves lateral stability without limiting your agility on the trail. Salomon's SensiFit technology is also combined with a substantial Ortholite insole that's designed to secure the foot from the midsole to the laces while offering better cushioning than most inserts that we've tested.
Although inspired by a lightweight running shoe, this design is stiffer, bulkier, and heavier in order to support the foot and provide ample protection on the trail. Our lead tester with high arches would recommend adding an aftermarket insert into the shoe if you're planning for long days on the trail or want more support to carry a pack for a weekend trip. The X Ultra 5 does provide a stable and secure base, supporting the ankle while holding it in place while you navigate uneven and varying terrain.
The X Ultra 5 GTX features an all terrain Contagrip rubber outsole with a multi-directional chevron pattern along with deeper lugs in order to provide grip and traction on a variety of terrain. The lugs are deep enough to negotiate loose and sandy terrain yet sensitive enough to provide traction over slabs and slick rock.
After traveling through various mountainous locations from the sandstone desert to the High Sierra and Yosemite National Park, our testers were singing the praises of the all-terrain Contagrip rubber, that is, until their feet slid out from under them when moving from wet streams to popular (and slippery) granite trails. Essentially, the outsole performs differently when wet, and simply fails to grip slippery boulders and rock outcroppings as well as it does when dry. That said, this was the only time that the rugged outsole caused our feet to slide, and overall, we found the X Ultra 5 to provide confidence underfoot when moving through snow, mud, and loose terrain.
The Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX features a synthetic textile upper with a lightweight Gore-Tex waterproof membrane designed to protect your feet when you encounter muddy, snowy, or wet conditions on the trail. The flood height measures 3.6 inches from the bottom of the outsole to the padding just below the ankle, providing more protection when crossing streams or moving through snow. During our controlled bucket testing, the shoes felt a little cool through the synthetic upper but did not allow any water into the interior of the shoe.
Although the waterproof performance kept our feet dry in wet conditions, we found the shoes to offer limited breathability and run quite hot while hiking in warmer temperatures. This is a common downside to waterproof shoes, and we recommend purchasing a non-waterproof option if you find yourself hiking primarily in dry climates. Despite a bit of heat building up inside the shoe, our testers found the X Ultra 5 to be the perfect shoe for wet and muddy conditions.
Although designed as a versatile hybrid between a hiking boot and a running shoe, the X Ultra 5 sits in the middle of the pack in overall weight. Weighing in at 1.54 pounds for a US Women's size 8.5, it sits right in the middle of the pack, not exactly the best choice for those considering fast and light objectives, nor is it supportive enough to carry a super heavy backpack during week-long trips.
The X Ultra 5 provides more structure, stability, and trail protection than lighter-weight mesh designs, thanks to a Contragrip outsole, double synthetic overlay at the toe box and lacing system, a beefy toe box, and a proprietary Matryx upper that resists abrasions. Unfortunately, this technology increases the overall weight in exchange for lasting performance on the trail.
The latest iteration of the X Ultra 5 is constructed from Matryx technology that is stitched into the synthetic construction and designed to remain lightweight and breathable while protecting the shoe from abrasions encountered along the trail. The double overlay of synthetic material further reinforced the lacing system as well as the upper, and is protected by a large, firm toecap that protected our toes on steep descents as well as rocks and stumps on the trail.
The unique Quicklace system is designed to easily store inside the pocket sewn into the tongue of the shoe, which protects the laces from being snagged on down branches. The thin bungee and plastic slider appear to be well-made and gave us no issues during testing. The latest iteration of the X Ultra 5 is more durable than its predecessors, thanks to a Matryx upper, Contagrip outsole, durable and unique lacing system along with multiple overlays to protect the foot beyond the beefy toe cap.
The shoe is comfortable out of the box, supplies a ton of support through the mid and insole, and provides excellent waterproof protection from mud and snow. The latest iteration is even more durable than the last, which further increases the value of this top notch design.
The X Ultra 5 GTX is our favorite shoe when it comes to versatility thanks to its ability to combine the agility of a running shoe with the stability and traction of a hiking boot. If you're after a shoe that supplies excellent performance for a lower price and lighter weight, we recommend the The North Face VECTIV Fastpack. If price is a concern, options like the Merrell Moab 3 and the Columbia Crestwood are worth your attention. They are also non-waterproof options that would be perfect for those who think the design of the X Ultra 5 might be too hot. And if you're interested in our favorite shoe overall, the La Sportiva Spire GTX is the most supportive and protective design that we've tested whether you're backpacking or day hiking, the performance is tough to beat.
