The Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX combine light weight and boot comfort while keeping a firm grip on the trail.
Overview: Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX
MSRP: $185
Weight (per shoe): 15.5 ounces
Lining: GORE-TEX
Outsole: All Terrain Contragrip, Salomon’s proprietary material
Stack Height: 33mm/22mm
Drop: 11 mm
Choices: Available in men’s and women’s mid- and low-cut GORE-TEX shoes.
About the X Ultra 5
The redesigned X Ultra 5 are good three-season boots that have a firm grip on the trail with a moderately cushioned outsole underneath. The foot support and comfort are excellent, and the upper wraps easily around my foot without boot-like stiffness. The boots are light for mid-cut shoes.
Comfort
The X Ultra 5 are comfortable out of the box, with a light weight and well-cushioned ankle collar. I went from box to trail without break-in and without blisters. The size 12 shoes I tested are spot-on for my size 12, slightly narrow feet. A wide version is available in the men’s shoe only.
The X Ultra 5’s weigh 15.5 ounces depending on foot size. I could feel just how light they are as soon as I put them on. And when I was rock hopping I appreciated the light weight so my feet weren’t dragging and bumping rocks head on.
The downside to the boot’s light weight is there’s a thinner sole and less cushion underneath, but it isn’t so thin that my feet hurt from rock pounding.
The toe box is roomy, with space for my toes to breathe.
The X Ultra 5 mid use laces to tighten the boot while the low-cut X Ultra 5’s use Quicklaces. I prefer the standard tie laces on boots because the uppers on my Salomon Cross Hike 2 boots press against the Quicklaces, loosening them as my lower leg bends toward my feet.
A molded OrthoLite sock liner is meant to match foot contours and provide cushioning, breathability and durability. The liners can be removed to insert specialty liners that some people (like me with extreme flat feet) might use because of foot problems.
The ankle collar wraps comfortably around my foot, with thick padding on the upper tongue and ankle collar.
The Ultras have an 11mm drop, with a heel stack height of 33mm and a forefoot stack height of 22. That’s a lot of drop in a zero-drop hiking world, but for people like me with flat feet the drop is very comfortable.
Construction
The boot’s upper uses Matryx, a fabric coated with Kevlar and technical yarn that’s designed to resist abrasion and last longer without tears or breakdown. The fabric, which feels light and thin, contributes in a big way to the Ultra’s light weight. The foot support is neutral and the inner soles feel good with my flat feet.
The inside of the boot has a soft, breathable lining.
And a beefy toe plate protects my toes if I strike a rock dead on.
The shoes’ Advanced Chassis is a molded insert embedded in the outsole that gives the Ultra 5’s good lateral support while delivering mobility and flexibility.
On the Trail
The X Ultra 5 have an All Terrain Contragrip outsole that’s good for a wide variety of trail conditions, from rocky to muddy to overly wet, the conditions I typically see on New England trails.
The lugs are thick and keep the shoe solidly on the trail whether I’m rock hopping or mud-slugging. The lugs under the forefoot keep my foot from sliding when hiking uphill, and conversely the heel lugs keep me from sliding downhill.
Good to Know
Choices: The X Ultra 5 come only in GORE-TEX mid- and low-cut. A wide width is available only in men’s shoes
Sustainability: Recycled products such as PET bottles are used in the X Ultra 5, and the mid-cut GTX are free from PFC.
Warranty: Salomon warranties its shoes for two years.
Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX Pros
Grip: Good performance on rocks and dirt trails, whether they’re wet or muddy.
Weight: Very lightweight for a mid-cut shoe.
Stack Height: 33mm/22mm. Moderate cushion, with a high drop that I need because of my flat feet.
GORE-TEX: Good for wet and muddy trails.
Laces: Salomon uses traditional laces in the X Ultra 5, a break from the Quicklaces the company uses in the low-cut Ultra and in some of its other shoes.
Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX Cons
Hot Feet: GORE-TEX boots can be hot in the summer. I tested the X Ultra in the fall in cooler weather and my feet didn’t get hot.
Trapped Water: GORE-TEX is good for keeping water out, but once water gets inside boots don’t dry quickly.
Overall Value
The mid-cut X Ultra 5 GTX, at $185 MSRP, are comparably priced to other mid-cut shoes with GORE-TEX uppers. The shoes are light, comfortable and grippy on rocky trails, which is what I’m looking for in a hiking shoe. The fit is good for my slightly narrow feet, and a wide version for men is available for wider feet. The redesigned X Ultra 5 are a good choice for day hikers and backpackers with longer days ahead of them.
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This product was donated for purpose of review.