Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX Review: 900 km in Quebec

I bought the men's Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX in a UK size 12 for £150 and wore them for roughly 900 km over three months in Quebec. Salomon did not provide the boots, fund the trip or know this review was being written. They were my primary footwear for about 90 days, including roughly 80 hikes across the Laurentides, plus all the ordinary urban walking between them. Maintained paths, mud, wet roots, rock, woodland and mountain ground all found their way under these soles.

The verdict

Salomon has built the X Ultra line around the idea that a hiking boot can feel quick without becoming flimsy. The fifth generation gets close. At roughly two pounds for the pair, these boots never gave me the heavy, deliberate stride of a conventional leather mid. I could walk fast, change direction easily and cover long days without feeling as though the footwear was setting the pace.

The support comes mostly from below the ankle. A molded Advanced Chassis resists sideways folding while the padded collar stays flexible. Grip was the standout, especially on wet rock, roots and loose descents. Deep mud and long scree fields reveal the limits of the lighter design. The score also takes a hit for summer heat and a small toe-box seam failure after three months.

How I tested the X Ultra 5 Mid GTX

I used the men's mid-height Gore-Tex model in UK size 12 as my main footwear for three months in Quebec, primarily around the Laurentides. The boots covered a little over 900 km in roughly 90 days. About 80 outings were proper hikes, with urban walking and day-to-day travel filling the gaps.

Conditions ran from cool spring weather into warm summer days. The route mix included wet woodland, mud, rocky climbs, shallow stream crossings and loose mountain ground. Heavy rain arrived several times. Urban use added more hard-surface mileage than a hiking-only pair would normally receive.

My usual size is UK 11.5. I have fairly wide feet, moderately high arches and flat pronation. I followed the advice to go up half a size for downhill toe clearance and bought a UK 12. A wide version exists and may have suited me slightly better, but I could not find one in stock.

Fit and sizing

Salomon footwear has a long-standing reputation for narrow lasts. The X Ultra 5 feels more accommodating than older examples I have worn, especially through the forefoot. The heel is still snug and very secure, while the front of the boot comes closer to an average fit. The toe box has no huge fan-shaped spread, but it does not force the toes into an aggressive taper either.

Sizing up by half a size worked. My heel stayed locked during climbs and side slopes, and my toes had enough room to avoid the front of the boot on descents. The standard-width model remained close around my broadest point. I could wear it comfortably, although I would try the dedicated wide fit before buying another pair.

The traditional laces are simple and effective. Tension is easy to vary between the forefoot and ankle, and a damaged lace is easy to replace. The padded tongue can bunch when cinched hard. The thin factory insoles came out after the first hike because they offered little structure under my arches. Superfeet improved both support and fit.

Cushioning and long-distance comfort

Cushioning sits in the middle of the spectrum. There is enough foam to take the harsh edge off hard trail, without the deep compression of a Hoka-style boot. Ground feel remains clear and the platform stays steady on angled rocks. Once the insoles were replaced, I had no recurring pressure point or heel rub and very little break-in was required.

The toe bumper and reinforced upper deflected roots and loose stones well. A heavier leather boot gives more isolation from scree and repeated sharp impacts, but the protection-to-weight balance here is excellent.

Support and stability

The mid-height label can create expectations the collar does not meet. Its padding is soft and the cuff flexes easily. Hikers who need firm external bracing should look for a stiffer boot. Salomon's Advanced Chassis does the stabilising work lower down, resisting lateral collapse on tilted rock and rutted paths while allowing a smooth forward stride.

The chassis never felt like a hard plate under the arch. You notice it through the boot's behaviour rather than as plastic pressing against the foot. And the close heel hold keeps the foot and chassis moving together.

Contagrip traction across mixed terrain

On dry maintained trail, the X Ultra 5 feels fast and secure. The lugs find purchase without making the sole clumsy on hard ground. Mud and small stones clear reasonably quickly, although bottomless slop is beyond the pattern's comfort zone.

Wet rock performance surprised me in the right direction. The compound held on slick boulders and damp roots where hard rubber can skate. Loose gravel and short scree sections were manageable, helped by the low weight and chassis. I would choose a heavier boot for long stretches of deep scree.

Steep descents are a major strength. A pronounced heel brake digs into loose trail before the foot slides too far, while the forefoot remains flexible enough for secure climbs.

Waterproofing and summer heat

I have had disappointing experiences with Gore-Tex footwear before, so the membrane badge did not earn automatic confidence. This pair handled shallow streams, wet grass, puddles and sustained rain without allowing water through. No leak appeared around the flex point or the seam that later began to split.

Waterproofing brings a clear comfort penalty. The tightly woven upper and membrane retain heat, and my feet became clammy in humid weather and midsummer temperatures. Breathability is below average even by hiking-boot standards. Thin socks helped, but they could not create airflow through a sealed upper.

The synthetic exterior dries quickly after rain. Water entering over the collar creates a different problem because the lining and padding take a long time to dry. I would choose the Gore-Tex version for cool, wet shoulder seasons and frequent shallow crossings. In hot or humid weather, the non-waterproof model deserves consideration.

Durability after 900 km

The outsole wore at a normal rate. Lug edges had rounded and high-contact areas were visibly used, but the tread remained functional. The toe bumper, chassis and main upper also shrugged off rocks, roots and dense vegetation.

Near the end of the thre-month test, one seam close to the toe box began to split. The opening was small and never let water into the boot. It still matters. Ninety days is a short period for a £150 hiking boot to show construction damage, even when those days include 900 km of hard use.

The split did not grow dramatically or leak before the test ended. I would still repair and monitor it before another extended trip.

Weight and value

Salomon lists one boot at 16 oz, putting a pair at about 2 lb in the stated size. That is light for a waterproof mid with a substantial toe bumper and chassis. The lack of swinging weight is obvious on long climbs and during quick steps. They feel athletic in a way most supportive mids do not.

At £150, the performance is competitive. Grip, waterproofing and support all worked, but the poor insole added the cost of an aftermarket replacement and the split seam leaves longevity uncertain. High-mileage buyers should inspect the stitching carefully and check the warranty available in their market.

Who should buy them

The X Ultra 5 Mid GTX suits fast hikers who want more protection and lateral control than a trail shoe, without accepting the mass of a traditional boot. It works especially well on mixed trails with rock, roots, hard ground and short muddy sections. The outsole and heel brake make it a strong choice for rolling or steep terrain.

Standard-width feet should find this generation easier to wear than Salomon's narrow reputation suggests. Broad feet should try the wide version, and everyone should check downhill toe clearance. The half-size increase was right for me.

Hot-weather hikers, people who need firm ankle immobilisation and those spending whole days in deep mud or scree have better options. After 900 km, though, the weight-to-performance ratio remains my biggest reason to recommend it. The heat is tiring and the seam split prevents a clean sweep, but this is still an excellent boot for quick three-season hiking in mixed, often wet conditions.

Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX specifications

Scoring breakdown

Editorial disclosure: Adam bought these Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX boots with his own money for £150. Gear Reviews received no payment, free product or editorial approval from Salomon. Product imagery supplied by Salomon.