SALOMON Men's X Ultra 3 Mid Gore-tex Hiking Boots

Product Information

The Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX weighs in at 13.4oz (380g) in US Men's 10. This is pretty average for hiking shoes, but much lighter than boots. A comfortable, controlled midsole What’s really amazing is that we’ve been through snow and sun, various altitudes, terrains, and temps including: For especially technical terrain or carrying a heavy load, we’d recommend stepping up to a taller, sturdier, more protective boot like Salomon’s own Quest 4D 3 GTX. There’s a reason most trail shoe and boot companies offer a gore-tex version and a base model. It’s not for everyone.As I said, I live in Scotland and the rain is just something we live with. In a few situations, I love a pair of Gore-Tex running or hiking shoes.

Waterproof boots and shoes need more time to dry in comparison to non-waterproof designs. These hiking boots are no exception. When wet, they lose much of their breathability and become increasingly uncomfortable. The good news is that they dry a bit faster than other models with Gore-Tex. The bad news is that you’ll need to allow them to air dry. It takes longer but it is the right way to dry a pair of hiking shoes especially if you’d like to keep them in good condition. Additionally, it’s very handy having a newspaper as you can stuff it inside the boots. Not many people have a newspaper on the trail but …One of the most valuable features of these boots is the Contagrip TD outsole as it combines a deep, aggressive lug pattern with a durable compound for maximum grip and traction on mixed terrain

Stand on the A4 paper with your heel pressed firmly against the wall and your foot pointed forward with the edge of your big toe aligned with the edge of the paper. Attractive style and design, visually appealing unlike competitors such as the Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX or KEEN Targhee III Mid Waterproof for example. If you can see this amount of space then you are pretty much on the way to making sure that your boots are the correct size. This space between your toes and the end of the footbed ensures that you will not stub your toes on the inside of the boot when you descend. This can be excruciatingly painful. If you can’t see this amount of space then it’s a good bet that the boots will be too small.Waterproof breathable Gore-Tex membrane inside is intended to keep the feet of the wearer dry from the outside and from the inside Extremely comfortable and reliable boots, they hold up well on a combination of surfaces in various conditions. Reliable for technical, wet, and muddy hikes they provide great traction on slippery surfaces. Can also be used as everyday wear year-round. No or short break-in time depending on travel distances, trail conditions, the experience of the user, etc. And yet, we recommend that you begin with shorter trips so that your feet could get used to the boots. The Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX has a fantastic midsole, made of dual-density material. One softer foam and harder plastic.

The only slight issue is when you walk under the sun and the temps are higher than 30°C (86°F). Waterproof membranes are known to cut breathability and cause feet to sweat more but we haven’t noticed anything like this. The breathability is decent and the feet stay dry and cool. The main problem is related to the cushioning around the ankle and tongue as it could make your feet feel really hot on scorching summer days. But it isn’t hard to guess that this footwear is not for such kind of weather unless going through forests or mountains where there’s plenty of shade.Top-notch build quality: The X Ultra 3 Mid is showing very little wear after well over a year of consistent use. Most of the tech lies in the construction of the boot, however, there are some more features worth mentioning. You'll notice sections of fabric connect the laces to the base of the shoe; Salomon call this their SensiFit. When you tighten the laces, tension is pulled up from the base of the boot, creating a secure, snug and customisable fit throughout. Another small but useful feature is a gusseted tongue which reduces debris ingress. These boots have endured over a dozen mountain hikes, and remarkably, their soles are still like new. This doesn’t happen often. Still, tread life is hard to predict but if you want to prolong its lifespan, avoid pavement. While these boots are undeniably comfortable for city strolls, they are specifically designed for hiking. The soles and lugs are optimized for technical ascents, descents, and general trail usage, rather than pavement. Mud, gravel or loose dirt – the lug pattern is engineered to keep you stable on mixed terrain (early spring; 650-700 m a.s.l.) Weight and versatility I will say, 48 lugs is a pretty large amount of lugs, with mud likely to get caked in between in particularly bad conditions.

Walking in temps above 30°C (86°F) can be a bit uncomfortable mainly because of the waterproof-breathable membrane. Note that we’ve tested these in temps around 35°C (95°F) and there was no problem whatsoever. Still, most people (including ourselves) find that a pair of trail runners or sandals is a much better option for the summer heat than hiking boots. Another good option is the non-waterproof model called Salomon X Ultra 3 Aero. You want something similar in performance yet with the regular lacing - then have a look at the Merrell Moab 3 GTX.

This test will tell you if the shape of the internal heel cup matches your heel to ensure it holds you securely, especially when ascending steep ground. We are trying to eliminate the dreaded heel blister. The weight of the shoes is an important factor to consider as it has a noticeable impact on comfort. The weight of 1039 g (2 lbs 4.7 oz) for a pair of US 12 EE (EUR 46 2/3 or UK 11.5) means that they are not super lightweight like the Speedcross 6, but they’re still lighter than most of the other major models (cause of the lightweight synthetic materials). Remarkably, the guys from Salomon have achieved this without sacrificing quality, durability, performance, protection or cushioning. The lighter weight is great for comfort, with the added bonus of helping to conserve energy and reducing foot fatigue.