Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-Tex - Women's Review

The X Ultra 4 is a versatile and well-constructed boot that works great in a variety of hiking environments and caters more to a wider foot shape. This is a refined version of the previous model with an updated synthetic upper and a stable and supportive midsole, within a significantly lighter design. Though these boots offer a comfortable fit for our testing team (who have both wide and narrow feet), we recommend trying the X Ultra 4 on before purchase or considering the addition of an after-market insole to customize the fit.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

These boots are not bad for long days with the added weight of a backpack and they are among our top choices for short day hikes through technical terrain. The X Ultra 4 is not as bulky and substantial as many of the more traditional boots we tested and not as futuristic as some of the more modern, highly cushioned options. Instead, they land right in the middle, providing comfort where it's needed without any excess. This update features a less bulky ankle design than the previous version without losing any of the plush padding surrounding the cuff. The ankle padding, wide toe box, and highly adjustable lacing system make these boots comfortable with a fit that is easy to fine-tune. Additionally, the padded tongue adds a lot of comfort to the top of the foot, while the heel is protected and supported with reinforced materials.

Like the previous versions we tested, the boots still seem to run a little bit big, so there's no need to size them up. They also have a wide toe box and flexible upper, which accommodates a variety of foot shapes and allows for a relatively quick break-in period. That said, if you have a narrow foot and high arch, the sizing and wide toe box can create the potential for more movement in the inner boot, adding enough friction to lead to blisters and hot spots (read our article How to Heal a Blister and other Foot Care Essentials ). Our testing team recommends trying this boot on before purchasing to ensure the fit is appropriate. Additionally, purchasing an after-market insole can aid in customizing the fit and taking up some extra room in that spacious toe box. Ultimately, our team decided that these boots do a great job when carrying the weight of a backpack and provide ample comfort for various foot shapes.

Support

The X Ultra 4 comes with an updated chassis designed to reduce weight while still providing the stability and support that these boots are known for. We were impressed when testing lateral support; these boots hardly bent at all when twisted by hand. With this boot's lateral support, there's less risk of rolling an ankle, and we appreciate the support without any bulk in the design. Under the forefoot, the X Ultra 4 flexes significantly, but there's still enough of a supportive midsole that this doesn't affect the feeling of the boots on rough terrain. The wide forefoot also provides a stable base.

Similar to the previous iteration of this boot, the lacing system requires a little bit of extra love to cinch it down tightly. Initially, we thought this was due to the extra padding around the ankle, but since the problem exists in the updated model as well as the previous one, we think this is due to the thick laces that come with these boots. It is more difficult to get them as tight as some of the other boots with thinner laces. We recommend wrapping the laces twice around the metal hook on the ankle cuff, which will help to cinch the laces down and offer more ankle support, especially when carrying a heavy pack.

Traction

While many boots can provide comfort and support, it isn't easy to find a pair that does this while maintaining solid performance within a high-traction outsole. The X Ultra 4 does an excellent job as they are supportive while also toting a sticky and impressive outsole. The aggressive tread pattern grips into scree, mud, and loose terrain with ease, while the ContaGrip rubber compound maintains traction on slabs and talus.

These were some of the stand-out outsoles during our testing period. The chevron-patterned sole allowed us to tackle popular and slick hiking trails at a fast pace due to their top-notch performance and grip strength.

Water Resistance

With more mesh and synthetic materials used in the upper than the previous model, the X Ultra 4 is also more breathable — though we still wouldn't recommend it for hot hikes at low elevation during the heat of summer. The updated version still has a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane that keeps water out, but with less leather on the top of the boot, the X Ultra 4 is more breathable than before. We were impressed that these boots kept our feet completely dry even when fully submerged in water.

Though they aren't the tallest boots in this review in terms of flood height, the X Ultra 4 still provides plenty of protection with a measured flood height of 5.1 inches. This boot lands in the middle of the pack in terms of height, balancing weight and waterproof protection no matter the elements.

Weight

The X Ultra 4 Mid blows the previous iteration out of the water in terms of weight. These boots are significantly lighter than the X Ultra 3 without losing any of the support that has become standard in these classic hikers.

The X Ultra 4 weighs in at 1.72 pounds for a size 8.5 US, which is 3.2 ounces lighter than the previous version. The lightweight, athletic design made our testing team want to pick up the pace.

Durability

While these boots are relatively burly and feature a reinforced rubber toe cap, the X Ultra 4 isn't as durable as other traditional leather hiking boots featured in this review. That being said, all the seams are reinforced, and the outsole is thick, durable, and ready to tackle technical terrain. And, even though these are way lighter (by nearly a pound) than some of the more substantial boots in our review, rest assured that the X Ultra 4 can handle the same rugged trails as their more robust peers.

The durability of these lightweight boots makes them competitive in terms of a weight-to-durability ratio. That said, a boot with an entirely leather upper will inevitably be more durable in the long term than a mesh and synthetic model like the X Ultra.

Should You Buy the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-Tex?

The Salomon X Ultra 4 remains an excellent choice for a modern and versatile hiking boot. Salomon balances comfort and stability with lightweight performance, great traction, and a waterproof synthetic upper. These boots are comfortable and allow for freedom of movement while still providing ankle stability and a solid platform underfoot. The ankle and tongue are well padded, and the Contagrip outsole is grippy on rock and scree. Though our testing team found these boots comfortable for both wide and narrow feet, we recommend trying them on to ensure the fit is appropriate for you.

What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?

There are other Salomon boots in this review that offer great performance; namely the more expensive Quest 4 and also the more affordable Outpulse Mid. However, for a similar style of lightweight hiking boot that scored well over every metric, check out the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX. Or, if you're seeking more comfort, we recommend looking at the Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2 and the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX.