Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-Tex walking boot review

The boots were put through their paces by a trainee mountain leader on pavements, tracks and grass. They were used for everything from morning dog walks to full mountain days in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. The boots were tested in both wet and dry conditions. Testing took place over a month and this review will be updated over the coming months, including autumn and winter use.

• Comfort and fit
• Support and protection
• Waterproofing and breathability
• Grip
• Durability

The X Ultra 4 boot is comfortable straight out of the box and is as light as a feather to wear. The feel is similar to a pair of running shoes but with the benefit of ankle support and a little more rigidity around the foot. We built up from half hour walks to hour walks and then full day mountain walks within a week and suffered no blisters or rubs. We found you could walk for hours in these boots and not be desperate to take them off on your return.

The boots have a regular lacing system with wing-like side straps to help create a snug fit around the ankle. It feels almost too easy as they lace up with a single pull. However, we didn’t need to readjust the boots during walks and our feet were held securely even during steep descents. We did, however, find that the soft tab gaped a little around the ankle and occasionally some debris got in.

Despite its low weight, the X Ultra 4 is surprisingly protective. It won’t give you the same rigidity as a traditional, heavier boot but many walkers find those boots too restrictive. Toe bumpers and heel cushioning give added protection and the mid-cut style gives you ankle support but still allows freedom of movement.

There is less padding in the mid-sole than many boots and the soles are thinner. This could be an issue on technical, rocky terrain, and with such a flexible sole we wouldn’t be happy taking them scrambling in the wet. However, for most terrain, it can be a benefit feeling what is underfoot.

The X Ultra 4 uses a Gore-Tex liner as its waterproof and breathable membrane. We walked through wet grass, stood in small streams and hiked in wet weather and, so far, these boots have not let us down.

The waterproof lining does make these boots run warmer than boots without a membrane. It is a trade-off, but in the UK we would never buy a pair of boots without some form of waterproofing due to our changeable weather. We found them more breathable than heavier boots but in the hottest weather, our feet did start to sweat.

These boots boast Salomon’s All Terrain Contagrip sole (a rubber compound), which Salomon says will grab the terrain even when it’s wet and slippery. We found them great in the wet and dry on the flat and on steep mountains. Yes, they slip on flat wet rocks but every boot we’ve tried does. The chevron lug pattern was also great at gripping wet grass and mud. A stiffer boot would be better in snow but this is marketed as a three-season boot. In all, we felt confident in even the wettest weather.

After a month of almost constant use, the boots are still looking good, with no sign of premature wear. They are light and often longevity is the pay-off. Some reviews on the Salomon website suggest these boots can lose their water resistance quickly but, so far, we haven’t had an issue. We will be updating this review and our advice is to buy from a reputable retailer with a good returns policy – just in case.

Most lightweight boots tend to last a couple of years (depending upon use) before the soles wear and the uppers start to go and that is what we would hope for from these.

The Salomon Ultra X 4 is a cracking boot. It’s featherlight, comfortable, supportive waterproof and grippy. Unless you are tackling very technical mountain terrain or want a four-season boot for snow, then these could be all you need.