Salomon X-Ultra Mid 4 GTX Review: The Best Lightweight Hiking Boots For Men 

Thumbs up for mentioning the weight in grams!

Very thoughtful and thorough review, thank you.

I bought a pair of these Salomon's x ultra 4 and the stitching started coming apart after 5 months then it started coming apart even more and developed a tear , Salomon refused to honour it's two year warranty and so after buying several pairs of Salomon previously I made a determination never to buy anything from Salomon ever again. I've just bought the la Sportiva Tx 5 to replace my Salomon x ultra and it's way better than the Salomon. Needless to say I've been extremely disappointed by Salomon customer services Mlungisi Mazibuko from Salomon customer services in KwaZulu-Natal , south Africa.

"don't expect brand new boots" thank you for this! so many reviews of these boots where they've barely put work in them

11:00 If I tie the laces this way, they constantly untied. Only double knotting works.

just got mine- only went in one walk for them but heres what i think as far as fitting. They fit a bit narrow- kinda wish i got the wider version, but its not to terrible, just kinda snug around the mid foot which im sure will stretch a but and end up fitting perfectly. They fit true to size- BUT because of the narrowness, i wish i went 1/2 size up (Or just get the wide version at my normal size)

Don't really get the narrow toe box argument. Seems to me, if you have a nice snug fit through the midfoot, that will provide all the stability necessary (my experience with Topo Terraventures supports this opinion). Solomon, if you see this, make a wide toe box (or at least don't pinch the boot in on the big toe side), and I'll switch back to Solomons and may never leave. The boots are that good (besides the toe box). They are so good, I chose them over an early version of Altra LonePeaks for my through hike of the Sierra in 2018. Even though I had to leuko tape the big toe side of my feet for the entire trip.

Over time, I have found that my foot has flattened so the wide version of this boot seems to be working for me. Also, I am hoping the light weight of the Ultra 4 X will make them suitable for biking.

I bought these 2 days ago from Cabelas. Wore them all day at home, did 1 mile on the Treadmill to help break them in . I wanted to get these because some Navy SEALs are wearing them. Laces kept coming untied, ordered a Cam Lock lace System to solve that problem. Put them back on to go out to dinner, in the process of tying them up , Top Eyehook flew out and hit the ceiling. Expensive boot that can’t handle even being inside boots. I have had Keens , Merrel and Vasque before. I will be going back to my Side Zip Reeboks . Not even 24 hours old. Steer away from these shoes.

Thank you for the great review! What is your recommendation for a more breathable (non goretex) alternative for this shoe? I want the ankle support of a boot, but I only go hiking when nice and sunny outside, so I would much prefer something that is more breathable :)

I've got a pair. Over the years I've come round to the view that everywhere you might want to use these, you really want to be wearing shoes. Wearing shoes routinely keeps your ankles strong which reduces damage to your knees. Lightweight gaiters (like the "Dirty Girl" style) keep debris out of your shoes better than a mid height ankle. And you don't want the waterproofing; that just means the boots take longer to dry. Waterproofing makes sense with full height boots or winter boots, although waterproof socks are often a better choice. A wide toe box allows your toes to do more of the work, strengthening them and the muscles in your foot. When you first switch to a wide toe box, your toes and forefoot will get tired, because they're not used to helping you walk. Wear strong boots (not these) occasionally, when going off-trail or into very rocky or uneven terrain, in places where injury creates a serious problem. For most hiking, shoes are better for maintaining your long run foot and joint health.

How do you compare these to the Altras Lone Peak all weather? I currently have the Altras Lone Peak 4.0, and I like them for the most part, but looking at the new versions reviews, I'm not 100% convinced. I have feet problems, and the arch pain you are describing scares me.

after killing my Quest prime Salomon mid boots after a year of using them mostly in the woods mud leaves through thorns and dry branches, it was heat time and I realized I needed a lighter version. at that time the x ultra 4 just came out. The marketing for those shoes was anything but true. They praised the model so much in the presentation that one thought he was buying a spaceship. OK, I naively fall for an advertisement and pay 180 EUR for a new model x ultra 4 low version, and leaving the store I ask myself: crazy! did you really just spend a lot of money on such small shoes? I answer to myself: I guess it's worth that much when they cost that much. everything is nice all over the legs, it feels good, they are very light, it really feels like you are wearing sports sneakers. regardless of the gore-tex technology I saw the problem in the dust. it very easily penetrated the shoe and soiled the inside along with the sock. What I later realized was my mistake, for my activity in the forest, I really lacked ankle protection. I thought I would be able to do everything even with a low version. disappointed in myself, I instantly decided not to use them in the woods solely for that reason. I replaced sports sneakers with them and used them every day in the city, on walks, everywhere. after three months of use I wanted to shoot myself in the head. I noticed that they broke on the inside in the area of ​​the toes where the shoe bends. an extra two months of use the x ultra 4 was ready for the bin. here's another proof of how much we shouldn't blindly trusting advertisements, rather than relying on the advice of people who have tried some of these hiking shoes and start believing people who claim that Salomon is broken and overpriced. A little later I bought another Quest 4D for the winter and I was completely satisfied with them, but only for a year. after a year, it is noticed that the chassis has weakened and everything is a bit wobbly, and the safety of the feet is not like when the shoe is still new. in my opinion, for that price, they should provide everything necessary for at least three years. I think it was my last salomon model and I'm probably switching to salewa, Kayland, La sportiva, Lowa or some brand in that range. P.S. Salomon made one big mistake by not incorporating the blue jelly layer above the treads that provided the extra walking comfort that the user really enjoyed. the difference is really felt.

do you recommend these for a 6 day trekking in Huayhuash mountains in Peru? I am looking for the best option, we are not going to peak, just a 6 day hiking over there

Hi, im thinking to buy that shoe, but mostly for autum and winter conditions, how they act on the cold temp, are they worm? Thanks

Solomons to me, always seem to have a narrow toe box. Very painful. I've tried to get a wide. Can never find them.

hi, i want to buy this shoe. Do you recommend it for the Mont Blanc tour? can this shoe support the weight of a backpack about 10kg? Thank you very much.

Is it worth getting the quest instead

How does this compare to the oboz sawtooth x?

Where can we find a hiking shoe with enough wide toebox?

Having owned a pair for a few years I would not buy these if you are looking for a boot. These really are high top shoes. They offer vertically no protection from rocks and on really long wet walks they become waterlogged. The sole on mine also have worn quickly.

I don't think you need thick cushioning in the upper because that inhibits breathability and if you want more cushioning in the upper - just wear thicker socks.

I'm thinking mountain biking shoe....what say you?

I bought the model today, Lunar Rock/Magnet/Butterscotch. I will try them with frotte sox for be sure of shoes matching. I saw one review witch saying those boots are not waterproof for real. How is comfort with front of feet? Is outsole and innersole enuff tick/fat for walk for hours? My hike environment are: sandy and rocky beach, forest, gravel and soil (with roots and stones often) paths. All year-round. I get intresst to buy new hike boots becouse of big disappointment that gave me Jack Wolfskin Woodland Texapore Mid M. If I will not save those Salomon shoes I will buy Keen Ridge Flex Mid Waterproof .

Thank you for sharing,I got a question ,how long can a gtx hiking shoe stay dry in a heavy raining? Such as this ultra 4mid.And how to wear while we hiking when the heavy raining coming.

Wide feet guy here - found the toebox extremely narrow and painful after a few miles. Protection and stability were nice for a lightweight boot, but much prefer the Altra Lone Peak, even though the sole on these is a little too flexible for my liking... still haven't found the perfect hiker... any tips or hints anyone? Cheers and keep up the good work!

How would you say these compare to the Hoka Sky Kaha 2's? Which is more lightweight on the feet while hiking but also gives support in all terrain?

A lot of the "lack of protection" is because to keep it lightweight like you said but it is protected where you need it. I've done 5+ miles hikes in rocky terrain without any pain to my feet. Maybe you really should've tested the wide version and not complain the toe box isn't wide enough when you have wide feet trying on the normal fit. For stability you say you like the boot being flexible but also complain it doesn't offer stability, I tied it all the way up and never had any problem with any area being supported, including ankle area. I think it's made to move around with your feet while still supporting it thus it being a flexible boot. Gore-tex will make your foot hot but it's not unbearable. For what it's designed to be, which is a lightweight flexible waterproof boot, it covers most the departments pretty well. Is it perfect? No but I give these boots 85-90 out of 100. And they were comfortable right out the box too. The one thing I do agree is on is the Advanced Chassis which kind of grip your feet too much? Maybe they can make that adjustable 🤷🏾‍♂️

Ive had these for a while, and i find at around the 3-6 mile mark of even a flat hike, my feet KILL! Is it just me ? Ive mever had such foot pain like im slamming down too hard on the bottom of my feet in these.

What happens if the laces of the shoes are cut? Can these be bought somewhere or does salomon fix it for free? By the way salomon cross hike 2... is it ortholite? What do you think about that shoe?

For a top pick boot, you don’t seem to really like them much. More complaints then praises

I've got these. Very good boot for all conditions up to a grade 1 scramble. More than good enough for enthusiastic amateurs. It didn't need a 15 minute review to say that though.....

What would a super stiff boot be good for ?

Why has Salomon removed quicklace from all its MID models? It is at MID that quicklace is needed the most. I have a pair of low model X Ultra 4 gtx that are equipped with quicklace and I hardly ever use it. I just "jump into the shoes" without tying the knot. But if I'm going to have a MID model then I want to tie and then it's quicklace that applies. I have a pair of old Salomon gtx MID with quicklace, worked perfectly all these years and now want to buy new worthy replacements! Why has Salomon removed quicklace from all its MID models? Anyone who knows???

the 4's are terrible don't buy them! Salomon experimented and took too much weight out of the sole and the boot in general to make this footbed non cushion plastic feel when you walk or hike. When you take a perfectly great boot in the 3's and try to make improvements into it, this is what happens. I tell you yes, you feel like you're wearing nothing on your foot with the 4's and that's just it you are wearing practically nothing. but when you take more and more off the weight this is what you get. One other thing was the footbed on mine were slanted inward so that your heal strike was more on the inside of your heal supporting more on the outside edges. Didn't like that at all. the other thing that bothered me was that the sole was too thin feeling like it was a clacking feeling when you took steps. the Ball of your feet should be protected more.....Like the 3's they have great protection in the heal all the way to your toes. Don't know why in the world the would take a great everyday boot and through it away in the trash. I have found a few pairs to fit me so Glad I'm good but I'm warning you.

size 13 gorilla

Well, I won’t be crossing any telesis soon

Переведи твой плет, непонятен!.

what's the best boot overall in your opinion? I used to have the X Ultra 2 and 3 and I do not like these X ultra 4. Now I'm having a hard time finding a boot I like.