Salomon X Ultra 5 GORE-TEX Review

Overview

The X Ultra 5 GORE-TEX is Salomon’s fifth swing at its best-selling do-it-all hiking shoe, and it’s built for hikers who want the low weight and agility of a trail runner without giving up the stability and foot protection of a boot. It’s aimed at day hikers and light backpackers who move fast over mixed terrain — think scree, wet rock, and rooty singletrack — and want a shoe that stays connected to the ground rather than a marshmallow-soft cruiser.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	380 g (13.4 oz) per shoe, roughly 1 lb 10.8 oz per pair
Heel-to-toe drop	11 mm
Stack height	33 mm heel / 22 mm toe
Upper	Matryx textile reinforced with Kevlar yarn
Waterproofing	GORE-TEX PFC-free membrane
Outsole	All Terrain Contagrip rubber
Midsole	EnergyCell EVA foam
Lacing	Quicklace
Sizing	Men’s US 7–14 (Regular and Wide); Women’s US 5–11
MSRP	$170

Performance

Traction and stability. This is where the X Ultra 5 earns its reputation. Testers running it through Alaska’s Chugach Range and the Grand Canyon reported that the shoe proved trustworthy over all kinds of terrain, from sticky, clay-like mud to wet boulders, slippery logs, and loose scree. Another reviewer described how the shoe truly earned my trust from the first crunch of loose gravel underfoot, giving a planted, stable feel that turned sketchy ledges and loose descents into confident strides. Salomon’s in-house All-Terrain Contragrip outsole is a big part of that, and the updated ADV-C Chassis improves lateral stability and midfoot support without adding weight or stiffness.

Cushioning and ride feel. Don’t expect a plush ride. Multiple reviewers noted the midsole is on the firm side compared to trail-runner-style hikers. One tester put it plainly: the shoe is thinner and firmer than trail runner-inspired designs, such as Merrell’s Moab Speed or Hoka’s Anacapa series, which offer softer landings and superior shock absorption. That trade-off isn’t necessarily bad — the same reviewer found the stiffer, lower-slung design provides a closer connection to the ground and excellent trail isolation — but if you’re coming from a maximalist cushioned shoe, expect an adjustment period. Switchback Travel’s tester was more critical here, finding the underfoot cushion lacking for long days on tough trails.

Fit and break-in. Fit seems to be the most divisive aspect. Treeline Review found them comfortable right out of the box with almost no break-in, and Better Trail’s reviewer had no hot spots or foot fatigue even after full days on the trail once broken in — though they admitted the reinforced upper material also felt fairly rigid out of the box. On the flip side, Switchback Travel flagged fit as a weak point, noting the fit tricky to nail down, and Better Trail specifically called out a relatively narrow toe box. If you have wide feet, try before you buy — or grab the Wide width Salomon offers for men’s sizing.

Waterproofing and breathability. The GORE-TEX PFC-free membrane does its job. One reviewer measured about 5 inches of flood height, and during a 10-minute submersion test the shoe remained completely dry with no signs of water leakage. The upgraded Matryx upper is also credited with keeping things breathable — enhancing breathability and keeping airflow unrestricted despite the addition of a GTX membrane. On the flip side, waterproof membranes always mean slower drying if water gets in over the collar; one tester found it took about 10% longer to dry after submerging them in water vs the Merrell Moab 3.

Durability. This is a strong point across the board. Reviewers praised the very durable feel, from the beefy toe cap to the hardwearing outsole, with Kevlar reinforcements to boost abrasion resistance in wear-prone areas. After a week-plus of hard use, one tester’s pair was holding up flawlessly with no scuffs, scrapes, or damage to any part of either shoe. The one recurring nitpick is the Quicklace system — functional, but reviewers worry about long-term reliability. Switchback Travel noted the Quicklace’s flimsy feel, with thin laces and a plastic ratcheting system that seems susceptible to breakage or failure over time, though they added they’ve never had to repair or replace Quicklaces despite years of testing Salomon shoes. GearJunkie’s tester similarly said the system divides opinions, but found it fast, even, and reliable, tucking away neatly for a sleek profile — while flagging that there’s no backup if it fails.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Excellent traction and stability on loose, wet, and technical terrain
• Genuinely durable build — reinforced toe cap, Kevlar-backed upper, tough Contagrip outsole
• GORE-TEX membrane is fully waterproof in real submersion testing
• Breathable for a waterproof shoe thanks to the Matryx upper
• Versatile enough for day hikes and light backpacking loads

Cons

• Firmer, thinner midsole than trail-runner-style competitors (Moab Speed, Anacapa) — less forgiving on long days
• Fit runs narrow through the toe box; sizing/fit feedback is mixed across reviewers
• Quicklace system has no backup if it fails, even though failures seem rare in practice
• Slower to dry than non-waterproof or less protected alternatives once water gets inside

Who Should Buy This

The X Ultra 5 GTX makes the most sense for hikers who want one shoe that can handle everything from quick after-work loops to multi-day trips with a loaded pack, and who prioritize ground feel, stability, and durability over maximum cushioning. If you’re logging big mileage on relatively smooth trails and want a plush, trail-runner-like ride, look at something like the Hoka Anacapa or Merrell Moab Speed instead. If your trails involve scree, wet rock, mud, and unpredictable footing, the X Ultra 5’s firmer, more connected ride is an asset rather than a drawback.

Verdict

The X Ultra 5 GTX delivers on Salomon’s core promise: a tough, trustworthy, all-terrain hiking shoe that punches above its weight class on technical ground. It’s not the plushest option at $170, and the narrow toe box and no-backup laces are worth trying before you buy, but for stability and durability it’s near the top of its class. I’d rate it an 8/10 — a smart buy for hikers who value control and confidence over cushioned comfort.