Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid Gore-Tex Review

Overview

The X Ultra 3 Mid GTX is Salomon’s attempt to put a trail runner’s manners inside a hiking boot’s ankle collar. It is a synthetic, Gore-Tex-lined mid-cut that weighs 862 g per pair, needs almost no break-in, and grips well on mixed ground. The trade-off is structure: it is a boot for light loads and maintained trails, not for hauling a week of food over talus. Salomon has discontinued it in favor of the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX, and the line has since moved on to the X Ultra 5, but the Mid 3 remains easy to find at discount.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	862 g per pair (men’s US 9/10 average)
Height	Mid-cut
Waterproofing	Gore-Tex Performance Comfort
Upper	Synthetic and textile with suede-leather accents
Closure	Quicklace with SensiFit wrap
Midsole	Injected EVA with Advanced Chassis
Outsole	Mud Contagrip with Descent Control lugs
Heel-to-toe drop	11 mm
MSRP	$165 (street prices have dipped well below that)
Status	Discontinued, replaced by X Ultra 4 Mid GTX

Performance

Weight and comfort. Reviewers consistently place the X Ultra 3 Mid at the light end of the hiking-boot spectrum. Switchback Travel’s scale read 2 lb 1.5 oz for a men’s size 9 pair, a touch over Salomon’s listed 1 lb 15.7 oz. Outdoor Gear Lab verified 2.28 lb in a men’s size 11, and credits the injected EVA sole and mostly synthetic upper for keeping the weight down. Owners describe a trail-shoe feel from the first mile, with padding and a soft collar that spare most wearers a break-in period. A Mountain Weekly News tester with stubborn arches said the midsole alone provided enough support that no aftermarket insole was needed.

Traction. The Mud Contagrip outsole with Descent Control lugs is the boot’s best feature. Outdoor Adept’s testers found the deep, arrow-shaped lugs claw well on nearly every surface and rate descents as a strength. Outdoor Gear Lab did mark it down on smooth rock, where the soft rubber and flexible sole inspire less confidence when edging.

Support. For its weight, the Advanced Chassis delivers real lateral stability. Outdoor Gear Lab found it kept testers from rolling ankles on rocky, uneven ground. But the same testers measured some of the lowest torsional stability in their boot field and recommended it over stiffer options only for lighter loads on non-technical trails. Switchback Travel reached the same conclusion: step up to a burlier boot for heavy packs or especially rough terrain. One owner, however, reported carrying a pack in the 40-pound range on a six-day Sierra Nevada trip, including Mount Whitney, with no complaints, so ultralight loads sit comfortably inside its range.

Fit and lacing. Reports on the toe box split. Outdoor Gear Lab called it wide and roomy, while Switchback Travel’s tester found it close to average, perhaps slightly narrow, with a moderately narrow heel that locked in well on descents. Wide sizes exist for men and women. The Quicklace system is quick to cinch and has no loose bows to snag on brush, but reviewers point out that a snapped or jammed cord is harder to field-fix than a standard shoelace.

Waterproofing and breathability. Outdoor Adept’s long-term tester calls the Gore-Tex membrane a reliable barrier against creek crossings and downpours, though the same review says breathability feels dated. Outdoor Gear Lab also wanted more airflow. The mid-cut collar is not a gaiter: standing water above the ankle comes in over the top, and a soaked Gore-Tex boot dries slowly. In hot weather, the non-waterproof X Ultra 3 Mid is the better choice.

Durability. Synthetic uppers dry faster than leather but wear faster too. Owners report solid multi-year service in everyday use, and Switchback Travel found durability better than the weight suggests. High-mileage thru-hikers should expect to replace them sooner than a leather boot, and sooner than many trail runners find comfortable.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 862 g per pair is light for a waterproof mid-cut
• Minimal break-in; comfortable, padded fit out of the box
• Excellent grip on varied terrain, with confident downhill traction
• Advanced Chassis adds lateral stability that a trail runner lacks
• Quicklace is fast and snag-free
• Often discounted now that it is discontinued

Cons

• Soft, flexible sole with low torsional stiffness
• Limited breathability; slow to dry once wet
• Less sure-footed on smooth rock when edging
• Not suited to heavy loads or technical terrain
• Quicklace is harder to repair on the trail
• Discontinued, so sizes and availability vary

Who Should Buy This

This boot suits section hikers and lightweight backpackers who carry modest loads on maintained trails and want ankle coverage and waterproofing in cold, wet shoulder-season conditions. It also works for day hikers who find traditional boots stiff and heavy. Thru-hikers in dry regions, anyone carrying a load beyond the ultralight range, and hikers who need stiff soles for off-trail scrambling should look elsewhere: a breathable trail runner or a stiffer boot will do the job better. Buyers who want the current model should compare the X Ultra 4 or X Ultra 5 Mid.

Verdict

The X Ultra 3 Mid GTX does what it was designed to do: put a grippy, protective, waterproof boot on the feet at a weight most boots can’t match. It is a sound pick for light loads in wet conditions, particularly at closeout prices, and a poor one for heavy packs or hot trails.