Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid Gtx Hiking Boots

Water Resistance And Breathability

When a boot has a reliable waterproof breathable membrane theres usually no need to change socks because theyre soaked with water a direct result of wet weather or after walking through mountain streams. Weve never had issues with the Gore-Tex membrane of the Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX boots. They have and water repellent coating to provide extra protection against water and rain.

Waterproof boots and shoes need more time to dry in comparison to non-waterproof designs. These hiking boots are no exception. When wet, they lose much of their breathability and become increasingly uncomfortable. The good news is that they dry a bit faster than other models with Gore-Tex. The bad news is that youll need to allow them to air dry. It takes longer but it is the right way to dry a pair of hiking shoes especially if youd like to keep them in good condition. Additionally, its very handy having a newspaper as you can stuff it inside the boots. Not many people have a newspaper on the trail but

Of course, you will also need some good hiking socks that would work well with your boots .

For when water resistance is not needed we recommend a pair of boots with very similar characteristics and features the aforementioned Salomon X Ultra 3 Aero.

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Joe Plenzler is a Marine Corps veteran who served from 1995 to 2015. He is a backcountry expert, long-distance backpacker, rock climber, kayaker, cyclist, wannabe mountaineer, and the worlds OK-est guitar player. He supports his outdoor addiction by working as a human communication consultant, teaching at the College of Southern Maryland, and helping start-up companies with their public relations and marketing efforts.

Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid Gtx Review

Marketed by Salomon as a bestseller thanks to Descent Control technology, and being a bit of a Salomon fan, I felt the need to investigate for myself, the X Ultra Mid 3 GTX.

There is a lot to like about this shoe and coming from someone who is not wearing the shoe for the odd hike, but for daily work, this comes as high praise. The price is a fair trade for the features you receive.

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Our Analysis And Test Results

The X Ultra Mid 3 GTX offers the comfort of a low-top running shoe while providing the support of a high-top hiking boot. These mid-top boots are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason – hiking gear is becoming lighter and lighter each year, and as hikers shed weight from their favorite backpacking backpack, many find that they no longer need the support of a heavy-duty boot . We enjoyed using these on long-distance hikes such as the Sierra High Route, where weight is important, but performance cannot be sacrificed.

What We Like About The Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid Gore

Ive got to be honest: I loved these boots for their lightweight comfort out of the box. They didnt really require any breaking in and were super comfortable. They provided the right amount of stability and support and I didnt roll my ankles once while wearing them. They provided super traction and push-off on ascents, held up on sidestepping on steep hills, and were pretty cushy on descents. The Ultra 3s also sport a low-key design and I really liked the beefy reinforced toe boxes. The lacing design, with three fabric sleeve eyelets and two-speed hooks, allowed for sufficient adjustment to ensure the boots were snug in the right spots. I recommend them for light to mid loads when hiking or backpacking over non-technical terrain .

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Buyers Guide: How To Choose A Pair Of Hiking Boots

Choosing the optimal hiking boot is an ever-complicated and personal endeavor. We all have unique foot shapes and needs on the trail, so research and testing are often critical in finding boots with that perfect blend of fit and function.

Boots built for durability and stability tend to be less forgiving than most footwear. And because youre often wearing them for hours on end, they require a more precise fit. Here are a few things that can help you find the best boot for your foot.

Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid Gtx

Price: $165Weight: 2 lbs. 1.5 oz. Waterproof: Yes What we like: Impressively light without sacrificing durability or comfort.What we dont: For especially technical terrain or heavy loads, wed step up to a burlier boot.See the Men’s Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid See the Women’s Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid

In the world of hiking boots, Salomons X Ultra 3 Mid GTX is a true standout. Despite its lightweight build, the boot nicely balances comfort, durability, and rock-solid traction. We put the X Ultra 3 through its paces over a full year of testing, including a multi-day backpacking trip into the Grand Canyon and day hiking in Washingtons rugged Enchantments and North Cascades. In short, theres a reason it’s been a longtime favorite and our top-rated hiking boot for multiple years in a row. Below we break down the X Ultra 3 Mids performance. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best hiking boots.

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Stylish Option For Off The Trails

While style may not be as important as function in the outdoor world, there is something to be said about the Ultra 3s. In the right color, these shoes look great and can be paired with your non-hiking clothing. Depending on your profession, you may even like using these full time, though, for longevity, you might want to avoid wearing these every day. On days with severe weather, these shoes can be your go-to option even for the office workers. There are a lot of ugly, uninspiring hiking boots out there. These are not one of those.

Build Quality And Durability

Salomon is a class leader when it comes to quality backpacking footwear, and the X Ultra 3 Mid is no exception. After well over a year of use, the boot is still in great shape and shows very little wear. For comparison, we also took the Vasque Breeze LT Mid into the Grand Canyon, and the boot delaminated along the rand just a couple of days into the trip. The Salomons upper does contain a good amount of stitching, but like the low-top X Ultra 3 that Ive tested , this has never turned out to be a weak point in the design. As I touched on above, the only notable wear has been along the tread, but no lugs have chipped away or worn excessivelysomething weve consistently experienced with other hiking boots while traveling over abrasive granite in Washington state.

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Hiking Boots Vs Hiking Shoes: Which Do I Need

Whether you hike in shoes or boots is a personal preference. Hiking boots give more ankle support, so if youre carrying a heavy load backpacking, theyre a great choice. But many thru-hikers wear hiking shoes for big adventures, like the Appalachian Trail.

Structure underfoot matters as much as how high the boot is. Choose a boot or shoe that feels good to wear and gives you confidence when youre hiking.

Are The Salomon X Ultra 3 Waterproof

Yes. They are waterproof.

The Salomon X Ultra 3 are designed to be a waterproof boot. I was specifically looking for a good waterproof pair that were not full leather boots.

Constructed from a lightweight and water resistant textile, softshell and PU coated leather upper, all built around a GORE-TEX® Performance Comfort bootie liner, they provide a fully waterproof and breathable barrier for your feet.

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During my research various reviews on various retailers websites complained of them not being waterproof. This did worry me, but I noticed that many people had had them a year or so and I did wonder if they had bothered to re-proof them. Walking boots do need to be re-proofed after a period of time, they do not stay waterproof indefinitely.

On my trip in February the waterproofing was certainly put to the test. We encountered many days were we ended up hiking in the rain. Early on, hiking in the Valley of Rocks we got caught in a torrential downpour. I can confirm my feet remained dry throughout with my Salomon X Ultra 3s on.

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Toe And Ankle Protection

As I touched on above, the Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid rides rather low for a backpacking boot, but it still provides decent ankle protection. The cushioning helps a lot hereits thick enough to withstand direct hits around the ankle and heel. And for the weight, the toe coverage is impressively substantial: Protective rubber covers most of the front of the foot, which has easily fended off hard impacts with sharp rocks . Those spending significant time off trail might want a little more height and protectionthe upper is fairly thin outside of the toe and ankle areasbut it has been ample for my uses thus far.

Who Are These Hikings Boots For

The Salomon X Ultra 3s are highly favored because they combine good traction, stability, flexibility and are lightweight. They are also some of the most comfortable shoes on the market and feel ready to go out-of-the-box. No lengthy breaking in period required.

While they are a great all-around hiking boot, you may want to consider what kind of hikes youll go on before getting these shoes. As much as I love the Ultra 3s, there are certain factors which make me want to leave them home. After experiencing these shoes in different environments and conditions, here are some thoughts.

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Why You Should Trust Us

The GearJunkie team has tested hundreds of pairs of hiking boots. Weve hiked along gradual city park paths and backpacked through rugged alpine terrain on our search for the best hiking footwear on the market. The recommended boots on this list are the result of our thorough and never-ending field testing.

Some of our testers have used the boots on this list across all four seasons for many years running. When we assess a boot for its durability, we wear it regularly and keep a close eye on long-term performance.

When we test a boot for support and stability, we trudge through rough terrain and pay extra attention to ground feel and roll resistance. Our waterproofing testing involves exposure to puddles, precipitation, and other elements that youre likely to encounter on the trail.

Our recommendations are not fixed in time. As new hiking boots hit the market, well be waiting to put them to the test. If theyre exceptional, well be sure to add them to this list of the best hiking boots on the market.

X Ultra 3 Mid Gtx Hiking Boot

Whether they’re stout hiking boots or lightweight trail runners, Salomon’s hikers always have a design focused on moving fast through the mountains, and the X Ultra 3 Hiking Boots are no exception. They’re supportive and lightweight, with breathable uppers to keep you moving on the trail, even with a heavy pack. Salomon backed the X Ultra with a Gore-Tex Performance Comfort membrane for reliable waterproofing and amplified breathability for hikers who really like to move through wet weather in search of sunnier skies.

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Other Versions Of The Salomon X Ultra 3

We brought the X Ultra 3 Mid GTX along for testing in the Grand Canyon, but Salomon also makes the X Ultra in a number of other variations. If you dont need the ankle-height protection of the Mid, you can save $15 and 5 ounces per pair with the low-top X Ultra 3 GTX . And for those who prioritize breathability over waterproofing, Salomon also sells Aero versions of both the mid and low X Ultras , both of which forego the Gore-Tex liner and have more mesh-heavy uppers to allow for better venting. All of the aforementioned designs are available in womens versions for the same price .

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Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid Gtx Hiking Boots

Wet conditions, tough descents and long hikes are no problem for the men’s Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX hiking boots. They provide the cushioning and flexibility needed for comfy, stable steps.

• Gore-Tex® waterproof bootie liners let your feet breathe while protecting them from the elements
• Sculpted to hold your feet in place and prevent slippage for more stable descents
• Advanced chassis are surrounded by foam cushioning for comfort and connect directly to the soles to stabilize your heels
• Soft textile linings wick moisture away from feet
• Mid-cut profile adds ankle support and protection, providing all-day comfort on the trail
• Tongue gussets block debris from getting inside
• Injection-molded EVA midsoles provide excellent cushioning underfoot
• Ortholite sockliners combine a specific Ortholite foam and contoured EVA heel cups for enhanced heel support
• Mud guards and integrated rubber toe caps provide durable protection from roots and rocks
• Unique outsole pattern with combination of 2 types of rubber helps you grip terrain more aggressively
• Specifically placed lines on the outsoles increase the shoes’ flexibility, helping decrease foot fatigue

Imported.

First Impressions Of The Salomon X Ultra 3

For a womens hiking boot I thought they actually looked quite nice. The colour I chose was the blue but they also look nice in black. There are an abundance of hiking boots in garish colour combinations out there and I was pleased these boots came in normal colours.

Initially I ordered the UK size 6 but these were too small. I re-ordered a whole size up in a UK 7. Im normally a UK 6-7 depending on the brand. Id suggest if you are between sizes choosing the larger one.

Having had my original hiking boots for 10+ years these Salomon X Ultra 3 boots did feel quite narrow when I first tried them on. I can only assume it is where my other pair have been stretched out over the years.

Overall they looked very smart and I was looking forward to testing them out.

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Construction Durability And Protection

The boots are well made. The construction is superb, designed to excel in various conditions and environments the materials are of high quality and have proved durable to survive strenuous hikes and rugged terrain for nearly 1.5 years. Weve had no durability issues so far which doesnt mean that there wont be any in the near future. However, the X Ultra 3 Mid GTX have all the components for long-term durability.

The protection these boots offer needs mentioning. The rubber toe cap is rugged enough to protect the toes of the wearer from twigs, branches, and roots without risking the toes getting smashed. The gusseted tongue with padding inside adds another layer of protection. It keeps all kinds of unwanted objects out of your footwear. Pebbles, sand, dirt the integrated tongue blocks all kinds of debris from getting inside.

How We Tested The Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid Gore

I wore this boot frequently over the past two months on multi-hour training hikes while carrying a 45-pound backpack. Since I live in the Chesapeake area, I did a lot of repeats on large hills in the area to get a lot of vertical training in and this meant dozens of laps up and down per training session.

Fit, comfort, and support. From the moment I sunk my feet into the Ultra 3s, I loved them. The boots fit true to size and my feet felt like they locked into place atop the cushioned footbed. Salomon uses a SensiFit system within the Ultra 3s that cradles the foot from the midsole to the lacing system. My feet felt snug and secure without feeling pinched or constricted. The toe boxes were also roomy enough to wiggle when wearing medium-weight hiking socks. I noticed the tongue is connected to the upper on both sides which is awesome for keeping dirt and rocks out of the boot and keeping the tongue in place along the boots centerline. Salomon also stuffed an OrthoLite insole into the Ultra 3s, but I wear custom orthotics so I removed the factory inserts and installed my own for the test. They accepted my orthotics easily and securely. The Ultra 3s felt as comfortable as a good trail running shoe with great overall support.

Durability. I noticed no unreasonable wear during the two months Ive worn the Ultra 3s. Additionally, the reinforced rubber toe boxes did a great job of protecting my toes from stubbing when I inadvertently kicked roots and rocks.

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