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Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex Review

This is a lightweight yet rugged hiking shoe that can do everything from day hikes to tackling long multi-day backpacking trips
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salomon x ultra 4 gore-tex hiking shoes men review
We like these shoes for nearly any hiking and camping application, while it's not the best for taking off on trail runs.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Price:  $160 List
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Manufacturer:   Salomon
By Ryan Huetter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 3, 2023
75
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#3 of 15
  • Comfort - 25% 7.0
  • Support - 20% 8.0
  • Traction - 15% 9.0
  • Water Resistance - 15% 8.0
  • Weight - 15% 6.9
  • Durability - 10% 6.0

Our Verdict

The Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex comes from a long line of X Ultra models with a devoted following. We had high expectations for this particular model, and for the most part, it lives up to those expectations — though it also has its shortcomings. These shoes are relatively narrow, stable, and supportive, making them great on technical hiking terrain. Their light weight makes walking in them a breeze. They do have a few issues related to comfort and ease of use, which are expanded on below. Those things aside, while a wide range of shoes will satisfy on short, easy hikes, these are the shoes to get if you're after lightweight performance in challenging hiking terrain. Check out how it compares to the competition in our article on the best men's hiking shoes.
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent performance
Lightweight
Great traction
Water resistance
Support
REASONS TO AVOID
Ankle cuff is uncomfortable for some
Quicklace system can have glitches
Editor's Note: We continued to test these shoes based on user feedback, and have updated the review on November 3, 2023, to address durability concerns.

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Bottom Line This is the definition of a solid hiking shoe, and is a perfect choice for those not wanting to compromise on off-trail performanceUnbelievably comfortable and supportive, these awesome hiking shoes can do it allThis is a supportive hiking shoe that is perfect for scrambling and peak baggingThis hiking shoe combines comfort with incredible on-trail performance better than any other at its price pointMore like a running shoe than a hiking shoe, this comfortable and lightweight model offers a lot for an affordable price
Rating Categories Salomon X Ultra 4 G... Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX Salewa Mountain Tra... La Sportiva Spire GTX Columbia Facet 75 O...
Comfort (25%)
7.0
9.0
7.0
8.0
8.0
Support (20%)
8.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
6.0
Traction (15%)
9.0
7.0
9.0
7.0
8.0
Water Resistance (15%)
8.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
Weight (15%)
6.9
5.9
4.9
5.4
6.4
Durability (10%)
6.0
8.0
6.0
6.0
5.0
Specs Salomon X Ultra 4 G... Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX Salewa Mountain Tra... La Sportiva Spire GTX Columbia Facet 75 O...
Measured Weight (per pair, size 11) 1.76 lbs 1.96 lbs 2.16 lbs 2.06 lbs 1.86 lbs
Upper Synthetic, textile Recycled mesh Synthetic Abrasion-resistant mesh Mesh
Lining Gore-Tex membrane GORE-TEX Invisible Fit Gore-Tex Extended Comfort Gore-Tex Surround OutDry
Flood Height 3.25 in 3.0 in 3.5 in 3.5 in 3.0 in
Last Board/Shank ADV-C chassis Not specified Nylon Molded EVA Not specified
Midsole EnergyCell EVA (30% sugarcane) EVA 5mm Ortholite insole, compression molded EVA, TPU inserts Techlite PLUSH
Outsole Contagrip MA rubber Vibram Megagrip rubber Pomoca MTN trainer Lite Vibram XS Trek with Impact Brake System Adapt Trax
Width Options Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular

Our Analysis and Test Results

Our review team tested these shoes in a range of conditions, from the Sierra Nevada to Death Valley's canyons to the mucky trails of the Pacific Northwest. The shoes are rich with innovative features. The stability gained from the ADV-C Chassis and the snug Active Support system makes this shoe very supportive. Its unique lacing system stows away, leaving a clean look and removing the potential to trip on laces.

Performance Comparison


salomon x ultra 4 gore-tex hiking shoes men review - up for anything you can dream up, the x ultra 4s are a favorite for...
Up for anything you can dream up, the X Ultra 4s are a favorite for all things hiking.
Credit: Jen Reynolds

Comfort


Thanks to several advancements in hiking shoe technology, this is an overall comfortable shoe. At the same time, we have found some nuances that have kept us from proclaiming it as the most comfortable shoe in our review. It is fairly easy to slide into these shoes as the gusset opens very wide. The Ortholite sockliner provides a seamless fit, and it is difficult to notice any of the stitching from the upper's many panels. One thing we noticed immediately was the fact that the tongue slides down very easily because the gusset isn't sewn in. This means slipping the shoe on without holding onto the tongue and heel tab is less convenient, and more rocks and dirt can sneak inside if you're not laced up snugly.


The Quicklace lacing system, long a standard feature found on Salomon shoes, snugly secures the foot in place. In general, the system works as advertised, quickly providing a customizable fit. We found it to stow away in the tongue without issue, or if we were in a hurry, we simply tucked the remaining cord behind other laces. If the plastic lock on the laces were to break, though, it would be more difficult to do a field repair. At times we found the lace lock to be difficult to release, and at other times it loosened on its own — both of which can be frustrating.

Cinching up the laces helps this model save time spent tying laces...
Cinching up the laces helps this model save time spent tying laces, which is especially nice when taking shoes on and off while crossing water, removing sediment and small rocks, and crawling in and out of a tent.
Tucking the excess laces into the discrete pocket in the tongue of...
Tucking the excess laces into the discrete pocket in the tongue of the X Ultra 4 is convenient and slick.
The Quicklace system is nice when it works but isn't without its flaws.

When the laces are snugged up, side panels are pulled into place around the foot, providing a secure fit from the midfoot down to the toe. A molded toe cap keeps you from inadvertently stubbing your toe on a rock or a tree root (though it won't keep you from tripping on it in the first place). The only issue we had regarding comfort was the ankle cuff's height. It is a little higher than a standard low-cut cuff, so we had some rubbing when wearing short socks, something we didn't experience while wearing other models.

salomon x ultra 4 gore-tex hiking shoes men review - our biggest gripe? the heel tab leads to unwanted rubbing of the...
Our biggest gripe? The heel tab leads to unwanted rubbing of the ankle when wearing low-cut socks.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Support


As mentioned above, adding some new and innovative technologies has allowed Salomon to continue providing top-level support even while shaving weight. The ADV-C Chassis is the platform upon which this shoe is built, and it is evident from the first steps in this shoe that there is much more support and structure than found in your average hiking shoe. Stiffer than the majority of its competition, this is a shoe that will provide the right kind of support for trips where you might be carrying a heavier backpack.


In addition to the stiffer shank, there is also a quality EnergyCell EVA foam midsole, providing additional support and foot comfort from the rigors of long days on the trail. A new addition to this model is the Active Support side wings, which are panels of material that wrap securely around the foot when the lacing system is engaged, making the interface between the foot and the footwear much less perceptible. This addition is one of the notable upgrades to the X Ultra 4, as it makes the shoe much more stable in environments requiring a high degree of edge control, such as when leaping through off-trail boulder fields.

The X Ultra 4 is one of the most supportive shoes in our review, we...
The X Ultra 4 is one of the most supportive shoes in our review, we feel confident traveling over varied terrain.
The laces pull the Active Support wings in, aiding in compression...
The laces pull the Active Support wings in, aiding in compression and stability.
This is a stable shoe that, combined with its traction, is at home in technical terrain.

Traction


The outsole comprises a Contagrip MA rubber compound, a Salomon proprietary blend. The MA format falls in the middle when it comes to stickiness and durability, making it a great choice for this all-around hiking shoe that will likely have to tackle a variety of terrain types but also last for longer than just a couple of hikes. The rubber is soft enough that we found confidence smearing on slabs of smooth volcanic tuff and durable enough that we could kick steps into looser surfaces.


The Chevron lug pattern gives great gripping power when charging uphill and slows you down as you are braking your way down steeper descents. The lugs are sharp and well-defined, are deep enough to dig into soft slopes, but are spread out enough that getting caked with mud and snow is less of a concern.

The X Ultra 4 crushes wet and slippery trails and transitions to biting into firm summer snow with no hesitation.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Other shoes with less pronounced lug patterns with more surface area contact proved to be better at pure rock climbing, but these still did surprisingly well in advanced-level scrambling.

salomon x ultra 4 gore-tex hiking shoes men review - capable in all terrain types from smooth faces to loose scree.
Capable in all terrain types from smooth faces to loose scree.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Water Resistance


The Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX uses a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane to keep water from seeping through and getting your feet wet. The flood height of these shoes is 3.25 inches, which is average for a low-top shoe. We had no issues with the waterproof lining failing during our testing period, as long as we kept from trying to walk through streams that were too deep for the flood level protection.


The upper material is treated with an additional water-repellent coating, which will help shed water before it can soak in and impact the Gore-Tex's ability to allow sweat from inside the shoe to escape. We did find that this material stayed wet for longer than other models we tested, which was surprising based on the light material used on the upper.

salomon x ultra 4 gore-tex hiking shoes men review - the waterproofing on these shoes keeps us dry in all but the deepest...
The waterproofing on these shoes keeps us dry in all but the deepest immersions.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Weight


We were astonished to put these on our scale and see that they only weigh 1.76 pounds for a pair of size 11 US. Nearly a quarter of a pound lighter than their above-average predecessor, this new and improved model is among the lightest hiking shoes on the market. Yet, they do not have nearly the same diminished support or stability that is so often in these lighter-weight shoes.


This weight will have noticeable impacts on your day-to-day fatigue, as you won't be picking up any extra weight on each footstep. How did Salomon achieve this crazy drop in weight with the X Ultra 4 GTX? The EnergyCell foam EVA midsole is a place to drop a lot of weight, and the shank used, an ADV-C chassis is much slimmer than other thicker TPU shanks that impart structure and stability to a hiking shoe.

salomon x ultra 4 gore-tex hiking shoes men review - cruising up a challenging hike in the olympic mountains calls for a...
Cruising up a challenging hike in the Olympic Mountains calls for a lightweight shoe that doesn't slow you down.
Credit: Jen Reynolds

Durability


The X Ultra 4x is really light thanks to lightweight materials. Makes sense, right? The issue with lightweight materials is that they don't fare as well in rugged use. That is the trade-off. The mesh, exposed padding, and very thin speed laces all experienced some wear and tear during our extended testing period. Most of the seams that connect the upper's materials are welded rather than sewn, which should help stave off premature wear.


We also have noticed a decline in the build quality of this brand in the last year, which may be associated with a change of ownership and a shift in manufacturing quality. We will continue to test these shoes to see if the durability issues are isolated or are part of a larger trend.

salomon x ultra 4 gore-tex hiking shoes men review - notice the wear on the top of the ankles from the stiffened material...
Notice the wear on the top of the ankles from the stiffened material rubbing through the padding.
Credit: Ryan Huetter

Should You Buy the Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex?


Few other lightweight hiking shoes provide the same performance across varied terrain types that the X Ultra 4 does. Comfortable and user-friendly as a day hiking shoe, it is also supportive and dependable on longer trips where a range of conditions may be encountered. This is not the most expensive shoe in our review by a long shot, and it scores admirably in our lineup. This tells us that it is a good deal, and we think it provides value to the buyer.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?


It is hard to beat the X Ultra 4 for technical hiking terrain. However, if your main goal is comfort, then the Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX is an incredibly comfortable shoe and scores high in all our testing metrics. If your budget is smaller, the Columbia Facet 75 Outdry is one to consider as it performed at least average in every metric and can save you some money for snacks.

Ryan Huetter