About this deal
I’d love there to be a bit more thought to breathability and weight, but these are small things in comparison to what this shoe gets right. Complete lab-specs overview It’s probably the reason that the X Ultra 3 GTX isn’t as lightweight as other trail shoes, but these have a lot of padding. I’ve not really seen a trail shoe with so much cushioning in it.
Molded to match the contours of your foot, the OrthoLite insole provides superior cushioning and heel support There are many reasons why we like these hiking boots so much but one of the most important reasons is their versatility. It’s rare to find a pair of boots that can accommodate to a multitude of terrains so well. Here’s our explanation of why it is like that:Weight: 521 g (1 lb 2.4 oz; right); 518 g (1 lb 2.3 oz; left) for size US 12 EE (EUR 46 2/3 or UK 11.5) What’s really amazing is that we’ve been through snow and sun, various altitudes, terrains, and temps including:
Attractive style and design, visually appealing unlike competitors such as the Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX or KEEN Targhee III Mid Waterproof for example.
Very few of Salomon’s hiking shoes offer normal lacing, but the X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-Tex and the Outline Prism Gore-Tex do if you want the same shoe with more ankle support or another lightweight hiking shoe. Consistent grip The market of hiking boots is full of models and designs touted as “the next big thing”. But “all that glitters is not gold” as the saying goes. The weight of the shoes is an important factor to consider as it has a noticeable impact on comfort. The weight of 1039 g (2 lbs 4.7 oz) for a pair of US 12 EE (EUR 46 2/3 or UK 11.5) means that they are not super lightweight like the Speedcross 6, but they’re still lighter than most of the other major models (cause of the lightweight synthetic materials). Remarkably, the guys from Salomon have achieved this without sacrificing quality, durability, performance, protection or cushioning. The lighter weight is great for comfort, with the added bonus of helping to conserve energy and reducing foot fatigue. As to our final verdict: the Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX hiking boots are a great pair of hiking boots and an excellent buy. The first thing you'll notice when you slip these on is just how instantly comfortable they are; they hug your feet, feeling secure yet slipper-like. Unlike boots of old, the X Ultra family are designed to be comfortable straight from the box, providing a comfortable experience from day one. X Ultra footwear is based upon Salomon's trail running shoes but featuring a little more support and stiffness for days out in the hills.
Those with wider feet might find the toe box restrictive (although Salomon sells the X Ultra 3 Mid in wide sizes). 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 you’ll 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 you’d like to keep them in good condition. Additionally, it’s very handy having a newspaper as you can stuff it inside the boots. Not many people have a newspaper on the trail but …There’s a reason most trail shoe and boot companies offer a gore-tex version and a base model. It’s not for everyone.As I said, I live in Scotland and the rain is just something we live with. In a few situations, I love a pair of Gore-Tex running or hiking shoes. You want something similar in performance yet with the regular lacing - then have a look at the Merrell Moab 3 GTX. The Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX is so different. With 48 lugs at 5.83mm deep across the bottom of the sole, there’s a lot of traction there. The Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX is an excellent hiking shoe, I’d put it as an industry leader and probably a better all-rounder than the newer X Ultra 4 GTX. My favorite part of the shoe is the insanely good grip that helps you feel secure throughout any hike. Moreover, the well-thought-out midsole with Salomon's advanced chassis helps you stay comfortable and safe.
Top-notch build quality: The X Ultra 3 Mid is showing very little wear after well over a year of consistent use. This test will tell you if the shape of the internal heel cup matches your heel to ensure it holds you securely, especially when ascending steep ground. We are trying to eliminate the dreaded heel blister. The Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX weighs in at 13.4oz (380g) in US Men's 10. This is pretty average for hiking shoes, but much lighter than boots. A comfortable, controlled midsole Stand on the A4 paper with your heel pressed firmly against the wall and your foot pointed forward with the edge of your big toe aligned with the edge of the paper.Now that your boots are done up properly stand up on your tiptoes and walk on the spot on the balls of your feet as if you are walking up a steep hill. If your heels lift more than approximately 5mm from the footbed you may need to pull the laces tighter, or the boots may just be the wrong shape for you. It isn’t a surprise that the X Ultras are so popular among outdoor lovers of all age ranges and a longtime favorite of many outdoorsmen. The support, traction, and stability they offer are top-level. This isn’t a big surprise but what’s really amazing is how these shoes support foot movement without being heavy or overly stiff. The lightweight Advanced Chassis placed between the midsole and outsole is one of the key stabilizing components. The chassis design helps stabilize the heel for optimized motion control. What’s really cool is that this allows the wearer to feel stable even in mountainous territory where rugged terrain and rough mountain paths are ubiquitous. The only slight issue is when you walk under the sun and the temps are higher than 30°C (86°F). Waterproof membranes are known to cut breathability and cause feet to sweat more but we haven’t noticed anything like this. The breathability is decent and the feet stay dry and cool. The main problem is related to the cushioning around the ankle and tongue as it could make your feet feel really hot on scorching summer days. But it isn’t hard to guess that this footwear is not for such kind of weather unless going through forests or mountains where there’s plenty of shade. Not among the lightest models but still lighter than other major models without sacrificing on stability or comfort.