Salomon have a reputation and long-standing background as a running brand and so much of the Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge Mid Gore-tex reflects this. With its aggressive sole, its light weight build and breathable upper, it might be a walking boot but this thing encourages you to move quickly. 

The X Ultra family of lightweight boots has been a part of the Salomon collection for a few years now and this is the latest iteration within the family. The chassis and overall design isn’t much different to previous versions. You can expect a slightly different material used across the upper (with new recycled fabrics) and a minor tweak to the lug pattern. They’ve also used flat-shaped, lighter laces which, when compared to rounded laces, will distribute pressure more evenly across the eyelets and will be less prone to loosening.

We reviewed the mid version but there’s also a low cut equivalent which uses Salomon’s speed lacing. This involves a lightweight cable and toggle that can be tucked away in a little stretch mesh on the tongue. 

Tester Verdict

Hannah White
“These are some of the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn. I just love pulling them on. I think what I love most about them is that they provide so much confidence on usually slippery ground and they let me take in my surroundings instead of having to keep my eyes fixed on the trail. 

“I’ve found the fit to be very snug, in a good way. There’s a lot of arch support and that greatly enhances the comfort for me. I’ve found the toe box to be comfortable too; neither narrow or wide, to me it’s just right. I had these in a UK 5,  my usual size, and I wouldn’t say it’s necessary to size up or down with these. 

“The ankle support is decent and there’s plenty of padding at the cuff and on the tongue. The sole unit has quite a bit of flex to it but I found it was still good at blocking out sharp rocks and roots. On wet days and over soggy ground, the Gore-tex membrane did exactly what I wanted – no issues there at all – and the synthetic mesh throughout the upper made it fairly cool to walk in on warmer days. 

“Over the last few months, I’ve been wearing Vaude boots that sit in the same light hiker category as these, but these are just so much lighter and more agile in feel. The difference is stark.”

What’s Good About the X Ultra 360 Edge Mid Gore-tex

The Contagrip outsole on the X Ultra 360 is very grippy on a range of surfaces – though, like most shoes, it has its limits on wet rock – and the whole sole unit is protective and shock absorbing. There’s plenty of flex to it too, which makes this great for those long distance days.

If you don’t want anything too solid, durable and heavy and appreciate an agile boot then you’ll like the overall lightweight construction here. The breathability is high too, so these are excellent for those warmer weather hikes over landscapes where a sandal or trail shoe won’t cut it. 

What’s Not so Good About the X Ultra 360 Edge Mid Gore-tex

Not enough time has passed for us to comment with certainty on the overall longevity and durability of this boot, but we do have some doubts over how long the upper will last. Boots of this weight and construction don’t usually last for more than a few years before issues start to occur. Also, the sole has a lot of flex so these aren’t really suited to edging on rocky, scrambly ascents. 

Conclusion

This is a light hiking boot that has good three-season versatility. While it might be primarily designed for light trail hikes, we’d say it’ll still get you to the top of a 2000-foot mountain or from start to finish of a national trail. But, it is probably a bit lightweight if you tend to prefer hiking boots that are burly, durable and solid underfoot. If you want extra durability, it’s worth checking out the Salomon Quest 4 GTX. If you’re happy to look beyond the Salomon family, we’d say the Haglöfs Skuta Mid Eco Proof offers similar qualities but with a tougher build. 

Price: £155
Weight: 365g (women’s UK 5)
What we liked: very light and breathable, good grip, lots of comfort
What we didn’t like: some doubts over long term durability

Get the latest price for men: salomon.com
Get the latest price for women: salomon.com