On first seeing the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX hiking shoe, it’s easy to spot Salomon’s long-standing expertise in the running and adventure racing arena. This hiking shoe takes the DNA of a trail running shoe and toughens it up into a consummate hiking shoe. The Quicklace single-pull lacing system coupled with the fabric uppers and overall styling make these feel a lot like a trail running shoe, but the levels of stability and protection are all about the hike.
Lara Dunn Recommends
Where these really come into their own is that they’d look perfectly acceptable worn with jeans as well as hiking pants, making them good value for money as their day-to-day usefulness is enhanced- Casual look
- Versatile
- Good Value
- Quicklace system won’t suit everyone
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £155 Weight: 638g (for size 38.5) Materials: Textile and Gore-Tex upper, Salomon Contagrip outsole, Ortholite insole Features: Single pull Quicklace system, Gore-Tex lining, casual good looks Sizes: UK3.5-UK9.5 (including half sizes)/EU36-44 Women’s/Men’s Version: Women’s (men’s direct equivalent available) www.salomon.com |
The Salomon X Ultra 4 are built on a female specific last and are designed to contour to the female foot shape. It’s impressive therefore that the size range runs from a UK3.5 to a UK9.5 which is a much broader range than the majority of women’s footwear, where women with larger feet have usually been forced to wear men’s shoes. The upper wraps nicely around the foot, giving a good feeling of stability. For me the Quicklace lets that down a little, though, making it difficult to secure a neat fit at the heel, but I am aware of having particularly narrow heels. The levels of cushioning at the heel and ankle cuff are plush and blisters haven’t been a problem for me despite the minor heel lift. The outsole has a good aggressive tread but is quite flexible, making the shoe perfect for fast-paced hikers or those who like good feedback from the terrain, while the well-shaped cushioned Ortholite insole makes light work of long days.
The Salomon X Ultra 4 is light and construction combines abrasion resistant fabric uppers with toughened areas in high wear zones like the toe, using a Gore-Tex membrane to help keep feet dry in wet conditions. Thanks to their low weight and fabric build, they’re less prone to causing overheating than some leather options, and feet tend to stay non-sweaty.
Where these really come into their own is that they’d look perfectly acceptable worn with jeans as well as hiking pants, making them extra good value for money as their day-to-day usefulness is enhanced. The least expensive on test anyway, they’re a good safe buy for on and off the hill.
Written and tested by Lara Dunn
Lara usually takes a size UK5.5/6 or EU38.5/39 depending on fit/shape/purpose of footwear. She does find that heel lift can often be a problem due to particularly narrow heels. This shoe was mostly tested on short and longer day walks in the Malvern Hills during an unusually wet autumn and winter, with additional forays to the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains, with and without a rucksack.
