{"id":199844,"date":"2025-04-01T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=199844"},"modified":"2025-04-01T14:44:32","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T21:44:32","slug":"salomon-x-ultra-5-hiking-boot-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/salomon-x-ultra-5-hiking-boot-review","title":{"rendered":"First Look: Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boot"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re chasing an FKT (fastest known time) or like to stay nimble on rooty, rocky or muddy terrain, you need a hiking boot that offers fortress-like protection without weighing as much as one. The X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots<\/a> mark the sweet spot of support, traction, flexibility and weight, continuing the X Ultra series tradition that has been a Salomon<\/a> mainstay since 2012.\u00a0

As the Hike editor for REI Co-op, I take boots very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that when I get a pair to test, I practically live in them: In order to really know a boot down to its sole, you’ve got to spend quality time (and plenty of distance) in them. That’s why I spent two months testing the X Ultra 5 Mid boots<\/a> with daily wear, everything from epic weekend hikes to midday trail breaks, neighborhood dog walks in Minnesota and cliffy coastal scrambles in California.

The X Ultra<\/a> family of footwear aims to have the stability and grip of a burlier hiking boot with the cushioning and agility of a trail-running shoe. And this updated fifth-generation edition does just that. While the X Ultra 5 Mid boots are an ounce heavier than the previous version, they still weigh under 2 pounds per pair (comparable to more minimalist trail footwear like the Altra Lone Peak 9<\/a>). What you get is a cushier tongue and collar, both of which add comfort and stability. A bombproof woven upper brings exceptional durability and breathable comfort, while waterproof GORE-TEX lamination keeps feet dry and adds a bit of structure to the chassis. \u00a0

Another major selling point for these boots are the all-terrain outsoles, which combine a specialized rubber compound and dialed-in lug pattern that\u2019s designed to tackle muddy, slippery, rocky and uneven terrain. Pronounced, angular lugs sink into soft surfaces like sand, snow and mud. This close-set design provides more sticky surface area to handle wet and slick environments. Perfect for shoulder-season adventures and ready to face rain and<\/em> shine on the trail, the Salomon X Ultra Mids are versatile, high-performance boots to have in your gear closet.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Testing the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because it can take lots of trail time to truly get to know a pair of hiking boots, I\u2019ve worn the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid Hiking boots almost daily for two months. In my home state, Minnesota, they\u2019ve come with me across frozen lakes and ponds and on icy trails along the Mississippi River. In California, I wore them scaling cliffs at Montana de Oro state park in Los Osos, boulder-hopping in Morro Bay and tide pooling outside of Santa Barbara. They’ve been around the block (literally) dozens of times with my dogs, and they’ve been fully submerged (sometimes on purpose) in ponds, tide pools, puddles and the Pacific Ocean. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tester<\/strong><\/td>Ever Meister, Hike editor for REI Co-op<\/td><\/tr>
Years hiking<\/strong><\/td>17<\/td><\/tr>
Testing locations<\/strong><\/td>California\u2019s central coast; Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota<\/td><\/tr>
Average hike distance<\/strong><\/td>6\u20139 miles<\/td><\/tr>
Total testing distance<\/strong><\/td>87 miles<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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I tested the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots in Morro Bay, California.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Pros<\/h3>\n\n\n\n