How to Choose Hiking Boots

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Providing plush comfort and balanced support, the men's Salomon Elixir Activ Mid GORE-TEX hiking boots are designed for fluid strides on all-day hikes and adventuring.
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View the Salomon Elixir Product LineView all Salomon Men's Day Hiking BootsBest Use | Hiking |
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Footwear Height | Over-the-ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Waterproof | Yes |
Type of Waterproofing | GORE-TEX waterproof/breathable membrane |
Upper | Textile/synthetic |
Lining | Textile |
Midsole | Fuze Foam |
Support | Active Chassis |
Outsole | Rubber |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 10.1 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 24.5 Mondo | 25.5 Mondo | 26.5 Mondo | 27.5 Mondo | 28.5 Mondo | 29.5 Mondo | 30.5 Mondo | 31.5 Mondo | |
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U.S. Men's | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 7 | 8 | 9.5 | 10.5 | 11.5 | 13 | 14 | 15.5 |
U.S. Women's | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||
UK | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13.5 | 5.5 | 6.5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11.5 | 12.5 | 14 |
EU | 36 | 36.6 | 37.3 | 38 | 38.6 | 39.3 | 40 | 40.6 | 41.3 | 42 | 42.6 | 43.3 | 44 | 44.6 | 45.3 | 46 | 46.6 | 47.3 | 48 | 49.3 | 39 | 40.3 | 42 | 43.3 | 45 | 46.3 | 48 | 49 |
Mondo | 22 | 22.5 | 23 | 23.5 | 24 | 24.5 | 25 | 25.5 | 26 | 26.5 | 27 | 27.5 | 28 | 28.5 | 29 | 29.5 | 30 | 30.5 | 31 | 32 | 24.5 | 25.5 | 26.5 | 27.5 | 28.5 | 29.5 | 30.5 | 31.5 |
Foot Length (in.) | 8.5 | 8.7 | 8.9 | 9.1 | 9.3 | 9.4 | 9.6 | 9.8 | 10 | 10.2 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 10.8 | 11 | 11.2 | 11.4 | 11.6 | 11.8 | 12 | 12.4 | 9.8 | 10.2 | 10.6 | 11 | 11.4 | 11.8 | 12.2 | 12.6 |
Measurements are stated in inches.
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The shoes initially fit a bit more narrow than I would've liked, but the toe box stretched enough to comfortably accommodate my foot after a few minutes of walking. In this way especially, it's definitely closer to a trail shoe than the more sturdy (and heavier) material of a hiking boot. On the trail, the tread worked as expected and had good grip on loose sandy trails and over rocks as well. Soles felt well-cushioned while still feeling connected to the trail. I also noticed, and appreciated, the improved stability coming from the higher mid-cut when compared to a typical running shoe, especially hiking over irregular gravel sections on the trail. I haven't been able to use in truly wet conditions, but I was surprised how well the gore-tex works. The shoe is flexible, breathes well, and keeps a very reasonable weight while providing water resistance expected from gore-tex. These definitely wouldn't be a substitute for a full-on hiking boot, but these are a great option if you're looking for something more supportive than a trail running shoe for day hikes or overnight trips over variable trails. I can especially see these being a great option on backcountry-style trails that don't quite warrant a boot, but a shoe can be slow and uncomfortable. At the same time, they're still perfect for any regular trail you may hike on a weekend morning. I'll have to see how long they hold up through the summer, but I have no reason to think that durability will be an issue with this shoe.
To really try out these boots, I decided to do a hike near a lake after a good day of heavy rain. It was about six miles and I couldn't be any happier with these boots. I usually wear Solomon trail running shoes, but these have convinced me to switch to a true hiking boot. I'll list some pros and cons. Pros : + Comfortable + Traction is great, never had any spilling even on very smooth wet rocks + The boot has great response when I walk on various types of ground + I had a small jump to do, and the midsole really cushioned the fall + It had pretty good breathability, even in a pretty humid hike (~85%) + the Gore-Tex kept me dry when I found myself splashing into a puddle around the above height of the midsole Cons : - This gray colorway will get dirty quick - The pull tab on the back of the shoe is a bit thin, seems like it could rip Overall, these boots really made me make the switch to a true hiking boot. Solomon makes greats shoes and this is no except. I believe you'd be happy with your purchase.
I wore these mid height trail running boots on a 25 mile, mixed terrain hike in the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. I have always been skeptical about gore-tex or water proof shoes because they wouldn’t be able to breath or air out. Although this is true, these boots were perfect for mixed terrain. I had small stream crossings and muddy portions of the trail where I didn’t fully submerge my foot, but also didn’t have mud/water/rocks get inside. I am pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they are around my ankle. I typically hike in trail runners, so I’m not used to a mid type of boot. The amount of cushion around the ankle makes a comfortable fit without any need to break in before use. The outer sole is a continuous durable material without any “foam” like you see in the mid sole so I am confident while walking over big blow downs without any sharp twigs or branches poking through. The outside material on the inside of each ankle is made of a more coarse/robust fabric so when I naturally hit my ankles with the opposite foot, that fabric won’t wear out quickly. Love these boots and I’m exited to wear them on muddy trails and especially during the winter.
What to say, this is a very comfortable boot. I usually only wear hiking boots for the hike, then take them off because they bother my feet. The first time I put these on, I didn't take them off for almost 8 hours. They are extremely comfortable and definitely something you can hike in, then wear around town to complete other errands you may have. The grip these boots provide is top notch. You feet feels very planted on rocks. This boots are lightweight which made me feel more agile than other boots I've tried. I did not get to test the waterproofing of these boots, however they did breath well. I personally loved the colors of these boots. They match the picture online perfectly. I even got a few compliments on the style and color of this boot while I was running my errands in town.
These Salomon Men's Elixir Activ Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots are a game-changer! They offer exceptional comfort and support, making long hikes a breeze. The GORE-TEX technology keeps my feet dry in wet conditions, and the grip on various terrains is outstanding. Plus, they look great too! Highly recommend for anyone looking for top-notch hiking boots.
This is an excellent all-around hiking boot with a sneaker feel that needed zero break-in and is extremely comfortable. I used it for several shorter hikes along the AT and not once did it feel uncomfortable - no blisters, chafing, or discomfort. I had the older version of this hiking boot, and they've upgraded the support, comfort, and durability significantly. The older version of this boot would hurt my feet after about 8 miles because there wasn't enough support - this version has enough support where my feet haven't hurt once! These boots are perfect for 75% or 80% of most hikers and hiking types - they held up very well in a wide range of conditions, except for water rushing over wet granite. Pros: -Fit: fits great, I'm a 10.5 for Vans and 11 for Nike shoes. I got a 10.5 and it fits perfectly. -Comfort: these boots feel like wearing comfortable sneakers - very easy to lace up and go on a hike! This version also has far more support than older versions. -Ease of Use: The boots were very easy to slip on and lace up, compared to some other types of hiking boots. -Style: These boots are stylish, too. I used them with pants and a polo shirt when teaching class, and they looked great. -Support: As previously mentioned, these boots have far more support than older versions - it's also very comfortable! Cons: -Not ideal for mountaineering - for long 20+ mile hikes and backpacking, these boots may not hold up as well as traditional boots. -Not ideal for wet granite - there were a few minor slips when walking down wet and slick granite. To give some context - I would recommend these boots for practically every hike except for the Adironack 46ers (due to the 20+ mile length and the wet granite)!
This is the 2nd pair of Salomon shoes I’ve received but they’re already the best hiking shoes I’ve worn in my life. They’re surprisingly lightweight and very comfortable, I had no problem breaking them in. I typically wear a size 10 in almost every shoe brand and this definitely fit true to size. I love they have Gore-Tex because nothing is worse than a wet shoe while out hiking.
First impressions: These boots are built for comfort. They definitely have a high amount of cushion without sacrificing stability. The toe box felt a bit narrow. The boots are easy to get on and off. These are comfortable enough that they could be a shoe you wear everyday for any activity as they don't feel like a traditional hiking boot. After wearing them on a few Spring hikes (wet, wooded trails), I quickly fell in love with them. The toe box seemed to stretch out a bit and fit fairly comfortably. The sole felt like it gave me a large amount of control even on wet rocks and mud along the river trails. Even breaking into a jog to catch up with my kids felt natural in these boots. They have a feel more like a trail running shoe with added stability given the above ankle height. If it weren't for the mud and dirt they collected, I think I would have forgotten to take them off once returning home. I never had that moment where I just couldn't wait to take them off at the end of the day. The color scheme looks nice, but does become a bit dingy. The Gor-tex waterproofing certainly keeps my feet dry and makes it a little easier to wipe off the trail grime. Overall, the shoes exceed my initial impressions coming out of the box and I'll certainly be wearing them for much more than the trails. The only reasons not to give the boots a 5-star are because the narrow toe box and the color scheme does not lend itself well to masking the muddy trails.
I brought these boots 2 weeks before undertaking the National Three Peaks Challenge as my old boots split a seam during training. I only managed 2 short practice hikes before the event, and even so I didn’t get a single blister or hot spot during the challenge, they were extremely comfortable and lightweight. Even with some heavy persistent rain, the boots stayed dry. The only thing preventing me from giving 5 stars is that the inner lining has delaminated slightly in areas of the boot, leading to it rucking up a bit, I have been able to smooth this out again and the boot has remained dry, I just have concerns over the longevity.
I like this boot, they feel sturdy and they’re comfortable to wear around all day. I also like metal lace hooks. I had an old pair of Solomons and the laces would catch on the metal hooks while I was walking, it was of a tripping hazard. The only thing I don’t like about these shoes is the color. They look cool but they get dirty very easily. One day on the trails and they’re looking pretty rough.