Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX hiking boots review: light and nimble all day comfort
We tested the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX on classic British terrain to see if these lightweight hiking boots live up to the hype. Are they your next three-season favourite — or a touch underfoot-sensitive for our stonier trails?
Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX
Ideal for: 3-season hiking and wildcamping
Not suitable for: Mountaineering
The Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX is a brilliantly lightweight (440g per boot) hiking boot built for moderate UK trails. It combines a GORE-TEX membrane for waterproof protection, a Kevlar-reinforced Matryx upper for toughness and breathability, plus Salomon’s Contagrip outsole for versatile grip. What shines here is the comfort: this is a boot that keeps your feet fresh, supported and happy mile after mile. At £165, it’s outstanding value for three-season day hikes — striking a rare balance of low weight, durability and plush underfoot feel. Just keep in mind it’s slightly less grippy on slick rock and you may notice sharper stones through the toe.
The Good
Featherlight on long hikes
Superb all-day comfort
Excellent waterproof GORE-TEX
Breathable, no sweaty feet
Secure, dialled-in fit
Cushioned heel absorbs impact
The Bad
Slips on slick rock
Minor toe pressure
Not mountaineering suitable
Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX hiking boots review
We’ve not actually tested Salomon hiking boots before here at the Great British Adventure Club, but if you spend your weekends on muddy trails or rocky hills, you’ll almost certainly know the brand. Born in Annecy in the French Alps back in 1947, Salomon first made its name in alpine skiing before branching out into hiking and trail running — building up decades of expertise in footwear that thrives in mountain environments. Today, Salomon sits under the Amer Sports umbrella (alongside big names like Arc’teryx and Suunto), with a global reputation for crafting clever, performance-driven gear that blends durability with a genuine passion for the outdoors. This Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX might be the clearest example yet of that approach, brought to the needs of lightweight British hiking.
The Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX is built for day hikes and rolling terrain, aiming to give you stability, a roomy yet secure fit and dependable grip across typical UK conditions. Each boot tips the scales at just 440g — firmly at the lighter end of the mid-height hiking boot spectrum. That means less strain on your legs and fresher feet over long days. It’s also packed with smart tech: a waterproof GORE-TEX liner, a high-tenacity Kevlar-threaded Matryx upper for abrasion resistance, and an Advanced Chassis for lateral support without the stiffness of a pure mountain boot. At £165, it undercuts many rivals, offering a lot of tech for the money.
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We’d normally line these up against other lightweight options like the Scarpa Rush TRK GTX (470g, £180), the Merrell Moab 3 Mid GTX (460g, £145) and the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX (470g, £185). Among these, the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX is the lightest, with arguably the most forgiving toe box and a noticeably more trainer-like feel underfoot. That’s what makes this Salomon X Ultra 5 review so interesting — it sits right at the intersection of low weight, tough build and superb comfort, a rare trifecta in lightweight hiking boots. For anyone who wants to move fast over typical UK ground without sacrificing support or a cushy underfoot feel, it’s one of the strongest contenders around — provided you’re not planning to dance across slick limestone every weekend or carry heavy overnight loads.
How we tested the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX hiking boots
To give the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX a thorough British workout, we ran it through three classic tests. First came Welsh farmland: muddy tractor paths, long stretches of wet grass, compacted soil and plenty of awkward stiles, perfect for seeing how it handled slick, uneven ground. Next, we hit a steeper, dust-dry trail that climbed through loose gravel before descending over rocky outcrops — exactly where a boot’s security gets tested. Finally, we walked a narrow ridgeline strewn with loose rocks, demanding constant micro-adjustments to stay upright, before dropping into softer woodland trails. Throughout, we checked traction, breathability, and whether any hot spots crept in after long miles.
A closer look at the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX
Slip on the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX and the first thing you’ll notice is the lack of weight. Despite looking like a solid mid-height boot, it wears more like a supportive trail shoe. At just 440g per boot, it earned a rare 10/10 from us for weight — meaning you’ll feel far less fatigue by day’s end. That alone sets it apart in any Salomon boots review we’ve done.
Comfort is where these boots truly shine. The cushioned heel soaks up jolts from hard-packed ground or gravel, reducing strain on joints. Inside, the fit is beautifully balanced: snug at the heel and midfoot thanks to Salomon’s excellent SensiFit lacing, yet roomy enough up front to keep your toes from feeling cramped after hours on the trail. The thick padded tongue means you can tighten them right up without any sore pressure points. Straight from the box, we racked up miles with zero rubbing or sizing headaches — a genuine highlight in any Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX hiking boots review.
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Underfoot, the Contagrip outsole gave us loads of confidence across farmland, dusty inclines and typical woodland tracks. Only on slick, wet rock — polished limestone or damp karst — did it slip more than we’d like. That’s why we landed on a slightly lower 6/10 for traction. It’s not unique to Salomon; most rubber struggles on that terrain, but if you’re eyeing routes like Tryfan, Crib Goch or the Lord’s Rake on Scafell Pike after rain, it’s worth knowing.
Waterproofing is handled by a lightweight GORE-TEX membrane that passed every stream and puddle test. Water simply beaded off, leaving our socks dry. The Kevlar-threaded Matryx textile also managed heat impressively — we never got clammy, even pushing hard on climbs. That combo of reliable waterproofing with genuine breathability is tricky to master, and in this Salomon X Ultra 5 review we found it among the best yet.
If there’s a slight trade-off, it’s under the toes on rocky paths. Smaller stones can sometimes press through, reminding you this is a super-light boot rather than a stiff mountain bruiser. It was never painful, just noticeable enough to adjust your step after a few miles. Given the overall comfort — we’d still score it 8/10 there — we’d happily take that compromise for the low weight and brilliant flex.
How do they perform on UK trails?
All told, the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX was a joy across the typical three-season British ground most of us love. From muddy farmland to dusty slopes, rocky ridgelines and softer woodland, it stayed stable, secure and (most importantly) seriously comfortable. It didn’t quite grip as well on slick rock, so we wouldn’t pick it for notoriously stony routes in the rain, but for everything else — wet grass, forest paths, dry hill tracks — it felt absolutely made for the job. We ended long days without blisters, aches or sweaty feet, genuinely excited to lace them up again.Zenbivy Flex Air Mattress FAQs
Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX hiking boots FAQs
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Very durable for the kind of British three-season trails they’re built for. The Kevlar-threaded Matryx upper shrugs off scratches from rocks, brambles and rough ground, while the Contagrip outsole shows little sign of wear after plenty of miles. They’re designed for moderate hiking, so if you’re regularly battering them on scree or heavy scrambles, you might look for something stiffer — but for typical day hikes, they’ll last many seasons.
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Exceptionally comfortable. We rated them 8/10 in our Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX hiking boots review thanks to the plush heel cushioning, roomy toe box and secure midfoot fit. Even straight out of the box, we had zero hot spots or rubbing. The only reason they didn’t score even higher is some subtle pressure under the toes on rocky trails — otherwise, they’re spot on.
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Across farmland, dry trails and woodland paths, traction was excellent. The all-terrain Contagrip outsole dug in reliably and gave us loads of confidence. Only on slick wet rock did it falter slightly — why we landed on 6/10 for grip in our Salomon X Ultra 5 review. Still, for most UK conditions, they’re very dependable.
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Ideal for spring through autumn. They keep feet nicely protected from cool winds and damp ground, but thanks to the breathable Matryx upper, they never run hot. For deep winter or snow days, you’d want something beefier — otherwise, they’re perfectly balanced for typical UK temperatures.
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Brilliantly waterproof for normal British conditions. The GORE-TEX lining kept our socks bone dry through puddles and shallow stream crossings, with water beading right off. They’re exactly what you want for rain showers and wet grass — though like any lightweight boot, prolonged bog trots might eventually push them to their limits.
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Surprisingly breathable given their waterproof build. The Matryx textile and GORE-TEX membrane combine to let heat and moisture escape well, so we never got sweaty feet, even on long uphill climbs. That balance of keeping water out while letting sweat evaporate is one of this boot’s real highlights.
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Absolutely. At £165, they offer superb value for a boot that’s this light, comfortable and waterproof. In our Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX hiking boots review, we found them ideal for day hikes, rolling hills and most British three-season conditions. Unless you’re planning to haul heavy packs or spend all day on slick, rocky scrambles, they’re hard to beat.
Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX review: Our verdict
If you’re a British walker after a boot that’s genuinely light, surprisingly cushioned and keeps your feet dry from April through to October, the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX is tough to beat. It sits beautifully at the intersection of low weight, durable build and all-day comfort, making it near-perfect for three-season adventures across the UK’s varied patchwork of fields, hills and forests. They’re not made for lugging heavy multi-day packs or tackling icy Munros, but for moderate terrain they’re hard to fault. At £165, they’re also a brilliant deal compared to heavier, less comfy rivals. Just keep in mind the slight under-toe feel on rocky paths and the average grip on slick rock — otherwise, they’re about as good as lightweight three-season hiking boots get.
