Quick Answer: Salomon X Ultra 5 Review: The Salomon X Ultra 5 is a light, quick hiking shoe for people who want to feel the trail rather than plod over it. A Matryx upper reinforced with Kevlar fibers resists scree and scrub without leather’s weight, and Salomon’s chassis helps keep the platform steady on uneven ground. It comes as a low shoe or a mid boot, with a Gore-Tex waterproof option. It is a good fit for narrow to medium feet and day hikes. The compromises are a snug, narrow shape and a firm, modestly cushioned ride that tired feet notice on long, hard trails. Check latest price.
The X Ultra 5 is the fifth generation of Salomon’s best-known hiking line, and it still reflects where the brand comes from. Merrell and KEEN start with a leather boot and trim it down. Salomon started with trail running shoes and made them tougher, so the X Ultra feels quick and connected rather than padded and protective. Whether you like that feeling decides almost everything about this shoe.
It sits in the middle of Salomon’s hiking range: sturdier than a trail runner, far lighter than a traditional boot. Salomon sells it as a low shoe and as a mid boot, and the low shoe also comes in a Gore-Tex waterproof version. This review focuses on the men’s low shoe, with notes on the mid where it differs.
Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX men’s hiking shoe side view. Image: Amazon
Specs
Here are the specifications for the Salomon X Ultra 5:
| Type | Lightweight hiking shoe, neutral |
| Best for | Fast day hikes, mixed terrain and travel |
| Upper | Matryx textile reinforced with Kevlar fibers |
| Waterproofing | Gore-Tex version offered alongside a non-waterproof version |
| Stability | Chassis between midsole and outsole |
| Outsole | All Terrain Contagrip rubber |
| Versions | Low shoe and mid boot, with and without Gore-Tex |
| Price | Check latest price |
Pros
- Much lighter than a leather hiking shoe, which you notice most at the end of a long day.
- The Kevlar-reinforced upper resists scrapes from rock and scrub across the whole shoe, not just at the overlays.
- A snug, locked-down fit keeps your foot from sliding on steep or off-camber ground.
- The low platform gives real ground feel, so foot placement on rocks feels precise.
- Available as a shoe, a mid boot and in Gore-Tex, so you can match it to your trails and weather.
Cons
- The shape is narrow through the midfoot and toes, and there is no wide fitting.
- The ride is firm and modestly cushioned, so hard, rocky trail adds up over many hours.
- The Gore-Tex version runs warm and dries slowly once water gets over the collar.
- It is a trail specialist, so city sidewalks feel harder than they do in a cushioned walking shoe.
A tougher upper is the main change from the X Ultra 4
The upper is the story. Salomon builds the X Ultra 5 from Matryx, a woven textile with Kevlar fibers worked into the fabric, the same family of fibers used in protective gear. Earlier X Ultras relied on synthetic mesh with welded overlays, which protected the spots where the overlays sat. Putting the reinforcement into the weave spreads that protection across the whole upper, so the shoe is designed to hold up better against scree, scrub and rock edges while staying light.
The Gore-Tex version keeps water out in rain and wet grass, and Salomon fits it to the low shoe and the mid. The basic character of the shoe carries over: a low, close-fitting, quick-feeling hiking shoe. If you could not wear the previous X Ultra because of its narrow shape, do not expect the 5 to change your mind. If you liked the 4, this is the same idea with a tougher, lighter upper.
Who the X Ultra 5 suits best
Choose the X Ultra 5 if you hike at a brisk pace and want to feel the ground. Day hikers who cover ground quickly, scramble over rock and care about precise footing get more from this shoe than from a soft, tall, heavy one. The close hold through the midfoot helps most on steep, uneven trails, where a foot that slides inside the shoe wastes grip and invites blisters.
It also suits people with narrow to medium feet, which is the shape Salomon designs around. And it makes a strong travel shoe: light enough to pack, tough enough to be stuffed in a bag and casual enough to wear around town after a day out. The Gore-Tex version is the better pick for rainy climates and wet grass, while the non-waterproof version breathes and dries faster for warm, dry hikes.
Who should probably skip it
Skip the X Ultra 5 if you have wide feet. The last is narrow, and lacing cannot create room that is not there. Skip it too if your hikes are long and the ground is hard: the firm, modest cushioning is a trade for agility, and sore feet at the trailhead are the usual price. And if you routinely carry a heavy pack, you will want more underfoot support than a light, low shoe provides.
If that sounds like you, these are better places to start:
- Merrell Moab 3: a roomier toe box and a more forgiving fit for wider feet (check price)
- Brooks Cascadia 20: a wide, planted, cushioned base for long days on hard or rocky trail (check price)
- Hoka Kaha 3 GTX: a waterproof hiking boot with soft cushioning for hikers who carry a pack (check price)
Not sure which style of hiking shoe fits your feet? Our Free Shoe Finder asks a few quick questions and points you toward footwear that suits your feet and your trails.
A snug Salomon fit: great for the right foot, tight for the wrong one
The X Ultra 5 follows the classic Salomon shape: a secure heel, a wrapped midfoot and a toe box that gives your toes enough room but not much more. For a narrow or medium foot, that hold is a real strength. For a wide foot, it is a dealbreaker, and Salomon does not offer a wide fitting. Sizing up adds length, not width, and can loosen the heel, so it is not a reliable fix for a shoe that is tight across the sides.
Step-in comfort is firm and secure rather than plush. The Matryx textile is thin and slightly stiff, so expect a close, supportive wrap with little break-in. If your feet swell on long hikes, try the shoe on late in the day and with the socks you hike in. The non-waterproof version breathes well; the Gore-Tex version keeps rain out but runs warmer and dries slowly once water gets in over the top.
Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX hiking shoe alternate angle. Image: Amazon
Steady on rock, with a firm platform and Contagrip traction
The X Ultra 5 is a neutral shoe that gets its steadiness from structure rather than a wide, soft base. Salomon places a chassis between the midsole and the outsole to help the shoe resist twisting along its length, which keeps the platform predictable when you step across a rock or a root. The snug upper helps by holding your foot in place on the footbed. Because it sits low, you feel the shape of the ground, which is what makes precise foot placement possible.
The trade is cushioning. The midsole is firm and modest, so it works best on softer ground, shorter days and quicker hikes. If your feet ache after a long day on rocky trail in other shoes, you will probably feel it here too. The shoe has no features designed to control inward roll of the foot, so people who rely on supportive inserts should check the fit with them in and see a professional if foot pain persists.
The outsole is Salomon’s All Terrain Contagrip rubber, tuned for mixed hiking rather than one surface. It grips well on dirt, gravel and dry rock, and it is a sensible choice on wet rock, though no rubber outsole is a guarantee on slick surfaces. Durability benefits from the Kevlar-reinforced upper, but a light hiking shoe of this type is not built to outlast a heavy leather boot, and the usual 300 to 500 mile figure is only a broad guideline.
Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX hiking shoe detail view. Image: Amazon
Is the Salomon X Ultra 5 good for walking?
On trails, yes, and the low weight is the main reason. Walking for hours comes down to how much you lift with each step, and a light shoe cuts fatigue over a full day. The grippy outsole and steady chassis help on uneven ground, wooden steps and wet paths.
For everyday walking on pavement it is less convincing. The ride is firm, the fit is narrow and feet that swell over a day of errands may feel pinched. If most of your steps are on sidewalks, our guide to the best walking shoes is a better starting point, and the X Ultra 5 can be your trail shoe on weekends.
For more hiking choices, compare the hiking-shoe guide and Salomon shoe lineup.
Salomon X Ultra 5 Alternatives
If you like the idea of this shoe but want a different trade-off, these are worth a look.
Hikers who want a light shoe with far more foam underfoot should compare the Hoka Speedgoat 6. It cushions rocky ground much better and grips with a deep-lugged outsole, though it sits higher and gives up some of the connected feel the Salomon is known for (check price | read review).
If durability over many seasons matters more than low weight, the KEEN Targhee IV is built along sturdier lines and has a notably roomier toe box (check price).
And if you like the X Ultra 5 but want extra ankle coverage for rougher ground or a bit more load, the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX keeps the same design in a taller, waterproof boot (check price).
Price and value
The X Ultra 5 sits in the premium end of hiking shoes, and what the money buys is materials and structure rather than soft cushioning: a Kevlar-reinforced woven upper, a stabilizing chassis and a choice of waterproof or breathable builds. That is a fair deal for fast hikers with narrow to medium feet who value low weight and precise footing. If your priority is a soft ride or a roomy fit, the same money goes further on a more cushioned, wider shoe.
Final verdict
Best for: fast day hikes, mixed terrain and travel, for hikers with narrow to medium feet who want a light shoe and precise footing.
Avoid if: you have wide feet, hike long distances on hard ground or carry a heavy pack.
Fit: snug and narrow through the midfoot and toes, with no wide fitting; sizing up adds length, not width.
Verdict: The Salomon X Ultra 5 is a smart way to make a hiking shoe tough without making it heavy, and it feels quick and sure-footed where it fits. The narrow shape and firm ride are the price. Try it on with your hiking socks before you commit. Check the latest price.
Frequently Asked Questions for Salomon X Ultra 5
In length it is generally close to true to size, but the shape is narrow through the midfoot and toes and there is no wide fitting. Try it on with hiking socks, and do not rely on sizing up to add width.
Matryx is a woven textile with Kevlar fibers built into the fabric. Because the reinforcement is part of the weave rather than an overlay, the whole upper is designed to resist abrasion from rock and scrub at a lower weight than leather.
Choose the Gore-Tex version for rain, mud and wet grass, accepting that it runs warmer and dries slowly. Choose the non-waterproof version for warm, dry hikes where breathability and fast drying matter more.
It depends on the ground and your feet. The ride is firm and modestly cushioned, so long days on hard or rocky trail can tire your feet. On softer ground and shorter hikes, the low weight helps offset that.
Usually not. Salomon builds it on a narrow last and does not offer a wide width. Hikers who need more room across the toes and midfoot should look at a roomier model such as the Merrell Moab 3 or KEEN Targhee IV.
Pick the low shoe for fast day hikes and light loads. Pick the mid if you want extra ankle coverage on rough ground or carry a bit more weight. Both share the same basic design.
