The Salomon X Ultra hiking shoe has been my go-to for almost 15 years. I've owned 5 pairs—including the X Ultra 5 GTX. With well over 1,000 miles of first-hand hiking experience in Salomon's bestselling hiking shoe, I'm the ideal person to review it. My Salomon X Ultra 5 hiking shoe review shares all I've learned over the years.
Testing the limits of the Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX Low above 10,000 feet
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Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX Low Review
My review of the Salomon X Ultra 5 hiking shoe is based on first-hand knowledge of all five generations of this shoe. I've worn X Ultras since 2013 and recently picked up the X Ultra 5 Low for a series of test hikes in the high-desert mountains of New Mexico. I've also tested and reviewed the mid-cut Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX hiking boot, the less expensive X Ultra 360, and more contemporary X Ultra 360 Edge.
As always, my reviews are 100% independent (not sponsored posts) and rooted in real hiking experience. They also draw upon my training in the outdoor industry—where I've been an outdoor gear expert for a billion-dollar retailer and the footwear manager at an outdoor specialty shop.
Testing the Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX on the Piedra Lisa Trail
Support
The main reason so many people buy the Salomon X Ultra 5 is that it provides enough support for most hikers without weighing them down. I inherited bad ankles from my dad and have well over 1000 miles of hiking experience in this shoe without a single sprained ankle.
This shoe's secret weapon is a chassis—similar to thermoplastic side rails—that increase side-to-side support and mid-foot stiffness. This reduces your risk of rolling an ankle over a rock, root, or sloping trail. At the same time, this shoe bends enough at the natural flex point of your feet to sustain a natural stride. If you're looking for supportive and athletic hiking shoe, the Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX is a solid choice.
Even at size 12-wide, the X Ultra 5 weighs less than 2 lbs
Weight
At the same time, this supportive hiking shoe is also lightweight. Even in a larger size (12 wide), my pair weighs 2 ounces shy of 2 pounds. That's 4-6 ounces lighter than a traditional hiking shoe in my size.
The Salomon X Ultra 5 has been on my list of the best lightweight hiking shoes for years. Its weight-to-support ratio is off the charts.
The Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX is available in wide sizes
Fit
The Salomon X Ultra 5 fits snug in the heel, average in the forefoot, and slightly narrow in the toe box. Overall, its fit runs standard to slightly narrow. Most men and women should size up 1/2 size for their best hiking fit.
Thankfully, Salomon has offered this shoe in a wide for several years now. If you have wide feet—or even average-width feet—choose the wide size for more room in the forefoot and toes. It's not the widest wide I've tested, but it's a decent fit for my moderately wide feet.
Taking a break on a test hike in the Pecos Wilderness
Comfort
I've sold a ton of X Ultras to happy customers. The few who haven't loved this shoe weren't sold on its comfort.
Salomon gives hikers everything they need—and nothing they don't. This means the X Ultra 5 isn't as cushioned as many hiking shoes. Some hikers—especially beginners—can find it too firm or stiff. If you have wide feet, you might find it too snug for comfort.
Since I mostly hike moderate to difficult trails, I've appreciated this shoe's performance feel. For me, the X Ultra 5 is cushioned enough, and its light-yet-sturdy build offers an athletic feel that I appreciate. At the same time, I've sometimes replaced the X Ultra's Ortholite insoles with Superfeet Hike Cushion Insoles for more a more cushioned ride.
The GORE-TEX waterproofing survived several stream crossings
Weather Protection
I've owned all five versions of this shoe over the years and haven't had any issues with its waterproofing. The "GTX" in the Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX standard for GORE-TEX—the most reliable and breathable waterproofing available in today's hiking shoes. During my test hikes, I crossed several mountain streams in the X Ultra 5 without water seeping through its waterproof and breathable membrane.
If you keep your X Ultra 5s clean and periodically refresh their DWR coating with a durable water repellent spray, such as Nikwax or Grangers, they provide good weather protection for a low-cut shoe.
This shoe has good tread for woods and mixed terrain
Traction
The Salomon X Ultra 5 hiking shoe has solid traction for mixed terrain. The moderately aggressive, Y-shaped lugs have good purchase on steeper trails with dirt, gravel, and mud. Thanks to a deep heel brake, the X Ultra bites into soft or loose sediments on steep descents—where most serious falls occur.
Version 5 is a little better on solid rock than previous versions, but it's not great on rock. I had to slow down—but never fell—when I tested the tread on slickrock sections of the Embudito Trail.
The tread isn't as aggressive as it once was. Still, I didn't slip in the Salomon X Ultra 5 on my Nambe Lake test hike—after falling three times the last time I tested a hiking shoe on that steep mountain terrain.
My wife hiking Colorado's Maroon Bells in her Salomon X Ultras
Value
The Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX is reasonably priced. At a time when many average hiking shoes are approaching $200 (due to inflation and tariffs), the X Ultra 5 GTX has a MSRP of $175 ($20 less for non-waterproof). In today's market, that price is more than fair for a hiking shoe with so many selling points.
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Men's Salomon X Ultra 5 Low GTX
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Women's Salomon X Ultra 5 Low GTX
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Pros and Cons of the Salomon X Ultra 5 (Low)
Here's a short summary of the pros and cons of the Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX Low hiking shoe:
Should you buy the Salomon X Ultra 5 Low GTX?
The Salomon X Ultra 5 is one of the most versatile hiking shoes on the market. It's light and athletic enough for fast-and-light hikers, supportive enough for hikers who need foot and ankle support, and grippy enough for harder hikes. Plus, this shoe fits most hikers because its standard size runs a little narrow and it's available in wide sizes.
I've sold more Salomon X Ultras than any other hiking shoe—and have owned more pairs of them than any other hiking shoe. However, not all hikers find it comfortable. If you prefer a more casual or a max-cushion hiking shoe, you may not like the Salomon X Ultra 5. Other than that, though, this is a great hiking shoe for a wide range of hikers. The Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX has been a mainstay on my list of the best hiking shoes and best lightweight hiking shoes.
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