Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid Gtx Hiking Boots - Womens Reviews

In the world of hiking boots, Salomon's X Ultra iii Mid GTX is a truthful standout. Despite its lightweight build, the boot nicely balances comfort, durability, and stone-solid traction. We put the X Ultra 3 through its paces over a full year of testing, including a multi-day backpacking trip into the Grand Canyon and 24-hour interval hiking in Washington'due south rugged Enchantments and Due north Cascades. In short, there'south a reason it's been a longtime favorite and our superlative-rated hiking kicking for multiple years in a row. Below we break downwardly the X Ultra 3 Mid's performance. To see how information technology stacks up to the contest, run across our article on the best hiking boots.

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Tabular array of Contents

• Comfort
• Weight
• Traction
• Stability and Support
• Waterproofing
• Build Quality and Durability
• Fit and Sizing
• What Nosotros Similar/What Nosotros Don't
• Comparing Table
• The Contest

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Performance

Comfort

Shaving weight oft comes at the cede of on-trail comfort, just that's non the example with the Salomon X Ultra three Mid GTX. The Grand Coulee's Escalante Route was an platonic testing ground, starting with an unrelenting descent of over 4,500 feet. By the finish of our first ix-mile day, I had but experienced calorie-free soreness, and I wasn't immediately wanting to remove the boots when we finally got to campsite, which is very loftier praise for a new pair of hiking footwear. In addition, there was very niggling break-in required. The X Ultra 3 felt far less strong than Salomon's own Quest 4D iii out of the box, although I did wear it on a few day hikes earlier heading into the Coulee. And the rest of the boot's testing has gone merely as smoothly: I haven't dealt with any hotspots or notable discomfort throughout a year of use.

The X Ultra three Mid isn't thick and soft like some trail runner-inspired designs, just the firm midsole offers sufficient isolation from sharp rocks. Information technology'south worth noting that Salomon'southward Quest 4D 3 provides even better protection for particularly technical and harsh terrain, but the majority of backpackers and hikers will find the X Ultra 3 to exist plenty of boot—and specially those who stay on trail. Information technology does sit rather low for a hiking boot (it rides just to a higher place the ankle on me), only there's still decent cushioning around the ankle and tongue, meaning you tin can snug the shoe down tightly without compromising on comfort. And while I was initially concerned that there weren't enough eyelets in the lacing organisation to allow for practiced customization (there are merely five sets full), it'southward proven to exist a not-issue. I especially capeesh the secure, locking eyelets along the bend in the ankle and about the top of the collar.

Weight

In a men's size ix, the Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX clocked in at 2 pounds ane.5 ounces on our calibration (the listed weight is 1 pound 15.seven ounces), which puts it on the lightweight terminate of the hiking boot spectrum. On the trail, the boot had a very nimble and athletic feel to it, which is one of the hallmarks of Salomon'due south hiking footwear lineup. And stacked upwardly confronting the competition, the X Ultra iii is a clear front-runner, undercutting similarly built models like the Asolo Falcon GV (2 lbs. 2.6 oz.) and La Sportiva Nucleo High GTX (ii lbs. 1.6 oz.). You can go lighter with a trimmed-downwardly design like the Altra Lone Peak four Mid RSM (one lb. ix.eight oz.) or Vasque Breeze LT Mid GTX (1 lb. 11 oz.), but we've found these boots compromise significantly on immovability when subjected to serious mileage and terrain. All in all, for the weight, the X Ultra iii Mid GTX is an impressively hardwearing and trail-set kicking.

Traction

The Salomon Ten Ultra three Mid GTX has 1 of the most well-rounded tread designs I've tested to date. The kicking has confidently climbed 4th-course terrain, descended a steep rockslide, easily handled a few inches of fresh snow, and trekked through mud, rock, and loose dirt without any notable bug. Additionally, the arrow-like lugs are deep, shed mud well, and aren't decumbent to collecting pebbles in betwixt the tread. And the design flips its shape at the heel to provide aplenty bite on the descent. After about a yr of consistent use, the tread is certainly showing signs of wearing downwards merely still has enough of life left.

Stability and Support

Salomon's weight-saving measures are well-nigh obvious when it comes to stability. For starters, the X Ultra iii Mid sits rather low on the ankle—y'all can technically wear quarter-height socks with it—and the support around that area suffers as a result. That said, information technology'southward nonetheless a big footstep up from a depression-pinnacle hiking shoe, and I had no issues with protection throughout testing. In fact, it was an platonic lucifer for the Grand Coulee's rocky and steep Escalante Route—I suffered no ankle rolling even over crude terrain while carrying a 35-pound pack. On the flipside, information technology also wasn't overly stiff or uncomfortable on tamer twenty-four hours hikes, which is often the case with burlier boots.

In addition to the lower ankle height, the X Ultra three also has a fairly flexible design around the collar. Yet, information technology'south even so significantly sturdier than many lightweight competitors we've tested, including the Vasque Breeze LT and Altra Alone Top 4 Mid RSM, which offer practically no lateral support. All in all, the X Ultra iii Mid is a great selection for those that like the feeling of a nimble shoe but want some actress protection and stability. If y'all're instead looking for a truly robust backpacking boot for technical terrain or conveying a heavy load, Salomon's taller, sturdier, and heavier (2 lbs. 13.2 oz.) Quest 4D 3 GTX is the amend choice.

Waterproofing

Salomon makes the X Ultra 3 Mid in both Gore-Tex and non-waterproof versions, but I tested the waterproof shoe given the wet forecast in the Grand Canyon. In the terminate, my feel was similar to all other Gore-Tex boots I've worn: the design provides reliable waterproofing in snow, calorie-free to moderate rain, and during stream crossings. However, the shoe does accept a lower ankle height compared to other backpacking-ready designs, which means you'll need to be mindful when crossing streams to avert water pouring in at the opening in the natural language. Just on the bright side, the X Ultra 3 Mid GTX dried out much faster than most other Gore-Tex models I've worn, which is likely a result of the thinner synthetic upper. The outer fabric was fairly water-logged after an specially rainy day on our trek, but the boots were completely dry by the time I put them on the next morning.

Breathability

For a waterproof boot, the Salomon 10 Ultra 3 Mid GTX is a expert overall breather. I've worn the boots in temperatures ranging from just below freezing to well over 70 degrees Fahrenheit and have had only minimal issues with overheating. Paired with thin hiking socks, my feet have gotten warm but not overly hot or sweaty, and the Gore-Tex membrane provided a nice dose of added insulation when the mercury dipped. All that said, Gore-Tex boots are never going to be standout breathers, so if this is a priority for you, the not-waterproof X Ultra 3 Mid Aero is a much better bet. The Aero model has a similar build but ditches the waterproof liner and includes a mesh upper material with a more open design for better ventilation.

Toe and Ankle Protection

As I touched on above, the Salomon 10 Ultra three Mid rides rather low for a backpacking boot, only it nevertheless provides decent ankle protection. The cushioning helps a lot here—information technology's thick enough to withstand directly hits around the ankle and heel. And for the weight, the toe coverage is impressively substantial: protective rubber covers most of the front end of the pes, which has easily fended off hard impacts with sharp rocks (the sides aren't every bit well-shrouded, but I haven't had whatever problems, even on ambitious trails). Those spending significant fourth dimension off trail might want a fiddling more tiptop and protection—the upper is fairly thin outside of the toe and talocrural joint areas—just it has been ample for my uses thus far.

Build Quality and Durability

Salomon is a class leader when information technology comes to quality backpacking footwear, and the Ten Ultra 3 Mid is no exception. Later nearly a twelvemonth of employ, the boot is even so in cracking shape and shows very fiddling wear. For comparison, we also took the Vasque Breeze LT Mid into the Grand Coulee, and the boot delaminated forth the rand just a couple of days into the trip. The Salomon's upper does incorporate a proficient amount of stitching, merely like the depression-top X Ultra 3 that I've tested (along with prior versions of the X Ultra and Quest boots), this has never turned out to exist a weak point in the design. As I touched on in a higher place, the only notable wear has been along the tread, only no lugs have chipped abroad or worn excessively—something we've consistently experienced with other hiking boots while traveling over abrasive granite in Washington country.

Fit and Sizing

The Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX provided a great all-around fit for my average-width feet. In my standard men'southward size 9, the boot proved to exist an ideal length to avoid dreaded toe bang on long descents, and the moderately narrow heel—combined with an excellent lacing system—held my foot in place nicely. Finally, the toe box is close to an average width (perchance slightly narrow), which worked well for me on our multi-day backpacking trip. Those that prefer a wide and spacious toe box, however, volition likely detect the Salomon's to exist restrictive. If this sounds like you lot, Salomon as well makes the X Ultra iii Mid in wide sizes.

Other Versions of the Salomon X Ultra 3

We brought the Ten Ultra 3 Mid GTX along for testing in the Grand Coulee, only Salomon besides makes the X Ultra in a number of other variations. If yous don't demand the ankle-meridian protection of the Mid, you lot can salve $fifteen and v ounces per pair with the low-top Ten Ultra 3 GTX (see our in-depth review here). And for those who prioritize breathability over waterproofing, Salomon also sells Aero versions of both the mid and low 10 Ultras ($120 and $130 respectively), both of which forego the Gore-Tex liner and take more mesh-heavy uppers to allow for better venting. All of the aforementioned designs are available in women's versions for the aforementioned price (the principal differences are in fit and colorways). And terminal merely not least, Salomon makes a men's-specific, low-summit LTR model of the X Ultra 3, which trades the synthetic upper for total-grain leather ($160 and one lb. 12.2 oz.).

Salomon X Ultra four

Salomon recently released a successor to the X Ultra 3: the Ten Ultra 4. Stacked upward against the model tested here, the latest men's Ten Ultra 4 Mid GTX costs the aforementioned at $165 but boasts a more modern and athletic await, has slightly improved stability with a new chassis design, and weighs a bit less (near one ounce less per shoe). Similar the three, the 4 is available in a number of other iterations, including both waterproof and non-waterproof depression-top models, although the "Mid" version is currently simply offered with the Gore-Tex membrane (for more, see our in-depth X Ultra iv Mid review).

What We Similar

• Salomon achieved an impressively low weight without sacrificing long-term durability or on-trail comfort, which is no easy feat for a backpacking boot.
• Traction is splendid: the kick confidently handled terrain ranging from steep, loose rock to clay, mud, and even snowfall.
• Summit-notch build quality: the Ten Ultra three Mid is showing very little vesture after around a year of consistent use.

What Nosotros Don't

• For specially technical terrain or conveying a heavy load, we'd recommend stepping up to a taller, sturdier, more protective kick like Salomon's own Quest 4D 3 GTX.
• Lower talocrural joint height means water can easily enter over the collar.
• Those with wider feet might detect the toe box restrictive (although Salomon sells the X Ultra 3 Mid in wide sizes).

Comparison Table

Boot	Price	Category	Weight	Waterproof	Upper
Salomon X Ultra iii Mid GTX	$165	Lightweight	ane lb. 15.7 oz.	Yes (Gore-Tex)	Suede leather / nylon
Merrell Moab 2 Mid WP	$135	Lightweight	2 lb. 4 oz.	Yes (M-Select)	Leather / mesh
Keen Targhee 3 WP Mid	$150	Lightweight	ii lb. 2.8 oz.	Yes (Corking.Dry)	Nubuck leather / textile
Vasque Breeze LT Mid GTX	$180	Lightweight	one lb. 11 oz.	Yep (Gore-Tex)	Mesh
Salomon OUTline Mid GTX	$150	Lightweight	1 lb. 13.6 oz.	Aye (Gore-Tex)	Constructed
Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX	$230	Midweight	two lb. 13.2 oz.	Yes (Gore-Tex)	Nubuck leather / mesh

The Competition

Salomon'southward 10 Ultra 3 Mid GTX is our meridian-rated hiking boot due to its impressive residual of lightness, comfort, and durability. Another popular model with similar intentions is Merrell's Moab 2 Mid WP. Compared to the Salomon, the Moab ii has more generous cushioning overall, and especially underfoot where it's notably softer and offers improve isolation from the ground. Withal, the 10 Ultra 3 is lighter past 4.3 ounces per pair, has a more athletic feel, and provides comparable support—we've actually constitute that the Salomon'southward lacing system allows for a better accommodating fit, which gives information technology the edge. In the end, those wanting a comfy boot for 24-hour interval hiking on maintained trails will likely prefer the Merrell, merely the Salomon is the lighter and more than versatile pick.

Some other one of our favorite hikers is Peachy'south signature Targhee Three Waterproof Mid. For $15 less than the X Ultra iii, the Targhee boasts a durable leather construction and great overall comfort, weighs a reasonable 2 pounds two.viii ounces, and offers sufficient stability and grip for most on-trail adventures. That said, information technology'due south a clear stride downwardly in overall performance from the Salomon on steep and rocky terrain, and Keen'south in-business firm waterproofing technology doesn't exhale too as the Salomon's more premium Gore-Tex membrane. All in all, the Targhee remains a popular option and for good reason, but the Salomon outperforms it in almost every category and strikes united states as worth the slight cost penalty.

There take been a growing number of ultralight boots hitting the market, including Vasque's Breeze LT Mid GTX. Sliding your foot in, the boot feels very much like a trail runner with a bouncy midsole, superlight experience (the kick weighs 1 lb. 11 oz. per pair), and sticky Vibram Megagrip outsole. On the aforementioned trip into the M Canyon, we found that the Breeze LT provided good cushioning, sufficient ankle support, and ample all-around condolement, but the boot came up well curt in durability. In detail, the thin rand that runs forth the within of the kicking separated from the upper within a couple of days and was flopping around loosely by the terminate of the trip. For a few ounces more, we give the edge to the more hardwearing X Ultra three Mid.

From within Salomon's own lineup, their OUTline Mid GTX sticks to a like overall script as the X Ultra 3 Mid. It's light (ane lb. 13.half-dozen oz. per pair), moderately flexible, features tacky Contagrip lugs, and includes a Gore-Tex liner. Where the 2 differ most is in comfort: the OUTline is too thin underfoot and led to noticeable foot fatigue even on longer day hikes. Plus, nosotros had durability bug with the toe cap peeling back later on merely one day (information technology was admittedly a long hike, merely nix excessive or overly technical). All in all, the OUTline's running shoe-like feel is overnice, and the boot certainly has a modern and sleek look to it, just it simply doesn't have the functioning chops or proven track record of the X Ultra 3 Mid GTX.

Last but not to the lowest degree is a more rugged blueprint to consider: Salomon'due south Quest 4D 3 GTX. At 2 pounds 13.two ounces, the Quest outweighs the 10 Ultra three by a considerable xiii.5 ounces per pair, which adds up quickly over long distances. That said, the Quest'due south sturdier build, taller ankle tiptop, more secure lacing arrangement, and added underfoot protection are much improve equipped to handle serious backpacking trips that require navigating catchy and technical terrain. In the end, the X Ultra three Mid tin't supplant a technical kick like the Quest, only for all but the most demanding trips, we think it's worth saving a significant $65 with the lighter and nimbler design.

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Source: https://www.switchbacktravel.com/reviews/salomon-x-ultra-3-mid-gtx

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