Bottom Line
The Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX is our favorite overall pick in our men’s hiking-shoe guide because it combines the stability and protection of a traditional hiker with enough agility for long days on rough trails. Our testing in Alaska’s Chugach Range included off-trail traverses, scree, snow patches, creek crossings, mud, and steep alpine terrain, and the X Ultra consistently felt secure and protective.
The latest version also addresses one of our biggest historical concerns with the X Ultra line: durability. Early testing already showed a tougher upper and better resistance to toe-crease wear, and our broader experience with the X Ultra platform now totals more than 500 miles across multiple iterations. That lifetime testing is why the current gear guide treats durability as a strength rather than a weakness.
The tradeoffs are weight, warmth, and stiffness. These shoes are heavier and less flexible than trail-runner-style options, and the GORE-TEX upper can feel hot in warm weather. But for hikers who prioritize dependable footing, protection, and dry feet over minimal weight, the X Ultra 5 GTX is exceptionally well rounded.
How We Tested
Gear Analyst Miles Knotek tested the X Ultra 5 GTX extensively on and off trail around Anchorage and in Alaska’s Chugach Range, including steep rocky terrain, loose scree, boggy ground, creek crossings, and snow. The current recommendation also reflects more than 500 miles of cumulative CleverHiker experience with the X Ultra line across multiple iterations.
Quick Specs
- Best for: Rugged hiking, wet climates, off-trail travel, technical terrain
- Waterproof: Yes, GORE-TEX
- Fit: Narrow forefoot / high-volume upper
- Outsole: All-Terrain Contagrip; lug depth not published
- Underfoot protection: advancedCHASSIS molded insert
- Available widths: Regular & Wide
Men’s Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX
Best Hiking Shoes Overall
CleverHiker Rating: 4.8/5.0
Price: $175
Weight (Pair): 1 lb. 11 oz.
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 11 mm
Pros
- Comfortable
- Breathable
- Waterproof
- Stable
- Excellent traction
Cons
- Heavy
- Single-lace eyeholes
- Limited durability
- Long break-in
- Not the best for scrambling
- Expensive
Comfort
The X Ultra 5 GTX feels more like a supportive hiking shoe than a soft trail runner. Its stiff sole and structured upper create a planted platform that we appreciate on steep, uneven terrain, especially when sidehilling or moving through talus. That support can reduce foot movement and make rough terrain feel more controlled.
Fit is more complicated. Our tester found the shoe relatively narrow through the forefoot but high-volume through the upper, requiring the Quicklace system to be cinched aggressively. The thick waterproof construction also runs warm. We would choose something lighter and airier for hot desert hiking, but the supportive feel is a real advantage in cool, rugged environments.
Comfort Score: 4.5 / 5.0
Traction
Salomon’s Contagrip outsole performed very well in loose dirt, mud, tundra, steep descents, and rough alpine terrain. The widely spaced lugs shed mud effectively and provide useful multidirectional bite. We especially like the confidence the shoe inspires when footing is inconsistent.
Smooth wet rock remains the main exception. We noticed less grip on slick river rocks and smooth shale than on softer or rougher surfaces. Even with that limitation, traction is one of the X Ultra 5 GTX’s strongest qualities.
Traction Score: 4.7 / 5.0
Weight
At about 1 pound 11 ounces per pair, the X Ultra 5 GTX is not a lightweight shoe in this category. The difference is noticeable next to the Peregrine 16, Prodigio 2, and Speedgoat 7.
The added weight buys a stiffer platform, waterproof membrane, protective upper, and more substantial construction. We think that tradeoff makes sense for rugged and wet terrain, but ounce-conscious hikers have better options.
Weight Score: 4.2 / 5.0
Durability
Durability is now a major reason we recommend this shoe. The updated upper has resisted the crease-point failures we saw in some earlier Salomon designs, and the current platform has held up well through repeated contact with scree, rocks, roots, and rough off-trail travel.
Our 500-plus-mile figure is a lifetime CleverHiker total across multiple X Ultra iterations rather than mileage on one single pair. Taken together with the newest model’s stronger materials, that history gives us confidence recommending the X Ultra to hikers who are hard on footwear.
Durability Score: 4.7 / 5.0
Weather Resistance
Weather protection is excellent. The GORE-TEX membrane kept our feet dry through creek crossings, snow patches, wet vegetation, mud, and sloppy trail conditions. This is one of the shoes we reach for when cold and wet are more likely than hot and dry.
The downside is reduced ventilation. In warm temperatures, the thick upper and waterproof liner retain noticeably more heat than mesh trail runners.
Weather Resistance Score: 4.8 / 5.0
Should You Buy The Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX Hiking Shoe?
Yes, if you want a durable, stable, waterproof hiking shoe for rugged terrain. It is especially well suited to hikers who spend time in wet climates, move off trail, or want more protection than a trail runner provides. Hikers focused primarily on low weight, flexibility, or hot-weather ventilation should look elsewhere.
What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?
Check out our full lineup of hiking shoe to see our other favorites:
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor III Review: Choose the Ultra Raptor III if your hikes are primarily steep, rocky, and technical and you do not need waterproofing. It has a narrower, more performance-oriented fit than the X Ultra 5 and excellent sticky traction for scree, talus, and alpine terrain. We prefer the Salomon as the more versatile all-around shoe, but the Ultra Raptor is a compelling choice when technical mountain performance is the priority.
HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX Review: The Anacapa 2 Low GTX is a better fit if you want waterproof protection with more cushioning and a roomier platform. It is heavier and less precise than the X Ultra 5, but its rockered ride is comfortable for long days and works especially well for hikers who prefer a softer feel underfoot.
Saucony Peregrine 16 Review: Pick the Peregrine 16 if low weight, flexibility, and long-distance efficiency matter more than maximum protection. It is dramatically lighter and more breathable than the X Ultra 5, with excellent traction and a lively trail-runner feel. The tradeoff is less weather protection, less structure, and lower long-term durability in rough terrain.
