Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX Review: light hiking boots that feel more like trail runners

I’ve been using the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-Tex in black/magnet/pearl blue as my main hiking boots for a little while now, and the first thing that struck me is how light they feel for a mid-cut boot. When the box arrived, I honestly thought they’d sent the wrong item because it felt almost empty, and I get why that Amazon reviewer said the same. If you’re used to classic heavy leather boots, these feel closer to chunky trail runners with extra ankle coverage.

I’ve worn them for mixed use: a couple of half-day hikes on rocky trails, some muddy forest walks after rain, and boring stuff like grocery runs and dog walks. They’re clearly built more for hiking and fast walking than for standing around all day, but they held up fine in both cases. After a few days, I stopped thinking about them, which for footwear is usually a good sign: no hotspots, no weird rubbing, no feeling like I was dragging weights on my feet.

What surprised me most is the combination of lightweight feel and decent support. I normally expect light boots to feel a bit flimsy, especially around the ankle and under the arch, but these have a pretty rigid midsole and a firm heel cup. I did a short jog downhill on a gravel path just to see how they behaved, and they felt closer to trail running shoes than classic boots, like that one reviewer who said he jogged in them to prep for a hike. Not ideal running shoes, but it’s doable.

They’re not perfect though. Sizing is a bit tricky, and the toe box is on the narrower side. I usually wear 10.5 US in most brands, and with Salomon I always go half a size up. Same story here: if you’re between sizes or have wide feet, you’ll probably want to order a half size up or the wide version. Overall, my first impression is: solid hiking boot for people who prefer light gear and move fast, but maybe not the best choice if you want a stiff, tank-like boot for super heavy loads.

In terms of value, I’d say the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX sits in the “good but not crazy cheap” zone. You’re paying for the Salomon name, Gore-Tex waterproofing, and a fairly refined design that mixes trail runner comfort with boot support. Compared to cheaper hiking boots from generic brands, you do feel the difference on your feet: they’re lighter, more precise in fit, and better on rough terrain. Compared to higher-end leather boots, you save weight and usually some money, but you might give up some long-term durability.

The Amazon rating of 4.4/5 makes sense to me. Most people seem very happy—calling them their most comfortable hiking boots, praising the light weight, and saying they handled serious hikes like the Grand Canyon and mountain backcountry. The main complaints are about sizing and width, which is fair. If you ignore the sizing advice and just order your usual size in a regular width, there’s a decent chance they’ll feel tight. So if you buy them, factor in the idea that you might need a half size up or the wide version, which is a bit annoying but not a dealbreaker.

Compared to other mid-cut Gore-Tex hikers from brands like Merrell, Keen, or Columbia, the X Ultra 4 Mid feels more performance-oriented and lighter. If you do a lot of hiking and like moving fast, the extra price feels justified. If you only hike a couple of times a year on easy trails, you could probably get away with something cheaper and not notice a big difference. Where these really make sense is for people who want one pair that can handle regular hiking, travel, and general outdoor chores without feeling like overkill.

So, value verdict: good value for money if you’ll actually use them often and appreciate the light weight and grip. If they’re just going to sit in the closet for one hike a year, they’re probably more than you need. But for frequent hikers or people who are on their feet outside a lot, the comfort and performance justify the price pretty well.

Design-wise, the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX leans more towards a rugged sneaker than a traditional boot. The black/magnet/pearl blue colorway is pretty low-key. On my pair, most of the upper is dark grey/black synthetic material with some subtle blue details that don’t scream “neon trail runner”. I’ve worn them with jeans in town and they don’t look out of place, which is nice if you don’t want to swap shoes every time you leave the trail.

The overall shape is quite streamlined. The toe area is slightly pointed compared to brands like Keen or Merrell that go wider and rounder. There’s a rubber toe cap that does a decent job protecting against rocks and roots; I kicked a couple of stones by accident and didn’t feel pain, just the impact. The mid-cut ankle height gives some coverage, but don’t expect massive padding like heavy leather boots. It’s enough to keep debris out and give some support, but you still have good flexibility for fast walking.

One thing I like is the lacing system. It’s straightforward, with classic laces and metal hooks at the top, so you can tension the lower and upper parts differently. I tend to lace the forefoot slightly looser and crank down a bit more around the ankle, and the boot holds that adjustment pretty well. There’s no quicklace system on this mid version, which I actually prefer; easier to replace and adjust on the go. The tongue is gusseted, so water and dirt don’t easily sneak in from the sides.

From a practical point of view, the outsole has a pretty aggressive pattern with multi-directional lugs. On dry dirt and rocky paths, grip was very solid. On wet grass and mud, it’s decent but not magic; you still need to watch your step, but I didn’t feel like I was skating. The heel has a pronounced braking zone, which helped on steep downhills. Overall, the design feels like it’s made for fast hiking and mixed terrain, not fashion or hardcore mountaineering. If you like the look of modern trail shoes but want a bit more ankle coverage, this hits that niche pretty well.

Comfort-wise, the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX is very easy to live with, as long as you get the sizing right. Out of the box, there was basically no break-in period for me. I wore them on a 2-hour hike the first day, expecting a hotspot somewhere around the heel or little toe, and got nothing. Several Amazon reviewers said the same thing: comfortable right away, no real break-in needed. The feeling on foot is closer to a sturdy sneaker than a stiff boot.

The cushioning is on the firmer side but still comfortable for long walks. After about 10 km on mixed terrain (gravel, dirt, some asphalt), my feet felt fine: no burning under the forefoot, no sore arches. If you like super soft, squishy shoes, you might find these a bit firm, but that firmness helps with stability on uneven ground. The ankle collar has enough padding without being bulky, and I didn’t get any rubbing around the Achilles. The heel lock is good too; once laced, my heel didn’t lift, even walking uphill.

The downside is fit and width. Salomon tends to run a bit narrow, and this model is no exception. I normally wear a 10.5 US in other brands, but with Salomon I always go up to 11, and that worked again here. One Amazon review specifically said to buy half a size up because they run small, and I agree. If your feet are wide, you should look at the wide version. Another reviewer said: “If you got a fat foot be sure to order it Wide”, and that matches my impression. The regular version is fine for medium-width feet, but if you like Altra-style wide toe boxes, you’ll probably feel squeezed.

Breathability is decent for a Gore-Tex boot, but it’s still a waterproof boot. On cooler days, no problem at all. On warmer days, my feet got a bit warm but not soaked in sweat. For hot summer hikes, I’d still prefer non-GTX shoes, but as an all-round, three-season boot, this is acceptable. Overall, once you sort out the size and width, comfort is one of the strong points of this model: light on the foot, easy to wear all day, and no drama with blisters in my case.

The materials are exactly what you’d expect from a modern hiking boot that isn’t leather. The upper is synthetic fabric with some overlays, and the sole is rubber. There’s a Gore-Tex membrane inside for waterproofing. No fancy leather, no suede, just practical stuff that dries faster and is easier to clean. One Amazon reviewer mentioned using them on a farm, getting them muddy, letting them dry, and then brushing them off with water and a light brush. I did something similar after a muddy forest walk: let them dry overnight, then knocked the dirt off and rinsed them. They cleaned up quickly and didn’t stain much.

The synthetic-and-rubber setup has pros and cons. On the plus side, weight stays low and the boots don’t soak up as much water as leather. After walking through wet grass and shallow puddles, the outside looked damp but didn’t feel waterlogged. The Gore-Tex liner did its job: my socks stayed dry. On the downside, synthetic uppers don’t always last as long as thick leather if you abuse them daily across years. So far, no tears or peeling on my pair, but I haven’t put multi-year abuse into them yet. The farm reviewer saying they “take a beating” is encouraging, but I’d still say: if you want something for serious, long-term industrial use, you might want to see these as light-duty work boots, not heavy-duty safety boots.

Inside, the lining is a standard textile that feels smooth against hiking socks. The insole is removable, which is useful if you want to swap in your own orthotics or a thicker footbed. I changed to a slightly more cushioned insole after a week because I like a softer feel under the heel. With the stock insole, the support is firm and a bit on the performance side, not plush. Stitching and glue lines on my pair are clean; I didn’t see any loose threads or sloppy glue spots.

Overall, the materials are practical and focused on function, not luxury. If you’re expecting premium leather and a boot that molds dramatically to your foot over time, this isn’t it. If you want something that’s light, synthetic, and easy to hose off after a muddy day, this fits well. Just keep in mind that with synthetic boots in general, long-term durability can vary a lot depending on how you treat them and how often you wear them.

On durability, I’m somewhere between “pretty confident” and “let’s see after a year.” So far, no obvious issues: the upper isn’t fraying, the sole isn’t separating, and the toe cap is still glued firmly with no gaps. I’ve worn them on rocky trails, gravel roads, and some muddy sections, and they’ve taken a few scrapes without visible damage. The Amazon reviewer who uses them on a farm and says they “take a beating” without tears or visible damage is reassuring, because daily farm work is no joke for footwear.

The synthetic upper does show dust and dried mud a bit, but it also cleans easily. After a week of dusty trails, a quick brush and a rinse made them look decent again. The rubber outsole shows minimal wear on the lugs so far, even with some asphalt walking. I’d expect the tread to last a fair amount of time if you mostly use them on dirt and rock. If you wear them daily on concrete, like work shoes, you’ll obviously wear the lugs faster.

The usual concern with synthetic boots is that they can fail suddenly once the fabric or stitching gives out, instead of slowly cracking like leather. I don’t see any weak spots yet, but the flex points around the forefoot and the area where the upper meets the sole are the places I’d keep an eye on. The stitching looks neat and even, and there are no loose threads on my pair. Also, they’re not discontinued, so if you like them, you can probably grab a second pair later.

Overall, I’d rate durability as good for a light synthetic boot, but I wouldn’t expect them to last as long as a heavy full-grain leather boot if you’re abusing them in harsh conditions every day. For normal hiking and weekend use, I can see these lasting several seasons with basic care. If you’re planning to use them like work boots on concrete and metal all day, there are tougher, heavier options out there.

On the trail, the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX does pretty solid work. The grip on dry terrain is very good. I used them on rocky paths, loose gravel, and packed dirt, and they felt secure the whole time. The outsole pattern bites well when climbing and braking on descents. One reviewer mentioned hiking in the Idaho Sawtooth backcountry and the Grand Canyon with them and being happy, and I can see why. They’re light enough that you don’t feel dragged down on long climbs, but stable enough that you don’t feel like you’re in flimsy running shoes.

In wet conditions, they behave reasonably well. The Gore-Tex membrane kept my feet dry in wet grass, small puddles, and light rain. I didn’t fully submerge them in a stream above ankle level—that’s asking for trouble with any mid-boot—but up to just below the laces, no leaks. The outsole on wet rock is okay, not magic: you still have to watch polished, wet stones, but I didn’t experience any scary slips. In mud, the lugs shed dirt decently once it dries, but when it’s really sticky, they can clog like most boots.

Stability is where these shine for their weight. There’s a firm midfoot chassis that keeps your foot from twisting too much on uneven surfaces, and you feel that especially with a light backpack. I did a few quick downhill jogs to test how they handle sudden changes in direction, and they stayed planted without my ankles feeling loose. That said, if you’re carrying a very heavy pack or have weak ankles, you might want a stiffer, higher-cut boot. These are built more for fast hiking and moderate loads than for full-on expedition stuff.

For mixed use—hiking, walking the dog, chores around the yard—they’re honestly overkill in a good way. They give you grip, waterproofing, and support, and they’re light enough that you can even jog short stretches if you need to catch a bus or whatever. Performance overall: very capable for day hikes and light backpacking, with enough support and traction to handle rough trails, but not a hardcore alpine boot. If you know what you’re buying them for, they do the job well.

The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-Tex are basically mid-height hiking boots built on a trail-running type platform. They’re synthetic with a rubber sole, waterproof thanks to Gore-Tex, and this specific colorway is black/magnet/pearl blue, which is basically dark grey/black with some subtle blue accents. They’re marketed as men’s boots, but the shape and weight will also appeal to anyone who likes fast hiking or backpacking without carrying a ton of weight on their feet.

On paper, they check all the usual boxes: synthetic upper, rubber outsole, imported, Gore-Tex membrane, and Salomon’s usual chassis under the midfoot for stability. The product page is a bit generic and even mentions a different color (Green Gables/Black/Cumin), but the model number and structure are the same. These aren’t heavy leather boots for mountaineering; they’re more in the “do-everything light hiker” category. Think day hikes, weekend trips, maybe light backpacking with a moderate pack, and general outdoor use like farm work or yard work, as one Amazon reviewer mentioned.

In practice, they sit in between a trail running shoe and a traditional boot. You get ankle coverage, some protection around the toes and sides, good grip, and waterproofing, but they’re not super rigid. If you’re planning to carry a 20+ kg pack for several days on rough alpine terrain, I’d personally look at something beefier. For normal hiking, mixed trails, muddy tracks, and everyday outdoor tasks, these feel very much in their element. I used them on a rocky forest trail with roots and loose stones, and they gave me enough confidence without feeling clunky.

Important thing: these are part of Salomon’s X Ultra line, which has been around for a while and has a decent reputation. The Amazon rating of 4.4/5 matches my feeling: generally very good, with some minor quirks like fit and long-term durability questions. If you know you like Salomon’s fit already, this will feel familiar. If you’re new to the brand, be ready to play a bit with sizing, especially if you usually rely on wide toe boxes or have high volume feet.