• Comfort 90% 90%
  • Stability 70% 70%
  • Traction 80% 80%
  • Weight 80% 80%
  • Water Resistance 70% 70%
  • Durability 70% 70%

Price: $165

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.28lb (1.03kg)

Boot Type: Midweight Hiker/Backpacking Boot

Width Options: Regular, Wide

Waterproof Lining: Gore-Tex Performance Comfort

Upper: Waterproof PU coated leather

Shank: Molded shank

Midsole: Injected EVA

Sole: Contagrip HT

Warranty: 2yr

Sizes: 7-13 US

Color Options: 3

What We Like: Light, comfortable, reasonably priced

What We Don’t: Upper could be taller, more rigid, and more durable

Salomon has blurred the line between a day-hiking and backpacking boot with the Midweight X Ultra Mid 3 GTX, which retains a decent degree of durability without adding extra weight—while also managing to provide a great deal of comfort. This boot is ideal for trail runners looking to transition to a more heavy-duty boot or backpackers interested in shedding a few extra ounces. A price tag of $165 makes the Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTXs one of the more inexpensive hiking boots on our list, which is especially impressive as Salomon is not typically known for producing especially economical products. Although they could benefit from slightly more stability, these boots are among the best values of all the shoes in our review.

We participate in affiliate programs to help us fund Gear Hacker. Some of the links in this website are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product using our link, we will earn a small commission. Don’t worry! This comes at no additional cost to you, and we will never base our reviews on whether or not we earn a commission off of a product. With that said, if you find our review helpful and decide to purchase an item we review, we would be very appreciative if you use our links to do so. It will help us bring you more awesome content in the future!

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  • Comfort 90% 90%
  • Stability 90% 90%
  • Traction 80% 80%
  • Weight 50% 50%
  • Water Resistance 80% 80%
  • Durability 80% 80%

Pros

Durable and comfortable with incredible grip

Cons

A bit heavy and overly stiff

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 3.3lb (1.5kg)

Boot Type: Midweight Hiker/Backpacking Boot

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  • Comfort 80% 80%
  • Stability 80% 80%
  • Traction 80% 80%
  • Weight 60% 60%
  • Water Resistance 90% 90%
  • Durability 60% 60%

Pros

Out-of-the-box comfort, excellent traction, and several color options

Cons

Pricey, potential durability issues at the seams

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.9lb (1.31kg)

Boot Type: Midweight Hiker/Backpacking Boot

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Pros

Ultralight, well priced, excels at waterproofing and breathability

Cons

Lacing system could be more elegant, minimal ankle support, and questionable durability

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 1.77lb (0.8kg)

Boot Type: Lightweight/Day Hiker

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  • Comfort 80% 80%
  • Stability 70% 70%
  • Traction 70% 70%
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  • Water Resistance 60% 60%
  • Durability 80% 80%

Pros

Light, comfortable, and durable at a great price

Cons

Lacking in breathability, could offer slightly more stability

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.38lb (1.08kg)

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Pros

Incredibly comfortable, high stability, and great waterproofing

Cons

Traction and lace system could be slightly better

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.45lb (1.11kg)

Boot Type: Midweight Hiker/Backpacking Boot

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  • Comfort 70% 70%
  • Stability 80% 80%
  • Traction 80% 80%
  • Weight 70% 70%
  • Water Resistance 80% 80%
  • Durability 70% 70%

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Cons

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Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.65lb (1.2kg)

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Pros

Immediate comfort, lightweight, top-notch waterproofing and breathability

Cons

A bit pricey, could use a boost in durability and stability

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.48lb (1.12kg)

Boot Type: Lightweight/Day Hiker

The Best Hiking Boots: Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTX - Gear Hacker

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  • Comfort 90% 90%
  • Stability 70% 70%
  • Traction 80% 80%
  • Weight 80% 80%
  • Water Resistance 70% 70%
  • Durability 70% 70%

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Light and comfortable at a reasonable price point

Cons

Upper could be taller, more rigid, and more durable

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.28lb (1.03kg)

Boot Type: Midweight Hiker/Backpacking Boot

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  • Comfort 60% 60%
  • Stability 70% 70%
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  • Water Resistance 90% 90%
  • Durability 70% 70%

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Nimble and durable with great traction

Cons

Lacks arch support and does not accommodate wider feet

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.1lb (0.95kg)

Boot Type: Lightweight/Day Hiker

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  • Comfort 80% 80%
  • Stability 70% 70%
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  • Durability 70% 70%

Pros

Excellent price, breathability, and comfort

Cons

No waterproofing, the durability and traction could be better

Weight Per Pair (Size 11): 2.41lb (1.09kg)

Boot Type: Midweight Hiker/Backpacking Boot

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  • Durability 70% 70%

Pros

Good comfort-to-weight ratio, well-priced, superior toe protection

Cons

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Boot Type: Lightweight/Day Hiker

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Comfortable, economical, and lightweight

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Very comfortable and light, with an impressive lacing system

Cons

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  • Comfort 60% 60%
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Durable from top to bottom while still being light

Cons

Require break-in time, outsole could be more flexible

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  • Comfort 60% 60%
  • Stability 70% 70%
  • Traction 70% 70%
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  • Water Resistance 90% 90%
  • Durability 80% 80%

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Durable and waterproof with a unique comfort profile beloved by some hikers

Cons

Heavy and expensive with less than ideal ankle support and stiff midsole

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Amongst the many names in the hiking industry, Salomon is a standout. The company’s history dates back to 1947 and began in the skiing industry, eventually expanding into hiking boots in the early ‘90s. They were acquired by AMER Sports in 2005, and today, their product line features a wide range of hiking and skiing equipment, with their hiking boots and trail-running shoes as one of the top sellers— for a good reason.

 

Salomon has blurred the line between a day-hiking and backpacking boot with the midweight X Ultra Mid 3 GTX, which retains a decent degree of durability without adding extra weight, while also managing to provide a great deal of comfort. This boot is ideal for trail runners looking to transition to a more heavy-duty boot or backpackers interested in shedding a few extra ounces.

The Best Hiking Boots: Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTX - Gear Hacker

Comfort & Weight

Most hikers find that the X Ultra Mid 3 GTXs are ready to go right out of the box, suffering no issues like blisters or hotspots. However, obviously, no two pairs of feet are exactly the same. This automatic comfort can be attributed to the injected EVA foam midsole paired with Ortholite sock liners and contoured EVA heel cups. Salomon utilizes a speed lacing system for these boots that’s quite different from the other Salomon boots in our review, the Quest 4D 3 GTXs. Three nylon loops run along the bottom, followed by 2 metal hook eyelets.

The Best Hiking Boots: Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTX - Gear Hacker

As previously mentioned, one of the major strengths of this shoe is its comfort-to-weight ratio. At only 2.28 lbs (1.03 kg), these are the fourth lightest boots of the 16 in our review. This weight-saving design does compromise overall durability to some extent.

The Best Hiking Boots: Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTX - Gear Hacker

Traction & Stability

Traction is achieved via Salomon’s proprietary rubber compound, a non-marking Contagrip TD outsole. The large Chevron lugs on this sole manage to be very deep without having a tendency to pick up too many stray pebbles. In addition, the braking lugs on the heel improve overall bite and assist on downhill descents.

The Best Hiking Boots: Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTX - Gear Hacker

The upper is constructed with waterproof PU-coated leather that’s very flexible and could be a bit more sturdy. The molded shank is Salomon’s Advanced Chassis design, which is surrounded by foam cushioning to increase comfort; it also stabilizes the heels by being connected directly to the soles.

The Best Hiking Boots: Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTX - Gear Hacker

The collar height is a bit lower than other over-the-ankle boots; it’s honestly only slightly higher than a low-cut hiking shoe, although it should get above the ankle. As a result, the X Ultra Mid 3 GTX has one of the lowest torsional rigidities of all the boots in our review, a notable drawback. However, this is countered by cushioning around the ankle and tongue that helps the boot retain a snug fit and a decently wide forefoot width that reinforces overall stability.

The Best Hiking Boots: Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTX - Gear Hacker

Water Resistance & Durability

Salomon selected Gore-Tex Performance Comfort for the waterproof lining, which positively impacts the breathability as well. The liner works very well with thin socks but could be more breathable when wearing thicker hiking socks in warmer weather. The low collar height also means that this boot has a relatively low flood height, so you’ll need to be a bit more cautious when walking through the splashy stuff.

The Best Hiking Boots: Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTX - Gear Hacker

The rubber toe extends quite high and should help maintain the overall durability at the base of the shoe. As we move up, we find that the synthetic materials used to save on weight do have an inverse effect on the overall durability, so you’ll see the effects of kicking one too many rocks in a relatively short period of time. Several stitches may also require treatment with Seam Seal.

The Best Hiking Boots: Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTX - Gear Hacker

Styles & Sizes

There are three color choices with the Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTXs—Castor Gray/Black/Green Sulphur, Burnt Brick/Black/Bleached Sand, and Black/India Ink/Monument. Sizes range from 7-13 US, with both regular- and wide-fit options available, and the boots come with an appealing 2-year warranty.

The Best Hiking Boots: Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTX - Gear Hacker

The Bottom Line

A price tag of $165 makes the Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTXs one of the more inexpensive hiking boots on our list, which is especially impressive as Salomon is not typically known for producing especially economical products. They’re also a very well-rounded boot, offering an excellent balance of comfort and durability while also remaining lightweight. Although they could benefit from slightly more stability, these boots are among the best values of all those in our review.

The Best Hiking Boots: Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTX - Gear Hacker

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We participate in affiliate programs to help us fund Gear Hacker. Some of the links in this website are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product using our link, we will earn a small commission. Don’t worry! This comes at no additional cost to you, and we will never base our reviews on whether or not we earn a commission off of a product. With that said, if you find our review helpful and decide to purchase an item we review, we would be very appreciative if you use our links to do so. It will help us bring you more awesome content in the future!