Our Score
Specs:
Weight: 15.91 ounces
Waterproof: Yes (Gore-Tex)
Outsole: Contagrip TA
Matryx Upper
Best Salomon Hiking Boots of 2026 | Unsponsored
Want to know the best Salomon hiking boots for your next adventure? This guide highlights the top-rated models of 2026, suitable for every hiking style and need. From lightweight day hikers to rugged backpacking boots, find your ideal pair here.
I have spent hundreds of hours testing each boot on the trail, from light everyday use to the most technical trails nature offers.
Testing included comfort, traction, overall protection, stability, waterproofness, weight, durability, and value.
Each Salomon hiking boot is placed into its own best category. This will help you choose the best hiking boot for your needs. In some cases, users will find the best backpacking boot to be better than the best overall-ranked hiking boot.
All of these boots were purchased with my own money and without sponsorship.
Editor’s Note: This Post was updated on 7/12/26 with the Salomon Quest 5 replacing the Quest 4 and the Elixir Activ replacing the X Ultra 4. There are also updated insights after further testing of each boot.
Overview of the Best Salomon Hiking Boots
Top-Rated Hiking Boot
8.9
Salomon X Ultra 5
Our best-rated Salomon hiking boot of 2026. Easy to use, come a lightweight and can tackle technical trails. For Upgraded upper as well as outsole.
Best Backpacking Boot
8.7
Salomon Quest 5
Our best-rated Salomon hiking boot for backpacking. Excellent stability and support with improved upper and lock-down.
Best Lightweight Budget Boot
8.6
Salomon Elixir Activ
Salomon's lightest hiking boot, weighing only 14 oz per boot. This is an extremely agile and featherweight boot with very good traction.
Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX – Best Overall Hiking Boot
Price: $185
Pros
- Very Durable
- Excellent Cushioning
- Advanced Chassis, Great Support
- Great Grip
Cons
- Breathability Concerns
- High Price Point
The Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX nails the balance between comfort, durability, and pure performance. Made for serious hikers, this boot goes the extra mile while remaining light as a feather without skimping on support and stability.
The previous iteration of the Salomon X-Ultra 4 was disappointing in terms of durability. Much of the upper was made entirely of welded synthetic material.
Many users found delamination, just as I did, after approximately 120 miles of testing. See Salomon X Ultra 4 vs Salomon X Ultra 5. However, Salomon really stepped up their game with the new Matryx upper.
The Matryx upper is a workhorse made with Kevlar fibers. It keeps you going for miles with both its durability & breathability on full display, and the Gore-Tex liner keeps your feet bone-dry even when the weather turns nasty.
Those delamination issues are no longer a problem, nor did they increase the weight of this model. That’s a definite win with this new iteration.
I tested the Salomon X Ultra 5 on the lightest gravel trails to technical boulder rocks, and I must say the traction is excellent. Many users have issues with the Contagrip TA outsole.
Still, I found this new iteration of Contagrip outsole to be built with a denser rubber compound and a firmer platform, resulting in less flex and ground adaptation on rocky, uneven trails. I tackled sections that would’ve challenged the previous model.
Add the advanced chassis and active support wings, and you have a great lateral support structure. Both of these structures resist lateral movement by acting as a buttress and reducing the risk of sprained ankles on the trail.
Speaking of ankle support, I really felt that the new upgraded top lace hooks provided solid lockdown at the top of my foot. Unlike with the Quest 5, my ankles weren’t moving freely within the boot itself.
Sadly, it’s hard to find a hiking boot that’s both waterproof and lightweight nowadays. Coming in at under 16 ounces, the Salomon X Ultra 5 is the lightest hiking boot we have tested to date.
Sure, it comes with a higher price tag and may not be a great fit for those with wider feet. But all things considered, the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX is still the top of the class among hiking boots for 2026.
Our Rating: 8.9
Read Our Review: Salomon X Ultra 5 Review | Are They WORTH IT In 2026?
Salomon Quest 5 GTX – Best for Backpacking
Price: $240
Pros
- Excellent protection
- Great stability
- Advanced chassis provides stable lateral support
- Impressive Water Resistance
- Great backpacking boot
Cons
- Higher Price Point
- Large Fit
The Salomon Quest 5 was just released in the 2026. With this new iteration, they were able to make a more durable and rugged backpacking boot than the previous Quest 4.
starting with the new sock liner, it got rid of the previous scratchy overlays at the top of your foot with the Quest 4. The footbed and impact absorption are now matched for backpackers. Coming down steep limestone, I felt the impact absorption. It was much more improved without increasing the stack height.
Traction-wise, Salomon upped the Contagrip outsole, making double lugs on the edges of the boot. This helps really hold an edge on the trail while side-hilling.The lugs are a lot more beefy and durable.
The high-riding ankle support is perfect for backpackers,however, I did have issues tightening the Quest 5 up against the bottom of my calf because this step-in hole is quite large and wide.
Stability and support are the strong points of the Quest 5. The Sensifit technology contours around your footfrom the outsole to the top of the laces, this is one of the most secure lockdowns on a hiking boot I have ever tested.
The advanced chassis aids in further lateral support. I didn’t notice any overpronation during my testing of the Quest 5. One unique feature of these boots is the lacing hooks. The first lacing hook is flared at 45 degrees meant to lockdown your foot, you can also skip this hook if you don’t need that secure lockdown.
Overall, the Quest 5 up this game when it comes to stability and support making it the top Salomon backpacking boots.
Our Rating: 8.7
Read Our Review: Salomon Quest 5 Review
Salomon Elixir Activ – Best Lightweight Boot
Pros
- Comfortable footbed
- Good Traction
- Great Heel Counter
- Lightweight
Cons
- Narrow Fit
- Question long-term durability
Price: $127
The Salomon Elixir Activ is an excellent choice for lightweight hiking. Weighing only 14 oz per boot, these are among the lightest trail boots we have tested, matching the exact weight of the Hoka Transport Hike.
However, the insole is not as cushy as the X Ultra 5, and the impact absorption is moderate. This boot is mainly for weekend hikers, not backpackers or trekkers.
One interesting feature of the Elixir Activ is its use of reverse camber, which is mainly found on Salomon’s approach shoes. This is a rockered sole, which allows a nice, efficient toe-off and adds to the lightweight profile of this boot.
This boot is agile thanks to its narrow outsole, especially in the midfoot. It’s suitable for narrow-footed hikers or those seeking agility, but it sacrifices stability due to its limited width.
The outsole’s flexibility leads to stability issues on uneven terrain. This boot is not meant for technical trails. I tested these on boulder climbs and had trouble keeping my footing due to the narrow midfoot.
I tested these in the snow, and the Gore-Tex membrane held up extremely well in a synthetic, welded boot. Creek crossings were not issue as well.
The Elixir Activ is for weekend hikers on mild to moderate terrain seeking a lightweight and agile option.
Our Rating: 8.6
Read Our Review: Salomon Elixir Activ Review
Others To Consider
Salomon Speedcross 6
While the Speedcross 6 is not a hiking boot per se, you can use this as a very agile hiking shoe. Crafted with a super grippy outsole, the Speedcross 6 takes down the roughest trails. Also features a Gore-Tex membrane for excellent waterproofing.
We weighed in each shoe at 13 ounces, which feels even more lightweight on your feet while you are wearing them. This is a great option for hikers seeking a very slim, nimble hiking shoe for technical trails.
Read Our Review: Salomon Speedcross 6 Review | Worth It In 2025?
Our Methodology
Our testing process for Salomon hiking boots is rigorous and thorough. Each boot was tested over 50 miles to gather accurate data and objective test scores.
We have been testing each boot since their release, starting as early as 2022 and continuing through 2026. We are an independent testing company, and we paid full price for each boot to ensure unbiased reviews.
We evaluate each boot based on several criteria, including: Comfort, traction, stability, support, weight, waterproofness, overall protection, durability, as well as value. Then each of these scores is broken down into weighted categories to yield the best possible evidence-based score.
Our goal is to provide honest and professional reviews to help you make an informed decision about your hiking footwear.
In addition, we do not accept any free products or sponsorships to ensure our reviews reflect the beneficence of our audience, helping them make informed, trustworthy gear decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX the best overall hiking boot?
The Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX stands out as the best overall hiking boot due to its exceptional combination of improved durability, traction, and insole comfort. It is in the top five for our best-ranked hiking boots overall this year.
What factors should I consider when choosing a Salomon hiking boot?
When choosing a Salomon hiking boot, consider your terrain, pack weight, and hiking style before choosing. If you choose the Quest 4, ensure that this is for superior ankle support and traction, not comfort.
Tyler
Tyler is the founder Mountaineer Journey and a professional Mountain Guide with 15+ years of technical experience in trekking, mountaineering, and trail sports. Having logged thousands of miles from rugged alpine summits to urban paths, Tyler provides rigorous, field-tested insights on hiking, walking, and trail running gear. All reviews are 100% unsponsored and unbiased, ensuring you get honest scoring based on real-world performance. His mission is to help outdoor enthusiasts of all levels find reliable equipment that ensures comfort, safety, and performance on any terrain.
