Hoka Kaha 3 vs Salomon X Ultra 5 | Which Is Better In 2025?
In this article, I’m sharing my honest, first-hand comparison between the Hoka Kaha 3 and Salomon X Ultra 5 after personally owning and testing both boots across hundreds of trail miles.
I’ve logged countless trail miles in both of these hiking boots, and I’m here to share an honest, objective testing comparison review from the perspective of a Professional Hiker.
Both hiking boots have been staples over the last few years, becoming the most popular models out on the market.
But are they really as good as they’re hyped up to be?
I’ll be comparing these two head-to-head in categories like price, comfort, traction, overall protection, fit, breathability, and durability.
Both the Kaha 3 and the Salomon X-Ultra 5 were released this year in 2025, They’ve been getting rave reviews from all around, and their previous iterations, the Kaha 2 and the X-Ultra 4, were top-of-the-line hiking boots.
You’ll find which hiking boots scored better overall & which one works best for you at the end.
Also, if you’re interested in learning more, I have tested each product individually in my Hoka Kaha 3 Review and Salomon X Ultra 5 Review.
Disclosure: Mountaineer Journey is 100 % reader-supported. We purchase every product ourselves—no sponsorships or paid placements. If you buy through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep testing gear independently and sharing unbiased reviews.
Salomon X Ultra 5 vs Kaha 3 Price Comparison
At the time of writing, the X-Ultra 5 runs about $55 cheaper than the Kaha 3 — a significant difference.
Salomon X Ultra 5 Price : $185
Hoka Kaha 3 Price: $240
| Comparision | Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall Hiking Boot  | 9.2 | Check Lowest PriceRead Review | |
Best Lightweight Hiking Boot  | 8.8 | Check Lowest PriceRead Review |
Comfort
When it comes to comfort, both hiking boots have scored in the top 10 out of all the 40 hiking boots we have tested to date for comfort.
The Salomon X Ultra 5 has an extremely comfortable Ortholite insole footbed with a moderate stack height compared to the Kaha 3, which has an almost 2-inch stack height with an extremely plush compression-molded EVA midsole.
Step-in comfort with the X-Ultra 5 feels clean and supportive. The toe box is improved from the previous iteration of the X-Ultra 4, while the surrounding upper has a sleek sock-liner without any compressive overlays.
The Kaha 3 has an extremely plush footbed that allows your feet to sink into them. However, it has a nice rebound effect where your feet do not sink in too much, causing overcompression.
The PU Sock liner of the Kaha 3 is much more comfortable than the X-Ultra 5. However, the X-Ultra 5 did improve the upper comfort when it comes to scratchy overlays which was my biggest complaint of the X Ultra 4.
Both toe boxes measure about 2.5 inches wide based on my personal measurements.
When it comes to overall volume, the Kaha 3 is definitely the winner here. allowing my foot to expand during long, hot hikes. during those swelling summer months.
Moving towards the heel, the X-Ultra 5 has better cushioning around the back of the heel which really prevents blisters while breaking them in. Initially, I felt the Kaha 3 didn’t have adequate padding in this area, however I didn’t experience any blistering.
One feature the Kaha 3 employs is the Hoka Meta Rocker geometry. This is a subtle curvature in the front of the outsole leading to a better toe off and energy return.
The boot feels much lighter on my foot as my stride feels more efficient. The X-Ultra 5 does not have a rockered outsole, however adding one to this really would have stepped up their game with this model.
Overall, the Hoka Kaha 3 has much better comfort than the X Ultra 5 when it comes to impact absorption, on-trail comfort, and plushiness.
Hoka Kaha 3 Comfort: 5 out of 5
X Ultra 5 Comfort: 4 out of 5
Winner: Kaha 3
Traction
Now the debate hikers have been having for years: Contagrip vs Vibram. Salomon incorporates their own in-house outsole, Contagrip TA, which is a very effective option.
The Kaha 3 outsources their outsole to Vibram, which is costly yet a very popular outsole option. Extremely effective on the trail.
Let’s start with the X Ultra 5. I put the Contagrip outsole to every terrain imaginable. The grip is extremely effective and holds true traction whether you’re on a day hiking trail or technical boulders.
I measured the lugs at 5 mm. They effectively shed mud and work very well with steep terrain. One of the forgotten aspects of the X-Ultra 5 is the active support wings, which adds that extra lateral support for traversing tough terrain.
The active support wings really help you from over-pronating on the trail and adding that extra ankle support you want/need for tough terrain.
Don’t forget about the advanced chassis, which is an internal support system built by Salomon themselves. The internal chassis really aids in midfoot and hindfoot stability on the trail while you’re on that uneven terrain.
The Kaha 3 lacks a dedicated internal chassis but compensates with a stiff heel counter. I was able to hike with great ankle support and stability while up against quite rough terrain during my testing period.
The Kaha 3 features 5 mm lugs with the associated Vibram Megagrip outsole. The lugs also have micro rubber spikes within them that help with that extra edge on the trail. This really helped me hold an edge while up against inclined terrain without any sort of slippage.
The traction of the Kaha 3 is much more grippy than the Contagrip. While directly comparing these two outsoles, the Kaha 3 has the upper edge.
Hoka Kaha 3 Traction: 5 out of 5
Salomon X Ultra 5 Traction: 4.5 out of 5
Winner: Kaha 3
Overall Protection
The previous iteration of the Salomon X-Ultra 4 did not feature many great overall protection features. The upper was synthetic with a lot of rips and tears hikers would note while testing them out.
The X-Ultra 5 features a new upper Matryx, which is built with multi-threaded Kevlar at the same time, it doesn’t ruin the breathability. However, this is a much better upper compared to the previous iteration.
The X-Ultra 5 resisted any scrapes or scratches on the trail, and the new Matrix upper is a big-time upgrade. It is much more robust than any sort of synthetic material.
In addition, the X Ultra 5 features a wider, more protective toe cap that is much wider than the previous iteration, protecting against root kicks.
When it comes to the Hoka Kaha 3, it features robust nubuck leather which is perfect for upper protection.
The 3 also features a new robust toe box as well as a heel shank which also protects your heel while on the trail.
The highest peak of the ankle cuff of the Kaha 3 is 7.5 inches,giving excellent ankle protection. The 3 offers more solid ankle protection when directly comparing both boots.
Overall, both iterations of these hiking boots offer great overall protection and can be trusted by many hikers on the trail.
Hoka Kaha 3 Overall Protection: 4.5 out of 5
Salomon X Ultra 5 Overall Protection: 4 .5 out of 5
Winner: Tie
X Ultra 5 Vs Kaha 3 | Which Fits Better?
I tested both hiking boots and a size 10 and a half, both normal width (Only the Salomon X Ultra 5 comes in a wide width).
Overall, the X-Ultra 5 has a slightly wide fit to the boot overall. It does have a slightly narrower toe box when compared to the Kaha 3.
The Kaha 3 does not come in a wide size, however, it fits most foot shapes. The Kaha 3 also expands to any sort of foot shape with excellent overall volume within the boot itself.
One issue with the Kaha 3 when it comes to overall fit angle of the eyelets and lace path. I had trouble lacing up my boots because the angle to the lace and the eyelet is not correct. This was also an issue with the previous iteration that they did not fix. A small minor issue, but also can get quite annoying after a while.
Both boots fit very well without a need to size up or down with either version.
Hoka Kaha 3 Fit : 4.5 out of 5
X Ultra 5 Fit : 4.5 out of 5
Winner: Tie
Breathability
Starting off with the Kaha 3, the boot does not offer many ventilation pockets because of the robust nubuck leather.
However, Kaha 3 is one of the first boots to introduce the invisible Gore-Tex, which is meant to be more breathable than previous iterations of waterproof boots.
I must say, the Kaha 3 compared to the Kaha 2, which had the normal Gore-Tex, the Kaha 3 is much more breathable and it does have thicker leather than the previous iteration.
The Salomon X Ultra 5 is not much better when it comes to breathability. While the Matrix Upper is much better when it comes to overall protection. It does not have the ventilation the previous model possessed.
Salomon claims the Matryx upper improves airflow, but in my testing, feet ran hot above 75 °F.
Overall, both these boots are not big winners when it comes to breathability, which is expected due to the overall protection scores and robustness of their build.
Kaha 3 Breathability : 3 out of 5
Salomon X Ultra 5 Breathability : 4 out of 5
Winner: X Ultra 5
Durability
We have tested both hiking boots for over a hundred miles now, so saying that we are well versed in terms of durability is an understatement.
When it comes to the X-Ultra 5, I haven’t noticed any fraying or rips in the new matrix upper. The outsole still holds true grip without much wear on any outer lugs.
I do notice there has been some loosening of the matrix upper on the X-Ultra 5, therefore the boot seems to be holding a larger volume than normal. Otherwise, I haven’t noticed any issues with durability when it comes to the X-Ultra 5.
Same goes for the Kaha 3, The grip holds true and strong while the nubuck leather is still robust to this day.
The Kaha 3 features such a high stack and outsole I would expect them to flatten out over time, however they still have not. This is due to the firmness they built the outsole with.
Overall, both boots are extremely durable and well worth the price you pay for them. Do not expect early wear issues with either of these boots.
Kaha 3 Durability : 5 out of 5
X Ultra 5 Durability : 4.5 out of 5
Winner: Kaha 3
Kaha 3 Overall Rating: 9.0
- Comfort: 5 out of 5
- Traction: 5 out of 5
- Overall Protection: 4.5 out of 5
- Fit: 4.5 out of 5
- Breathability: 3 out of 5
- Durability: 5 out of 5
Total: 27/30
X Ultra 5 Overall Rating: 8.8
- Comfort: 4 out of 5
- Traction: 4.5 out of 5
- Overall Protection: 4.5 out of 5
- Fit: 5 out of 5
- Breathability: 3.5 out of 5
- Durability: 4.5 out of 5
Total: 26.5/30
X Ultra 5 vs Kaha 3 | Which One Is Better Overall?
First up, both these hiking boots are among some of the most popular and best-rated on the market currently today.
After comparing both head-to-head, the Kaha 3 edges ahead overall.
The Kaha 3 has more robust material, better traction, and of course better performance.
The Salomon X Ultra 5 is no slouch, it is definitely among one of the best lightweight hiking boots currently on the market. The improved upper makes it an enticing option for those who didn’t love the durability of the previous model.
One of the downsides when it comes to the Hoka Kaha 3 is the price at $240. It is definitely at a price point where you should put some research into it. However, with that being said, this is the highest scoring boot we have rated objectively. So it is more than its money’s worth.
Who Should Buy Which:
Who Should Buy the Hoka Kaha 3:
• Hikers wanting maximum cushioning and long-term comfort.
• Those tackling rugged, high-mileage trails who prioritize durability.
Who Should Buy the Salomon X Ultra 5:
• Hikers needing a lighter, more agile boot for mixed terrain.
• Those preferring a lower-profile fit and slightly better breathability.
Check Price – Lowest Deal Available Today
(Do NOT pay retail):
| Comparision | Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall Hiking Boot | 9.2 | Check Lowest PriceRead Review | |
Best Lightweight Hiking Boot | 8.8 | Check Lowest PriceRead Review |
How We Tested Our Methodology
I personally tested the Salomon X Ultra 5 and Kaha 3 for over two years with the sole intent of giving you the most unbiased review possible. Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing outdoor equipment.
Over the past decade, I have logged over 2,000 hiking miles across diverse terrains, from the rugged Appalachian Trail to the challenging Rocky Mountains. Extensive experience allows me to directly compare both hiking boots in an objective manner while keeping any bias out of the picture.
We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.
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.
