Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX Review | WORTH IT in 2026?
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX Review for those who are wondering whether they are still WORTH IT in 2026. Previously we tested the low cut Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX, this time it was important we tested the “Mid” version as there are big differences.
For this review, I have put in over 90 miles into testing my own personal pair of Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX in the fall and winter months. I’m very familiar with how they feel and perform on the trails. I’ll go over comfort, traction, overall protection, water resistance, fit, stability & support, and durability.
I’ll be sharing my critical opinion with 16 years of experience as a trail guide and experienced hiker.
Editor’s Note: We updated this review on 12/30/2025 with new durability findings, which have changed the overall score, as well as new pricing updates for 2026.
Salomon Ultra 4 Mid Pros and Cons
- One of the best lightweight “mid” hiking boots on the market
- Quick Break-in Period
- Comfortable all-day wear
- Advanced chassis provides sturdy, secure fit
- Outstanding support
- Less protection than standard “mid” boots
- Lacing system
Should you buy the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX?
Buy if
- You want one of the best overall values for a “mid” lightweight hiking boot under $180
- You prioritize the a lightweight hiking boot but with high performance on trail
- You prefer a hiking boot made with craftsmanship materials
- You want a all-purpose hiking boot with great on trail performance
DON’T Buy if
- You are looking for extreme comfort on trail
- You prefer a nice thick midsole like the Hoka Kaha 3
Compare To Similar Products
Excellent backpacking boot with good stability and support. Lightweight with capabilities of a mountaineering boot.
Rated in our top 5 hiking boots. The stability and support is next-level for mid hiking boot option. The overall protection and waterproofing is a step-up from its previous model. They excel in performance
Our Flagship hiking boot, unmatched comfort, stability, and shock absorption. Our award-winning boot of 2026. HIGHEST rated boot in the last 10 years of testing.
Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX Price
At the time of this writing, the X Ultra for mid has dropped in price, and you can get them for as low as $130 with the release of the new X Ultra 5.
Disclosure: These links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to run the website 🙂
Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Comfort: 8/10
I will say compared to the X Ultra 4 low-cut version the mid is definitely more comfortable. This is for a few reasons, the ankle cuff has a nice conforming feel. Also, right out of the box, the tongue and midfoot also easily conform to the shape of your foot.
The Ortholite insole is very comfortable. I feel the ortholite insole is very underrated and really helps the X 4 Ultra 4 mid score very well in our comfort category.
The toe box has a decent amount of room without being overly narrow, the heel area is also decently comfortable.
The Mid version of the X Ultra 4 only has traditional lacing which I was happy with. I was disappointed with the quicklace system, as it was very flimsy and did not hold a tight and secure hold throughout the whole hike.
I felt the toe box was one of the best features of this shoe. I had no issues with compression of my toes while testing these shoes. Since most of the material is synthetic there was no break in period with them!
Overall, the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid is a pretty comfortable lightweight hiking shoe.
Weighing just 14 oz on my scale, the Salomon X Ultra 4 is tied for the lightest hiking boots I have tested to date. The Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR 2 and brand new Hoka Transport Hike GTX weighed 14 oz as well.
I really like to compare the X Ultra 4 to trail running shoes, such as the Hoka Speedgoat 6. I recommend these to hikers who want a very lightweight profile, but can still go backpacking without the worry of heavy rugged hiking boots.
Traction: 9.5/10
The traction of the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX is nothing but short of amazing. Salomon crafts their own outsole Contagrip TA, which holds a true grip against all different types of terrain.
Contagrip really gets the job done, it’s effective against any terrain imaginable which is very promising given the lightweight profile of these hiking boots.
The Advanced Chassis Is an internal stability construct made by Salomon themselves, This helps maintain rigidity of the hiking boot throughout your trail. With the added rigidity of the ADV-C and the Contagrip, gives a deadly combination of traction and grip for the Salomon Ultra 4 Mid.
Recently, I did a case study of Contagrip compared to Vibram(an industry standard outsole). I felt the Contagrip performed better in terms of on-trail traction and grip.
Read More: Contagrip Vs Vibram | Which One Is Better?
Overall, with the “Mid” version of the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX, You’re truly getting a hiking boot that you can use in all different types of terrain and conditions. The added ankle support of the mid version gives you the extra edge you need when climbing steep terrain.
Overall Protection 4/5
The rubber cap over the toe box gives decent protection to the X Ultra 4 Mid. The rubber cap can be slightly flimsy and is not as stiff as other hiking boots. Still, It performs well and gets the job done in terms of overall protection of the front of the boot.
The X 4 Ultra whether the mid or low cut version are lacking areas of protection regarding the medial and lateral side of the boot. This is understandable though to keep up with the synthetic materials and lightweight profile of this hiking boot you need to make cuts somewhere to take off the weight.
The ankle cuff is at its highest peak towards the front of your foot and begins to taper off getting lower towards your heel. This gives excellent protection towards the front of your foot, with an gusseted tongue to keep out any debris.
When it comes to overall protection, these boots have you covered. I think Salomon did a great job giving you the maximum amount of overall protection you can have for such a lightweight hiking boot crafted with synthetic materials.
Water Resistance 5/5
The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX is equipped with a Gore-tex liner for water resistance. The Gore tex liner measures approximately 4.5 inches high which is pretty decent for a Mid hiking boot.
During my 10 minute submersion test I didn’t note any water leaking into my hiking boots. One great addition about these hiking boots is the fact that they are very breathable due to the synthetic materials. Breathable hiking boots usually are not the most waterproof however Salomon was able to craft the X 4 Ultra with that in mind.
The waterproofing of these hiking boots are very dependable and quick drying throughout the trail. This alone justifies their purchase, especially for summer hiking.
Does The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Fit Well?
The X Ultra 4 Mid Fit is great without any issue. I used a men’s 10.5 and did not have to size up or down. I felt there was more than adequate enough room in the toe box, especially given the synthetic materials which allows for some expansion.
I would say that the boots are more on the narrow side, however I do have a slightly wide foot and did not have to upgrade to a wide version.
Salomon Ultra 4 Fit 4.5/5
X Ultra 4 Mid GTX Stability & Support 4.5/5
The X Ultra 4 Mid has been able to introduce some new technologies while increasing the stability and support. The advanced chassis or (ADV-C) allows for an internal support system throughout your hike to ensure you’re nice and stable on the trail.
The ActiveSupport wings come in at the perfect angle of your mid foot for that added support. The support wings really add to the mid foot stability on tough terrain.
The Contagrip is slightly soft while on trail, which I feel takes a little away from the stability of this boot against uneven terrain. While testing on limestone, mud, and snow the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid held up very well. I was more impressed with how stable my ankle was against steep and uphill terrain.
I was able to hold a nice edge while hiking uphill, which I didn’t experience with the low cut model. Overall, for a very lightweight boot, I felt this model did very well against technical terrain and holding nice, firm support.
Durability 7.5/10
The PU coated leather adds a rugged layer to the synthetic materials of the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid, I felt they struck a perfect balance between lightweight synthetic materials and leather. What is even better, is the fact that the leather is woven with traditional stitching.
Many competitor hiking boots are welded to keep the weight down, however that really reduces the durability of a hiking boot. I felt Salomon was able to craft the X 4 Ultra with quality materials that will last long, while keeping the weight down is a very tough task.
I have noticed some wear on the outside of my leather which is expected after a year or two. When you compare this to other light weight boots, these have extreme durability. Compared to heavier boots, the durability is about average.
2026 Durability Update:
After continued testing of the Salomon X Ultra 4 into 2025, I’ve started to notice the upper losing some structural integrity. It doesn’t hug my foot as tightly as it used to, so I’m getting less of that locked-in stiffness I rely on when I’m grinding up rocky climbs.
The good news is the outsole has held up really well. The lugs still look strong, with minimal wear so far.
Is the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX worth it?
I really enjoy this hiking boot, it has the versatility of a trail runner like the Hoka Speedgoat 6, but also the stability of a normal mid hiking boot.
I recommend this for anyone looking for a lighter hiking boot, but still don’t want to lose the stability and traction that tends to come with a lighter boot.
For the price of around $160, this Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX provides great value and is worthy of that kind of investment.
The strengths of this hiking boot are the excellent performance, lightweight, and unbeatable stability
The drawbacks to consider is the fact that there are more comfortable options out there such as the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX, or Hoka Anacapa 2 but do come with a higher price tag.
Value: 4.5/5
Scoring Breakdown
Comfort: 8 / 10
Traction: 9.5 / 10
Overall Protection: 4 / 5
Waterproofness: 5 / 5
Stability & Support: 4 / 5
Fit: 4.5 / 5
Durability: 7.5 / 10
Value: 4.5 / 5
Total: 47 / 55
Our Rating: 8.5 / 10
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX good in the snow?
Yes, the X Ultra 4 Mid is good in the snow. The GTX membrane allows you to trek in the snow without worrying about your feet getting soaked.
How We Tested and Our Methodology
I personally tested the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX for over 40 hours, 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. This extensive experience allows me to evaluate the Salomon X Ultra 4 performance accurately in real-world conditions.
We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.
Adventure Awaits,
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.
