Salomon X Ultra 5 vs X Ultra 4 | 2025 Comparison
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Salomon X Ultra 5 vs Salomon X Ultra 4 comparison in detail after personally owning and testing both Salomon hiking boots.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.
I’ll be comparing these two head-to-head in categories like price, comfort, traction, overall protection, fit, breathability, and durability. The X Ultra 5 was just released in 2025 this year and has been getting excellent reviews from everybody, the X Ultra 4 was a lightweight hiking boot with the qualities of a backpacking boot with supreme stability.
Also, if you’re interested in learning more, I have tested each product individually in my X Ultra 5 Review and X Ultra 4 Review
Compare Both Hiking Boots
| Comparision | Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Top-Rated Hiking Boot  | 8.5 | Check Lowest PriceRead Review | |
 | 8 | Check Lowest PriceRead Review |
X Ultra 4 vs X Ultra 5 Price Comparison
At the time of this writing, the X Ultra 4 is anywhere from $80-100 cheaper than the 5, however it seems they are not producing the 4 much longer.
Salomon X Ultra 4 Price : $80-100
Salomon X Ultra 5 Price: $185
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Comfort
Both hiking boots are moderately comfortable, they both feature the Ortholite insole, the X Ultra 5 has a lot more toe box room(an aspect a lot of users did not like the 4).
The X Ultra 5 has an upgraded Matryx upper which is quite stiffer than the synthetic material of the X Ultra 4. The upper material of the 4 is much more comforting than the 5.
The ankle and tongue padding of the 5 is more plush and less constricting compared to the 4. The X Ultra 5 also is also more voluminous and is more universally fitting compared to the 4.
Overall the X Ultra 5 is more comfortable and fixed the issues that users complained about on the X Ultra 4. However, The five does lose some points in its comfort score due to the stiff Maytrx upper.
Salomon X Ultra 5 Comfort: 4.5 out of 5
Salomon X Ultra 4 Comfort: 4 out of 5
Winner: X Ultra 5
Traction
Both boots feature the Contagrip outsole, a well-regarded outsole designed by Salomon themselves. The lug pattern on the X Ultra 5 has been updated to a more oblique pattern with reinforcements on the lateral side of the boot. The lateral reinforcement lug pattern also makes a big difference during backpacking for that added weight aiding in a more stable base.
I definitely notice a huge difference with the X Ultra 5 compared to the 4 while hiking up inclined, wet terrain. The X Ultra 4 outsole is also slightly more flexible which did not translate to better traction or stability during testing.
The lug pattern of the X Ultra 5 is more hexagonal, a change from the traditional Chevron shaped lugs on the 4. The new lug Hexagonal pattern had a big impact on flat and uphill terrain while the chevron impacted descents more so on the X Ultra 4.
The midsole design of the X Ultra 5 is more robust and firmer for better stability and traction, which I definitely appreciated during testing. The X Ultra 4’s softer, more flexible design is a little more comfortable on the footbed, but comes at the cost of traction on uneven ground , where it doesn’t grip as well as its firmer counterpart on the X Ultra 5.
Overall, both boots have excellent traction and should be regarded high for any type of technical terrain. However, the X Ultra 5 hexagonal lug pattern and lateral reinforcements really made a big difference during testing.
X Ultra 5 Traction: 5 out of 5
X Ultra 4 Traction: 4 out of 5
Winner: Salomon X Ultra 4
Overall Protection
The rubber toe cap of the X Ultra 5 is much improved with a more robust design and wider spanning protection. Users complained about the toe protection on the X Ultra 4 as the rubber toe cap did not expand far enough for adequate protection.
The upgraded Maytrx upper is more resilient to scuffs and scrapes compared to the synthetic material on the 4. One key difference is in the ankle cuff design, the X Ultra 4 curves down to a more “U” shape on the medial and lateral ankles. The X Ultra 5, on the other hand, has a straighter, more streamlined ankle cuff that hugs your ankle more securely for a tighter fit and superior ankle protection especially for tackling uneven terrain.
Both Salomon hiking boots have very good overall protection, however the X Ultra 4 gets the ribbon here for the better toe cap and ankle cuff design.
Salomon X Ultra 5 Overall Protection: 4 out of 5
Salomon X Ultra 4 Overall Protection: 3.5 out of 5
Winner: X Ultra 5
X Ultra 4 vs X Ultra 5 | Which Fits Better?
I tested both hiking boots and a size 10 and a half, both normal width, (they do come in a wide fit). Both boots fit well without any constriction or areas of numbness. The forefoot volume is slightly larger in the newer 5 model compared to the 4.
I was able to get a nice tight fit with both lacing systems, both boots include one metal eyelet at the top.
Overall, both boots fit very well without a need to size up or down.
Salomon X Ultra 5 Fit : 4.5 out of 5
Salomon X Ultra 4 Fit : 4.5 out of 5
Winner: Tie
Breathability
Breathability is where these two boots really part ways. The synthetic upper of the X Ultra 4 is impressively breathable, making it a go-to for summer hiking. It has been one of my favorite summer hiking boots to test.
On the other hand, the Carbon and Aramid fibers that make up the Matryx upper on the X Ultra 5 offer far less breathability than the 4.
Both feature a GTX membrane for waterproofness which naturally cuts down on breathability. But, the real difference comes down to the upper, while the synthetic build on the X Ultra 4 has decent ventilation, the X Ultra 5’s Matryx material is noticeably more restrictive.
X Ultra 5 Breathability : 3 out of 5
X Ultra 4 Breathability : 4 out of 5
Winner:X Ultra 4
Durability
Early synthetic models of the X Ultra 4 had issues with durability due to the welded synthetic materials. Users were complaining of early delamination and breakdown. However, Salomon added a PU-coated leather to the synthetic materials which saved the durability issues with the X Ultra 4.
The X Ultra 5 model has improved durability thanks to the resilient Matryx upper. I haven’t noted any wear on the upper or downgrade on traction with the 5 after testing over 50+ miles.
Overall, both models score well for durability, but the upgraded upper and outsole of the 5 clearly pulls ahead thanks to its reinforced upper and more rugged outsole. It’s built to go the distance.
X Ultra 5 Durability : 4.5 out of 5
X Ultra 4 Durability : 4 out of 5
Winner: X Ultra 5
X Ultra 5 Overall Rating: 8.5
- Comfort: 4.5 out of 5
- Traction: 5 out of 5
- Overall Protection: 4 out of 5
- Fit: 4.5 out of 5
- Breathability: 3 out of 5
- Durability: 4.5 out of 5
Total: 25.5/30
X Ultra 4 Overall Rating: 8.0
- Comfort: 4 out of 5
- Traction: 4 out of 5
- Overall Protection: 3.5 out of 5
- Fit: 4.5 out of 5
- Breathability: 4 out of 5
- Durability: 4 out of 5
Total: 24/30
X Ultra 5 vs X Ultra 4 Which One Is Better Overall?
The X Ultra 5 has made a lot of meaningful improvements over the X Ultra 4, directly addressing a few of the complaints users had with the previous model.
The revamped upper and outsole noticeably elevate the performance, offering better grip, support, and long-term durability. That being said, one trade-off is reduced breathability; the more robust upper simply does not ventilate as well.
After my head to head comparison and testing both boots, my recommendation is the X Ultra 5 as a better hiking boot overall. The only case I recommend the X Ultra 4 is if you are hiking in primarily hot climates and breathability is a top priority. Otherwise, the 5 is the clear winner.
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