What is Contagrip? Is It Worth The Hype?

In this article, we are going to review what the Contagrip outsole is made of, whether it is worth it, and, at the end, I will be giving my personal experience with the Contagrip outsole on various hiking boots I've used such as the Salomon X 4 Ultra and Salomon Quest 4.  

What is Contagrip?

Salomon manufactures Contagrip, a rubber outsole that they use in a variety of products, particularly their hiking boots. The contagrips purpose is to create a unique profile that conforms to the surface the user is hiking on. Rubber serves as the primary ingredient in Contagrip, a proprietary blend of 20 different ingredients.

Contagrip posses amazing traction and durability. Salomon praises keeping themselves in the design line for their own outsole, as many hiking boot companies outsource this to other brands. One thing Salomon does better than other companies is vary outsole density.

For instance, Salomon prioritizes low-density areas for grip while designing high-density areas for durability, particularly near the boot's edge.

Different Types of Salomon Contagrip 

Contagrip comes in a variety of versions that assist the user in selecting the best option for their current activity.

Contagrip All Terrain

Many of Salomon's hiking boots and trail runners feature their Contagrip® All Terrain outsole. According to Salomon, this outsole is made with mutiple rubber compounds to provide exceptional durability and a enhanced grip across diverse terrains (Salomon). 

This formulation includes variations in density, with softer sections enhancing traction and harder sections boosting durability. Ideal for mixed terrains, the All Terrain outsole excels in providing reliable performance for hikers and trail runners alike.

Contagrip Mud

Contagrip mud is used in the slickest and wettest conditions. Think about trail running shoes that you would use in the rain. This outer sole is included in the Speed Cross Salomon shoe.

It has decent durability, but the best traction is available. The sole is softer, so it is more prone to durability issues in early breakdown compared to the other soles.

Contagrip Road

Salomon designed Contagrip Road specifically for asphalt surfaces. This is mainly evident in the running shoes Salomon produces; they have a softer sole but excellent traction on flatter surfaces such as asphalt. This is ideal for runners or endurance athletes.

These have a wide and flat profile, allowing for greater traction on the flat surface that they grip. Think of a marathon runner who needs traction and durability on these hard, flat surfaces. 

Contagrip Water

This product is specifically designed for runners, particularly those who are on the beach or in the water. These yield amazing traction and create a suction effect, especially on wet or slippery water surfaces. 

Imagine you are an avid beach runner and enjoy water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding. Your activities often involve running on wet, sandy beaches, rocky shores, and even navigating slippery boat docks. You need footwear that provides excellent traction, stability, and durability in these challenging wet conditions.

Contagrip Winter

A lot of outsoles will be inflexible during cold weather as the rubber begins to freeze up; it won't allow for proper traction as it would in the summer months. The Contagrip Winter remains flexible, especially in cold weather, allowing you to conform to surfaces and maintain your traction. The lugs are bigger on the concert group winter as they are needed to both set extra durability. This could be used as a firefighter, or first responder where weather conditions are unpredictable. 

Contagrip Types and Their Applications

My Personal Experience with Salomon Contagrip

As an avid hiker, I've tried two different Salomon hiking shoes, such as the X 4 Ultra and the Quest, and both have shown amazing traction and durability.

The outsoles of these boots are especially grippy in the slickest conditions. Both of these boots have a precise lug design that allows for great hikes and uneven terrain, allowing me to not worry about my traction. According to my testing, they also have great shock absorption, which aligns with the quest for the best shock absorption boots of 2024.

Personally, I use the Salmon X for Ultra all the time on my weekend hikes because of its contagrip technology. I've been wearing these boots for over a year, and the content group outsole has not broken down and maintains outstanding traction and durability. The lugs grip true, and there are no issues with breakdown so far. 

Is Contagrip worth it?

One thing I love about Salomon is that they do not outsource their outsoles to other companies. Many companies outsource their outsoles, so they are not in control of manufacturing. Salomon precisely makes their own outsoles and tests them. I have to say the content group is definitely worth it. They are not the most comfortable outsoles, but they get the job done in terms of traction, shock absorption, and grip. Well, most contagrip outsoles are on the expensive side, but I believe it's worth it to give yourself peace of mind while hiking or whatever activity you may be engaged in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes Contagrip?

Salomon, the company themselves make contagrip. 

What does contagrip mean?

Contagrip is just the name Salomon uses for their own branded outsole. It is a proprietary rubber blend with precise lug design. 

Adventure Awaits,

Tyler