I tested the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX on classic British terrain to see if these lightweight hiking boots live up to the hype. Are they your next three-season favourite — or a touch underfoot-sensitive for our stonier trails?
If you’re a British walker after a boot that’s genuinely light, surprisingly cushioned and keeps your feet dry from April through to October, the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX is tough to beat. It sits beautifully at the intersection of low weight, durable build and all-day comfort, making it near-perfect for three-season adventures across the UK’s varied patchwork of fields, hills and forests.
👉 Product link: Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX
A huge thank you to ‘The Great British Adventure Club‘ for bringing me into the team as a gear tester. The GBAC are unbiased, authentic, honest and lovers of the Great British outdoors, and want to share their experience so you can maximise your next big great British adventure. So, how did the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX do? You can also read the GBAC review here.
Ideal for: 3-season hiking and wildcamping
Not suitable for: Mountaineering
The Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX is a brilliantly lightweight (440g per boot) hiking boot built for moderate UK trails. It combines a GORE-TEX membrane for waterproof protection, a Kevlar-reinforced Matryx upper for toughness and breathability, plus Salomon’s Contagrip outsole for versatile grip. What shines here is the comfort: this is a boot that keeps your feet fresh, supported and happy mile after mile.
At £165, it’s outstanding value for three-season day hikes, striking a rare balance of low weight, durability and plush underfoot feel. Just keep in mind it’s slightly less grippy on slick rock and you may notice sharper stones through the toe.
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The Review
I’ve not actually worn or tested Salomon hiking boots before, so thanks to the Great British Adventure Club I got to test these, but if you spend your weekends on muddy trails or rocky hills, you’ll almost certainly know the brand. Born in Annecy in the French Alps back in 1947, Salomon first made its name in alpine skiing before branching out into hiking and trail running, building up decades of expertise in footwear that thrives in mountain environments. Today, Salomon sits under the Amer Sports umbrella (alongside big names like Arc’teryx and Suunto), with a global reputation for crafting clever, performance-driven gear that blends durability with a genuine passion for the outdoors. This Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX might be the clearest example yet of that approach, brought to the needs of lightweight British hiking.
The Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX is built for day hikes and rolling terrain, aiming to give you stability, a roomy yet secure fit and dependable grip across typical UK conditions. Each boot tips the scales at just 440g, firmly at the lighter end of the mid-height hiking boot spectrum. That means less strain on your legs and fresher feet over long days. It’s also packed with smart tech: a waterproof GORE-TEX liner, a high-tenacity Kevlar-threaded Matryx upper for abrasion resistance, and an Advanced Chassis for lateral support without the stiffness of a pure mountain boot. At £165, it undercuts many rivals, offering a lot of tech for the money.
I’d normally line these up against other lightweight options like the Scarpa Rush TRK GTX (470g, £180), the Merrell Moab 3 Mid GTX (460g, £145) and the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX (470g, £185). Among these, the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX is the lightest, with arguably the most forgiving toe box and a noticeably more trainer-like feel underfoot. That’s what makes this Salomon X Ultra 5 review so interesting, it sits right at the intersection of low weight, tough build and superb comfort, a rare trifecta in lightweight hiking boots. For anyone who wants to move fast over typical UK ground without sacrificing support or a cushy underfoot feel, it’s one of the strongest contenders around — provided you’re not planning to dance across slick limestone every weekend or carry heavy overnight loads.
How I tested the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX hiking boots
To give the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX a thorough British workout, we ran it through three classic tests. First came Welsh farmland: muddy tractor paths, long stretches of wet grass, compacted soil and plenty of awkward stiles, perfect for seeing how it handled slick, uneven ground. Next, we hit a steeper, dust-dry trail that climbed through loose gravel before descending over rocky outcrops, exactly where a boot’s security gets tested. Finally, we walked a narrow ridgeline strewn with loose rocks, demanding constant micro-adjustments to stay upright, before dropping into softer woodland trails. Throughout, we checked traction, breathability, and whether any hot spots crept in after long miles.
Slip on the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX and the first thing you’ll notice is the lack of weight. Despite looking like a solid mid-height boot, it wears more like a supportive trail shoe. At just 440g per boot, it earned a rare 10/10 from us for weight — meaning you’ll feel far less fatigue by day’s end. That alone sets it apart in any Salomon boots review we’ve done.
Comfort is where these boots truly shine. The cushioned heel soaks up jolts from hard-packed ground or gravel, reducing strain on joints. Inside, the fit is beautifully balanced: snug at the heel and midfoot thanks to Salomon’s excellent SensiFit lacing, yet roomy enough up front to keep your toes from feeling cramped after hours on the trail. The thick padded tongue means you can tighten them right up without any sore pressure points. Straight from the box, we racked up miles with zero rubbing or sizing headaches — a genuine highlight in any Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX hiking boots review.
👉 Product link: Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX
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Underfoot, the Contagrip outsole gave us loads of confidence across farmland, dusty inclines and typical woodland tracks. Only on slick, wet rock — polished limestone or damp karst — did it slip more than we’d like. That’s why we landed on a slightly lower 6/10 for traction. It’s not unique to Salomon; most rubber struggles on that terrain, but if you’re eyeing routes like Tryfan, Crib Goch or the Lord’s Rake on Scafell Pike after rain, it’s worth knowing.
Waterproofing is handled by a lightweight GORE-TEX membrane that passed every stream and puddle test. Water simply beaded off, leaving our socks dry. The Kevlar-threaded Matryx textile also managed heat impressively — we never got clammy, even pushing hard on climbs. That combo of reliable waterproofing with genuine breathability is tricky to master, and in this Salomon X Ultra 5 review we found it among the best yet.
If there’s a slight trade-off, it’s under the toes on rocky paths. Smaller stones can sometimes press through, reminding you this is a super-light boot rather than a stiff mountain bruiser. It was never painful, just noticeable enough to adjust your step after a few miles. Given the overall comfort — we’d still score it 8/10 there — we’d happily take that compromise for the low weight and brilliant flex.
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Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX review: My verdict
If you’re a British walker after a boot that’s genuinely light, surprisingly cushioned and keeps your feet dry from April through to October, the Salomon X Ultra 5 MID GTX is tough to beat. It sits beautifully at the intersection of low weight, durable build and all-day comfort, making it near-perfect for three-season adventures across the UK’s varied patchwork of fields, hills and forests. They’re not made for lugging heavy multi-day packs or tackling icy Munros, but for moderate terrain they’re hard to fault. At £165, they’re also a brilliant deal compared to heavier, less comfy rivals. Just keep in mind the slight under-toe feel on rocky paths and the average grip on slick rock — otherwise, they’re about as good as lightweight three-season hiking boots get.
