I have worn the men’s Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX boots throughout a full British winter, and they are now carrying on into a second. I have used them across mud, wet grass, rock, mountain trails, roads, snow and prolonged rain, so this review reflects much more than a first outing.
My overall verdict is positive. They are lightweight, cushioned, comfortable straight from the box and have remained in very good condition. Their compromises are a relatively thin feeling beneath the foot, grip that could be stronger on slippery terrain and waterproofing that eventually reaches its limit in sustained heavy rain or very wet ground.
Tested version: Men’s regular-width Mid boot in Peat / Gray Green / Blue Nights, UK size 9. I went one full size above my usual footwear size. I have not tested the low shoe, women’s version or wide fitting.
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| Product tested | Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX |
|---|---|
| Version | Men’s, regular width |
| Colour | Peat / Gray Green / Blue Nights |
| Tested size | UK 9—one size above my normal footwear size |
| Testing period | One full winter and continuing into a second |
| Test conditions | Mud, wet grass, rock, mountain paths, roads, snow and prolonged rain |
| Break-in period | None needed |
| Best qualities | Low weight, cushioning, comfort and durability |
| Main limitations | Thin underfoot feel, average grip and limits in saturated conditions |
| Would I buy again? | Yes |
Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX: Pros and Cons
What I like
- Lightweight and noticeably less tiring than a heavy mountain boot.
- Comfortable and well cushioned immediately from the box.
- No rubbing or break-in period.
- Good everyday waterproof protection in normal wet conditions.
- Still in very good condition after extensive winter use.
- Flexible enough for roads, farmland and everyday trails.
What could be better
- The sole feels thinner than a more protective mountain boot.
- Sharp stones can be noticeable beneath the forefoot.
- Grip could be stronger on wet rock and slippery ground.
- They cannot keep feet dry indefinitely in sustained heavy rain, deep saturation or lots of ground water.
- They are not a replacement for a stiff winter or mountaineering boot.
The Exact X Ultra 5 Boot I Tested
Salomon currently uses very similar names across the X Ultra 5 range. This review is specifically about the men’s regular-width X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX boot. “Mid” identifies the ankle-height boot; the X Ultra 5 GORE-TEX without “Mid” is a separate low shoe.
My pair is the Peat / Gray Green / Blue Nights colour in a UK size 9. I cannot use this test to judge the low shoe, women’s boot or wide version because I have not worn them. Construction, fit and weight can also vary between versions and sizes, so check the exact product before buying.
The boot combines a GORE-TEX membrane, Salomon’s Contagrip outsole and a lightweight textile upper. The low overall weight gives it more of a trainer-like feel than a traditional heavy walking boot, which is central to both its strengths and its compromises.
How I Tested the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX
My original tests included muddy Welsh farmland, wet grass, compacted paths, loose gravel, rocky ridges and woodland trails. I then kept wearing the boots throughout the winter rather than judging them from those first walks alone.
They have since covered mountain paths, road sections, snow, prolonged rain and heavily saturated ground. That longer test has been especially useful for judging whether the upper, outsole, interior and waterproof membrane would remain dependable after repeated use.
A huge thank you to the Great British Adventure Club for bringing me into its gear-testing team and making the original test possible. The opinions and longer-term findings here are my own. You can also read the GBAC review.
Fit and Sizing
I chose a UK size 9, which is one full size above my usual footwear size, and that worked for me. The heel and midfoot felt secure while leaving enough room at the front for my toes during longer descents.
There was no break-in period. I wore them straight from the box without rubbing, pressure points or blisters. The padded tongue also allows the laces to be tightened without creating an uncomfortable line across the top of the foot.
That does not mean everyone should automatically size up. Foot shape and sock thickness vary, so try them with the hiking socks you intend to use and make sure your toes have space on descents.
Comfort and Weight
Comfort is one of the boot’s strongest qualities. It feels light, flexible and well cushioned, reducing the heavy-legged feeling that can come from a more substantial mountain boot. I have found it comfortable across mixed days containing roads, farmland, forest and hill paths.
The compromise is underfoot protection. The base feels fairly thin, particularly beneath the front of the foot, and sharper stones can sometimes be felt through it. It has not made the boots painful, but it reminds you that this is a lightweight hiking boot rather than a stiff, heavily protected mountain model.
Grip and Stability
The Contagrip outsole has been adequate across ordinary tracks, farmland, woodland and drier mountain paths. The boot also feels stable enough for the moderate terrain it is designed for.
Grip is not its strongest feature, however. I would like a deeper, more aggressive feeling outsole on wet rock, slippery slopes and saturated ground. The limited underfoot thickness and only moderate grip appear to be connected compromises in the effort to keep the boot light and flexible.
I would choose something more substantial for highly technical scrambling, icy ground, mountaineering or routes where maximum wet-rock traction is essential.
Are the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX Boots Waterproof?
They have kept my feet dry during normal wet walks, including mud, wet grass, puddles and rain. After a winter of use, the waterproofing remains useful and I have not seen an obvious early failure of the membrane.
There is an important limit. In very wet conditions—particularly sustained heavy rain combined with lots of ground water—they cannot keep water out indefinitely. That is a more realistic assessment than describing any lightweight boot as completely waterproof in every situation.
Water can also enter over the collar, and wet trousers or socks can carry moisture down into a boot. Gaiters and waterproof trousers can help in prolonged poor weather, but for consistently saturated winter mountain ground I would favour a more protective boot.
Durability After a Full Winter
The boots have held up very well. After a full winter across mixed terrain, the upper, outsole, laces and interior remain in good condition, and I am continuing to use them into another winter.
That durability matters because lightweight footwear can sometimes save weight at the expense of lifespan. I have not experienced that problem here so far. I will update this review if the membrane, upper or outsole deteriorates materially with further use.
Who Are These Boots Best For?
The X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX is best suited to walkers who value low weight, immediate comfort and flexibility across ordinary British hills, farmland, forests and mixed trails. It works particularly well when a heavy, rigid boot would be unnecessary.
It is less suitable for technical mountaineering, regular use on ice, very rocky routes requiring maximum underfoot protection or the wettest saturated winter conditions. Those environments call for a more aggressive outsole and a more substantial construction.
My Long-Term Verdict
I still use the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX and would buy it again. Its light weight, cushioning and instant comfort make it an easy boot to reach for, and its condition after a full winter has impressed me.
It is not perfect. I would like more grip and greater protection beneath the forefoot, and I would not rely on it to stay dry indefinitely through sustained heavy rain and saturated ground. But those limitations do not erase what it does well: it is a comfortable, durable and genuinely useful lightweight hiking boot for a wide range of three-season walks and less severe winter conditions.
👉 See the current model: Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX.
Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX FAQs
Is the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX comfortable?
Yes. My pair was comfortable immediately from the box, with good cushioning and no rubbing or break-in period.
How does the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX fit?
I tested the men’s regular-width version in a UK size 9, one size above my normal footwear size. That gave me a secure heel and enough toe room, but other walkers should try the boot with their usual hiking socks rather than assuming the same size change will suit them.
Does the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX need breaking in?
Mine did not. I wore them straight from the box without blisters, rubbing or uncomfortable pressure points.
Is the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX waterproof?
It has kept my feet dry in normal rain, mud, wet grass and puddles. In sustained heavy rain or deeply saturated ground, however, it cannot keep water out indefinitely.
Is the grip good on wet rock?
The grip is adequate on ordinary paths but could be better on wet rock and slippery ground. I would use a more aggressive boot where maximum traction is essential.
Can you feel stones through the sole?
Sharper stones can sometimes be felt beneath the forefoot because the boot prioritises low weight and flexibility over a thick, rigid base.
Is the X Ultra 5 Mid the same as the X Ultra 5 low shoe?
No. This review covers the ankle-height men’s X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX boot. The X Ultra 5 GORE-TEX without “Mid” is a separate low shoe.
Are these suitable for winter walking?
I have used them throughout a British winter, including in snow. They are not rigid winter mountaineering boots and are not designed for crampons, serious ice or severe mountain conditions.
How durable are the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX boots?
My pair remains in very good condition after a full winter of regular use, with the upper, outsole, laces and interior all holding up well.
Would I buy the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX again?
Yes. Its comfort, cushioning, low weight and durability outweigh the limitations in grip and underfoot protection for the walking I use it for.