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Salomon Cross Hike Mid GTX
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Editor’s Conclusion
The Salomon Cross Hike Mid GTX is a great blend between a running shoe and a hiking shoe.
It is comfortable out of the box, lightweight, and has great traction. It is ideal for mixed and technical trails. However, many people use these boots for daily errand running and dog walking.
It has been compared to the Salomon Speedcross in terms of comfort and function. However, the Cross Hike has a mid-height collar and offers more ankle protection.
Overall, Salomon implemented a lot of great ideas and features here, however, a few of them fell flat. Continue reading to hear my unbiased opinion.
It is comfortable out of the box, lightweight, and has great traction. It is ideal for mixed and technical trails. However, many people use these boots for daily errand running and dog walking.
It has been compared to the Salomon Speedcross in terms of comfort and function. However, the Cross Hike has a mid-height collar and offers more ankle protection.
Overall, Salomon implemented a lot of great ideas and features here, however, a few of them fell flat. Continue reading to hear my unbiased opinion.
Salomon Cross Hike Mid GTX Review Facts
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Lightweight
Comfortable
Minimal break in period
Great traction
Gore-Tex membrane
Cons
Lacing system is not tight around ankle
Questionable waterproofness
Overall durability concerns
Key Features
Comfort
The comfort of these shoes is one of their most impressive features. The Feather construction connects the upper fabric to the midsole, providing a very comfortable wrapped feeling around the foot.
There is also an OrthoLite sock liner that aids with breathability and adds a bit of cushioning. The majority of the cushioning comes from the EnergyCell midsole.
The forefoot stack is 17.7mm and the heel stack is 27.7mm, giving the shoe a heel-to-toe drop of 10mm. The seamless mesh and well-padded mid-rise ankle collar keep out debris.
Weighing in at only 396 grams, or 14 ounces, these shoes are very lightweight. Overall, the shoe requires minimal break in time.
One complaint is that the OrthoLite sock liner and Gore-Tex membrane do not provide enough breathability.
Fit
While this shoe seems to fit true to size for most people, some hikers recommend ordering a half size up. Also, consider what month you’ll be hiking in and the thickness of your hiking socks.
The Quicklace system is easy to use and allows you to adjust the tightness with just one hand. However, the laces can loosen up as you hike the trail.
Also, another lacing eyelet at the top of the boot, near the ankle, would create a tighter, and better, fit. There is a lace garage in the tongue of the shoe. You can tuck the excess lacing in here so that they don’t get tangled.
Features
The Cross Hike was designed with help from a trail running team. The EnergyCell midsole not only offers great comfort, but it also provides high energy return. Each step uses your force and pushes you into the next one. It is ideal for mixed and technical trails.
There are two weather resistance features added to the Cross Hike. There is a Gore-Tex membrane and an exterior water repellency treatment.
Unfortunately, while you would think this is a great thing, it doesn’t seem that either one works extremely well.
In a light rain or crossing a puddle, you’ll probably be fine, but many people have experienced wet soggy feet. Another downfall is that breathability is lacking.
Durability
The synthetic upper and ankle cushioning are quite durable and comfortable. You are not likely to easily harm the fabric while hiking. The closed mesh is also effective at keeping debris out. The outsole is made from rubber.
Not to be the bearer of bad news, but the overall durability is another area where this boot could be improved. There is a recurring issue with the mudguard peeling off the shoe after only about fifty miles.
It’s as if the seams between the sole and the upper aren’t finished. This isn’t just a one-off issue, many people have experienced it.
Luckily, Salomon shoes come with a two-year warranty.
Stability and Traction
Designed for multiple terrains, the traction of this boot is great. It has a Contragrip outsole with multidirectional chevron lugs.
They provide a sticky grip on dry, wet, muddy, or snowy land. There is also an optimized heel break that makes descending easier and safer.
In terms of stability, the mid-height ankle collar is comfortable, but without the ability to get the laces tight enough, they are lacking stability. There’s slightly more ankle support than a low-rise shoe, but those of us who are unsteady should be cautious.
The comfort of these shoes is one of their most impressive features. The Feather construction connects the upper fabric to the midsole, providing a very comfortable wrapped feeling around the foot.
There is also an OrthoLite sock liner that aids with breathability and adds a bit of cushioning. The majority of the cushioning comes from the EnergyCell midsole.
The forefoot stack is 17.7mm and the heel stack is 27.7mm, giving the shoe a heel-to-toe drop of 10mm. The seamless mesh and well-padded mid-rise ankle collar keep out debris.
Weighing in at only 396 grams, or 14 ounces, these shoes are very lightweight. Overall, the shoe requires minimal break in time.
One complaint is that the OrthoLite sock liner and Gore-Tex membrane do not provide enough breathability.
Fit
While this shoe seems to fit true to size for most people, some hikers recommend ordering a half size up. Also, consider what month you’ll be hiking in and the thickness of your hiking socks.
The Quicklace system is easy to use and allows you to adjust the tightness with just one hand. However, the laces can loosen up as you hike the trail.
Also, another lacing eyelet at the top of the boot, near the ankle, would create a tighter, and better, fit. There is a lace garage in the tongue of the shoe. You can tuck the excess lacing in here so that they don’t get tangled.
Features
The Cross Hike was designed with help from a trail running team. The EnergyCell midsole not only offers great comfort, but it also provides high energy return. Each step uses your force and pushes you into the next one. It is ideal for mixed and technical trails.
There are two weather resistance features added to the Cross Hike. There is a Gore-Tex membrane and an exterior water repellency treatment.
Unfortunately, while you would think this is a great thing, it doesn’t seem that either one works extremely well.
In a light rain or crossing a puddle, you’ll probably be fine, but many people have experienced wet soggy feet. Another downfall is that breathability is lacking.
Durability
The synthetic upper and ankle cushioning are quite durable and comfortable. You are not likely to easily harm the fabric while hiking. The closed mesh is also effective at keeping debris out. The outsole is made from rubber.
Not to be the bearer of bad news, but the overall durability is another area where this boot could be improved. There is a recurring issue with the mudguard peeling off the shoe after only about fifty miles.
It’s as if the seams between the sole and the upper aren’t finished. This isn’t just a one-off issue, many people have experienced it.
Luckily, Salomon shoes come with a two-year warranty.
Stability and Traction
Designed for multiple terrains, the traction of this boot is great. It has a Contragrip outsole with multidirectional chevron lugs.
They provide a sticky grip on dry, wet, muddy, or snowy land. There is also an optimized heel break that makes descending easier and safer.
In terms of stability, the mid-height ankle collar is comfortable, but without the ability to get the laces tight enough, they are lacking stability. There’s slightly more ankle support than a low-rise shoe, but those of us who are unsteady should be cautious.
Comparison to Similar Hiking Shoes
A similar option from Salomon is the Quest 4 GTX. It provides great ankle support and has an ADV-C 4D chassis that makes the boots very comfortable. They have many similarities with the Cross Hike, but these shoes are made from nubuck leather. They have 12mm heel to toe drop and weigh 655 grams- about double the weight of the Cross Hike.
Unfortunately, the Quest 4 also has durability issues. After hiking a good amount of miles, the outsole and rubber rand of the shoe tend to separate from the shoe. This seems to be a trend in this style of boot from Salomon.
Moving on to a different brand, and a more durable boot, the Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX is not only visually striking, but it functions well too. This option is about double the price of the Cross Hike, but well worth it. It has a grippy Vibram Drumlin outsole and comfortable Sock-Fit DV construction. The lacing system starts near the toes and goes all the way up the collar of the ankle.
These boots are mainly constructed from leather and have a suede upper with a Gore-Tex lining. They weigh 545 grams. If there were one complaint to make, it would be that the rand doesn’t go around the entire shoe. While the durability is good, this would make it even better.
Unfortunately, the Quest 4 also has durability issues. After hiking a good amount of miles, the outsole and rubber rand of the shoe tend to separate from the shoe. This seems to be a trend in this style of boot from Salomon.
Moving on to a different brand, and a more durable boot, the Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX is not only visually striking, but it functions well too. This option is about double the price of the Cross Hike, but well worth it. It has a grippy Vibram Drumlin outsole and comfortable Sock-Fit DV construction. The lacing system starts near the toes and goes all the way up the collar of the ankle.
These boots are mainly constructed from leather and have a suede upper with a Gore-Tex lining. They weigh 545 grams. If there were one complaint to make, it would be that the rand doesn’t go around the entire shoe. While the durability is good, this would make it even better.
Verdict
Out of the box - they look great. However, as you can see, the durability and waterproof features are the two biggest downfalls of these boots.
On the other hand, they are very comfortable, lightweight, and provide great traction. The price point of these shoes is slightly lower than similar boots, but, in my opinion, is still too high.
If you are feeling lucky and confident that you will receive a pair without issues, give them a shot. If you don’t want to deal with customer service representatives and returns, I would advise you to look elsewhere - there have just been too many premature issues with the durability.
Hopefully these problems can be resolved in a future version of this shoe.
On the other hand, they are very comfortable, lightweight, and provide great traction. The price point of these shoes is slightly lower than similar boots, but, in my opinion, is still too high.
If you are feeling lucky and confident that you will receive a pair without issues, give them a shot. If you don’t want to deal with customer service representatives and returns, I would advise you to look elsewhere - there have just been too many premature issues with the durability.
Hopefully these problems can be resolved in a future version of this shoe.
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