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Salomon X ultra 4
Editor’s Conclusion
Salomon started out in France making ski bindings in 1947. Since then, they have been perfecting their craft and expanding their specialties. They only started making shoes in 2001 but have quickly become many hikers go-to brand.
The Salomon X Ultra 4 is not only visually striking, but it’s also incredibly comfortable and versatile. Upon arrival, you’ll notice how the shoe hugs your foot. To make things even better, it feels as if they arrive at your doorstep already broken in. At a glance, it almost looks like a fashionable sneaker but it can do so much more. The chevron lugs and grippy outsole make these shoes ideal for mixed and technical trails.
If you have the patience to deal with irregular sizing, this shoe is definitely worth it.
The Salomon X Ultra 4 is not only visually striking, but it’s also incredibly comfortable and versatile. Upon arrival, you’ll notice how the shoe hugs your foot. To make things even better, it feels as if they arrive at your doorstep already broken in. At a glance, it almost looks like a fashionable sneaker but it can do so much more. The chevron lugs and grippy outsole make these shoes ideal for mixed and technical trails.
If you have the patience to deal with irregular sizing, this shoe is definitely worth it.
Salomon X ultra 4 Review Facts
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Very comfortable
Stitch free upper
Quicklace system
Great traction on wet and dry terrain
Good ventilation
Cons
Shoe runs big
Ankle cuff is a little flimsy
Minor durability concerns
Key Features
Comfort
The X Ultra 4 really shines in terms of comfort. They are very lightweight and feature a narrow heel box that widens at the forefoot. Sliding your foot into them for the first time provides you with the fit and comfort of a sock. The SensiFit technology cradles your foot at the midsole.
There are soft materials at the heel and collar of the shoe. These feel great against the skin, but sometimes the ankle cuff folds down into itself when you are putting the shoes on. This isn’t a big deal, but it could be slightly stiffer. The stitch-free upper ensures that the shoe will not rub, chafe, or create hot spots. The EnergyCell midsole provides great shock absorption, lessening leg fatigue.
Pair the SensiFit with the Quicklace system for a contoured fit. The lacing system uses a cord design with a sliding lock and tucks away into a small lacing pocket. This system is easy to use, allowing for quick adjustments with or without gloves on. One minor inconvenience is that the lacing pocket is under the laces so it can be difficult to stuff away the laces.
This hiking shoe is available in both a regular and a GoreTex (waterproof) version. The regular version has a textile and mesh lining that provides great ventilation. Keep in mind that it’s always good to pair this with a sweat wicking sock, also.
If I need to make one more minor complaint, the tongue is a bit short. It is only connected at the bottom and has a tendency to travel.
Fit
The 11mm drop is great for long treacherous hikes or casual flat trails. The higher drop helps to prevent your calf from getting tired too quickly. The toe box of the X Ultra 4 is roomy, but there is enough cling throughout the rest of the shoe that this only adds to the comfort.
Moving on to the sizing - these definitely run big. Perhaps we can blame it on the fact that the shoes are made in France and there was an error when translating the size. Either way, you’ve been warned. For most people, ordering a full-size down provides a good fit. If your feet tend to swell as you hike, maybe just a half size down would be sufficient. If you have worn the X Ultra 3 shoe, you should know that the 4 is slightly wider.
You have the option of ordering this shoe as a low-rise, mid-rise, regular, or wide.
Features
Under the laces and above the tongue you will be pleased to find a thin layer of tight, small mesh. This works well to keep out rocks and debris while you’re on the trail. While there is a mudguard around the bottom of the shoe, the outside is absolutely going to show dirt.
This exact version is not waterproof, but you can explore the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX if that is something that is important to you.
Durability
If we are going to judge a book by its cover, these shoes look and sound very durable. The synthetic and synthetic upper and inlay sole, textile MCL lining, rubber outsole, and simple lacing system sound great - and they are, but there are a few concerns.
The fabric of the Salomon shoes and the lacing storage pocket have a tendency to rip. Perhaps it’s only when they get caught on a tree branch or really get dragged through the mud, but that’s not the quality I have come to expect from Salomon.
However, with that being said, Salomon has great customer service and these shoes come with a two-year warranty.
Stability and Traction
Yes and yes. The Ultra X 4 provides great stability and traction. The ADV- C chassis delicately balances flexibility and outer-foot articulation. As you can tell by the specialized fit and features, Salomon has done everything they can to lessen your leg fatigue and keep you upright while trekking with these shoes.
The Contagrip MA outsole has chevron lugs and multidirectional grip. This makes these shoes great for a wide variety of trails, including tricky descents and those with loose gravel. The lugs are definitely on the softer side. If you tend to focus on alpine hiking, you might prefer a more specialized shoe.
The X Ultra 4 really shines in terms of comfort. They are very lightweight and feature a narrow heel box that widens at the forefoot. Sliding your foot into them for the first time provides you with the fit and comfort of a sock. The SensiFit technology cradles your foot at the midsole.
There are soft materials at the heel and collar of the shoe. These feel great against the skin, but sometimes the ankle cuff folds down into itself when you are putting the shoes on. This isn’t a big deal, but it could be slightly stiffer. The stitch-free upper ensures that the shoe will not rub, chafe, or create hot spots. The EnergyCell midsole provides great shock absorption, lessening leg fatigue.
Pair the SensiFit with the Quicklace system for a contoured fit. The lacing system uses a cord design with a sliding lock and tucks away into a small lacing pocket. This system is easy to use, allowing for quick adjustments with or without gloves on. One minor inconvenience is that the lacing pocket is under the laces so it can be difficult to stuff away the laces.
This hiking shoe is available in both a regular and a GoreTex (waterproof) version. The regular version has a textile and mesh lining that provides great ventilation. Keep in mind that it’s always good to pair this with a sweat wicking sock, also.
If I need to make one more minor complaint, the tongue is a bit short. It is only connected at the bottom and has a tendency to travel.
Fit
The 11mm drop is great for long treacherous hikes or casual flat trails. The higher drop helps to prevent your calf from getting tired too quickly. The toe box of the X Ultra 4 is roomy, but there is enough cling throughout the rest of the shoe that this only adds to the comfort.
Moving on to the sizing - these definitely run big. Perhaps we can blame it on the fact that the shoes are made in France and there was an error when translating the size. Either way, you’ve been warned. For most people, ordering a full-size down provides a good fit. If your feet tend to swell as you hike, maybe just a half size down would be sufficient. If you have worn the X Ultra 3 shoe, you should know that the 4 is slightly wider.
You have the option of ordering this shoe as a low-rise, mid-rise, regular, or wide.
Features
Under the laces and above the tongue you will be pleased to find a thin layer of tight, small mesh. This works well to keep out rocks and debris while you’re on the trail. While there is a mudguard around the bottom of the shoe, the outside is absolutely going to show dirt.
This exact version is not waterproof, but you can explore the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX if that is something that is important to you.
Durability
If we are going to judge a book by its cover, these shoes look and sound very durable. The synthetic and synthetic upper and inlay sole, textile MCL lining, rubber outsole, and simple lacing system sound great - and they are, but there are a few concerns.
The fabric of the Salomon shoes and the lacing storage pocket have a tendency to rip. Perhaps it’s only when they get caught on a tree branch or really get dragged through the mud, but that’s not the quality I have come to expect from Salomon.
However, with that being said, Salomon has great customer service and these shoes come with a two-year warranty.
Stability and Traction
Yes and yes. The Ultra X 4 provides great stability and traction. The ADV- C chassis delicately balances flexibility and outer-foot articulation. As you can tell by the specialized fit and features, Salomon has done everything they can to lessen your leg fatigue and keep you upright while trekking with these shoes.
The Contagrip MA outsole has chevron lugs and multidirectional grip. This makes these shoes great for a wide variety of trails, including tricky descents and those with loose gravel. The lugs are definitely on the softer side. If you tend to focus on alpine hiking, you might prefer a more specialized shoe.
Comparison to Similar Shoes
Slightly less versatile but still worth mentioning is the Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator shoe. It doesn’t perform quite as well as the X Ultra 4 in loose gravel or mud, however, the durability is unrivaled. With a leather and mesh upper and well-placed rubber toe caps, you would be hard-pressed to put a rip in these. They have a Vibram outsole and weigh slightly more than the X Ultra 4. In terms of price, they are a bit cheaper.
Another popular option is the La Sportiva Spire GTX. This shoe is ready for just about anything, but it is unfortunately heavy. The pair weighs in at just shy of two pounds. They feel slightly stiff but provide great stability and traction on a number of different terrains. The GoreTex liner makes them waterproof. You can cross rivers and streams without an issue (assuming the water doesn’t enter through the top of the shoe). Unfortunately, one major downside to this option is the high price tag.
Another popular option is the La Sportiva Spire GTX. This shoe is ready for just about anything, but it is unfortunately heavy. The pair weighs in at just shy of two pounds. They feel slightly stiff but provide great stability and traction on a number of different terrains. The GoreTex liner makes them waterproof. You can cross rivers and streams without an issue (assuming the water doesn’t enter through the top of the shoe). Unfortunately, one major downside to this option is the high price tag.
Verdict
This versatile shoe is so lightweight that you will hardly even notice they’re on your feet. Combine that with the sock-like fit and great ventilation, and you’re walking on clouds. The X Ultra 4 offers great traction and stability on a number of different terrains. The Quicklace system makes adjustments a breeze and allows you to quickly kick them off at the end of the day.
With only a few minor gripes, it’s safe to say I am happy with these shoes. Perhaps Salomon will address the small durability, tongue, and flimsy cuff issues in the next model. Until then, the X Ultra 4 will continue to accompany me in, out, and around the mountains.
With only a few minor gripes, it’s safe to say I am happy with these shoes. Perhaps Salomon will address the small durability, tongue, and flimsy cuff issues in the next model. Until then, the X Ultra 4 will continue to accompany me in, out, and around the mountains.
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