Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX.

The Gavler Review.

Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX Review: Fast and Breathable, With a Narrow Catch

The Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX ranks fifth on our Best Hiking Boots list with an 8.6, and it's the boot for hikers who want trail-shoe speed in a mid-cut shell rather than a full backpacking boot. OutdoorGearLab found it "surprisingly stable and supportive" for something this light, and TreeLine Review goes further, calling it "easily one of the most breathable pairs of boots we tested." Buy it for technical day hikes and fast overnights under a modest pack. Skip it if you have wide feet or need real backpacking-grade ankle support — several independent testers found real limits on both fronts.

What it actually is

Salomon's current-generation day-hike mid pairs a woven Matryx upper with Gore-Tex (PFC-free on the current run), an EnergyCell EVA midsole built around the brand's ADV-C chassis, and an All Terrain Contagrip outsole with roughly 3.5mm lugs. GearJunkie's independently measured weight comes in at 1 lb 15 oz per pair, and Switchback Travel's women's test put the women's version at 1 lb 13.4 oz — both broadly consistent with Gavler's existing ~16-ounce-per-boot figure, though CleverHiker's own article contains an internal inconsistency (a spec card listing 1 lb 15 oz against a body-text claim of 18.5 oz per boot for a size 13), so treat any single weight figure as approximate rather than exact. It ships in standard and wide for men; Switchback Travel specifically flags that Salomon does not offer a wide option for women, calling that "disappointing."

At $190, this sits well below the $240 Salomon Quest 5 GTX at rank one on the same list, trading some of that boot's ankle support and backpacking-grade durability for a lighter, faster-breaking-in shoe-like boot.

In use

The core appeal is a genuine, independently confirmed one: this boot moves like something lighter than it is while still offering real stability. OutdoorGearLab's testers wrote that it's "surprisingly stable and supportive, capable of splashing through mountain streams and exploring off the beaten path," and separately praised "superior traction" from lugs that "could easily bite through forest duff on off-trail treks." TreeLine Review backs the comfort claim from a different angle entirely, calling it "easily one of the most breathable pairs of boots we tested" — a genuinely strong claim for a Gore-Tex boot, where breathability and waterproofing usually trade off against each other.

The honest limits cluster around fit and weather extremes, and they're consistent across multiple independent sources. TreeLine Review is direct about sizing: "these run narrow and long," and lists "skip if you have wide feet" as an explicit buying caveat. CleverHiker found the same thing from a different angle, describing the fit as "snug, especially through the midfoot and toe box," and noting it "can be a bit uncomfortable for those with wide or high-volume feet." Switchback Travel's women's-specific test reported the opposite complaint on length rather than width — "the toe was far too long," which caused "some blisters on the bottoms of my feet" — a reminder that men's and women's versions can fit quite differently even within the same model line.

Heat and breathability cut both ways depending on conditions. GearJunkie warns plainly that "if the temperature is above about 80, a GORE-TEX boot is not a great choice," while TreeLine's breathability praise suggests this is one of the more ventilated Gore-Tex options available. Durability reports are mixed: CleverHiker notes "online reviewers frequently report issues with the X Ultra 5 compared to previous versions," including "lace eyelets breaking and seams splitting near the toe flex point," and TreeLine estimates a working lifespan of "500-800 miles before showing signs of wear around the eyelets and in the midsole" — "not quite as rugged" than heavier boots like the Quest 4 GTX or Keen Targhee IV. TreeLine also found the DWR coating "quickly failed," meaning the boot "absorb[s] water" rather than sheds it in sustained downpours, despite the Gore-Tex liner underneath still keeping feet dry.

Where it shines

• Genuinely breathable for a Gore-Tex boot. TreeLine Review's "one of the most breathable pairs... we tested" is a notable claim given the usual breathability-vs-waterproofing trade-off.
• Stable and fast for its weight. OutdoorGearLab's "surprisingly stable and supportive" finding, paired with GearJunkie's measured sub-2-pound-per-pair weight, backs up the trail-shoe-speed pitch.
• Real upgrades over the X Ultra 4. Switchback Travel and GearJunkie both independently found meaningful support and durability improvements over the previous generation.

The trade-offs — who should skip it

• You have wide or high-volume feet. Three independent reviewers — TreeLine, CleverHiker, and Switchback — all flag a narrow or long-and-narrow fit, and Switchback notes no wide option exists for women.
• You're carrying real weight or need maximum ankle support. TreeLine directly compares it unfavorably on durability to the Quest 4 GTX and Keen Targhee IV for heavier use.
• You hike in sustained heavy rain or hot climates. TreeLine found the DWR coating fails quickly in downpours, and GearJunkie warns the Gore-Tex liner works against you above roughly 80°F.

How it compares

The Salomon Quest 5 GTX at rank one costs $50 more but delivers Salomon's 4D Advanced Chassis and genuinely sealed Gore-Tex built for 30-to-40-pound loads on technical ground — the right upgrade the moment your trips get heavier or longer. The Lowa Renegade EVO GTX Mid just above it on this list trades the X Ultra 5's speed and breathability for leather durability and genuine wide sizing on both men's and women's builds. For hikers who specifically want the lightest, most breathable option here and are comfortable with a narrower fit, the X Ultra 5 Mid is the pick on this list built for exactly that trade-off.

The Gavler verdict

An 8.6 for a boot that delivers on a specific, narrow promise: trail-shoe speed and genuinely strong breathability in a Gore-Tex mid, confirmed independently by OutdoorGearLab and TreeLine Review. The honest costs are consistent across multiple testers — a narrow-to-long fit that doesn't suit every foot, no women's wide option, and real limits in sustained rain or heat. Buy the X Ultra 5 Mid GTX for fast, technical day hikes where its fit works for your foot. Buy the Quest 5 GTX instead the moment the pack gets heavier or the trip gets longer.

Common Questions

Is the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX worth $190?

For technical day hikes and fast overnights under about 20 pounds, yes. It ranks fifth on Gavler's Best Hiking Boots list with an 8.6, and TreeLine Review calls it 'easily one of the most breathable pairs of boots we tested.' If you need serious ankle support for a heavier pack, the Salomon Quest 5 GTX or Lowa Renegade EVO on this same list are the better fit.

Does the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX run narrow?

Yes, and three independent reviewers flag it. TreeLine Review says 'these run narrow and long' and lists 'skip if you have wide feet' as a buying caveat. CleverHiker found the fit 'snug, especially through the midfoot and toe box,' and Switchback Travel's women's test reported 'the toe was far too long,' causing blisters. A wide option exists for men but not for women, per Switchback.

Is the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid an upgrade over the X Ultra 4?

Mostly, but not entirely. Switchback Travel notes 'notable upgrades from the outgoing 4,' and GearJunkie found the new version 'both more supportive and durable than before.' The trade-off: it's about an ounce heavier per pair, and CleverHiker found dampness at flex points 'more noticeable in the new Ultra 5 Mid vs the older Ultra 4 Mid.'

Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid or Lowa Renegade EVO — which hiking boot should I buy?

Buy the X Ultra 5 Mid for lighter weight, faster break-in, and better breathability on day hikes. Buy the Renegade EVO instead if you want a leather boot built for years of heavy use, genuine wide sizing on both components, and don't mind the extra weight and break-in time.