Salomon has blurred the line between a day-hiking and backpacking boot with the Midweight X Ultra Mid 3 GTX, which retains a decent degree of durability without adding extra weight—while also managing to provide a great deal of comfort. This boot is ideal for trail runners looking to transition to a more heavy-duty boot or backpackers interested in shedding a few extra ounces. A price tag of $165 makes the Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTXs one of the more inexpensive hiking boots on our list, which is especially impressive as Salomon is not typically known for producing especially economical products. Although they could benefit from slightly more stability, these boots are among the best values of all the shoes in our review.

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Amongst the many names in the hiking industry, Salomon is a standout. The company’s history dates back to 1947 and began in the skiing industry, eventually expanding into hiking boots in the early ‘90s. They were acquired by AMER Sports in 2005, and today, their product line features a wide range of hiking and skiing equipment, with their hiking boots and trail-running shoes as one of the top sellers— for a good reason.

Salomon has blurred the line between a day-hiking and backpacking boot with the midweight X Ultra Mid 3 GTX, which retains a decent degree of durability without adding extra weight, while also managing to provide a great deal of comfort. This boot is ideal for trail runners looking to transition to a more heavy-duty boot or backpackers interested in shedding a few extra ounces.

Comfort & Weight

Most hikers find that the X Ultra Mid 3 GTXs are ready to go right out of the box, suffering no issues like blisters or hotspots. However, obviously, no two pairs of feet are exactly the same. This automatic comfort can be attributed to the injected EVA foam midsole paired with Ortholite sock liners and contoured EVA heel cups. Salomon utilizes a speed lacing system for these boots that’s quite different from the other Salomon boots in our review, the Quest 4D 3 GTXs. Three nylon loops run along the bottom, followed by 2 metal hook eyelets.

As previously mentioned, one of the major strengths of this shoe is its comfort-to-weight ratio. At only 2.28 lbs (1.03 kg), these are the fourth lightest boots of the 16 in our review. This weight-saving design does compromise overall durability to some extent.

Traction & Stability

Traction is achieved via Salomon’s proprietary rubber compound, a non-marking Contagrip TD outsole. The large Chevron lugs on this sole manage to be very deep without having a tendency to pick up too many stray pebbles. In addition, the braking lugs on the heel improve overall bite and assist on downhill descents.

The upper is constructed with waterproof PU-coated leather that’s very flexible and could be a bit more sturdy. The molded shank is Salomon’s Advanced Chassis design, which is surrounded by foam cushioning to increase comfort; it also stabilizes the heels by being connected directly to the soles.

The collar height is a bit lower than other over-the-ankle boots; it’s honestly only slightly higher than a low-cut hiking shoe, although it should get above the ankle. As a result, the X Ultra Mid 3 GTX has one of the lowest torsional rigidities of all the boots in our review, a notable drawback. However, this is countered by cushioning around the ankle and tongue that helps the boot retain a snug fit and a decently wide forefoot width that reinforces overall stability.

Water Resistance & Durability

Salomon selected Gore-Tex Performance Comfort for the waterproof lining, which positively impacts the breathability as well. The liner works very well with thin socks but could be more breathable when wearing thicker hiking socks in warmer weather. The low collar height also means that this boot has a relatively low flood height, so you’ll need to be a bit more cautious when walking through the splashy stuff.

The rubber toe extends quite high and should help maintain the overall durability at the base of the shoe. As we move up, we find that the synthetic materials used to save on weight do have an inverse effect on the overall durability, so you’ll see the effects of kicking one too many rocks in a relatively short period of time. Several stitches may also require treatment with Seam Seal.

Styles & Sizes

There are three color choices with the Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTXs—Castor Gray/Black/Green Sulphur, Burnt Brick/Black/Bleached Sand, and Black/India Ink/Monument. Sizes range from 7-13 US, with both regular- and wide-fit options available, and the boots come with an appealing 2-year warranty.

The Bottom Line

A price tag of $165 makes the Salomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTXs one of the more inexpensive hiking boots on our list, which is especially impressive as Salomon is not typically known for producing especially economical products. They’re also a very well-rounded boot, offering an excellent balance of comfort and durability while also remaining lightweight. Although they could benefit from slightly more stability, these boots are among the best values of all those in our review.

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