Salomon OUTline Mid GTX - Women's Review

With a streamlined and lightweight construction, Gore-tex membrane, water-repellant upper, and 5mm chevron-patterned lugs for excellent traction, the Salomon OUTline offers an impressive performance for an affordable price tag. Whether approaching a backcountry crag or heading out for an extended backpacking trip, these nimble hikers provide substantial support, durability, and perhaps most importantly, comfort right out of the box.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The OUTline Mid GTX rank highly in this metric as they provide optimal comfort directly out of the box. There is no need to anticipate a break-in period where your feet may suffer as they adjust to the shape of the boot. The stitch-free construction of the OUTline allows the boot to mold to your foot while also releasing any moisture through the soft yet breathable inner lining. The fit feels true to size, if a bit narrow in the toe box.

This boot is different from what one might imagine as a traditional hiking boot. The streamlined welded upper provides a "glove-like" fit, while the sleek and nimble design is built using a running last, which allows for more flexibility in the boot without losing stability. The lacing system begins at the base of the toes. The laces are flat to reduce pressure at the instep, thereby reducing the chances of hot points by distributing tension throughout a consistent fit. These integrated features increase the overall comfort of this sleek hiker; whether out for a short jaunt or backpacking for weeks at a time, our testers loved the OUTline.

Support

Similar to some of the other favorites of our testing team, the OUTline Mid features a removable Ortholite insole liner which increases foot support through cushioning and breathability. Between the Ortholite liner and the EVA high-performance foam known as EnergyCell, there is adequate support to absorb the shock encountered on the trail.

The heel, which measures 4.2 inches, is one of the lowest heel shafts that we tested; however, this particular height allowed for more control and stability on the trail. The design extends to just over the ankle and is slightly padded without adding bulk to allow for comfort while also increasing protection and stability. Finally, the gusseted tongue is attached to the welded upper boot, which keeps debris out of the shoe, while the traditional lacing system helps to keep the tongue in place when in motion. While the OUTline does not score as highly as some of our other favorites, we are still satisfied with the support offered by such a lightweight hiking boot.

Traction

The OUTline Mid became our go-to hiking boot for approaching the stellar rock climbs in Zion National Park. Our testers love the All-Terrain Contragrip Soles, which perform similar to the sticky rubber of an approach shoe. Our feet never slipped as we moved effortlessly from loose sand to solid sandstone, often with backpacks bearing the weight of double climbing ropes and a lot of gear.

The Contragrip soles feature 5mm lug depths and a reverse chevron pattern, giving traction and stability as we hiked through various desert terrain. After returning home to the Eastern Sierra, we were impressed yet again with our confidence and ability to move through the granite landscape.

Water Resistance

The OUTline features extra water-repellent protection, which coats the boot's exterior to increase protection and prevent the synthetic fabric from absorbing any water during that unexpected afternoon thunderstorm. In addition to that special treatment, this boot also has a Gore-tex membrane to repel water from the inside out. This allows your feet to stay dry during stream crossings and while moving through lingering snowpack.

Our testers also love the mudguard, which helps to keep moisture out of the boot. This mudguard wraps around the entire boot and protects from the elements on both the lateral and medial sides. While we did not stay completely dry when we fully submerged this boot in the creek, we were impressed by how well the synthetic textile performed in other inclement conditions, such as moving through snow, mud, and rain.

Weight

The OURline scores highly in this metric, weighing only 1.53 pounds for a US women's size 8.5, which is just barely over the weight of our lightest model.

While it can often be the case that you have to sacrifice stability and sturdiness within a lightweight design, we did not feel that way in the OUTline Mid. We feel confident recommending this boot for activities ranging from moderate day hikes to extended backpacking trips or climbing approaches with a significant amount of weight on your back.

Durability

From long approaches in Zion National Park to the endless trails within the Eastern Sierra, the OUTline Mid held up to every durability test we put it through. It's not as durable as, say, a full leather hiker, but the synthetic upper repels moisture and debris and can withstand the rocks and stumps encountered on the trail without showing excessive wear and tear.

While we did not experience any durability issues with this shoe during our extensive testing period, we can imagine that the synthetic texture has the potential to snag when moving quickly through the mountains, especially when compared to some of the burlier boots that we tested. We will report back with any further findings as we continue to test this boot.

Should You Buy the Salomon OUTline Mid GTX?

We would not hesitate to recommend the OUTline as one of our top high-value performers. It features a streamlined design available at a price that doesn't break the bank. Offering a water-repellant outer texture and a Gore-tex membrane, in addition to superior traction while moving over rocks and variable loose terrain, these boots are a solid and affordable option that will enhance your hiking experience. The OUTline provides abundant support and protection, whether on a short approach with a heavy pack or an extended backpacking trip.

What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?

If you love the Salomon fit, check out one of our long time favorites, the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-Tex or the Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex. If you're trying to look for boots in a similar price range to the OUTline, there is our Editors' Choice, the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX, available for only a little bit more or the Merrell Moab 2 Mid WP.