REASONS TO BUY
Affordable
Lightweight
Breathable
Waterproof
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacks support for extended backpacking trips
Lacing system and rand lack durability
Sub-par traction
Salomon Outpulse Mid Gore-Tex - Women's Review
This lightweight hiking boot is comfortable and offers enough support and waterproof capability for day hikes or backpacking trips with a light pack
A great choice for a simple design that outperforms its price tag.
Credit: Lisa Coleman
RELATED: Best Hiking Boots for Women of 2023
Our Verdict
The Salomon Oupulse Mid Gore-Tex is a lightweight and contemporary hiking boot featuring a synthetic upper with a special water-repellent treatment. These modern boots are by no means traditional, but more of a cross between a leather boot and a running shoe. A lower ankle shaft allows for more range of motion, but we found the traditional lacing system and the rubber toe cap that wraps around the front of the boot to lack durability. The Contragrip rubber sole is effective when moving through most terrain, however, it was difficult to trust our feet when moving through slick boulders. That said, the Outpulse is one of the lightest boots that we tested, and it's comfortable right out of the box, making this a solid, affordable choice for day trips or moderate backpacking trips moving over well-maintained trails.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Salomon Outpulse Mid Gore-Tex - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  |  |  | ||
| Price | Check Price at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $208.95 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $135.96 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $102.74 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Affordable, lightweight, breathable, waterproof | Lightweight, comfortable, breathable, great traction, reasonable price | Spacious toe box, solid traction on technical terrain, ankle cuff offers stability without decreasing range of motion, ultralight | Waterproof, breathable, durable, relatively lightweight | Improved traction, great for a wide foot, inexpensive, well-padded ankle |
| Cons | Lacks support for extended backpacking trips, lacing system and rand lack durability, sub-par traction | Not as supportive as a traditional leather hiking boot | Expensive, water resistant design doesn't breathe well, 0mm drop requires time for body to adjust | Doesn't fit all foot shapes, bulky laces | Lacing system lacks durability, not enough ankle support for heavier loads, Achilles isn't well padded, heavy |
| Bottom Line | This lightweight hiking boot is comfortable and offers enough support and waterproof capability for day hikes or backpacking trips with a light pack | A lightweight, breathable, waterproof, and supportive hiking boot that excelled in multiple testing metrics and offers maximum control when moving through technical terrain | This boot is our favorite for those with wider feet, providing a spacious toe box without sacrificing stability underfoot | A boot that held its own in all metrics, this model offers good performance for a wide range of hiking utility at a reasonable price | These boots offer improved traction and comfort right out of the box, though they underperform in terms of durability and support for extended backpacking trips |
| Rating Categories | Salomon Outpulse Mi... | La Sportiva Ultra R... | Altra Lone Peak ALL... | Salomon X Ultra 4 M... | Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Support (25%) | |||||
| Traction (15%) | |||||
| Water Resistance (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Salomon Outpulse Mi... | La Sportiva Ultra R... | Altra Lone Peak ALL... | Salomon X Ultra 4 M... | Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP |
| Weight (per pair) | 1.60 lbs (size 8) | 1.68 lbs (size EU 40) | 1.48 lbs (size 8.5) | 1.63 lbs (size 8.5) | 2.06 lbs (size 8) |
| Upper | Synthetic | AirMesh, microfiber, TPU | eVent fabric | Synthetic, textile, rubber toecap | Leather, mesh |
| Width Options | Regular | Regular, Wide | Regular, wide | Regular | Regular, Wide |
| Water Resistant Membrane | Gore-Tex | Gore-Tex | Water-resistant bootie | Gore-Tex | Waterproof membrane |
| Heel Height | 2" | 1.8" | 1.5" | 1.6" | 2" |
| Shaft Height | 5" | 5" | 5" | 5.1" | 4.9" |
| Midsole | Fuze Surge foam | MEMlex | Altra Ego | Molded OrthoLite sockliner | Super Rebound Compound |
| Sole | Contagrip rubber | FriXion XF 2.0 Rubber | MaxTrac rubber | Contagrip rubber, chevron lugs | Vibram TC5+ |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
With a streamlined and lightweight construction, Gore-Tex membrane, water-repellant upper, and Contragrip rubber for ample traction, the Outpulse Mid offers performance that exceeds the affordable price tag. However, while this is a great option for moderate backpacking trails and day hikes on well-maintained trails, the rand and lacing system lack the durability required for technical trails.
Performance Comparison
The Outpulse Mid is an affordable option that provides enough support and comfort for day hikes and short backpacking trips.
Credit: Lisa Coleman
Comfort
The Outpulse Mid rank highly in this metric as they provide great 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 boot's shape. The fit feels true to size, if a bit narrow in the toe-box, which could be an issue for those with a wider foot. Comprised of Fuze Surge foam, these boots offer ample cushion underfoot whether you're out for a short jaunt or a weekend trip.
Removable Ortholite inserts enhance overall comfort by offering extra cushion underfoot.
Credit: Trish Matheny
Support
With features that include SensiFit technology and Energy Blade Outdoor, the Outpulse Mid offers the support you'd expect from an affordable hiking boot. Sensifit gives the boot a snug and secure fit, while the Energy Blade filters the impact from ground-striking, thanks to a soft and cushioned midsole. The Ortholite liner also assists in shock absorption. With an ankle shaft measuring 5 inches, the Outpulse allows you to be nimble on the trails, but they lack the support for technical terrain and trips requiring heavy loads.
The reverse camber design wasn't a favorite of our testing crew.
Credit: Lisa Coleman
Traction
The Outpulse features All-Terrain Contragrip Soles, which have been a favorite of our testers in previous Salomon boots. While they performed well when moving through loose gravel and scree, we found it difficult to trust our feet on certain climbing approaches when moving over slabby, slick, and polished boulders.
All Terrain Contagrip performed well on loose gravel but we lost our footing while hopping over slick boulders.
Credit: Lisa Coleman
Water Resistance
The Outpulse features extra water-repellent protection, which coats the boot's synthetic exterior to increase protection and prevent the 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 or while moving through lingering snowpack. Our testers were impressed by the lightweight waterproof technology that performed well during our testing period; however, we question how effective this technology will remain over the life of the boot.
Surprisingly waterproof for such a streamlined design.
Credit: Trish Matheny
Weight
The Outpulse scores well in this metric, weighing only 1.6 pounds for a pair of US women's size 8. This is highly competitive with the lightest hiking boots in our review. While we love the lightweight design, it does sacrifice sturdiness and durability, limiting the overall performance.
The Outpulse is a solid choice for those looking to shed the weight of a traditional leather hiking boot.
Credit: Trish Matheny
Durability
From long approaches in Zion National Park to the endless trails within the Eastern Sierra, the Outpulse 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.
That said, 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 wear this boot.
A traditional lacing system made us question the overall durability of this modern hiker.
Credit: Lisa Coleman
Should You Buy the Salomon Outpulse Mid GTX?
The Outpulse is a great choice for those interested in a more affordable, modern hiking boot that performs well over non-technical terrain. It is lightweight and comfortable from day one. However, we believe this boot lacks the durability and support required for more committing backpacking adventures. While this may be great to have in your quiver, we don't think it will end up being your one-and-only.
Contragrip soles increase performance when moving over a wide variety of surfaces, but this design wasn't as successful as others we've tested from Salomon.
Credit: Lisa Coleman
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 Quest 4 Gore-Tex. If you're after a modern hiking boot with more support and durability, check out our Editor's Choice, the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX.
—
Trish Matheny
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