REASONS TO BUY
Great waterproof protection
Increased comfort
True to size
Great traction
Substantial support and stability
REASONS TO AVOID
Waterproof design runs hot
New iteration more bulkym
Less durable lacing attachments
Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid Gore-Tex - Women's Review
This modern hiking boot offers incredible support and stability through the ankle along with a comfortable and moldable fit that best caters to those with narrow feet
Credit: Trish Matheny
By Trish Matheny ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ April 9, 2026
RELATED: The Best Hiking Boots for Women
Our Verdict
The Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid Gore-Tex topped our list of award winners season after season until our recent round of testing when the metal hook on the ankle cuff broke within the first mile of testing. Before this experience, we considered this lightweight hiking boot to be versatile enough for fast day hikes or overnight backpacking trips thanks to a supportive midsole and ankle cuff. The GORE-TEX waterproof lining keeps your feet dry while the deep, multi-directional lugs provide confidence in most terrain types. The fit is true to size, although takes a few hikes to fully break in, and favors a narrow foot. Overall, this hiker is a decent choice for those seeking a lightweight and waterproof design, we just don't have a lot of confidence in the durability of the latest iteration.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid Gore-Tex - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Hiking Boots |  Best Bang for Your Buck | Best Hiking Boot Under $100 | ||
| Price | $190 List Check Price at REI | $219 List Check Price at REI | $175 List Check Price at REI | $100 List Check Price at Backcountry | $60 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This modern hiking boot offers incredible support and stability through the ankle along with a comfortable and moldable fit that best caters to those with narrow feet | This water-resistant hiking boot is perfect for those seeking all-day comfort, stability, and excellent traction in a lightweight package that performs well in a variety of terrain types | These provide a traditional, time-tested option for those seeking enough comfort, support, and waterproofing to get them through day hikes or short backpacking trips on well-maintained trails | This boot provides comfort, stability, and waterproof performance, thanks to a flexible and breathable mesh upper along with a functional, supportive ankle cuff | Unfortunately you get what you pay for with this affordable hiker, the sole is stiff and lacks flexion while the ankle cuff is overly padded, preventing the cuff from offering any support or stability due to the dysfunctional single hook design |
| Rating Categories | Salomon X Ultra 5 Mi... | La Sportiva Ultra Ra... | Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP | Columbia Crestwood Mid | NORTIV 8 Waterproof |
| Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Support (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Water Resistance (10%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Weight (5%) | |||||
| Specifications | Salomon X Ultra 5 Mi... | La Sportiva Ultra Ra... | Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP | Columbia Crestwood Mid | NORTIV 8 Waterproof |
| Measured Weight (per pair) | 1.8 lbs (size 8.5) | 1.56 lbs (size EU 40) | 1.88 lbs (size 8) | 1.80 lbs (size 8.5) | 2.02 lbs (size 8.5) |
| Width Options | Regular | Regular | Regular, wide | Regular, wide | Regular, wide |
| Waterproof Lining | Gore-Tex | GORE-TEX Extended Comfort | Waterproof membrane | Omni-Tech | Yes, not specified |
| Upper | Synthetic, textile, rubber toecap | High-tenacity ripstop mesh (85% recycled polyester/15% polyester) | Pigskin leather, mesh | Leather, mesh and webbing | Suede |
| Midsole | EnergyCell | Dual-density CM-EVA | Super Rebound Compound | TechLite | Shock Absorbent MD |
| Heel Height | 1.5" | 1.5" | 2.0" | 1.5" | 2.0" |
| Shaft Height | 6.25" | 6.25" | 4.9" | 5.0" | 5.5" |
| Sole | All Terrain Contagrip rubber | FriXion XF 2.0 | Vibram TC5+ | Omni-Grip | Rubber |
Our Analysis and Test Results
A former favorite of our testing team thanks to its excellent traction and waterproof performance, however, the latest round of testing revealed durabiliity concerns. Credit: Trish Matheny
Likes
Until recently, the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid Gore-Tex was among the top performers within our award-winning lineup thanks to its comfortable, supportive, and waterproof performance within a lightweight and modern running shoe-like design. The upper is flexible yet supportive through the ankle cuff, the deep, chevron-patterned lugs provide excellent grip, and the GORE-TEX waterproof lining performed well in most conditions. We love this boot for its performance and versatility within a supportive yet lightweight construction.
Salomon's proprietary All Terrain Contagrip rubber is among our favorite outsoles thanks to deep, multi-directional lugs that grip slippery boulders and polished steps very well, offering a sure-footed feel even on the most popular trails.
The synthetic and textile upper combines with a higher flood level to protect the feet from stream crossings and snowfields, even performing well when submerged for several minutes.
We love the multi-directional lug pattern that provides excellent grip on a variety of terrain. Credit: Trish Matheny
Dislikes
During our latest round of testing, we had to seriously dock points for the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid Gore-Tex when it came to the durability of the design. On our very first hike, only one mile in, we stopped to tighten the laces on our right foot, when the metal hook surrounding the ankle broke off of the boot. Considering the price of these boots, we found this performance unacceptable and removed points from the former award-winner.
The X Ultra 5 Mid is a boot that mostly favors those with narrow feet, featuring more of a long and skinny design that doesn't provide a ton of extra space in the toe box for those with wider feet. The fit is true to size, but the upper is initially more rigid, requiring a little bit of a break in period, while the top performing waterproof liner causes the boot to run hot in warmer climates.
If the metal hook on the ankle cuff of the latest iteration of the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid Gore-Tex didn't fail, it would still be one of our top choice when it comes to lightweight performance in the mountains. Credit: Trish Matheny
Should You Buy the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid Gore-Tex?
The Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid Gore-Tex is a lightweight hiking boot design that offers great traction, support, and waterproof performance. Due to the metal hook failure on the ankle cuff, we now question the overall durability of the design. Before that experience, the X Ultra was among our top performers, especially for those with narrow feet. If you find yourself setting out on well-maintained trails in wet conditions, this may just be the boot for your next hiking adventure.
What Other Women's Hiking Boots Should You Consider?
The Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid Gore-Tex is a modern hiking boot design that favors more of a trail running shoe with a supportive ankle cuff. If you like this type of boot, the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX is a great consideration, providing better performance and durability for a greater variety of trails. If you're on a budget, options like the Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP and the Columbia Crestwood are worth checking out.
—Trish Matheny
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