Are you on the hunt for a hiking shoe that can handle even the most challenging terrains? Look no further than the Salomon X Ultra 4. This high-performing shoe boasts impressive features that make it a reliable option for serious hikers. We cover everything you need to know in this detailed Salomon X Ultra 4 review, from its design to its performance. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of whether this shoe is the right fit for your hiking adventures.
Released in 2021, the Ultra 4 is the revamped version of one of the French outdoor gear manufacturer‘s best sellers, the Ultra 3 (easy to guess!). When you know that the Ultra 4 won the T3 Best Walking Shoes award that same year, you know the upgraded footwear is one to keep a lookout for when looking for hiking shoes.
Salomon X Ultra 4: Summary
Salomon X Ultra 4
★★★★
What we like: Stability, Design, Comfort, Lightweight and Traction
What we don’t like: Questions over durability, Quicklace system is not for everyone
Where to buy it: Amazon
So what makes the Salomon X Ultra 4 so special? Let’s dive into it.
Salomon X Ultra 4 Review
In this review, I cover the different topics of the Salomon X Ultra 4 design, features and improvements, comfort, stability, traction, weight and durability. Let’s start!
Design
It is love at first sight!
The design and graphic pattern of the Ultra 4 have been reworked and it shows! The eye-catchy configuration of the shoe makes it stand out on the shelves. Compared to its predecessor, the Ultra 3, a noticeable creative effort has been made here. With the TPU coated straps on the side and the difference in fabrics and colours all around, it gives the footwear a technical and more fashionable look.
Features
As for the features, there are some similarities with its elder brother but also new elevations that can’t go unnoticed.
The Quicklace System
The Ultra 4 keeps the same Quicklace system, which allows you to tighten your shoes in the blink of an eye. This becomes handy, especially during a downpour or when the temperatures are cooler so that you can get going quicker. The second benefit of this system is that it stays in place and you don’t need to stop and redo your laces countless times during the day, to the point that you are slowing down your hiking companions. Once pulled, the laces get locked and stay in place for the whole duration of the hike. Also is worth noticing the presence of a pocket on the top of the tong for you to squizz the cord so that it does not annoy you floating on top of your feet or getting caught in branches.
The downside of the Quicklace system is that you cannot customise the fit to your feet. Once pulled, the string tight the shoe evenly as opposed to a classic lace where you can adjust the tightness here and there based on your needs. Therefore, this system will suit better people with no foot issues such as bunions. Additionally, if the cord breaks when in the wilderness, it is more of a concern than when classic lace lets you down, as it is nearly impossible to repair in the wild. This being said the Quicklace system has been designed to last, so it should not be an issue.
Video: Learn how to use the Quicklace System
The Tongue
A noticeable improvement on the X Ultra 4 is the shoe tongue.
It opens wide which makes it easy to slip in and out of the shoe. This combined with the fast Quicklace system, you will be ready to hit the trails in no time in the morning!
Additionally, the shoe is equipped with a gusseted tongue attached to the upper part of the shoe to create an airtight closure and prevent debris from getting inside the shoe.
The Toe Cap
Salomon did not stop here when it comes to improvements. The toe cap at the front of the shoe has been reinforced to offer better protection to your toes when hitting a root or a rock. So you can enjoy the vistas without worrying about where you place your foot.
The Chassis
This is the most important enhancement. Salomon opted for an ADV-C chassis, which is the base the shoe is built on. This new chassis is designed to increase stability and flexibility. The chassis offers greater heel support thanks to extra cushioning, which helps reduce fatigue. The ankle reinforcement provides excellent stability, without compromising on flexibility at the front of the shoe. In other words, it adapts well to uneven terrains and fast pace walking.
The Midsole
The midsole is the layer between the upper part of the shoe and the outer sole which is the part touching the ground. The thicker the midsole is, the more cushioning the shoe has.
On the Salomon X Ultra 4, the midsole is made of EnergyCell EVA foam. Commonly used in sports footwear since the 70s, EVA foam adds more cushioning to the shoes which helps absorb the shocks coming from the weight of the person wearing them and the ground. It gives your foot that “rebound” feeling so you can keep going for longer.
The Active Support System
Another technical term, but let me break it down for you.
The TPU-coated side wings are directly linked to the Quicklace system. When you pull the laces, the side wings bend to wrap your foot securely. This close-fitting ingenious system maintains your foot in place in the shoe when walking. No more heel slips which are cause of blisters and more serious injuries.
Comfort
The Ultra 4 are comfortable and can be worn straight out of the box! No need to spend time breaking them in before hitting the trails.
So, what makes them comfortable to wear?
First, and as we discussed above, they have a thick midsole which is handy when carrying a heavy backpack or manoeuvring a technical terrain as it absorbs impacts. Second, the tongue has been upgraded with additional padding for comfort, which is rare in lightweight footwear where manufacturers intend to cut out the padding to shred a few ounces.
It is worth noticing that the ankle cut has been raised compared to the Ultra 3. To prevent it from rubbing against the bone, Salomon has added extra cushioning around the ankle cut. Does it work? Yes and no. It depends on you and your ankle really. We are all different, and whilst some of Salomon’s aficionados have complained about some discomfort around the ankle, for my part it is not an issue.
The bottom line: always try before buying!
Third, a new improvement is the toe box being roomier on the Ultra 4 model. It helps reduce pain and ache on one of the foot’s pressure points and has been welcomed by those with wider feet.
Finally, because Salomon wants the best for their footwear, they equipped the X Ultra 4 with Ortholite hiking insoles. Their proven long-lasting performance explains why they are fitted in 2 millions pair of shoes per year worldwide. From cushioning to breathability passing by their moisture-wicking ability, Ortholite insoles are a selling point, and Salomon knows it well.
However, if you need specific hiking insoles, you can remove the insoles to replace them with your own. So now we looked at the comfort, what about the fit?
Fit
In general, we can say that the Salomon X Ultra 4 fits well. However, whilst those with narrow feet will find their soul mate in the X Ultra 4, those with wider feet may feel a bit tight in those shoes.
The idea would be to go a size up, as you cannot customize the fit due to the Quicklace system. However, the good news for those with wider feet is that Salomon released a Wide version which is really rare in the outdoor footwear market. This surprising yet clever decision is definitely a selling point.
Stability
What does “stability” means for a shoe?
By stability, we mean the capacity of the footwear to maintain your foot in place in the shoe. It increases comfort when wearing the shoes but also avoids chaffing, the first cause of blisters.
And the Salomon X Ultra 4 does not lack ingenious systems to make this a reality. The Quicklace system is one of them. Combined with the Active Support side wings it adds to the stability of the shoe by locking your foot in place. Additionally, the extra padding around the ankle cut helps maintain your foot in place so that it does not rub against the edge of the collar lining.
Traction
The traction of a shoe is the ability of the footwear to hold to the ground to avoid slippage.
The best way to describe the Salomon X Ultra 4 is that they are like reinforced trail runners. The ADV-C Chassis technology gives the shoe the solidity of a hiking boot and the flexibility of a trail runner. In order words, they are stiffer than your usual hiking shoes.
As we discussed in the first part of this article, the shoe comes with a wide base to offer a better balance, regardless of how uneven the terrain can be.
Ultimately, the triumph of the Salomon X Ultra 4 is the outer lug soles. Made in Contragrip MA rubber, Salomon’s own blend, it helps get a better grip on wet rocks. The chevron pattern is oriented to provide a good hold in ascent and break in descent. The chevrons are cut deep onto the outer sole to provide a firmer grip on soft ground, so you can tackle any terrain. Finally, for us British hikers and our muddy paths, here is some good news: the chevrons are spaced out so you shred mud at every step and avoid the accumulation of mud underneath the shoes. Mud on mud = no grip!
Finally, the ADV-C chassis has been built to combine the stiffness of a boot underfoot and the flexibility of a trail runner. This way, the shoe provides greater grip and helps tackle a variety of terrains but also allows you to flex the ball of the foot, which becomes really handy when walking at pace.
In summary, this version has been built to handle both rough and rugged terrains as well as fast-paced walks.
Weight
When you see the technical design and then you learn about the robustness of the chassis, you would expect the Salomon X Ultra 4 to be heavy. But no! Just lift it off the shelve and you would be surprised by how light the shoe is.
Weighting 0.8 kg for a size 10 UK for a man or 0.7 kg for a size 6.5 UK for a woman, the Salomon X Ultra 4 is definitely lighter than it looks!
But how did Salomon manage to cut the weight of the shoe without impacting its performance?
The reason for this achievement lies in the materials used to make the shoe. For example, the midsole and the chassis are made of lighter materials.
However, the use of lighter materials raises some concerns about their durability. Let’s take a closer look at it in the next paragraph.
Waterproof
The Salomon X Ultra 4 comes with a waterproof and non-waterproof version. If you are interested in the waterproof one, keep reading.
The X Ultra 4 GTX, as its name indicates, comes with a Gore-Tex membrane. If you are new to hiking gear, Gore-Tex is a thin layer with billions of pores. On the outer part of the layer, the pores are smaller than drops of water to prevent water from getting into the shoe. On the inner part, the pores are bigger than the perspiration molecules, so they can escape. In other words, with the Gore-Tex technology, your feet stay dry.
On top of the Gore-Tex layer, the upper part of the shoe is treated with a water-repellent DWR coating, to add an extra layer of protection against the rain.
In summary, the X Ultra 4 is fitted with what is required for a shoe to be qualified as “waterproof” as long as the water does not get over the collar. With the low version, you only have 7.5 cm of water protection and the downside of Gore-Tex is that it does not dry easily. So if you cross a stream deeper than that and the water enters your shoes, get ready for the “flop, flop” noise at each step.
Furthermore, bear in mind that the Gore-Tex model is warmer than the non-waterproof one. Even though Gore-Tex is designed to let perspiration evaporate, it is not as efficient as the non-treated version. The good news is that the low ankle collar lets the heat escape much better than on a boot. So you stay relatively cosy without overheating.
Waterproof or non-waterproof? The choice is yours.
Durability
The Salomon X Ultra 4 presents some strong features of durability. It has been reported that the outer sole wears off evenly which increases the lifespan of the shoe. Moreover, it is worth noting that the seams are welded and not sewn which offers a much stronger resistance. To get to the point, they are more durable than trail runners.
But can they challenge a hiking boot?
Despite its great attributes, there are some concerns about the durability of this new version.
The first question mark is the soft rubber fabric of the outer sole. As mentioned above, it allows a good grip even on wet rocks, however, the rubber wears down quickly. A tip would be to wear the shoes only during a hike and avoid slipping them on to run errands as tarmac ground would speed up the shredding of the rubber.
The colours, which form part of the attractive design we were mentioning at the start of this review, fade away pretty quickly. So if you were buying them for their colourful pattern, you might be in for a bad surprise. Also, it is hard to clean. Once the dirt gets on the fabric, it is impossible to get it back to its original colour, no matter how hard you brush it!
Moreover, after just a couple of hikes, I already noticed some damage around the ankle cut. The layer surrounding the padding wears off pretty quickly, creating holes in the fabric.
Finally, how to thoroughly clean the Salomon X Ultra 4? Well, I am yet to be shown. From my experience, the first step to clean hiking footwear is to take off the laces before putting the shoes under running water. With the Quicklace system, this first step cannot be completed, which raises the question: cleaning your hiking shoes regularly increases their lifespan, so if you cannot give them a good clean, how long will they last for?
We shall see …
Comparison
So now we learn everything we need to know through this review, what other hiking shoes can compare to the Salomon X Ultra 4? Let’s take a closer look at the competition.
| Price | Lace | Outer Sole | Upper Fabric | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Wolfskin Refugio Texapore | $$ | Traditional | Rubber | Suede |
| Adidas Terrex Swift R3 | $$$ | Traditional | Continental Rubber | Mesh |
| Merrell Chameleon 8 Stretch | $ | Quicklace | Vibram sole | Leather & Mesh |
| Merrell Moad Edge 3 | $$ | Traditional | Vibram TC5+ rubber sole | TPU & Mesh |
| Salomon X Ultra Pioneer | $$$ | Traditional | Contragrip rubber sole | Synthetics, Textile, Mesh |
Final Thoughts on the Salomon X Ultra 4 Review
Overall, the Salomon X Ultra 4 is a top-performing hiking shoe that can handle even the roughest trails. With its robust construction, excellent traction, and comfortable fit, this shoe is definitely worth the investment for serious hikers. If you’re looking for a reliable shoe to take on your next big hike, the Salomon X Ultra 4 should definitely be on your list.
And you what are your favourite hiking shoes? Let me know in the comments below.
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