Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX Review

Here's the sum that makes the case. RunRepeat weighed one X Ultra 5 Mid GTX, men's size 9, at 15.4 oz, against a category average of 18.2 oz. That's 2.8 oz less per boot, or 5.6 oz per pair.

The bigger sizes line up, too. REI lists the men's pair at 1 lb 15 oz, which is 31 oz. OutdoorGearLab quotes Salomon's figure for a size 11 pair at 1.94 lb, and 1.94 times 16 is 31.0 oz. Two sources, one number. I love it when that happens.

Now size up. CleverHiker's size 13 came in at 18.5 oz per boot. OutdoorGearLab's size 14 pair weighed 2.4 lb, and that still sits under the 3.0 lb OutdoorGearLab weighed for the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX in size 14, a gap of 0.6 lb, or 9.6 oz per pair.

The stack is low for a boot. RunRepeat measured 32.5 mm at the heel and 19.8 mm at the forefoot, against averages of 36.0 and 23.5, with a 12.7 mm drop. RunRepeat calls it a trail-connected base. OutdoorGearLab calls the cushion about average.

OutdoorGearLab measured a flood height of 5.25 in and stood in a mountain stream for several minutes without a leak. That height is the spec that counts. Creek splash and boggy mud stop below the collar.

Gore-Tex has limits, though. CleverHiker noticed dampness seeping in at the flex points after a few weeks, mostly on steep wet climbs where the boot bends hardest. It also logged heat buildup on warm hikes. Hot, dry trails? A non-waterproof shoe will run cooler.

Grip is the other strength. OutdoorGearLab scored traction 8 of 10 and liked the heel for braking on forest duff and loose dirt. CleverHiker called the All Terrain Contagrip adaptable on gravel, roots and polished rock. The lugs are only 3.5 mm deep, against a 4.2 mm average in RunRepeat's lab, so deep mud and snow want something chunkier. OutdoorGearLab also found the sole too flexible for easy side-hilling on steep slopes.

Durability is the soft spot. OutdoorGearLab gave it 5 of 10, the lowest number on its card, while still calling the sole rugged and the toe caps burly. Its one worry is a metal lace hook anchored in a very soft upper.

CleverHiker saw light scuffs and nicks after rocky miles and scrambles in the Colorado high country. Its pair stayed structurally sound. It also reports that owners online mention lace eyelets breaking and seams splitting near the toe flex point. Watch for it. It's a pattern in owner reports, not a measured failure rate.

Owners overall still like it: 4.4 of 5 from 92 ratings on Amazon and 4.3 from 402 on Salomon's site, both read October 16, 2026. I read that as a well-liked boot with a durability asterisk.

I ran OutdoorGearLab's own category weights over its scores. Comfort counts 30%, support 25%, traction 20%, water resistance and durability 10% each, and weight 5%. The X Ultra 5 comes out at 7.3 of 10.

Vs. Hoka Kaha 3 GTX: 8.4 on the same math, with more cushion and support for heavy packs. It weighed 3.0 lb a pair in size 14, 0.6 lb more.

Vs. Salomon Quest 5 Gore-Tex: 8.2, Salomon's load-hauler. At 3.15 lb it's 0.75 lb heavier.

Vs. Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof: 7.0. It's 2.81 lb, and OutdoorGearLab scored its traction 6 against the Salomon's 8.

Vs. La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX: OutdoorGearLab calls it slimmer, nearly as stable and about the same weight, for more off-trail work.

Pick the X Ultra 5 when weight and grip matter more than cushion. Pick the Kaha 3 when your pack does.