There aren’t many more important aspects of your hiking trip than picking up the right pair of boots. Any lacklustre footwear will get you out of the parking lot and into the fire, but only a few shoes will feel just as comfortable on kilometer 50 as they did turning around corner one.
Whether you’re gearing up for your first hiking trip or a seasoned trekker looking for this season’s latest lookbook, picking a perfect combination of performance and style is paramount.
We’ll start with the good news. There are more great hiking shoes now than ever before. Everyone from flat-footed, bow-legged hobblers to arched amblers can find a shoe that perfectly fits their feet and pushes them to get outside more.
But, that freedom of choice isn’t without consequence. The online market is so big and vast and confusing; where should you even start?
How about starting off your search with a great brand built for getting you outdoors? A company not keen on cutting corners who haven’t grown too big for their britches. It’s not easy to find in the modern market, but we’ve been blown away time and time again by one particular contender.
Salomon has built a reputation as a niche champion, protecting the feet of four seasons of mountain adventures. Always tinkering and innovating, the company’s modern portfolio includes a wide variety of shoe lines that all rank at the top of their respective classes.
Salomon boots didn’t step onto the outdoor scene to offer up another corporate generalist. This shoe specialist has earned its place on top of many lists of the world’s best hiking boot brands, and today we’ve got the inside scoop on some of Soloman’s best boots.
Quick Answers – The Best Salomon Boots
#1 Best Salomon Boots For Hiking – Quest 4 GORE-TEX
#2 Best Salomon Boots For Trekking – X Ultra 4 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots
#3 Best Salomon Boots For Trail Running – Speedcross 6 Trail Running Shoes
#4 Best Salomon Boots For Day Hikes – Ultra 4 Mid GTX Hiking Boots
#5 Best Salomon Boots For Women – OUTpulse Mid GTX
#6 Best Salomon Boots For Rain – Shelter Climashield Waterproof Boots
#7 Best Salomon Boots For Style – Salomon Outchill Thinsulate ClimaSalomos
#8 Best Salomon Boots For Summer – Outpulse Mid GORE-TEX
#9 Best Salomon Boots For Skiing – Salomon Shift Pro 120 Alpine Touring Ski Boots
#10 Best Salomon Boots For Cross Country Ski – Escape Plus Cross Country Ski Boots
All About Salomon Boots
The hiking boot brand Salomon started out supplying the best skis in the business with hardcore bindings and quickly became known for Olympic level performance on the slopes. They decided that if you want something done right, you’ll have to do it yourself, and grouped up their top of the line bindings with Alpine and ski boots.
Their empire grew with the sport. In the 90s Salomon got into snowboarding boots and eventually fitted their kits for the backcountry. The list of their different shoe styles started growing longer, but every pair remained tied together by a straightforward ethos: making life on the mountain easier.
Modern Salomon boots work for four seasons of hiking, rock climbing, skiing, mountaineering, and hardcore outdoor sports. They focused on footwear and have kept close to what they do best through all the success, culminating in this impressive list of different Salomon boots.
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The boots we’ll cover below work for all sorts of different occasions. You’ll find a Salomon mold for everything from cross country skiing to summertime hiking, and this Salomon boots review will take a look across the board and see what they came up with.
Every single one of these boots uses Salomon’s in house grip system known as Contraband strength, and they also use Salomon’s controversial quickdraw laces. These laces could be the next big thing in hiking, or a nuisance in the name of innovation, depending on who you ask.
So, decide if you’re shopping to frolick next winter’s wonderland, looking for a set of lightweight trail runners to push you further into the woods, or just want a comfortable pair of hikers built to last, and take a look at this Salomon boots review to find your next perfect boot.
Quest 4 GORE-TEX
- Price (USD) > 230
- Weight (KG) > 1.30
- Material > Leather
X Ultra 4 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots
- Price (USD) > 175
- Weight (KG) > .74
- Material > PU-coated leather
Speedcross 6 Trail Running Shoes
- Price (USD) > 140
- Weight > 1 lb. 5 oz
- Material > Nylon Mesh
Ultra 4 Mid-GTX Hiking Boots
- Price (USD) > 175
- Weight > 1 lb. 14.4 oz
- Material > Polyurethane-coated leather/textile
Outpulse Mid GTX
- Price (USD) > 160
- Weight > .1 lb. 7.1 oz
- Material > Textile
Shelter Climashield Waterproof Boots
- Price (USD) > 130
- Weight (KG) > .71
- Material > Textile
Salomon Outchill Thinsulate ClimaSalomos
- Price (USD) > 160
- Weight (KG) > .65
- Material > Sensiflex
Salomon Shift Pro 120 Alpine Touring Ski Boots
- Price (USD) > 699
- Weight (KG) > 3
- Material > Thermal Foam
Escape Plus Cross Country Ski Boots
- Price (USD) > 140
- Weight (KG) > 1.14
- Material >
These Are The Best Salomon Boots
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Join REI Today!#1 Best Salomon Boots For Hiking – Quest 4 GORE-TEX
Quest 4 GORE-TEX is our top pick for the best salomon boots for hiking
- Price (USD) – 230
- Weight (KG) – 1.30
- Material – Leather
Four generations of the quest family have been keeping hikers on their toes for decades. Salomon’s latest in a long line of tough boots has everything you’d expect from a top-quality shoe option. The sturdy uppers lock in your ankles against rugged terrain, while the complete Gore-Tex isn’t going to let a drop of unwanted water penetrate.
Early Spring of 2021 brought many changes to Salomons signature boots, all surrounding performance. This newest model may not look much different from earlier quests, but there is a whole lot going on underneath the hood that redefines the shoe.
A new heel chassis finishes off the sole reinforcements and provides a stable shoe throughout. Salomon added on stability and somehow managed to still shave a few grams off the old model to bring their boots into the future.
The Quest series is one of the most iconic hiking boots of all time. While it’s not the cheapest boot on the market, the swarming loads of comfortable features make this boot an excellent choice for a serious backpacker.
- No better boot out there for handling tough terrain
- The newest model in a long line of successful hiking boots
- Comfortable and high quality materials throughout make the boot perfect for overnight hiking adventures
- The intense reinforcements in this boot is a bit much for many day treks
- One of the heavier hiking boots on the market
- Only available in high-top models
#2 Best Salomon Boots For Trekking – X Ultra 4 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots
Our top pick for the best salomon boots for trekking is X Ultra 4 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots
- Price (USD) – 175
- Weight (KG) – .74
- Material – PU-coated leather
This mid-length boot snuck in loads of comfort features and widened the toe holds without adding loads of weight. It’s a summer super star and stayed away from Gore-Tex protections in favour of staying quick on your feet. If you’re not planning on bouncing off of too much rough and tumble terrain, the X Ultra 4 has all the waterproofing and comfort of Salomon’s Quest line in a more lightweight and breathable package.
At nearly half the price and half the weight of Salomon’s signature boot, this comfortable shoe serves as the outdoor brand’s mid-class model, more than capable of getting you through day hikes and short overnighters.
If you ask me, there isn’t much point to hiking in the rain anyways. For fair weather walks and catching the sunset from the mountain top it doesn’t get more reliable and comfortable than these bad boys.
- Day tripping extraordinaire
- Wide-box narrows down to a comfortable, locked-in heel
- No extreme break-in period required
- No waterproofing protections
- Not warm enough for four-season hiking
- May not have quite enough cushion to support a full pack on your back for many kilometers
#3 Best Salomon Boots For Trail Running – Speedcross 6 Trail Running Shoes
For best salomon boots for trail running, checkout Speedcross 6 Trail Running Shoes
- Price (USD) – 130
- Weight (KG) – .65
- Material – Nylon Mesh
Shoes made with single track mindsets have loads of variables to account for. While track shoes may solely focus on cutting back the ounces, trail runners need to prepare your feet for changing terrain. Salomon doesn’t only offer up boots made for walking, but also manages to design some of the best trail runners on the market.
The secret is in the outer sole, where heavy-duty lugs provide multi-directional bounce on uneven pathways. From the mid-sole through the uppers, the sneaky sneaker is finished off with rebound and snug fits that can slip on and off in a hurry.
Watch out for rough roots and rock edges and bring along these certified speedsters to get deep in the backwoods and keep a spring in your step.
- Quick lace pulling system will have the shoe off in seconds
- Moulded Ortholite grip fits like a glove after a few weeks of running
- Anti-debris finish keeps the dust from settling inside your boot
- Not a fully waterproof shoe
- Omits a rock plate
- A bit too much lugs and outer sole to wear for long distances on the pavement
#4 Best Salomon Boots For Day Hikes – Ultra 4 Mid GTX Hiking Boots
Meet the best salomon boots for day hikes, Ultra 4 Mid-GTX Hiking Boots
- Price (USD) – 165
- Weight (KG) – .88
- Material – Leather
When there’s no choice but performance, pack the best with you on every day hike of the year. Salomon took their signature mid-class boot and slapped a wholly waterproof Gore-Tex outer layer that keeps it all breathable and dry.
X-Ultra Salomon boots big and small are a great choice from day-trips to weekend-long escapes. As the most waterproof option of the bunch, this boot managed to keep the ultra-lightweight and ankle low mentality of the series. The GORE-TEX material and slim frame combine to create an incredibly versatile shoe.
You can treat these as trail runners with boot-like support, an all-around shoe that wants to be the only pair of hiking boots you need.
- No shoe checks off more boxes and serves a more important role than your every-hike pair
- One of the more affordable hiking boot options with this kind of weather protection
- Low key look works on the trails and while running errands
- Gore-Tex protections don’t help breathability
- While it’s a splash more waterproof than most lightweight X models, it’s still not supportive enough to take on heavy packs
- A jack of all trades is a master of none
#5 Best Salomon Boots For Women – OUTpulse Mid GTX
Salomon Outpulse Mid GTX is one of the best salomon boots for women
- Price (USD) – 150
- Weight (KG) – .68
- Material – Textile
Some ladies’ lines in hiking boots leave a lot to be desired. The Outpulse Mid offers much more than a lightweight version of the men’s model and brings sneaker-like comfort into the alpine universe.
Waterproof and dangerous, these GTX boots are built for the backcountry. Take advantage of the lightweight grip and push yourself the extra meters to the mountaintop. The shoe is incredibly light. No, it won’t hold up forever against a heavy pack, but it brings with it plenty of perks.
Sneaky features like the midlength finish and ortholite foam help the shoes bounce off rough terrain and protect your feet at sea level as well as 5,000 meters.
- Fits like a sneaker, protects like boots
- The flexible shoes hold their grip on uneven rocky terrain
- One of the lightest pairs of hiking boots on the market
- More focused on staying lightweight than providing heavy-duty support
- Not warm enough to be worn in winter
- Tight fit doesn’t mesh well with wide feet
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#6 Best Salomon Boots For Rain – Shelter Climashield Waterproof Boots
Our top pick for the best salomon boots for rain is Shelter Climashield Waterproof Boots
- Price (USD) – 130
- Weight (KG) – .71
- Material – Textile
Are you expected to deliver rain, sleet, snow or shine? While we’d all love a day in bed while a storm smashes against the window, sometimes no matter the weather you just have to get outside.
For the must-doers, Salomon presents a lightweight yet ultra-protective waterproof boot. Your shelter is even finished off with an extra layer of warmth wrapped around your ankle to keep further hazard on the outside looking in.
All this is wrapped in a monotone and serious exterior that fits with every outfit and makes a great four-season work boot.
- Best in class warmth to weight ratio
- High top laces extended the waterproofing through your mid calfs
- Can protect in frigid temperatures, down to -10 C
- Ice Grip Soles shouldn’t be taken too literally
- While the waterproofing on this boot is quite legitimate, it wasn’t done by Gore-Tex
- A heavy-duty boot for a lightweight summer hike
#7 Best Salomon Boots For Style – Salomon Outchill Thinsulate ClimaSalomos
Meet the best salomon boots for style, Salomon Outchill Thinsulate ClimaSalomon
- Price (USD) – 160
- Weight (KG) – .65
- Material – Sensiflex
They may be stylish from the outside, but the inside is where Salomon really put in the work on these hardcore hiking boots. A honeycomb sole wraps the outer layer of this nimble shoe with a solid grip ready for off-terrain missions. The sensiflex material fits comfortably on day one and brings excellent flexibility to the hiking boots.
While it’s a capable day hiker the Outchill isn’t designed to conquer longer through hikes. This shoe is one of Salomon’s lightest options, so don’t expect much warmth or a whole lot of weather resistance. Instead, the Blaze fits a lot like a typical sneaker with more traction and a few tricks up its sleeve.
There’s also a dedicated Women’s version of this boot too.
- A women’s version is also available
- These lightweight shoes fit well right out of the box
- A thin synthetic upper breathes well and drys fast
- Gore-Tex coating is splash-proof but won’t hold up against prolonged submerges.
- Not enough support for heavy packs
- Besides a signature look this shoe doesn’t have anything the Ultra 3’s can’t also provide
#8 Best Salomon Boots For Summer – Outpulse Mid GORE-TEX
For best salomon boots for summer, checkout Outpulse Mid GORE-TEX
- Price (USD) – 160
- Weight (KG) – .73
- Material –
These lightweight and practical boots offer a sleek look that works just as well at a backyard barbeque as it does on the trail. The mid-top boots fit lighter than most hiking boots, but that doesn’t make them less capable – Salomon’s same signature outsole and lacing system make this casual boot a real heavy hitter.
You won’t find many stylish boots that can better fit into a crowd while still packing the extreme waterproofing of Gore-Tex protections. These shoes pay attention to the details all the way down to the curved midsole that gives you an extra splash of cushion without clogging up the pores.
The advanced features of the Salomon Outpulse all wrapped in a lightweight and stylish shell make this super breathable shoe summer’s best friend.
- Good looking hiking boot with extreme gore-tex protections
- Fuze foam helps your feet lock into place
- Doesn’t use Salomon’s controversial quicklacing system
- Large words are printed on both sides of the heel messing up an otherwise flawless finish
- Not quite stylish enough to be worn on a night out
- A jack of all trades is a master of none
#9 Best Salomon Boots For Skiing – Salomon Shift Pro 120 Alpine Touring Ski Boots
Salomon Shift Pro 120 Alpine Touring Ski Boots is one of the best salomon boots for skiing
- Price (USD) – 699.95
- Weight – 7 lbs. 8.6 oz
- Material – My CustomFit 4D Pro
Salomon’s humble beginnings were all about the backcountry, and they certainly haven’t lost sight of the sport that propelled them to the top of the footwear industry. These explorer boots are the real deal, offering up Salomon’s highest range of motions at one of their lowest overall weights.
Four tough buckles and touring tech inserts are all that’s between you and casual cruise lines up the mountain without losing any freedom while bombing sick descents.
The comfortable performance of this ski touring beauty has been earning it all sorts of accolades since its first introduction in 2015, and the latest model doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
- 63 degrees of freedom of movement make this a great touring boot
- Two buckle design makes it easy to switch from tour to ski mode
- Progressive flex helps the boot perform on level terrain and steep declines
- A few plastic bits and pieces on the exterior may be the first things on your kit to fall apart
- Might cost you more than a cheap used set of skis
- Not a hiking boot
Now, you could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.
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Buy on REI!#10 Best Salomon Boots For Cross Country Ski – Escape Plus Cross Country Ski Boots
Escape Plus Cross Country Ski Boots is our top pick for the best salomon boots for cross country ski
- Price (USD) – 140
- Weight (KG) – 1.14
- Material –
Built with Nordic tourers in mind at every step of the way, these cross country specialists keep your feet warm and dry all day long. Three separate foam layers ensure the boot’s interior firmly lines up with your feet and give you greater control over your range of motion, while the touring cuff keeps things stable.
These cross country boots are ready for the heart of winter. Thinsulate insulation and a zipper/velcro closing combination keeps the snow out, and the comfortable slipper feel keeps the skis moving
- It can often be found on sale
- Thinsulate insulation layer qualifies the boot for below freezing deployment
- The Quicklace system is a perfect partner for cross country skiing
- Won’t work as resort boots
- Known not to fit true to size
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Final Thoughts on Salomon Boots
I spent years trying to save on hiking boots…and thus suffered through months of painful blisters and overall dissatisfaction. But with the Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex, I didn’t even have to spend a single day in the painful breaking-in phase. These boots are sturdy, ACTUALLY waterproof, and have kept me going through hundreds of kilometers of trail with nothing but comfort.
From powdery mornings to desert nights, these Salomon boots represent some of the best in hiking. Don’t take chances when it comes to your high performance footwear. Salomon has been supporting adventures from the ground up for more than 50 years.
Their boots have stayed true to their passionate ideals while changing with the time to serve any modern hiker, explorer, or skiier admirably. We think their latest models are some of the best hiking boots out there, and that same build quality flows all the way down the line.
Fitting out your trip with a fully waterproof, grippy, and comfortable pair of hiking boots will guarantee this weekend isn’t the last time you get out there, and Salomon Boots are some of the best pairs for the job.
Regardless of where you’re hiking, or how long you plan on getting out there, these boots will keep your legs moving and get you deeper into the stoke one step at a time.
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