The X Ultra 4 Mid GTX is the boot I reach for when the day plan is 8 to 14 miles with a daypack and the forecast is unsettled. After five months and roughly 140 hours of trail time across the Catskills and the Greens, my opinion is firm: this is the best lightweight day-hiking mid in its price bracket, with one important caveat about pack weight.
Why you should trust this review
I bought this pair at full retail in late spring 2025 through a regional outfitter. Salomon had no editorial involvement and did not provide a sample. I have logged more than 1,200 miles across half a dozen mid-cut hikers in the last three years, including the previous-generation X Ultra 3, so the comparison is apples to apples.
How we tested the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX
- 140 hours of trail time over 22 separate outings.
- Pack weights from 12 to 28 pounds, with no loads above 30.
- 11 stream and bog crossings to test the Gore-Tex liner.
- Side-by-side traction comparison vs. the Merrell Moab 3 Mid on wet root tangles.
- Two scrambling sessions on Class 3 granite to test the toe rand.
- Sock-system check across thin synthetic, mid-weight wool, and heavy winter wool.
Our protocol mirrors what we use across our outdoor footwear methodology.
Who should buy the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX
Buy if you do day hikes and light overnighters, want a boot you do not have to break in, prefer pace over plush, and value waterproofing on shoulder-season trails. Skip if you regularly carry over 30 pounds, have wide feet, or your terrain is mostly off-trail with frequent ankle hazards.
Weight and pace: closer to a trail runner
At 920 grams per pair, the X Ultra 4 is one of the lightest waterproof mids on the market. On a 12-mile lollipop in the Catskills, my legs felt fresher at the trailhead than on the same loop in the heavier Quest 4 GTX. The trade-off is real, however. Drop a 30-pound pack on this boot and the EVA chassis flexes in ways that load the ankle, not the boot.
Traction: Contagrip MA grips smarter than its lug depth suggests
The 4.5 mm Contagrip MA lugs are shallow by mid-cut standards, but the rubber compound is sticky on dry rock and roots. On wet rock the grip is good, not great, and clearly behind the Megagrip-soled approach shoes I have tested. Shed performance in mud is excellent thanks to the wide gaps between heel lugs.
Waterproofing and dry time
The Gore-Tex liner has held through 11 crossings, including one knee-deep step that overflowed the cuff. Once water got in over the top, the synthetic upper drained and dried much faster than the leather Quest 4. That is the underrated benefit of a textile-heavy boot.
Durability: weak point is the toe rand
After 140 hours the upper looks fresh, but the toe rand has a visible scuff line from two scrambling outings. Owners report rand-to-toe-cap delamination starting around 500-700 miles for users who scramble heavily. If your trail diet is mostly graded singletrack, the rand will outlast the midsole.
Value verdict
At $165 the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX is the right tool for graded trail with a daypack, three seasons of the year. Heavier-pack hikers should step up to the Quest 4. Wider feet should consider the Targhee III. For most people doing 5-15 mile days, this is the best $165 you can spend on a hiking mid.
Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX (Men's) vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Weight | Best for | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | 920 g | Day hikes, light overnighters | $165 | Recommended |
| Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof | ★★★★☆ 4.2 | 1,020 g | Casual hiking, wide feet | $145 | Best Budget |
| Keen Targhee III Waterproof Mid | ★★★★☆ 4.3 | 1,180 g | Wide feet, durability | $175 | Runner-up |
| Cheap big-box waterproof boot | ★★★☆☆ 2.5 | 1,400 g | Short walks only | $75 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Upper | Synthetic + textile |
| Liner | Gore-Tex |
| Midsole | EnergyCell+ EVA |
| Outsole | Contagrip MA |
| Lug depth | 4.5 mm |
| Drop | 11 mm |
| Weight (US M9 pair) | 920 g |
| Cuff | Mid (just above ankle) |
| Closure | Quicklace |
| Last | Medium volume |
Should you buy the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX (Men's)?
The X Ultra 4 Mid GTX is a fast day-hiker disguised as a boot. At about 920 grams per pair it is closer to a beefed-up trail runner than a traditional mid. The Gore-Tex liner held through 11 wet crossings and the Contagrip MA outsole grips well on dry root tangles. The trade-off is reduced ankle support under heavier loads, so this is a daypack boot, not a backpacking boot.
Frequently asked questions
Is the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX worth $165 in 2026?+
For day hikers and light overnighters, yes. It punches above the Moab 3 on traction and below the Quest 4 on price. The savings make sense if you do not regularly carry a heavy pack.
X Ultra 4 vs Merrell Moab 3 Mid: which should I buy?+
The X Ultra is lighter, grippier on wet rock, and dries faster. The Moab 3 is wider, more forgiving on the wallet, and friendlier to high-volume feet. Pick the X Ultra if you want pace, the Moab 3 if you want comfort.
How waterproof is the Gore-Tex liner over time?+
Through five months and 140 hours, our pair has not leaked. Owner reports suggest liner integrity drops between 500 and 700 miles, which tracks with most Gore-Tex hiking footwear.
Can I use these as backpacking boots?+
Up to about 25 pounds, sure. Above that, the EVA chassis flexes more than is ideal under load and the ankle cuff will not catch a turned step the way the Quest 4 GTX does.
Do they run small or wide?+
True to size on length, medium-volume on width. Wide feet should look at the Targhee III or Moab 3 Wide.
📅 Update log
- May 7, 2026Updated price and added durability notes after 140 hours.
- Oct 4, 2025Initial review published.
