Salomon Men's X Ultra 5

This is a review of the non-Gore-Tex version of Salomon’s X Ultra 5 low hiking shoe. These are low hiking shoes with grippy soles, breathable Kevlar-reinforced fabric, Kevlar speed laces, and a lot of support for low hikers. I wear them year-round, but the version without Gore-Tex are particularly good for hot summers. I have worn out X Ultra 3’s and 4’s, so I’m very familiar with this line of shoes (and have reviewed them on Trailspace). If there is a downside, it’s that shoes like this are use and replace—I wear them out in 18-24 months.

This is my second pair of non-Gore Tex Salomon X Ultra low hikers; they replaced the X Ultra 4, which I wore for about 18 months. My men’s size 12 weigh 1.64 pounds on a digital hand scale—about one pound, ten ounces. Men's sizes for this shoe run 7-14; women's run 5-11. Note, unlike the X Ultra 5 Gore-Tex, these shoes do not have a wide sizing option. There is also an X Ultra 5 mid, only available in Gore-Tex. I haven’t worn or tried some "offshoot" models, the X Ultra Alpine (heavier-duty shoe) or X Ultra 360 (lighter grade shoe), but the fact Salomon is using the same name is a testament to the OG line of X Ultra low shoes—they’re a great overall low hiking shoe. 

HOW THEY FIT AND FEEL

These are close-fitting shoes. My toes have a little bit of room to wiggle, but once I tighten the speed laces, my feet are locked in. They don’t slide around at all. I wear them with lighter-weight merino wool socks; typical mid-weight hikers make my feet feel squished in them.

They run true to size. Though I have feet that border on wide, some of my dress shoes are wide sizing; they work for my feet. The collar around the ankle is very well-cushioned, more so than the previous version. That’s a plus and helps keep debris out. The sole is moderately flexible, but it does have a partial plastic shank built into the midsole that both makes the shoe more stable and protects your feet from pointy rocks if you hit them around mid-foot. I don’t think the shank extends past the arch. Perhaps due to the built-in shank, which has a plastic piece that you can see near the ankle on the outside, this is a very stable-feeling shoe laterally. I can feel that when I’m traversing slabs laterally

The X Ultra Five, both this and the Gore-Tex versions, uses speed lacing. (The mid Gore-Tex model has regular laces). They’re thin, Kevlar, and pull tight with a slider. Love them or hate them, that’s how you tighten these shoes. It took me a while to get  used to them. I tend to stick the lacing pull under the laces, but the tongue has a fabric "garage" if you prefer to stow them. See the 2nd photo below. 

For what it’s worth, the slider is good; they don’t loosen up over the course of a day or accidentally loosen up, unless you push on the top of the slider when trying to stow it. It’s one reason I prefer to just stick the end of the speed lacing under one of the lower laces instead. 

CUSHIONING AND BREATHABILITY

The shoes have a moderately thick EVA midsole. I think it does a good job striking a balance between protecting your feet and giving you some decent feel for terrain. EVA is a material that feels cushy; over time, which for me is in the year to 18-month range, the midsoles start to compact and provide less cushioning and rebound. I think it’s an unavoidable feature of disposable shoes with this type of midsole.

There are shoes with more durable and resilient polyurethane midsoles, and if you hike in all-leather boots, they generally have midsoles that are more about protection and stability with little to no cushioning. But, those more durable options don’t feel as well-cushioned, and they’re a fair bit heavier than these. 

The black fabric body of the shoe that surrounds the lacing system does a very nice job venting moisture and has a little bit of stretch to it, though underneath that black fabric, the shoe has reinforcements that contribute to a firm fit. This fabric is a meaningful upgrade from the previous non-Gore-Tex version in my opinion, both because it’s a denser weave and because it’s partially embedded with Kevlar, which should make them durable (I never tore the textile body of the prior version, but I think it’s more vulnerable to getting scuffed and torn than these).  

HOW I HAVE WORN THEM

I have used these shoes for local day hikes for the last couple of months, rotating them with a pair of low leather hiking shoes. I haven’t had occasion to carry a large backpack during that time, but I would wear this on a multi-day summer trip if I weren’t carrying too much weight.They are very comfortable, fit well, protect my feel, and breathe nicely. If you puddle-hop in these, you’ll get some dampness, which goes with the territory for a non-Gore Tex shoe. If that’s an issue, look at the Gore-Tex version low X Ultra 5 or the Mid. 

Some of the trails I frequent run along the Potomac River and have sections of slabs and water-worn rock. The soles provide solid grip, considering how durable they are. They’re not at the same level of grippiness as a pair of approach shoes, but I can definitely feel the difference between these and traditional, hard-wearing Vibram block soles on my leather boots. 

For heavier loads and more jagged trails, I prefer boots that protect my ankles and feet better and have a firmer midsole.  

Worth mentioning that I remove the minimal stock insole of these and all other Salomon shoes and boots I have worn and replace with a custom orthotic. I  have very flat feet and use custom orthotics in all my shoes. 

DURABILITY AND TAKEAWAYS

The X Ultra 5 is a great all-around low hiking shoe. They cushion your feet, give you good traction, have a nice, secure fit, and offer better-than-average stability for a lighter-weight shoe. 

Like all shoes of this type, these are disposable. For me, the primary wear points are the midsoles and the fabric inside the shoe at the back of the heel. In 18 months, I can usually feel that the midsole has lost a little of its cushioning properties—a 215-pound person hiking in them a lot will do that—and I almost invariably tear the fabric at the back of the heel. The latter is probably due to the shape of the bones in my feet; my hiking socks always wear thin in that same place.

Considering how much I use these, 18 months isn’t bad. If you’re a more occasional hiker, they should last correspondingly longer. 

Background

I have worn these over the past few months.

I have hiked in Salomon boots and shoes for a number of years.