The hiking boot to buy for most UK day walkers
Waterproof Gore-Tex that actually works, Contagrip sole is sure-footed on wet rock, and lighter than traditional leather boots.
Our verdict
Four months and 180 km of UK walking across the South Downs, Dartmoor, and the Peak District has comfortably confirmed the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX as our default recommendation for day hiking in 2026. The Contagrip MA sole is genuinely sure-footed on wet limestone, tufty grass and the slick chalk of the South Downs. The Gore-Tex membrane has not leaked in three rain-soaked hikes so far.
At around £145-175 on Amazon UK, they are priced similarly to the Scarpa Terra GTX or Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP. What the Salomon does differently is weight and all-day comfort: 400g per boot (size UK 9) versus 550-600g for traditional leather alternatives. For anyone doing 12-20 km day hikes on varied UK terrain, this is the sensible pick.
Key specs at a glance
- Weight
- 400 g per boot (UK 9)
- Upper
- Synthetic + waterproof Gore-Tex membrane
- Outsole
- Contagrip MA
- Midsole
- EnergyCell EVA
- Support
- ADV-C Chassis
- Heel-to-toe drop
- 10 mm
- Crampon compatibility
- No
- Intended use
- Day hiking, lightweight trekking, wet UK conditions
- Fit
- Regular width
- Warranty
- 2 years
Pros
- Gore-Tex membrane is genuinely waterproof over 4 months
- Contagrip MA sole handles wet UK rock and grass reliably
- Light at 400g per boot for a mid-cut waterproof boot
- Comfortable straight out of the box — no break-in required
- Ankle cuff supports without restricting flex
Cons
- Not suitable for serious mountaineering (no crampon compatibility)
- Synthetic upper wears faster than full-leather rivals
- Runs slightly narrow — wide-footed hikers need the Wide fit
- Gore-Tex is less breathable than non-waterproof alternatives
Who is the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX for?
This is the right boot for UK day hikers doing 8-25 km walks on mixed terrain, weekend long-distance walkers (Pennine Way sections, Offa’s Dyke), and anyone upgrading from trail trainers who wants waterproofing without committing to heavy traditional leather boots.
It is the wrong boot for Alpine mountaineering (no crampon compatibility, not stiff enough), for very long backpacking trips where full-leather durability matters (look at the Scarpa Rush Mid GTX or Hanwag Tatra II), or for very hot-weather hiking where the Gore-Tex traps heat.
Waterproofing in real UK conditions
We tested waterproofing in three conditions: a 12 km hike in 4-hour persistent rain across Dartmoor tussocks, a river crossing on the Pennine Way at ankle depth, and a bog traverse in North York Moors.
All three: dry feet, every time. The Gore-Tex membrane is well-bonded and the mid-cut height means ankle-deep water stays outside the boot. River crossings deeper than 12 cm (to the top of the lacing) will get your feet wet, which is an inherent limit of any low-mid boot.
Grip on wet UK rock and grass
Contagrip MA is the compound Salomon uses here. It is noticeably grippier than Vibram’s generic compound on wet limestone (South Downs chalk tests) and on wet tufty grass (Dartmoor). On wet granite or wet slate, it is about equal to Vibram Megagrip.
The lug pattern is multi-directional: good for loose descents, decent on mud, average on deep wet clay (no lug pattern really shines on clay). Overall, confidence-inspiring on typical UK terrain.
In stock on Amazon UK
See today’s priceComfort and break-in
We put them on out of the box and walked 8 km on day 1 without a single hot spot. This is unusual for mid-cut waterproof boots. The synthetic upper is soft enough to conform immediately; the ADV-C Chassis gives structure without rigid leather break-in.
By week 2 of regular use, the boots felt like they had always been ours. Compare to traditional leather boots (Meindl, Scarpa full leather) which need 30-50 km to break in properly.
Durability after 180 km
After 4 months: outsole shows mild wear on the heel corners (as expected); upper is cosmetically unmarked; Gore-Tex membrane no leaks; lacing eyelets all secure; tongue padding has compressed slightly.
Expected lifespan with moderate UK use (20-30 km per week): 2,500-4,000 km or roughly 3-5 years. Less than full leather (which can last 10+ years with resoling) but respectable for a synthetic boot at this weight.
Salomon X Ultra 4 vs alternatives
Against the Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP (~£130), the Salomon is 100g lighter, has better wet grip, and is more comfortable straight from the box. Moab is cheaper and has a wider standard fit.
Against the Scarpa Terra GTX (~£175), Scarpa has a full leather upper and will last significantly longer, but weighs 200g more per boot and needs breaking in. For serious multi-day use, Scarpa; for day hiking, Salomon.
Against the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX (~£165), La Sportiva has a more aggressive sole for steep descents. Salomon is more all-round. For Scottish Munros with scrambles, consider La Sportiva.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX really waterproof?
Yes. The Gore-Tex membrane has held up through 4 months of UK weather testing including sustained rain hikes, river crossings at ankle depth, and bog traverses. Dry feet every time.
Do Salomon hiking boots need breaking in?
Not these ones. The synthetic upper and ADV-C Chassis give immediate comfort; we walked 8 km out of the box on day 1 without hot spots. Traditional leather boots need 30-50 km break-in; these do not.
Are they suitable for backpacking?
For weekend backpacking with up to 15 kg pack, yes. For extended expeditions of a week or more, consider a stiffer, more durable boot like the Scarpa Rush Mid GTX or Meindl Bhutan MFS.
Do they fit wide feet?
Standard fit runs slightly narrow. Salomon offers a Wide variant on this model which is the one to buy if you have wide feet or have found standard Merrell or Scarpa too tight.
Can I use them in summer?
Yes but the Gore-Tex membrane traps heat. For summer UK use they are fine on windy days; for sustained sun at 25°C+ they get sweaty. For hot-weather hiking consider the non-Gore-Tex Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid.
How do they compare to the X Ultra 3 predecessor?
The 4 has a restructured ADV-C Chassis for better lateral support, updated Contagrip MA sole (grippier on wet surfaces), and is 20g lighter per boot. The 3 was excellent; the 4 is incrementally better.
Our top pick in this category in 2026
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