SALOMON CROSS HIKE 2 MID GTX Review: A new, lightweight hiking boot that's more reliable and durable than ever, perfect for tough mountain trips

"Fastpacking" and "speed hiking," a light and easy style of hiking that allows you to enjoy the mountains in your own active way without being too strict, are activities that have been gaining attention in recent years. What is needed here are lightweight hiking boots that combine the advantages of running shoes and hiking boots, making them good for both walking and running. As their popularity has grown, new products have appeared one after another, buzzing the market, and there is no end to the number of new entrants

Salomon, which has built up a wealth of research and development and experience in both hiking and running shoes, is naturally very proactive in this field, and is leading the category by leveraging its strengths to offer a diverse lineup that meets specific needs

The CROSS HIKE series in particular is a well-balanced model that offers an exquisite mix of agility and security, and it has long been one of my personal favorite shoes. The first model was released in 2020, and after about two years, it the CROSS HIKE 2 MID GTX . I would like to take a closer look at the evolution of this model and review it while taking a closer look at the differences between the two.

Main features of SALOMON CROSS HIKE 2 MID GTX

Salomon's classic trail running shoe, the SPEEDCROSS series, this lightweight mid-cut hiking shoe offers excellent agility, comfort, and durability by adding the support and protection required for trekking shoes to the upper and ankle area.

Despite its lightweight weight of just 413g per shoe, these shoes boast a durable, waterproof, and breathable GORE-TEX upper, while the mid-cut design provides ankle support and injury prevention, providing excellent protection without sacrificing mobility or comfort. Like the previous model, the midsole features EnergyCell™+, a material derived from trail running shoes that combines excellent rebound, shock absorption, and durability, allowing for comfortable movement whether walking or running. The increased overall sole thickness of this model makes it more durable for heavy loads and long walks. The outsole, featuring Mud Contagrip®, provides excellent grip even on muddy, slippery surfaces, and the revised lug pattern improves braking performance. Its ability to handle rough terrain has also been enhanced. Other refinements, including an improved last, additional eyelets, and a new insole with excellent arch support, ensure a comfortable fit even on long mountain trips, making this a shoe you can walk and run in for a wider range of demanding activities

Recommended points

• Various improvements have been made to provide a more comfortable fit than the previous model
• A good balance of comfort for walking and running, from day trips to fast-packing in tents
• The sole is thicker than the previous model, making it even more durable for heavy loads and long distances
• The outsole is now even more slip-resistant and easier to step on, making it safe even on rough roads
• The upper material and GORE-TEX waterproof and breathable properties provide ample protection for this lightweight shoe

Points of interest

• The increased thickness of the upper fabric and sole, as well as the firmer padding behind the ankle, have improved durability and support, but the "ease of running" such as the sensitivity and agility of the sole of the foot has been reduced compared to the previous model

Main specifications and evaluation

Detailed Review

This time, I walked a typical Japanese low mountain trail, which is full of fallen leaves, mud, and steep dirt slopes. I didn't just walk normally, but also actually wore both the old and new models alternately, and actually checked the differences from the old model, not just by impression

Various improvements have been made to provide a comfortable fit with just the right amount of room

The first thing you notice when you put your foot in is the comfortable fit that wraps around the entire foot, typical of Salomon shoes. One of the major changes in this upgrade is the improved last, which provides a better fit, resulting in a more snug fit that evenly covers the entire foot from the toes to the instep and ankle. For example, the shape of the footbox in the forefoot itself is wider and more spacious than the previous model, but the overall impression is firmer thanks to improvements to the material and shell pattern, resulting in a more comfortable, stable and firm step. Those who imagine the previous model to have a slightly flexible fit will clearly feel the difference

Furthermore, the factors that make this excellent fit possible are not limited to the improved last

For example, one thing that bothered me about the previous model was the number of eyelets on the instep, which I wanted to improve. This time, the number has been increased from three to four, and one has been added to the ankle area, which reduces the amount of play in the ankle when the shoelaces are tightened, and the foot stays firmly in place in the shoe (see photo below)

Furthermore, the ankle padding on the new model is now completely covered with ample padding, providing a more luxurious cushion around the ankle. The previous model had elastic material on the back to increase ankle mobility (see photo below). While this was convenient for intense movements, the new model wins in terms of comfort during normal walking and support against injuries

My personal favorite is the new insole (see photo below, left). The hard foam, with clearly defined arch support and heel support, feels like a memory foam cushion and fits comfortably to your feet

The seamless , which is lightweight yet highly abrasion-resistant and water-repellent, is made from 31% recycled materials and is high-density, firm, and resistant to sagging, contributing to a stable fit (see photo below, right).

The quicklace is still there, allowing for quick setup even in mid-cut boots

The Quicklace® system, which I liked and was also featured in the previous model (which is actually rare for mid-cut shoes), is still included, and it allows for quick and reliable setting. Incidentally, with boots like mid-cuts where the eyelets are not aligned in a straight line, it can be difficult to tighten the entire boot evenly just by pulling on the end (it does break in after walking a bit). In such cases, as shown in the photo below, applying tension once in the middle and then tightening the end makes it easier to tighten the entire boot in one go, so this is the method I use when I want to tighten it really tight

The comfortable balance for walking and running remains the same. The cushioning has been improved and it is now even stronger against heavy loads and lengths

The midsole, equipped with EnergyCell™+, which combines high cushioning, rebound, and tenacity developed through trail running, is still in good condition, providing a comfortable step with a solid rebound and an excellent sense of stability with minimal damage when landing. The slightly curved heel absorbs shock when landing and smoothly guides the foot into the next step

Furthermore, although it's hard to tell from the outside, the thickness of the entire sole has increased by about 7mm internally in this updated version. As a result, the shoes absorb the impact of landing better than the previous model, guard against impacts from the ground, and better protect the soles of your feet from fatigue and injury. You can expect them to perform better on long trails and strenuous hikes that require heavier loads and longer distances than ever before

When I actually walked on it, it was not only smooth on flat ground, but also light and easy on the way down. It also climbed steep slopes with slippery soil and fallen leaves with ease

It grips even on muddy, slushy ground

You can enjoy stable landings and push-offs throughout the entire trail, including uphill and downhill, and the peace of mind of knowing you can place your feet without worry even on unpredictable trail surfaces is exceptional

An outsole that is now even more slip-resistant and provides better traction

The outsole again uses the rubber material "Mud Contagrip®", which is renowned for its tenacity on rough roads. The triangular lug pattern, with its size and spacing calculated, allows for good mud shedding and stable multi-directional grip even on unstable, soft, and slippery terrain. The new version has undergone minor improvements to further enhance grip.

One particularly noteworthy point is the tuning of the sole shape. The center of the sole is now nearly flat, which increases the overall contact area with the ground, contributing to a stable landing and improved grip (see photo below)

Also noteworthy is the addition of major points around the arch of the foot on both sides thanks to a revised lug pattern (see photo below)

Unlike the previous model, these deeper, sharper lugs dig firmly into the ground, allowing for more powerful braking even under heavy loads on uneven terrain

Completely waterproof and breathable thanks to GORE-TEX

The high waterproof and breathable properties of GORE-TEX, combined with the excellent water-repellent treatment applied to the surface of the fabric, ensure high waterproofing, so you can walk comfortably even through puddles

The gusseted tongue (photo below), which integrates the shoe tongue with the upper, not only provides high waterproof and breathable properties, but also prevents the entry of gravel and pebbles

Summary: A new standard in hiking shoes that provides peace of mind in a wider range of situations

I loved the previous model, which I've been wearing almost every day on my recent day hikes in the low mountains, but this second generation has been further refined and perfected with many fine-tuning changes focused on "comfortable walking," making it easier for a wide range of hikers to use. With a more comfortable fit and improved support, durability, and cushioning, I can confidently recommend these shoes for more demanding hikes or for beginners

However, it cannot be denied that this update makes the shoe less nimble when running than the previous model. Considering Salomon's lineup of fastpacking shoes this season, I personally recommend the new Outpulse Mid Gore-Tex who prioritize the sensitivity to the ground and speed of footwork like the previous model (I have also reviewed this shoe, so please refer to this article for more details ).

If you're only interested in traditional mountain hiking, or if you're aiming for aggressive running, a model that focuses on each may be more suitable. However, if you prefer a hybrid style that's only possible in this modern age of advanced equipment, where you want to walk comfortably with light equipment and feel the breeze when you can run, and feel the pleasure of running through nature, then these are the shoes you won't regret buying .

SALOMON CROSS HIKE 2 MID GTX details and purchase information

For more product details, please also check out the official online stores for CROSS HIKE 2 MID GTX (men's) and CROSS HIKE 2 MID GTX W (women's)

   

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