The lighter hiking styles known as "fastpacking" and "speed hiking" are lighter, faster, but more stoic, and more active in your own way, without becoming too stoic, have been one of the activities that have attracted attention in recent years. What you will need is lightweight hiking boots that are easy to walk and run, with a balanced balance of the advantages of running shoes and mountaineering boots. As new products grow in popularity, these days, new products have been appearing one after another, making the market booming, and new entrants are constantly coming in.
Having accumulated research and development and track record in both hiking and running shoes, Salomon has naturally been working towards this field quite forward, and is leading the category by leveraging its strengths and offering a wide range of products that meet detailed needs.
Among them, the CROSS HIKE series is a well-balanced model that perfectly mixes agility and security, and I have been a favorite shoe for a long time. The original model was born in 2020, but after about two years this season, it has been upgraded to the CROSS HIKE 2 MID GTX I'd like to quickly review the evolutionary content while comparing it carefully.
table of contents
- Main features of the SALOMON CROSS HIKE 2 MID GTX
- Main Specifications and ratings
- Detailed review
- Various improvements provide a comfortable fit with a moderate amount of room and a fit
- Quick races that can be quickly set up even in mid-cuts are still in good condition
- The balance is as good as ever, with a comfortable walk and running. Increased cushioning and resistant to heavy loads and length
- The outsole is even less slippery and more comfortable to step on
- Perfect waterproof and breathable with GORE-TEX
- Summary: A new standard hiking shoe that gives you a sense of security in a wider range of situations
- Details and purchase of SALOMON CROSS HIKE 2 MID GTX
Main features of the SALOMON CROSS HIKE 2 MID GTX
Salomon's classic trail running shoes, SPEEDCROSS series, this mid-cut lightweight hiking shoe is based on the sole structure of Salomon, and adds the support and protection necessary for trekking shoes around the upper and ankles, providing excellent agility, comfort and durability.
The upper material is lightweight at 413g per foot, yet has sufficient robustness and waterproof and breathable performance due to GORE-TEX, and the mid-cut design that supports the ankle and prevents injuries, providing excellent mobility and comfort without compromising its excellent protection performance. Continuing from the previous model, the midsole is equipped with EnergyCell™+, which combines excellent rebound power, shock absorption and durability from trail running shoes, allowing for comfortable travel, whether walking or running. In this model, the overall sole thickness has been increased, making it even more resistant to heavy loads and long walking. The outsole, which uses Mud Contagrip®, provides outstanding grip even on mud, slippery roads, has also improved braking performance due to the redesigned lug pattern. The ability to respond to rough roads has been strengthened. In addition, the detailed reviews include improved last, added eyelets, and new insoles with excellent arch support have been made with ingenious, making it easy to walk even on tough, long-term mountain trips, making it a pair of shoes that can be "walking and running" with a wide range of harsh activities.
Recommended points
- Various improvements make it more comfortable to wear than the previous model
- From day trips to fast packing for a tent, it's a comfortable balance for walking and running.
- Compared to the previous model, the sole thickness has been increased, making it even more resistant to heavy loads and long distances.
- Furthermore, it is less slippery and more comfortable to step on, making it safe to use even on rough roads
- The upper material and the waterproof and breathable properties of GORE-TEX provide sufficient protection for this lightness
Points that interest me
- The thickness of the upper fabric and sole and the firm padding behind the ankle improves durability and support, but the "ease of running" such as the delicate and agility of the soles of the feet is more modest than the previous model
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | CROSS HIKE 2 MID GTX | (Previous model) CROSS HIKE MID GTX |
|---|---|---|
| weight | 413g | 396g |
| Stack height | 34.7mm / 24.7mm | 27.7mm / 17.7mm |
| drop | 10mm | 10mm |
| upper |
|
|
| Midsole | EnergyCell™+ | EnergyCell™+ |
| Outsole | Mud Contagrip® | Contagrip® TA |
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ *Updated from the previous work | |
| weight | ★★★★☆ *Slightly heavier than the previous work | |
| grip | ★★★★★ *Updated from the previous work | |
| protection | ★★★★★ *Updated from the previous work | |
| Cushioning | ★★★★☆ *Updated from the previous work | |
| Stability | ★★★★☆ *A comparison with the previous work, making it easier to walk in than running | |
Detailed review
This time we walked along a typical Japanese low mountain trail with many fallen leaves, muddy and steep slopes. At this time, I not only walked normally, but I actually wore both the previous and new models in a staggered manner, and instead checked the differences from the previous model, not my impression.
Various improvements provide a comfortable fit with a moderate amount of room and a fit
When you put your feet in, what you can feel is that they fit comfortably, as if they wrap around the entire foot, which is typical of Salomon shoes. One of the major changes in this update is the last one that has been improved to this better fit, and has evolved to a high-adhesion feel that fits evenly from the toes to the instep to ankles. For example, the shape of the footbox on the forefoot itself is wider than in the previous model, creating more roominess, but the overall impression is more tightly due to improved texture and shell pattern, resulting in a more comfortable, less blurry and more firm step. Those who imagine the slightly flexible feel of the previous model will definitely feel the difference.
Also, the factors that allow for this good fit are not limited to the improved ending.
For example, the number of eyelets on the instep, which I had been looking for improvement in the previous game, was "a concerning point." This time, one addition has been made to the ankle area from three to four, reducing play in the ankle when the shoelace is tightened, and the foot fits firmly in the shoe's position (photo below).
Furthermore, the new model also covers the entire padding around the ankle with plenty of padding, and the ankle is covered with a more luxurious cushion. In the previous model, an elastic material was placed on the back to increase ankle mobility (photo below). It was good for intense movements, but the new model is better in terms of comfort when walking normally and support performance against injuries.
Another favorite is the new insole (left photo below). The arch support at the arch and the upright around the heel are clearly shaped, and the stiff foam has a memory foam cushion-like feel that fits comfortably on your feet.
seamless is lightweight yet highly abrasion-resistant and water-repellent, and is made from 31% recycled material , making it highly dense, firm and less likely to sagging, contributing to a stable fit (right of the photo below).
Quick races that can be quickly set up even in mid-cuts are still in good condition
The Quicklace® system, which I liked as a previous model (which is actually rare for mid-cut shoes), is continuously installed, and this time you can set it up quickly and securely. By the way, with boots with no eyelets lined up like mid-cut boots, it is difficult to tighten the entire body evenly just by pulling the ends (although it will blend in after a little walk). In such cases, apply tension once in the middle as shown in the photo below and then tighten the end to make it easier to tighten the entire body, so I use this method when I want to tighten it tightly.
The balance is as good as ever, with a comfortable walk and running. Increased cushioning and resistant to heavy loads and length
The midsole equipped with EnergyCell™+, which combines the high cushioning, resilience and tenacity cultivated through trail running, is still alive and well this time, allowing for a comfortable step that gives it a firm resilience and landing with excellent stability with minimal damage. The slightly raised heel reduces the impact when landing, while smoothly guiding your foot on the next step.
Furthermore, this version upgrade is difficult to see from the outside, but internally the thickness of the entire sole has increased by about 7mm. As a result, it absorbed the impact of landing more than in the previous model and protected from thrusts from the ground, making it easier to protect the soles of the feet from fatigue and injuries. It can be expected to be useful for long trails and hard hiking, with the assumption that it is more burdensome than ever before.
When I actually walked around, it was crispy, of course, on the flat ground. You can still travel easily even on the descent. You can climb quickly even if you climb slippery soil or fallen leaves.
It will eat it even on mad muddy tuna.
You can enjoy stable landing and stepping throughout the entire trail, including up and down, and the peace of mind you can place your feet without worry even on unpredictable trail surfaces.
The outsole is even less slippery and more comfortable to step on
This time, the outsole is made of "Mud Contagrip®", which is known for its tenacity on rough roads, and the triangular lug pattern with calculated size and spacing makes it easy to remove mud, allowing for stable grip in multiple directions even on unstable, soft, and slippery terrain, but the new version has added small improvements to this to provide even more grip enhancement.
One of the most notable points is tuning the shape of the sole. The area near the center of the sole is closer to flat, which increases the overall contact area with the ground, contributing to stable landing and improved grip (photo below).
Furthermore, attention is also paid to the major points that have been added to both the arch of the foot and the left and right sides due to the review of the lug pattern (photo below).
Unlike the previous model, this deep, sharp lug firmly bites into the ground, allowing for even more powerful braking against large loads on unstable terrain.
Perfect waterproof and breathable with GORE-TEX
High waterproof and breathable properties from GORE-TEX, and excellent water-repellent treatment on the surface of the fabric ensures high waterproofness. Even if there is a puddle, you can walk without straining.
The gusset tongue design (photo below) is a integral part of the shoe tongue and upper, not only is it highly waterproof and breathable, but it also prevents the intrusion of gravel and pebbles.
Summary: A new standard hiking shoe that gives you a sense of security in a wider range of situations
I also loved the previous model I wore every time I went on a day trip to low mountains recently, but this second generation, which has many detailed tuned focused on "comfortable walking", has become even more refined and perfect, making it easier to use for a wide range of hikers. It provides a more comfortable fit and has improved support, durability and cushioning, making it safe to recommend it even in cases where it is worn by a beginner.
However, it is undeniable that this update makes it lighter when running than the previous model. Considering Salomon's lineup of fast packing shoes this season, I personally recommend the OUTPULSE MID GORE-TEX, a new shoe for fast packing, which comes from Salomon, for hikers who place more emphasis on delicateness to the ground and speed of their feet like the previous model ( I have also reviewed this item, so please refer to this article for more details ).
If you're looking for a model that focuses on traditional mountain trekking or aggressively aggressive running, it might be better to have a model that focuses on each of them. However, if you prefer a hybrid style that is only possible in today's modern equipment, where you want to walk without straining yourself, while feeling the wind and feel the pleasure of running through nature when you can run, you will surely be a pair of shoes you .
Details and purchase of SALOMON CROSS HIKE 2 MID GTX
For product details, please also check the official online shopping site for each of the CROSS HIKE 2 MID GTX (Men's) / CROSS HIKE 2 MID GTX W (Women's)