SALOMON CROSS HIKE MID GTX Review: This is what I've been waiting for! A pinnacle of fastpacking shoes

From day hikes to camping in tents with light luggage, a hiking style known as fastpacking (also known as speed hiking or fast hiking) has been noticeably gaining popularity in recent years

To put it simply, this style involves carrying a light, minimal load that allows for camping, actively running where possible, and moving faster than the usual course time.In other words, you can imagine it as hiking or mountain climbing where you repeatedly "hike up and run down."

The shoes for enjoying this new style of mountaineering tend to be a bit of a hindrance when running downhill in traditional lightweight mountaineering boots or hiking boots, while trail running shoes, which are designed for speed, are heavy and leave concerns about ankle support, protection, and durability (although of course it is possible to overcome this with stamina and skill)

They offer the stability and durability needed for mountaineering, while also providing the mobility and rebound power needed for the light, agile nature of trail running. In recent years, manufacturers have been working hard to meet the demanding needs of the rapidly increasing number of fast and light hikers, resulting in a steady stream of excellent models. This fall, SALOMON released the SALOMON CROSS HIKE MID GTX . Even as someone who has tried dozens of competitive lightweight hiking boots, I can say that this is a pair of exceptionally well-made boots that represents the pinnacle of lightweight hiking boots for fastpacking.

So, I would like to quickly review this extremely well-balanced pair of shoes that are great for both walking and running

Main features of SALOMON CROSS HIKE MID GTX

The SALOMON CROSS HIKE MID GTX SPEEDCROSS trail running shoes, familiar to Salomon fans, but features a mid-cut ankle and finer details that make it optimized for active hiking such as speed hiking and fastpacking.

The minimal seams and pressure-welded construction allow these boots to be waterproof with GORE-TEX® technology, yet weigh less than 400g per shoe (Men's size 27cm). The construction, which combines flexible yet durable synthetic materials with stretch material around the Achilles tendon, provides ample protection while allowing natural movement, allowing for agility unmatched by mid-cut boots. Quicklace® laces retain their shape and significantly reduce the stress of putting on and taking off the boots. The EnergyCell™+ midsole combines the lightweight rebound of trail running shoes with excellent shock absorption. The Contagrip® TA outsole, known for its exceptional grip on tough terrain, has been optimized for hiking, with revised lug size and pattern for improved all-directional grip and durability. The CROSS HIKE MID GTX is a versatile shoe that's perfect for fast hiking, active trekking, and even general outdoor activities like camping and festivals.

Recommended points

• Lightweight and flexible upper that combines freedom of movement with ankle protection
• Quicklace for quick setup
• EnergyCell™+ provides excellent shock absorption and stability with its high resilience and cushioning properties
• Non-slip outsole for easy stepping

Points of interest

• Breathable
• I would like another eyelet near the base of the ankle

Main specifications and evaluation

Detailed Review

In early September, when the summer heat was still lingering, I tried walking (running) several dozen kilometers along the main trail of the Tanzawa Mountains wearing these boots, surviving the scorching heat and sudden thunderstorms

A clean appearance leaves a good impression

The clean, smooth appearance and rugged form and texture like a mobile suit (especially the black and red model, which is not the trial model this time) made a good first impression for someone of my Gundam generation

It feels intuitively light in your hand, and is surprisingly light compared to its appearance

When I picked it up, I was thrilled by its extraordinary lightness, even though I knew it was a given. When I compared lightweight hiking boots on this site two years ago, a mid-cut boot weighing less than 400g was considered quite an achievement, so even though it's not the lightest, this lightness is truly impressive

Upper material that is firm, flexible and durable

The synthetic material used on the upper surface is a tightly woven ripstop fabric. It is firm yet flexible, and has excellent abrasion resistance and durability. However, it has little mesh feel, so you can't expect much breathability

The basic base the SPEEDCROSS 5 , but in tuning it for hiking, the last is designed to be about 6mm wider than a running shoe to increase comfort when walking for long periods of time. When you put your foot in, you'll feel that there is enough room around the toes that you won't feel cramped at all, and even those who tend to shy away from running shoes will surely find it very comfortable. The instep and ankle area are covered with just the right amount of padding, making for a thin yet soft feel.

Not only does it ensure durability, but it also improves comfort. Calculated crimp protection

The protective material is attached to the outer periphery of the upper by heat pressing, rather than being sewn on. This is not uncommon in recent Salomon products, but what's unique about this shoe is that the protective material is used from the part that comes into contact with the ground, so much so that the boundary between the midsole and upper is barely visible

Of course, simply by laminating the material together, the need for thread is eliminated, which leads to a lighter weight, but the structure in which this upper material is stretched over the midsole also improves the sense of unity between the foot and the shoe, and provides additional reinforcement in areas that are prone to damage from rocks and trees, providing better protection, thereby improving comfort in small ways

Quicklace for quick setup even in mid-cut

Fortunately, the Quicklace® system, which is rare for a mid-cut shoe and is found on many SALOMON trail running shoes, is used. It can be put on and taken off with a single action. The plastic parts and excess laces can be stored in the shoelace garage on the tongue, so there's no need to worry about snagging. The thin, though durable, shoelaces can dig in under heavy loads, but I haven't had any issues so far

Additionally, the loops on the front of the tongue prevent the quicklace from rubbing directly against the upper fabric, which could damage the fabric

However, if I had to say something personally, I was a little concerned about the relatively small number of eyelets (holes for shoelaces), which is four for a mid-cut shoe. I'm not particularly inconvenienced by it at the moment, but if I had to say something, I feel that if there was one more eyelet, especially closer to the base of the ankle, the overall fit and the resistance to toes getting caught on the ground when going downhill would have been further improved

Perfect balance of mobility, stability and cushioning for walking and running

This time, I set out on a day trip with a DSLR and tripod, roughly the weight of a lightweight tent for one night, at a speed of about 1/2 to 2/3 of the course time (i.e., fast hiking style), and I was amazed at how well these shoes handled the situation. They provided stability without wobbling even with a heavy load, smooth and comfortable steps on ascents, confident braking on descents, stable landings on all kinds of terrain, including off-road terrain with dirt, roots, and pebbles, as well as rocks, mud, and water, and ankle support in case of twisting. They supported me safely and enjoyably in every situation

Of course, it's crispy on flat ground

Even steep climbs over rocky areas are no problem

It grips even on muddy, slushy ground

EnergyCell™+ provides high resilience, cushioning, and durability

The key to this stable mobility and comfort is the trail running-derived technology EnergyCell™+ built into the midsole. This highly responsive midsole provides excellent energy return when stepping on the ground, while also providing ample cushioning and durability when landing. The intimidating, thick midsole visible in the heel speaks volumes

By the way, the thickness of the sole is 27.7mm at the heel, 17.7mm at the forefoot, and 10mm at the drop, so there is plenty of cushioning in the heel area

The rocker-like structure, with the heel and toe slightly curved upward, provides just the right amount of cushioning to absorb the impact when you land, while also providing a smooth, forward momentum-boosting sensation

Elastic material at the back of the ankle for smooth ankle flexion

Another secret to comfortable walking is the Achilles tendon area, which combines ankle mobility and support

The back of the ankle is slightly lowered and has elastic material applied there. This means there is less resistance when moving the ankle back and forth, and it does not get in the way when running. This provides minimal ankle support while allowing for quick footwork with the same feel as trail running

Thanks to the accumulation of such high technical capabilities and sharp ideas, these shoes achieve an excellent balance of "comfortable walking" and "light running" even when carrying a certain amount of weight. Especially on downhills, you can walk with such ease and ease that you would never think they were mid-cut. As an aside, I took a video of them because they were so comfortable, and I've uploaded it below for your reference

Deep, strong outsole that provides reliable grip in multiple directions

Looking at the construction of the outsole, which is the key to grip, we see that a lot of ingenuity has been put into it. The basic structure is the SPEEDCROSS , employing the "chevron lugs" of Contagrip® TA, which combines traction and slip resistance, but SPEEDCROSS , it is optimized for hiking. Specifically, the SPEEDCROSS has been replaced with triangular shapes reminiscent of caltrops, which not only improves forward stepping and traction but also provides effective grip in multiple directions (see photo below). The lugs are also spaced far enough apart to allow for good mud shedding, and you can expect stable grip even on unstable, soft, and slippery terrain.

Looking more closely, we can see that the central vertical line and the lug near the thumb, which bear more weight, are larger. This is said to be a design that provides greater stability and durability for longer, more strenuous mountain climbing (see the left side of the photo below)

Highly water-repellent and highly stable GORE-TEX waterproof and breathable

The gusseted tongue, which is an integrated part of the upper, the high waterproof and breathable properties of GORE-TEX, and the excellent water-repellent treatment applied to the surface of the fabric ensure high waterproofing. Light rain and showers are no problem at all

Summary: A mid-cut that anyone can enjoy hiking up and down with peace of mind

The CROSS HIKE MID GTX is a highly refined shoe that combines the know-how cultivated in both trail running and trekking, allowing you to fully enjoy the wonderful marriage of the two. With its high level of flawless performance and features, it is no exaggeration to say that it is the pinnacle of fastpacking shoes.

Though thin, the CROSS HIKE MID GTX provides cushioning in just the right places for a soft yet firm hold. It also features a number of features that make it comfortable for walking and running, centered around EnergyCell™+, which has excellent shock absorption and rebound properties. The outsole has been redesigned for hiking, providing both traction and slip resistance. These features combine to the CROSS HIKE MID GTX a comfortable shoe for a wide range of hikers, from those who want a light and easy walk to fast hikers who want to tackle long distances while focusing on running.

These boots are perfect for allowing more people to enjoy mountain activities, which have evolved from a hobby and travel activity to health and sports. We hope that anyone looking for the best fastpacking shoes, or anyone just starting out in the world of mountaineering, will pick up a pair of these boots soon

SALOMON CROSS HIKE MID GTX details and purchase information

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

   

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