SALOMON OUTPULSE MID GORE-TEX Review: Whatever you do, it's a wonderful fit for your feet. Lightweight hiking boots that will make you want to wear them anywhere forever

Carry as light as possible and go faster, longer and farther, discover the new charm of hiking. One of the reasons why the popularity of this new hiking style, "fast packing," has become widely popular over the past few years, is the existence of high-performance shoes with cutting-edge technology. This is because shoes that are not only comfortable to wear as shoes, but also have the same opposing functions, such as the stability, grip and high protection of classic mountaineering shoes, as well as the lightness and moderate rebound of running shoes, which would be impossible without their excellent technical skills.

The latest model of fast packing hiking shoes, which require greedy and delicate tuning, has been released by Salomon, one of the leading brands in this field. That the OUTPULSE MID GORE-TEX that . I'd like to review it right away.

Main features of SALOMON OUTPULSE MID GORE-TEX

SALOMON OUTPULSE MID GORE-TEX is a new concept of hiking shoes designed to meet the demands of hikers who want to lighten the trail and energetically attack the trail, based on the wide range of technology that Salomon has cultivated through his previous shoe development, which covers a wide range of outdoor activities, from hiking to running.

The midsole uses the "Energy Blade Outdoor," a mix of a lightweight "Fuze Surge" compound made from EVA material that is light yet softer and more elastic, and a lightweight TPU plate placed on the forefoot, achieving both excellent cushioning and rebound force. The "Reverse Camber" sole, which has a gentle curve, provides an amazingly smooth and dynamic foot movement for mid-cut hiking shoes.

This shoe is for those who want to enjoy a new style of adventure, with details that are all perfect for a safe and fast journey through long and long distances, including the SENSIFIT™ upper structure, which is well known for its comfortable fit that gently wraps around your feet, the All Terrain Contagrip®, which provides reliable grip on a variety of road conditions, and excellent durability, protection and waterproofness, and the elements required to travel safely and quickly on long and long-distance mountain trips.

Recommended points

• A lightweight, well-fitting upper and moderately flexible sole for overall comfort
• A balanced sole structure that is easy to walk and run with a high level of sensitivity, rebound, cushioning and grip.
• A calm design that is easy to wear even in the city

Points that interest me

• Compared to regular trekking shoes, it is flexible and delicate, and has less tons of robustness, durability and sole protection.
• The upper end of the shoelace hook is low, so there is high mobility around the ankle, but it does not provide much support for sprains, etc.

Main Specifications and ratings

Detailed review ~I walked (running) through the low mountains in May with remaining snow left~

It's incredibly comfortable to wear, which is hard to believe is from a mountaineering boot.

First of all, I was captivated by the good looks that first hit me. The matte natural color and the fine texture of the knit-like upper fabric give a gentle and elegant impression. I'm excited about the design that matches the most common earth-colored clothing these days.

Just put your feet in and walk lightly, and you'll immediately notice the extraordinary comfort of this shoe, which is one of the great charms of this shoe. Oh, soft. How good is this foot fit...

The shoe width is a standard width that is neither slim nor wide. The upper features SENSIFIT™, which is synonymous with Salomon's outdoor shoes, and provides an exquisite fit, and gently wraps around your entire foot perfectly, as if it had fitted your own foot shape. Despite this, there is natural room around your toes, and there is no sense of crampedness that makes you feel oppressive even when you put it from the forefoot to the heel.

Generally, shoes for mountain climbing are made of fabric that is more or less resistant to friction and tear, and hard parts such as core material (shank) are pinched, so it is inevitable that they are somewhat bulky. Of course, the fabric and materials of these shoes are also durable enough to withstand outdoor use. However, despite this, these boots don't really feel that bulky. It's like wearing lightweight running shoes. The entire shoe flexibly follows your walking experience, allowing you to feel a natural walking sensation without the movement of the joints when walking due to the shoes.

Also, although the weight of 380g (actually measured 378g US9 size) is not the lightest, it is in the lightest category, but it is also quite lighter than most mid-cut hiking boots. For reference, if you look at the other hiking boots from Salomon, you'll see that the X ULTRA 4 MID GORE-TEX (425g), X ULTRA 3 MID GORE-TEX (450g), CROSS HIKE MID GORE-TEX (396g), and PREDICT HIKE MID GORE-TEX (376g), almost all weigh more than these boots. This lightness is one of the major factors that make it comfortable to wear and less fatigue-free.

The high sensitivity of the soles of the feet allows for quick foot movements and reliable cushioning performance

The positive impression I felt from my first impression resonated even more deeply with my feet as I actually started walking with my luggage on my back. For example, when you step on the ground, the sole of the foot can clearly sense even the subtle unevenness of the road surface on the sole of the forefoot. Whether or not these soles are easy to interact with the road surface is an important point for trail running and speed hiking where you instantly judge each step and quickly put your feet down. This flexible and delicate sole allowed you to run down difficult steep slopes with rocks, tree roots, and mud without hesitation.

Of course, if you simply thin the sole to increase the sensitivity of the sole, the impact will be directly transmitted and damage your feet. The excellent part of this boot is that while maintaining the delicate sensitivity of the soles of the feet, it ensures firm cushioning performance (the sole thickness is not thin at 31.7mm heel and 21.7mm forefoot). It gently absorbs the impact of gravity like a memory foam mat, yet still allows you to capture the road surface firmly, making it a very pleasant feeling.

A hybrid midsole structure that gives you natural propulsion

In addition to high sensitivity to soles and cushioning against impact, OUTPULSE has many mechanisms that allow the body to move forward smoothly, and these have been brought about by making these shoes easier to walk in before.

The biggest feature is the newly installed midsole construction. The OUTPULSE midsole consists of two combinations: the Fuze Surge, a soft, shock absorbing foam compound that contains 30% natural rubber and has 20% more responsiveness than conventional eva foam, and the lightweight TPU plate called the Energy Blade Outdoor, which is three-dimensionally built into the forefoot (see below).

"Fuze Surge" efficiently absorbs impacts, reducing fatigue and providing stability in walking, while "Energy Blade Outdoor" not only serves as a cushion (tuned for hiking) but also creates moderate rebound force. By combining two types of this material and different properties, the overall structure allows for smooth and speedy stride while accurately capturing the road surface, while also minimizing damage. And while keeping the weight down. What's the best?

Additionally, the "Reverse Camber" structure (photo below) has a curved shape so that the sole slightly rises up towards the toes and heels, allowing for a smooth series of movements from landing with the heel to kicking out with the toes, allowing for a smooth feeling as if your feet are naturally moving forward.

This type of shape has been widely adopted in recent trail running shoes and speed hiking shoes, and has become so well established that it makes me feel like the rest of the shoes are not enough for me, after I've tasted it.

By the way, shoes with these highly resilient plates have also been pointed out at the same time that if runners with no leg strength are easily introduced, the high rebound causes unstable landing and are prone to unexpected injuries.

These shoes are also carefully considered in this way, and the sole is wide enough to slightly extend from the shape of the foot (photo below). I cannot confirm whether this was the direct cause, but at least I didn't feel any particular concern that the landing would become unsteady just because it was faster.

Outsole that creates grip and vertical propulsion

The outsole type used by OUTPULSE It literally provides an all-around grip that can handle hard ground and muddy mud without any problems. In fact, I was able to place my feet without any worries, from the hard approached forest roads I experienced during this test to dry soil, tree roots, rocky areas and remaining snow.

Looking at the lug pattern, it is relatively shallow and narrow for a mountain boot. The main focus is vertical streaks that are conscious of forward propulsion, but on the other hand, the gaps between the grooves around the heels are wider, and lateral protrusions that are conscious of brakes are visible, such as those seen in mountaineering boots. My impression is the hybrid design of run and hiking (slightly stronger).

I tried out several other Salomon hiking shoes (photo is X ULTRA PRO GORE-TEX) and walked around at the same time, and although it was certainly easy to walk on mild terrain, it felt a bit weaker than other authentic hiking boots on muddy muddy steep slopes.

Reliable waterproofing with an integrated shoe tongue with upper and GORE-TEX.

The mid-cut body with a tongue that is integrated into the upper without any breaks (photo below), and the reliable GORE-TEX waterproof and breathable membrane provides excellent waterproofness as expected. By the way, it is also a great help in that the integrated shoe tongue is difficult for pebbles to enter.

Note here: Robustness and durability, cushioning under excessive loads, support around the ankle

It may be a shame that shoes are tuned with a focus on lightness and ease of running, but there are some areas where they have no choice but to compromise on durability and support. The OUTPULSE , providing ample protection to alleviate impacts on rocks, trees, etc., but it is clearly inferior to typical old hiking shoes. If you are too overconfident in the cushion and walk with excessively heavy luggage that exceeds 10kg, your flexible soles will reach your limit, and you may experience pain after walking for a long time.

Perhaps prioritizing ease of movement, the tightness around the ankles is slightly more relaxed, and the shoelaces are positioned at the lowest even in the mid-cuts. For me, who is prone to sprains, I felt a bit unreliable, if not as much as low-cut. This is where preferences arise, and judgments are divided.

Of course, since there is no way there is a perfect shoe that is all-inclusive, this feature itself does not mean that it is absolutely evil. It is important to understand these characteristics and be aware of the different uses of the product in the appropriate situation and purpose.

Summary: Hiking boots that make you think, "I want to wear them anywhere, forever."

the OUTPULSE MID GORE-TEX places emphasis on light footing, propulsion and impact reduction performance, like trail running shoes.

This symbolizes this with a comfortable fit, flexibility and delicate feel, as well as a midsole that balances shock absorption, rebound and stability, and an outsole that combines traction and non-slip properties. With these combined, the OUTPULSE MID GORE-TEX is a very promising candidate for hikers who want to walk for a long, fast, and fun, with light equipment.

Not only that, these charms will teach people who have never fast packed before the pleasure of stepping out at a pace, speedily running down complex terrain step by step, and the new value of freedom, which lies beyond that, the possibilities for a wider journey. Of course, I think the appeal of these shoes will be fully conveyed even if you wear them on hiking.

Be sure to add your foot to your new season and new adventures.

Details and purchase of SALOMON OUTPULSE MID GORE-TEX

For product details, please also check the official online shopping sites for each of the OUTPULSE MID GORE-TEX (Men's) / OUTPULSE MID GORE-TEX (Women's)