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the X ULTRA series SALOMON's popular hiking shoes, about eight years ago, and it started with the second generation. I still can't forget the surprising fit I had never felt before at the time. Since then, I have been unable to let go of X ULTRA series Meanwhile, the series has continued to evolve and differentiate, steadily captivated many hikers, and is now growing as a staple of Salomon hiking shoes.
we reviewed the X ULTRA 360 GORE-TEX , the latest updated model of Salomon's signature and long-selling hiking shoes, the X ULTRA series . We will share your impressions of what I felt after wearing them for about a month, from hiking to everyday life.
table of contents
Main features of the SALOMON X ULTRA 360 GORE-TEX
The latest model of Salomon's popular X ULTRA series hiking shoes, developed with the concept of "Toull de Mont Blanc," a representative long trail in the European Alps, from home to peak, the X ULTRA 360 GORE-TEX , a hiking shoe that is packed with a balanced range of features that focus on walking on long trails safely, comfortably, and without fatigue. The "SensiFit with Active Support™" and "Quicklace™" provide excellent fit and hold, the "EnergyCell™" has excellent shock absorption, the "Advanced Chassis™" prevents lateral shaking when landing and increases ankle stability, the "Abrasion-resistant mesh upper with toe protection, the "GORE-TEX waterproofing", and the "All Terrain Contagrip® outsole" that can be used to handle uneven surfaces and mud and rocky areas, and the "All Terrain Contagrip® outsole" supports stable walking even on off-road roads. The update has made the upper made of new, lighter recycled fabric, making the entire shoe lighter. The chassis and lug patterns have also been slightly adjusted.
Recommended points
- The ultimate fit and a comfortable, enveloping hold
- Excellent stability that suppresses lateral shaking without limiting freedom of movement
- Sturdy protection protects your toes and other surroundings from sharp obstacles
- Moderate cushioning
- Quick and easy to put on and take off the lace system
- Stable waterproof and breathable permeability due to GORE-TEX
- Provides excellent grip on both dry and wet surfaces. Stable grip on mud and rocky areas
Points that interest me
- It's definitely not suitable for fast packing, but it's not suitable for active hiking.
- The sole is too soft for hiking with a heavy load of over 10kg
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | SALOMON X ULTRA 360 GORE-TEX |
|---|---|
| Official weight | 372g (US8 size) |
| drop | 10mm (Toe 14mm / Heel 24mm) |
| upper |
|
| Midsole |
|
| Outsole | All Terrain Contagrip® |
| Waterproof and moisture-permeable | GORE-TEX® |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ |
| grip | ★★★★☆ |
| Cushioning | ★★★★☆ |
| protection | ★★★★☆ |
| Stability | ★★★★☆ |
Detailed review
Comfort, durability, weight: The ultimate fit that gently wraps around the entire foot and an exquisite hold, as well as the perfect balance between lightness and strength.
There are no words to feel the appeal of these shoes. The soft touch that sticks to your feet, and the unique fit and hold that wrap around the bottom to the instep of your feet using SensiFit™ technology have been popular with climbers around the world for over 10 years. This time, the ultimate comfort is still in good condition. Furthermore the X ULTRA series SensiFit combines the wing-like "Active Support" to prevent lateral shaking in the instep to make it easier to hold your feet in the correct position, giving it even better stability.
The "SensiFit™" holds the entire foot from the bottom, providing the ultimate comfort as ever.
The upper material is made more sustainable and lightweight.
This update uses 49% new recycled materials for the upper material (8% recycled electric cables are used for the midsole), which improves environmental compatibility, while still maintaining flexibility and moderate breathability as before, and has also succeeded in reducing weight. Although the weight of 372g (GORE-TEX model, US8 size) is by no means the lightest, it is in the lightest category of typical hiking shoes. In fact, I felt that it was even lighter than the previous model.
The upper fabric is thinner, lighter and sustainable, while maintaining durability and breathability.
Enough protection to protect your feet
The upper is prone to wear, such as the toes, heels, and around the bottom of the shoe, and is thickly reinforced to relieve impacts from rocks, tree branches, and roots, making it a comprehensive protection that means you don't have to worry about walking on a typical mountain trail.
The reinforcement is rimmed around the toes, providing ample protection for authentic outdoor shoes.
On the other hand, there are plenty of soft pads around the ankles and tongue, making it extremely comfortable to walk around and not rubbing or pressured. The tongue is also woven and connected to the top of the boot's upper, which prevents the intrusion of gravel, water, etc.
The pads placed around the ankles and the tongue are still as generous as ever.
The low-cut model uses a quick shoelaces system. You can quickly switch between tightening and loosening using intuitive operations, allowing you to fine-tune the tightening level when up and down without having to worry about it. The shoelaces garage that stores the excess parts is also moderately large, so it was able to store them without any stress.
Quick shoelaces system that can be tightened and loosened in an intuitive way
Overall, the improved upper maintains a comfortable and soft feel, while still providing an exquisite balance of lightness, flexibility and durability for mountain use.
Stability, cushions, and grips: An exquisite sole unit that will turn any uneven road into a comfortable trail
A midsole with excellent stability that allows you to land comfortably even on a downhill slope
I don't think anyone would like to see shoes lighter, but it cannot be said that lighter weight will sacrifice the stability and support of your shoes. In that regard, there was no need to worry about the X Ultra 360 With this update, there have been no major changes to the sole units other than the upper, and the impression of the comfortable ride was almost unchanged.
I tried walking with this new model on my left foot and the old model on my right foot, but the ride quality was almost the same
The EVA foam EnergyCell™ featured in the midsole combines high resilience and cushioning, and even after walking for long periods of time, it provides a much more comfortable rebound. Not only was this whole day hike, but more than that, I personally found this large exhibition where I had to walk tens of thousands of steps on hard ground with a load of materials all day, and the solid cushioning and comfortable fit of the shoes helped me out more than anything else.
Furthermore, the "Advanced Chassis™" installed at the bottom of the midsole firmly supports the sides of the shoe, minimizing side-shaking of your feet due to load when landing. The "Descent Control" structure, which combines these upper and each part installed on the sole, effectively absorbs impact when landing, while controlling the twist, allowing you to feel comfortable stability, especially when traveling down. The trails were comfortable to walk for a long period of time, with unevenness and ups and downs.
"Advanced Chassis™" is placed in a hard resin that circumferences the heel, preventing lateral shaking when landing
As a result, the forefoot has a flexible and ample flex that gives you a firm sense of the soles of your feet, but your ankles do not sting when you land, allowing you to place your feet comfortably on any slope with confidence. Of course, even if you continue walking for a long time due to heavy load, it absorbs sharp stones and impacts from the ground to some extent, which also prevents damage to the soles of your feet.
All Terrain Contagrip® compound that can be used on any terrain
The outsole type used by the X ULTRA 360 It literally provides an all-around grip that can handle hard ground and muddy mud without any problems. It allowed me to walk with confidence against a variety of road surfaces, from paved roads to gravel-filled forest roads, soil, wood roots, rocky areas, and residual snow.
The Chevron lug-shaped outsole, which has been around for generations, improves stability not only for front and rear but also for lateral grips, and makes it easy to remove mud from mud from muddy.
Looking at the lug pattern on the outsole, each point is a wedge-shaped "chevron lug" shape, designed to provide grip in multiple directions, not just stepping forward and traction.
Compared to the previous model, the size of each point has been slightly larger, making it even more stable.
Compared to the previous model, each point has become slightly larger, and the grooves are narrower, giving the impression that it has increased stability on flat ground. However, the pattern is still conscious of mud removal, and you can expect stable grip even on slippery terrain mixed with mud. The toes and heels are designed to be designed to accommodate more active paces, with stepping and braking in mind.
The heels and toes are decorated with lug shapes to enhance grip.
Also, even when you have to cross puddles or streams that appear in the middle of the trail, GORE-TEX has a safe waterproof and breathable function, so even if water gets under your ankle, it won't get flooded into your shoes and you can act safely.
GORE-TEX waterproof and breathable specifications shut out water intrusion
Summary: I've realized once again how to "walk comfortably" is unparalleled in terms of high ability
Almost ten years have passed since I first wore this series, and after wearing the new model, I once again realized that it is one of my most comfortable hiking shoes.
With a focus on basic comfort and comfort, what I like most about these shoes is their versatility, allowing you to take them out with confidence, regardless of the field. With an exquisite fit and hold, a lightweight yet durable and breathable upper, as well as a comfortable sole that is easy to walk in and reliable, the X ULTRA 360 GORE-TEX is an outdoor shoe that can be used for long periods of serious hiking, and is also a comfortable walking boot that reduces the stress of everyday life. My daily life begins by wearing these shoes and opening the door. Whether it's raining or snowing, these shoes are nothing to be scared of in town.
However, every shoe has its limits. No matter how well-made the shoes are, you can enjoy the comfort of your items, even if you're staying at a hut. Once your luggage weighs over a dozen kilos, you will need a more sturdy sole with a shank. Furthermore, the heavy upper is not a suitable shoe for running (although it is never impossible to run), and it is not a good idea to have technical terrain that is constantly rocky and has a lot of vertical movement due to the flexibility of the sole and depth of the lug. These shoes match situations where you can stay in a hut or hike through intermediate mountains where the frequency of low mountains and rocky areas appearing less than 50%, or with about 30 liters of luggage. Alternatively, it is recommended to just accept it like you do and wear it as everyday walking shoes.
A wide variety of X ULTRA series. How do you wear them separately?
The popular X ULTRA series is available in a wide variety of options, including the 360 introduced this time. In particular, the newly released X ULTRA 360 EDGE GORE-TEX has almost the same specifications as the 360 and has a more edgy design and coloring, making it a great choice that suits your style.
The 360 is available in two types: low cut and mid cut, with a lighter GORE-TEX installed. If you are keen on harder climbs, or have ankle concerns and need adequate protection, we recommend choosing a mid-cut.
Additionally, the X ULTRA 4, which has been released since the 2021 season, is still popular, and it is also on sale at the same time. The X ULTRA 4 is characterized by its excellent stability chassis that prevents ankle sprains. Personally, I think it's a good idea to start with the 360 if you like the fit you've seen so far or if you're starting to climb for the first time, but if you're clearly feeling a sense of increased support for more weight and active activities and want to climb safely, we recommend choosing X ULTRA 4.
Details and purchase of "SALOMON X ULTRA 360 GORE-TEX"
For information on the latest models' arrival information and product details, please check the official online store
