Even though it's low cut, this sense of stability is an incident. A new classic hiking shoe with unique comfort and injury prevention effects SALOMON X ULTRA 4 GORE-TEX Review

X ULTRA SALOMON 's best-selling hiking shoes have a great fit that wraps around your feet and is comfortable to wear even when walking for long periods of time , and has been revamped every few years since its launch in 2012.

This extremely popular series has been updated for the first time in three seasons this spring, the " X ULTRA 4 GORE-TEX" is the latest model to be introduced. I was impressed by the ultimate comfort I experienced when reviewing the previous work and the high level of perfection as a hiking shoe . What I found myself incredibly impressed after continuing to wear this fourth generation for about a month was the birth of a "another standard" based on a new concept that continues the charm of the previous work, while also packing a smarter and sophisticated design with innovative features and charm that I have never experienced before.

This time, I would like to review what I felt after continuing to wear SALOMON X ULTRA 4 GORE-TEX

Main features of SALOMON X ULTRA 4 GORE-TEX

The SALOMON X ULTRA 4 GORE-TEX which has a significantly improved look from the previous model , is a the X ULTRA series, with a high fit and comfortable walking performance, while also increasing stability and support, making it easier to walk in technical terrain and less likely to get injured. ADV-C Chassis and Active Support in the midsole provide support for joints without compromising the freedom of ankle movement. It reduces the risk of injury and allows for stable foot movement on technical trails with severe undulations and unevenness. The deeper lug " Contagrip® MA " outsole also improves grip on slippery terrain such as muddy and wet rocks, providing stable landing and stepping on all outdoor terrains.

Despite its lightweight, agile low-cut shoes, the SALOMON X ULTRA 4 GORE-TEX an important option for a wide range of hikers who are aware of the risk of injury in the mountains, not just hikers with foot concerns, but also hikers who walk harsher, longer routes, and beginners who are not used to walking off-roading.

Recommended points

• It is so resistant to blurring that it's hard to believe it's a low cut, and is highly stable that is less likely to get injured.
• Grip power that allows you to land and step on stable steep slopes and wet terrain
• Despite its stability-oriented structure, it is lightweight
• Quick and easy to put on and take off the lace system
• Sturdy protection protects your toes and other surroundings from sharp obstacles
• Stable waterproof and breathable permeability due to GORE-TEX
• Stylish look

Points that interest me

• The upper fit is relatively slightly bland
• Feeling like the edge around the ankle is slightly hit by the outer ankle bone
• The tongue hangs around, making it difficult to wear

Main Specifications and ratings

Detailed review

Simple and smartly revamped design

The first thing that catches your eye is a major design update. It has been transformed into a simpler, cleaner color scheme and a smoother, smarter look, making it easier to match with modern clothing with calmer colors.

As with all of Salomon's recent new products, I am very pleased that the design and coloring have become more refined. Until now, no matter how comfortable it was, I didn't feel like wearing it on a daily basis, but with this, I would want to wear it 24 hours a day, whether it's on or off.

The new fit is based on the excellent comfort common to the series.

The unique and comfortable fit (photo below) is the X Ultra series, SensiFit™ , which provides a comfortable feel that feels like it sticks to your feet and a comfortable hold that wraps around the bottom of your foot to the instep. Its outstanding fit remains in good condition this time, and if you like the fit up to the previous model, you'll mostly be able to like the X Ultra 4

Sensifit™ provides an exquisite, even, enveloping hold when the string is tightened.

However, those who are hoping for a fit that is highly adherent to the older model, including myself, should take a little care. You may feel a little uncomfortable the moment you put your feet in.

This is due to the fact that the number of shoelace holes is now one row less ( X Ultra 2s ), making the toe box wider than the previous model (photo below). While it's easier to move around the toes, I feel a little unsatisfied with the space that's free.

However, the entire shoe holds firmly around the heel, so there is no need to worry as it will not feel any shaking or move your feet inside the shoe, and as a result, the discomfort will become accustomed to you as you wear it, so there is no need to worry. Conversely, the toes are more relaxed and comfortable than the previous model, making it easier to respond to more active movements more flexible, which is what many hikers would think is positive.

In addition, the emphasis on freedom of movement and mobility has been placed on the overall volume of the upper. I'm not particularly concerned about this, so I think there are individual differences in this, but this may be a slightly disappointing change for those who liked the luxury and high-colour feel of the previous model.

More personally, I was concerned about the feeling of the edge around the ankle slightly hitting the outer ankle bone. Overall, the heel and ankle area are slightly deeper, perhaps due to the importance of stability. Furthermore, the new tongue structure, which works in conjunction with the GORE-TEX membrane, has helped to reduce weight, improve fit, and prevent stones, sand, etc. from getting into place, is difficult to wear until you get used to it, and I was worried that it would get shaved and be difficult to wear, or that it may not be bent at the back. I look forward to further developments in this regard.

This is the most surprising thing about this shoe. The low cut gives it a high level of stability you've never felt before!

the new X Ultra 4 is the "twist of the foot to the outside," which is said to be the most likely to occur during hiking, and the dramatically improved stability that prevents the so-called spraining of the outside.

I have experienced this type of sprain many times since I was in high school (handball club), and as a result of my spraining, I have developed a "spraining habit," and I usually try to sprain once a day on the way downhill, so I have been suffering from sprains to the point where I have decided that I will not wear a low cut if I have a heavy load of 10kg or more.

I'm surprised that these shoes drowned out the worries they had been with for many years, half-giving up, like a lie (not a stimulating thing). is of course the newly designed " ADV-C chassis

If you have low-cut sneakers, including hiking shoes, if you try to bend your ankles outward, you'll bend relatively easily without any difficulty. If this occurs while being loaded unexpectedly, it can lead to a sprain.

SALOMON has focused on the mechanism by which this sprain occurs and has researched it, and has discovered that the joint part (the "Lisfranc joint" and "Chopard joint") located at the top of the arch of the arch is deeply involved in the major factors that cause a sprain. The "ADV-C Chassis" is a hard resin part that supports and covers the joints by supporting and supporting them, and is developed to reduce the risk of injury and provide stability to walking ( photo below).

The effect of this part, that is, the difference between it and traditional shoes, was so clear that you could feel it immediately the moment you put it on.

I'll try to bend my ankle outwards to the photo (photo below). Footwear wearing traditional hiking shoes (right below) bends relatively easily, whereas feet wearing X Ultra 4 At first glance, they are nothing but soft low-cut sneakers, but you can easily feel that they are firmly restrained, as if there are hard walls on the outside of your feet, or in other words, as if they were mid-cut trekking boots only on the outside. Despite being a low-cut shoe, this is the first time I've felt that it would bend unless I put a lot of force on it.

Of course, just because it is difficult to flex outside doesn't mean it's difficult to walk around. As I wrote earlier, SALOMON does not restrict joint movement, but rather uses the chassis to support it. In fact, there is no sense of restraint or awkwardness while walking, but rather it seems to be assisting you to walk comfortably on uneven off-road terrain. Is it appropriate to say that it combines the good points of low cut with the good points of mid (high) cut in a balanced way?

The exquisite balance of agility, cushioning and support means nothing even more scary on the downhill

The ADV-C chassis has such a strong impact that it's easy to see, but in fact, the Active Support , which was hidden in the shadows, was also a rather shocking experience.

The reinforcement, placed on the outside of the shoe like a band connecting the midsole and shoelaces, secures the foot in the correct position and prevents the foot from rampaging inside the shoe (photo below). Furthermore, the toes were tightened just before the instep, preventing them from plunging into the tip of their shoes during the descent, allowing them to stay comfortable even when they went down vigorously downhill.

Furthermore, the energy Cell's high resilience and cushioning support that is installed in the midsole continues from the previous model, combined with the generous support that combines the high resilience and cushioning, giving you a sense of security and comfort when traveling, which is better than the previous model. Of course, even if you continue walking for a long time due to heavy burden, it still absorbs just as firmly thrusts and impacts from the ground, making it less tiring than ever.

By the way, Ultra 4 than Ultra 3, but in reality, I don't get the impression that it has changed so much that you can feel the volume that is just thicker (photo below. In fact, the fluffy feel of the 3 may seem higher than the 3).

In terms of specs, the sole thickness of the new model (top) has been increased by about 5mm compared to the previous model (bottom), but the appearance and feeling of walking are not that different, and both are still as comfortable as ever.

High grip power with more tenacious rubber improves stability on rough roads

Another change that clearly shows that the theme of this update is the new tuned outsole.

The basic lug (the uneven shape of the sole) pattern is the same, but the rubber material used for the outsole uses Contagrip® MA

This also improves the difficulty of slipping on wet terrain such as smooth rocky areas, muddy and wet rocks. This tenacious rubber and multi-directional lug pattern provide excellent traction (stepping and braking) over a wide range of terrain expected for the outdoors, from mild trails to rough roads.

In addition, this model has added some ingenuity to the heel construction, with a slightly protruding heel with diagonal grooves in mind for brakes. It is designed to make it easy to land firmly from the heel, so even if you don't have healthy legs, it can be said to be a fine adjustment that is conscious of allowing you to continue walking for a longer period of time with less strain.

High protection to withstand hard climbing

The synthetic material used in the upper fabric is made of firm synthetic ripstop fabric. Regardless of the durability, it is well equipped so that you don't need to worry about most mountain trails in Japan when it comes to protection.

The toes have a thick TPU that prevents damage from kicks.

The reinforcement stretched from the toes to the heels is still as comprehensive as ever, to a level that is not comparable to trail running or lightweight hiking shoes. The crimping reinforcement material (photo below) combines lightness, robustness and design, soothes the impact from rocks, tree branches, roots, etc., and protects your feet firmly.

Despite generous support, you can maintain the lightness of the body to act comfortably

As we've accumulated explanations up until now, the new X Ultra 4 has increased support compared to its predecessor, but it remains lighter in terms of weight (365g, measured in size 27.0).

These numbers may certainly be a bit heavy compared to the latest trendy ultra-light fast packing trekking shoes, but they are incomparable in terms of protection and durability. Considering this shoe for general climbing purposes, from weekend day hiking to several days of trekking, the X Ultra 4 is extremely lightweight for reliable performance.

The latest quick and secure quick lace system

The latest version of the Quicklace® system, which is currently used in many Salomon shoes, has been installed for the first time since this game.

As I have written many times, the latest systems have evolved to allow you to tighten and loosen the cord in an incredibly intuitive way, and to instantly perform it with very light force. The plastic parts and excess lace can be stored in the shoelaces garage in the tongue, so there's no need to worry about them getting caught.

In addition to women-only models that have been redesigned from the shape of the skeleton, there are a wide variety of models to choose from, with the most suitable model.

Another notable evolution in X Ultra 4

The difference between men's and women's items is generally due to the sizing and the width of the last, even if there is one, but with this model, it is not limited to this, but it is not only reexamined from the level of the skeletal shape of the female foot, and adjusts not only the shape at the end, but also the rigidity of the chassis. Furthermore, the materials and shape have been optimized for the most comfortable feel for women, such as the ankles and tongues, where friction and stress is applied.

Of course, just like the previous model, we also have a lineup of mid-cut models with even more stability and wide-sized models for those with wider foot shapes. We are ready to make everyone think of them as shoes for us.

Summary: New all-around hiking shoes that are all about walking the trail with peace of mind

Although I had known that low-cut hiking shoes were easy to walk in up until now, I couldn't afford to buy one when I was thinking about sprains, so this was the first pair that made me think, "I want to wear them." Low-cut shoes are definitely easier to walk in. I never thought I could enjoy this lightness without worrying about getting hurt, so now I am truly enjoying the light hike on the X Ultra 4

It is true that for previous the X Ultra series, the slightly bland feel of the moment they wear it for the first time may feel a little uncomfortable at first, but in terms of the overall high comfort you can feel from these shoes. In that sense, this update to "3 → 4" might not be a simple evolution, but rather a new brother in the X Ultra

As proof of this, thankfully, the X Ultra 3 will continue to be sold at the same time. Personally, I recommend choosing 3 for those who like the past fit, wanting to place more emphasis on comfort than worrying about injuries, or who are not good at physical activity for the first time, while choosing 4 for those who are based on the excellent comfort of the X Ultra while also attracting the newly added element of stable comfort that continues even when walking longer or longer distances

Details and purchase of SALOMON X ULTRA 4 GORE-TEX

For product details, please also check the official online shopping site for each of the X ULTRA 4 GORE-TEX (Men's) / X ULTRA 4 GORE-TEX (Women's)