SALOMON X WARD LEATHER MID GORE-TEX / X BRAZE MID GORE-TEX Review: A new model perfect for your mountain climbing debut, the familiar ultra-comfortable hiking shoes.

New brother models join the popular Salomon trekking shoes series

It has been over 30 years since Salomon, originally a ski gear maker, first entered the trekking shoe field in the early 1990s. During this time, many classic and classic models have been born. The X ULTRA series, which is particularly ideal for light hiking, has been a popular series that can be said to be the face of the company's hiking lineup, which has many fans all over the world, from its release until the present. I still can't forget the ultimate fit that I had never experienced before when I first put my feet in these boots.

This series has been upgraded every year, with a unique comfort, but due to its high level of perfection, fans of previous models have been firmly established, and it is also interesting that in addition to the latest model, the 4, a variety of variations have been created, such as the "PIONEER (a model based on the old 3)" have been created. This is how this season, two new models have been born: the new "X WARD LEATHER MID GORE-TEX" and the "X BRAZE MID GORE-TEX" for hikers of a wide range of levels and purpose. I'll start reviewing these new hiking boots right away.

SALOMON X WARD LEATHER MID GORE-TEX / X BRAZE MID GORE-TEX Main Features

Based on the design of Salomon's classic light hiking shoes, the X ULTRA 3 X ULTRA PIONEER ).

The X WARD LEATHER MID GORE-TEX is a new model with a classic look, featuring the same bottom unit and chassis as the X ULTRA 3 series, while also using the upper design of suede leather that combines a unique texture and excellent durability. The SensiFit™ upper, which is the core of Salomon shoes' comfort, as before, makes it an excellent hold, EnergyCell™+, which combines the excellent rebound power of the midsole with shock absorption and durability, Advanced Chassis™, which is lightweight yet highly stable, and Mud Contagrip® outsole that is resistant to rough roads, allowing for comfortable and stable walking.

The X BRAZE MID GORE-TEX is an entry model that has the basic comfort of the X ULTRA 3 series and functionality essential for outdoor shoes, but is still in a price range that is easy for beginners to hiking. Although it is low-cost, it delivers high performance when hiking lightly with light luggage.

Both models have mid-cut designs that support the ankle and prevent injuries, and the upper has reliable waterproof and breathable performance thanks to GORE-TEX, providing high protection and safety.

Favorites and interesting points of X WARD LEATHER MID GORE-TEX

Favorite points

• The ultimate fit and hold that gently wraps around your feet, and comfortable to wear
• Lightweight yet excellent cushioning and stability
• Strong grip performance on muddy and rocky areas
• The texture unique to leather and excellent durability

Points that interest me

• Easy to unravel shoelaces
• The sole does not have a rigidity for hard climbing, such as wearing a tent for several days.

X BRAZE MID GORE-TEX's favorites and interesting points

Favorite points

• Low price but overall high quality
• Highly stable grip even on technical terrain
• A flexible and flexible upper that fits easily on your feet

Points that interest me

• (Compared to PIONEER X WARD) Midsole is heavy and slightly less stable, and is weak to rebound force and thrust from the ground.
• Easy to unravel shoelaces

Main Specifications and ratings

Detailed review

Appearance and comfort: More variations, while maintaining the ultimate comfort

When it comes to the exterior and use of upper materials, the first thing that catches the eye is the X WARD, which uses classic suede leather (photo below). Based on a breathable synthetic mesh fabric, the leather is spread out from the sides to the surrounding protective parts, creating a calm and elegant look, unlike the previous high-tech design.

Leather has various advantages, such as excellent durability, resistance to deterioration, moisture absorption and release properties, and the high elegance and design unique to natural materials, but it is generally said that it is heavy compared to differentiated fibers. However, surprisingly, this model weighs almost the same (compared to the synthetic fiber PIONEER). Even though it's called leather, it's supple enough to fit easily with your feet from the start, and even if you prefer a classic style, it's pretty good if you don't have to prepare for weight gain.

On the other hand, the X BRAZE does not differ significantly in its basic appearance, and while keeping the price low, it uses synthetic fiber material that is as light, flexible and breathable as before. Furthermore, by adopting new environmentally friendly synthetic fibers including biomass materials, the material is used to meet more modern needs (photo below).

What if you mess with the design and materials and the essential comfort of wearing them changes? The caring lady is worried, but there's no need to worry about that. Both models feature SensiFit™, which has been handed down from the parent model, providing a premium feel on tough, uneven terrain, so the hold and fit that gently wrap around the entire foot from the bottom from the bottom is still exceptional (photo below).

The footbox on the forefoot is not too wide, and it maintains a moderate fit that allows the toes to move. This model has a mid-cut that is more supportive, but the pads used around the ankle are also well cushioned, making it unlikely to feel uncomfortable while hiking. The cuff is generally higher than the mid-cut, but the slightly lower back does not interfere with mobility. However, these depressed areas are prone to allow pebbles and wood debris to get in, so those who are concerned need to take care of them from gaiters or other people.

Both models also have thick, solid resin reinforcements on the toes, protecting them from tripping on rocks or tree roots and hitting the toes.

Ease of walking (stability and fatigue-resistant): X WARD is comparable to the parent model, X BRAZE for lighter mountain hiking

The X WARD uses the same bottom unit and chassis as its parent model, PIONEER Specifically, this is the midsole that combines "EnergyCell™+" with excellent rebound force, shock absorption and durability, and "Advanced Chassis™", a hard resin chassis that is lightweight yet highly stable from the heel to the arch of the foot (photo below).

When I walked around, comparing it to my parent model (the one I had was a low-cut model), it was not exactly the same, but the basic comfort and ride quality remained the same. Although the sole is extremely flexible and flexible to twist back and forth, back and forth, left and right, it does not hit the sole of the foot even on uneven and uneven surfaces, and does not cause sharp rock angles to hit the sole of the foot, preventing the landing from shaky and even twisting the ankle to some extent. For me, who liked the ease of walking from the previous model, hiking on the X WARD

X BRAZE focuses on cost performance , retains the EnergyCell™+, while omitting the Advanced Chassis™ (photo below. The midsole looks almost the same volume, so it is thought to have been packed with more EVA foam as cushions). As for walking, the hard chassis has been removed, it gives it a more flexible and soft feel to the ground, and in that sense it has a sneaker-like ride on everyday life, and I feel like I've become a good fan of on-road and mild terrain. On the other hand, if the slope is uneven or steep, or the weight is heavy, there is no denying the impression that the tenacity will be slightly reduced over long periods of travel.

Grip: Contagrip® rubber allows you to step in both with confidence

Regarding the outsole, the X WARD is almost the same as the parent model, the PIONEER It uses Mud Contagrip®, which is well-known for its tenacity on rough roads, and provides stable grip on slippery terrain such as rocks and mud, such as a wedge-shaped lug shape that takes into consideration the good mud removal, and lateral grooves in the heel that improve stability when landing on descents and other areas (photo below).

This high grip and stability also showed high performance on the X BRAZE. The lug pattern is the same concept and has been tuned to make the grooves slightly shallow, while the rubber material uses the well-balanced "All Terrain Contagrip®" that covers a wide range of grip strength from on-road to off-road, making it tuned to be more comfortable on flat ground (photo below).

Not only on Mud Contagrip®, but both of them were walking along mud mountain paths after the rain, but they weren't as slippery as I thought, and I actually got the impression that despite this price range, the wet terrain was quite strong.

Waterproof: The GORE-TEX liner and integrated shoe tongue ensures waterproof and moisture-permeable up to the ankle

In addition, when it comes to preventing water and stuffiness, which is essential for serious mountain climbing boots, the GORE-TEX liner, which is one of the best in terms of reliability, provides high waterproof and breathable properties.

In addition, the gusset tongue upper (photo below) is a mid-cut, shoe tongue, and upper, which combines the shoe tongue and upper, so you can walk without straining yourself even if there is a puddle, and it also prevents gravel and pebbles from entering.

Summary: Two models that make light hiking shoes more familiar to the classic model that is still in the mood

the X WARD has some minor differences in functionality compared to previous parent models, the disadvantages of using leather upper were hardly felt as much as I thought. In that sense, even those who have always preferred classic leather designs will surely be able to experience the excellent comfort and performance of the X ULTRA. the PIONEER and X WARD styles without hesitation. As before, if you are looking for a light day hike or staying in a hut, it is definitely recommended to use a long distance route.

On the other hand, the X BRAZE , although off-road performance is inferior to the above, is still quite comfortable, and is comfortable to wear, safe grip, and more than anything, affordable, making it a highly recommended option for entry users who are walking mountain trails for the first time, which has been difficult to reach up to now (it is clear that for those who are considering a hard route, there is a model that is the best option due to their previous lineup). For this reason, these shoes are suitable for walking on wooden paths or day hikes on gentle low mountains.

Suspension equipment is important for mountain climbing, and personally I think you should prepare as much as possible that you can make mistakes. However, it is certain that most excellent hiking boots are expensive, and it is also true that it is not easy to get 100 models from the start. In that sense, it can be said that this two model has emerged an attractive option for those who were just thinking about starting out, or for newer ones who have previously been a little tempted.

Details and purchase of SALOMON X WARD LEATHER MID GORE-TEX / X BRAZE MID GORE-TEX

For product details, please also check the official online shopping site for each of the X WARD LEATHER MID GORE-TEX (Men's) / X BRAZE MID GORE-TEX (Men's)