Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX Hiking Boots — Two Seasons on California Trails
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Quick Verdict
Who should buy it: Hikers who want a low-cut boot with real ankle support that handles everything from smooth fire roads to rocky San Gabriel ridgelines. If you need one boot for varied California terrain, the X Ultra 4 GTX is the answer.
Who should skip it: True trail runners who want a flexible shoe feel. Casual hikers doing flat paved paths. Anyone doing technical mountaineering — this is a day hiking boot, not a technical boot.
Tested on: Sandstone Peak (Santa Monica Mountains), San Gabriel training hikes, two seasons of regular California trail miles
What It Is
The Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX is a low-cut waterproof hiking boot — more structured than a trail runner, lighter than a traditional leather boot. The Gore-Tex lining keeps feet dry through creek crossings and morning dew on chaparral. The Contagrip MA outsole provides reliable traction on smooth granite to loose shale. Salomon’s Sensifit closure system wraps the foot in a precise grip from a single lace pull.
I’ve worn this boot on everything from the lower canyon approach at Chantry Flat to the exposed rocky summit section of Sandstone Peak. It handles both without complaint.
What Worked
The Contagrip outsole is legitimately excellent. On the rocky summit approach at Sandstone Peak — the section where the trail transitions to loose boulder and slab — these boots stick. I’ve worn trail runners on that same section and paid attention to foot placement in ways I don’t have to with the X Ultra 4. The traction differential on rocky California terrain is real.
Gore-Tex performs where it matters. Morning creek crossings, early dew on Santa Monica chaparral, the few wet sections in San Gabriel Canyon — feet stay dry. The waterproofing hasn’t degraded noticeably over two seasons of regular use, which is not always the case with waterproof footwear that sees frequent creek exposure.
Low-cut profile doesn’t sacrifice support. My reservation about low-cut boots has always been ankle support on uneven terrain. The X Ultra 4’s chassis is stiff enough that ankle support doesn’t feel compromised on technical rocky sections. It’s not a high boot, but it’s not a neutral trail runner either. The stability on off-camber terrain is noticeably better than any trail runner I’ve worn.
Weight-to-support ratio. The boot weighs about 1 lb 10 oz per pair — lighter than most comparable waterproof hiking boots by a meaningful margin on a 14-mile day where you’re lifting that weight with every step.
What Did NOT Work
They run narrow. The X Ultra line has always run narrow, and the 4 GTX is no exception. If you have a wide foot or a wide forefoot, these boots will be uncomfortable in the toe box by mile 8. I am a medium-width foot and they fit well, but this is the most common complaint in every review I’ve read and I’d have recommended a half-size up if I were starting over with slightly wider feet.
Not ideal in heat. Gore-Tex is waterproof because it doesn’t breathe well. In a dry California summer above 85°F, feet sweat more in these boots than in a non-waterproof trail runner. Below 75°F, the waterproofing earns its keep on most California trails. Above 85°F on a dry non-creek-crossing trail, I’ve considered leaving them at home. For Eastern Sierra September conditions — where morning temps are cold and creek crossings are possible — the Gore-Tex makes sense. For a hot June day in the San Gabriels with no water on trail, a breathable trail runner might be the better call.
Lacing system is Salomon-specific. The quicklace system uses a proprietary lace design that isn’t replaceable with standard laces if the lace breaks. Replacement Salomon quicklaces are available but it’s an annoyance on trail if you have a lace failure. Carry a backup lace if you’re doing any multi-day or remote hiking in these boots.
Break-In
These broke in faster than expected — comfortable on a 6-mile moderate hike within the first week of wear. Full break-in felt complete around 25–30 miles. I would not take these on any hike longer than 10 miles until they have at least 30 miles on them. This is true of any leather or synthetic hiking boot — it’s not specific to the X Ultra 4.
Where to Buy
Shop at Backcountry →
Also at REI → (recommend trying on in-store — Salomon sizing varies by model)
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