SQUIRREL_13316662
Three Things To Know:
- No Break In Period - These shoes are comfy out of the box
- Very Grippy - The Ultra Edge’s ‘All Terrain Contragrip’ rubber outsole has nice deep lugs
- Good Toe Box Space - No sense the midfoot was swimming in excess space
Our Rating:
Comfort, Fit and Stability
Materials, Quality and Durability
Flexibility and Weight
Grip and Traction
- RRP: £140.00
- Can Be Used For: Single day routes, Hiking, Easy paths, Mixed terrain
- Waterproofing - GORE-TEX membrane
Salomon’s X Ultra 360 Edge Gore Tex (rolls off the tongue) is part of Salomon’s X Ultra line, sitting just under its slightly more accomplished X Ultra 5 Gore Tex sibling: the Ultra 5 offering a more durable upper for muddier, rockier, wetter terrain.
But we’re here to focus on the X Ultra 360 Edge Gore Tex, which sells itself as ‘best for single day routes’, easy paths, and some mixed terrain. And so, I took and tested them on some walks in my area on a mix of pavement, trail, and anything in-between.
Comfort, Fit and Stability
As the bearer of very narrow feet with strangely wide toe splay, I’ve always bounced between brands and struggled with their less than universal sizing. So, it surprised me that the Salomon’s fit fairly well, with plenty of room in the toe box and no sense my midfoot was swimming in excess space.
Heel fit, though, was another matter. If you’re unfamiliar with Salomon, they all bear a unique ‘Quicklace’ lacing system where you cinch them up and tuck away the excess into a pocket in the tongue. While it takes some getting used to, it’s undeniably speedy and surprisingly convenient if you’re in a hurry. Although for my narrow feet, I found I couldn’t cinch them up tight enough to avoid a tiny amount of heel slip. Perhaps this could be offset by thicker socks, and those with wider feet likely won’t have any issues here.
For all the heel slippage, though, it was minor enough that I didn’t experience any blisters after lengthy hikes. This is, in part, thanks to the shoes’ fantastic step-in feel and plush heel counter, with no break-in needed. And the midsole, while stiff, is stable and provides plenty of ankle support as you tackle mixed terrain.
Materials, Quality and Durability
I don’t have any complaints around the Ultra Edge’s welded, stitch-free upper, as it seems to have held up well so far. Quality-wise, everything else seems spot on, too. The outsole is grippy and hasn’t shown any signs of real wear and tear, the lace system is strong, and there’s no fraying or creaking to be found elsewhere.
Maybe because I’m new to Salomon and haven’t had any experience with the lacing system before, but it does worry me slightly. Normal laces are easy enough to replace, yet these Salomon ones? £9 for an official replacement kit seems a bit dear to me.
Finally, Salomon do get a small clap on the back for the upper being made of 50% recycled materials (the rest is synthetic) and recycled electric cables in the midsole.
Flexibility and Weight
In the hands, the Ultra Edge isn’t the lightest shoe, but they don’t feel bulky or tiresome when you’re wearing them. If anything, their slight heft is a reassuring sign that they can withstand a bruising.As mentioned, the sole is stiff albeit one that provides a rocked feel as you walk for smooth transitions. The EnergyCell midsole (an EVA blend) trades cushioning for greater ground feel, which means they’re better suited to rocky trails and soft ground as opposed to bouts on pavement. I say this as an owner of the Merrell Moab Speed 2’s, which are soft and pillowy and feel like all-day hikers. You could wear the Salomon’s all-day for lengthy bouts, but you might experience a bit of soreness.
Grip and Traction
The Ultra Edge’s ‘All Terrain Contragrip’ rubber outsole has nice deep lugs and I had no problem with slippage on any dry or wet surface. It’s also held up nicely, with little wear. All in all, they’re plenty supportive and I never felt at risk of rolling my ankle or feeling as if the shoes would slide away from me when navigating tree roots or strange angles. The protective toe cap provides peace of mind when navigating rockier terrain, as well.
Waterproofing and Weather Resistance
I’ve only really had the chance to test the Ultra Edge’s in the UK’s extremely dry and hot conditions as of late, but they’ve coped admirably and kept my feet from overheating. The Gore-Tex membrane kept my feet completely dry, even after an extended blast with a shower, so I’m confident they’ll handle wet conditions with ease.
Value for Money
For £140.00, the Ultra Edge isn’t cheap. But by Gore Tex walking shoe standards, it’s not an awful price point for what you’re getting here: a solidly constructed, waterproof hiker that can tackle a real variety of terrain.
Sustainability
Going by Salomon’s website, they claim the shoe’s upper is made of 50% recycled materials such as ‘PET bottles or material waste’.
Should You Buy It?
These shoes are suitable for anyone looking for a waterproof hiking shoe for mixed terrain that can afford the price tag.
Find more in our guide to the best walking shoes.
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