Salomon Hiking Boots: Quest 5 vs X Ultra 5 and Which One Fits Your Hikes

Salomon Hiking Boots at a Glance

Five Salomon hiking boots that independent outlets name, plus the X Ultra 5 low-cut shoe covered below. Tap a photo or the button to see the boot on Amazon. For other brands, see our best hiking boots guide.

Price category reflects current US listings: budget is roughly under $150, mid-range roughly $150 to $200, premium above $200. Prices change, so confirm on the product page.

Reported Scores and Weights for Salomon Boots

These are the scores and weights each outlet published. The scales differ, so compare within an outlet, not across them.

Which Salomon for Which Hiker (and Who Should Skip Each)

Who should skip each boot

Best Salomon Boots for Heavy Loads

Salomon’s heavy-load boots with the most stability.

Salomon Quest 5 GTX

Best for: heavy loads and maximum ankle support

OutdoorGearLab scores it 82 with support 9.0 and water resistance 8.0 at 3.15 lb per pair in size 14, and its bucket test showed no leaks until water reached about 6.37 inches. RunRepeat scores it 90, names it a top pick for backpacking and puts it at 20.7 oz. Treeline Review lists 2 lb 9.3 oz and calls it stable without feeling stiff.

What this means for you: four outlets agree it is the stability pick of the Salomon range, at a cost in weight and breathability.

Fit and sizing: RunRepeat says true to size with a slightly narrower toebox than average. OutdoorGearLab says regular width only, while RunRepeat’s specs list wide.

Men’s and women’s versions: Separate women’s version. Switchback Travel lists the men’s Quest 5 at 2 lb 10 oz and the women’s Quest Echo at 2 lb 4 oz. Women see the Quest Echo next.

Watch for: OutdoorGearLab calls it overkill for casual hikes, less agile than lighter boots and mediocre for breathability. RunRepeat says it is heavier than average with poor breathability.

Skip it if: you hike casual trails or in heat.

Salomon Quest Echo GTX (Women’s)

Best for: the women’s backpacking boot

Switchback Travel lists it at 2 lb 4 oz against the men’s Quest 5 at 2 lb 10 oz, calling the pair tough and supportive with an excellent lacing system. REI credits a rigid lateral chassis with preventing the foot from rolling on uneven ground and says one tester avoided an ankle roll that a lesser shoe would have failed.

What this means for you: the women’s counterpart to the Quest 5, with the same stability focus.

Men’s and women’s versions: Separate women’s version. Switchback Travel names it Best Women’s Hiking Boot for Backpacking at 2 lb 4 oz against the men’s Quest 5 at 2 lb 10 oz. REI lists the Quest Echo at 2 lb 4.7 oz.

Watch for: Switchback Travel calls it heavy and overkill for most day hikes.

Skip it if: you hike easy day trails.

Salomon Quest 4 GTX (women’s)

Best for: the previous-generation stability boot

CleverHiker rates the Quest 4 GTX 5.0 for ankle support at 2 lb 14 oz and says if you carry 40 or more pounds it may be the perfect fit. RunRepeat scores the Quest 4 GTX 88, and Switchback Travel suggests it for those prone to ankle rolling.

What this means for you: a proven heavy-load boot from the prior generation.

Men’s and women’s versions: Women’s and men’s versions are both sold. CleverHiker and RunRepeat reviewed the men’s boot, and Switchback Travel suggests the Quest 4 for women who are prone to ankle rolling.

Watch for: CleverHiker lists it as one of the heavier boots it covered, with stiff soles and tedious lacing.

Skip it if: you want a light boot.

Best Lightweight Salomon Boots

Light boots and a note on the low-cut X Ultra 5.

Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX

Best for: light day hikes and light backpacking

RunRepeat names it best overall among Salomon boots with a score of 87 at 15.4 oz. GearJunkie scores it 8.4 out of 10, citing traction 8.8, support and stability 8.4 and a Matryx upper that held up to rocks and cactus. OutdoorGearLab scores it 73 and calls it a very supportive hiking shoe or an incredibly minimalist hiking boot.

What this means for you: three outlets agree it is the light, balanced pick of the range.

Fit and sizing: GearJunkie and RunRepeat say true to size. A wide version is available for men per RunRepeat.

Men’s and women’s versions: Separate women’s version. OutdoorGearLab lists 2.4 lb per pair for the men’s boot in size 14 and GearJunkie 1 lb 15 oz per pair, while Switchback Travel lists 1 lb 13.4 oz for the women’s boot in size 8.5. RunRepeat says the men’s boot has a wide version, while Switchback Travel says women’s sizes do not come in wide.

Watch for: OutdoorGearLab says the cushy ankle collar is hard to snug and durability scores 5.0. RunRepeat lists limited cushioning, not suited to deep mud. GearJunkie says it is too pliable for steep side-hilling.

Skip it if: you carry heavy loads or have heel pain.

Salomon Outpulse Mid GTX (women’s)

Best for: fast hiking on non-technical trails

RunRepeat names the Outpulse Mid GTX best for speed hiking, scoring it 80 at 13.6 oz with a comfortable, sneaker-like feel and excellent waterproofing.

What this means for you: a very light mid-cut waterproof boot. Only RunRepeat among our sources covers it.

Men’s and women’s versions: Men’s and women’s versions are both sold. RunRepeat lists 13.6 oz for the model it reviewed.

Watch for: RunRepeat lists a loose collar fit and says it is not suited to technical terrain or for anyone who needs firm ankle support.

Skip it if: you need firm ankle support or hike technical terrain.

Also named

Switchback Travel rates the women’s X Ultra 5 Mid GTX 4.5 out of 5 at 1 lb 13.4 oz for a size 8.5, praising the Contagrip outsole and Kevlar-reinforced upper but saying the size 8.5 ran large and suggesting a half size down, and that women’s sizes do not come in wide. We have not matched it to a current US women’s Amazon listing, so there is no buy button. CleverHiker, Switchback Travel and Treeline Review name the low-cut X Ultra 5 GTX best overall among hiking shoes, covered in our best hiking shoes for men guide.

Our Salomon Evaluation Framework

We score each boot on five questions using only what the named outlets published.

1. Source agreement. How many outlets cover it?
2. Support. Reported stability and ankle support.
3. Weight. Reported weight.
4. Weather. Waterproofing and breathability.
5. Recurring drawbacks. Complaints the outlets raise.

Source agreement counts outlets that reviewed the boot. The rest summarizes what those outlets wrote.

How to Choose a Salomon Hiking Boot

• Quest for load, X Ultra for light. RunRepeat recommends the X Ultra 5 Mid for day hikers rather than the Quest 5.
• Check the cushioning. The X Ultra family is firm underfoot per RunRepeat and Switchback Travel.
• Mind the heat. GearJunkie says GORE-TEX is a poor choice above about 80 degrees F. See best waterproof hiking boots.
• Look at ankle needs. See our hiking boots with ankle support guide.

Where the Expert Reviews Disagree

X Ultra 5 sizing. GearJunkie and RunRepeat say true to size, Switchback Travel says the women’s 8.5 ran large, and CleverHiker says the shoe runs smaller than the prior version.

X Ultra 5 breathability. Switchback Travel calls the women’s boot surprisingly breathable for a waterproof model, while RunRepeat says not very breathable and GearJunkie says it runs warm.

Quest 5 width. OutdoorGearLab says regular width only, while RunRepeat lists normal and wide.

X Ultra 5 support. OutdoorGearLab and Switchback Travel rate the support well for the weight, while Treeline Review and CleverHiker say less ankle support than heavier boots.

Questions About Salomon Hiking Boots, Answered

“What is the best Salomon hiking boot?”

RunRepeat names the X Ultra 5 Mid best overall and the Quest 5 best for backpacking.

“Is the Salomon Quest 5 worth it?”

Four outlets praise its stability, with the caveats of weight and heat.

“Is the X Ultra 5 Mid good for backpacking?”

GearJunkie says light, fast backpackers on established trails, but not heavy packs.

“Do Salomon boots run true to size?”

The outlets disagree, so try before you buy.

“Are they waterproof?”

The boots here use GORE-TEX. OutdoorGearLab reported no leaks in the Quest 5 until about 6.37 inches.

Mistakes to Avoid When Buying

• Buying the Quest for day hikes. OutdoorGearLab calls it overkill.
• Expecting cushioning. The X Ultra 5 is firm underfoot per several outlets.
• Ignoring sizing reports. The outlets disagree.
• Wearing GORE-TEX in the heat. GearJunkie advises against it above about 80 degrees F.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Salomon hiking boot?

RunRepeat names the X Ultra 5 Mid best overall and the Quest 5 best for backpacking.

Is the Quest 5 good for ankle support?

OutdoorGearLab scores it 9.0 for support.

Is the X Ultra 5 Mid waterproof?

Yes, it uses GORE-TEX, and GearJunkie found it dry in a shallow stream.

Do they run true to size?

The outlets disagree, so try before you buy.

Which Salomon is lightest?

RunRepeat lists the Outpulse Mid at 13.6 oz.

Do they come in wide?

Men’s X Ultra 5 has a wide version per RunRepeat. Women’s does not per Switchback Travel.

Are they good for backpacking?

The Quest line is, per OutdoorGearLab and RunRepeat.

Where can I compare other brands?

See our best hiking boots guide.

The Short Version

Choose the Quest 5 or Quest Echo for heavy loads and ankle support, the X Ultra 5 Mid for light hikes, and the Outpulse for fast hiking. Check sizing carefully.

Keep Reading

Sources

• OutdoorGearLab: Salomon Quest 5 GTX
• OutdoorGearLab: Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX
• RunRepeat: Salomon Quest 5 GTX
• RunRepeat: Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX
• RunRepeat: Best Salomon hiking boots
• GearJunkie: Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX
• Switchback Travel: Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX women’s
• Switchback Travel: Best hiking boots
• Treeline Review: Best hiking boots
• CleverHiker: Best hiking boots for men
• REI: The best hiking boots
• Treeline Review: Best hiking shoes