Good news: This hiking boot is also available in a men’s variant.
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Extremely comfortable right out the box
- Excellent traction
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Limited colorways could be improved
- More insulation would be good
I have always liked Salomon footwear, so I was really excited to discover the Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge Mid GTX Boots lived up to previous models. In fact, I think the X Ultra 360’s may be my favorite pair to date.
The combination of effortless comfort with durability had me enjoying them right from the start. They feel a pleasure to wear, which is something I don’t find myself saying all that often when it comes to hiking boots.
These boots just get most boxes ticked well – apart from the color range, which is a small niggle from me. I think if you want the confidence to move quickly over varied terrain for a reasonable price, you’ll want to pay attention to this model.
Editor’s note: This article is part of our guide to the best hiking boots, be sure to check out the rest of this guide for our top buying tips:
Compare to Similar Products:
Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX | Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof | Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge Mid GTX Boots | Salomon Quest 4 Gore Tex | Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped | Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX | Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex | Lowa Renegade GTX Mid | La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX | Hoka Kaha 2 GTX | Vasque Breeze Waterproof Hiking Boots | |
 |  | |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |
Buying Options | |||||||||||
Our Ratings | Best Overall Women's | Most Comfortable | Lightweight Waterproofing and Comfort | Best for Mountain Walking | Best Budget | Best Waterproof | Best for Summer/Hot Weather | Best Leather | Best for Day Hikes | ||
Pros | Extremely comfortable. Wears in quickly. Excellent fit for wider feet | Excellent comfort. Excellent durability | Comfortable straight out the box. Quick trail movement | Sturdy and ready to take on anything. Good toe placement and great ankle positioning | Very comfortable, pretty much straight out the box. Great price point | Excellent build quality. Can be resoled | Low weight. Good build quality | Available in three widths and a variety of sizes. Extremely comfortable | Cutting edge materials, good breathability to waterproofing ratio | Extremely supportive and comfortable. Stylish. | Excellent durability. Rigid build |
Cons | Not great for narrower feet. Sizing for buyers outside the United States can be limited | Slightly confusing product range. The design looks dated. | Colorways may not appeal to all. Can feel cold in sub zero temps. | Break in takes a little while. Rigid. | Isn't as breathable. Could do with a more robust sole | Expensive. The design may be too utilitarian for some | Ankle cuff not as supportive as some others. Wider toe box may not suit those with very narrow feet. New | Expensive. Isn't visually that striking | Expensive for what they are. We don't find them suitable for longer treks | Expensive. Leather feels cold after walking through significant water. | Dated design. Stiff upper may not be to everybody's taste. |
Traction | Excellent | Very good | Very good | Medium/deep thread pattern | Good - but not as good on technical terrain | Excellent | Excellent | Vibram outsole - excellent | Excellent | Excellent - uses Vibram Megagrip | Very good |
Breathability | Good | Very good | Very good | Gore-Tex upper and well insulated | OK | Low | Good | Good | Excellent | OK | Very good |
Ankle Support | Good | Very good | Very good | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
Arch support | Regular to good | Good | Very good | Average | OK | Average | Good | Average | Regular | Average | Average |
Fit | Fits a little large, size down a half size if in-between, available in a single width | Fits true to size. comes in standard and wide widths | Fits true to size. Suited to wider and standard feet. | Suits normal to wider feet | Standard fit, runs small - best to go up a half size | Standard fit - runs small | Fits true to size. Comes in standard and wide widths | Comes in standard, narrow and wide fit options and wide range of sizes | Runs narrow | Standard fit | Runs a little small. Available in standard and wide fit |
Materials | Grain leather upper, metal lacing hardware and synthetic/rubber soles | Synthetic and pig suede upper. | Synthentic upper and EVA midsole | Leather and synthetic | Upper leather and suede and synthetic | Mostly leather with synthetic lining and rubber sole | Fully synthetic | Leather and synthetic | Leather and synthetic | Leather and synthetic | Nubuck leather and synthetics |
Appearance | Modern hiking boot | Slightly dated design | Modern hiking boot | Modern | Modern hiking boot with traditional feel | Traditional hiking boot | Modern hiking boot | Modern hiking boot | Modern hiking boot | Modern hiking boot/trail hybrid | Slightly dated design |
Durability | Excellent | Very good | Excellent | Excellent | Sole feels quite lightweight | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Average | Good | Excellent |
Water Resistance | Gore-Tex membrane | In-house waterproof, breathable membrane | Gore-Tex membrane | Gore-Tex membrane | Waterproof (Omni-Tech) | Gore Tex lining and water resistant coating | Gore Tex membrane | Gore-Tex membrane | Gore-Tex Surround membrane | Gore-Tex lining | In-house waterproof, breathable membrane |
Weight (pair) | 900g/2lb per pair | 800g/1lb 12oz | 418g/0.9lb | 1070g/2lb 6oz | 791g/1.8lbs per pair | 1.28kg/2lb 13oz | 740g/1lb 10oz | 950g/2lb | 900g/2 lb. 1 oz | 1015g/2.5 lbs | 990g/2lb 2oz |
Insoles | Standard insole | Padded insole | Padded insole | Padded insole | Standard insole | Padded insole | Padded. shaped insole | Standard insole | Standard insole | Standard insole | Padded insole |
Break-in Period | Minimal | Minimal | Minimal | Some break in needed | Very minimal | Some break-in required | Minimal | Minimal | Slightly longer than average | Minimal | Medium |
Lacing system | Regular laces with metal lacing hardwear for durability | Standard laces | Standard | Standard laces | Standard/regular laces | Standard/regular laces | Standard laces | Standard lacing system | Standard/regular laces | Standard - eyelet with grip lacing around the ankle | Standard laces |
Toe Protection | Rubberized toe rand | Rubber rand around toe and small toe cap | Rubber toe rand | Rubberized toe rand | Rubberized toe rand | Substantially reinforced toe offers excellent protection | Rubber rand on toe and small toe cap. | Substantial rubber toe rand | Rubberized toe rand | Rubberized toe rand with reinforced stitching | Rubber rand around toe and small toe cap |
See the Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge Mid GTX Boots in more detail:
Analysis and Test Results
I’ve tested these boots in a really wide variety of scenarios. From fall, warmer temperatures with changing terrain through to snow, ice and pairing them with snow spikes and gaiters.
They make a really robust option for hikers who love to move fast, like and value the flexibility this kind of boot offers, but with lightness and a sense of confidence. I found after only a few tests, I couldn’t stop wearing them as they are incredibly quick to break-in.
Performance Comparison
Traction
I’ve tested and reviewed a number of Salomon hiking shoes and boots at this point and have always been impressed with the level of grip they offer. The X Ultra 360 Edge Mid GTX Boots are no different.
The lug and tread are pretty deep on these boots, and I’ve used them in a whole manner of scenarios which call for grip and balance to be the most important considerations. Salomon make use of their inbrand ‘All Terrain Contragrip’.
This is said to help with a feeling of comfort on a variety of surfaces. I’d say I really agree with that statement and it isn’t just marketing talk.
I found that for relatively compacted snow and light ice, I wasn’t worried in the slightest about my footwork. Likewise, for wet and slippery rock. Anything further than this and I added my snow spikes, which made for a brilliant system.
If you want a boot that you know you can trust when it comes to your foot placement and being able to move with speed, the X Ultra 360 Edge’s do just that. I have found since wearing these boots in my tests, they’ve become pretty much my new favorite footwear option.
Breathability
The upper is made from synthetic materials. These boots make use of PFC free Gore-Tex for the waterproof membrane, so this does of course have some impact on breathability.
However, things have come a long way and times are changing when it comes to the tradeoff between waterproofing and breathability. Salomon have answered the brief here.
I was actually pretty amazed by just how ventilated my feet felt in these hiking boots. I did some pretty full on hikes in winter wearing these, with gaiters, snow spikes, thick socks etc. There was not a single area where these boots faltered.
I’ll be interested to see how this translates to summer hiking, but I have a very good feeling that when paired with a merino sock, you’ll get the best of both worlds.
I think if you live somewhere with variable weather, but you also get hot seasons too, then you’ll get on really well with the Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge Mid GTX Boots. I love the versatility they offer, and the lightness they provide.
Ankle Support
When you spend any time looking at these hiking boots, it’s clear that there is a lot of padding around the ankle and the cuff. They cut perfectly to give ample support.
When laced up well, I found that the Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge Mid GTX Boots provide more than enough ankle support. I think combined with the traction they offer; I have never experienced any feelings of unsteadiness.
When you look at these two areas together, they give you a really good sense of confidence on the trail. I’m able to focus on what I’m doing and enjoy the scenery rather than having to pay attention to my every move.
Arch Support
The Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge Mid GTX Boots use their own ‘advancedCHASSIS’ which is a molded insert fitted into the outsole. This gives support and flexibility. They also have an ‘EnergyCell’ high performance EVA foam midsole that gives a good level of shock absorption.
This was more than enough for me, and I had all the comfort I really needed. I don’t really consider myself as someone with arch problems or concerns. However, if you are, you’ll be happy to know that you can swap out the insoles too to provide and more supported version if needed.
Fit
I have slightly wider feet, and I found these hiking boots to be exceptionally comfortable, but they also work well if you have normal width feet too. They are only offered in one width, so if you need a narrow option, this pair may not be for you.
The fit feels like it molds the foot perfectly. I found that I just couldn’t get enough of wearing these boots. Unlike some hiking boots, I find myself wanting to keep them on for longer periods. Driving to the trail is no issue in them. Walking on after. They’re greatly diverse.
In terms of tech, Salomon have added a few features here – ‘sensiFIT’ which is meant to cradle the foot and keeps it snug. They have a welded upper, which is stitch free and glove like. The ‘OrthoLite diecut sockliner’ also provided cushioning and breathability for extra comfort. What this really translates to is a really comfortable boot.
Materials
The materials used for the Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge Mid GTX Boots are synthetic. All materials are made from recycled products.
The Gore-Tex lining is PFC free too, which is great to see. The outsole is rubber. The materials look really well produced and everything is stitched really well. These boots are exceptionally hard wearing.
One thing I was unsure about was the use of lighter fabrics on these boots. I hike somewhere where it does get muddy quite a bit. After a little use, the upper textile did get muddy.
This didn’t really go away after washing, so was just something I got used to. But it does mean that these boots can look a little scruffy fairly quickly. This could be improved by Salomon releasing some darker shades in this line.
Appearance
One area I wasn’t really that keen on was the appearance of these hiking boots. I think that the gender variants that Salomon offer them in are a little limited.
I got the burgundy and cream kind of color version, and I’ve got to say, I think that’s the best of a pretty dull selection. I would love to see some improvements made in the color options because these are just not it.
Other than that, though, in terms of their actual style, they fit really well on the trail and don’t stand out. I think they look pretty cool to be honest other than the whole color thing.
That said, the color thing is just a personal preference. I don’t want to just see a boring black, but some color combinations that actually look interesting and fresh would be a good start here!
Durability
I was really impressed with the durability of the Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge Mid GTX Boots. Whilst it’s true that after months of wearing, they do show signs of use, this is just cosmetic. It is nothing to do with the construction of them at all.
I think the lighter colors on the fabric texture of the uppers do make them look more dirty quickly, and don’t wash so well here. I would love to see this improved with some darker options here.
However, everything is constructed really well. There are no areas of ripping on the heel, no pulls where the laces are, no marks or movement on the sole. Like all Salomon shoes and boots I’ve tested, it’s pretty obvious that this model will be around for a good while if you buy them.
Sustainability
It’s good to see Salomon are making an effort to use recycled materials for a lot of their products now. The Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge Mid GTX Boots are a good example in this range.
All materials used for these boots are recycled, and they make a point of saying that their Gore-Tex models are free from PFC’s. I love a recycled boot, so I’m happy to see this.
Likewise, I really do feel from my tests that these boots are built to last, which will help with their lifecycle. Buying less is of course one of the best ways to improve sustainability practice.
Water Resistance
These boots are fully waterproof. You can reasonably walk through something that comes up to just below the ankle and get out without any water going in.
If you want to improve this even more, add a gaiter and you’ll have something really rigid for water here. My only comment on the waterproof nature of these boots is that they don’t provide as much insulation as say, a full on B2 or B3 boot, and your feet can get a little cold if you walk through colder water.
This can also lead to a feeling or sensation that your feet are actually wet. I would avoid, if possible, walking through deep water that is going to be very cold. Otherwise, you may struggle to get your feet warm again on your hike.
If they were a little more insulated, I’d say that these make a great all season. But I would air more on the side of caution and put them is as a three season for this reason.
Weight
For a US 9/UK 8/EU 42 these boots weigh in at 418g/14.7 oz. I feel like that’s pretty lightweight when you take into consideration how robust these boots are when wearing.
Normally, I’d expect to see this level of foot protection and robust finish on a much heavier boot. I love that this gives the best of both worlds, and the fact that you’ve got both protection and a light feel is just another bonus on these fantastic, comfortable boots.
Insoles
The insoles provided are pretty standard. You can replace these with something more specific if you need it, which wouldn’t make any difference to the overall fit of them.
Break-in Period
I am always cautious in saying something has no break in period. My experience is that different people can have varying experiences when it comes to how comfortable a shoe or boot is right out the box.
For me, I found that the Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge Mid GTX Boots had pretty much no break in period. I put them on and found them immediately comfortable. Within a couple of short walks, I was ready to take them out on bigger hikes.
Since that, they have just become more and more comfortable. I’m confident to say that they offer about the closest thing to no break in period that there is. However, when you buy them, see for yourself as this could be different based on your own feet.
Lacing System
These boots use Salomon’s ‘quickLACE’ system. This comprises a strong lace for ‘one-pull’ tightening. This also allows them to be ‘easy-on, easy-off’. I’d say that this feels true from my experience.
They’re also really easy to put on and off when you have colder hands or need to make micro adjustments if you need it on an ascent or descent. You can also make different lacing patterns work depending on your particular foot needs and shape, to get the most comfort possible.
Toe Protection
The X Ultra 360 Edge boots have a rubberized toe rand which sits pretty chunkily and will protect your foot from most bumps and scrapes you can expect on the majority of trails. I found them to be great for not having to think too much and just getting on with the trail.
They’re also not so prominent that if you need to have precise footing you’ll run into issues. The side rand also helps here too.
Conclusion
I’ve always been impressed with the Salomon footwear I’ve owned and tested and the X Ultra 360 Edge Mid GTX boots are no exception here. In fact, I think these may just be the most comfortable pair I’ve put through their paces.
To their comfort, if you add their robust feel and ability to take on terrain easily with their lugs and tread alongside their waterproofing and lightness, you’ve got yourself a pretty amazing boot. They have become a new favorite of mine in the last few months and find it hard to not choose them when I head outdoors.
If you’re looking for a reasonably priced three season (for some they could even be four season) boot that will have you gliding along the trail with confidence due to their grip and construction, I’d really recommend this option. I’m pretty sure you’ll find yourself loving them as much as I do.
Disclaimer: This article contains Affiliate Links. You won’t pay any more for buying through these links, but we may receive a commission from any purchases made through them. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you choose to support us by buying through our links, we thank you as it helps us to continue providing the resources we do to help you enjoy the outdoors more!