Best Salomon Hiking
Salomon makes trail running shoes and hiking shoes — but the line between them is blurrier than most brands admit. The right Salomon for your hill walk is not the right Salomon for your fell run. This guide cuts through the range to tell you exactly which shoe works for which type of hike, what the GTX waterproof versions actually add, and the one sizing fact you must know before ordering.
1 | Trail Running vs Hiking — Why the Distinction Matters for Salomon
Salomon's range spans from dedicated trail running shoes to dedicated hiking shoes. The key differences are in weight, cushioning, ankle support, and how long you'll comfortably wear them.
Trail Running Shoes
Lighter, lower-profile, less cushioning under the heel. Designed for continuous movement. Less foot-fatigue resistant over 6+ hours of hiking because the midsole is tuned for running cadence, not slow-load hiking. Examples: Speedcross 6, XA Pro 3D (borderline).
Hiking Shoes
More cushioning for slow-pace, heavy-load walking. Often more structured in the upper for lateral ankle support. Better suited to a full day in the mountains at hiking pace. Higher stack height on many models. Examples: X Ultra 4, X Ultra 4 GTX.
The Salomon Sweet Spot
The XA Pro 3D sits at the intersection — it has enough cushioning for a full day's hiking and enough grip for light trail running. It's Salomon's most versatile shoe and the one most OD's customers who do both activities end up choosing.
2 | Contagrip Grip Technology — Salomon's Outsole Explained
Every Salomon outdoor shoe uses a variant of Contagrip — their proprietary rubber outsole compound developed in the French Alps. Understanding the difference between variants helps you choose the right shoe for your terrain.
Contagrip MA (Multi-Terrain)
The hiking standard. Moderate lug depth, wide lug spacing. Excellent on wet grass, packed gravel, hard-packed mud, and light trail. Good on tarmac paths between trail sections. Found in X Ultra 4 and XA Pro 3D.
Contagrip TA (Technical/Aggressive)
The trail running standard. Deep chevron lugs for soft ground and mud. Less comfortable on tarmac but unmatched on soft technical terrain. Found in Speedcross 6. Best for very wet, soft UK hillside conditions.
Wet Rock Performance
Salomon Contagrip's standout capability versus most hiking footwear. On wet slate, limestone, and granite — the rock types that cause most falls on UK hills — Contagrip's rubber compound maintains friction where others slip. This is not just marketing: it's the reason Salomon became the dominant trail shoe in mountain running.
Protective Toe Cap
All hiking-grade Salomon shoes include a rubber protective cap over the toes. Essential for rocky terrain where the front of the shoe takes impacts. Trail running models have lighter or no protective cap — another reason dedicated hiking models outperform trail runners on a full day in the hills.
3 | GTX Waterproofing — What GORE-TEX Actually Adds
Salomon offers most of their hiking shoes in a GTX (GORE-TEX) waterproof version. Many buyers assume GTX is always better. It's not — it depends on your hiking conditions.
What GTX Adds
- A GORE-TEX membrane bonded to the upper — waterproof from rain and shallow water crossings
- Keeps feet dry in standing water up to the membrane height (typically ankle level)
- Remains waterproof even when the outer material gets wet
- Typically adds 50–100g weight to the shoe
What GTX Does Not Add
- Protection from water that enters over the top of the shoe (stream crossings, boggy ground deeper than the ankle)
- Additional grip — Contagrip is the same on GTX and non-GTX versions
- Warmth — GORE-TEX is a moisture barrier, not insulation
- Breathability is reduced versus non-GTX versions — feet run warmer
Buy GTX If:
You hike predominantly in UK upland conditions — sustained rain, wet moorland, boggy paths. For most Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, and Scottish Highlands hiking, GTX is the default recommendation.
Skip GTX If:
You hike primarily in warm, dry conditions or in summer on well-drained paths. Non-GTX versions breathe better and are lighter. If you're hiking in southern European conditions, skip the GTX.
4 | Salomon Sizing — The Critical Note Every UK Buyer Needs to Know
This is the most common issue with Salomon purchases — and the most easily fixed with the right information.
The Key Rule
- Salomon sizes in French (EU) measurements
- Many models run approximately half a size shorter than equivalent UK footwear
- The standard recommendation is to size up half a size from your usual UK footwear
- This is particularly important for hiking where foot swell on long descents requires toe room
| UK Men's | EU Size | UK Women's | EU Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 39 1/3 | 4 | 36 2/3 |
| 7 | 40 2/3 | 5 | 38 |
| 8 | 42 | 6 | 39 1/3 |
| 9 | 43 1/3 | 7 | 40 2/3 |
| 10 | 44 2/3 | 8 | 42 |
| 11 | 46 | 9 | 43 1/3 |
| 12 | 47 1/3 | 10 | 44 2/3 |
Fit Advice for Hiking
When trying Salomon hiking shoes in-store, you should have approximately one thumb-width of space at the front of the shoe. On descents, your toes should not be touching the front. If in doubt between two sizes for hiking, always go up — foot swell on long descents is significant.
5 | Best Salomon Models for UK Hiking
Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX
The X Ultra 4 GTX is the most popular Salomon for day hiking in the UK. Lower cut than traditional boots but with better ankle support than trail running shoes. GORE-TEX lining handles sustained rain and wet moorland. Contagrip MA outsole is excellent on mixed terrain. More cushioned than trail running models — comfortable over 10–15km of hiking with moderate load.
Best for: Fell walking, moorland, day hikes with moderate gradient. The benchmark Salomon hiking shoe for UK conditions.
Salomon XA Pro 3D V9
The XA Pro 3D is Salomon's all-terrain workhorse. It bridges the gap between trail running and hiking better than any other shoe in the range. Quicklace system for easy adjustment on the trail. 3D Advanced Chassis provides torsional rigidity without adding weight. Slightly firmer underfoot than the X Ultra — better for runners, slightly less plush for pure hikers.
Best for: Runners who also hike, mixed-terrain days, light fell running, those who want one shoe for multiple activities.
Salomon Speedcross 6
The Speedcross is a trail running shoe, not a hiking shoe — but it earns a place in this guide because of its outstanding performance on soft, boggy UK hillsides. The aggressive Contagrip TA lug pattern grips wet peat and mud better than any hiking shoe in this guide. It is not comfortable for long hiking days due to its lighter midsole construction, but for short, high-intensity days on very wet terrain, nothing else comes close.
Best for: Boggy moorland, very wet conditions, experienced fell runners. Not recommended for day hiking due to lighter cushioning.
Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX (Ankle Boot)
The mid-cut version of the X Ultra 4. Higher ankle collar for better support with a loaded pack. GORE-TEX throughout. The same Contagrip MA outsole as the low version. Better choice for multi-day backpacking where pack weight increases the need for ankle stability. Heavier than the low version — reserve the mid for days where you're carrying more than 8kg.
Best for: Multi-day hiking, backpacking with heavy load, technical routes where ankle support matters.
6 | Day Hikes vs Multi-Day — Which Salomon?
Day Hikes (1–15km)
Recommended: Salomon XA Pro 3D or X Ultra 4 GTX (low). The lighter weight and lower cut are advantages for a single day without a heavy pack. The Quicklace system on the XA Pro makes it fast to adjust on the trail.
Long Day Hikes (15–30km)
Recommended: Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX. The additional cushioning of the X Ultra becomes valuable over sustained hours. GTX is particularly important for UK long days where weather can change during the walk.
Multi-Day Treks (2+ days)
Recommended: Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX. The higher ankle collar and additional structure are needed when carrying overnight kit. Ankle support becomes critical when fatigued on day 2 or 3.
Very Wet / Boggy Conditions
Recommended: Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX. If your route includes significant boggy moorland or soft peat, the Speedcross's aggressive Contagrip TA outsole has no equal. Accept the lighter midsole as a trade-off.
Shop Salomon at OD's
Every piece below is in stock at OD's Designer Clothing — authorised UK stockist.