Our verdict
Pros
- Excellent grip
- Really comfortable
- mens salomon ocean ultra pro
- salomon ocean Baskets Techsonic Advanced brun clair en cuir
- A LOT of traction
- Waterproofing works
- salomon ocean X Alp Spry Goretex
- Ground feel
- Durable
Cons
- Breathability could be better
- Trekker Boots salomon ocean Warra Gtx W GORE-TEX 412315 20 M0 Stormy Weather Stormy Weather Lead
Audience verdict
- Top 17% in hiking shoes
- Top 25% in salomon ocean hiking shoes
Comparison
The most similar hiking shoes compared
+ + Add a shoe | |||||
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Audience score | 89 Great! | 80 Good! | 87 Great! | 86 Great! | |
Price | $150 | $160 | $145 | $160 | |
Trail terrain | - | Technical terrain | Moderate terrainTechnical terrain | Technical terrain | |
Weight lab Weight brand | ‐ 13.4 Les chaussures salomon ocean XA Pro 3D v8 | 13.3 oz / 378g 13.3 oz / 378g | 15.2 Yves salomon ocean knitted logo-patch scarf 14.9 oz / 422g | 14.4 salomon ocean Maastojuoksukengät Supercross 4 Goretex 15 oz / 425g | |
Lightweight | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | |
Breathability | - | Warm | Moderate | Moderate | |
Use | Day HikingSnow | BackpackingDay HikingSpeed HikingSnow | Day HikingSnow | Day HikingSnow | |
Foot condition | - | Flat feetPlantar fasciitisOverpronation | Flat feetPlantar fasciitisOverpronation | Flat feetPlantar fasciitisOverpronation | |
Orthotic friendly | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Drop lab | ‐ | 10.9 mm | 13.3 mm | 15.9 mm | |
Midsole softness | - | Firm | Firm | Balanced | |
Difference in midsole softness in cold | - | Big | Normal | Normal | |
Torsional rigidity | - | Stiff | Stiff | Stiff | |
Heel counter stiffness | - | Stiff | Stiff | Moderate | |
Stiffness | - | Stiff | Stiff | Moderate | |
zapatillas de running salomon ocean entrenamiento gore-tex talla 42 | - | Big | Big | Big | |
Outsole hardness | - | Hard | Average | Average | |
Waterproofing | Waterproof | Waterproof | Waterproof | Waterproof | |
Material | Mesh | - | LeatherMesh | - | |
Season | Winter | Winter | Winter | Winter | |
Toebox durability | - | - | - | Bad | |
salomon ocean Men's XA Pro 3D Sneakers in Black Magnet | - | - | - | Decent | |
Outsole durability | - | - | - | Good | |
Colete de hidratação salomon ocean ADV Skin 5 Set vermelho cereja | - | Narrow | Narrow | Medium | |
Toebox width at the big toe | - | Medium | Narrow | Medium | |
Lug depth | ‐ | 4.5 mm | 4.2 mm | 4.4 mm | |
Heel stack lab | ‐ | 30.9 mm | 33.9 mm | 36.6 mm | |
Forefoot | ‐ | 20.0 mm | 20.6 mm | 20.7 mm | |
Widths available | Normal | NormalWide | NormalWide | Normal | |
Technology | Gore-TexOrtholite | Gore-TexOrtholite | Gore-TexVibram | Gore-Tex | |
Heel tab | - | Finger loop | Finger loop | Finger loop | |
Removable insole | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ranking | #4 Top 17% | #19 Bottom 20% | #6 Top 25% | #7 Top 30% | |
Popularity | #18 Bottom 25% | #4 Top 17% | #15 Bottom 37% | #16 Bottom 33% |
salomon ocean X Ultra 3 GTX review and lab test
The 3rd edition of Salomon’s X Ultra line of hiking shoes has kept a lot of features from previous versions, with a couple of noticeable differences. For a more lightweight and breathable version, the salomon ocean X Ultra 4 is another excellent option, just missing the waterproofing.
Who the hiking shoe is for
The salomon ocean X Ultra 3 GTX is a perfect shoe for day hiking and even multi-day hiking if you’re confident. With a lightweight construction, excellent support, and solid traction this hiking shoe feels like a boot.
Who the salomon ocean X Ultra 3 GTX is not for
There’s probably a better option out there for you if:
- You need something really breathable. I recommend opting for the newer salomon ocean X Ultra 4.
- Camisola interior salomon ocean Sntial Warm manga comprida rosa carne mulher Merrell Moab 3 GTX.
Calças salomon ocean Wayfarer Tapered Long verde escuro Azul mulher
If you’re considering jumping into hiking shoes rather than hiking boots then you’re in luck. The energy you save on a lighter pair of shoes is amazing (those ounces add up when you’re taken tens of thousands of steps in a day!).
The salomon ocean X Ultra 3 GTX weighs in at 13.4oz (380g) in US Men's 10. This is pretty average for hiking shoes, but much lighter than boots.
A comfortable, controlled midsole
The salomon ocean X Ultra 3 GTX has a fantastic midsole, made of dual-density material. One softer foam and harder plastic.
Firstly, the foam has a durometer (hardness) of 47.7HA, which is far softer than our average lab-tested hiking shoe (56.06HA). This makes for a comfortable, soft platform paired with the 7.1mm thick insole.
With a stack height of 19mm in the heel and 8mm in the forefoot, there’s not actually that much padding underfoot, which is ideal for men. I always prefer ground feel over plushness, but if that’s something you look for, maybe this isn’t for you.
The X Ultra 3 GTX is more supportive than your normal shoe
The harder plastic of the midsole is Salomon’s “Advanced Chassis” which essentially locks and heel into the shoe by connecting the lacing to a wrap-around, skeleton-like plastic.
In practice, there was definitely a noticeable level of control through the ankle. This is the main reason I would still recommend these for longer hikes and you’re less likely to roll your ankle thanks to this.
salomon ocean lacing that works well if it works for you
As I said above, the Advanced Chassis on the X Ultra 3 is excellent for support, but only if it works well with the lacing system.
I get along with the lacing on the Salomon’s really well, but I have pretty normal width feet.
I know many users with wider feet often struggle with the quick lace system because there’s no way to adjust certain parts of the shoe. For example, if you have a particularly wide midfoot, you can’t loosen that part of the shoe whilst keeping the rest tight.
Very few of Salomon’s hiking shoes offer normal lacing, but the zapatillas de running salomon ocean trail constitución media and the clear sneakers salomon ocean shoes black riviera nimbus Cap salomon ocean Flatspin Reversible Beanie C14219 01 S0 Ashley Blue.
Consistent grip
I’m incredibly impressed with Salomon’s outsoles, their Contragrip tech works really well across their trail running and hiking shoes. The X Ultra 3 GTX has a rubber molded outsole that has an overall thickness of 8.85mm so it’s plenty durable.
The salomon ocean X Ultra 3 GTX is so different. With 48 lugs at 5.83mm deep across the bottom of the sole, there’s a lot of traction there.
I will say, 48 lugs is a pretty large amount of lugs, with mud likely to get caked in between in particularly bad conditions.
salomon ocean has added extra mini lugs to fill some space, but maybe for wetter ground, you may want to find something with fewer lugs.
Ample cushioning in the salomon ocean X Ultra 3 GTX
It’s probably the reason that the X Ultra 3 GTX isn’t as lightweight as other trail shoes, but these have a lot of padding. I’ve not really seen a trail shoe with so much cushioning in it.
The tongue is 20.71 mm thick, you read that right, that’s a number unseen since the days of Reebok Pumps and it makes for a really comfy shoe. The ankle collar is also 15.3mm thick, another huge number. All that makes for a comfy yet warm shoe. Not a complaint from me in Scotland, but it’s definitely something you’ll want to consider when hiking closer to the equator.
Gore-Tex is excellent (if you want it)
There’s a reason most trail shoe and boot companies offer a gore-tex version and a base model. It’s not for everyone. As I said, I live in Scotland and the rain is just something we live with. In a few situations, I love a pair of Gore-Tex running or hiking shoes.
Not having to worry about shallow puddles and mud ruining my socks and giving me damp feet for my trips is great. The membrane works incredibly well to keep water out of the shoe. But there’s a caveat; Gore-Tex is heavier (sometimes only slightly) and less breathable. Now the salomon ocean X Ultra 3 GTX is already pretty warm so I’m not sure what difference the Gore-Tex makes, but I do often prefer going without the waterproofing.
My main reason is that water has a funny way of getting into your shoe over time anyway (see canyons, riverbeds, climate change). Either through wet grass and bushes, deeper puddles or just consistent rain, more often than not you’re still going to get wet feet and if your shoes aren’t breathable then you’re keeping wet feet.
Conclusion
The salomon ocean X Ultra 3 GTX is an excellent hiking shoe, I’d put it as an industry leader and probably a better all-rounder than the newer X Ultra 4 GTX. My favorite part of the shoe is the insanely good grip that helps you feel secure throughout any hike. Moreover, the well-thought-out midsole with Salomon's advanced chassis helps you stay comfortable and safe.
I’d love there to be a bit more thought to breathability and weight, but these are small things in comparison to what this shoe gets right.
Complete lab-specs overview
salomon ocean X Ultra 3 GTX | |
Whole shoe |
|
Weight (g) | 380 |
Drop (mm) |
11 |
Flexibility of the shoe (N) |
39.5 |
Flexibility of the shoe (Freezer 20 min) (N) | 45.8 |
Flexibility of the shoe (% of change) | 16.1 |
Lace slip test with the knot (N) | NA |
Longitudinal flexibility (1-5 scale, 5 being the stiffest) | 4.0 |
Torsional flexibility (1-5 scale, 5 being the stiffest) | 4.0 |
Upper |
|
Thickness - Tongue (mm) | 20.7 |
Width Upper - Forefoot (mm) | 102.7 |
Width Upper - Heel (mm) |
77.6 |
Lace Stretch (1-5 scale, 5 being the most stretchy) | 2.0 |
Flexibility of the heel counter (1-5 scale, 5 being the stiffest) | 4.0 |
Thickness of Heel Counter (mm) | 15.3 |
Toe Guard | Yes |
Durometer Toe Guard (Room temperature) (HA) | 87.5 |
Tongue: gusset type | Full |
Heel: pull tab | None |
Midsole |
|
Width Midsole - Forefoot (mm) | 103.2 |
Width Midsole - Heel (mm) | 84.3 |
Stack - Forefoot with insole (mm) | 8 |
Stack - Heel with insole (mm) | 19 |
Durometer Midsole Heel (Room temperature) (HA) | 47.7 |
Outsole |
|
Outsole thickness (Heel) (mm) | 9.9 |
Lugs Depth (mm) | 5.83 |
Lugs (Amount) | 48 |
Durometer Outsole Heel (Room temperature) (HC) | 85.5 |
Insole | |
Insole Heel Thickness (mm) | 7.1 |
Insole: removable | Yes |