Salomon X Ultra Tracker GTX Boot Review

Salomon’s X Ultra Tracker boots are a lighter-weight mid-season design that looks ideal for spring and summer wear. The design is built around the Advanced Chassis concept to provide lighter, more agile manoeuvrability without compromising underfoot support or the reliable waterproofing of Gore-Tex.

The boots weigh 1038g for the pair in size 11/46 and feel light underfoot with a deft footfall compared to heavier full-leather boots.

The construction begins with a moderate sole pattern and a 6mm tread depth, providing a good grip on slippery surfaces. Broad, open, flat areas between the treads ensure there is plenty of flexibility for your foot to mould to hard, uneven ground, and you do not feel excessively raised, with the heel lifting 25mm from flat.

What Are the Key External and Support Features?

Externally, the rand features a raised protective toe and is bonded to the brown leather/synthetic upper, which is interspersed with green fabric over the Gore-Tex lining.

The closure uses traditional lacing, with wings on the tongue ensuring 85mm of full water resistance. A deep padded collar surrounds the ankle bone for protection, while a tall tab at the rear of the boot offers additional support for the Achilles tendon, as well as providing plenty to grip when pulling the boots on.

Despite the lightweight construction, the boots are reasonably stiff and remain easy to put on and take off without crumpling.

How Do the Boots Fit and Perform in Real-World Use?

I usually opt for a size 45 in boots, but a few brands, with Salomon among them, tend to require a 46 for the correct fit and comfort. These boots fit comfortably and are nowhere near as stiff as a full-leather boot, so ankle support and rigidity are in a different league, although they are still far more supportive than trail shoes or wellies. Walking is comfortable and quiet. The soles initially seemed to retain mud, but once worn in, they lost that newness and started to shed it more easily. However, when it comes to early winter mud, the variety and consistency are almost infinite.

The boots have remained waterproof and, on my feet, have never become too hot, seeming to ventilate perspiration very well. They are everyday boots and do not offer the ankle or lower-leg support needed for serious hills or deep rocky ground, but they are correspondingly far lighter and more refreshing to wear when walking over long distances of easy to moderate terrain.

What’s the Final Verdict on the X Ultra Tracker GTX?

The X Ultra Tracker boots are available in UK sizes 3.5 to 14.5, so you will not struggle for choice. I would categorise them as a great daily boot: comfortable for walking and driving, and great for muddy or wet ground if you are caught by surprise. However, if you want greater ankle support, it is worth choosing one of the higher versions. They are windproof, thanks to the Gore-Tex, which is not always crucial at ground level but was certainly appreciated when seated in a high seat. Despite this, they remain lightweight and offer little in the way of thermal insulation.