SALOMON apavi X Ultra 4 GTX black/dark blue

Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX (Carbon/Bering Sea/Pearl Blue) Review

The Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX men's hiking shoes are highly rated, specially designed for challenging outdoor conditions, offering a combination of stability, protection and agility.

Key features

• Waterproof: Equipped with GORE-TEX technology, which provides reliable protection against water, making them suitable for wet and muddy trails.
• Traction: The All Terrain Contagrip® outsole, which uses two types of rubber and an aggressive tread pattern, provides excellent traction on a variety of surfaces—slippery rocks, mud, loose gravel. Ideal for both ascents and descents.
• Stability and support: The stable chassis construction provides joint protection without restricting movement. The shoe offers high foot protection and stable support, ideal for mountain and mixed terrain.
• Comfort and fit: Highly rated for comfort (7.5/10), fit (4.5/5) and overall stability (4/5). The low-top shoes provide the same agility as trail running shoes, while maintaining the durability needed for hiking shoes.
• Weight: Each shoe weighs approximately 425 grams (14 ounces), providing a balance between lightness and durability. While there are lighter models in the category, these maintain their running suitability for long hikes, but can feel heavier on routes over 20 miles.

Performance Benefits

• Excellent traction, even in wet or icy conditions; highest rated among hiking shoes tested.
• Aggressive tread effectively sheds debris while maintaining traction.
• Water resistance rated 5/5.
• Reinforced toe cap protects against rocks and roots.

Potential Drawbacks

• Softer rubber treads can wear out faster when used intensively on technical terrain.
• A little heavier than some competitors; weight can be felt on very long hikes.

Summary Table

| Feature | Information |

|--------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Waterproof | GORE-TEX membrane |

| Grip | All Terrain Contagrip®, dual-rubber sole |

| Weight | ~425 g each shoe (~14 oz) |

| Stability | High; new chassis design stabilizes joints |

| Comfort/Fit| Comfortable fit; agile, low-profile design |

| Use | Mountain/mixed terrain, steep climbs/descents |

| Cons | Tread wear on technical terrain; a bit heavy for very long hikes |

Conclusion

The Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX shoes in charcoal/blue/pearl blue are a great choice if you need a waterproof hiking shoe with excellent grip, stability and comfort for difficult terrain. They especially excel in wet or changing mountain conditions, however, intensive use on rocky trails can accelerate tread wear.