Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX for women: review and key features

The Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX for women is a hiking shoe with a waterproof membrane, a mountain-ready outsole and a structure designed to provide stability on uneven ground. Its low-cut shape and sporty design place it between traditional hiking footwear and trail running shoes, although its main purpose is walking.

The combination of GORE-TEX, a Contagrip MA outsole and an ADV-C chassis is particularly relevant on routes with elevation changes, loose stones or wet ground. Those looking for maximum ventilation in summer or a shoe for long-distance running, however, will find more suitable alternatives.

A hiking shoe inspired by trail running

The fourth-generation X Ultra borrows elements from lightweight mountain footwear and adapts them to hiking. A protective toe cap, side reinforcements and a lugged outsole are intended for paths where the foot may encounter stones, roots and frequent changes in gradient.

The low-cut construction allows more freedom around the ankle than a high boot. That can appeal to fast hikers or people accustomed to sports shoes, although it does not provide the coverage of a boot when terrain, vegetation or weather call for more protection.

In Spain’s Valencia region, the design suits mid-mountain routes combining tracks, rocky paths and sections of dirt. On dry, very hot outings, however, the waterproof membrane may offer less value than it would in rain or persistent damp.

GORE-TEX: protection from water and heat inside

The GORE-TEX membrane is designed to stop water entering through the upper while allowing some of the vapour produced by the foot to escape. That is useful in wet grass, rain and shallow puddles, where an open-mesh shoe can become soaked quickly.

There is a practical limit to that protection: because this is a low-cut shoe, water can enter through the opening when crossing a deep stream or when rain reaches the inside from the leg. Once the inside is wet, drying can take longer than it would in a shoe without a membrane.

The choice also affects temperature. On a sunny summer hike, a waterproof construction may feel warmer than a ventilated alternative. For someone who almost always walks on dry trails, that difference matters as much as protection from rain.

Contagrip MA outsole and downhill traction

The Contagrip MA outsole combines a rubber compound intended for varied terrain with chevron-shaped lugs. Its tread is designed to find traction on dirt and hard surfaces alike, a useful combination when a route moves from compact track to loose trail.

In published laboratory tests, the lugs measured 4.5 mm deep, compared with a 3.9 mm average across the shoes measured. That depth points to an outsole capable of finding purchase in dirt and gravel, without making it a design dedicated solely to deep mud.

On a descent, the tread and rubber contribute to control, but they cannot eliminate the risk of slipping. Smooth wet rock, heavily saturated mud and ice can compromise traction even with a mountain outsole; grip should never be assumed on any of them.

How the ADV-C chassis supports stability

The ADV-C chassis is a support element built into the shoe’s structure. It is intended to reinforce lateral stability, particularly along the outside of the foot, while retaining flexibility at the front to make walking easier.

The concept is useful on sloping paths or uneven stones, where foot placement is less consistent than on a smooth track. The shoe’s support can help control movement, but it does not replace the coverage of a high boot or prevent an ankle roll on its own.

Salomon describes the women’s version as having a lower-density chassis and softer materials around the collar and heel. These are construction differences from the general design of the men’s version, not a guarantee that the shape will fit every foot better.

Measured cushioning, drop and weight

The EnergyCell midsole provides the foam layer between the foot and the outsole. Along with the moulded OrthoLite insole, it creates a platform intended for mountain walking rather than the substantial cushioning found in some high-stack running shoes.

Laboratory measurements recorded 30.9 mm at the heel and 20 mm at the forefoot. The measured difference was 10.9 mm, almost identical to the model’s stated 11 mm drop. Drop describes the height difference between those two areas, not how much cushioning an individual will experience.

Heel impact absorption was 89 SA, compared with an average of 108 SA among the shoes measured. Energy return was 49%, close to the 49.9% average. These figures help place the midsole in context within the tests, but they do not on their own establish how comfortable it will be on a hike.

Measured flex resistance was 20.9 N, compared with an 18.8 N average: slightly more force was needed to bend the shoe in that test than for the average sample. Recorded weight was 378 g per shoe; this figure belongs to the measured sample and cannot establish the weight of every size or version.

Women’s fit, lacing and size selection

The women’s version has a women-specific last, along with adapted padding and chassis. The SensiFit system connects the midsole area to the closure to wrap around the midfoot, while Quicklace allows the cord to be tightened with a single component and the excess stored in the tongue pocket.

For sizing, the most useful starting point is foot length measured in centimetres and its match on Salomon’s official size chart. The socks intended for the mountains also matter: a fit that seems right with thin socks may feel tight with thicker ones.

When checking the fit, the toes should have room without pronounced heel movement. A long descent can push the foot forward, so a toe box that is too short presents a different problem from a loose midfoot closure. Tightening the laces further will not fix a shoe shape that compresses the forefoot.

A wide-fit variant exists in this family, but the listing should expressly identify that version and the required size. Extra width does not necessarily mean extra length or guarantee enough room for every instep.

Materials and foot protection

The upper combines synthetic material, a textile lining and mesh areas, with a welded construction. The protective toe cap adds a barrier against minor knocks from stones and roots, while the mudguard helps protect the lower sections of the upper.

A reinforced tongue and lace pocket complete a construction designed to keep the closure tucked away while walking. The moulded OrthoLite insole adds a layer beneath the foot; its presence does not mean the shoe will retain the same cushioning throughout its working life.

After a muddy outing, removing dirt and allowing the shoes to dry naturally helps keep them in usable condition. Worn lugs, the state of the membrane and a loss of support are separate signs worth watching: a sole with a visible tread does not by itself prove that the rest of the shoe is intact.

Guide price and what to check before buying

The women’s version has had a reference price of around €160. European retailers have also listed approximate prices of €145 to €165 and discounts down to around €80. These are historical reference points, not guaranteed current prices or offers.

When comparing listings, it is worth checking for the fourth generation, the women’s version and the GTX membrane. A colour or similar photograph is not enough to confirm the same configuration, particularly when a retailer groups several variants on one page.

For an online purchase, exchange and return terms matter as much as the discount: a size that does not fit can turn an apparent bargain into an unhelpful expense. It is also sensible to check whether the retailer has the required size in the standard or wide version.

Walking and running place different demands on footwear

A trail runner might use this model for hiking, walks with elevation gain or outings that are mostly on foot. Its protective structure and outsole for mixed terrain make sense in that setting, even when the route includes a short stretch of jogging.

For trail sessions where running is the main activity, a shoe designed specifically for running may offer a stride transition and ventilation better suited to that use. The choice is not simply about whether both shoes have lugs: the repeated movement of running places different demands on footwear from mountain walking.

How we put this review together: we have not tested these shoes. We wrote it by reading published lab tests, brand information and runners’ opinions.

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