Salomon Outline, Men's Hiking Shoes Light and Strong Grip

Product Information

One of the first days I wore the shoes on our trip, it was pouring rain and, unfortunately, my feet didn't stay entirely dry. It’s worth noting the tongue separates from the upper at the base of the ankle, so you won’t want to submerge the boot in anything deeper, but there’s still ample protection for the vast majority of uses. Even the 2-ounce-heavier X Ultra 3 feels noticeably more secure with its wider base, as do most other lightweight hiking shoes. However, its narrowness doesn't allow for the high-impact toe spread that comes with jogging downhill, so we have mixed reviews on its usefulness as a trail runner. It falls short of the OUTward in overall support, stiffness, and durability, but it’s nevertheless a competitive option for minimalist backpackers and those who like to move fast.

Salomon Outline GTX review: testing hiking sneakers Salomon Outline GTX review: testing hiking sneakers

Finally, as I touched on above, the locking eyelet at the top is a highlight of the design and does a great job keeping your feet in place—provided you don’t have the pressure point issue that I dealt with along the inner ankle. The OUTline is most at home on short day hikes on established trails and without a serious pack, and the flexible construction of the Mid wouldn’t convince us to take it off-trail or on an overnight trip. Salomon’s heritage, culture, and commitment are tied together by one simple concept: the world’s leading mountain people creating the world’s leading mountain products. All in all, the Merrell is more comfortable and better suited for long days on the trail, but we have some concerns about the very flexible lugs wearing and being torn off over rough surfaces like granite (time will tell here). Both shoes are pretty flexible and don’t excel over technical terrain or when carrying a heavy pack.Obviously, the mid version offers more stability, but if your usual trails are not quite rocky, the low version is a good choice. Our guess is that this soft liner is there for comfort, but it results in a part of the shoe that stays wet for longer than the rest of it. It’s what you grab for nearly any type of outdoor adventure, whether it’s a hike, bike ride, or day on the slopes.

OUTLINE PRISM GTX | Salomon

On the other hand, a lot of reviews I read about these Salomon GORE-TEX shoes before trying them applauded the shoe’s waterproofness so it might be that, as I was wearing shorts that day, my feet got wet because the rain run in, rather than through the shoes. But slip these on and they feel like a cross between a pair of trail runners and a more casual trainer, immediately comfortable rather than highly taught and technical. Lightness, cushioning and comfort on long hikes has won over many converts and I've shamelessly jumped on the bandwagon myself, leading to some of my most comfortable hiking days, even when carrying a heavy pack. The shoes breathed well on a warm and smoky day in the Cascades, and after submerging them in multiple stream crossings, our feet remained dry and the mesh-like uppers dried quickly.However, just like bulletproof vests cannot protect against certain types of bullets, the GORE-TEX outline is unable to keep water from seeping through in certain conditions. By the end of the day, both testers had tired feet and felt the impacts of the trail more than anticipated. However, for those with slender feet who have struggled to find a well-fitting hiking shoe, this is the one.

Salomon Clearance | Cotswold Outdoor Salomon Clearance | Cotswold Outdoor

However, for those carrying a heavier pack or covering more distance, we would recommend a shoe with more support. However, after our initial hike, we noticed that the low-profile rubber toe cap already had begun to peel away.

Engineered with precision and crafted with the highest quality materials, these shoes are designed to take your outdoor adventures to the next level. I think wearing good hiking socks plays a big part it in as well as how easily your feet heat up and sweat.

Salomon | Cotswold Outdoor Salomon | Cotswold Outdoor

ounces, and its thicker build and in-house waterproof liner falls short of premium Gore-Tex when it comes to breathability. Topping our hiking boot round-up this year is the X Ultra 3 Mid GTX, which weighs the same as the OUTward at 1 pound 15.With the iconic Salomon Speedcross series, including the highly sought-after Salomon Speedcross 5 and the latest Speedcross 6, you can unleash your inner trailblazer and embrace the thrill of high-speed off-road running. On one hand, the boot is quite a bit more cushioned and offers better shock absorption than Salomon’s own OUTline model.