As much as I love hiking, I am not typically in the business of spending almost £200 on hiking shoes. However, after wearing the comfortable and stylish Salomon x Ultra Alpine GORE-TEX walking shoes, I might have to change my ways.
This pick of the best walking shoes are billed as best for single day routes, hiking, Alpine and mixed terrain. I have not been able to test them out on any Alpine summits - living in Greater Manchester as I do - but I have tackled the Pennine peaks and plateaus in them and there is always plenty of muddy, rocky and wet terrain to tackle there, especially at this time of year.
I tried the Salomon x Ultra Alpine GORE-TEX walking shoes in the black / orange / celadon tint colourway and they didn't disappoint both in terms of style and function.
Salomon x Ultra Alpine GORE-TEX review
Specifications
- Size range: UK 3.5-9.5
- RRP: £180
- Weight per shoe: 350g
- Materials: Nubuck leather and synthetic upper; Alpine Contragrip (rubber compound and lug profile)
- Waterproof? Yes
An overview of the Salomon x Ultra Alpine GORE-TEX shoes
While I am all for the traditional rounded walking shoe like the Jack Walker Lily Outdoor Shoes I also tested recently, I was immediately impressed by the design of these shoes. The Salomon x Ultra Alpine GORE-TEX walking shoes are unique in design - no mean feat in a somewhat saturated market. They look like you mean business - and so they should at £180 - but the list of impressive features means they are not just style over substance.
In autumn and winter seasons, you're sorted with the waterproof GORE-TEX layer material that encases your foot and the Alpine Contagrip - described as 'lug geometry designed specifically for changing Alpine terrain', which essentially means they're very grippy. A chassis construction promotes forefoot flexibility, keeping you comfortable as you move, and a combination of Nubuck leather and synthetic upper guarantees durability through many wears.
That’s just for starters - but you don’t need to understand the minutiae of how walking shoes are constructed to know these are serious walking shoes. From my first wear, they looked and felt the part. And what's more, they paired perfectly with jeans for a outdoorsy, city-to-trail look.
What are the Salomon x Ultra Alpine GORE-TEX like to wear?
Given the name, ideally, these would be tested on some Alpine terrain, but as mentioned, the Pennines had to do. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending how you look at it), there has been torrential rain of late so I could see how they fared in wet conditions, similar to what you'd get in Alpine territory. Given the impressive GORE-TEX and Nubuck leather materials, it's perhaps no surprise to hear these remained fully waterproof through the walks and continued to feel snug on my feet whether I was walking across moorland, scrambling over slippery rocks, or navigating slick city roads.
Despite putting these beige-topped shoes through the mill, every time the walking shoes looked like new on my return. The water bounced off the membrane and the mud more or less refused to stick to the sole. It made life a lot easier as I didn't have to spend time cleaning and scrubbing my shoes post-hike, unlike my fellow woman&home tester had to do with the Merrell Moab Speed 2 GORE-TEX walking shoes.
I tried them in size 7.5, which fit perfectly with plenty of wriggle room for my toes. I also felt they locked in nicely, offering plenty of support through my walks, with the midsole SensiFit technology. There was also plenty of cushioning from the off, making these suitable for wear all day on the trails - and in the office. These are not the type of shoes you need to spend time wearing in, unlike many walking shoes out there.
How do the Salomon x Ultra Alpine GORE-TEX shoes compare?
Having reviewed plenty of walking shoes and walking boots over the years, I can say that these do live up to the hype and price point. I'd never normally spend upwards of £150 on walking shoes but these changed my mind.
My Salomon x Ultra Alpine GORE-TEX walking shoes ended up being a talking point on the hills one day with a friend - they are uniquely stylish in the sea of black, brown, and blue leather walking shoes, while staying away from the bright, bold designs that can sometimes go too far the other way - like the Teva Trailwinder Low trainers. Although, these are another great pair of walking shoes.
Importantly they allow for agility, and keep your feet bone dry while allowing them to breathe, all the while protecting you from painful bumps and slips. If you are looking for mid-height boots, as opposed to the lower shoe, for greater support around the ankle, then look at something like the Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge, £155, which provides plenty of grip and protection from the rain and for a slightly lower price.
Equally, if you're looking for something a little more old school with a price tag a little more budget friendly, I'd recommend the Ariat Skyline Summit Low walking shoes. Sleek and discreet, they are just as waterproof as the Salomon x Ultra Alpine GORE-TEX shoes.
Are the Salomon x Ultra Alpine GORE-TEX walking shoes worth buying?
The Salomon X Ultra Alpine GORE-TEX is a standout walking shoe from a design perspective, pairing just as well with waterproof trousers as with jeans or regular trousers. Importantly though, this is a shoe that truly does both. I provides all the premium features you would expect and need from a shoe for a comfortable hike.
Sure, if your walking amounts to urban environments only or gentle walks in your nearby park, these might be a little excessive in features. Yet, with walking shoes and hiking clothing from Salomon, Arcteryx, and Patagonia making an appearance on runways and fashion blogs in recent years, you'll be fitting in with the new wave of gorpcore style.
If you are regularly hiking in varied terrain, pushing yourself to tackle mountains and munros or have a big hiking holiday coming up in a testing environment, it makes sense to purchase walking shoes of this calibre.
Ultimately, if you are a keen hiker and can afford this level of walking shoe, then why not treat yourself and enjoy all the key features. Your feet will thank you for it.
