Salomon X Extremely 5 GTX Mountaineering Shoe Overview

Descending the South Kaibab Path into the Grand Canyon at sundown is an unforgettable expertise. However it’s additionally a check of nerves, particularly when navigating steep, slender switchbacks with hundreds of ft of publicity off one aspect. I used to be heading down to satisfy pals halfway by their Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim push, and each step demanded full focus. 

That’s when the Salomon X Extremely 5 GTX actually earned my belief. From the primary crunch of free gravel underfoot, these footwear gave me a planted, secure really feel that turned sketchy ledges and free descents into assured strides. Agile but safe, they let me transfer rapidly and comfortably by some of the dramatic trails I’ve ever hiked.

Whereas navigating uncovered switchbacks, gritty water crossings, and sun-blasted slabs within the Grand Canyon, I cinched up this shoe and gave it a real-world stress check. The decision? It’s a path software constructed for agility and management, significantly the place steadiness and precision are essential.

Briefly: The ladies’s Salomon X Extremely 5 GTX ($170) is a water-proof mountain climbing shoe that mixes the nimbleness of a path runner with the rugged safety and grip of a mountain climbing boot. This shoe shines when the path turns steep, rocky, or downright sketchy. I discovered it particularly confidence-inspiring on free descents and uneven ridgelines, the place its aggressive tread, secure platform, and exact match helped me keep surefooted. It’s not essentially the most cushioned journey on the market — should you’re after pillowy consolation, look elsewhere — however for tackling technical terrain with management and agility, it’s exhausting to beat. Only a heads-up: Salomon’s Quicklace system isn’t for everybody, so it’s price making an attempt on earlier than committing.

Evaluate the Salomon X Extremely 5 GTX with the finest mountain climbing footwear for ladies. Like this shoe however need extra assist? Take a look at our overview of the Salomon X Extremely Mid 5.

Salomon X Extremely 5 GTX Overview

Salomon X Extremely 5 GTX Overview

The fifth-generation X Extremely line builds on a robust legacy. Salomon refined the ADV-C Chassis for improved lateral stability and midfoot assist with out including weight or stiffness. Mixed with the SensiFit higher building and a cushioned, locked-in heel, the match feels cosy and safe, good for fast-paced hikes over difficult terrain.

The Quicklace system continues to divide opinions, however I discovered it quick, even, and dependable. It tucks away neatly, making a smooth profile. Nonetheless, there’s no backup if it fails — a carryover concern from the X Extremely 4. In the event you choose a conventional lacing system, this could be a downside.

Nevertheless, Salomon did enhance the collar on this model: it’s softer and stays in place higher, making longer put on extra snug with out compromising ankle mobility.

Traction, Match, and Help

Traction is among the most noticeable enhancements within the X Extremely 5 GTX. The up to date Contagrip MA outsole gives elevated grip throughout dry and moist terrain. I used to be grateful for that replace whereas navigating the Grand Canyon trails. 

With 5mm lugs, the outsole bites properly into the path whereas remaining easy sufficient to stroll on pavement sections. The torsional assist from the chassis and midsole creates a strong platform with out feeling stiff. Even with a 20- to 25-pound daypack, the shoe at all times felt secure and supportive.

The general match of the X Extremely 5 GTX runs true to dimension. Nonetheless, it leans towards a performance-oriented really feel, primarily by the midfoot, the place it hugs extra snugly for added management on uneven terrain. The toe field gives simply sufficient room for my toes to splay naturally, which helps on lengthy hikes when my ft swell within the afternoon warmth. 

When you’ve got significantly vast ft or choose a roomier match total, this may match too cosy, particularly on hotter days or multi-hour treks. In that case, I’d suggest testing the Altra Lone Peak 9. They’re designed with vast ft in thoughts and have a a lot roomier toe field, making them a extra forgiving possibility for these prioritizing area and luxury over a locked-in match.

Waterproofing & Breathability

The GORE-TEX lining lives as much as its repute right here. I stood in shallow creek water within the canyon for over a minute and stayed utterly dry. Snow patches within the Rockies? No downside. Wet spring trails? Dry socks. These footwear actually maintain their very own as a dependable journey companion in moist circumstances.

However due to the GTX lining, the breathability suffers a bit. On 80- to 90-degree days within the desert, the shoe ran heat, and the artificial mesh didn’t dump warmth in addition to extra ventilated fashions. The non-GTX model could be a greater name for decent summer season hikes, however the trade-off is price it in shoulder seasons or moist climate.

Sturdiness That Delivers

Salomon upgraded the higher with extra sturdy overlays, and it reveals. Scrambling by scree fields and over downed timber didn’t faze the shoe, even when my coronary heart began pumping. The strengthened construct held as much as abrasion and not using a hitch, giving me the arrogance to deal with the terrain forward as a substitute of worrying about my footwear maintaining.

The protecting toe cap did its job, shielding my foot from bruising impacts on rocky trails, whereas the midsole and overlays held up impressively properly. Regardless of a number of weeks of desert treks and excessive alpine hikes, indicators of wear and tear and tear have been minimal, proving that these footwear are constructed to take a beating.

These footwear are constructed to take a beating; regardless of a number of weeks of desert treks and excessive alpine hikes, indicators of wear and tear and tear have been minimal.

Room for Enchancment

Although it meets many of the standards I search for in a rugged mountain climbing shoe, the X Extremely 5 GTX has just a few spots for enchancment. The Quicklace system, whereas environment friendly, lacks a backup within the occasion of a discipline failure, which can be a deal-breaker for extra conventional hikers or thru-hikers.

Breathability is one other downside. On scorching, dry summer season hikes, particularly in desert environments, the GTX membrane can lure warmth, inflicting the shoe to really feel heat over lengthy distances.

Lastly, whereas the efficiency match provides precision, these with wider ft or preferring a extra relaxed toe field could discover it slightly cosy out of the field. Relying in your mountain climbing model and surroundings, these aren’t deal-breakers, however price contemplating.

Conclusion

The Salomon X Extremely 5 GTX is a girls’s mountain climbing shoe with efficiency, safety, and precision. It’s well-suited for adventurous hikers who transfer rapidly and canopy different terrain, particularly in environments the place traction and stability are essential.

The 2025 model improves grip, sturdiness, and luxury whereas sustaining a smooth and supportive design. The Quicklace system could not enchantment to everybody, and breathability suffers in heat climate, however total, it’s a dependable performer for technical hikes and transitional circumstances.

In the event you’re trying to ditch the majority of mountain climbing boots with out dropping the management and confidence on technical terrain, the Salomon X Extremely 5 GTX delivers. For lengthy trails, combined circumstances, or alpine loops, it’s a shoe you’ll belief to take you there and again.