Salomon X Ultra 360 Hiking Shoe Review
The Salomon X Ultra 360 ($135) proves you can get a protective, supportive hiking shoe without spending top dollar. Its comfort is a little polarizing: it has a firm feel underfoot that’s far from plush and doesn’t encourage fast movement. And if you have wider feet, this is likely one to skip altogether. But the X Ultra 360’s overall on-trail performance exceeds its modest price tag, with durable materials and reliable traction in most conditions.
Comfort
Support and Stability
Traction
Durability
Foot Protection
Sustainability
Weight
1 lb. 8 oz.
Waterproof
No (WP available)
Upper
Synthetic
Outsole
Contagrip rubber
Pros
Cons
Salomon X Ultra 360
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Hiking Shoes.
I can best describe the Salomon X Ultra 360’s comfort as middle-of-the-road. The shoe provides a stiff, supportive ride with decent padding, but its narrow fit ultimately limits its overall comfort—at least for my feet. Right out of the box, the rigid build underfoot quickly stood out. These are easily the stiffest hiking shoes I’ve used, noticeably firmer than both The North Face Ultra 112 WP and the Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX I had been wearing previously. Still, the collar and tongue have a decent amount of padding, and Salomon’s Quicklace system does a good job locking the foot down without loosening over time.
What the stiffness translates to on the trail is that the Salomon X Ultra 360 feels heavy and plodding rather than light and nimble. I found it wasn’t as comfortable as my Hoka Anacapas or Brooks Cascadias for pushing hard and moving quickly, especially on smoother, well-groomed trails where the shoe’s extra structure isn’t needed. On rougher terrain, that tradeoff makes sense—but on easier trails, it can feel like more shoe than you need.
A final issue for me was the fit. Even with average-width feet, these felt noticeably narrow—especially through the midfoot. On steeper hikes, like a 1.9-mile climb in California’s Verdugo Mountains with 1,700 feet of elevation gain, my arches became extremely sore and would sometimes ache for days afterward. Even on less demanding hikes, and after swapping the included insoles for my more supportive Superfeet inserts, I still experienced lingering foot pain.
If you’re looking for a stable, supportive hiking shoe, the X Ultra 360 is one of the more well-suited (and most affordable) options available. I typically gravitate toward flexible, running-adjacent models like Hoka’s Anacapa 2 or the Brooks Cascadia line, but the added stiffness here was a welcome change. On uneven terrain—including logs, rocks, and loose trail in the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains—I felt noticeably more planted. You still get some ground feel, but the overall platform feels much more secure.
For a low-cut shoe, heel hold is especially solid. That’s thanks in part to Salomon’s plastic Advanced Chassis, which wraps around the heel and provides strong lateral stability. Compared to The North Face’s Ultra 112 WP, I didn’t experience any heel slippage, and that added security let me wear these during light scrambling, rock hopping, and loose ascents up to exposed ridgelines without feeling unstable or close to slipping. The Quicklace system also helped keep my feet locked in place without loosening over time.
The X Ultra 360 uses Salomon’s All Terrain Contagrip rubber outsole, which delivers decent traction across most hiking conditions. The roughly 4.5 mm lugs are arranged in a tightly spaced chevron pattern, with forward-facing lugs at the toe and midfoot and rear-facing lugs at the heel, similar (but not quite as aggressive) to what you see on the Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX.
Out on a typical trail, that translates to solid, dependable grip. I used these for light scrambling and hiking on loose and slick terrain without any issues. On a muddy hike in the Santa Monica Mountains after a rainstorm, they held well on soft, slippery trail, and I was able to move confidently without slipping. That said, the tight spacing between the lugs means they’re prone to caking up, and the firm compound lacks the tacky grip on rock that you’ll find with a premium outsole like Vibram’s Megagrip. But for most on-trail hiking surfaces and conditions, the traction here is more than adequate.
Even at its low $135 price point, the Salomon X Ultra 360 feels impressively tough and well-built. The outsole is stiff and durable, and the rubber toe cap wraps fully around the front of the shoe, offering more coverage than the smaller, partial caps you’ll find on models like the Anacapa 2. There’s also added reinforcement around the heel, which helps protect against bumps and trail debris. The synthetic upper doesn’t feel quite as premium as leather (nor will it soften up like leather with use), but it’s still fairly thick and has held up well so far. The Quicklace system and overall stitching also feel solid and built for long-term use.
After about 50 miles of hiking, the shoes show typical signs of wear, but nothing concerning. The outsole has some minor lug wear, and the upper and laces show light use, but there are no tears, loose stitching, or structural issues. Overall, the exterior is holding up well for the category. What’s stood out most to me, though, is the interior durability—especially around the heel. I tend to wear through heel linings quickly, often within 30 to 50 miles if the fit isn’t dialed, but that hasn’t been the case here. The lining is still intact, with no major breakdown or holes forming.
Foot protection on the X Ultra 360 is solid across the board, with a few tradeoffs depending on where you’re looking. Up front, the rubber toe cap offers plenty of coverage, wrapping over most of the toe box. It proved its worth on the trail and helped absorb the impact from a few toe stubs without any pain.
Along the sides, protection is a bit more moderate. The synthetic upper doesn’t feel quite as robust as leather, though Salomon does offer a $155 leather version if that’s a priority (at the sacrifice of some breathability). That said, it still handled incidental bumps from rocks and trail debris without issue. Around the heel, protection improves again thanks to the plastic Advanced Chassis, which adds structure and helps shield against impacts while also stabilizing the rear of the foot.
Underfoot, you can still sense the terrain, but it’s much more muted compared to most other hiking shoes I’ve worn. On rocky trails, that translates to a smoother ride—you can roll over uneven surfaces without feeling sharp pressure points. The tradeoff is less ground feel, but if protection is the priority, the X Ultra 360 delivers.
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Longevity
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PFAS-Free DWR
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PFAS-Free Waterproof Membrane
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Responsible Leather
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Bluesign Approved
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Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
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Resale and/or Recycling Services
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Annual Impact Report
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At 1 pound 8 ounces per pair, the non-waterproof Salomon X Ultra 360 is competitively light on paper. It’s similar to popular models like the Keen Targhee Apex Waterproof and Danner Trail 2650. The weight never felt like a burden: Even on longer efforts—like a 12.9-mile hike with 2,400 feet of elevation gain to Pacifico Mountain or a 12.3-mile, 3,000-foot climb up Fox Mountain in the San Gabriel Mountains—they never felt like bricks on my feet. That said, as I touched on above, the shoe’s stiff construction saps energy and gives it no fast-moving feel at all. So while its weight is competitive, it’s not a quick and nimble hiker.
The version I tested isn’t waterproof, and once water rises above the midsole, it will quickly seep in through the fabric. That said, in 3- to 4-inch muddy conditions, I didn’t notice any moisture getting through. (If you want waterproofing, Salomon offers a Gore-Tex version for $155.) On the plus side, breathability is excellent. Even during longer hikes or in warmer conditions, my feet never felt overly hot or clammy.
The X Ultra 360, like many Salomon shoes, runs narrow. While my men’s size 10 length felt true to size, as someone with average-width feet, I found the shape squeezed the sides of my foot. On longer outings, I also experienced blisters on my pinky toes from rubbing against the side of the toe box. I tried swapping in different insoles to help, but the tightness never really went away, and eventually I had to stop wearing them after about 50 miles.
Otherwise, I liked the Quicklace system’s snug, glove-like fit, though it doesn’t offer the same level of customization as traditional laces. If you’re considering this shoe and don’t have narrow feet, sizing up is worth considering. Or, if you’re set on a Salomon shoe, the pricier X Ultra 5 is offered in wide sizes.
Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX ($175): A Quality Upgrade
If you like the fit of Salomon’s hiking shoes and are willing to make a slightly larger investment, consider stepping up to the X Ultra 5 GTX. There are plenty of similarities: both offer comparable stability and protection, along with Contagrip outsoles and the Quicklace system. But the X Ultra 5 makes meaningful gains in quality, comfort, and durability, including a Kevlar-reinforced upper, superior cushioning, and a more aggressive outsole. As a true hiking all-rounder, the X Ultra 5 is the better option, but it’s hard to argue with the 360's cost savings for occasional users. To learn more, check out our Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX review.
Merrell Moab 3 ($140): A Better Fit For The Masses
One of the all-time classic hiking shoes, the Merrell Moab 3 offers a more universally appealing fit, with a wider midfoot and toe box. It’s also the clear comfort leader of the two, with softer cushioning both underfoot and at the tongue and collar. You pay a roughly half-pound weight penalty with the Moab 3, but it delivers numerous on-trail benefits, including a durable, leather-reinforced upper. Ultimately, unless you have a narrow foot shape, the Moab 3 is the better all-around choice. For more, read our Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof review.
A supportive, budget-friendly hiker, the X Ultra 360 delivers strong stability, durability, and protection without the premium price tag. It’s not plush underfoot and will be too narrow for some, but for moderate miles on varied terrain, it’s a dependable pick.
Comfort
Support and Stability
Traction
Durability
Foot Protection
Sustainability
Salomon’s popular lightweight hiker offers a nice balance of agility, protection, and durability for everything from easy trails to cross-country travel. It’s not as soft and cushioned as a trail runner, and the fit runs narrow, but it’s otherwise a top all-around performer.
Comfort
Support and Stability
Traction
Durability
Foot Protection
Sustainability
Merrell’s classic hiking shoe features plush padding for comfort, a durable and protective leather upper, and a stiff build that can easily forge its way through most terrain. It’ll last significantly longer than most lightweight synthetic hiking shoes. However, it’s too heavy and clunky for many modern hikers.
Comfort
Support and Stability
Traction
Durability
Foot Protection
Sustainability
Is the Salomon X Ultra 360 for You?
If you’re on a tighter budget, don’t plan to cover many miles, and want a day-hiking shoe with solid durability and support, the Salomon X Ultra 360 is a suitable option. That said, you’ll want to ensure its potential compromises aren’t dealbreakers: the narrow fit certainly won’t work for everyone, and the firm base isn’t particularly comfortable. We think there are products with far wider appeal that don’t cost much more, including the Merrell Moab 3 (as a traditional hiking option) or the Brooks Cascadia (for a lighter-weight trail-running design).
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