Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX Sustainability Report

The synthetic upper is reinforced in high-wear areas but lacks the full protection of leather. The tread wears relatively quickly, and the foam midsole is vulnerable to abrasion. A decent choice for moderate trail use, but won’t wear well when subjected to off-trail abuse or long hauls.

Choosing durable outdoor gear is perhaps the most effective way to reduce environmental impact—the longer it lasts, the less it needs to be produced. Our proprietary longevity rating evaluates overall build quality based on factors such as materials, fabric denier, component durability (including zippers and toggles), real-world performance as reported by our field testers, and our experiences with the brand. Overall, we feel strongly that reducing overall consumption is a cornerstone of sustainability.

The Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX contains recycled materials, but Salomon does not specify which fabrics these are. As a result, we only give the X Ultra 5 Mid GTX partial points for this criterion. In 2024, Salomon used 8% recycled materials in its soft goods production (down from 10% in 2023). The company has set a goal for 100% of its raw materials to come from recycled, recyclable, or bio-based materials by 2030.

Outdoor gear can be made partly or entirely from recycled materials, the most common being nylon, polyester, wool, and down. Some products include a single recycled component or a partially recycled fabric, while others are 100% recycled (generally excluding accessories like zippers, Velcro, toggles, etc.). For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate the amount of recycled materials in a particular product and assign points accordingly.

The X Ultra 5 Mid GTX is treated with a PFAS-free DWR. As of 2024, around 95% of Salomon’s products are treated with a PFAS-free durable water-repellent coating. Its Gore-Tex footwear line has been PFAS free since 2020, and the brand aims for 100% of its products to be PFAS free by the end of 2025. It has yet to publish an update on whether it has achieved this goal.

The DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish is a product’s direct defense against outside moisture, and commonly contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These synthetic compounds, known as "forever chemicals,” are found in a range of gear categories, from jackets to footwear. They resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade in nature, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

This boot features a PFAS-free waterproof membrane from Gore-Tex.

The membranes of certain waterproof products, including rain jackets, ski jackets, ski bibs, hardshells, and hiking footwear, commonly contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These synthetic compounds, known as "forever chemicals,” resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade in nature, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

The leather used in the X Ultra 5 Mid GTX’s upper is certified to LWG standards. Additionally, 100% of the leather used in Salomon footwear is sourced from Leather Working Group-certified suppliers.

Companies typically source responsible leather from suppliers that meet the Leather Working Group Standards (LWG). LWG is a third-party non-profit organization that assesses the environmental impact of leather manufacturers and ensures compliance with its standards. This includes assessing water and energy use, waste and chemical management, air and noise emissions, traceability, health and safety, and the use of restricted substances. The LWG also gives tanneries ratings (bronze, silver, and gold), which we take into account when making our ratings.

None of the materials in the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX are Bluesign approved. That said, Salomon is a Bluesign System Partner and the company has been working with Bluesign since 2022 to expand the Bluesign standard to the footwear industry.

Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile certification system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A Bluesign-approved material indicates that it has undergone a rigorous vetting process based on the criteria above. A Bluesign Product goes the next mile, containing at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and at least 30% Bluesign-approved accessories.

Many of Salomon’s finished goods suppliers are audited by Fair Trade, the Social and Labor Convergence Program, Better Work, and Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production. Additionally, Salomon’s parent company, Amer Sports, owns five winter sports manufacturing facilities across Europe that are certified to the ISO 14001 standard for environmental management systems as well as the European Union’s Ecomanagement and Audit Scheme (EMAS). Adhering to the ISO 14001 allows companies to lower their environmental impact, follow legal requirements, and meet company sustainability goals. Salomon meets our requirements for responsible manufacturing.

This criterion evaluates a brand's commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing its environmental impact throughout the production process. Responsible manufacturing is most commonly demonstrated through certifications and membership in programs such as Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accreditation of Production, and the Fair Labor Association. We also recognize brands that prioritize local production, such as those that manufacture primarily in the United States or Europe, to reduce carbon emissions, maintain better oversight of working conditions, and comply with strict social and environmental regulations.

Salomon uses poly bags made from 100% recycled material, and packages its footwear in Forest Stewardship Council-certified cardboard. The company also removed the filling paper from its rigid shoe and alpine boot categories, saving an estimated 40 tons of paper per year.

Packaging can add significant waste to an outdoor gear purchase and often ends up in landfills. Many brands are using recycled packaging and/or making efforts to reduce packaging altogether. For example, they may use a certain percentage of recycled cardboard or make efforts to use less plastic or paper across their packaging operation. In some cases, brands also use Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, which helps to ensure sustainable sourcing of forest materials.

Over the past several years, Salomon has launched a handful of fully recyclable products, such as the Index running shoe series and Brigade Index ski helmet. Still, it does not offer a resale platform, and it still has significant room to grow when it comes to developing recyclable products. The company does not yet meet our criteria for resale or recycling services; however, Salomon aims to offer at least one repair, recycling, second-hand sale, or rental program for its entire product line by 2030.

Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation for longer and out of landfills. The most common form is a trade-in program, where consumers can exchange items for store credit, which is then resold. Some brands accept products back for recycling at the end of their life, thereby reducing waste. Occasionally, some do both.

Salomon has been tracking its greenhouse gas emissions since 2019. The company set a Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi)-verified goal to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% and its Scope 3 emissions by 30% by 2030, compared to its 2019 baseline. Like all Amer Sports brands, it is also targeting net-zero emissions by 2050. Unfortunately, thus far, the brand has yet to make any net progress toward reducing its emissions.

This criterion evaluates whether this brand measures its greenhouse gas emissions, along with its commitment to reduction and transparency in reporting. Typically, we require brands to follow established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. Most companies use the widely recognized scope categorization system for measuring brand emissions. Those who earn the most points in this category have emissions reduction goals verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a global organization that helps companies set greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. To verify their goals through SBTi, companies undergo a rigorous assessment process and continual follow-up to ensure consistent progress towards achieving their targets.

Both Salomon and its parent company, Amer Sports, publish thorough annual impact reports. Salmon’s impact report includes information about its manufacturing practices, recycled material use, carbon emissions tracking, and waste reduction, providing ample insight into its sustainability progress.

An impact report is an important step toward transparency and accountability on the sustainability front. These reports vary in form but generally cover topics such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, waste and water usage, supply chain analysis, and packaging efforts. For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate this criterion based on the depth and quality of the information provided in the report, and how often it is produced. Some brands produce their own impact report, while others are published by their parent company. In practice, we’ve found that reports produced by individual brands include more detailed information about their sustainability efforts.