There’s an indescribable tranquility to going hiking. You’re surrounded by nothing but the soft sound of the rustling leaves, the chirping birds, and the wind flirting with the trees.
Now, while all that’s extremely peaceful, it can become significantly less so if you’ve spent hours in the great outdoors with the wrong footwear. That’s because the wrong shoes can lead to aches and pains that distract from the beautiful scenery around you.
One sturdy brand that’s known for creating great hiking boots is Saloman. Salomon, a name synonymous with quality, innovation, and cutting-edge design, has etched out a significant space in the outdoor sport industry, particularly revered for their top-tier hiking shoes. This guide dives into the Salomon brand, why they make great boots, and what their unique features are to help you stay comfortable on the trails.
A Bit of Background on Salomon
Before diving into some of the finer details of Salomon boots, let’s take a second to talk about who this brand is and where it came from.
Salomon is a name that’s been echoing in the outdoor sports world for over 70 years, known for its dedication to quality, innovation, and performance. When Francois Salomon and his family started their business in the French Alps in 1947, they sought to bring a new level of passion and precision to the outdoors, beginning with skiing.
Among the myriad of items they offer, Salomon’s hiking shoes stand out as a testament to their innovative design and quality craftsmanship. The hiking boot segment of Salomon has continued to grow and gain popularity, earning critical acclaim from both experts and casual hikers alike.
Whether you’re conquering a thrilling trail or embarking on a casual countryside wander, you’ll often notice a pair of Salomon boots making their way through rocks, mud, and grass.
What Sets Salomon Apart from Other Brands
There are a multitude of brands in the hiking boot market, all promising superior functionality. So, what is it that makes Salomon boots stand out, exactly?
Let’s go over a few different reasons why Salomon is such a unique brand.
Exceptional Lightness and Comfort
When you’re out on the trail, lugging around a bulky boot can be incredibly tiresome. Salomon hiking boots, however, are designed to be ultra-lightweight, ensuring a comfortable hike without compromising on support. Take the Salomon Quest boots, for example.
Designed with a 4D Advanced Chassis™, the boot guides the foot and reduces fatigue, even on the roughest of terrains.
Versatile Variety
Salomon’s diverse range of designs, catering to numerous outdoor activities such as hiking, trail-running, and mountaineering, is another huge draw. The brand provides excellent options for men, women, and children alike.
For instance, you’ll find everything from street-savvy shoes to the much hardier Men’s Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boot.
Sustainable Practices
Moreover, environmentally conscious hikers can appreciate Salomon’s efforts towards sustainability. The brand has committed to reducing its overall impact on the environment, which adds a positive dimension when you purchase one of its pairs of boots from Jesse Brown’s Outdoors.
Unique Features of Salomon Hiking Boots
Salomon boots are special in that they offer several features that are unique to their brand. These features include:
- Contragrip outsoles
- Sensifit system
- OrthoLite Footbed
- Quicklace System
Let’s take a closer look at these features.
Proprietary Contragrip Outsole
This technology ensures optimal traction on a multitude of surfaces. For hiking in different conditions across mossy forests to arid deserts, Contagrip can greatly enhance stability and prevent slipping, making treks across even the trickiest terrain more manageable.
Sensifit System
Further enhancing the fit and comfort is the Sensifit system. This feature cradles your foot from the midsole to the laces, ensuring a secure, snug, and virtually custom fit all around the foot. It’s a feeling akin to the boot hugging your foot, providing the comfort needed for long treks. You can find this feature in the Men’s Salomon XA PRO 3D V9 Hiking Shoe, for instance.
Gore-Tex Materials
Many Salomon hiking boots, such as the Men’s Salomon XA PRO 3D GORE-TEX Hiking Shoe, use Gore-Tex, which is designed to last and withstand harsh outdoor conditions. When hiking in a variety of climates, these boots hold up and show impressive longevity, even after plenty of wear and tear.
OrthoLite Footbed
Salomon also an OrthoLite footbed in shoes such as the Men’s Salomon XA PRO 3D V8 Hiking Shoe. Thist is essentially a special insole that creates a cooler, drier, healthier, and better-cushioned environment under the foot. This can have a significant impact on your hiking experiences, providing continual comfort and much-needed support on long hikes.
Quicklace System
Many Salomon boots, like, for instance, the Men’s Salomon XA PRO 3D GORE-TEX Hiking Shoe, feature a quicklace system. This is a strong and minimalist lace that allows one-pull tightening, making it incredibly easy to put on and take off your boots. This might seem like a minor detail, but when you’re out on the trail and need to adjust your shoes or quickly change out wet socks, it really does make a difference.
The Best Salomon Hiking Boots for Different Types of Hikes
Salomon consistently stands out as a top performer for a wide variety of hiking expeditions. So, whether it’s a day hike you’re on, backpacking trips, or trail running, there’s a Salomon shoe out there for you. Let’s go over a few options for various types of hikes.
Day Hikes
For day hikes, I often recommend the Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX. It’s a lightweight boot that offers impressive support and comfort for those shorter, day-long treks. Coupled with enhanced stability and great traction, these boots are perfect for navigating both mellow forest paths and rocky hill trails. What’s more, the dependable waterproof GORE-TEX technology keeps your feet dry in sudden downpours or accidental puddle splashes.
Backpacking Trips
For backpacking trips, where long miles and heavy loads are common, you need the extra support, durability, and robustness provided by the Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX. They incorporate sturdy leather uppers and an advanced 4D Advanced Chassis, which guides the foot, reducing fatigue during long, strenuous hikes. It also features a waterproof GORE-TEX lining, ensuring dry and comfortable feet in all weather conditions.
Trail Running
For trail running, the Salomon Tech Light can be a good pick. They’re lightweight and feature aggressive tread, ensuring excellent traction over various trail surfaces — crucial when you’re moving at speed. The SensiFit design securely cradles the foot, enhancing comfort and fit. As a bonus, they’re available in an array of vibrant colors to match your style and mood.
Considerations when Choosing the Right Hiking Boots
If you’re ready to pick up a pair of Salomon boots for yourself, there are a few things you’ll need to consider as you choose your boots. Otherwise, you could wind up with a pair of footwear that’s not appropriate for the type of hiking you plan to do.
Here are a couple of things to keep in mind as you choose a pair of Salomon boots.
Terrain
The type of terrain you’ll be traversing has tremendous relevance to your choice of boot. For instance, lightweight and flexible hiking shoes like the Men’s Salomon XA PRO 3D GORE-TEX Hiking Shoework splendidly for day hikes on well-defined paths, while you won’t regret opting for a sturdier and more supportive boot like the Salomon QUEST Rove for tackling uneven, rocky terrain.
Weather
For dry, summer hikes, footwear with excellent ventilation is a godsend. Look for Salomon shoes that feature a breathable mesh lining, in this case. On the other hand, if you’re facing unpredictable climates or wading through streams, waterproof boots become essential.
Hike Length
On long hikes, comfortable footwear is crucial. For multi-day treks and heavy backpacking, you’ll want boots with a high shaft, good ankle support, and a sturdy, comfortable sole. The Women’s Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boot stands out in this regard due to its advanced Chassis system, reducing fatigue over extended periods of trekking.
Boot Features
Various elements of a boot need to be scrutinized, including the outsole, insole, midsole, uppers, and cuffs. For example, Salomon’s patented Contagrip outsoles offer an excellent grip on slippery or muddy surfaces. Similarly, their SensiFit system cradles the foot, providing a snug, comfortable fit, which I’ve found makes a world of difference on long hikes.
Fit
The fit of the boots is something Salomon has perfected. Length, width, arch type, and volume all come into play. Discomfort on the trail can be minimized and even avoided if you get a hiking boot that accommodates your foot shape correctly.
Get Out on the Trails With a Pair of Salomon Hiking Boots
Salomon’s role in the hiking boot market is not just marked by its quality products but also by its consistent innovation. They’ve got numerous features, such as their Contragrip soles, Gore-Tex exteriors, and Sensifit technology, that make them ideal for all kinds of different trail conditions.
Although choosing the right hiking boot can be daunting, Salomon’s extensive range facilitates this choice, offering well-crafted and durable boots designed to enhance your hiking experience.
If you’re ready to get started with a pair of Salomon hiking boots, head over to Jesse Brown’s Outdoors and browse the options. Or, if you’re not quite ready to buy, sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll send more insider tips that will help you pick the right pair of shoes.