When it comes to outdoor footwear, choosing the right pair can make all the difference in your experience on the trails.
In this article, we will compare two exceptional models from Salomon: the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX Men’s Hiking Shoes and the Salomon XA Pro 3D V9 GTX Men’s Trail Running Shoes.
Each shoe is engineered with unique features tailored to specific activities, ensuring that whether you’re hiking rugged paths or sprinting through rocky terrains, your feet are well-supported and protected.
With GORE-TEX waterproofing, advanced chassis systems, and innovative traction technologies, both models promise to deliver performance and comfort.
Join us as we explore their key attributes and help you decide which shoe is the perfect fit for your next adventure.
Please also check these products’ features on their official websites because sometimes our articles may contain errors.
1. Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX Men’s Hiking Shoes
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Check it out on the official website.
The Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX Men’s Hiking Shoes are designed to excel in both uphill and downhill terrains. They offer the agility of a trail-running shoe combined with the stability, grip, and waterproof protection necessary for tackling technical terrain.
These shoes feature an updated chassis that enhances protection for sensitive articulations without compromising freedom of movement, making them ideal for single-day routes, hiking, alpine terrain, and mixed terrain.
The shoe’s GORE-TEX membrane ensures waterproofness, keeping your feet dry from both external moisture and internal sweat.
The outsole is equipped with Chevron lugs and All Terrain Contagrip, which provide deep penetration and multi-directional grip, improving traction on soft surfaces like mud or loose dirt. The EnergyCell midsole, made from high-performance EVA foam, offers excellent shock attenuation, enhancing comfort during long hikes.
For added stability and protection, the shoe incorporates the Advanced Chassis, a molded insert embedded in the outsole that offers strong lateral support while maintaining optimal mobility and flexibility.
The upper is made from durable synthetic material with a water-repellent treatment, ensuring that the fabric does not absorb water during light rain and showers. The gusseted tongue and protective toecap further enhance the shoe’s protective features, preventing debris from entering and safeguarding the foot.
The SensiFit system cradles the foot from the midsole to the lacing system, providing a secure and customized fit.
The Quicklace system allows for easy one-pull tightening, making the shoes easy to put on and take off. Inside, the molded OrthoLite sockliner matches the contours of your foot, delivering superior cushioning, breathability, and durability.
Additionally, the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX is designed with sustainability in mind, being PFC-free to reduce environmental impact. This makes the shoe not only a high-performance option for outdoor enthusiasts but also a more environmentally friendly choice.
Main Features and Materials
- Agile as a trail-running shoe
- Stability, grip, and waterproof protection
- New chassis for better protection and movement
- Suitable for single-day routes, hiking, alpine, and mixed terrain
- Low height
- High foot protection
- Stable foot support
- Weight: 390 g
- GORE-TEX waterproofness
- Chevron lugs for improved traction
- All Terrain Contagrip outsole for various surfaces
- EnergyCell midsole for shock attenuation
- Advanced Chassis for lateral support and flexibility
- Synthetic upper for durability and protection
- Water repellent treatment
- Soft, breathable textile lining
- Gusseted tongue to prevent debris
- Lace pocket for Quicklace system
- Protective toecap
- SensiFit for a secure fit
- Welded upper for a smooth fit
- Protective mudguard
- Active Support wings
- Molded OrthoLite sockliner for cushioning and durability
- Quicklace lacing system
- PFC-free for reduced environmental impact
- Upper materials: Synthetic / Textile
- Outsole: Rubber
- Inlay sole: Textile / Synthetic
2. Salomon XA Pro 3D V9 GTX Men’s Trail Running Shoes
Check it out on the official website.
The Salomon XA Pro 3D V9 GTX Men’s Trail Running Shoes are designed to offer stability, durability, and support for those who tackle challenging trails. Known as an icon in the trail running community, these shoes are super stable and tough, making them ideal for mixed and rocky terrains.
They feature a GORE-TEX waterproof membrane, ensuring your feet stay dry in various conditions. The shoes are enhanced with tailored lug patterns for improved grip and long-term protection, making them reliable for runners who typically run 2-3 times per week.
The All Terrain Contagrip outsole is engineered to provide durability and confidence on a wide range of surfaces, whether wet, dry, hard, or loose. The EnergyCell+ midsole offers high rebound and exceptional energy return, along with substantial cushioning and durability.
The 3D Advanced Chassis, situated between the outsole and midsole, enhances motion control, and energy management, and protects a precise, stable, and responsive ride.
Additional features include a protective toecap and a Quicklace lacing system for easy adjustments. The upper construction is made from synthetic and textile materials, incorporating recycled materials for sustainability.
Weighing 360 grams, with a lug depth of 3.5 mm and an 11 mm drop, these shoes are built to withstand the rigors of trail running while ensuring comfort and performance.
Main Features and Materials
- Stability, Durability, and Support: Designed for tough trail running, providing stability, durability, and support.
- Best for: Mixed terrain, rocky surfaces, and durable use.
- Cushioning: Moderate.
- Shoe width: Standard.
- Drop: 11 mm.
- Running terrain: Mixed terrain, rocky surfaces.
- Waterproofness: GORE-TEX membrane.
- Weight: 360 g.
- Lug depth: 3.5 mm.
- Outsole: All Terrain Contagrip for durability and confidence on various surfaces (wet, dry, hard, or loose).
- Midsole: EnergyCell+ for high energy return, substantial cushioning, and durability.
- Chassis: 3D Advanced Chassis for optimized motion control, energy management, and protection.
- Upper Construction: Protective toecap.
- Membrane: GORE-TEX to keep feet dry.
- Sustainability: Made from recycled materials such as PET bottles or material waste.
- Lacing system: Quicklace
- Lining: Textile.
- Inlay sole: Textile.
- Outsole: Rubber.
- Upper: Synthetic / Textile.
3. Comparison
Here are the main differences between these two products:
- Intended Use:
- X Ultra 4 GTX: Best for single-day routes, hiking, alpine terrain, and mixed terrain.
- XA Pro 3D V9 GTX: Best for mixed terrain, rocky terrain, and trail running with durability and stability for 2-3 runs per week.
- Weight:
- X Ultra 4 GTX: 390 grams.
- XA Pro 3D V9 GTX: 360 grams.
- Cushioning:
- X Ultra 4 GTX: High-performance EVA foam (EnergyCell) for shock attenuation.
- XA Pro 3D V9 GTX: EnergyCell+ for high-rebound, exceptional energy return, cushioning, and durability.
- Chassis:
- X Ultra 4 GTX: Advanced Chassis for strong lateral support, protection, optimal mobility, and flexibility.
- XA Pro 3D V9 GTX: 3D Advanced Chassis for motion control, energy management, and a precise, stable, and responsive ride.
- Lug Depth:
- X Ultra 4 GTX: Chevron lugs for deep penetration and multi-directional grip.
- XA Pro 3D V9 GTX: 3.5 mm lug depth with tailored lug patterns for grip and long-term protection.
- Upper Construction:
- X Ultra 4 GTX: Synthetic upper, water repellent, gusseted tongue, lace pocket, welded upper, protective mudguard, and Active Support.
- XA Pro 3D V9 GTX: Protective toecap and synthetic/textile upper.
- Sustainability:
- X Ultra 4 GTX: PFC free.
- XA Pro 3D V9 GTX: Made from recycled materials such as PET bottles or material waste.
Both models feature GORE-TEX for waterproofness, All Terrain Contagrip for traction, and the Quicklace lacing system for easy-on, easy-off functionality.
4. Which is Better?
When deciding between the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX Men’s Hiking Shoes and the Salomon XA Pro 3D V9 GTX Men’s Trail Running Shoes, the choice largely depends on the specific activities and terrain you plan to tackle.
The Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX is designed to be as agile as a trail-running shoe while providing the stability, grip, and waterproof protection necessary for technical terrain. This makes it ideal for single-day hiking routes and alpine or mixed terrain.
Its advanced chassis offers strong lateral support and protection for sensitive articulations, while the GORE-TEX membrane ensures your feet stay dry. The shoe’s outsole with chevron lugs and All Terrain Contagrip provides excellent traction on various surfaces, making it a versatile choice for challenging hikes or fast-paced mountain adventures.
On the other hand, the Salomon XA Pro 3D V9 GTX is a robust trail running shoe that excels in stability and durability, making it suitable for mixed terrain and rocky surfaces. It is particularly well-suited for those who run 2-3 times per week on rugged trails.
The 3D Advanced Chassis optimizes motion control and energy management, providing a precise and responsive ride. The shoe’s moderate cushioning and tailored lug patterns enhance grip and long-term protection, while the GORE-TEX membrane ensures waterproofness.
This model is perfect for trail runners who need a reliable, stable shoe that can withstand rough terrain.
In the end: if your primary activity involves hiking, especially in technical or alpine environments, the X Ultra 4 GTX would be the better choice due to its stability and protective features.
If you are focused on trail running on mixed or rocky terrain, the XA Pro 3D V9 GTX offers the necessary stability and durability to support your runs.