Salomon Outline Mid Gore-Tex, Men's waterproof hiking shoe

Product Information

Although this convenient lacing system can be found on some of the brand’s most popular shoes – such as Speedcross, XA Pro, and X Ultra 3 – it is not present on Salomon Outline GTX. And while this model’s simple, flat laces work just fine, its tongue might give you some issues. When I first got these Salomon hiking sneakers, I took them to Australia for a three-week trip full of hikes through the bush, in humid rainforest, and along beaches. They served me well and have remained comfortable on the walks I've done since then.

Waterproof tops water resistance and water repellency. However, just like bulletproof vests cannot protect against certain types of bullets, the GORE-TEX outline is unable to keep water from seeping through in certain conditions. One of the first days I wore the shoes on our trip, it was pouring rain and, unfortunately, my feet didn't stay entirely dry. But let’s not dwell on what you don’t have, instead we shall teach you how to ascertain your size using some common household objects. Shoe models made by this brand are among the most rugged products of this type on the market – there’s no doubt about that. In terms of durability, Salomon excels – I’ve had very few problems with their footwear to date.This test will tell you if the shape of the internal heel cup matches your heel to ensure it holds you securely, especially when ascending steep ground. We are trying to eliminate the dreaded heel blister. On each Salomon Outline GTX hiking shoe, there is a Contagrip outsole right beneath the EVA midsole. This outsole sports generously-spaced and relatively deep 5mm lugs, and these provide more stability during walking and running than the lugs found on many other shoes in this price category.

Outsole:The OUTlines are built witha runninglast and feature Salomons own Hight Traction Contagrip as well as 5mm deed lugs to ensure you get a great grip on loose or wet ground. At 1 pound 8.6 ounces for the Low GTX men’s version, the OUTline undercuts Salomon’s popular X Ultra 3 GTX (1 lb. 10.8 oz.) and XA Pro 3D V8 (1 lb. 10.1 oz.). For those who want to cut even more weight, Salomon’s X Raise GTX saves you 1 ounce for the pair, or you can go with a trail running shoe like the non-waterproof Altra Lone Peak 5 at 1 pound 6.2 ounces. And for a comparable hiking shoe with waterproofing, the Adidas Terrex Swift R2 GTX is the exact same weight as the OUTline. However, I always have to make two knots or the laces untie at some point while I'm walking. It's not that big of a painpoint but it does take longer to untie them again after the walk. Midsole:The midsole is an injected EVA that helps to protect your joints and muscles and adds to the overall all-day comfort of the shoe. the midsole flexeswith you whilst you're running whilst still giving you ample stability on technical terrain.All in all, I’d say that Salomon Outline GTX is a good choice for moderate and short hikes. Using them for serious instead of light hiking is something I definitely wouldn’t recommend – especially if you don’t have narrow feet. Fit & Sizing Salomon shoes often run narrow, but the OUTward is a bit more generous and a great match for those with average feet. The fit of this men’s shoe is a bit narrow (more on that later), especially in the toe box area. However, this can also be seen as an advantage – if you have low-volume feet, i.e. if your feet are particularly narrow, the Salomon Outline Low GTX shoes are an ideal option for you. As I mentioned above, Salomon Outline GTX is a somewhat narrow shoe, although this is true for most of this brand’s footwear. The model has a snug fit, particularly in the toe box and in the middle of the foot. In addition, it is not available in wide sizes.

One thing worth mentioning here is that a lot of folks typically end up using Salomon Outline GTX only for day hiking in good weather. Given that, you may want to consider getting yourself the non-waterproof variant of this shoe, especially if you don’t appreciate hiking in wet conditions. You’ll be saving on both money and weight (the non-waterproof variant costs and weighs less). In general, Salomon shoes tend to run a bit narrow, and the OUTline is no exception. The shoe is on the snug end of the spectrum both in the middle of the foot and toe box, and does not come in wide sizes. If you have narrow feet, this shoe likely will fit you well, and those with regular feet should try them on beforehand to make a determination. In terms of sizing, the OUTline fits true. Our testers bought their regular sizes (9 and 12) and both were the correct length. Finally, we recommend wearing these shoes around town or at home before hitting the trail. Some lightweight hiking shoes manage to fit great out of the box, but we had some mild discomfort after putting in a decently long day right off the bat. These Salomon trainers are equipped with a High Traction Contagrip outsole. In case you're not familiar with the design, it leverages three factors to ensure the best grip possible: Density, Compound, and Geometry.However, even after the most rigorous assessment and testing, there is no better way to be absolutely sure than to have the boots on your feet for an extended period of time. We therefore offer our Home Trial Period which gives you the opportunity to wear the boots around your house to give you an indication of how they feel before you venture outside. We recommend that during the Home Trial Period that you wear the boots for as long as possible and at different times of the day, wear them up and down stairs, when moving around and when resting, you can even sleep in them if you want. As I said a couple of times throughout the article, the Salomon Outline GTX is constructed like your typical trail running shoe. Elevate your athletic performance with Salomon trainers. Designed for those who demand the best, these trainers combine functionality and style seamlessly. Whether you're a dedicated runner, a fitness enthusiast, or a sports enthusiast, these trainers provide the perfect blend of support, comfort, and responsiveness.

Now that your boots are done up properly stand up on your tiptoes and walk on the spot on the balls of your feet as if you are walking up a steep hill. If your heels lift more than approximately 5mm from the footbed you may need to pull the laces tighter, or the boots may just be the wrong shape for you.

Waterproof materials

In addition, the outsole of these Salomon trekking shoes is a mixture of multiple ingredients. The recipe provides the necessary compounds for diverse surfaces. Furthermore, the fact that this is a truly lightweight shoe means that it doesn’t offer as much protection, cushion, and arch support as some other models made by Salomon, despite the fact that it features an Ortholite insole and an EVA midsole. Of all hiking footwear brands, Salomon is at the top of the heap in terms of build quality—we’ve had very few issues with the brand to date. Out of the box, the Salomon OUTline Low GTX was noticeably light in its construction but seemed to be right in line with what we’ve come to expect. However, after our initial hike, we noticed that the low-profile rubber toe cap already had begun to peel away. On one shoe, it’s already separated, and simply pushing down on the toe of the other caused it to separate. In our opinion, that’s unacceptable and something that shouldn’t happen until way down the road when the rest of the shoe is starting to give out. No other part on the shoe indicates durability issues, but we sincerely hope that Salomon improves the connection point at the toe cap.