Backside Line
We fell in love with the Salomon X Extremely 4 Low mountain climbing footwear throughout testing. These footwear present mild to reasonable help that hugs the contours of your foot with out feeling tight or proscribing. The ankles and tongue have additional padding for added consolation. The traction is unparalleled and we felt assured on steep uphills and downhills, in addition to rock hopping throughout creeks.
Whereas the supplies of the Salomons don’t really feel fairly as strong because the leather-based uppers on a few of our different favourite ladies’s mountain climbing shoe picks, they nonetheless really feel sturdy sufficient to deal with the damage and tear of the path for a number of seasons of use. Though these footwear are usually not waterproof, they impressed us with their climate resistance when rock hopping alongside a creek.
With their light-weight supplies and streamlined look, we additionally love how the footwear required no break-in time and instantly felt like a pure match.
How We Examined
We hiked in Sonoma Valley, California over miles and miles of uneven, steep terrain which at instances required the usage of a handline. We took them via water crossings and trekked via each dry rocky terrain and over slick, moist surfaces.
Fast Specs
Girls’s Salomon X Extremely 4 Low
Finest Mountaineering/Path-Operating Hybrid
CleverHiker Ranking:
81.3/100
Worth:
$140
Weight (Pair):
1 lb. 6.4 oz.
Heel-to-Toe Drop:
11 mm
Execs
- Light-weight for a way sturdy/supportive they’re
- Little or no break-in wanted
- Wonderful traction
- Breathable
- Secure
- Extensive sizes out there
- Fast Lace System provides a cosy match
Cons
- Not as sturdy for off-trail use
- Fast Lace System takes getting used to
Consolation
These footwear are undeniably snug. They require no break-in time, supply the right steadiness of weight and help, and embrace additional padding across the ankle and tongue. Even after miles of mountain climbing on assorted and uneven terrain, we didn’t have any soreness, hotspots, or aching arches. Nevertheless, the Salomons do are inclined to run giant and we needed to dimension down a full shoe dimension to get the best match.
This pair feels nimble and athletic with a design that hugs the midsole to supply a personalized match round your foot. Their molded insert gives additional lateral help, mobility, and suppleness to adapt to the terrain. Additional, the textile lining gives unparalleled breathability to permit sweat to evaporate.
In comparison with different footwear in our lineup, the Salomons didn’t really feel stiff proper out of the field. Whereas they’ve a firmer cushion, they’re nonetheless very accountable and supply extra power return with every step.
Whereas the quick-lace system can seem a bit clunky, we truly loved its simplicity and safety – it by no means loosened on the path and we recognize the highest pocket to tuck away the laces. This one-pull tightening technique supplied a cosy match that saved her toes from sliding round within the shoe.
Traction
Boasting Contragrip chevron lugs, the X Extremely 4 Lows are ready to deal with all kinds of terrain from moist and dry to exhausting and free surfaces. From testing these footwear within the discipline, we will affirm that the Salomon’s traction is extremely aggressive and reliable.
When rock hopping, mountain climbing down steep slopes, or scrambling uphill, we by no means felt unstable. They really feel nimble and light-weight and supply precision on technical terrain so they’re a superb shoe for alpine environments.
Weight
The X Extremely 4 Lows are one of many lighter choices in our lineup. These footwear are light-weight, making you’re feeling agile on any sort of terrain. They’re glorious for these seeking to shed ounces on path.
Nevertheless, the lighter weight is a little bit of a trade-off with sturdiness; whereas the Salomons are nonetheless a high-quality mountain climbing shoe, they don’t rank as excessive on this metric as different footwear in our lineup with thicker, extra strong uppers.
Sturdiness
In comparison with many different shoe fashions available on the market, the X Extremely 4 Lows are well-made, dependable, long-lasting, and gained’t disappoint the every day hiker. Nevertheless, if you’re planning on intense bushwacking or carrying heavy masses whereas backpacking, you might have considered trying a burlier shoe.
Salomon contains an anti-debris mesh function to assist forestall particles from getting trapped contained in the footwear whereas mountain climbing. In addition they designed them with a protecting mudguard that wraps across the circumference of the shoe.
Climate Resistance
Though we examined the Salomon X Extremely 4s of their non-GORE-TEX mannequin, we had been pleasantly stunned by their water resistance and skill to resist moisture even with out waterproofing. When hopping throughout creeks, our toes stayed dry and cozy.
When holding the shoe beneath a stream of water for nearly 30 seconds, the footwear repelled the moisture and solely left our socks barely damp from the water that snuck in over the ankle. Fortunately, the Salomons are extremely fast-drying.
We additionally recognize their top-notch breathability. The fabric permits air to circulate out and in, limiting hotspots from overheated toes. Throughout testing, our toes stayed at a cushty temperature even when mountain climbing exhausting uphill.
Ought to You Purchase the Salomon X Extremely 4 Low?
The Salomon X Extremely 4 Low is a wonderful decide for individuals who prioritize mild weight, consolation, traction, and breathability of their footwear. It excels on technical terrain with its nimble really feel and comfortable, safe match. We prefer it as a every day hiker for all sorts of terrain. Nevertheless, should you’re planning on intense backpacking expeditions whereas carrying heavy masses, these footwear could not present the help you want. Ultralight backpackers can nonetheless recognize these footwear for his or her low weight and agility.
What Different Girls’s Mountaineering Sneakers Ought to You Take into account?
If there are belongings you like about these footwear however aren’t completely bought, there are different related choices to contemplate from our information to the very best ladies’s mountain climbing footwear:
La Sportiva Spire GTX Assessment: The La Sportiva Spire GTX is a wonderful choice if you’re in search of a shoe with an analogous form and agency cushioning because the Salomon X Extremely 4 Low. The La Sportivas come at the next value level, but additionally include elevated sturdiness and waterproofing (that can be extremely breathable). Nevertheless, these footwear are a lot stiffer, require extra of a break-in time and lack the identical floor really feel because the Salomons.
Saucony Peregrine 14 Assessment: The Sauconys weigh a bit lower than the Salomons and are a superb crossover choice for these hikers who additionally like to path run or go fastpacking within the mountains. Nevertheless, they aren’t as appropriate to of us with wider toes, whereas the Salomons can higher accommodate a wider vary of foot shapes.
HOKA Speedgoat 6 Assessment: The Speedgoat 6 is one other shoe that can be utilized for each mountain climbing or path working, whereas the Salomon X Extremely 4 lows are usually not designed for this goal. It’s considerably wider than the Salomons and never as snug across the ankles resulting from the next reduce and lack of padding.