Salomon Outline, Men's Hiking Shoes Light and Strong Grip

Product Information

Whether you’re a first-time backpacker or a seasoned veteran, everyone could use a good list to make sure they’re prepared when they head out on the trail. The trail was well-built and wide, and although we crossed some rocks and the occasional boulder field, the hiking conditions were good throughout (many of the thru-hikers were wearing trail running shoes like the Altra Lone Peak and Brooks Cascadia). In addition, the boot’s locking eyelet at the top does a great job keeping your foot securely in place and has required no readjustments due to loosening. No mud can ever hinder your pace since the lugs are well-spaced enough to let the mud come off on its own.

Salomon Outline | Advnture Review: Salomon Outline | Advnture

These Salomon sneakers are also stitch-free, light, and slim fit, giving it a snug-like feel that complements its overall aesthetics. The result is a jacket that’s light to wear and that folds up into a brilliantly small parcel for carrying in a pack. In this case, it’s an easy decision for us: the new OUTward outperforms the OUTline across the board.

As lightweight gear gains popularity among outdoor enthusiasts, above-the-ankle hiking boots are quickly becoming obsolete. The thick sole and waterproof coating around the circumference of the upper also allow this pair to stand up to stepping through puddles one or two inches deep. On the trails the Ortholite insole and EVA midsole provide just the right amount of cushioning and the shank below gives enough protection from stones and rocks on all but the most gnarly terrain. The OUTline has a decidedly narrow fit, left our feet sore at the end of a long but non-technical day hike, and multiple toe caps on the shoes started peeling back early on.

Salomon Outline GTX review: testing hiking sneakers Salomon Outline GTX review: testing hiking sneakers

The Salomon Outline, by bonding the fabric, waterproof membrane and protective backer into a single fabric, has cut its weight without sacrificing its rain, wind and snow-protection qualities. With a total drop of 9mm (19mm heel stack, 10mm forefoot stack), this pair falls within a typical range for drop (i. Again, this move likely helped keep the boot’s weight down, but we think Salomon would have been better off matching the wider platform of the X Ultra. That puts it in hiking shoe territory, as the La Sportiva Spire low-tops that I tested around the same time only weighed about 1 ounce less.

Its insole and collar are comfortable for longer days, it has reliable traction on both rock and hardpack dirt, and it is supportive and stable enough to give us confidence moving quickly across looser earth. Salomon trail running shoes are a game-changer for those who crave the thrill of off-road adventures.

Salomon OUTline Hiking Shoe Review | Switchback Travel

Combined with the mesh layer, we aren't as concerned about big toes quickly wearing the top of the toe box thin. The Low seems like the more logical choice: it’s light on the foot and feels like a running shoe while still retaining good traction. We love the more natural movement through the environment and the reduction in fatigue versus a heavy boot, but if you're more used to rigid footwear then this can take some getting used to. Stability is as you would expect from a lightweight trainer inspired shoe, you'll either love or hate the way this feels in the mountains.

It has the same listed weight as Salomon’s X Ultra 3 Mid and undercuts popular competitors like the La Sportiva Nucleo High II (2 lbs. The OUTline Low comes in both waterproof and non-waterproof versions, while the Mid currently is only offered in a GTX. The insole is known for its long-term cushioning, high-level breathability, and moisture-management qualities. Salomon’s commitment to innovative design and passion for mountain sports created a vast range of revolutionary new concepts in bindings, boots, skis and apparel for both alpine and nordic skiing and brought innovative solutions to footwear, apparel and equipment for snowboarding, adventure racing, mountaineering, hiking, trail running, and many other sports. We didn't experience any catastrophic failures during testing, but we do have a few features to flag.

OUTLINE PRISM GTX | Salomon

They’ve seen a wide mix of terrain and conditions, and I’ve had no concerns crop up—something we didn’t experience with the lighter OUTline, whose toe cap began to peel away after just one long hike. The X Raise does include Salomon’s Quicklace system, which can be a bit polarizing, but we think it’s the far better shoe.The tread gripped nicely on everything from rocks to light mud, although the softer flexing design does mean it doesn’t hold as nicely in off-camber sections as the X Ultra (more on this below).