Salomon Men's Outbound Prism GTX Shoes

Product Information

Merrell in particular has a number of high-quality options, including the legendary Moab (a popular first hiking shoe or boot for many folks) and fast-and-light MQM Flex.

Salomon Hiking Footwear: How to Choose | Switchback Travel Salomon Hiking Footwear: How to Choose | Switchback Travel

Everyday wear: With dual tones and a modern silhouette, this shoe is easy to wear every day, whatever you’re doing - from a hike in the country to a museum visit. And like the Mid, the X Ultra 4 GTX shoe got a recent revamp, with notable changes including a modernized look, revised Quicklace system and chassis, and higher-volume fit in the toe box. The OUTline is another one of Salomon’s running-inspired designs, with a light and decidedly modern build that wears well around town (not something we say often about hiking shoes). In testing the mid-height version of the shoe, we experienced discomfort from the narrow toe box on steep terrain and were disappointed by the lack of ankle support and structure. To help you gauge a shoe’s abilities, Salomon has a helpful graphic on each product page that highlights the level of support, ranging from flexible to stable.As we mentioned above, the 4’s collar also sits fairly low and is more prone to letting in trail debris and water, and it’s slightly wider than the prior generation (although both are still on the narrow side of average). Keep in mind, however, that cutting weight often translates to reduced durability, as evidenced with the OUTline Low GTX (1 lb. For reference, we found the Triple Crown to be very comfortable and breathable, although it was a noticeable step down in support and stiffness than options like the X Ultra and Quest above (even the similarly light X Raise will offer a boost in stability for navigating tricky terrain). As we touched on above, Salomon’s Quest is a step up from the X Ultra in stiffness, coverage, and overall protection but still plenty comfortable over long distances.

OUTLINE PRISM GTX | Salomon OUTLINE PRISM GTX | Salomon

With seven colors to choose from the men’s and women’s versions combined, these shoes are not only for adventure but also suited for casual social settings (sometimes even for work, when work doesn’t require formal attire). This makes the X Ultra our preferred option for long and challenging days on the trail, but the Vaya has its place for those aimed at moving quickly and efficiently over less aggressive terrain. The gusseted tongue and the collar of these Salomon walking trainers are designed to keep debris from getting stuck in the interior. The design is decidedly basic with a standard lacing system (no Quicklaces), no waterproofing, a synthetic upper, and none of Salomon’s premium midsole or outsole upgrades, but it’s perfectly serviceable for day hiking and the occasional short backpacking trip. Given these experiences, we think the X Ultra 4 balances its priorities a bit better, but the X Raise is a nice alternative for hikers who put a premium on comfort and want a flexible, trail runner-like feel.And finally, the XA Pro is pretty thin at the top, which can lead to abrasion and tears through the fairly minimalist mesh upper. Café® technology, this sockliner cover is made from coffee grounds, which are great at managing moisture and controlling odor. The Salomon OUTline Prism GTX felt like one of the bigger shoes in the test thanks to the wide footbed, which then tapered and curved to provide a supportive mid section and cushioned heel. Stability-wise, several features accommodate tread and steadiness, namely, the outsole’s relatively wide base (wide in comparison to its fit). All told, it's a really stylish and modern-looking shoe with enough of a technical slant for light day hiking.