Mens Waterproof Hiking Boots From Salomon

Hiking is one of the reasons I got into hunting because it initially gave me a way to be alone in the woods and get exercise at the same time.

Hiking is done by Millions of Americans every year and the majority don’t put enough attention to their shoes.

This blog will help you make sure you find the right size, fit, and comfort level for your mens waterproof hiking boots. 

1. Solomon Quest 4D 3 GTX Hiking Boot

Anyone who has visited an outdoor store has seen and heard plenty about Solomon boots and trail running shoes. I personally own a pair of trail running shoes and the Quest 4D GTX Hiking Boot. I bought these boots because I knew they would be great out in the higher mountains of the Rockies, Cascades, or Sierra Nevadas.

There are many features of this boot that I love and a few that I don’t like as much. First, I love the feel of the new 4D chassis that’s made from 2 midsole components for better control and comfort while walking over uneven terrain. I also love the Contagrip® TD sole because I’ve noticed the added traction on wet rocks and uneven terrain that is not as common in other boots. The added energy cell absorbs the shock from sharp rocks and boulders so your foot doesn’t get too fatigued. 

These boots are built with Gore-Tex to repel and prevent any water from entering your boots. I’ve noticed that they work really well, but if you submerge your boots while crossing a river, it won’t help much. This leads to one of my complaints about the boot, which is the breathability could be better. I notice that if I wear these boots in hotter climates like my state of Virginia, my feet sweat too much.

The only other gripe I have is my feet are really wide and I had to buy a size too big to accommodate my foot. Otherwise, these boots are incredible and you’ll notice how much energy they save you after a day of hiking. Even with a 40 lbs backpack on, I noticed that my feet never really get sore from the pounding they take on the mountains. Overall, these boots are well worth the money and they should last you around 3-10 years depending on how often you use them. 

2. Solomon X Ultra 3 Gore-Tex Hiking Shoe

The X ultra Gore-Tex Hiking shoe is one of the most thoughtful and best-selling hiking shoes in the world. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve seen with these shoes, but if you look at people’s feet while hiking, you’ll notice how many people wear these shoes. There are few reasons why you’ll love these shoes, but for starters, they weigh 0.84 lbs and are completely waterproof with the Gore-Tex and the special sealant they use on the outside of the shoe. These shoes have a much lower profile so you’ll have to take into consideration the possibility of rolling your ankle. However, Solomon builds such a great shoe that they built the shoe with a Contagrip® TD sole and Advanced Chassis system that ensures you have a stable footing no matter where you go. 

I recommend these shoes for anyone who is covering a lot of ground in warm climates with shallow streams to cross. These shoes are great for hiking into mountain lakes and rivers for fishing and camping. These shoes breathe better than the Quest boots, but don’t offer as much shock absorption. They do, however, offer an incredible feeling when you’re going back down the mountain. As most hikers know, your foot often gets sore after the repeated shock from your toes hitting the front of your boot as you try to control your descent down the mountain. These shoes will prevent you from dealing with that shock as you go down with its Advanced Chassis and Contagrip® TD sole. 

3. Solomon X Crest Gore-Tex Hiking Shoe

The Solomon X Crest Gore-Tex hiking shoe is one of my favorites because it offers the most breathability of any of their waterproof hiking shoes. If you’re anything like me and your feet get too sweaty with activity, these hiking shoes will be a good option for you. Solomon uses a mesh fabric on the top of the shoe to let air circulate throughout the shoe. If you’re worried about sweaty feet, socks play a big part in that too and you should try to get running wool socks that wick water away from your feet. The X Crest shoes are also one of the most affordable options from Solomon and still have most of the advanced technology they use in their high-end boots like the Quest.

The Solomon X Crest shoes weigh less than a pound each and offer the same protective toecap and Contagrip® TD sole as the more expensive models. You might give up a little smoother ride by buying the cheaper shoes, but if you’re on a budget, these are the best hiking boots under $150 that I’ve seen anywhere. They even come with a mudguard and gusseted tongue to prevent rocks, dirt, and any other debris from entering your boot. I highly recommend these boots for any new hiker or someone who doesn’t get out every week. 

How Do I Find The Correct Shoe Size?

The correct shoe size for each person is going to depend on your width, length, overall body weight, and preference. The first thing I’d do is find a running store or outdoor store that has the technology to measure your foot with laser imaging. Think of places like FleetFeet or any other specialty running store and they offer this test for free.

This is how I found out my foot was smaller than I’ve been measured at for my whole adult life. Once I got the right size shoe, I noticed my foot health has improved drastically. In regards to Solomon, use the shoe size guide they provide under the “Find Your Size" tab above the price on the website.

Conclusion

Solomon is one of the O.G. outdoor companies in America and has carved out quite a niche for their products. They have so many different styles of shoes and boots that you should be able to find exactly what you’re looking for. If you’re someone like me and need a 4E wide shoe, these shoes will hurt a little.

Luckily, trail running shoes and most mens waterproof hiking boots have a very open toe box to accommodate different widths of feet. I’d choose Solomon if you’re a serious hiker who puts on a lot of miles under uneven terrain and the occasional wet spot you have to cross.

Solomon Footwear is made for those hikers and outdoorsmen (and women) who live their lives outside and need a stable, durable, waterproof boot to play in the great outdoors. 

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