Salomon X Ultra 360 Review: A Waterproof Trail Shoe for Real-World Walking

Introduction

The Salomon X Ultra 360 is a waterproof trail shoe built for walking tracks, trails, and mixed terrain. It sits somewhere between a traditional hiking boot and a lightweight trail runner, and that middle ground turns out to be exactly where it makes the most sense.

After more than 300 km of use across muddy paths, mountain climbs, and wet bogland, the shoe has held up remarkably well. It still does not feel worn, and the first 100 km passed without any real break-in period. The comfort improved with use rather than fading, which is the opposite of what many walkers expect from a structured shoe.

The X Ultra 360 is not aimed at technical terrain or fast mountain running. It is aimed at the long, ordinary miles that most walkers actually cover, and it handles those with a composure that is easy to appreciate once you are on your feet for a few hours.

Who the Salomon X Ultra 360 Is For

This shoe suits walkers who want more structure and stability than an everyday trainer offers, without the weight and bulk of a full hiking boot. It is a natural choice for anyone moving from boots into something lighter, or from general walking shoes into something with more support.

It also works well for people who walk in wet climates. The waterproof build makes a genuine difference when the forecast is unreliable, and the shoe is comfortable enough to wear as an everyday walking shoe rather than only on hiking days.

It is less suited to walkers who want maximum cushioning for repeated long-distance days. A softer, more padded trail runner may be the better answer for that specific use case, particularly when the same feet are covering long distances day after day.

Main Strengths: Comfort, Stability, and Grip

Fit is the first thing to note. Earlier generations of this shoe family had a narrower fit that did not work for every foot, but the X Ultra 360 offers a wide enough midfoot and toe box to feel genuinely comfortable on longer walks. That roominess at the front matters most on descents and on days when your feet swell.

The second strength is structure. The sole is stiffer than a typical trail runner, and the side-to-side flex behaves differently, giving the shoe a distinctly more solid feel underfoot. That translates into stability on uneven ground and a sense of control when the surface is loose or slick.

Grip comes from Salomon’s own Contagrip rubber outsole rather than a third-party compound. In practice it has proven reliable across wet tracks and mixed ground, with no slips or falls attributed to traction. Durability has been just as convincing: after several hundred kilometres, including routes far more demanding than the shoe was designed for, the outsole and upper still look and perform well.

That combination of a roomy front, a stable platform, and dependable traction is what makes the X Ultra 360 feel more capable than its intended use suggests.

Waterproof Protection and Quick Lacing

The tested version uses a Gore-Tex waterproof lining, which has been a real benefit through months of persistent rain. Wet ground and long spells of drizzle stop being a concern, and the shoe stays comfortable when the weather turns.

The quick lace system is one of the more enjoyable details. Instead of unlacing and relacing every time, you pull the cord and go, which makes getting out the door noticeably faster. The tension has held firm throughout longer walks, including a 20 km outing that required no readjustment mid-route.

One practical note: because the waterproof lining sits inside the shoe, anything that repeatedly presses into the front of the toe box can eventually damage it. Getting the size right protects both your toes and the waterproofing.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Sizing is the main thing to plan around. Salomon footwear tends to run small, and two people trying the same model can end up with very different experiences: one may find the fit perfect while another finds the same size feels tight. Ordering your usual size without checking is a risk, and trying them on in person is the safest route.

Cushioning is the second consideration. The X Ultra 360 is more structured than a trail runner, and that firmness is part of what makes it stable. If your plan involves consecutive long days on hard trails, a generously cushioned trail runner may leave your feet feeling fresher.

Terrain matters too. This shoe is designed for easy walking tracks and trails and mixed terrain rather than anything highly technical. It has coped impressively well with rougher ground, but that is resilience rather than a design goal.

None of these points are dealbreakers. They are simply the questions worth answering before you commit, because the right shoe for a weekend trail walk is not always the right shoe for a multi-week route.

Sizing and Fit Guidance

When you try the shoe on, the rear half should feel secure. There should be no movement through the midfoot, no pressure points across the arch, and no rubbing at the heel that could turn into blisters later.

The front half should feel different: spacious, with your toes able to spread and sit clear of the end of the shoe. Aim for roughly a finger to thumb’s width of space between your longest toe and the front of the shoe, so your feet have somewhere to go on descents and during long days on your feet.

Treat the size on the box as a benchmark rather than a guarantee. The same person can wear anything from an EU 36 to an EU 40 depending on the brand and the activity, so buy the fit rather than the number.

Buying Advice

Buy this shoe for what it is: a stable, waterproof walking shoe for tracks, trails, and mixed ground. If that describes most of your walking, the fit, structure, and grip make it an easy recommendation, and the durability means it will keep earning its place over multiple seasons.

Prioritise fit above everything else. Try them on if you can, size up if you are between sizes, and pay attention to how the heel and midfoot feel compared with the toe box. If your plans lean toward long-distance walking with heavy daily mileage, compare the cushioning against a softer trail runner before deciding.

Look after the waterproofing by keeping your toenails trimmed and your sizing generous, and the shoe should stay comfortable and dry for a long time.

Conclusion

The Salomon X Ultra 360 gets the fundamentals right. It is comfortable, stable, and grippy, it keeps water out, and it has proven far more robust than its intended use would suggest. For walkers who want one dependable shoe for tracks, trails, and everyday miles, it is a strong and genuinely reassuring choice, provided the fit suits your feet.