Backside Line
We fell in love with the Salomon X Extremely 4 Low climbing sneakers throughout testing. These sneakers present mild to average assist that hugs the contours of your foot with out feeling tight or limiting. The ankles and tongue have further padding for extra 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 sturdy because the leather-based uppers on a few of our different favourite ladies’s climbing shoe picks, they nonetheless really feel sturdy sufficient to deal with the wear and tear and tear of the path for a number of seasons of use. Though these sneakers aren’t 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 sneakers 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 occasions required the usage of a handline. We took them by way of water crossings and trekked by way of each dry rocky terrain and over slick, moist surfaces.
Fast Specs
Ladies’s Salomon X Extremely 4 Low
Greatest Climbing/Path-Working Hybrid
CleverHiker Score:
81.3/100
Worth:
$140
Weight (Pair):
1 lb. 6.4 oz.
Heel-to-Toe Drop:
11 mm
Professionals
- Light-weight for the way sturdy/supportive they’re
- Little or no break-in wanted
- Wonderful traction
- Breathable
- Steady
- Broad sizes obtainable
- Fast Lace System provides a cosy match
Cons
- Not as sturdy for off-trail use
- Fast Lace System takes getting used to
Consolation
These sneakers are undeniably snug. They require no break-in time, provide the right stability of weight and assist, and embrace further padding across the ankle and tongue. Even after miles of climbing on various and uneven terrain, we didn’t have any soreness, hotspots, or aching arches. Nevertheless, the Salomons do are likely to run giant and we needed to dimension down a full shoe dimension to get the proper match.
This pair feels nimble and athletic with a design that hugs the midsole to offer a custom-made match round your foot. Their molded insert offers further lateral assist, mobility, and suppleness to adapt to the terrain. Additional, the textile lining offers unparalleled breathability to permit sweat to evaporate.
In comparison with different sneakers 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 vitality 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 respect the highest pocket to tuck away the laces. This one-pull tightening technique supplied a cosy match that stored 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 onerous and unfastened surfaces. From testing these sneakers within the subject, we are able to affirm that the Salomon’s traction is extremely aggressive and reliable.
When rock hopping, climbing down steep slopes, or scrambling uphill, we by no means felt unstable. They really feel nimble and light-weight and provide 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 sneakers are light-weight, making you are feeling agile on any sort of terrain. They’re wonderful for these trying 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 climbing shoe, they don’t rank as excessive on this metric as different sneakers in our lineup with thicker, extra sturdy uppers.
Sturdiness
In comparison with many different shoe fashions in the marketplace, the X Extremely 4 Lows are well-made, dependable, long-lasting, and received’t disappoint the each day hiker. Nevertheless, in case you are planning on intense bushwacking or carrying heavy hundreds whereas backpacking, it’s your decision a burlier shoe.
Salomon contains an anti-debris mesh characteristic to assist forestall particles from getting trapped contained in the sneakers whereas 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 have been pleasantly stunned by their water resistance and talent to face up to moisture even with out waterproofing. When hopping throughout creeks, our toes stayed dry and comfy.
When holding the shoe underneath a stream of water for nearly 30 seconds, the sneakers 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 respect their top-notch breathability. The fabric permits air to movement out and in, limiting hotspots from overheated toes. Throughout testing, our toes stayed at a snug temperature even when climbing onerous uphill.
Ought to You Purchase the Salomon X Extremely 4 Low?
The Salomon X Extremely 4 Low is a wonderful choose for individuals who prioritize mild weight, consolation, traction, and breathability of their footwear. It excels on technical terrain with its nimble really feel and cushty, safe match. We prefer it as a each day hiker for all sorts of terrain. Nevertheless, in the event you’re planning on intense backpacking expeditions whereas carrying heavy hundreds, these sneakers could not present the assist you want. Ultralight backpackers can nonetheless respect these sneakers for his or her low weight and agility.
What Different Ladies’s Climbing Footwear Ought to You Take into account?
If there are belongings you like about these sneakers however aren’t completely offered, there are different related choices to think about from our information to the most effective ladies’s climbing sneakers:
La Sportiva Spire GTX Overview: The La Sportiva Spire GTX is a wonderful choice in case you are 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 sneakers are a lot stiffer, require extra of a break-in time and lack the identical floor really feel because the Salomons.
Saucony Peregrine 14 Overview: 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 don’t seem to be as appropriate to people with wider toes, whereas the Salomons can higher accommodate a wider vary of foot shapes.
HOKA Speedgoat 6 Overview: The Speedgoat 6 is one other shoe that can be utilized for each climbing or path working, whereas the Salomon X Extremely 4 lows aren’t designed for this goal. It’s considerably wider than the Salomons and never as snug across the ankles on account of the next reduce and lack of padding.
