Men’s Salomon Crosstrak Powder Waterproof Boot Review

Bottom Line

The Salomon Crosstrak Powder is an exceptionally rugged and weather-resistant boot fit for the most demanding winter environments. Tested in single-digit temperatures – snowshoeing and hiking in Alaska’s deep winter – the Crosstrak Powder withstood whatever we threw at it. Its relatively tall shaft height, combined with supreme weather resistance, makes it a standout choice for long adventures in deep snow.

Armed with some of the most aggressive tread we’ve seen, the Crosstrak Powder has supreme traction for uneven terrain. It also has unique lugs on the midsole, adding traction when sidehilling or walking on uneven terrain. If you are planning hikes in serious rocky, icy, and snowy terrain, then the Crosstrak is the perfect companion. We loved its 7.25-inch shaft height, which is among the tallest for technical winter boots in our lineup. Combined with a gaiter loop in the toe, the Crosstrak Powder provides great coverage for deep snow.

The Crosstrak Powder incorporates Salomon’s signature Quicklace system. However, the laces are excessively long, so cinching and storing them proves to be finicky, particularly while wearing gloves. Although this system can be somewhat cumbersome to use, it kept our feet snug and secure without the need to cinch or retie them during an outing. For an adventure-ready boot that can tackle any condition, check out the Salomon Crosstrak Powder.

How We Tested

We tested the Salomon Crosstrak Powder over two months in Alaska’s frigid winter conditions. We thoroughly evaluated every aspect of this boot while snowshoeing and hiking down to zero degrees to bring the most comprehensive and well-researched analysis possible.

Comfort

Weighing in at 2.5 pounds per pair, the Crosstrak Powder is one of the lightest boots in our lineup. When testing these boots on multi-hour hikes in Alaska’s Chugach Range, we loved how unencumbered they felt. The quicklace system secures the foot from the toes up to the ankle, and we love the micro adjustments this system allows. The boots also open up extremely wide. Two large handles make sliding these boots on and off quick and easy.

However, the laces are excessively long, so stowing them in the lace storage pocket can be tricky, especially with gloves on. It’s worth noting that the Crosstrak Powder runs slightly large, so we recommend sizing down a half size for a less roomy fit. Like most of Salomon’s products, they tend to run on the narrow side, so those with wider feet may not find these to be the best fit for their feet.

Warmth

We used these boots down to zero and had no issues with cold feet.  

We were pleasantly surprised with the warmth the Crosstrak Powder provides for such a lightweight and trim boot. They’re packed with Salomon’s adv.WARM polyester insulation, which surprised us with its low bulk and high warmth. They quickly became our go-to for hikes in zero to twenty degree temperatures. Although these boots lack the negative airspace and serious insulation to keep feet warm when people are standing still all day in single-digit temperatures, they provide the perfect amount of insulation for hiking and moving in cold temperatures for hours at a time.

Traction

The Crosstrak Powder earns top marks for having some of the best traction of any winter boot we tested. The soft rubber compound provides excellent grip on ice, and the deep lugs bite into loose snow while their wide space helps to shed clumping. With tread looking like monster trail running lugs, the boots impressed us with their ability to keep a grip when sidehilling or descending steep and slippery slopes. Another unique feature to increase traction is the wrap-around lugs on the midsole. These help to increase traction while sidehilling or in uneven terrain. The Crosstrak Powder provides exceptional traction -in ice and powder – making it a favorite for any winter adventure in the backcountry.

Weather Resistance

With a measured shaft height of 7.25 inches, the Crosstrak Powder is one of the tallest technical winter boots in our lineup. We loved this for adventures in deeper snow or walking through ice puddles and slush. The polyurethane-coated leather outer is extremely weather-resistant and did not let in a drop of water during our testing. 

The gusseted tongue is sealed and waterproof as well, a common weak point in other boots. However, the top of the tongue was a weakness. When tightened, it flares out, providing an entry point for deep snow. We easily abated this problem by wearing pants over the boots. They come with a gaiter attachment point for further weather resistance. 

The Crosstrak Powder provides excellent weather resistance – whether you’re walking in puddles of slush or power.

Durability

Although many lightweight boots are known to break down quicker, that has not been the case for the Crosstrak Powder. The flex points show no signs of wear, and the lugs – while made of a softer rubber – show no chips or wearing down. During our testing over the course of two months, the Crosstrak Powder has proved to be very durable, proving that low weight doesn’t mean low durability.

Should You Buy the Salomon Crosstrak Powder?

The Salomon Crosstrak Powder has quickly proven itself to be one of our favorite boots for anything from backcountry adventures to staying upright on slippery walks around town. It is perfect for anyone who requires extreme traction, warmth without bulk, and high-quality weather resistance all in a lightweight package. If you’re looking for one boot to do it all, then it’s hard to find a better option than the Crosstrak Powder. If you’re not already familiar with Salomon’s Quicklace system, these boots may be a bit finicky to tighten due to their extra-long laces and hard-to-grip tightening toggle. Despite this small shortcoming, the Crosstrak Powder is a high-quality boot, perfect for demanding adventures and conditions.

What other winter boots should you consider?

Check out our full gear guide for all of our favorite winter hiking boots.

The North Face Vective Fastpack Review: Another boot that feels more like a running shoe, The North Face Vective Fastpack is comfortable for long hikes.

Keen Revel IV Polar Review: With leather construction, the Revel IV is heavier than the Crosstrak, but it offers great weather resistance as well.

Sorel Caribou Review: If you’re looking for something for the coldest days, the Sorel Caribou has got you covered.