Men’s Salomon X Ultra Snowpilot Review

Bottom Line

For those who don’t like the clunky and heavy feeling of traditional winter boots, try on the Salomon X Ultra Snowpilot. Exceptionally lightweight, these boots buck the normal convention that heavy equals warm. Surprisingly warm, these lightweight boots are at home in winter temperatures.

Even though the Snowpilot was among the lightest winter boots we tested, we were surprised that they were not more comfortable. The insole and midsole are very unforgiving and leave our feet and legs feeling battered after wearing them all day. This is somewhat reduced by wearing cushioned socks, but these boots are still not as cushioned as others we tested.

This winterized version of the X Ultra series is waterproof, and we enjoyed hiking in them where we were in and out of puddles. Moisture never got our feet wet. However, their low shaft height and lack of any attachment points for gaiters make these boots susceptible to snow sneaking in, thus compromising their weather resistance.

The X Ultra Snowpilot is most at home on trails with mixed light snow and frozen dirt, and they are perfect for people who want to keep their feet dry and protected without an overly built and clunky winter boot.

Comfort

For those who don’t like the clunky and heavy feeling of traditional winter boots, try on the Salomon X Ultra Snowpilot. Exceptionally lightweight, these boots buck the normal convention that heavy equals warm. Surprisingly warm, these lightweight boots are at home in winter temperatures.

Even though the Snowpilot was among the lightest winter boots we tested, we were surprised that they were not more comfortable. The insole and midsole are very unforgiving and leave our feet and legs feeling battered after wearing them all day. This is somewhat reduced by wearing cushioned socks, but these boots are still not as cushioned as others we tested.

This winterized version of the X Ultra series is waterproof, and we enjoyed hiking in them where we were in and out of puddles. Moisture never got our feet wet. However, their low shaft height and lack of any attachment points for gaiters make these boots susceptible to snow sneaking in, thus compromising their weather resistance.

The X Ultra Snowpilot is most at home on trails with mixed light snow and frozen dirt, and they are perfect for people who want to keep their feet dry and protected without an overly built and clunky winter boot.

Warmth

Testing the X Ultra Snowpilot on an early winter day with temperatures in the teens, we were pleasantly surprised with the warmth these sleek and minimal boots offered. The polyester insulation – while minimal- provides enough insulation that we were more than warm enough while hiking. Paired with a winter-weight sock, these boots are perfect for winter hikes.

We found that we were warmest in these boots during moderate to high activity. Since they don’t have the thickest or warmest insulation, we did not feel as warm when standing still or engaging in low-intensity activities., We recommend the Snowpilot for high-output activities where you will be on the go for the duration of your outing.

Traction

As the winter version of the brand’s best-selling hiking shoes, the Salomon X Ultra Snowpilot comes equipped with Salomon’s Contragrip rubber found on many of their trail shoes and hiking shoes. We found that these lugs – while plentiful and armed with sharp edges for gripping onto loose surfaces – lacked the depth and negative space needed for deep snow and powder. The spaces between the lugs quickly became clogged with snow and had to be knocked off frequently to keep clear.

While using these on a day where we hiked on a variety of trail conditions including dry dirt, wet rock, ice, powder, and packed snow, these boots performed the best on dirt and packed snow. Wet surfaces were very slippery, and we advise caution when crossing ice or loose snow. Deep powder and wet and icy terrain may quickly overwhelm the traction of these boots. However, for hikes on packed trails or a mix of dirt and light snow, these boots will perform admirably.

Weather Resistance

We were impressed with the X Ultra Snowpilot’s weather resistance. Marketed as a waterproof boot, we found this to be true as we often dipped our feet in and out of creeks and puddles during testing. Salomon’s adv.DRY waterproof laminate was strong and effective at keeping our feet dry. A fully integrated tongue also keeps unwanted moisture from entering the boot. The rubberized outer material retained its weather resistance throughout our testing. 

The biggest weakness in these boots is their low shaft height. At five inches, these boots are easily overwhelmed in deep snow and fill up quickly due to openings around the ankles. With only a single level of hooks to cinch up the shaft, we wished that these boots could tighten around the ankle better for better support and weather resistance. This is a weakness of most boots and even those with the best weather resistance rarely extend to the top of the cuffs. Without built-in attachment points for gaiters, keeping these boots fully weather-resistant is a challenge.

Durability

Putting many miles on our boots throughout our testing, we tried just about everything the trail can throw at the X Ultra Snowpilot to test its durability. From rocky and icy hikes in the Chugach to mud and snow, we put these boots through the ringer. They came out the other side with some signs that the long-term durability of these boots may not be as good as others we tested.

The lugs on the boots showed signs of wear. From chipped edges to worn sections, the tread of the boot is not as durable as we had hoped. The eyelets for the laces are simple loops of material, not metal grommets or rings, and they show creases and signs of stress. The loop on the tongue is showing stray threads and has loosened from pulling the boots on and off. Overall, these boots have shown wear and tear much quicker than others tested, leaving us questioning their long-term durability.

Should You Buy the Salomon X Ultra Snowpilot?

If you are after some of the lightest winter boots on the market at a reasonable price, the X Ultra Snowpilots are the boots for you. Mixing the appeal of a hiking shoe with the warmth and weather resistance of a boot, this lightweight option will appeal to the fast and light hiking crowd. We did find this boot lacking in traction and durability, and its ankle collars can be overwhelmed quickly by a moderate depth of snow. These winter hiking boots are most at home on trails with a mixture of dry rock and packed snow that don’t require significant weather protection.

What Other Men’s Winter Boots Should You Consider?

Our Men’s Winter Hiking Boot Guide has several great options tested and reviewed by our Alaska-based gear analyst.

KEEN Revel IV Polar Review – Similarly lightweight but with a slightly taller shaft, the Keen Revel IV Polar provides excellent weather resistance in a slightly heavier and bulkier design.

Merrell Thermo Chill Mid Review – Another boot that blurs the line between running shoe and boot, the Merrell Thermo Chill provides all the protection, traction, and warmth of a winter boot with none of the weight.

Kamik Atwater Review – If you’re looking for a boot with more traction and trail-to-town versatility the Atwater is the perfect choice. With a slightly taller shaft height and more insulation, it provides excellent warmth with a stylish design.