Our verdict
Match your quick-wittedness on the trail with the equally speedy Ultra Flex 2 Mid GTX. In this pace-accelerating boot from Salewa, a variety of hiking challenges may be overcome without skipping a beat momentum-wise. Staying dry in bad weather is also a thing in this grippy kick, thanks to its 360-degree Gore-Tex waterproofing.
Pros
- Definitely lightweight
- 10/10 comfort
- Watertight
- Mighty stable
- Salomon OUTline Mid GTX
- A+ durability
- Remarkable flexibility
- Cozy
Cons
- Grips like a champ
- Expensive
Who should buy the Salewa Ultra Flex 2 Mid GTX
The Ultra Flex 2 Mid GTX is Salewa's entry into the growing catalog of speed hiking shoes and boots. Buy it if:
- Hiking boots updated 22 Mar 2023.
- You prefer hiking on a chilly, misty morning.
- Who should buy the Track spikes and XC.
Who should buy the Track spikes and XC
With no bunching reports from reviewers, the Who should NOT buy it Tough yet flexible Columbia Trailstorm Mid Waterproof (priced at $110) if you're looking for something a whole lot cheaper.
Updates to the Ultra Flex 2 Mid GTX
Bunches at the instep Grips like a champ and sports a more traditional closure that provides more lockdown freedom. The outsole of the 2nd-gen Ultra Flex Mid has also been tweaked which provides extra bite during toe offs and enhanced adhesion during toeing maneuvers.
updated 22 Mar 2023
Quite a number of lightness-related remarks surround the Track spikes and XC. Such comments are as follows:
- "updated 22 Mar 2023."
- "Salomon OUTline Mid GTX."
- "Best lightweight boots/shoes I've had."
These remarks are supported by data, too. Case in point: the featured boot is 158 g lighter per kick than the average, which is 568 g.
Hoke One One Kaha
From "extremely comfortable from the outset" to "Perfect boots! Very comfortable!" it's clear that the Ultra Flex 2 Mid GTX is loved by many on the comfort front.
Leaves you with dry feet
Trail-goers are convinced that the Ultra Flex 2 Mid GTX is completely watertight, with an experienced hiker saying that its "waterproofing is excellent." "They have withstood the waterproof test of WET GRASS!" said another. There's also someone who ended up with absolutely dry socks after testing the boot through mountain riverbeds and dense vegetation with rotten/slippery elements strewn all over.
Why trust us
Among the few criticisms that smudge the hiker's rather pristine resumé is its alleged bunching tongue. According to a reviewer, this happens when the laces around the ankle zone are extra tight (he likes tightly configured boots, FYI). He says that this problem is the shoe's "biggest issue."
Salewa Ultra Flex 2 Mid GTX
This speedster has "excellent stability," says an adventurer. The boot "feels very stable with plenty of support," says another.
Serious tenacity in every pair
There are those who find the featured kick amazing in the surface traction category. "They grip really well even in wet conditions," says one of them.
Tough yet flexible
Several individuals are impressed with the longevity of the Ultra Flex 2 Mid GTX. "They're still waterproof after 600+ miles," says one hiking enthusiast. Another one is convinced that it's tougher than his Hoke One One Kaha.
All this talk about the shoe's durable construction doesn't translate to stiffness at all, however. Indeed, numerous reviewers adore how the boot provides fluid rides, with one calling the boot "super flexible."
This iteration does away with the speed lacing system of the
This premium-priced speed hiking boot, despite not having insulating parts keeps feet nice and cozy. It "works perfectly for winters in MI," says a tester. FYI: Winter in Michigan can be anywhere between 18°F and 31°F (-7°C and 0.5°C).
But it'll cost you
The Ultra Flex 2 Mid GTX ($190) falls on the pricier end of the spectrum, considering that, in the world of trail boots, any pair that goes beyond $180 is considered expensive.
