Choosing good hiking boots comes down to terrain, membrane, and fit. The Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX stays the most versatile pick for a day hike across any terrain. The Merrell Moab 3 GTX covers the essentials for regular use from spring through fall, at a more accessible investment. The Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Mid remains the reference for a multi-day trek, carried by hikers worldwide for close to 30 years.
- Versatile day hiker: Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX, traction and comfort across any terrain
- Popular all-rounder: Merrell Moab 3 GTX, light and breathable from spring to fall
- Multi-day trek: Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Mid, the most dialed-in fit over the long haul
Contents
- Hiking boots, the comparison
- Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX, the versatile day hiker
- Merrell Moab 3 GTX, the popular all-rounder
- Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Mid, the multi-day trek boot
- Gore-Tex and breathability, what actually sets the three apart
- Lacing and fit, a criterion too often overlooked
- Maintenance, what extends a Gore-Tex membrane’s lifespan
- Our pick by use case
Hiking boots, the comparison
Three different philosophies behind these three models: all-terrain versatility, accessibility for regular use, and toughness proven over decades.
| Model | Type | Weight (pair) | Membrane | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX | Low-cut, versatile | approx. 750 g | Gore-Tex | Day hiking, any terrain |
| Merrell Moab 3 GTX | Low-cut, all-rounder | approx. 920 g | Gore-Tex | Regular use, spring to fall |
| Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Mid | Mid-cut, trek | 1170 g (930 g women’s) | Gore-Tex | Multi-day trek, technical terrain |
Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX, the versatile day hiker
Tested for 3 months on demanding terrain including the Australian outback, the Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX, the lightest of the three at roughly 750 g a pair, stands out straight out of the box, feeling noticeably lighter and more supportive than previous generations, with zero break-in time needed. The insoles offer solid arch support, a real plus for high arches, though flat-footed hikers should try them on first. The all-terrain outsole, with chunky multi-directional lugs, delivers excellent grip on sand, rock, and loose gravel.
A reinforced chassis underfoot gives noticeable lateral support, and the Kevlar-reinforced matrix upper stays light, breathable, and abrasion resistant. Thick ankle padding protects well against rocks and dense brush. The Gore-Tex membrane keeps feet dry without overheating: the tester reports days at 36°C without ever feeling too hot.
The honest limitation worth flagging: the boot loses confidence on wet, slick rock, or moving from a wet zone onto dry rock, especially while carrying weight. Tested submerged up to the Gore-Tex membrane with zero water ingress, and across rocky, sandy, muddy, and dusty terrain while carrying a 10-15 kg pack, it comfortably holds up for a day hike, even though it hasn’t yet been tested on a multi-day trek or 20 km+ range.
Strengths
- Zero break-in time, comfortable from the first outing
- Excellent multi-directional grip on sand, rock, and gravel
- Gore-Tex that genuinely breathes, tested with no overheating at 36°C
Weaknesses
- Loses confidence on wet, slick rock
- Not yet tested on a long-distance trek by the reference tester
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Merrell Moab 3 GTX, the popular all-rounder
The Merrell Moab 3 GTX, around 920 g a pair, relies on an incredibly breathable mesh build, lined with a Gore-Tex membrane inside to stay waterproof regardless. An arch shank provides arch support, paired with heel cushioning and a shock-absorbing sole for comfort. A toe rand up front protects against toe bumps on technical terrain, and a 100% recycled lining adds a genuine environmental argument.
The tester calls it perfect from spring through fall, more than capable of shrugging off an unexpected shower. The honest limitation worth flagging: during winter months, in regions with heavier, more persistent rain, waterproofing, while not bad, trails behind other Merrell models built specifically for those conditions, like their mid-height leather version. For standard three-season use, it comfortably covers the need.
Strengths
- Highly breathable mesh, comfortable through the warm season
- 100% recycled lining, a genuine environmental argument
- Effective arch support and toe protection on technical terrain
Weaknesses
- Waterproofing trails behind in torrential winter rain
- Less suited to extreme conditions than Merrell’s mid-height models
Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Mid, the multi-day trek boot
On the market since 1997, the Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Mid remains one of the most popular hiking boots in the world. It weighs around 1170 g per pair in men’s UK8 per the manufacturer, 930 g in women’s UK5. The upper is mostly nubuck leather, with a synthetic tongue lined in soft foam that gives real ankle comfort without the bulk of a stacked leather build.
The fit stays a genuine strength: a standard last for normal feet with a slightly higher instep, also available in narrow and wide lasts, plus a dedicated women’s anatomical last (less volume, lower instep, narrower heel). That’s what’s made it a near-universal reference for close to 30 years. The Gore-Tex membrane handles waterproofing and breathability.
The honest limitation worth flagging: toe protection stays minimal, with a low toe cap that exposes the leather to impacts on rocky, technical terrain, a point the tester would like to see reinforced on a future version.
Strengths
- Precise fit with multiple widths and a dedicated women’s version
- Proven track record spanning nearly 30 years on the market
- Notable ankle comfort thanks to the padded tongue
Weaknesses
- Minimal toe protection on technical rocky terrain
- The heaviest of the three in mid-cut form
Gore-Tex and breathability, what actually sets the three apart
All three boots run a Gore-Tex membrane, a material that lets sweat vapor escape while blocking rain from the outside, independently tested around a 28,000mm hydrostatic head, well above the 20,000mm mark generally considered reliably waterproof in heavy rain. The real difference between the three isn’t raw waterproofing, it’s the breathability-versus-protection balance: the Merrell’s mesh clearly favors breathability for three-season use, the Lowa’s mid-cut build favors ankle protection for tougher terrain, and the Salomon aims for a middle ground with its Kevlar-reinforced matrix upper.
Lacing and fit, a criterion too often overlooked
The best boot on paper falls flat if the fit doesn’t match the shape of the foot. Having multiple width options, like the Lowa (narrow, standard, wide, plus a dedicated women’s anatomical version), often makes more of a real comfort difference than any spec sheet. Trying boots on with the actual hiking socks used on trail, late in the day when feet are slightly swollen the way they will be out there, remains the one reliable test before buying.
Maintenance, what extends a Gore-Tex membrane’s lifespan
A Gore-Tex membrane loses performance well before the boot itself is actually worn out if it isn’t maintained. The DWR coating on the surface, which makes water bead up on the outer leather or mesh, wears down with repeated washing and abrasion: once water stops beading and starts soaking into the outer fabric, the Gore-Tex membrane works alone and breathes far less well, even though it stays technically waterproof. A rinse with clean water (never a standard washing machine) followed by a fresh DWR treatment every few months of regular use restores most of the original performance. Drying matters just as much: never near a direct heat source, which weakens leather and glue, but in open air with newspaper stuffed inside to pull out moisture.
Our pick by use case
| Versatile day hiker | Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX, for all-terrain grip and zero break-in time |
| Popular all-rounder | Merrell Moab 3 GTX, for breathability and an accessible investment |
| Multi-day trek | Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Mid, for the precise fit and ankle protection |
The right pick comes down mostly to terrain and trip length rather than any single spec sheet. All three boots round out the rest of a kit built for backcountry camping in full self-sufficiency, where foot comfort directly shapes how much the following miles are enjoyed.
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