At the beginning of the month, our marketing manager, Lorna, asked me if I’d like to try out the Salomon Outpulse GTX shoes for a review. As I was already in need of some new, softer shoes for hiking the grassy hills of the Peak District, this question couldn’t have come at a better time! So, of course, I said yes.
Immediate Thoughts on the Salomon Outpulse GTX
As I took them out of the box, I immediately noticed their minimal, sporty design and how light they felt to pick up. Weighing a mere 328g, these were a considerable step down (in weight) from my chunky La Sportiva boots. Simply looking at these got me excited for the warmer weather and exploring new, longer trails without having slightly achy feet towards the end. They also looked a little wider than my usual boots, which I was initially sceptical about, but more on that later…
How do they feel to touch?
In hand, they feel soft and flexible yet seem robust enough to survive multi-day adventures – a good start. They use a mixture of textiles and a synthetic, rubbery material, but don’t look cheap and plasticky either. The laces seemed pretty thin, but they feel strong, lightweight, and soft to the touch, so I don’t see them being an issue.
How do the Salomon Outpulse GTX feel on my feet?
When I first put them on, they felt comfortable and spacious, but not big or loose; the sizing seemed perfect. Often, I find that my toes feel a little too bunched up at the ends, and some shoes seem to squeeze my feet when I’m trying them on. Now, I’m no bigfoot. I’m a UK 5.5, to be exact, and I don’t think I have particularly wide feet either. But, for some reason, I still have this problem with supposedly ‘regular’ fitting footwear, and it can be hard to find a pair that is just right – anyone else? It was a relief to try these on and still have some room for my feet to breathe and my toes to lay flat, like they naturally should.
Product Testing in the Beautiful Cotswold Countryside
To put them to the test, I took them to the Cotswolds for a day exploring in the hazy summer sunshine with Harry, who you may already know from previous blog posts and copious amounts of YouTube videos, though most of the time, he’s behind the camera. We did a short, 6-mile loop through Bourton-on-the-Water and Lower and Upper Slaughter, which was nice and relaxed, though a little humid.
Instant, out-of-the-box comfort
Paired with my trusty Lorpen socks, I slipped them on, and we set off. Seeing as they hadn’t been broken in, I was surprised that they offered instant, out-of-the-box comfort and ample support for a flat country trail. As the Outpulse GTX are Gore-Tex lined (hence, GTX), at first, I was worried these would be a little warm and sweaty, but with the help of technical socks and the breathable upper materials, my feet felt well-regulated and dry throughout.
Outpulse GTX cushioning and support
Cushioning underneath the foot was comfortable and not too dramatic. Excessive cushioning can, ironically, lead to less support being given from a shoe. Yes, that’s despite extra ‘squish’ feeling softer and more cloud-like to walk on. Salomon seem to have got the balance right here. It dumbed down the sharp stomps I occasionally took when stepping high or wide with my short legs. The ‘suspension’ seemed better than the one in my own Mini (car, that is)!
As some of my colleagues already know, I can be a little clumsy at times, but I felt like the mid-height cuff kept my ankles upright without feeling tight and restrictive or digging in at the back.
Grip and traction
Though it wasn’t slippery or muddy, the grip on the Outpulses still worked well for dry and dusty tracks. The lugs are relatively shallow, ideal for multi-activity hill days in spring and summer. I did take these out for a quick spin a few days later, after a good dousing of rain, to test their waterproof capabilities. They didn’t disappoint! They left my feet dry and protected when wandering through puddles and splashing on damp gravel paths. The design of the Outpulse GTX also avoids excessive bulk. These boots don’t give you that clammy feeling you often get with traditional waterproof boots. They’re ideal for April showers and the classic mixed UK summer forecast.
A few limitations
However, this design does come with its limitations. The shorter nature of the lugs wouldn’t work so well for UK winters and late autumn-time, where you’re more likely to find lengthy pools of mud than clean trails and dry grass. Generally, the Outpulse GTX won’t give you enough grip to avoid a Bambi-on-ice type situation, or should I say, Bambi-on-mud. So, if you’re seeking some all-round shoes that offer an extensive grip for wet conditions and soft ground, you can find plenty of more suitable alternatives in our current footwear range.
Good boots for three-season walking in the UK
Overall, I’m quite a fan of the Outpulse GTX’s. A convert, if you will. They combine everything you need for three-season adventuring, depending on where you are and what activities you’re doing. Personally, being based near the Peak District, I find myself mostly hiking and hill walking, often coming across mixed routes with pavement, road, country paths or even no path at all. I believe the Salomon Outpulse GTX’s will be perfect for those kinds of adventures, especially in spring, summer and early autumn.
Written by Rachel Tooley
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