Gear Review

Salomon X Ultra 4 vs Merrell Moab 3: Which Hiking Boot Wins for Colorado?

May 29, 2026

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The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX and Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof are the two best-selling hiking boots in America. Walk into any REI, scroll any "best hiking boots" list, ask any new hiker what to buy — these are the two boots that get recommended. Both retail in the $150-190 range. Both are waterproof. Both are widely available. So which one is right for you?

Here's the honest comparison after seeing both on Colorado trails from Front Range day hikes to multi-day 14er attempts.

TL;DR

Buy the Salomon X Ultra 4 if you have narrow-to-average feet, do a lot of off-trail or technical terrain, want a lighter and more performance-oriented boot, or already love Salomon's fit.
Buy the Merrell Moab 3 if you have wide feet, are new to hiking and want a forgiving comfortable boot from day one, prioritize all-day comfort over technical performance, or hike mostly on maintained trails.

At a Glance

Spec	Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX	Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof
Weight (pair, men's 10)	1 lb 13 oz	2 lb 1 oz
Upper	Synthetic + textile	Suede + mesh
Waterproofing	Gore-Tex	Merrell M Select Dry
Outsole	Contagrip MA	Vibram TC5+
Drop (heel-to-toe)	11 mm	11.5 mm
Toe box	Snug, athletic	Roomy, accommodating
Break-in period	Almost none	Almost none
Price	$190	$150
Lifespan (avg)	500-700 miles	400-600 miles

Where the Salomon X Ultra 4 Wins

Off-trail and technical terrain

The Contagrip MA outsole has deeper, more aggressive lugs than the Vibram TC5+. On loose talus, slickrock, scree fields, and the kind of class 2 terrain you encounter on most Colorado 14ers, the Salomon grips noticeably better. The chevron-shaped lug pattern bites into uneven surfaces and sheds mud effectively.

If you're scrambling up loose rock above treeline or descending steep gravel-covered switchbacks, the Salomon gives you noticeably more confidence underfoot.

Winner: Salomon, decisively for off-trail use.

Weight and agility

At 1 lb 13 oz, the Salomon is 4 oz lighter than the Merrell. Over a day of hiking, that translates to thousands of fewer foot-lifts. The lower weight combined with the athletic fit makes the Salomon feel more like a fast-hiking shoe than a traditional boot.

Winner: Salomon, especially for fit hikers and 14er climbers.

Performance fit

Salomon's last (the foot shape the boot is built on) is narrower and more anatomically precise than Merrell's. If your foot matches, the Salomon feels like an extension of your foot — secure, responsive, no slop. The Sensifit cradling system wraps the midfoot snugly without creating pressure points.

The catch: you need to fit the Salomon. If your foot is wider than average, the Salomon will be too tight in the forefoot regardless of length sizing.

Winner: Salomon for the right foot shape.

Better at wet rock and mud

The Contagrip rubber compound is grippier on wet surfaces than the Vibram TC5+ found on the Moab. On rain-soaked granite slabs, in muddy spring conditions, on wet roots and logs — the Salomon outperforms.

Winner: Salomon, by a small but meaningful margin.

Where the Merrell Moab 3 Wins

Wide feet and all-day comfort

The Moab's wider toe box and more accommodating last fit a much wider range of foot shapes. If you've ever felt like Salomon, Asolo, or La Sportiva boots squeeze your forefoot, the Moab will feel like relief from day one. People with bunions, wider feet, or simply average-width feet often find the Moab dramatically more comfortable.

The Moab's footbed is also softer, which translates to less foot fatigue on long all-day hikes on maintained trails. For 8-10 hour days on trails like the Maroon Bells or Hanging Lake, the Moab's cushion shows.

Winner: Moab, by a wide margin for wide feet.

Price

The Moab 3 is $40 cheaper than the X Ultra 4 at retail, and Merrell discounts more aggressively. You can routinely find Moab 3s for $110-130 on sale. The Salomon rarely drops below $160.

Winner: Moab for budget-conscious buyers.

Better for beginners

The Moab's forgiving fit, longer break-in tolerance, and softer feel make it the better choice for new hikers who don't yet know exactly what their feet need from a boot. The Salomon's snug athletic fit is unforgiving — if it doesn't fit you perfectly, you'll know within an hour of wearing it.

Winner: Moab for first-time boot buyers.

Durability of the upper

The Moab's nubuck leather and suede uppers age better than the Salomon's synthetic upper. After 200 hard miles, the Salomon's mesh-and-overlay upper starts looking tired and developing wear at flex points. The Moab still looks reasonable at 200 miles. Both eventually wear through the outsole around the same time.

Winner: Moab, small win for aesthetics.

Where They're Tied

Waterproof performance

Both boots have effective waterproof membranes (Gore-Tex on Salomon, Merrell's proprietary M Select Dry). In practical use, both keep your feet dry through stream crossings up to ankle depth, through wet snow, and through long days in light rain. Both eventually wet out through the boot collar in deep water or sustained downpour. Functionally equivalent.

Stability on ankle-rolling terrain

Both are mid-cut boots with similar levels of ankle support. The Salomon is a touch lower-profile; the Moab a touch more supportive. Neither is a heavy backpacking boot — for that, look at Salomon's Quest 4D or the Lowa Renegade.

Mid-cut vs low-cut tradeoff

Both come in low-cut (shoe) versions. The decision between mid-cut and low-cut is independent of brand. Mid for backpacking and off-trail; low for day hiking on trail.

The Direct Use-Case Test

You're a new hiker buying your first pair of boots, planning easy-to-moderate Colorado day hikes.
→ Merrell Moab 3. Forgiving fit, lower price, plenty of boot for your use case.

You climb Colorado 14ers and do off-trail scrambling routes.
→ Salomon X Ultra 4. Better traction, lighter, more agile.

You have wide feet or bunions and hiking boots have always hurt.
→ Merrell Moab 3. Buy in the regular width first; if still too narrow, the Moab also comes in Wide and Extra Wide options.

You're a fast hiker who does mid-distance 10-15 mile trail days.
→ Salomon X Ultra 4. The lighter weight and snug fit make a real difference over distance.

You hike in fall/winter with damp trails and unstable footing.
→ Salomon X Ultra 4. The Contagrip outsole grips noticeably better on wet rock and mud.

You're carrying a backpacking pack over 35 lbs.
→ Neither — step up to a proper backpacking boot like the Salomon Quest 4D or Lowa Renegade.

The Boot You Should Actually Try First

Here's the truth: both boots are excellent and the right choice depends entirely on your foot shape. Most REI stores stock both. Spend 30 minutes in each, walking up and down the wood ramp section, simulating descent stress on the wood incline. The boot that feels right after 20 minutes will still feel right after 20 miles. The boot that has any pressure point or hot spot at minute 20 will torture you at mile 15.

If you can't try them on:

If you generally wear D-width men's or B-width women's shoes → either works, slight edge to Salomon for performance.
If you generally wear EE/E-width men's or D-width women's shoes → Moab.
If you've worn Salomon trail runners and loved them → Salomon X Ultra 4.
If you've worn Merrell shoes and loved them → Moab 3.

Final Verdict

The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX is the better technical hiking boot for fit hikers with narrow-to-average feet who hike off-trail or in technical terrain. It's the boot to buy if you want maximum performance.

The Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof is the better all-around boot for the majority of hikers — wider fit accommodation, comfortable from box opening, easier on the wallet, and forgiving of imperfect sizing.

You'll see climbers wearing both on every Colorado trail. Neither is wrong.

Check the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX on Amazon

Check the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof on Amazon

For more boot options including backpacking-weight pieces and women's-specific picks, see our full guide to the best hiking boots for Colorado.