I've hiked over 90km in one pair of Salomons and here are my honest thoughts

My boyfriend was recently hit by a serious case of quarter-life crisis, and his solution, as it often is for many men, was to get amongst nature. He started hiking and like the supportive girlfriend I am, I said I'd join him.

Let me paint a picture of myself: I am your stereotypical city girl, who loves shopping, a chilled rosé at brunch with the girls, and being overdressed at every occasion. I am by no means a hiker.

So, in his attempt to transform this city girl, he bought me a pair of hiking shoes. And not just any hiking shoes – the pick of the litter, the crème de la crème, the gold standard of hiking shoes – I'm talking about the renowned Salomons.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.

Salomon Women's X Ultra Pioneer GTX Hiking Shoe

Was $259.99, now $167.90

The Salomon's Women's X Ultra Pioneer GTX Hiking Shoe is designed for outdoor enthusiasts seeking both comfort and performance.

It features Gore-Tex waterproof technology, which helps keep your feet dry in wet conditions, whether crossing rivers or bodies of water. The traditional lacing system provides a secure fit, while the tight mesh upper helps keep debris from being trapped between your foot and the footbed.

It features a soft, breathable lining on the inside to ensure proper comfort, and the advanced chassis offers added stability. With high-performance EVA foam, these shoes provide excellent shock absorption.

They are reasonably priced compared to general hiking shoes or your more popular Salomon models, which is always a plus.

Where have I worn them?

These babies should have their own passport, considering how much they've been globetrotting. So far I've taken these shoes (or they've taken me) to five countries, across various different climates.

I've hiked up Mount Prutaš in Montenegro, with a 1,115m elevation gain across steep, mountainous, and rocky terrain that involved serious scrambling and some rock climbing. The trail was full of steep descents and uneven paths that kept me on my toes. It was my also first proper hike, which made me incredibly grateful for my new hiking shoes.

In Greece, I hiked Samaria Gorge with a 2,636m elevation gain, descending through a rocky terrain. At the end of the mountainous part, the rest of the descent follows a rocky dry river bed. I would say proper shoes during a serious descent is more important than ascending, considering the immense strain on your ankles.

In Norway, I battled Trolltunga (no actually, you should've seen me), with a 1,221m elevation gain. The trail featured steep inclines, slippery rocks, lakes and rivers, and although it started off sunny, it quickly became a cold and rainy affair on the descent (read: muddy).

I've taken these shoes around the city in Berlin, Germany, walking through urban streets and parks (and nightclubs), making them as versatile as they are durable.

I've also tested out these bad boys locally, having just done the Murramarang South Coast Trail in NSW on the weekend, with an 829m elevation gain. Despite the relatively low elevation, it was a tough trail – walking on sand, pebbles, rocks, and navigating high tides.

Closer to home, I've worn these shoes power-walking around Centennial Park, Sydney, and I've worn them at multiple-day music festivals in the bush at Glenworth Valley.

What I loved about my Salomons:

• Comfort: These are insanely comfortable, no matter the terrain
• Grip: They consistently outperform other shoes, whether I'm rock climbing in Montenegro, navigating rocky paths in Greece, or walking on dense sand in Australia
• Waterproof: Whether it's muddy trails in Norway or wet pebble beaches in Australia, the Gore-Tex technology has kept my feet dry and comfortable
• Look: Let's be honest, they're . They're visually striking for hiking shoes, combining style with function
• Durability: These shoes have proven themselves time and again, holding up across varied terrains and climates without showing signs of wear
• Breathability: Despite the rugged conditions, they've kept my feet cool and dry, providing solid breathability even on long hikes. I've had activity-based shoes where I've had to bring several additional socks, which I've never had to do with my

Wear and tear

I have had these Salomon's for over a year, travelled to five countries, and walked over 90km in them across various climates. Yet despite it all, my Salomons still look and feel like new. If anything, they have gotten more comfortable with time.

I think the ultimate test of outdoor or activity-based shoes is shoe odour. If a pair of shoes starts to smell and I'm forced to leave them outside, that's when I know it's time to let them go. Considering the fact that I've hiked up various mountains, walked along Australian beaches and braved Norwegian rainy summers, they have remained perfectly intact, odour-less, stain-free, and everlastingly comfortable.

My final thoughts

I would write a love letter to these shoes if I could. Consider this the first paragraph. No, but seriously, if I could buy these shoes again, I would.

They have quickly become my favourite pair of shoes. I'm a big believer in practical fashion because that's the only way I can justify a purchase in my little "girl math" brain.

Having tested these entry-level Salomons to the full extent of their purpose, I am definitely more inclined to invest in a more expensive pair, knowing they are 100 per cent worth the money.

If there is one thing my Norwegian mother has taught me, it's that "There is no bad weather, only bad clothes", which I believed to be codswallop created by Norwegians to make themselves feel better about the consistently cold and bad weather... until I got a pair of Salomons.

Check out other Salomons:

Salomon Men's X Ultra 4 GTX Hiking Shoes

Was $319.99, now $229.00

Salomon Women's Speedcross 5 GTX Trail Running and Hiking Shoe

Was $259.99, now $149.99

Salomon Men's XA PRO 3D GTX Trail Running and Hiking Shoe

From $159.70

Salomon Men's X Ultra 360 GTX Hiking Shoe

From $191.49

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