Salewa Ultra Flex 2 Mid GTX review

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 that give an agile performance without dumbing down stability are what you need.
• You prefer hiking on a chilly, misty morning.
• The mostly flat terrain you tread on connects to mild, loose-soiled slopes or inclines.

Who should NOT buy it

With no bunching reports from reviewers, the Salomon OUTline Mid GTX is a great alternative to the Ultra Flex 2 Mid GTX. Also, skip the featured shoe for the 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

This iteration does away with the speed lacing system of the Ultra Flex Mid GTX and sports a more traditional closure for more lockdown freedom. The outsole of the 2nd-gen Ultra Flex Mid has also been tweaked to provide extra bite during toe offs and enhanced adhesion during toeing maneuvers.

A member of the lightweight club

Quite a number of lightness-related remarks surround the Salewa Ultra Flex 2 Mid GTX. Such comments are as follows:

• "Awesome lightweight hiker."
• "They feel extremely light."
• "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.

Exceptionally pampering from the box

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.

A tongue that crumples

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."

No balancing act in the 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 the boot's ability to provide fluid rides, with one calling the boot "super flexible."

Says no to cold feet

This premium-priced speed hiking boot, despite not having insulating parts, is capable of keeping 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.