Salomon Cross Hiker 2 Mid GORE-TEX Review

For years, I’ve been on team trail runner. Ditch the bulky boots and reach for the GTX version of beloved trail running shoes for a combination of light and fast, no matter how much you have packed in your backpack or how long you have been on the trail. In my mind, it saved weight and made hiking more fun. 

Then, we moved from Flagstaff to Michigan. High deserts and hot summers gave way to gray springs and muddy trails. Suddenly, my self-assuredness started to fade, and the Salomon Cross Hike 2 was there to welcome me with open arms.

In short: The Salomon Cross Hike 2 Mid GORE-TEX is a gateway drug of a boot, perfect for those hikers who prefer the fit of a trail shoe but the coverage and insulation of a boot. At times, it’s perhaps not boot-like enough, with a Quicklace system that leaves some wanting and an open ankle gap that can collect dirt and debris. Nonetheless, its winning combination of waterproofness, burly grip, and support make it an attractive option for recreationists looking for a hybrid solution to the boot-versus-shoe quandary. 

To see how the Salomon Cross Hike 2 Mid compares to the best winter hiking boots, check out GearJunkie’s Best Winter Boots Buyer’s Guide.

Salomon Cross Hike 2 Mid GORE-TEX Review

Brand Background

Salomon cut its teeth in the heart of the French Alps, initially producing ski gear. The company has since built the brand into the footwear powerhouse recognizable today from trail side to, strangely, runways.

But no matter how zeitgeisty a moment technical trail shoes have in the fashion world, one thing stays the same: Salomon knows how to build a quality, technically savvy shoe. The brand’s roots in snow and winter show in the Cross Hike 2.

How I Tested the Cross Hike 2

First, I used them in day-to-day testing across the various winter tasks — hikes, commutes, and never-ending driveway shoveling. Next, I took the Cross Treks to the Eastern Sierras with other finalists of our Best Winter Hiking Boots Buyer’s Guide, comparing them head-to-head with our other favorites on the snow-packed trails around Mammoth Lakes. Add excursions to the high desert of Bishop and scrambling around the Buttermilks, and the Cross Treks proved rugged and capable in various climates and situations.

The Nitty Gritty

Salomon builds the Cross Hike 2 from textile, rubber, and GORE-TEX, making it relatively lightweight and highly waterproof. The outsole is extremely luggy Contragrip, Salomon’s in-house compound is used in many of its shoes.

Speaking of in-house tech, the Cross Hike rocks the brand’s Quicklace system, a mainstay of the brand’s trail running line. And since we’re talking trail running language, the Cross Trek has a 10mm drop, enough to get a nice toe-off but still provide neutral cushioning. 

Also borrowed from the trail running world is the boot’s EnergyCell midsole, an energy return technology that helps this boot feel lively and springy. It won’t do the walking for you, but it helps ease the burden of stacking miles on miles.

What Works

As mentioned, this boot really feels like a runner. Compared to its leather compatriots, it’s lightweight and nimble, capable of long days on the trail. It’s even up to the challenge of a short jog, though much longer than a mile or two gets obnoxious.

Still, on a recent sprint through Denver’s airport while wearing a very heavy leather hiking boot, I couldn’t help but wish I had chosen to wear the Cross Treks. This weight savings and energy return on the trail translate to a distraction-free hike.

You don’t have to think about the clunkiness of your shoes or the effort it will take you to leap onto a rock in a stream crossing, leaving your mind free to soak in the scenery. Or, if you’re like me, fret about another piece of gear.

And the Cross Hikes are the right choice if you happen to slip off that aforementioned rock into the stream. They’ve dealt with prolonged water, snow, and ice exposure without leaking. And because the boots are waterproof but don’t have extra insulation, the breathability is top-notch.

While not insulated, the Cross Hikes are well-padded, which adds to heat retention and general support. With the right sock choice, I had no problem hiking with them in single-digit temperatures in Michigan’s cold winter. Yet, they also breathed well enough to handle scrambling the Buttermilks in 60-degree temperatures, a range not many boots can pull off.

The Contragrip outsole proved its worth in both these situations. The extremely luggy grip had no problem with ice or hard-packed snow and proved it’s worth scrambling through sand, gravel, and sandstone, too.

Room for Improvement

My biggest frustration with the Cross Hikes is how the Quicklace system interacts with the collar of the boot, causing diminished ankle support and a gap that collects dirt and debris.

In other Salomon products, the Quicklace is a lifesaver for me. It’s one of my favorite features in the Sense Ride 5, which saves me frequent retying on the trail. In the Cross Hike, the Quicklace retains the convenience but misses out on security. This comes down to its height and positioning on the boot’s collar. It’s too low to get a good ankle cinch in, which means the boot’s padded collar isn’t properly utilized. This can lead to occasional foot slipping.

It also leaves an ankle gap that collects debris. On a hike along the scenic banks of Owen’s River in Mammoth Lakes, it collected the heads of plants and long grasses. Other boots with more traditional construction didn’t have the same problem. The same happened on any deep snow. The ankle gap let in lots of ice and snow, negating the external waterproofing function.

This could be mitigated by adding gaiters, which I would recommend for deep snow anyway. However, adding gaiters negates the lightweight comfort that makes the Cross Hike a worthy hiker. It’s the biggest drawback to an otherwise stellar boot.

Also apparent on that muddy Owen’s River hike — the same lugs that provide excellent grip on ice and sandstone are magnets for wet, heavy mud.

Salomon Cross Hiker 2 Review: Final Thoughts

There are boots on the market with more ankle support and burlier construction. But that’s not what the Salomon Cross Hike Mid 2 GORE-TEX sets out to do. Instead, it elevates the padding and grip of a run-of-the-mill trail runner while retaining the features that set it apart: responsiveness and a nimble, lively feel on the trail.

If, like me, you’re reluctantly realizing a trail runner won’t do for every hike, the Cross Hike allows for the best of both worlds. Yes, it comes with tradeoffs, but what doesn’t in life? And it’s a boot that can tackle single-digit temps or high desert outings, something a runner will have trouble with.