Salomon Men's OUTPULSE Hiking Shoes for Men Review
The Salomon Men's OUTPULSE Hiking Shoes are designed to elevate your outdoor adventures with a combination of comfort, performance, and style. These shoes offer a dynamic hiking experience, powered by innovative features that help you tackle various terrains with confidence. With a sleek black, leek green, and poppy red design, they promise to be as visually appealing as they are functional.
Built on a midsole that incorporates the new Fuze Surge foam compound, the OUTPULSE literally propels you forward. This shoe aims to not only support your foot but also return energy, ensuring every step is cushioned yet responsive, allowing for prolonged use without discomfort.
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Features
- Energy Blade Outdoor: A lightweight TPU plate in the forefoot area enhances stride dynamics.
- Fuze Surge: Soft EVA compound with natural rubber for responsive and comfortable cushioning.
- Reverse Camber: Curved midsole geometry inspired by ski technology helps create a floating sensation.
- Versatile Use: Suitable for trail running, hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering.
- Durable Materials: Made from high-quality textile and synthetic materials for longevity.
Pros
- Exceptional comfort with Fuze Surge cushioning.
- Lightweight and supportive design for long hikes.
- Innovative Energy Blade feature enhances stride efficiency.
- Stylish appearance suitable for casual wear.
- Great traction on a variety of surfaces.
Cons
- Not water-resistant, which may limit use in wet conditions.
- Size may run slightly larger, requiring careful fitting.
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Feature | Salomon Men's OUTPULSE | Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator | Adidas Terrex Swift R2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cushioning | Fuze Surge Foam | EVA Midsole | Boost Technology |
| Weight | Lightweight | Heavy Duty | Lightweight |
| Water Resistant | No | No | Yes |
| Best For | Trail Running, Hiking | Hiking, Casual Wear | Fast-Paced Hiking |
Detailed Review
Comfort: The Salomon Men's OUTPULSE excels in comfort thanks to the Fuze Surge foam, which provides excellent cushioning while remaining responsive. Whether you're hitting rocky trails or walking through urban settings, the soft feel underfoot allows for an enjoyable experience over extended periods.
Performance: Designed with the active adventurer in mind, these shoes feature the Energy Blade technology that promotes a smooth transition from heel to toe. You’ll appreciate how effortlessly you can navigate diverse landscapes, whether ascending steep hills or descending rugged paths.
Traction: The rubber sole offers impressive grip, making sure you stay stable on uneven terrain. This reliable traction makes the OUTPULSE a solid choice for those who venture off the beaten path.
Durability: Crafted with robust textile and synthetic materials, these shoes are built to endure the rigors of nature. While they aren’t waterproof, their durable construction should hold up well against light splashes and abrasions.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 9/10 | Superior cushioning for all-day wear. |
| Performance | 8/10 | Excellent energy return and stride dynamics. |
| Traction | 9/10 | High grip levels for varied terrains. |
| Durability | 8/10 | Sturdy materials, though not waterproof. |
| Style | 8/10 | Aesthetic design suitable for both outdoor and casual environments. |
User Reviews
I purchased OUTPULSE Hiking shoes 8 months ago. Size was true, light weight, plenty of toe room, supportive ¾ shank, deep lugged rubber sole. I have worn out one pair and ordered a new one. For the price, you cannot do better in light hikers.I am older and was looking for something light weight but stiff, and with high traction as I hike in the Rockies and sometimes bushwack to places without trails. The traction is amazing, both the rubber and the depth of the lugs are wonderful on the trail. Solomon does not claim water resistance but my first hike in spring was on muddy-wet trail and crossing snow they stayed dry until I went knee deep and filled the shoes from the top. The shoes provide plenty of protection for the bottom of the feet on ruff trails. The shank is much like a midweight hiking boot, there is very little flexure up to the ball of the foot where it then bends easily – I say perfect.The original insole is better than most shoes I have purchased. Likely good for most people, I do need high arch and after a month, I trade the insole out for a thin-stiff-arch support(Amazon: Physix high arch insoles).I find them so comfortable and supportive that I have worn the OUTPULSE most every day for 8 months and I am hard on shoes. The sole and mid-sole have held up great with plenty of life left. The mid sole EVA shows very little compression failure which determines when I retire a pair of shoes. The uppers are showing wear and I have torn a hole on both left and right behind my little toe where the shoe drags on rocks and sticks; water now goes in the shoe. OUTPULSE wash great, when they get dirty, I pull the insole and put them in front loading washer with an old towel or jeans.On the downside: When new, the deep lugs pickup stones, not bad when hiking but tough for everyday use; after some wear this is less a problem. The protective rand needs to be a bit higher on the outside edge where I have ripped the mesh material on both shoes.
I've been a trekker since I was in college over 50 years ago. That's a lot of hiking shoes and boots. Last fall I trekked 532 miles on the Chemin St. Jacques in southern France. I wore out my Columbia Facet 15s about 200 miles in. A French special forces soldier I met along the way was wearing the Outpulse and he told me they were the best he'd ever used. By chance I found them the same afternoon in an outdoors store. I put them on and kept going. No break-in time. Total comfort, nice/wide toe box, great (1) grip on soft and rocky surfaces, stays tied, stays tight! I never got one hot spot or blister. Just tremendous performance. SO many trekkers I met had awful foot problems... Not me. I'm totally sold on the Salomon Outpulse. I'm still wearing that pair and it has a lot left in it.
Much like some other reviews said, for a shoe at this price point, it's ridiculous that it doesn't have a lace vent to keep the tongue in place. Otherwise, I do love the looks of the shoe, the weight, the fit and the comfort.
Wanted to try a Salomon after taking a few years off from them due to what I felt was a drop off in quality. I have to say I think these shoes have taken a very good step forward in that dept. shoes fit true to size IMO and seem to be of very good quality. Materials seem good and the shoe is lightweight and very comfortable. Still not up to my Vasquez’s w/r to a total shoe rating IMO, but still solid.
I’ve been looking for a hiking shoe that doesn’t look ridiculous so I landed on these and they performed great. Toe box is very roomy, and they’re comfy. No blisters after my first 4 mile hike in them. The tongue does drift to the side a little, but not enough to bother me. Great shoe.
Great looking, fitting, and wearing shoes!
They're comfortable and have great grip, but your socks will be soaked within seconds of even a moderate drizzle. Really only useable for very dry weather/terrain.
This shoe is fantastic. Ordered them for my husband. He wore them everyday (hiking) in Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton. He’s still wearing them today just to run errands etc. He never got a blister or had any discomfort, a must have for adventurers!