Customer Reviews Salomon Ellipse GTX®

I just got back from a trip to Arizona and the Grand Canyon, and I wore these Salomons for the first time on the trip. I was expecting Arizona to be dry and hot, but instead it was cold and very rainy. The locals said it was the rainiest May they remembered. It rained more often than not while we were there. I went on an excursion to see the slot canyons, and it POURED. To get to the canyons, we had to walk through big, deep puddles, mud, and nearly torrential rain in the desert. It also rained the whole time I was at the Grand Canyon, and also for the first half hour of a rafting trip on the Colorado River. I wore my Salomons for all of these excursions, and my feet stayed dry and warm the entire time. Not one drop of moisture seeped through these puppies! By contrast, my traveling companion wore regular hiking shoes and his feet were soaked. Not only that, but the mud and sand that accumulated on my shoes in the desert magically disappeared once we left the desert to go on to other things. My shoes look as good as new. Oh, and they were comfy too. I rarely write reviews of products (in fact, I can't recall writing any!) but these shoes were so great that I just had to let folks know.

Heads up, these are vegan, so you aren't going to get any stretch or wear extra comfort into the shoe. Great grip on loose gravel and wet rock. Waterproof. Feels very stable. Not much shock absorption so if you need more comfort add an insole. Have worn them barefoot-->heavy wool sock and comfortable all ways. Really pleased with the shoe.

The following is based on getting these specifically as a hiking shoe, not as an everyday tool-around-town sneaker. I originally tried the Salomon Ellipse GTX based on its "Editor's Choice" designation within the rigorous testing of the Outdoor Gear Lab's Women's Hiking Shoe review. I also tried on their pick for "Best Buy" along with another pair that they tested. Ultimately I chose these because of the fit, excellent arch support, waterproofness, weight, breathability, and style. I'm generally turned off by the busy visual style style of hiking shoes, I wish they could all be a bit simpler. But I appreciated that these came in a subtler neutral color combination (Thyme/Asphalt) that didn't pander to the ridiculous notion that outdoor gear for women must be wholly restricted to large swaths of purple, pink, or baby blue. Although they had great arch support to begin with, I gave the shoes a slight upgrade by immediately trashing the thin insoles for Superfeet brand Green ones. With a slightly thicker insole and medium-cushion wool hiking sock, I found that my regular size that I buy all my other shoes in was a perfect fit. To note: I have regular (medium?)-width feet, they are neither especially wide nor narrow. As recommended by the other reviews, I also tried a half size down, which I found to be incredibly tight (even without an insole change). So when used as an actual hiking shoe, I find that they are true to size and do not run large at all. Though if you have an especially narrow foot and only plan to wear them with a thin cotton sock, I can see how they would seem too large in that context. After a long weekend of hiking around Zion National park, I'm super pleased with the purchase. Although I wore them for a few days beforehand, they truly required no breaking in. We were out on a rainy day (not torrential downpour, but definitely more than a sprinkle) and they kept me feet comfy and dry. When descending down steep trails, my toes were never uncomfortably jamming against the front of the toe box. The soles felt grippy whether the terrain was wet or covered with loose sand. The laces stayed tied, and tightened with ease when tying. The last eyelet made of metal seems like a great idea. They were breathable yet kept dirt and debris out.

A good-looking shoe that's comfortable immediately and has plenty of toe room. So much arch support that I don't need to use the orthotic that I put in other shoes to treat plantar fasciitis.

These are nicely made shoes that look like they would wear well. They have a generous toe box. Several people have commented that they run narrow, but when I put these on, I walked out of them with my first step. My feet have small bones, and narrow heels. If your feet are like mine, these may not fit you well. I had to return them.

Great shoes! They are a little stiff when you first put them on, but they break in very quickly. Also they run a bit large, so order a half size down. They are very comfortable and very waterproof- I step through creeks and walk in the pouring rain in them all the time and my feet stay totally dry. Also I just hiked 6 miles on the Appalachian Trail in them and my feet were comfortable all day!

I own two pairs of Salomons and they are both perfect. Neither required any breaking in. I honestly don't understand comparisons with Merrell or Keens, in my experience Salomon is vastly superior in comfort, weight, durability, and style.

Great shoe. Very comfortable. Runs slightly large to accommodate for hiking socks, etc. so if you just want to wear it casually, then I would suggest buying a 1/2 size down. Also a great shoe for winter conditions!

I haven't worn these out yet, but I think I love them. This was my third or fourth attempt (thanks to Zappos)at finding a walking shoe for spring, something that had arch support and was wide enough in the toebox. I wear a size 10.5 and the largest in the size is a 10 so I bought them and I think they're fine, but I say that cautiously. Zappos return policy enabled me to find a shoe that would accommodate my bunions, high arches, etc. I noticed on the sizing guide that this 10 is equivalent to a Euro 42 and a U.K. 8.5, so that might account for the extra length.

Fantastic shoe. Am wearing it on rocky muddy rainy and snowy trails. It can take the beating and keeps feet dry. Comfortable right from the start. Highly recommend.

I've been wearing Salomon almost exclusively for the past four years now. Nothing else works as well for my 56 year old, prone to plantar fasciitis feet. Living in Maine there are 3 major things I require of a shoe: 1) Comfort & arch support, 2) Traction Control (for snow/ice), & 3) Waterproof (see previous). These deliver. Also happy with the neutral color (beigy-brown) but wish they came in plain black for women also. I love the colors (and have some of those) but for work I usually need a more subdued color. I also like that they are all synthetic (no leather).

I should have read all the reviews before buying these, because the reviews are accurate about the sizing: these shoes run big. I wear a 7.5 in dress shoes but always buy an 8 in athletic shoes. I bought a size 8 in these because the last thing I want is for my toes to hit the end of the shoe when I'm hiking. They were just too big -- the size 8 was way too long on my feet. I am exchanging these for a size 7.5 because I think these will be keepers. This is a beautiful, high quality shoe. I needed a waterproof hiking shoe to replace an ancient pair of Montrails from the early 1990's, and I found these after a lot of searching. These shoes are great...but they do run big. I would advise buying your regular size rather than sizing up.

Not super comfortable around the ankles. Seems to run a little big.

These shoes look great. I wear 8.5EW and the length was perfect. I so wanted these to work so I ordered up a half size since they only come in a medium. Length was a bit long so perfect... but just not quite wide enough for my very wide feet. Sadly I returned them, very sadly. So wanted these shoes but fit rules.

These are awesome shoes. Required zero break in time and are lightweight and very cushioning. Highly recommend.

I have worn these in Nepal, India, Bhutan, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and China and I LOVE them. They are GREAT for mucking through wet, dry, rain, mud, rocks, dirt roads and jungle. I bought them expressly for wearing when I knew I would not be on nice paved sidewalks and they have not disappointed. I am constantly kicking rocks or a stair step and my toes do not take the brunt...the shoe does. I have worn them in decent rainfall in the jungle and they stay dry. I have stomped through large puddles and found them to be very effective in keeping moisture out. I have NOT stood in knee-deep water to test them, but they are not rated for that. Upon purchase I pulled out the liner they came with and put in my Dr. Scholl's inserts. The combination has been perfect, and I only need change the inserts every few weeks. I have a narrow heel and the shoe stays on just fine. They look good, they feel great and they are perfect for getting around safely on wet rocks and wood piers. Hoping they are made a few more years because I will likely need a new pair in the next few years. While not uncomfortable in the city, they are not my preference for city walking....not enough cushion to blunt the force of sidewalks.

Loved this shoe. Comfortable right out of the box. Would have kept them but they were just a bit too big. :(

Perfect fitting hiking shoe, great cushion, arch support, wide enough and big toe not squished.

These run large but thanks to Zappos making exchanges effortless, I had the correct size on my doorstep the very next day! Keepers! LOVE these shoes. The tongue is connected so rocks can't slide inside! I work on a rocky hillside rain or shine and these are exactly what I wanted! EXCELLENT! I won't slip with this tread! Also, like the gortex and lacing style with protected toe box. I'm slightly on the narrow side and the way these lace make it an easy fit. I normally wear 9 ½ M but purchased 9M -This covered toe style makes my feet look smaller. LOVE THESE!

Like a few other reviews, I bought these shoes based on a review from OutdoorGearLab. They were comfortable right out of the box. Lightweight with a good amount of tread. I look forward to walking many miles of trails in them.

Great shoes! If I were wearing them to run trails in, I would need a half size smaller and I am a solid 7.5. I am using them for my job in a garden center walking on concrete all day and watering sometimes all day. My pants were soaking wet and my shoes and feet were completely dry! Best shoes I have had in years I will be buying them again. Salomon has out done themselves. Please do not change them in the future!