Salomon vs Merrell: Which Hiking Brand Is Better?

Two Giants of the Trail

Salomon and Merrell dominate the hiking footwear market, but they serve slightly different audiences. Salomon leans technical and performance-focused. Merrell leans comfortable and accessible. Understanding the difference helps you pick the right brand for your feet and your terrain.

Salomon: The Technical Choice

Salomon started as a ski brand in the French Alps and that mountain DNA shows. Their hiking shoes tend to be lighter, more precise in fit, and designed for people who move fast on trails.

Strengths: Exceptional grip (Contagrip outsoles are industry-leading), lighter weight, more technical sole designs, quick-lace systems on many models, and a sleeker aesthetic.

Weaknesses: Narrower fit that doesn’t suit wider feet, higher price point on premium models, and some models feel too firm for casual walking.

Key model: The Salomon X Ultra 4 is their flagship hiking shoe — light, grippy, and available in mid (boot) and low (shoe) versions.

Merrell: The Comfort Choice

Merrell built its reputation on the Moab — “Mother of All Boots” — and comfort has always been their priority. Their shoes tend to fit wider out of the box, need less break-in time, and feel immediately comfortable.

Strengths: Wider fit for most foot shapes, excellent comfort from day one, Vibram outsoles across the range, more affordable pricing, and the Moab range covers every scenario.

Weaknesses: Slightly heavier than Salomon equivalents, less technical sole design, and some models can feel a bit soft and lacking in support for very rough terrain.

Key model: The Merrell Moab 3 remains the bestselling hiking shoe in the UK for good reason — comfortable, grippy, and available in every configuration.

Head-to-Head: X Ultra vs Moab

Feature	Salomon X Ultra 4	Merrell Moab 3
Price	~£110-£140	~£80-£110
Weight	340g	400g
Fit	Narrow-to-medium	Medium-to-wide
Outsole	Contagrip MA	Vibram TC5+
Waterproof	GTX option	GTX option
Lacing	Quicklace	Traditional
Break-in	Minimal	Almost none
Best terrain	Technical trails	General hiking

Fit: The Deciding Factor

This is genuinely the most important consideration. Salomon shoes fit narrower, especially in the midfoot and heel. If you have narrow or average-width feet, they’ll feel precise and secure. If you have wider feet, they’ll feel cramped and uncomfortable within an hour.

Merrell fits wider across the board. The Moab in particular has a generous toe box that gives your toes room to spread. For wider feet, Merrell is the obvious choice — no amount of technical features matters if the shoe doesn’t fit.

Try both on if possible. Walk around the shop for 10 minutes in each. The difference in fit is immediately obvious.

Grip Comparison

Salomon’s Contagrip outsole is slightly better on wet rock and steep, loose terrain. It’s designed for trail runners who need to descend quickly without slipping. Merrell’s Vibram soles are excellent on mud and general trails but don’t quite match Salomon on technical ground.

For UK walking paths, both are more than adequate. The grip difference only matters on scrambles and steep technical descents.

Price and Value

Merrell is typically £20-£30 cheaper for comparable models. The Moab 3 at around £90 is exceptional value. Salomon’s X Ultra starts at £110 and the GTX mid version pushes past £140. Both brands last 2-3 years of regular use.

Our Verdict

Choose Salomon if: You have narrow-to-medium feet, walk technical trails, value lightweight and speed, and don’t mind paying more.

Choose Merrell if: You have medium-to-wide feet, want immediate comfort, walk general paths and trails, and prefer better value.

Neither is objectively “better” — they just fit different feet and different walking styles. Get the one that fits your foot shape, and you’ll be happy.