In 2021, when I started my quest to find a replacement for my beloved Salomon X Ultra 3 shoes, I reviewed the X Crests.
I found the shoe worked best as what I called “active office shoes” for light-duty hiking, biking around town, and, yes, wearing them in the office.
They worked well enough for that task, but I found them less than durable, and they crapped out rather quickly.
I suspect I am not the only person who found them this way, as I no longer see this model available.
Back in the spring of 2023, I needed all-purpose shoes for, yes, active office wear.
Since COVID, I found myself back working in my IT roots.
Some all-purpose shoes for biking to work or running errands, the occasional after-work hike, etc., come in handy without getting beat up like my current trail shoes.
I noticed that Salamon featured another new shoe – The X Ultra Pioneer. They seemed like classic Merrel Moab-like shoes of the Salomon Ultra. And the overall construction seemed like they would last better than the Crestas.
I bought a pair, wore a pair for a year, bought a second pair, and will probably purchase a third pair later this year.
I am not disappointed in these shoes and their intended use.
Initial view
The shoes are a fabric leather mix, with a good amount of ventilation panels, and weighs 390g/14 oz or a Men’s size 10. It is heavier than pure trail runners but lighter than the Moab 3s mentioned above, which seems a comparable shoe. At $115, the Salamon Pioneers get sold for a competitive price as well.
The volume feels a bit smaller than what I remember with the Ultra 3s and certainly less compared to my favored Terraventure 4s.
Salamon’s on the left
The tread seems aggressive enough for most hiking, but the sole itself is not stiff. It may work better for on-trail rather than extensive off-trail hiking.
The shoes are comfortable, if not as responsive-feeling like my other outdoor shoes.
These are not criticisms per se; instead, they fit a niche of all-purpose shoes that a person can wear in town and work well enough for less intense outdoor pursuits.
In the field
As mentioned, my primary use for these shoes is the Jack-of-all-trades outdoor shoes. I need/want shoes that won’t get as beat up as my dedicated trail shoes that I replace every 3-4 months.
I do indeed use them in my office job. I occasionally see myself doing some physical tasks during my IT job. Additionally, I use them for biking around town and the occasional after-work hike to the sites where Joan and I steward here in Moab.
Just before picking up groceries. PCO Joan.
And a new twist and the purpose of this review – I’ve renewed my Search and Rescue (SAR) activity these past few months.
My current supervisor gives me a lot of autonomy and has let me do SAR calls during the day, as she knows I get the work done.
Besides allowing me to get more immersed in the local public lands, I also get the camaraderie I enjoy in a work environment. I work as a team during SAR events, and though I get along with my colleagues for my “day job,” working with an actual team has a different feel from the solo work that I do currently. SAR calls allow this outdoor person to get out outside and help others.
More SAR calls are on the trail or nearby off the trail itself, but overall, the terrain is less intense than the trips Joan and I typically do regularly. The intensity of SAR, of course, comes from different reasons.
Besides having a “go bag” and clothes handy, I found these all-purpose shoes work well for SAR calls. I eschew my sandals for daily wear and now have these shoes on daily—one less thing to worry about when a page goes off.
When carrying a litter or doing a search, the shoes gave me secure footing, felt comfortable enough, and did feel more like actual outdoor shoes rather than many so-called “active wear”-looking shoes that don’t work well for outdoor use.
Overall
I can’t see myself wearing these shoes as full-time outdoor shoes. I do too much non-designated trail hiking for the less-than-stiff sole to work well.
However, they work well for designated and well-maintained trails, town bike riding, occasional short off-route treks, daily wear, and now SAR-related activity.
Soon, after roughly a year of moderate use, I’ll purchase another pair when they get packed out.
In short, they are the Subaru Outback of shoes.
Meaning? You would not take a Subaru Outback on a 4WD road, nor should you, but an Outback works well enough to haul your gear for trips, go up moderate dirt roads, get to the ski area, and get some groceries.
The Salomon X Ultra Pioneer fills a similar niche for me. And I think they fit it well.
Disclosure – I purchased these shoes with my funds.