Salomon has phased out the Ellipse GTX in favor of the new Ellipse 3 CS WP. Salomon tells us that this is virtually the same shoe, the only difference being that the new version uses Salomon's proprietary waterproof membrane instead of Gore-Tex. Compare the two versions below, with the Ellipse 3 featured on the left and the old Ellipse GTX on the right.
Since we haven't reviewed this new version, the following review refers to the older Gore-Tex version, though we do expect this new version to perform similarly to its predecessor.
The Salomon Ellipse GTX is made with a PU-coated leather and mesh upper, and a Gore-Tex waterproof liner. The sole is Salomon's non-marking Contagrip rubber.
We had a hard time getting a good fit in this shoe, which ultimately affected its comfort for us. We originally ordered it in a women's size 10, which ended up being too long. We sized down to a 9.5, which fit us better lengthwise but found the shoe really confining width wise with zero room for toe splay. Considering that we have narrow feet and usually have the opposite problem, we were surprised at how confining the interior of the shoe was. And as much as it was tight in the toe, we had some heel lift issues in the rear. This shoe was just not meant for our particular foot. But even putting all that aside and going purely on the comfort of the sole, we still found the Ellipse wanting. There is nowhere near the same amount of cushion in this shoe as the Hoka Tor Summit, and after trying and loving such a comfortable pair it left us wanting more out of the other models in this review.
These shoes offered adequate support, though the arch was slightly flat. As we mentioned above, we did have a bit of heel slipping as well. We did like the adjustability of the lacing system, however, you might have a hard time keeping the toe box loose while still tightening up the top. If so you can always pull the laces out and retie them skipping the first eyelets.
These shoes use Salomon's “Contagrip” rubber soles. The multi-directional lugs have some spacing for shedding mud and rocks, but the tread is not as thick or aggressive as some other models, like the Oboz Sawtooth Low BDry or the Vasque Vasque Talus Trek Low UltraDry - Women's. The rubber is fairly sticky though, and the flexible toe allowed us to scramble around on steep slabs without fear of slipping.
At 1 pound 10 ounces, the Salomon Ellipse GTX was only an ounce heavier than the lightest shoe in this review, the Ahnu Sugarpine WP - Women's. If you're looking for a pair that won't weigh you down, these are a great choice.
Water beads off of the nylon mesh uppers that are overlaid with thermoplastic urethane (fancy plastic for added protection and durability). The textiles are water resistant and the waterproof Gore-Tex lining is like a waterproof bootie. While the upper resists saturation, the ankle is lower cut than some other models, like the Hoka and Oboz shoes that we tested. While it's not much (half an inch or so), sometimes that's all it takes for an errant splash to enter your shoe.
Lightweight construction often compromises the sturdiness of materials that make a hiking shoe durable, but that wasn't the case with this model. We bushwacked in these shoes through low, prickly bushes, and not a single mark was left on them. We wore them through streams and mud and dusty trails, and they continued to look practically new. The nylon mesh upper and abrasion resistant lining protects the shoes so that no matter how many times you take your shoes off, they lining doesn't pill or tear. A synthetic toe cap protects the toes but also protects the front of the shoe from wearing out, and after months of hiking, the soles look hardly worn.
These shoes are best for day hiking with a light pack or for those who like to move fast on the trail. While we don't feel like there was enough support and comfort to use the shoes for overnight trips with a heavy pack, they are still a great option for long day hikes.
Just a few years ago, this $120 shoe was one of the most expensive shoes that we tested. It's still $120, but a lot of other models have gotten more expensive, including our Best Buy winner, the Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator - Women's. We even tested a $210 pair this year, the Lowa Renegade GTX Lo Women's. Considering that you are getting a Gore-Tex-lined waterproof shoe for this price, we think it's a pretty good value overall.
