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The Salomon Toundra Mid WP worked adequately to go out and shovel snow, run to the store for errands on a stormy day or drive to the ski hill in. It's a warm boot and offers good weather protection, but it was not the most comfortable model that we tested and it was also less than ideal for slippery conditions. Like the Keen Summit County, the Toundra has a wide fit, though this is a better boot than the Keen for those with wide feet. If you are looking for a great all-around winter boot, consider our Editors' Choice winner, the Bogs Classic Ultra Mid, or if you plan on getting out and about in your boots, our Top Pick for Winter Hiking, the Vasque Snowburban Ultradry, is also a great choice.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Hands-On Review
Weighing in at 1.5 pounds per boot in a size 11, the Toundra is a reasonably lightweight winter boot. Using a proprietary insulation called Aerogels, Salomon claims warmth down to -40 F/C in these boots. They are available in Black only, and sizes range from 7 to 14.
This boot is warm and durable, and the waterproof rubber keeps the lower part of the boot well-protected.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Warmth
With the use of the SpaceLoft fabric and Aerogel insulation (products that were designed in part for NASA space suits), Salomon has achieved remarkable warmth for this boot despite its low weight. This was among the warmest boots in our review, and was certainly warmer than our Top Pick for Winter Hiking selection, the Vasque Snowburban Ultradry. This was the standout feature of this boot, and if you live in a cold climate and/or have cold feet, you'll definitely stay warm in this pair.
The Aerogels Spaceloft insulation kept our feet very warm, and it was noticeably warmer than the insulation in the similar Keen Summit III.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Water Resistance
The Climashield waterproof membrane used in this boot performs as it should, keeping water and slush out while also allowing perspiration to escape. Even though these boots were warm, our feet never got too sweaty while wearing them. The high tongue gusset is also made with waterproof material, and gives this boot a deeper resistance to puddles, especially when compared to the Keen Summit County.
Testing warmth and water resistance in the ice bucket, with the Toundra (left) and the Premium T (right).
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Fit and Comfort
Salomon's footwear, whether it's their running shoes, ski boots or hikers, are known to run wide and slightly large in their sizes. Previous reviews have complained about length issues, though we ordered size 11 across the board and had no problem with the sizing of this boot (unlike The North Face Chilkat 400, which fit very small to size). This model does have a wide foot throughout, which although roomy, did not bother us as much as the wide toe box of the Keen Summit County. The roomy toe box made it easy to throw on another pair of socks on colder days without feeling too scrunched. With synthetic fur along the cuff and a snugly fitting heel cup, we liked the soft and secure fit these boots gave when laced up.
The thin profile fits under most pants, which is nice for running errands around town.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Traction
Despite warmth and comfort, a good winter hiking boot needs to have positive traction in snowy and icy conditions, and unfortunately this boot scored near the bottom of the pack in this category. The Adidas Outdoor Terrex Conrax BOA was a much better performer in this category, as was our Editors' Choice winning Bogs Classic Ultra Mid.
The Contagrip sole did not offer good traction on smooth ice.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Ease of Use
With a large heel counter to help pry off the boots when coming in from a cold day outside, these boots were easy to use, and with the high gussets they could be worn fully laced using the traditional lacing system or left undone and worn as slip-on boots for a quick run outside to get more firewood.
Best Applications
This boot is a good choice for winter walks in the snow, as long as there's not a lot of ice. They are warm, offer a secure fit, and are well-suited for those with wider feet.
These boots will keep you warm on snowy walks, but beware of icy conditions.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Value
At $200, the Toundra is the second most expensive boot in our review, second to the Adidas Outdoor Terrex Conrax BOA, which we feel is a better winter hiking boot at a slightly higher price. For those with wide feet, finding a good boot is hard, so we recommend this one as being a better value than the Keen Summit County, which is another wide boot for a little less money.
Conclusion
This is a good all-around boot for cold climates, and it performed very well in the warmth category. For those who need better traction in icy conditions, look to our Top Pick for Winter Hiking, the Vasque Snowburban Ultradry.
