Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex: The 'most stylish' waterproof walking shoes I've seen in years - and now on sale
It's difficult to find a walking shoe that works just as well off the trails as on them, but I've found it with the Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex
The Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex walking shoes blend comfort, style, and functionality to create a pair that's just as suited to wearing to the office as trekking on the trails. Plus, the numerous colourways make it a unique choice in the sea of brown, grey, and black trainers designed for walking.
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Completely waterproof
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Stylish
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Easy to put on and take off
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Protective toe cap
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Very comfortable
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Gore-tex version may be more comfortable
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Not as lightweight as non-Gore-Tex shoe
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The Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex blends a stylish silhouette with functional Quicklace closures and a rugged sole, making it a great shoe for rainy walks outdoors and daily life.
If you've spotted the shoe before, I wouldn't be surprised. Since the brand launched its sportstyle category a few years ago, the XT-6 has been spotted on celebrities like Rihanna and on the streets of Paris, New York, and Copenhagen over numerous fashion weeks. That's right - the Adidas Samba has a new rival for a shoe that's equally sporty and functional.
When I saw the Salmon XT-6 take off, I admittedly felt a little smug. I've been wearing the shoe for years. It's always appeared in our roundup of the best walking shoes as they are so comfortable to wear, look great paired with suit trousers or smart jeans in the office, and are incredibly durable.
I bought my first pair in black without the Gore-Tex (waterproof) layer, but after being faced with a longer commute and more outdoor holidays in 2025, I knew there was space for another pair in my wardrobe. Enter the Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex walking shoe.
Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex review
Specifications
- Size range: UK 3.5 - 12.5
- RRP: £185
- Weight per shoe: 357g
- Materials: ePE membrane, PFC-free,and anti-debris mesh construction
- Waterproof? Yes
The green colourway I've been wearing isn't in stock anymore. This dark blue and purple combo fits the brief as a great alternative. With its highlights of white and black, it pairs with just about any colour too.
It's a bold colourway - but perfect for the upcoming spring/summer months. The yellow and green look outdoorsy, and the Gore-Tex layer means your feet will stay dry through whatever you've got planned.
This was the first pair of Salomon XT-6 trainers I bought. The Gore-Tex layer on the Salomon XT-6 make these a go-to shoe for rainy walks and wet weather days in the city - but it does mean they are less breathable. For warmer (and drier) weather, I'd recommend opting for this standard trainer. It's also available in multiple colours.
Quick overview of the Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex walking shoes
Firstly, these shoes are so comfortable, even after walking in them for hours. I've taken them on walking trips around Devon, where I traversed sandy beaches, gravel trails, and muddy, soggy paths, and on holiday in the Alps. I've also taken them on city breaks. A trip to Rome, where they coped equally well on cobbles and over 20,000 steps, comes to mind. The wide toe box gives the toes plenty of room to breathe, while the supportive foot arch keeps aches at bay, making them suitable for whatever you've got planned.
Underfoot, the Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex feels flexible and responsive. The shoe also has an incredible grip on the sole, with thick lugs ideal for navigating soft and muddy conditions and wet rocks and gravel.
They are also very easy to pull on and off, with the Quicklace closure and flexible tongue.
For fans of the Adidas Samba, this is a great alternative, with a similar sporty design and discreet appearance. While it's more rugged, I love this shoe as an alternative to my standard trainers for added support and something a little different.
What are the Salmon XT-6 like to wear?
As well as being supremely comfortable, the Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex walking shoes are very supportive. The smooth arch support and material upper, covered by the Quicklace closure, combine to offer all-around support to the foot while you're on the move, while still being flexible enough to allow the foot room to move with the terrain.
Across the midfoot, the shoe is slimmer than other walking shoes like the Merrell Moab Speed 2 or Hoka Speedgoat 6, which I also often recommend. This gives the design a stylish, elevated look that seems to be very on-trend for 2025, given the popularity of shoes like the Adidas Samba and Adidas Gazelle.
The shoe isn't particularly plushy, so it feels sturdy to walk in. With the combination of stability and comfort, I hardly notice I'm wearing these shoes at all. Having walked in them for miles and miles, I often take them off and feel the same as I do when I've been wearing my slippers all day. That's a very rare feeling when it comes to walking shoes.
The Salomon XT-6 is also just as grippy as any other walking shoe, with thick 5.5mm lugs underfoot that make it easy to walk with confidence across slippery terrains and slick cobbles.
I own the Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex and the regular trainer without waterproofing. It may just be me, my trainers, and my feet, but I have noticed that the Gore-Tex version is more comfortable than the regular model.
Are the Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex good for hiking?
Yes! This shoe has made a name for itself in recent years as a stylish alternative to standard mainstream trainers, but it was around for almost ten years before that as a walking shoe exclusively. Whether you're walking 30 minutes a day or exploring the benefits of hiking with a walking holiday, it's a shoe I'd recommend.
The Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex is designed for trails and rocky routes in all weather conditions, rather than mountainous hikes. While some critics say the shoe isn't particularly flexible, I'd say the opposite. I've never felt any restriction around the front foot or toes while wearing these, even in colder and wet conditions.
Given that these have a Gore-Tex layer and thick rubber toe tap, they are also completely waterproof, making them a go-to in any outdoor hiking wardrobe. Whether you accidentally step in a puddle on your commute or are walking through a downpour on your weekend hike, I can promise that these keep your feet dry. The toe cap also adds extra durability and protection in case you stub your toe on the trails.
The Ariat Skyline Low Waterproof walking shoes made the top choice on my best-of list in the end, but these came in a very close second.
The Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex are just as at-home on the beach, on muddy trails, or in the office (after a good clean, of course).
Are the Salomon XT-6 walking shoes stylish?
I love pairing my Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex walking shoes with suit trousers, dresses, and jeans. They have a sporty, functional look but avoid the 'granola' aesthetic that many walking shoes fall into, being slimline and available in many colourways.
I also love the pop of green with the white and black as someone who mostly wears neutral colours.
Gorpcore is the term for shoes like this - a word first coined in 2017 by journalist Jason Chen to describe a utilitarian style of outdoor wear worn more for fashion than function. The Salmon XT-6 is the poster child for this look.
You don't have to take my word for it, though. Woman&home's fashion ecommerce editor, Caroline Parr, says: "I've definitely noticed a trend for wearing traditionally sporty or technical shoes as everyday footwear in the last few years. Take football-inspired Sambas, Salomon trail shoes and even boxing boots as examples. And why not? Support and durability are certainly what I want from a shoe, and who says that can't be stylish? If you're used to sleek white leather trainers, they're going to feel very different at first, but lean into them being an unexpected addition to your wardrobe. Teaming them with tailoring would be my top recommendation!"
It won't be a look for everyone, but if you're after a unique pair of shoes that fits into both worlds, for less than £200, these could be a winner.
Where to buy Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex walking shoes
- Salomon: Shop direct from £185 in this season's colourways
- Selfridges: Colourways, including black, purple and blue, available from £180
- ASOS: Shop exciting colourways from £165 (non-Gore-Tex)
- END Clothing: All models from £160 in stock
- FARFETCH: Shop neutral and bright colourways from £130
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