Last month, I spent time testing the Salewa Wildfire Gore-Tex on Bulgaria’s Musala trail, a route that throws wet granite, scree fields, and technical scrambles at you, particularly once you’re above 2,500 meters.
I haven’t worn much Salewa before this, just the Alp Trainer for a couple of seasons until the upper finally gave out on some sharp limestone. So I was curious whether the Wildfire’s construction would hold up better.
Our Verdict
The shoe uses a Pomoca Speed MTN outsole with a climbing zone up front and Gore-Tex for waterproofing.
Right away, the narrow fit was an issue. I went up half a size and still felt squeezed through the forefoot for the first several hikes.
The Gore-Tex also keeps things warmer than I’d prefer, definitely noticeable compared to mesh shoes I’ve tested.
But after a month of use, the build quality looks solid. The rand and upper show minimal wear despite plenty of contact with rock.
Let’s get into specifics.
Highlights
| Feature | Salewa Wildfire Gore-Tex |
|---|---|
| Weight | Men’s: ~1 lb. 12 oz (≈ 790 g) per pair, US 9 Women’s: ~1 lb. 8 oz (≈ 680 g) per pair, US 7 |
| Water Resistance | Fully waterproof with Gore-Tex Extended Comfort membrane; treated mesh upper |
| Traction | Pomoca Speed MTN outsole with climbing zone at toe; sticky grip on wet and dry rock, adequate on mixed terrain |
| Comfort | Dual-density EVA midsole with OrthoLite footbed; firm, stable cushioning with minimal break-in |
| Adjustability | Climbing-style lacing extends to the toe with a 3F cable system; precise, customizable fit across zones |
| Breathability | Limited; Gore-Tex membrane runs warmer than mesh shoes, adequate for cool alpine conditions |
| Durability | 3D Exa Shell cage with mesh upper and TPU rand; good abrasion resistance on rocky terrain |
| Support | 3F System with cable network; torsional rigidity reduces ankle roll on uneven ground |
| Toe Protection | TPU toe rand and rubber toe cap; adequate protection on technical routes |
Pros & Cons
PROS
CONS
Things We Tested When We Reviewed Scarpa Crux
Traction
The Pomoca Speed MTN outsole handles rock adequately for approach shoe purposes.
During my testing on granite slabs, the smooth climbing zone at the toe provided functional purchase for smearing on edges – not rock-climbing gear precision, but serviceable for scrambling.
The rubber compound feels sticky enough, similar to Five Ten’s Stealth C4 rubber, if you’ve ever tried them, but definitely more durable.
What I noticed is that the diamond pattern with tight spacing tends to catch small stones. I stopped multiple times each hike to clear pebbles wedged between lugs, which interrupts flow on technical sections.
But the aggressive lugs throughout the rest of the sole bite into loose terrain adequately during descents, which was exactly what I was expecting from an approach shoe at this price.
Durability
After four weeks on rocky Bulgarian trails, the Wildfire shows acceptable wear patterns. The Pomoca outsole has worn to roughly 75% of its original tread depth, concentrated at heel and forefoot contact points, fairly standard for this mileage. The stitching looks solid without obvious weak spots developing.
What’s great is that the front rand shows literally no wear after a month of use. The mesh upper remains intact without holes, though there’s noticeable pilling where my pack straps rub the heel area.
Overall construction appears durable enough for a couple of hundred miles, though I’ve tested tougher builds at similar price points.
Comfort
The Wildfire GTX needed about 15-20 miles to break in. During initial hikes, I felt pressure across the forefoot until the upper softened enough to conform to my foot shape.
The OrthoLite footbed provides moderate cushioning, functional for absorbing rock impacts. I saw this approach shoe marketed as “hiking on clouds,” which seems exaggerated based on my experience. In this case, rigidity is intentional. Approach shoes prioritize stability over softness.
The firm EVA midsole creates a stable platform on technical ground, but that firmness translates to foot fatigue after seven or eight hours.
The padded tongue sits comfortably without bunching, and the climbing laces extending toward the toes allow zone-specific adjustments. The shoe works well for half-day approaches and technical scrambles; on full-day outings, the snug fit becomes more noticeable.
Breathability
The Gore-Tex Extended Comfort membrane limits ventilation as expected for waterproof footwear. Testing these in September with temperatures around 18-20°C at lower elevations and 10-12°C higher up, breathability was acceptable for the conditions.
My feet ran slightly warmer than they would in mesh approach shoes, but nothing uncomfortable, given the moderate temperatures.
The mesh portions provide some airflow, and the OrthoLite insole wicks moisture reasonably.
For autumn conditions and cooler alpine routes, the ventilation worked fine. I’d expect the Gore-Tex lining to become more problematic in genuinely hot weather (mid-summer days or humid conditions below treeline), where the heat buildup would be more noticeable.
Weight
At roughly 340 grams per shoe for women’s size 7, the Wildfire GTX sits mid-range for approach shoes. After several thousand meters of elevation gain around Musala, I noticed they weigh more than lighter trail runners, but less than traditional hiking boots.
The weight comes from the Gore-Tex membrane, protective rand, and support structure, functional components rather than unnecessary bulk.
The firm midsole and protective upper add grams but address issues that lighter shoes would have on technical terrain. It’s a reasonable trade-off if support matters more than speed, though I’ve tested lighter shoes with comparable support.
The newer Wildfire 2 model reportedly shaved roughly 20-40 grams per shoe through material updates, though both versions remain in similar weight ranges.
Waterproofing
The Gore-Tex membrane performs as expected for waterproof footwear. During stream crossings on the Musala trail, I waded through ankle-deep water, and my feet stayed dry throughout the hike afterward.
The treated upper beads water effectively when maintained, and the mesh exterior doesn’t soak up water weight like some materials do.
Walking through wet grass and puddles on the descent, water didn’t penetrate. During one afternoon with steady rain for about an hour and a half, the shoes kept my feet dry, though I’d expect that in truly sustained downpours lasting several hours, water would eventually seep in around the low-cut collar, which is standard for this style of shoe.
Support
The support structure works competently for a low-cut design. The 3F System with cable network connecting instep to heel provides torsional rigidity that reduces excessive twisting on uneven terrain.
Carrying a 20lb pack up steep sections, the stiff platform kept my foot reasonably stable, though I still experienced some ankle strain on particularly rough ground – more than trail runners, less than mid-cut boots.
It indeed has the lateral torsional rigidity to keep your feet comfortable over many miles of rough, uneven terrain, as I’ve heard from other testers.
The firm EVA midsole resists collapsing when standing on off-camber rocks. On talus fields, the wide forefoot base increases stability adequately. I could edge on small holds without excessive shoe bending.
The 11mm heel drop cushions heel strikes on steep descents without feeling overly built up. About 83% of Zappos reviewers said it has moderate arch support, which matches my assessment.
Fit and Sizing
The Wildfire GTX sizing caused issues. I normally wear US women’s 8.5 in most brands, but needed 9 for a comfortable fit. Even sized up, the fit is notably narrow through the toe box. My feet are of average width, and I still felt constriction across the forefoot that took 15 miles to resolve partially.
I’ve measured them against my La Sportiva TX4 and found that Wildfire 2 is 11mm narrower at the widest point, nearly half an inch. For wider feet, this would eliminate the shoe from consideration.
Or my recommendation is to swap the women’s version for the men’s and get a roomier toe box if the model really caught your eye.
The Multi-Fit Footbed system with removable insole layers helps adjust volume somewhat. I used both layers initially and removed one after the upper softened.
How Does it Compare with Other Products?
La Sportiva TX Guide
Built on a narrower last with a tighter toe box, the TX Guide edges better on technical rock but sacrifices all-day comfort. The mesh upper breathes significantly better, relevant in warm conditions where the Wildfire’s Gore-Tex becomes uncomfortable.
Both use sticky rubber compounds with comparable dry rock traction; I’d give a slight edge to Vibram Megagrip on wet surfaces based on testing both.
The TX Guide sacrifices durability and weather protection for breathability and weight reduction. The Wildfire provides more support for load carrying due to the stiffer platform.
La Sportiva Boulder X
The Boulder X features a wider toe box than the Wildfire, addressing fit issues many experience. However, without Gore-Tex, waterproofing is minimal – acceptable for dry conditions, problematic in wet environments.
Both provide comparable support levels, though the Wildfire’s 3F cable system delivers slightly better torsional rigidity in my testing. The Boulder X edges adequately on small holds with its climbing zone design.
For more details of this approach shoe, check out
our review of the La Sportiva Boulder X
Scarpa Crux
The Crux uses leather and synthetic construction that’s less protective than the Wildfire’s full cage design but provides better ventilation. The Vibram sole grips adequately, though not at the same level as the Wildfire’s Pomoca compound on wet rock.
The Crux works for occasional use or testing the approach shoe category without major investment. It’s more flexible on easy trails but provides less support for technical terrain or heavy loads.
For more information, check out our review of the Scarpa Crux
Where Salewa Wildfire Gore-Tex Performs Better
The Wildfire GTX works best on technical alpine approaches mixing hiking with scrambling: fourth-class terrain, via ferratas, boulder fields, and talus slopes where you need footwear that handles both activities adequately.
It suits multi-day mountain objectives with moderate packs when you need support and stability on unstable ground. Shoulder-season conditions with variable weather favor the Gore-Tex waterproofing despite the breathability compromise.
The Pomoca rubber handles wet granite competently, providing adequate security on exposed scrambles. The narrow fit actually benefits technical use if your feet match the last shape, as tighter fits translate to better control on small holds.
Where Salewa Wildfire Gore-Tex Falls Short in Performance
These don’t work for trail running or long days on smooth trails, where the stiffness and weight become liabilities rather than assets. Hot, humid climates expose the Gore-Tex lining’s poor breathability. Mesh alternatives perform better in tropical or desert conditions.
The tightly spaced lug pattern traps debris regularly, requiring frequent stops to clear pebbles. There are also maintenance requirements (treating the upper, clearing lugs, managing the narrow fit), which add hassle compared to simpler designs.
Plus, the narrow fit creates problems for anyone with wider-than-average feet, even when sizing up.
Do We Recommend Salewa Wildfire Gore-Tex?
For specific use cases, yes. Testing these on demanding Bulgarian peaks confirmed they handle technical mountain terrain adequately when conditions call for waterproof approach shoes.
The support they provide in a low-cut design suits scrambling and rough terrain. However, the narrow fit requires careful sizing – go up half a size minimum and verify the shape matches your feet before committing.
If you primarily hike mellow trails or need maximum ventilation, non-waterproof options work better. But for scrambling, via ferratas, technical approaches in variable weather, and mixed terrain where waterproofing matters, the Wildfire GTX performs the job competently.
Where to Buy It?
| WHERE TO BUY? | MEN | WOMEN |
| Amazon | See Pricing» | See Pricing» |
| Backcountry | See Pricing» | See Pricing» |
| REI | See Pricing» | See Pricing» |
FAQs
Salewa is an Italian outdoor gear brand, though it was originally founded in Germany in 1935. The company is now headquartered in Bolzano, Italy.
Salewa offers a two-year warranty covering manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty doesn’t cover normal wear, improper use, or damage from accidents.
