Cinching the boot, you can actually feel them tighten. Many hikers and backpackers step up to a burlier boot like the Salomon for its taller ankle height and sturdy feel, and the latest Quest inspires plenty of confidence on technical trails. The boot has a nice wide base, and its revamped chassis incorporates a set of wings at each side of the foot that connect directly to the lacing system. And importantly, after fairly intensive testing, the tread is showing very little and even wear. But despite this, it still was tacky enough to trust during rocky creek crossings and held surprisingly well on slick, mossy wooden bridges. The aggressive tread bit into the soft surfaces and held nicely even on steeper climbs and descents (there’s especially good braking at the heel), and the relatively widely spaced lugs shed mud pretty well. In terms of construction, the Quest utilizes Salomon’s All Terrain Contagrip compound, which trades a little stickiness and flexibility for a firmer, long-lasting rubber. And through it all-including ankle-deep steps in mud, climbing up and over downed trees, and navigating loose rock-the Quest 4 GTX gripped reliably well. Trail conditions on our backpacking trip were as expected for early spring: extremely wet and slick. But so too are the extra cushioning, taller ankle height and protection, and added stability for covering challenging terrain. Wearing it back-to-back with the X Ultra, the added heft is immediately noticeable. But to be clear, this is not a light and nimble boot like the brand’s own X Ultra 4 Mid GTX (1 lb. 6.4 oz.), and Oboz Bridger Mid WP (2 lbs. Among other midweight hiking boots, this brings it closer to key competitors like the LOWA Renegade (2 lbs. Updates to the Quest’s design have led to a modest drop in weight for this latest model. In comparing my men’s size 9s, Salomon trimmed about an ounce per shoe, and the newer boot weighs in at 2 pounds 11.2 ounces (listed weight is higher at 2 lbs. For those who plan to stick to easy to moderate trails or want something lighter and more flexible, we recommend Salomon’s own X Ultra 4. Salomon did a nice job retaining some flexibility at the forefoot, so it’s not too stiff while walking, but it’s nevertheless a substantial and burly design that’s best suited for difficult and technical terrain. That said, it’s important to point out that the Quest is a serious boot that will likely be overkill for many day hikers and even backpackers that stick to well-trodden paths. Even loaded down with a moderately heavy pack (around 35 lbs.), I didn’t experience any foot soreness despite a full day on the trail. Underfoot, it’s a similar story with plenty of shock absorption and protection for the rough and rocky conditions we encountered during our backpacking trip in Washington’s Hoh Rainforest. When cinched up, the boot practically hugs your ankle with a supportive, close, and very confidence-inspiring feel. In practice, it’s easy to get a secure and snug fit around the foot, and the locking eyelet at the base of the ankle helps keep your heel in place even on extended climbs. This is a premium design through and through, with a soft lining covering the interior, ample padding around the ankles and on the tongue, and one of our all-time favorite lacing systems. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best hiking boots.Ĭomfort was a highlight with the past-generation model, and the latest Salomon Quest 4 GTX feels very similar with a well-cushioned build and glove-like fit. Overall, despite a slightly lighter weight, revamped chassis, and modernized look, the Quest 4 boasts very similar performance to its predecessor, making it an excellent pick for shuttling heavy loads over technical terrain. Below we break down our experiences with the Quest 4. We put the latest Quest 4 through its paces in Washington’s Hoh Rainforest, where it faced wet and slick trails with lots of loose rock, downed trees, and ankle-deep mud puddles. Salomon’s Quest has garnered serious popularity over the years as a highly capable backpacking boot, and the fourth-generation model carries the torch.
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