Males’s Salomon Quest 4 GTX Assessment

Backside Line

For those who’re in search of severely steady boots for large backcountry adventures, the Salomon Quest 4 GTX is a standout alternative on our Greatest Climbing Boots for Males information. With excellent ankle assist, a sturdy construct, and rugged, sticky soles, this Salomon mannequin provides 4-wheel drive traction for probably the most difficult terrains. The Quest 4s are CleverHiker Founder Dave Collins’ favourite boots for multi-day journeys in fall, winter, and spring with heavy packs and plenty of gear. He’s racked up over 200 miles throughout the Pacific Northwest in these boots from moist, soggy shoreline adventures to the chilly, snowy excessive nation. They have been reliable and cozy for on and off-trail exploration.

The combination of thick leather-based and dense mesh, mixed with a GORE-TEX liner, will hold your toes dependably dry for days of rain, snow, and surprising climate. A agency heel, barely wider toe field, and padded tongue make these boots really feel comfy and comfy after a brief break-in interval. The thick soles and structured midsoles take in influence nicely – excellent for lengthy days on powerful terrain.

Due to their weight and stiff design, although, these boots aren’t a bullseye for everybody. At almost three kilos, the Quest 4s are among the many heavier boots we’ve examined, which might result in early fatigue on hotter days and straightforward trails. Their break-in interval additionally takes endurance – count on as much as 20 miles till the leather-based begins to melt and the soles start to flex. The lacing system, whereas safe, will be cumbersome to regulate, and the highest eyelets can dig uncomfortably into the foot when cinched too tight. Total, the Quest 4 GTX is a high-performance possibility finest fitted to demanding, cooler hikes the place stability and sturdiness matter most.

Consolation

The Salomon Quest 4 GTX is impressively comfy – particularly as soon as it’s damaged in. The thick tongue, comfortable ankle collar, and delicate, supportive insoles make for a comfortable journey that minimizes foot fatigue, even on the hardest terrain. The massive heel loop and distinctive tongue loop make slipping these boots on and off a breeze – a small however vital issue on the finish of a protracted day. We love how these boots stability a excessive, inflexible ankle design and barely stiffer soles with a little bit of flexibility, so you may hold your pure stride even underneath heavy backpack a great deal of 35+ kilos.

The Quest 4’s leather-based and mesh uppers, coupled with a GORE-TEX liner, will hold your toes well-protected from water and chilly with out sacrificing breathability. This design immediately interprets to much less moisture buildup on scorching days however distinctive heat on chilly treks. And Salomon has tons of smaller parts that improve consolation just like the thick, spherical laces that keep tied and dry quick, a comfortable heel collar for delicate assist on ascents and descents, and the big protecting toe cap. Plus, the Quest 4s are straightforward to cinch down securely, locking your heel into the cup for assured footing. For those who’re a backpacker that wants plenty of assist, these boots land within the candy spot.

However consolation is subjective, and we’ve just a few small gripes with the Quest 4. Due to its burly supplies – particularly the thick uppers, with nylon and nubuck leather-based paneling – this mannequin is among the many heavier mountain climbing boots we’ve examined, which might result in quicker fatigue over prolonged distances. Their robust supplies and strong development additionally require a break-in interval of about 15 to twenty miles earlier than they really feel absolutely comfy, so think about sporting these as usually as doable at residence to melt them up correctly earlier than your first massive journey.

We additionally discover the lacing design isn’t probably the most comfy. The third eyelet from the toe is an inch-long spherical plastic loop encased in leather-based, which works nicely to cinch up the boot on the midfoot. Nevertheless, our testing reveals this piece can dig into the highest of the foot and trigger discomfort, particularly with tight laces or when utilizing gaiters that put strain on the highest of the boot. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer doesn’t use these as his winter boots with knee-high snow gaiters anymore due to this difficulty – though he loves them for extra established routes. The Quest 4 additionally runs heat in temperatures over 70°F, so that they’re finest fitted to cooler climates. None of those are deal breakers for us, although. These boots are an amazing alternative for chilly alpine journeys by way of the summer time and staying cozy exterior from September ’until June.

Ankle Assist

For those who’re in search of inflexible ankle assist, the Salomon Quest 4 GTX boots are for you. The Quest 4 is the one high-cut mountain climbing boot to make the minimize on our checklist. It reaches nicely above your ankle, snugly wrapping round your leg for added assist and safety towards sharp brambles and rocks. Its tall, cushioned tongue is burly and padded, so your laces gained’t dig in as you stroll. The ankle cuffs are closely padded, utilizing a mix of froth, mesh, and leather-based for wonderful cushion as you stroll. Leather-based patches add further construction across the ankle space, which supplies the ankles a steady, safe feeling. The Quest 4 is reliably waterproof clear as much as the cuff – almost 4 inches – so puddles, low creek crossings, and snow aren’t any difficulty.

The highest lace hooks are situated pretty far again on the boot, which implies the laces wrap clear from one aspect to the opposite – a design that absolutely locks your toes in for superior stability on uneven or steep terrain. Sturdy leather-based and thick mesh paneling add a beefy construction to the uppers and stop ankle rolling. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer wore these on a winter in a single day in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park with a 40-pound pack stuffed with winter gear, and these boots’ have been key to navigating the rocky trails. Their broad, agency midsole creates an excellent steady base and is superb for maintaining your ankles aligned and safe.

However boots with stiff, excessive ankles don’t work for each state of affairs. We love them for technical locations – however on flat, established, and dry trails, the Quest 4s really feel cumbersome and inflexible in comparison with lighter and extra versatile footwear. We additionally discover the lacing system feels a bit tedious to regulate. Though the design is tremendous safe, the set-back location of the lace hooks and the aggressive curve of the hook slows down on-trail changes. These boots are one among our prime picks for difficult terrain, however we don’t suggest them for day-after-day hike or scorching, humid summer time adventures.

Weight

The Salomon Quest 4 GTX weighs 2 kilos, 14 ounces for the pair, rating among the many heaviest boots we’ve examined. However, these items are price their weight in gold if you’d like industry-leading sturdiness and assist. Their mixture of leather-based paneling, nylon, foam, and GORE-TEX supplies are excellent for maintaining toes dry and guarded, however they’re cumbersome and have a heavier profile in comparison with some artificial boots. The thick midsoles, cumbersome rubber outsoles, and strong tread are constructed to cruise by way of rocky, icy, and troublesome terrain, however in addition they add to the general weight. Salomon doesn’t skimp on any supplies on the tall ankles, both, with closely padded uppers that additional add to the majority. However each element provides sturdiness and stability, and on hikes the place weight isn’t a priority, these boots are superb. 

However heavy boots have their place – and it’s not on clean, flat trails or in scorching and humid locations, the place the load feels extreme. At almost 3 kilos, these boots really feel heavy on lengthy hikes that keep on gentle and average trails that want decrease ankles and extra versatile soles. The heavy-duty leather-based and thick textile development are overkill in hotter circumstances, making them really feel scorching and uncomfortable above 70°F. The burden, mixed with a average break-in interval, could also be a dealbreaker for anybody searching for a flexible, lighter possibility for hotter circumstances.

Traction

The Quest 4 earns above-average marks for traction. The aggressive, deep lugs use Salomon’s proprietary Contagrip outsoles – a sturdy rubber mix that feels dependable and sticky throughout all types of terrain, from free grime to rocky trails and even slick mud. The deep lugs on the outsoles are particularly efficient at shedding particles, set simply far sufficient to keep away from amassing gravel and sticks however shut sufficient to successfully chunk the bottom with out slipping. The midsoles use EVA foam for a little bit of give and a robust chassis that provides lots of stability, lowering foot fatigue with a heavy backpack on and sustaining management on rocky trails.

The broad toe field distributes weight evenly on the toe and forefoot for higher stability when going uphill. Aided by geometric ridges on the toe and throughout the forefoot, these boots assist make steep inclines a breeze. Our testing discovered the identical was true on the heel, the place broad-angled lugs work with a barely flared heel and triangular ridges to offer wonderful braking on descents.

Nevertheless, the Quest 4s wrestle on slick surfaces like clean boulders, moist rocks, and hard-packed snow, the place the deep lugs don’t have a lot to chunk into. In addition they have a tendency to wear down a bit quicker on rocks, concrete, and asphalt, so these are finest for blended terrain. Our testing exhibits that the Contagrip soles are pretty sturdy and cheesy on nearly any dry floor, however since this mix is stiff, they don’t have a lot flexibility for higher grip on moist and shiny areas. 

This stiffness doesn’t provide a lot floor really feel typically, so the Quest 4s aren’t our best choice whenever you want sensitivity with each step or precision on a route. Lastly, the traction is pretty sturdy, however the lugs do put on down quicker than we anticipated, with noticeable put on on the 200-mile mark.

Climate Resistance

These boots thrive in intense climate circumstances. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer can verify – he’s used the Quest 4s with gaiters and snowshoes to wade by way of 2’ toes of snow above 11,000’ within the Rockies over a dozen occasions. The mix of leather-based and mesh uppers saved his toes heat and dry and saved the moisture out. The GORE-TEX lining and excessive cuff work collectively for severe waterproofing you can depend on – whether or not it’s deep snow, pouring rain, or puddles and dust. We’ve hiked a whole bunch of miles in these boots in shoulder seasons, the place they carry out particularly nicely in muck and moist floor. Particulars like fast-drying nylon laces, inset steel lace hooks, and a burly toe cap make these Salomons all however bombproof throughout creek crossings and moist circumstances. The Quest 4s provide reliable climate resilience that holds up over time.

We do have just a few points, although. Though their burly development is superb in cool shoulder season climate, they really feel scorching and heavy in hotter climate. For those who primarily hike in gentle and scorching summer time climate, these boots’ restricted breathability can result in sweaty toes on longer hikes, so you might wish to look elsewhere for extra light-weight choices.

Our greatest grievance is said to the lacing system, the place the bizarre lace hook design can decelerate fast changes. Taking an additional second to tie your boots isn’t an enormous deal more often than not. Nevertheless, in moist, chilly, and snowy circumstances – when dexterity is compromised – this design isn’t our favourite. Additionally, in case you like your boot laces tight, these boots may not work nicely when paired with snow gaiters. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer finds that the place most snow gaiters press down on the highest of the boot is strictly the place Salomon positioned the third lace eyelets. These are two cumbersome leather-based and plastic tubes that connect to the aspect of the boots – which is nice for cinching down the boots tightly – however with gaiters, these eyelets get pushed into the edges of the foot and will be uncomfortable over time.

Sturdiness

The place are you mountain climbing subsequent? The Salomon Quest 4 can most likely deal with it. This stuff are made to face up to relentless backcountry abuse, making them a go-to for a number of CleverHiker group members for spring and fall backpacking journeys. Their leather-based and mesh uppers, strengthened with robust stitching, resist abrasion from rocky trails and thick brush, maintaining them intact over a whole bunch of miles of powerful terrain. The burly rubber toe caps add one other layer of safety, and the GORE-TEX liner successfully repels water and prevents inner dampness after consecutive days in moist, muddy circumstances. The high-cut ankle design offers further assist – which not solely protects towards accidents but additionally maintains the boot’s construction over time. Designed with heavy hundreds and difficult terrains in thoughts, these boots really feel virtually indestructible, permitting severe hikers to enterprise additional with confidence.

Though extremely sturdy, the Quest 4 GTX does include just a few drawbacks by way of lasting consolation and design. The luggy outsoles are crafted from a sturdy rubber compound that grips nicely on varied surfaces – though they started to put on down after the 400-mile mark, shedding their sharp edges and depth. Lastly, some have reported the uppers separating from the outsoles after about 400 miles. To date, we haven’t had that difficulty, however we’ll hold you posted.

Remember that high quality leather-based boots like these will want upkeep with common use to maintain up their weatherproofing and sturdiness. We suggest biannual cleansing and conditioning to maintain the leather-based from cracking, drying out, and finally shedding its waterproof properties. Don’t fear – it’s a reasonably straightforward and quick course of. Take a look at our The best way to Clear Climbing Boots and Sneakers information for extra. 

Ought to You Purchase the Salomon Quest 4 GTX?

The Salomon Quest 4 GTX is an A+ alternative for hikers tackling rugged and technical backcountry trails, muddy and moist alpine routes, and carrying heavy hundreds over multi-day treks. These boots are a step forward with their excessive ankle assist, beefy uppers, and dependable GORE-TEX waterproofing, the place they thrive in moist, muddy, and chilly circumstances. The thick, cushioned midsoles present wonderful consolation for customers with delicate toes or weak ankles, and the burly outsole and thick toe cap provide robust safety and traction on rock, snow, and uneven terrain.

These boots will final, too – they earn prime marks for sturdiness, so with a little bit of upkeep these boots will keep in your rotation season after season. Backpackers, mountaineers, and winter hikers who prioritize stability and safety over lightness and nimble motion will discover precisely what they need with these boots.

Nevertheless, the Quest 4 GTX shouldn’t be the only option in case you’re after a featherlight, breathable, versatile boot for brief outings, humid climates, or scorching summer time climate. At almost three kilos, they’re among the many heaviest choices we’ve examined, which might trigger fatigue on much less demanding trails. The stiff soles and break-in interval imply they lack out-of-the-box consolation, and in temperatures above 70°F, the overlapping higher supplies can result in uncomfortable warmth buildup. We additionally discover the lacing system is a bit cumbersome, so these boots require a bit extra focus than others – and so they’re dear. Informal hikers or these on a finances could wish to think about lighter, extra reasonably priced choices that supply primary assist with out the hefty construct or premium value of the Quest 4 GTX.

What Different mountain climbing boots Ought to You Take into account?

For extra choices, please see our full information to males’s mountain climbing boots.

LOWA Renegade GTX Assessment: The LOWA Renegade GTX provides distinctive climate resistance and strong ankle assist much like the Salomon Quest 4 GTX. However we choose the Lowa Renegade GTX for its superior consolation, lighter really feel, and extra pure foot motion over the stiffer, bulkier Quest 4 GTX. For those who’re a year-round hiker who desires even higher traction and don’t thoughts much less ankle assist, these are a superb possibility for average terrain. 

Salomon X Extremely 4 Mid GTX Assessment: The Salomon X Extremely 4 Mid GTX are a bit decrease on the ankle and only a bit much less climate resistant than the Quest 4 GTX – however this mannequin makes use of extra artificial supplies, so that they’re a lot lighter. We love these boots for adventures the place low weight and excessive assist are precedence. For those who’re in search of a extra agile really feel with out sacrificing sturdiness or traction, these boots are an amazing alternative—plus, they price much less.

Merrell Moab 3 WP Assessment: Just like the Salomon Quest 4s, the Merrell Moab 3 WPs provide nice waterproofing and traction. Nevertheless, the Moab 3 stands out for its lighter weight, comfortable and broad match, and wonderful value level, making this mannequin higher for long-distance hikes and hotter climate. These boots are a strong entry-level possibility for hikers on a finances who desire a lighter, extra comfy boot for average trails – and don’t want inflexible ankle assist.