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Salomon Quest 4 GTX
Editor’s Conclusion
You know you're going to be comfortable with this beast of a hiking boot. Just look at it. Do you need a review to like this shoe?
The Salomon Quest 4 is stylish, sturdy, durable, and one hell of a boot. The Salomon Quest 4 is undoubtedly top of the list of great hiking boots, coming highly recommended for anyone needing a top-performing trailblazer.
Salomon ensures its customer's safety and comfort with the best ankle support of any boot I've seen reviewed. With features upon features, this heavy-duty hiking boot excels in nearly all areas. Combining Contragrip rubber outsoles, an aggressive lug pattern and a DV-C 4D Chassis, means you'll have all the security you need to combat any landscape, no matter the size of foe.
Other great features include a GTX waterproof but breathable membrane, impact shock reduction from an EnergyCell midsole and a SensiFit™ cradling to ensure a secure and snug fit. I could spend all day listing the immense features of this high-top hiking boot, but I might bore you. So, I'll keep it sweet.
Instead, carry on reading to find out why you should love the Quest 4 GTX too.
The Salomon Quest 4 is stylish, sturdy, durable, and one hell of a boot. The Salomon Quest 4 is undoubtedly top of the list of great hiking boots, coming highly recommended for anyone needing a top-performing trailblazer.
Salomon ensures its customer's safety and comfort with the best ankle support of any boot I've seen reviewed. With features upon features, this heavy-duty hiking boot excels in nearly all areas. Combining Contragrip rubber outsoles, an aggressive lug pattern and a DV-C 4D Chassis, means you'll have all the security you need to combat any landscape, no matter the size of foe.
Other great features include a GTX waterproof but breathable membrane, impact shock reduction from an EnergyCell midsole and a SensiFit™ cradling to ensure a secure and snug fit. I could spend all day listing the immense features of this high-top hiking boot, but I might bore you. So, I'll keep it sweet.
Instead, carry on reading to find out why you should love the Quest 4 GTX too.
Salomon Quest 4 GTX Review Facts
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Waterproof
Multi-terrain
Responsive
Great traction
Top performance
Super supportive
Excellent heel break
Cons
Expensive
Not ideal for hot and dry climates
Key Features
Ease of Use
Putting your feet into the Salomon Quest 4 GTX means leaving your feet in the hands (well, boots) of experts. The actual grip on any complex terrain is easy with lugs deeply set with chevron-shaped lugs. These lugs provide plenty of traction on tough uphill jaunts while featuring a pro heel break for steep and challenging descents.
In addition, this lug design is perfect for rough terrain and wet, muddy landscapes. The excellent traction this Salomon should provide is also reinforced through their characteristic Contragrip rubber sole, a durable and sturdy material known for its superb grippy properties.
This mammoth Salomon shoe provides all the traction and stability you need for critically demanding terrain.
Salomon cleverly utilizes the ADV-C Chassis, a stabilising and structuring insert that creates a rigid and solid boot apt for uneven terrain, steep slopes, and scrambling expeditions. Luckily, this extra rigidity provides all the support you need without losing any flexibility.
Other reviewers and I also appear to love the extra ankle protection provided via padded cuff wraps that, as you guessed it, wrap around the lower calf and hugs the ankle closely. But don't be deterred; your flexibility is never impacted.
Comfort
The list of features for the Quest 4 keeps building and building, with comfort, the following significant promise that Salomon delivers on. For example, your feet will be immediately happy with the instant ease and easy slip-on due to the SensiFit technology and an Ortholite Sockliner insert.
In addition, hiking shoes are notorious for creating discomfort due to uncomfortable inner seams creating friction, but the Quest 4 reduces this while increasing breathability.
Further comfort comes a zero break-in period and the generous amount of room in the toe box, allowing for those with wider feet or those that like thick socks the extra space they need.
An essential aspect of any hiking shoe is the reduction of heel strikes. Salomon does their duty here with the Quest 4's EnergyCell EVA foam midsole, perfect for reducing the painful effect of foot strikes on sharp, rocky trails.
Therefore, additional security and comfort come from the lacing system wraps (Active Support Wings) traveling up past the ankle and locking with laces to personalize your fit.
Materials
Quality materials are something that Salomon never skimp on, perhaps something indicated in their premium prices. To create a boot that can handle all terrains in all weather, it must be the best.
And the Quest 4 doesn't disappoint with the use of the famous trademark GORE-TEX waterproof membrane, creating a waterproof yet breathable boot. A water repellent is also added to the material of the shoe to ensure no absorption of water.
Extra protection, stability and traction are also provided by a handful of genius materials, such as the Contagrip® TD rubber soles with deep lugs and an ADV-C 4D Chassis.
A customised and comfortable fit is also entirely possible with the SensiFit™ technology, as it cradles the foot from the midsole to the lacing system. Other excellent materials like the protective mudguard and gusseted tongue keep out unwanted visitors.
Durability
With over seventy years of experience in creating excellent, quality outdoor shoes and boots that last, I'm never worried about purchasing a Salomon pair of boots. I know they will last, and I sleep easy knowing I have a two-year warranty if they don't (which is unlikely).
But on first impressions, the Quest 4 GTX boot is incredibly well made and sturdy. The Quest 4 is built to last with the use of some sturdy materials.
Firstly, the outsole comprises Salomon's exclusive Contagrip TA rubber compound, being the most durable blend of the various Contagrip formulas and particularly handy at combatting loose soil.
In addition, choosing quality whole grain nubuck leather is also essential for more extended wear and durability.
Putting your feet into the Salomon Quest 4 GTX means leaving your feet in the hands (well, boots) of experts. The actual grip on any complex terrain is easy with lugs deeply set with chevron-shaped lugs. These lugs provide plenty of traction on tough uphill jaunts while featuring a pro heel break for steep and challenging descents.
In addition, this lug design is perfect for rough terrain and wet, muddy landscapes. The excellent traction this Salomon should provide is also reinforced through their characteristic Contragrip rubber sole, a durable and sturdy material known for its superb grippy properties.
This mammoth Salomon shoe provides all the traction and stability you need for critically demanding terrain.
Salomon cleverly utilizes the ADV-C Chassis, a stabilising and structuring insert that creates a rigid and solid boot apt for uneven terrain, steep slopes, and scrambling expeditions. Luckily, this extra rigidity provides all the support you need without losing any flexibility.
Other reviewers and I also appear to love the extra ankle protection provided via padded cuff wraps that, as you guessed it, wrap around the lower calf and hugs the ankle closely. But don't be deterred; your flexibility is never impacted.
Comfort
The list of features for the Quest 4 keeps building and building, with comfort, the following significant promise that Salomon delivers on. For example, your feet will be immediately happy with the instant ease and easy slip-on due to the SensiFit technology and an Ortholite Sockliner insert.
In addition, hiking shoes are notorious for creating discomfort due to uncomfortable inner seams creating friction, but the Quest 4 reduces this while increasing breathability.
Further comfort comes a zero break-in period and the generous amount of room in the toe box, allowing for those with wider feet or those that like thick socks the extra space they need.
An essential aspect of any hiking shoe is the reduction of heel strikes. Salomon does their duty here with the Quest 4's EnergyCell EVA foam midsole, perfect for reducing the painful effect of foot strikes on sharp, rocky trails.
Therefore, additional security and comfort come from the lacing system wraps (Active Support Wings) traveling up past the ankle and locking with laces to personalize your fit.
Materials
Quality materials are something that Salomon never skimp on, perhaps something indicated in their premium prices. To create a boot that can handle all terrains in all weather, it must be the best.
And the Quest 4 doesn't disappoint with the use of the famous trademark GORE-TEX waterproof membrane, creating a waterproof yet breathable boot. A water repellent is also added to the material of the shoe to ensure no absorption of water.
Extra protection, stability and traction are also provided by a handful of genius materials, such as the Contagrip® TD rubber soles with deep lugs and an ADV-C 4D Chassis.
A customised and comfortable fit is also entirely possible with the SensiFit™ technology, as it cradles the foot from the midsole to the lacing system. Other excellent materials like the protective mudguard and gusseted tongue keep out unwanted visitors.
Durability
With over seventy years of experience in creating excellent, quality outdoor shoes and boots that last, I'm never worried about purchasing a Salomon pair of boots. I know they will last, and I sleep easy knowing I have a two-year warranty if they don't (which is unlikely).
But on first impressions, the Quest 4 GTX boot is incredibly well made and sturdy. The Quest 4 is built to last with the use of some sturdy materials.
Firstly, the outsole comprises Salomon's exclusive Contagrip TA rubber compound, being the most durable blend of the various Contagrip formulas and particularly handy at combatting loose soil.
In addition, choosing quality whole grain nubuck leather is also essential for more extended wear and durability.
Comparison to Similar Hiking Shoes
This hiking boot is everything and well worth the price. However, not everyone has or wants to spend this much on a hiking boot.
If you're after something at a slightly lower price that still provides the same level of comfort, stability and flexibility, I would recommend trying out the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX. At $65 cheaper and almost a whole pound lighter, your wallet and feet will feel lighter. But be prepared to lose stability and support with this more lightweight and more affordable version.
If you're only looking to save a slight amount of weight for this shoe, you could also try out the Oboz Bridger Mid BDry. At half a pound lighter, your feet will thank you, but they are still heavy enough to hold stability when carrying heavy packs. Again, these boots are about $50 cheaper, which could save you pennies but also perhaps quality.
If you're after something at a slightly lower price that still provides the same level of comfort, stability and flexibility, I would recommend trying out the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX. At $65 cheaper and almost a whole pound lighter, your wallet and feet will feel lighter. But be prepared to lose stability and support with this more lightweight and more affordable version.
If you're only looking to save a slight amount of weight for this shoe, you could also try out the Oboz Bridger Mid BDry. At half a pound lighter, your feet will thank you, but they are still heavy enough to hold stability when carrying heavy packs. Again, these boots are about $50 cheaper, which could save you pennies but also perhaps quality.
Verdict
You'll struggle to find a hiking boot better than the Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex. Salomon knows how to improve their models, and although the original Quest was brilliant, I can't deny these additional changes make the Quest 4 user-friendly. Using some recognizable new features allows for extra stability and comfort, along with a half-pound weight loss.
You can use these boots on pretty much any exercise or trail that your heart desires, from light courses to winter snowball fights, but these boots excel in demanding and defiant trails.
You'll certainly get all the stability and support you need for multi-day trips or heavy days' hiking. Salomon has excelled with this high-performing yet stable and comfortable boot.
You can use these boots on pretty much any exercise or trail that your heart desires, from light courses to winter snowball fights, but these boots excel in demanding and defiant trails.
You'll certainly get all the stability and support you need for multi-day trips or heavy days' hiking. Salomon has excelled with this high-performing yet stable and comfortable boot.
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