Women's Salomon Quest 4 GTX Review

Salomon’s Quest 4 has been one of the most capable backpacking boots on the market for years, with excellent out-of-the-box comfort and grip over variable and technical terrain. I took the women’s version of the boots on a demanding 16-day trek through Nepal’s Everest region and came away impressed by the performance and comfort. It’s far from the lightest or most streamlined option, but the Quest remains an excellent match for committed backpackers and trekkers covering serious mileage with a heavy pack. Below, I break down my experiences with the Quest 4 GTX. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best women's hiking boots.
 

Editor's note: We updated this article on January 20, 2026, to reflect the most current information about the Quest 4 GTX, adjusting product references, prices, and weights throughout.

Table of Contents

• Comfort
• Weight
• Traction
• Stability and Support
• Waterproofing
• Breathability
• Build Quality and Durability
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Comfort

If I had to pinpoint a single strong suit of the Salomon Quest 4 GTX, it would be comfort. I purchased the boots for a committing trek over three mountain passes in Nepal and only wore them for a single shakeout hike before the trip, but that brief break-in period was more than enough. The boots were comfortable right out of the box with no pressure points or rubbing that could lead to hotspots. The toe box is on the wider side and easily accommodates a bunion on my left foot. The substantial padding around the ankle and underfoot is well-placed. I did worry that the generous cushion would cause some constriction, but it proved to be a non-issue. Even when cinched tightly via the highly customizable lacing system, the boots were comfortable, secure, and not restrictive. The outsole proved to be quite malleable while still maintaining good structure, allowing my foot to flex naturally without feeling sloppy.
 

We often ventured off on secondary day hikes in Nepal after a morning of trekking—both for acclimatization and to catch new views. For non-technical outings, my husband often changed into more flexible trail running shoes to give his feet a break, but I never felt the need to switch my footwear. The only time I swapped them out was during walks around local villages, as the boots are overkill for casual strolls. The Quest gripped well on steep descents, protected the front of my foot from impacts with rocks, and kept my feet warm enough even in sub-freezing temperatures. And perhaps most impressively: I did not lose or damage any toenails on our trek, which is a common issue when I’m breaking in stiffer backpacking boots.
 

Weight

The Quest 4 GTX is a backpacking boot designed for covering long distances and challenging terrain, so it's no surprise that my women’s size 8 is a bit hefty at 2 pounds 7.4 ounces for the pair (listed weight is 2 lb. 6 oz.). There are plenty of lighter options for hikers willing to compromise support and stability, including the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX (1 lb. 12 oz.) and Hoka's Anacapa 2 Mid GTX (1 lb. 13.4 oz.). The Quest 4 is also heavier than similarly built boots like Scarpa's 2-pound Zodiac Plus GTX, and Lowa’s Renegade GTX Mid (2 lbs. 2.2 oz.). The Quest won’t be mistaken for a minimalist option, but the weight feels reasonable for covering technical ground.
 

Traction

Traction is another highlight of the Quest 4 GTX. On our Nepal trek, we hiked over several mountain passes to Everest Base Camp and to the summit of 18,519-foot Kala Pattar. The variety of terrain was remarkable, and I only slipped once on sheer ice. In every other instance, the Quest’s Contagrip rubber and deep, multidirectional lugs performed incredibly well, deftly biting into glacial debris, snow, mud, sand, rocks, and boulders. There was very little level ground on our adventure—even “flat” sections of trail (by Nepali standards) were still steeply undulating—but the Quest never faltered, even on slippery surfaces like slick rocks and dusty boulders. And when I needed a bit more grip to hike over icy 17,782-foot Cho La Pass, it was easy to fit my Hillsound traction devices over the boots.
 

Stability and Support

One notable benefit of the Quest's heftier build is the excellent support and stability. The boot rides high enough to protect the ankle from impacts, and the lacing system ensures a confidence-inspiring fit around the ankle and lower calf. I suffered no ankle rolls on the frequently off-camber ground, even when walking up and down large, uneven steps. And despite the locked-in feel, the boot never felt overly restrictive, allowing my ankle to move around comfortably inside. The Quest 4 GTX is undeniably bulky, but I never felt disconnected from the ground and found it easy to balance on rocks and boulders. By comparison, I felt awkward and clumsy in Salomon's Quest Prime (a trimmed-down variation of the Quest 4 that has since been discontinued) and struggled to stay planted while crossing talus fields and rivers.
 

Waterproofing

Like many premium hiking boots, the Quest 4 features a Gore-Tex membrane to seal out water and snow. As expected, the boots remained unfazed by shallow creek crossings, and the tall collar protected my feet in deeper water and while hiking over long, melting glaciers (for reference, the Quest is slightly taller than the Scarpa Zodiac Plus). The Gore-Tex lining does impact breathability, and there’s no non-waterproof option available. However, this issue isn’t specific to the Quest and shouldn’t pose a problem in most moderate conditions.
 

Breathability

Breathability suffers due to the Quest 4’s waterproof build, but this is an inherent downside to waterproof boots. The Quest performed well considering its beefy construction, and I don't have any real complaints. It was an excellent choice for our trek in Nepal, keeping my feet comfortable in moderate to below-freezing temperatures. It also strikes me as a viable pick for mild-weather snowshoeing. On the flip side, if you anticipate doing most of your hiking in fair and warm summer conditions, it may be worth considering a non-waterproof hiking boot or shoe.
 

Build Quality and Durability

I have not been easy on my pair of Salomon Quest 4s, but the boots have exceeded my expectations and held up impressively well to our demanding objectives. Other than being expectedly dusty after our adventure in Nepal, my pair is otherwise unmarred. All the stitching has held up well, with no loose threads; the laces and eyelets are intact and functioning flawlessly. The boots show no noticeable scuffs despite frequent encounters with rocks. My only complaint is that the design is fairly busy with a mix of leather and synthetic along the upper, but from a quality standpoint, there’s little to nitpick. 
 

Fit and Sizing

I typically wear a women’s size 8.5 and rarely have to size down, but I opted for an 8 in the Salomon Quest 4 (similar to many other Salomon boots I’ve tested). I was happy with my decision, but given the intricacies, I highly recommend trying on the boots before buying, even if you’ve worn Salomon shoes in the past. As I mentioned previously, the toe box is generously sized to account for toe swelling after long days of hiking. Paired with a medium-thickness merino wool hiking sock, I had no issues with restriction or lack of circulation. And the lacing system is a real highlight: The corner eyelet at the ankle locks everything in place and allows for great customization. I prefer to keep the laces looser around the toes and tighter around my ankle to hold my foot in place and have never had to adjust or re-tie my laces on the trail.
 

Other Versions of the Salomon Quest 4 GTX

I brought the women’s Quest 4 GTX to Nepal for testing, and the boot is also offered in a men’s version—we have a full review of the men's Quest 4 GTX if you'd like to read more. The boots are largely identical, including the price, Gore-Tex waterproofing, Contagrip outsole, and leather/synthetic upper. The men’s Quest 4 GTX is heavier at 2 pounds 14 ounces and comes in different colors, but performance was similar across the board. The Quest line is fairly robust, including a unisex low-top waterproof version and the calf-height unisex Quest Tracker High, which also weighs 2 pounds 14 ounces. The Quest 4 model I tested is only available in a waterproof version, and in the future, we'd love to see non-waterproof models. 
 

What We Like

• Excellent all-day comfort with well-placed padding and little break-in period needed.
• The boot provides ample protection and support for covering challenging terrain with a heavy pack.
• Traction grips incredibly well over a variety of surfaces, from wet and slippery boulders to glacial debris and sand.
• Top-notch build, including a Gore-Tex liner, tough upper materials, and quality laces and eyelets.
• Lacing system is well-executed and effective for dialing in a precise fit.

What We Don’t

• Heavy at around 2.5 pounds per pair.
• Overkill for easy to moderate day hikes and well-maintained trails.
• Upper is fairly busy with a mix of thick leather and synthetic materials—it’s far from the most streamlined option available.
• Only offered in a tall, Gore-Tex-equipped model, which can run hot during the summer months. 
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

Salomon’s Quest 4 GTX is toward the top of our hiking boot round-up for its excellent performance over variable terrain. Scarpa’s Zodiac Plus GTX is another option in this category, but the two have notably different personalities: While the Quest 4 puts a premium on long-distance comfort with cushy padding underfoot, the Zodiac feels stiffer and less flexible. The 2-pound Zodiac undercuts the Quest in weight, but the Quest is the better all-rounder with broader appeal for covering mixed terrain with a heavy load. But if you anticipate doing a lot of off-trail hiking or even crossing over into light mountaineering, the more rigid Scarpa gets our vote.
 

Another midweight backpacking-ready design is Lowa’s Renegade Evo GTX Mid. Compared to the Quest 4, the Renegade is 4.2 ounces lighter per pair, feels sturdier, and comes in a wide variety of sizes and widths. If you have hard-to-fit feet, the Renegade is a perfectly serviceable boot with plenty of sizes and fits. However, we've found the Salomon to be the more modern and hardwearing option—the Lowa’s leather upper is thin by comparison, and the build is a bit dated.
 

Last but not least, Salomon’s X Ultra 5 Mid GTX is worth a look. The two boots have very different intentions: While the Quest is built for covering challenging ground with a loaded pack, the X Ultra is more of a fast-and-light design for day hiking and moderate backpacking. As a result, it sacrifices some stiffness and protection compared to the Quest, but the tradeoff is a lighter weight (1 lb. 11.6 oz.) and more agile feel on the trail. In the end, the X Ultra gets our nod for most hiking and backpacking objectives, but the more rugged Quest remains our top pick for truly steep and off-camber terrain. 
Back to the Salomon Quest 4 GTX Review  See Our Women's Hiking Boot Guide