Salomon Quest 4 GTX Hiking Boot Review

Salomon’s Quest has garnered serious popularity over the years as a highly capable backpacking boot, and the fourth-generation model carries the torch. 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. Overall, despite a slightly lighter weight, revamped chassis, and modernized look, the Quest 4 has 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 GTX. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best hiking boots. 

Editor's note: We updated this article on January 20, 2026, to adjust several product references, prices, and weights throughout.
 

Table of Contents

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

Performance

Comfort

Comfort was a highlight of the past-generation model, and the current Salomon Quest 4 GTX feels very similar, with a well-cushioned build and a glove-like fit. This is a premium design, featuring a soft lining, ample padding around the ankles and tongue, and one of our all-time favorite lacing systems. 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. When cinched up, the boot practically hugs your ankle with a supportive, close, confidence-inspiring feel.
 

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. Even loaded down with a 35-pound pack, I didn’t experience any foot soreness during a full day on the trail. That said, it’s important to note that the Quest is a serious boot that will likely be overkill for many day hikers and even backpackers who stick to moderate paths. Salomon did a nice job retaining some flexibility at the forefoot, so it’s not too stiff while walking, but it’s still a substantial design best suited for difficult, technical terrain. For those who plan to stick to easy-to-moderate trails or want something lighter and more flexible, we recommend Salomon’s X Ultra 5.
 

Weight

Updates to the Quest’s design have led to a modest weight reduction in the latest model. Salomon trimmed about an ounce per shoe, and the newest edition weighs 2 pounds 11.2 ounces for a pair of my men's size 9 (listed weight is 2 lb. 14 oz.). This brings it closer to key competitors like the Lowa Renegade Evo Mid GTX (2 lb. 9.6 oz.), Keen Targhee IV Mid WP (2 lb. 8.2 oz.), and Oboz Bridger Mid WP (2 lb. 6 oz.). This is not a light and nimble boot like Salomon's X Ultra 5 Mid GTX (1 lb. 15 oz.). Wearing it back-to-back with the X Ultra, the added heft is immediately noticeable. But so too are the extra cushioning, taller ankle height and protection, and added stability for covering challenging terrain.
 

Traction

Trail conditions on our backpacking trip were as expected for early spring: extremely wet and slick. And through it all—including ankle-deep mud, climbing up and over downed trees, and navigating loose rock—the Quest 4 GTX gripped reliably well. The aggressive tread bit into the soft surfaces and held nicely on steeper climbs and descents, and there's good braking at the heel. The widely spaced lugs also shed mud well. In terms of construction, the Quest uses Salomon’s All Terrain Contagrip compound, which trades stickiness and flexibility for firmer, longer-lasting rubber. Despite this, it was still tacky enough to trust during rocky creek crossings and held well on slick, mossy wooden bridges. After intensive testing, the tread is showing very little wear.
 

Stability and Support

Many hikers and backpackers choose a heftier 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. Cinching the boots, you can actually feel them tighten. Combined with the stiff heel, I felt very comfortable in the Quest even when hauling a loaded-down backpacking pack.
 

There’s still decent flexibility at the forefoot, so you don’t feel like you’re wearing an old leather clunker, but the Quest’s hefty design is still overkill for many hikers and lightweight backpackers. These folks would be perfectly fine with a sprightlier model like the Salomon X Ultra 5 or Asolo's Falcon EVO GV. However, if you want a performance fit that provides great ankle support for technical approaches, rough terrain, and heavy loads, the Quest is a fantastic option.
 

Waterproofing

The Quest’s waterproof construction stood out while hiking in Olympic National Park. The water-resistant upper and Gore-Tex liner kept my feet dry during numerous creek crossings, and the taller height was a plus in boggy conditions. The dirt-caked boots were barely recognizable by the time we made it to camp, but my feet were still dry. That said, I was mindful to make sure no water made it over the collar, as the boot won’t dry quickly due to the waterproof membrane. Unfortunately, Salomon doesn’t offer the Quest without the Gore-Tex liner, but a non-waterproof boot or shoe would dry much faster after getting submerged. For more on the differences, see our article: Do You Need Waterproof Hiking Shoes?
 

Breathability

Unfortunately, the Quest's solid waterproofing comes at the cost of breathability. The combination of a Gore-Tex bootie, reinforced upper materials, and tall height makes the Salomon Quest 4 GTX run hot in warm conditions. I didn’t overheat much on our backpacking trip, with temperatures mostly in the low 50s, but it’s been a different story on subsequent day hikes on the dry, hot side of the Cascade range in the middle of Washington state. That said, the boot’s performance lines up with the majority of waterproof hiking boots in its class, and it’s perfectly tolerable if you’ll benefit from the added protection. Plus, the extra warmth makes it a viable option for mild-weather snowshoeing, and the touch of insulation is useful for cold nights at camp.
 

Toe and Ankle Protection

Salomon didn’t make many changes to the toe and cushioning for the Quest 4, which is good news from a protection standpoint. The rubber toe cap, padded upper, and moderately thick ankle cushioning provide a lot of security on the trail and when wedging your feet into cracks. I also have a tendency to kick the occasional rock on the trail as the miles add up, but even the most direct hits didn’t lead to any pain or soreness.
 

Build Quality and Durability

As Salomon’s top-end hiking boot, it came as no surprise that the Quest is well-made. The design is fairly busy, with a mixture of leather and a tough synthetic covering the upper, but as with my prior versions of the boot, it’s all holding up well. The leather has taken on a darker color after the backpacking trip—even after I cleaned all the mud off—but otherwise, the boot looks like new. The laces and accompanying hardware are all intact, and the outsole is wearing evenly and very lightly. All told, I expect the Quest to have a very long lifespan.
 

Fit and Sizing

Salomon hit a nice middle ground in terms of fit with the Quest: The boot is snug in the heel and around the ankle, which is great for performance use, but it has an average toe box width. This fit will work well for most hikers—myself included. For reference, I ordered my standard men’s 9 and found the length to be perfect. Further, there was sufficient space around the toes even after full days on the trail, but the boot never felt sloppy or overly roomy when paired with lightly cushioned hiking socks. My only nitpick is that, unlike some competitors (including the popular Lowa Renegade Evo), Salomon doesn’t offer the Quest in narrow or wide widths, which can be a downside for those with low- or high-volume feet.
 

Other Versions of the Salomon Quest 4 GTX

We brought the men’s Quest 4 GTX into Washington’s Hoh Rainforest for testing, and Salomon makes a nearly identical model for women. The women’s Quest 4 GTX costs the same and shares the same features as the men’s model, although it’s lighter at 2 pounds 6 ounces and comes in different colors (see our full review of the women's Quest 4). Salomon doesn’t offer this exact model in a non-waterproof version, though they've recently expanded the line and now offer the low-top XT-Quest Gore-Tex sneakers as well as a taller Quest Tracker High model.
 

What We Like

• Protective and supportive but still comfortable—an excellent match for carrying a full pack over rugged terrain.
• The lacing system makes it easy to get a secure fit, and the locking eyelet at the base of the ankle helps with heel stability on steep terrain.
• Excellent traction across a wide variety of surfaces, including slick mud, wet logs, and during rocky creek crossings.
• Well built with premium materials, including a Gore-Tex liner, tough leather, synthetic upper, and quality hardware.

What We Don’t

• Burly build is overkill for many day hikers and backpackers who stick to well-maintained trails.
• Not a weight leader at nearly 3 pounds per pair.
• Only offered in a Gore-Tex model, which can run hot during the summer.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

Salomon’s Quest 4 is one of our favorite hiking boots for covering challenging terrain, thanks to its tough, protective build, and Lowa's Renegade Evo Mid GTX is popular for similar reasons. The Lowa is 4.4 ounces lighter per pair, offers a sturdier feel, and is available in a variety of sizes and widths (including narrow and wide models). However, the Salomon is the more aggressive and modern option, has a more hardwearing build, and offers a better performance fit for those covering truly technical ground. Both are very capable designs, but the Salomon remains our top pick for navigating rough terrain.
 

Montana-based Oboz is known for their focus on comfort, and that holds true with the Bridger Mid Waterproof. But despite weighing 8 ounces less per pair than the Quest, the Bridger felt outdated and noticeably slower and heavier than the competition. The combination of a leather upper and in-house waterproofing makes it run quite hot in the summer. The Oboz is a sturdy and supportive option at a reasonable price, but the Quest is still the performance frontrunner.
 

Salomon’s own X Ultra 5 Mid GTX slots in as a final competitor to the Quest 4, though the two boots have different intentions. While the Quest is designed for tackling technical terrain with its stiff, protective, and supportive build, the X Ultra is built for fast day hiking and moderate backpacking trips. As a result, the X Ultra 5 is lighter and provides sufficient support for on-trail use, but its flexible build falls short for covering serious mileage over challenging ground. In the end, the X Ultra is perfectly serviceable for most hikers’ needs, but it can’t dethrone the taller, stiffer Quest for steep, rugged trails. For more, see our full review of the women's X Ultra 5.
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