Salomon Men’s Quest 4D Hiking Boot
Last updated: August 14, 2020
These lightweight boots have durable construction and are perfect for day hikes. The lug pattern on the soles ensures that you don't slip. Plus, this boot also offers protection for technical trails.
We looked at the top Hiking Boots and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Hiking Boot you should buy.
Product Details
Key Takeaway: This rubber sole and unique lug pattern eats up soft, technical trails with ease.
In our analysis of 85 expert reviews, the Salomon Men's Quest 4D Hiking Boot placed 4th when we looked at the top 11 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.From The Manufacturer
Quest 4D 3 gtx is all about walking comfort, with technologies to reduce fatigue over the duration of your treks. Light and cushioned with running shoe adapted technology, yet supportive enough for backpacking, this boot helps you get to the next camp site with happier feet. Salomon was born in 1947 in the heart of the French Alps and the birthplace of modern alpinism. Driven by a passion for skiing and design innovation, Francois Salomon and his son George designed and perfected much of the first modern ski equipment. During the following 60 years, Salomon’s commitment to innovative design and passion for mountain sports created a vast range of revolutionary new concepts in boots, skis and apparel and brought innovative solutions to footwear, apparel and equipment for hiking, adventure racing, mountaineering and trail running. Through performance-driven design, Salomon enhances mountain sports by converting new ideas into action and expanding the limits of possibility.
Expert Reviews
What reviewers liked
Best of any we tested for both backpacking and day hiking on any terrain. They’re lighter than most of the other boots in our test group, but they still offer all of the essential features you’ll need, including ample toe and heel protection, a gusseted tongue, a wide toe box, and a well-thought-out lacing system. The Quest 4D 3 GTX design is also breathable and waterproof.
Draws praise from serious backpackers for rugged construction and overall durability.
Salomon borrowed molded dynamic cushioning from running shoe technology and updated the ergonomic tongue for maximum all-day comfort while keeping the overall weight to just about 2.5 lbs total. This is a “high hiker”, meaning the boot comes over your ankles for great support, especially for those with weak ankles.
The widened heel area of the sole provides a solid base when hiking loaded up with a heavy pack, but it doesn’t detract from the agility of the boot when picking up the pace and staying up on your forefeet. The boots are relatively light for their large size, coming in a few ounces shy of 1.5 pounds per boot, making long hikes tolerable.
Winner of our coveted Editors' Choice Award, can do it all. Saloman has crafted a midweight hiking model that builds upon the successes of their popular trail runners but remains exceptionally comfortable and supportive, providing the ankle stability that backpackers and hikers expect. From the ground up, this is a high-performance contender, destined to tackle rough and uneven terrain with ease.
It'’s the solid support that sets it apart. The semi-stiff structure does a great job holding your feet in place without feeling restrictive like a mountaineering boot, and time and again I was impressed with how easy it was to trust my footing when carrying a heavy load on loose, rocky ground.
These boots feel comfortable right out of the box and required a zero break-in period. They’re also waterproof and feature a thoughtful lacing system that works well on steep incline and under stormy skies. The tread and rubber compound of the Quest 4D 3 GTX is stellar. If you’re already a fan of Salomon trail runners you would be accustomed to tremendous traction in all types of terrain — this legendary Contragrip traction extends to the Quest. It’s a huge plus for these hiking boots.
Backpacking in the Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX means experiencing the great outdoors in dry comfort. Users are also provided with excellent ankle support and stability. Even with its long list of benefits, it was able to keep its weight low.
Features all the technical aspects that will ensure a comfortable trek, as well as decent weight support for backpackers. The durable and protective materials will get you to the next campsite with ease.
Packs comfort, support, and protection into the best backpacking or hiking boot. A midweight boot with a tall ankle height and class-leading support that makes the few extra ounces worth it on more demanding trails, whether you’re backpacking or just day hiking.
The Gore-Tex lining in the Quest 4D 2 GTX is unsurprisingly waterproof — my feet never got wet when walking through creeks or in drenching rain. The gusseted tongue makes the boot totally waterproof up to about 5 inches above the ground.
Sturdy and versatile, performing admirably through a slew of different weather conditions, shedding water at will and gripping tightly to loose and slippery terrain. The foot and ankle support is superior to any I’ve previously experienced, which makes these burly boots an essential layer of protection for any long backcountry hikes.
It always strikes me just how comfortable Salomon boots are straight out of the box. I’ve heard many horror stories from walkers who have had to spend weeks breaking in a new pair of boots and suffering multiple blisters in the process. Fortunately, you just don’t seem to get that with Salomon boots and that’s a big factor in why this is now my third consecutive pair of Salomon hiking boots.
What reviewers didn't like
Might look too rugged for a day hike.
The boot's stiff construction is more like a ski boot than a hiking boot.
In hotter, drier conditions, the boots were a bit warm for my liking, especially as someone who wears trail running shoes almost exclusively for hiking.
The only drawback we found was that when we ultimately soaked this boot inside and out, it took approximately 27 hours to dry out in indirect sunlight, where the other two competitors above dried much faster.
It’s stiff enough that I wouldn’t recommend taking it for a long trek straight out the box. One of my few complaints with the old Quest 4D 2 was that the moderately thin construction underfoot would leave me with sore feet after long days on rocky trails when carrying a heavy pack.
If you have gotten used to hiking in trail runners, you may find these boots fairly heavy. While there are heavier boots on the market, at 22.5 ounces per shoe, the Quest 4D 3 GTX isn’t winning any awards for its feather-like weight.
Its mid-section is narrow, according to a handful of wearers. Footwear critics struggle with the Quest 4D 3 GTX’s inability to stay cool in warmer conditions. The hefty price tag of this backpacking gear disappoints a reputable shoe blogger and several online buyers.
If you’re used to lightweight hiking shoes, you’ll probably find this shoe to be quite heavy.
Not the best for hotter or cooler climates Sizes run narrow..
I do have one tiny gripe with the insole: It’s made of an Ortholite foam and a separate EVA heel cup, and there’s a small groove between the pieces that tends to collect dirt, pine needles, and tiny rocks that can wiggle in while hiking and become a nuisance.
All of the features that make the Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX a great boot, also make it a tad bulky. At almost two pounds per boot (almost one kilo), these are by no means considered a lightweight option in the trekking community.
I’ve seen some criticism in reviews and customer feedback that the boots are compatible with crampons, and that’s true, these boots aren’t designed as a full winter boot.
View our Hiking Boot buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.