Salomon Quest 4 GTX Review | WORTH It in 2025?
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. We update the links constantly to give you the best deal on the market
In this article, I'm going to share my HONEST Salomon Quest 4 GTX review for those who are wondering whether they are still WORTH IT in 2024. With my 15+ years of hiking experience this is one of the highest performing hiking boots I have ever worn.
The Salomon Quest 4 line was released in 2021 and it has been getting raving reviews from hikers and explorers all around. They have taken off quite a bit of weight from the previous Salomon Quest 4D 3 model, and have revamped the traction
For this review, I have put in over 80 hours into testing my own personal pair of the Salomon Quest 4D GTX so I'm familiar with how they feel and perform hiking on the trails. I'll go over comfort, traction, overall protection, water resistance, fit, stability & support, and durability.
I'll be sharing my critical opinion with 10 years of experience as a trail guide and experienced hiker.
Watch our Hands-On Youtube Review Or Keep Scrolling to
Read Below..
Should you buy the Salomon Quest 4 GTX?
Buy if
You want one of the BEST on trail performance boots on the market
You prioritize ankle support and excellent traction on trail
You are hiking VERY steep incline and performing mountaineering trips
You want a hiking boot that is very secure and durable
DON'T Buy if
You are a weekend hiker going <2-3 miles each trail
You'd prefer comfort over stability and traction
You are a newer hiker and looking for a budget friendly boot
Quest 4 Pros and Cons
Pros
Outstanding traction
High-riding ankle support
Excellent water resistance
Best Backpacking Boots
Cons
Comfort could be improved
Weight
Foot fatigue
Long Break In Period
Salomon Quest 4 GTX Price
At the time of this writing, the Quest 4 GTX are priced at $230 retail, but available on Amazon below for as low as $209 brand new.
Order the Salomon Quest 4 for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to run the website 🙂
Salomon Quest 4 GTX Comfort: 6.5/10
When slipping on the boot, and taking the first step you feel the presence of the EnergyCell EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) midsole. It is a very comfortable feature that conforms to the bottom of your foot. I will start off by saying the Quest 4 definitely do not have the “plush” feel of something like the Hoka Kaha 2.
While testing the Salomon Quest 4, I purposely used a 40 lb daypack to test the shock absorption and comfort while on trail. I will say, the midsole keeps you comfortable even with the added weight. This is one of the best bestpacking hiking boots available.
The toe box has more than enough wiggle room. I did not experience any blisters breaking these boots in.
The Sensifit technology designed by Salomon is an outside layering design that helps with comfort and customized fit. The Sensifit cradles the foot from the lacing system so it helps provide a better fit.
One bothersome feature to me was the sock liner. As you look down the boot the black synthetic material turns to grey as you enter the sock liner. This grey material is very thin which can dig into your foot given the heavy leather that's above it. Honestly I wish there was more padding and comfort in this area as it can be bothersome on long treks.
I would say the Quest was decently comfortable, I hope for some improvements for the next upcoming model.
The downside of the Quest 4D hiking boots is the weight. My men’s 10.5 weighed in at 1 pd 7 oz which are one of the heaviest pairs of hiking boots I have tested to date.
As a frame of reference, the Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR 2 Mid weigh around 14oz which is about 40% lighter than the Salomon Quest 4. If you want a lightweight hiker, stay away from the Quest.
Traction: 9.5/10
The Salomon Quest 4 GTX boasts amazing traction and grippy Contagrip outsoles. I was amazed at the amount of grip I experienced while testing these boots. The adherence of the outsole to slick surfaces really stood out to me.
The outsole is made from Contagrip TA which is another Salomon technology designed by themselves. Salomon arranges the lugs in various directions to maximize traction.
Salomon states the TA version of the Contagrip is the grippiest possible formula for an abundance of traction, I have to say I agree.
The outsole is one of the best features of the Salomon Quest 4. I was very impressed by the remarkable amount of grip and traction this boot yields. For reference, I did a case study of Contagrip vs Vibram to see which outsole is better for traction.
Read Here: Contagrip vs Vibram | Which One Is Better?
Overall Protection 5/5
Starting from the front of the boot, the toecap is covered by a robust, thick set of rubber that will protect you against most any hard or sharp surfaces you encounter.
I always worry about the sides of hiking boots, which are located directly above the outsole, as they typically lack adequate protection. However, this model features a mudguard and robust synthetic materials that are capable of withstanding any penetrating or sharp materials you may encounter.
The leather meshes with the synthetic material in the middle of the boot, offering robust protection.
The outsole is resilient and does not fold under extreme pressure. Coming down the mountain is where I feel the most pain and foot fatigue because of poor shock absorption. The Quest 4 excels in shock absorption. I must say the shock absorption is similar to the Merrell Moab 3.
The upper is made from mixed-quality full-grain leather and textiles, and boy is it sturdy. The upper measures 169 mm, or 6.6 inches, which is quite tall for a hiking boot giving you protection up to your midcalf.
The gusseted tongue prevents dirt or debris from entering the boot. Personally, I love mid- or high-top hiking boots because of the added ankle protection.I experienced zero ankle sprains or slips during my adventures.
The construction of the lacing system is unique. There are two eyelets that are wide compared to most lacing systems. We believe the eyelets are further apart because of how high the upper of the boot goes, which helps with stability.
Personally, these boots hold a very secure fit with the laces so there was no need for special lacing techniques.
Overall, the Quest 4 is one of the highest rated hiking boots for overall protection, a must for rough hiking excursions.
Water Resistance 5/5
The Salomon Quest equipped with Gore-Tex technology, successfully withstand our 10-minute submersion test. Unlike most hiking boots, the upper of these boots is so high that it allows you to walk through deeper portions of water during your hike.
Despite passing through several creeks during the 10-minute submersion test, I did not experience any leaks or wet socks. The Gore-Tex membrane can obviously obscure the breathability of boots; that is what most customers will complain of.
The reduced breathability was tolerable for me. There is no non-gore-tex models available for the Quest 4.
Does The Salomon Quest 4 GTX Fit Well
I ordered a men's 10.5 which fit perfectly. My boot size is usually on the wider side; however, I did not notice any unbearable snugness or uncomfortable fit.
In contrast, there were no oversized areas, especially around the heel. Given the bigger size of the boot, that's where most people have issues.
Even though the upper is extremely high, it still secures tightly to your mid calf unlike the Keen Targhee IV.
One downside is that, as compared to the Salomon X 4 Ultra, there are no wide or narrow sizes. This is something to keep in mind.
Salomon Quest 4 Fit 4.5/5
Quest 4 Stability & Support 4.5/5
The stability and support of the Salomon Quest 4 is unmatched. Equipped with high riding ankle cuffs, they hold nice and secure especially if you are backpacking.
The ankle cuff is not overly restrictive however I was still able to get through full range of motion during my outings. The ADV-C chassis, as the Salomon X Ultra 4 have, provides an extra layer of lateral stability that most hiking boots miss out on.
The ADV-C Chassis is made to reinforce the outer foot during hiking, as well as give some flexibility to allow for more natural foot striking. A truly remarkable design made by Salomon themselves.
I felt the chassis was very strong and added that extra layer of stability and traction you need as a serious trekker.
In terms of support, the cushion of the midsole gives great shock absorption for such a heavyweight hiking boot. The Salomon Quest 4 really gets the thumbs up for stability and support.
Durability 8/10
Regarding the Quest 4, I have had no issues with durability. The outsole and traction system have shown no breakdown or loss of grip.
The leather is made from very high quality materials with very well interwoven stitching. I haven’t noticed any breakdown from the stitching or leather itself.
Some users noted breakdown of the Contagrip TA outsole after closing in around 100 miles. I haven’t noticed any wear on the outsole at all, in fact the lugs have held the same grip today as they did the day I got them.
Overall, you can trust the Salomon Quest 4 will last you a long time.
Is The Salomon Quest 4 GTX worth it?
These boots are absolutely worth it if you are looking for a high-performance, brutally stable hiking boot! I recommend this hiking boot for someone who wants a very high performance boot, especially for backpacking trips or trekking.
This is one of the highest performing boots in all my testing categories. I believe being able to get one of the highest performing boots on the market around $210 is a great value.
The strengths of this hiking boot are the excellent traction, great stability and support, outstanding overall protection, and waterproofness.
The drawbacks to consider would be comfort issues, and price. There are more comfortable options out there such as the Hoka Anacapa 2 and Merrell Moab 3.
Overall, I don’t think you can go wrong picking up a pair of Salomon Quest 4’s, especially if you are hiking on rough terrain or backpacking.
I recommend the other hiking boots above due to the hefty price of the Quest 4 if you are an amateur hiker, want more comfort, a more budget hiking boot, or a lower cut hiking boot.
Value: 3.5/5
Scoring Breakdown
Comfort: 6.5 / 10
Traction: 9.5 / 10
Overall Protection: 5 / 5
Waterproofness: 5 / 5
Stability & Support: 4.5 / 5
Fit: 4.5 / 5
Durability: 8 / 10
Value: 3.5 / 5
Total: 46.5 / 55
Our Rating: 8.4 / 10
At the time of this writing, the Quest 4 GTX are priced at $230 retail, but available on Amazon below for as low as $209 brand new.
Order the Salomon Quest 4 for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to run the website 🙂
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Salomon Quest 4 updated Version?
The iterated version of the hiking boot has enhanced stability, comfort, and traction. The ADV-C chassis was added to the new version for enhanced lateral stability.
What material is Salomon Quest 4 made of?
The upper material is made from leather and mixture of textiles. Towards the bottom, the body is made of synthetic materials with a Gore-Tex membrane for water resistance.
Is Quest 4 gore-tex waterproof?
Yes, all of the Salomon Quest 4 models are made with industry standard Gore-Tex membrane for water resistance.
Can you use the Salomon Quest 4 GTX in the snow?
The Salomon Quest 4 are excellent in the snow, the Nubuck leather is a solid option that wards against cold weather and mixed terrain you would be up against. Overall, a great hiking boot for the snow.
How We Tested and Our Methodology
I personally tested the Salomon Quest 4 GTX for over 80 hours with the sole intent of giving you the most unbiased review possible. Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing outdoor equipment.
Over the past decade, I have logged over 2,000 hiking miles across diverse terrains, from the rugged Appalachian Trail to the challenging Rocky Mountains. This extensive experience allows me to evaluate the Salomon Quest 4's performance accurately in real-world conditions.
We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.
Adventure Awaits,
Tyler
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. We update the links constantly to give you the best deal on the market