Salomon Quest 5 vs Quest 4 | Which Is Better In 2026?
Improved comfort, shock absorption, and grip over the Quest 4.
In this article, I’m sharing my honest, first-hand comparison between the Salomon Quest 5 and Salomon Quest 4 after personally owning and testing both boots across hundreds of trail miles.
I’ve logged countless trail miles in both of these hiking boots, and I’m here to share an honest, objective testing comparison review from the perspective of a Professional Hiker.
Both hiking boots have been staples over the last few years, becoming the most popular models out on the market.
However, some users did have issues with the Quest 4. Did the Quest 5 actually improve on these said issues?
I’ll be comparing these two head-to-head in categories like price, comfort, traction, overall protection, fit, breathability, and durability.
You’ll find which hiking boots scored better overall & which one works best for you at the end.
Also, if you’re interested in learning more, I have tested each product individually in my Salomon Quest 5 Review and Salomon Quest 4 Review.
Salomon Quest 5 vs Quest 4 Price Comparison
At the time of writing, the Quest 5 is priced at $240; however, with the limited supply of the Quest 4, you can get them for as low as $172 on REI.
Comfort
There are definitely comfort issues with the Salomon Quest 4. I rated them a 6.5 out of 10. The midfoot is quite compressive and narrow, and the shock absorption is nowhere near up to par with the new Quest 5.
The Quest 4 is also missing a sock liner, which can cause some pain with scratchy overlays, especially when you’re up 5+ miles on the trail.
Testing both boots with a 40-pound backpack reveals that the Quest 5 offers much better shock absorption. My knees and ankles were much better with the same weight while testing out the Salomon Quest 5.
Regarding upgrades with the Quest 5, they do have a new sock liner, which is nice and sleek.
Also, the footbed is much more comfortable. They did improve the midfoot’s narrowness, allowing for a roomier fit.
Regarding comfort, Salomon made massive upgrades with the Quest 5, making it more of a top-tier comfort hiking boot than a backpacking boot, at the expense of comfort compared to the Quest 4.
Quest 4 Comfort: 3 out of 5
Quest 5 Comfort: 4 out of 5
Winner: Quest 5
Traction
Both hiking boots carry their proprietary blend of Contagrip TA. The Quest 4 did have pretty good traction on the trail; however, its lugs are softer than those of the Quest 5.
A lot of hikers had issues with this because the grip would hold well; however, under too much pressure, those soft lugs would lose their grip and/or wear out quickly.
Regarding grip on the Quest 4, I put them to the test on every terrain imaginable, including wet limestone, basalt, loose gravel, dirt and muddy trails, and even snow. The Quest 4 grips extremely low, with mild limitations due to some slipping in snow.
I tested the Salomon Quest 5 on the same trails as the Quest 4; however, the biggest difference is the engineering of the Contagrip outsole in the Quest 5.
The Quest 5 has double lugs on the medial and lateral edges of the boot, providing maximum grip, especially when side-hilling or traversing uneven terrain. I know that’s the biggest difference, especially on uneven basalt. I felt my grip was really locked in with the Quest 5.
The Quest 5 also has a reverse lug pattern on the heel, which enhances your grip on descents, giving you a better-controlled landing.
Both feature the advanced chassis, the internal support system built by Salomon. The only difference between the two boots’ chassis is that the Quest 5’s internal chassis is slightly more flexible and less rigid than the Quest 4’s.
When it comes to grip and maximum stability on the trail, both boots have you covered; however, the Quest 5’s reverse-lug and double-lug patterns really edge out the competition here.
Salomon Quest 4 Traction: 4 out of 5
Salomon Quest 5 Traction: 4.5 out of 5
Winner: Quest 5
Overall Protection
Both boots feature Nubuck leather with awesome overall protection. The only difference is that the Quest 5 has some areas of layered mesh around the laces, which enhance breathability but don’t affect overall protection while hiking.
No tears in either of the boots while testing them out on the trail; both feature great toe bumper protection against any root kicks or sharp objects on the trail.
Both boots offer some of the best overall protection in the heavy hiking boots category. You cannot go wrong with either when you’re seeking the maximum overall protection.
Quest 4 Overall Protection: 5 out of 5
Quest 5 Overall Protection: 5 out of 5
Winner: Tie
Quest 5 vs Quest 4 | Which Fits Better?
I tested both hiking boots and sized them at a 10.5, normal width. Both boots are on the complete opposite end of the spectrum.
The Quest 4 is quite tight-fitting, especially around the narrow midfoot, as we discussed before. The heel area is slightly compressive. I did have some hot spots during my testing period.
Now the Quest 5 is the complete opposite. I did have some looseness around my heel area and had to correct this with specialized lacing techniques. Even with the specialized lacing techniques, I did have mild heel slip, but it wasn’t anything major.
Both boots achieve excellent lockdown with the three-tiered islet lacing. The Quest model has some of the best lockdown features you could ask for in a maximum-support hiking boot.
For the Quest 5, I do recommend moving down a half size if possible. For Quest 4, I wouldn’t recommend moving up a half size, as the boot volume is narrow overall, whether you do or not.
Quest 4 Fit: 4 out of 5
Quest 5 Fit: 4 out of 5
Winner: Tie
Breathability
To be straightforward, do not expect either of these hiking boots to be extremely breathable. Combine new buck leather with the Gore-Tex membrane; these boots run quite hot, especially in warm weather.
I didn’t notice any difference between the two hiking boots while testing them in warm weather. Both can run quite hot; however, that is the trade-off you ask for when it comes to a maximum-protection waterproof hiking boot.
I would have liked to see the Quest 5 use the invisible Gore-Tex membrane, which seems to run slightly cooler than the original Gore-Tex model.
Salomon Quest 4 Breathability : 3 out of 5
Salomon Quest 5 Breathability: 3 out of 5
Winner: Tie
Quest 4 Overall Rating: 7.6
- Comfort: 3 out of 5
- Traction: 4 out of 5
- Overall Protection: 5 out of 5
- Fit: 4 out of 5
- Breathability: 3 out of 5
Total: 19/25
Quest 5 Overall Rating: 8.2
- Comfort: 4 out of 5
- Traction: 4.5 out of 5
- Overall Protection: 5 out of 5
- Fit: 4 out of 5
- Breathability: 3 out of 5
Total: 20.5/25
Salomon Quest 5 vs Quest 4 | Which One Is Better Overall?
After testing out both of these hiking boots extensively, the Quest 5 is the clear winner here.
The Quest 5 has an improved sock liner, better comfort and impact absorption, and a more streamlined fit with greater flexibility than the rigid Quest 4.
Salomon was able to construct the Quest 5 to provide greater adaptive comfort while still maintaining the maximum stability and overall protection the Quest model is known for here.
That being said, with the Quest 5 recently coming out, there are price drops on the Quest 4, and there’s also a chance to get them used at a competitive price.
Go with the Quest if you are looking for a hardcore backpacking boot, but just know you’re cutting yourself short on comfort, especially.
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Improved comfort, shock absorption, and grip over the Quest 4.
How We Tested Our Methodology
I personally tested the Salomon Quest 4 and 5 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 more than 2,000 miles of hiking across diverse terrain, from the rugged Appalachian Trail to the challenging Rocky Mountains. Extensive experience allows me to directly compare the two hiking boots objectively while keeping any bias out of the picture.
We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.
Tyler is the founder Mountaineer Journey and a professional Mountain Guide with 15+ years of technical experience in trekking, mountaineering, and trail sports. Having logged thousands of miles from rugged alpine summits to urban paths, Tyler provides rigorous, field-tested insights on hiking, walking, and trail running gear. All reviews are 100% unsponsored and unbiased, ensuring you get honest scoring based on real-world performance. His mission is to help outdoor enthusiasts of all levels find reliable equipment that ensures comfort, safety, and performance on any terrain.
