Gear Review: Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX Boots

Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX
Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX

Backpacking Boots
Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX
$240, 2 lbs. 11 oz. (men’s 7)
Sizes: men’s 7-14, women’s 5-12
backcountry.com

On a five-day, family backpacking trip down Paria Canyon on the Utah-Arizona border, these boots helped my teenage son safely negotiate a riverbed of shifting mud, ankle-turning stones, and the occasional plunge into quicksand (where, to be honest, your boots don’t matter); and when we weren’t in the river, he nimbly hiked the trail over rocky, loose ground, with occasional boulder scrambling. Salomon’s Quest 4D GTX stands out for having better-than-average support and protection from the earth and the elements for a midweight.

Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX
Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX

While my son (who weighs about 100 pounds) carried a pack weighing up to about 20 pounds, the Quest is a boot for hauling loads of 30-40 pounds. Salomon’s 4D Advanced Chassis provides a solid foundation for carrying a moderately heavy pack over rugged terrain, with a high cut, a molded EVA and urethane midsole for soft cushioning paired with substantial stability against turning an ankle outward or inward. Ample padding and breathable mesh fabric in the collar and the tongue soften the impact of high-cut uppers, which rise high enough to prevent laces from slipping over the tops.

The fit, good for medium-volume feet, delivers plenty of toe space, and locking laces at the midfoot allow you to loosen the upper boot—to cool your feet and get better flex on long uphills—while keeping the lower boot snugly tight, to avoid blisters. The uppers blend nubuck leather overlays on abrasion-resistant nylon mesh, and rubber caps at the toe and heel, for super durability. The Gore-Tex membrane kept water out when my son wasn’t more than ankle-deep in the river; but these midweight boots are warm, so they’re a better choice for cooler and wetter hikes. Salomon’s Contagrip outsole sports deep, widely spaced lugs to maximize traction on wet, muddy trail and loose scree.

 

My son backpacking the Paria Canyon narrows in his Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX boots.
My son backpacking the Paria Canyon narrows in his Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX boots.

Final analysis: This is a solidly built, sturdy, midweight backpacking boot for backpackers and dayhikers who want better-than-average support and reliable waterproofing for carrying 30-40 pounds—without bumping up to a heavyweight boot.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to purchase the Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX boots at backcountry.com.

Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX
Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX

See all of my reviews of backpacking boots and hiking shoes, plus all of my reviews of backpacking gear and hiking gear.

See also my stories:

“Why and When to Spend More on Gear: Part 1, Packs and Tents, and Part 2, Rain Jackets, Boots, and Sleeping Bags
The Simple Equation of Ultralight Backpacking: Less Weight = More Fun
Buying Gear? Read This First
My 10 Most-Read Gear Reviews

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my Gear Reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

 

Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, the creator of The Big Outside, recognized as a top outdoors blog by USA Today and others. I invite you to get email updates about new stories and gear giveaways by entering your email address in the box in the left sidebar, at the bottom of this post, or on my About page, and follow my adventures on Facebook and Twitter.

 

 

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4 thoughts on “Gear Review: Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX Boots”

  1. Hi JZ, I’ve known people with two different sized feet and they’re always challenged to find boots that work. Obviously, buying the same boots in two sizes and using just one boot from each pair would be an expensive solution. But I don’t think you can wear a boot that’s too small for very long; it will jam your toes and cause a lot of discomfort, and maybe blisters before long. I think the only possible solution is to find boots whose sizing and last fits your large foot well, and allows you to use an after-market insole, larger sock, or a combination of both to fill up the volume in your smaller foot’s boot, so that your foot’s not slipping, which will cause blisters.

    Good for you getting your family out hiking. Keep it up and good luck in the boot search. Let me know if you find something that works.

    Reply
  2. Great post. We are actually looking for hiking boots, now that we are regularly going on family day hikes. I usually wear a backpack carrier with our little one, and I am struggling to find boots. My feet are about 1/2 size different between right and left so fit is tricky. These sound like a good option in terms of functionality, but do I want something a little snug on the larger foot or a little loose on the smaller foot?

    Thanks,
    JZ

    Reply