Salomon Quest 4 GTX Review (2023 Tested)

The Salomon Quest 4 GTX is a lightweight hiking boot and the most current product in the Salomon Quest product line.

Our Verdict

Sometimes referred to as the Salomon Quest 4D, not to be confused with the previous Salomon Quest 4D 3 model, this hiking boot comes with an improved chassis, increased versatility for backpacking trips, light and heavy trails, and a Contagrip TD rubber outsole.

While overbearing for casual trails, these new waterproof boots performed well during my rocky hike through the Canyonlands National Park in Utah.

For the Salomon Quest 4 GTX review, let’s see how well these hiking boots performed during testing.

Specs

---

Things We Tested When Reviewing Salomon Quest 4 GTX

1. Traction

It has a Contagrip TD outsole, which is firmer and more durable than other versions, so it’s a little less adhesive and flexible [1].

However, there’s no real grip tradeoff.

The heel brake was perfect on steeper climbs, there was no premature wear on the soles, and I had no issues on the canyon’s dry rocks or uneven terrain.

Even though it’s not as sticky, the aggressive tread with deep lugs compensates by allowing you to dig deeply into softer surfaces and loose terrain.

2. Durability

This hiking footwear is made with a sturdy Nubuck leather/textile upper and rubber toe cap. Salomon brand shoes are known for their durability, so I’m not too surprised to see how well this boot has held up, especially on rough terrain.

There are quite a few seams on these backpacking boots though, so I would recommend keeping an eye on those for possible detachments. However, given Salomon’s product quality, it’s unlikely to become a problem.

3. Comfort

It has a molded Ortholite sockliner, bolstering the SensiFit upper technology to form pressure point cushions, a secure lacing system, and providing more support to the ankle.

We determined through our tests that the toe box also has enough volume in the forefoot area for breathability and movement.

Overall, the padding is just right and because this hiking boot is designed to feel like a trail shoe, the leather is flexible enough to greatly decrease the amount of break-in time needed.

4. Weight

It weighs 2 lbs. 14.4 oz., making it nearly identical to its predecessor by a few ounces. When I put these on, I can immediately tell the difference compared to other lightweight hiking boots.

However, what this hiking boot gains in heaviness, it makes up for in stability, underfoot protection, and cushioning.

Something else nice about this boot is that even though it’s heavier than some other footwear like sneakers or trail runners, its overall performance isn’t hindered. In fact, it manages to be the right boot for most situations.

5. Breathability

Like most Salomon brand footwear, this hiking footwear is lined with a Gore-Tex bootie.

Unfortunately, despite the breathable textile lining, the Gore-Tex waterproof membrane dampens the ventilation of this hiking boot, causing it to run warm quickly in hot weather.

Fortunately, the weather in the US has been cool, keeping sweat to a minimum and making the stored heat convenient for insulation.

Through our practical knowledge, we believe the long spring and summer trails could be more challenging.

6. Waterproofing

The Gore-Tex membrane is rated as one of the most reliable waterproof liners. Creeks, rain, and mud haven’t been a problem, even after having the boots completely covered.

A nice feature of this hiking boot is that it also has a 6-inch flood height, allowing me to step into puddles of water without worrying about the collar overflowing. The leather upper also does well with rolling off the water instead of absorbing it.

7. Support

The improved ADV-C 4D chassis system and EnergyCell EVA midsole give these backpacking boots additional padding, excellent support, and shock absorption. It also guarded my foot against the more jagged, sharp, and uncomfortable regions of the trail.

Usually, a backpacking boot has to be rigid to provide more protection, but these manage to stay flexible, and even let me carry heavy loads without stressing my heels or ankles.

These boots provided me with excellent arch support so I’ve placed them in our best hiking boots for flat feet guide.

8. Fit & Sizing

This backpacking boot has a great grip around the ankle.

Despite their thickness, the weight difference doesn’t make the boots uncomfortable to wear, although it may take a few hikes to fully break them in.

The only thing that might discourage most hikers is the lack of size variety.

This boot only comes in a standard width, lacking any narrow or wide toe box options.

That said, if your feet require specific volumes, this model may not have what you need.

However, even in normal size, these boots had adequate wiggle room and openness around the outer foot.

So, you may be able to give or take a little space.

How Does It Compare With the Previous Version?

When compared to the previous version, the Quest 4 takes on an appearance resembling a mountaineering boot. The Quest 4 GTX improves on the 4D 3s ADV-C chassis system by increasing its ability to handle heavier backpacking loads.

This gives the ankles and heels relief to prevent pressure buildup and possible ankle rolling. Additionally, the Active Support feature makes use of a mobile wing that folds over the foot to securely hold it in place.

Combined with the Contagrip TD outsole’s aggressive tread and durable rubber compound, this hiking boot improves on the 4D 3s’ successful and weaker features.

How Does It Compare with Other Products?

1. Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX

The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX is lighter compared to the Quest 4, making it a solid hiking boot for trails of moderate difficulty.

The Quest 4 GTX however, because of its thick and padded design, is better at handling heavy packs and challenging terrain than the X Ultra 4.

While the Quest 4 GTX could work for casual backpacking trips or day hiking, its bulky design could prove to be somewhat disadvantageous if the environment doesn’t require it.

Overall, both products perform well for the terrain they’re designed for, but keep in mind that you could be spending $80 more or less depending on what you need.

---

2. Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Hiking

The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid hiking boot weighs 2 lbs. 7 oz. per pair, which is a significant decrease compared to our product.

The Lowa Renegade also has the reliable Vibram EVO, which doesn’t trade off any of its adhesiveness or flexibility [2].

With the advantage of offering options for wide feet, medium, and narrow feet, the Lowa Renegade GTX may surpass the Quest 4 in terms of popularity and choice variety.

The Lowa Renegade is also designed for difficult hikes, making it a direct competitor to the Quest 4 GTX. However, Renegade’s price tag may not justify buying it.

---

3. Oboz Bridger Mid BDry

The Oboz Bridger Mid BDry is a light-midweight hiking boot designed to perform well on rocky trails that would tear or damage most other footwear.

However, in exchange for increased durability, the Oboz Bridger is incredibly heavy and stiff.

The Quest 4 GTX is made with flexible uppers to prevent rigidness when flexing the foot, which also reduces the break-in period.

In terms of overall performance, the Quest 4 GTX is the best boot, but the Oboz has great ankle support and comfort, even surpassing our model’s chassis system and contouring footbed.

---

Where Does the Salomon Quest 4 GTX Perform Better?

This backpacking boot performs better on mixed and challenging terrain, where your feet could possibly be more vulnerable, your pack is heavier than usual, and you may be on the trail for longer than 24 hours.

When talking about the weather, because this boot is insulated so well, it seems like it would be useful on advanced trails during the fall and winter portions of the hiking season.

Also, since these boots go beyond the requirements for most day hikes, they’re better suited for trekking and other multi-day outings. This is especially true since the stabilizing and support features make it possible to hike for longer periods without exhaustion.

Custom Reviews

We want to provide some web reviews even though we mostly rely on our testing procedures.

Do We Recommend the Salomon Quest 4 GTX For Hiking?

We highly recommend them for hiking and we believe they are the best hiking boots of 2023. My experience with these boots has been nothing but positive, especially on dry, wet, rocky conditions, and muddy trails.

The immediate comfort and stability make the Quest 4 easy to wear for long distances without worrying about pain. As mentioned previously, while I wouldn’t recommend using these boots for simple hikes, they can manage them.

Although, you’d have better luck wearing something with slightly less padding.

FAQs

What’s the Difference Between the Salomon Quest 4 and Salomon 4D 3?

The difference between the Salomon Quest 4 and Salomon 4D 3 is the change the Quest 4 makes to its comfort and stability features. The Quest 4s chassis has been modified for heavier pack loads and improved hindfoot support.

Is the Salomon Quest 4 Waterproof?

The Salomon Quest 4 is waterproof. The Gore-Tex waterproof membrane keeps the feet dry in warm weather, while also allowing cool air to ventilate the inside of the footwear.