The gold standard in expedition-weight hiking boots, the Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex boots are designed to provide ample support and comfort on long-distance hiking excursions. The ankle shaft height is among the tallest in our women's boot review, and the updated chassis provide lots of lateral support, making them a great option for folks looking for more ankle support out of their backpacking footwear. Though they are comfortable and supportive, we struggled with feeling nimble in these boots off-trail. Their bulk weighed down our feet and we typically preferred a lighter option for most adventures. While we more readily reach for more stripped-down and lighter boots for most hiking purposes, these shine for anyone looking for incredible stability and ankle protection while backpacking with moderate to heavy loads.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on March 23, 2022, to include more information comparing products.Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex - Women's Review
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Durable, stable, lots of ankle protection and support
Cons: Heavy, expensive, bulky
Manufacturer: Salomon
Our Verdict
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Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex - Women's | |||||
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Price | Check Price at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $131.25 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $169.90 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $111.93 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers |
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Pros | Durable, stable, lots of ankle protection and support | Lightweight, comfortable, breathable, great traction, reasonable price | Wide toe box, lightweight, padded ankle support, durable lacing system provides stability, lugs and outsole for excellent traction | Affordable, super comfortable out of the box, lightweight, superior traction, breathable | Well-padded ankle, comfortable, breathable, inexpensive |
Cons | Heavy, expensive, bulky | Not as supportive as a traditional leather hiking boot | More expensive price tag, 0mm drop heel takes some adjustment time | Lack some durability of boots with thicker material | Lacks support underfoot, lacing system is not very durable |
Bottom Line | A burly boot designed to provide stability and support on long, rugged outings | A lightweight, breathable, waterproof, and supportive hiking boot that excelled in multiple testing metrics and offers maximum control when moving through technical terrain | These hiking boots have a similar design and feel to your favorite running shoe while also offering a durable outsole, grippy lugs, and a spacious toe box | A hiking boot with a minimalist design that saves on weight while delivering high performance and excellent traction | These boots are consistent and comfortable right out of the box, but they fall short in terms of durability and water resistance |
Rating Categories | Salomon Quest 4 Gor... | La Sportiva Ultra R... | Altra Lone Peak ALL... | Salomon OUTline Mid... | Merrell Moab 2 Mid WP |
Comfort (25%) | |||||
Support (25%) | |||||
Traction (15%) | |||||
Water Resistance (15%) | |||||
Weight (10%) | |||||
Durability (10%) | |||||
Specs | Salomon Quest 4 Gor... | La Sportiva Ultra R... | Altra Lone Peak ALL... | Salomon OUTline Mid... | Merrell Moab 2 Mid WP |
Weight (per pair) | 2.34 lbs (size 7.5) | 1.68 lbs (size EU 40) | 1.60 lbs (size 8.5) | 1.53 lbs (size 8.5) | 1.96 lbs (size 7.5) 2.15 lbs (size 8.5) |
Upper | Split suede, textile | AirMesh, microfiber, TPU | eVent fabric | Synthetic textile | Suede and mesh |
Width Options | Regular | Regular, Wide | Regular | Regular | Regular, Wide |
Water Resistant Membrane | Gore-Tex | Gore-Tex | eVent | Gore-Tex | M Select DRY |
Heel Height | 1.6" | 1.8" | 1" | 1.2" | 1.4" |
Shaft Height | 6" | 5" | 5.5" | 4.2" | 4.9" |
Midsole | OrthoLite | MEMlex | Altra EGO | EVA | EVA |
Sole | Contagrip rubber | FriXion XF 2.0 Rubber | DuraTread Rubber | Nonmarking Contagrip rubber | Vibram TC5+ |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Though the updated version of the Quest 4 is a bit lighter than the previous model, size and bulk are still the drawbacks to these boots. For burly expeditions or long hiking missions, or for those who just want more ankle support and overall stability, these are a good option.
Performance Comparison
Comfort
As it goes with most Salomon boots, the Quest 4 is very comfortable right out of the box. That said, these boots are substantial. In comparison to most of the other models in this review, the Quest 4 feels big on the foot. The tongue and ankle are well-padded and cradle the ankle bones much more than a lighter-weight hiker. The sizing is similar to the previous model in terms of width and overall size, with a roomy toe box and a heel that is tight enough to lock the foot in place. The lacing system is highly adjustable, with three eyelets — one at the ankle joint and two above the foot. These are great for creating a precision fit around the foot.
Support
It comes as no surprise that these boots are extremely stable and supportive. In fact, we felt like it would be considerably difficult to roll an ankle in them due to the stability laterally and the updated ADV-C chassis designed to improve lateral stability. For folks concerned with ankle support, these are a great option. They also offer a ton of support underfoot, from the forefoot to the arch to the heel.
For our lead tester, some of this stiffness and support got in the way of feeling nimble when hiking and traveling off-trail. The stiffness underfoot made us feel a bit less receptive to bumps and rocks on the trail. The ankle support is great for injury prevention but also holds the ankle and foot in a fairly rigid position, resulting in a less agile feeling on the trail.
Traction
Like most of the Salomon boots we've reviewed, the Quest 4 GTX has a ContaGrip rubber sole that does very well when it comes to traction. The rubber compound used by Salomon is grippy, and the lug pattern on this boot is aggressive enough to maintain traction on rough scree and loose dirt. Though their bulk had us shying away from scrambling and talus hopping, these soles are confidence-inspiring.
Water Resistance
With a high ankle height, Gore-Tex membrane, and a reinforced toe cap, these boots are insanely water-resistant. Even after minutes of standing in water, we saw no signs of leakage. For seriously wet conditions, these boots may be a good option, but for hot weather, they are a bit warm and lack breathability.
Weight
Just from looking at them, you can tell that the Salomon Quest 4 GTX are going to be some of the heavier boots in this review. Though not as heavy as the previous version, the updated Quest is still well over 2 pounds, ringing in at 2.34 pounds for a size 7.5 in US Women's. This is over 3 ounces less than the previous version, but still lands these boots on the upper end of the spectrum when it comes to weight. Especially compared to the majority of modern boots on the market that typically weigh between 1.6 and 1.8 pounds, the Quest 4 feels pretty bulky.
Durability
Salomon has a reputation for making durable, long-lasting boots. The Quest 4 is no exception — these boots are built to last. Over our test period, we saw no signs of significant wear. The updated version of this boot has fewer seams and stitching on the upper, which means there's less opportunity for major seam failure.
Should You Buy the Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex?
Designed for rugged trails and long trips, this is a burly, heavy boot. For most folks going on simple excursions and day hikes, the Quest 4 may be overkill, both in terms of design and price. That said, if ankle support and stability are significant concerns for you, they might be a good option. With an adjustable lacing system, a reinforced toe cap, and a highly waterproof and durable upper, these boots are the real deal, but their weight and bulk are the main drawbacks since they limit freedom of movement.
What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?
We are much bigger fans of Salomon's lighter-weight offering, the X Ultra 4 Mid, which is our Editors' Choice winner and a more comfortable boot overall. If you're seeking a burly, all leather boot, we'd also recommend the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid, which is a quality, durable boot that comes in tons of color options.
— Jane Jackson
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