As many hikers can attest, there are few things more important than a good pair of boots. You could talk to a hundred hikers, and I’d wager they’d all have some kind of blister or foot pain horror story. They’ll also likely know all the best tricks for proper lacing, the best brands, and the right sort of socks to wear. The trick is, you’ll have to experiment to find the best combinations for yourself. I encourage everyone to try as many different manufacturers as possible. Take the time to research and find the best boot for your feet and the way you walk. With that in mind, I offer this review of a pair that are as close to perfect for my feet as I’ve ever come across: The Salomon Quest 4D GTX hiking boots.

The Salomon Quest hiking boots offer all-around performance and a comfortable platform while remaining softer and more flexible underfoot compared to many other boot options.

Impressions, Design, & Fit

These are extremely comfortable boots. In fact, my first hike with them was a 15.5 mile lollipop hike through 4 trails in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. I remember getting to my truck and feeling like I could have kept going. No break-in period, just comfort right out the box. The materials are more airy and padded than the usual hiking boot, allowing the boot to conform to your foot for a more comfortable ride. Cushioning is great across the entire footbed. Compared to the last pair which left me limping with blisters after 6 miles, I was smitten.

Quality comes at a cost, though. A pair of the Quest 4D GTX will set you back about $230, give or take. I’ve seen them on sale before, so you might want to be patient if your budget is tight. With a listed weight of 2 pounds, 13 ounces, (measured weight: 25 ounces per boot, men’s size 11) they’re fairly light for a backpacking boot and are available in both men and women’s specific models. Strapping them on for the first time, you’ll notice the gusseted tongue, which helps keep debris and water from getting in. Even with the loose and airy materials used, the boot still provides plenty of support when sized and laced properly. The characteristics of my feet are fairly average. Not especially wide, and I’m typically a size 11 US. The Salomons feel true to size. I have average arches, and I found the Ortholite insoles supplied with the boots to be sufficiently comfortable.

There’s much more flex, though, especially when compared to other high-end brands like options from Asolo or Salewa. The main difference I notice (apart from not getting blisters) from Asolo is the sole has much more give. It’s actually the one thing I don’t like as much. I can feel larger rocks and skinny roots through the Contagrip soles. I miss the firm feel of the Asolos’ sole, but it’s something I can live with. Because of the softer sole and chassis, I need to be more mindful of my step. It feels like twisting an ankle in these would be easier, but the comfort is a fair trade-off in my opinion.

Waterproofing & Breathability

Another highlight of these boots is the Gore-Tex waterproofing. Many boot manufacturers will designate their Gore-Tex boots by adding GTX to the model name. Not all GTX boots are created equal. Waterproof materials in your boot do not guarantee your feet will stay dry - how well they’re constructed is equally as important. Gore-Tex is useless without a good seam, for example. As a photographer in east Tennessee, I often find myself shooting creeks, cascades, and waterfalls. The best vantage points are often found in the water, and these boots do a remarkable job of keeping my feet dry. I can confidently stand in several inches of running water for minutes at a time, and my feet remain warm and dry.

Speaking of warm, this is definitely a subject worth delving in to. Toasty warm, dry feet sure are nice in the winter. When paired with a thick pair of Smartwool socks and a decent merino liner, you’ll be very cozy. In the summer, however, be prepared to roast. If you need waterproof, odds are your feet are going to get hot. There are not a lot of options for those who want breathability, but require good support, traction, and waterproofing. You’re going to have to sacrifice something.

There are certainly hikers who can justify bypassing the waterproof option, but I’m not one of them. I often find myself rock-hopping creeks for a good photograph, and unless it’s mid-summer, the creeks in my stomping grounds are awfully cold. It’s a matter of convenience, as well. More often than not, I don’t want to stop to take off my boots before finding a shot to compose.

Last winter, I was shooting a nearly-frozen waterfall on a very cold morning. I strapped ice spikes to these boots and put Outdoor Research gaiters over them. While carefully choosing my path over ice-covered rocks, I miscalculated the strength of the ice and fell through. It was 6 degrees Fahrenheit and I was shin-deep in flowing water. I took my sweet time finding a good path out, which required several more steps through the icy water. Once at the other side of the creek, my feet were still warm and dry. To me, something this light and comfortable that keeps me warm and dry under those conditions is not only great, it’s a marvel of technology.

Traction

Regarding traction, the Salomon 4D Quest GTX Contagrip soles have a tread pattern that is useful for a wide variety of terrain, while not necessarily specializing in anything specific. The flexible sole provides a little more contour over odd-shaped surfaces like tree roots, so you really have to be careless to lose traction. Again, the waterproofing comes in handy for the narrow, muddy paths I often encounter in the springtime. When paired with gaiters or rain pants, you’re an unstoppable spring-conquering machine. They’re very grippy over loose, rocky terrain in the high country, and the ankle support is sufficient enough to keep a good pace with confidence.

The grip on wet rocks and roots is about as good as can be expected. You're going to slip if you're not strategic with your footing, but the soles will provide enough purchase to keep you upright. Through fresh snow, the Salomons provided sufficient traction for me to keep a steady pace with confidence. I slipped a bit more on packed snow, and they're about as useless as any boot on solid ice. I advise pairing them with MICROspikes or some sort of ice traction device.

Durability

After 7 months of regular weekly use and a few hundred miles of hiking, the Contagrip sole held up very well to regular punishment over a wide variety of substrates. I've noticed very little sole wear, but unfortunately, it’s not all good news. While the good definitely out-weighs the bad, I had a troublesome experience with these boots. Somewhere along the numerous hikes I put them through, some seams gave way and water started finding its way to my socks. I first noticed it during a hike through snow. I took them out on several hikes in varying conditions just to be sure it wasn’t simply perspiration. They were most definitely taking on water. They ship with a two-year warranty from Salomon, but I purchased mine through Backcountry.com, who immediately replaced them at no cost to me, with only a few days downtime.

Conclusion

I have a difficult time finding boots that work for my feet, and I’ll stick with these for as long as they manufacture them. When paired with quality socks and liners, I can hike until my legs give out. They’ve never been the cause of a blister, and my feet simply don’t hurt as long as I lace them properly. Though it may be I've given these boots a pass on a number of things, the comfort and waterproofing have fully influenced my decision to give them a high rating, and I'll tolerate a number of other issues if my feet don't hurt at the end of a 20 mile day. If Salomon can figure out how to maintain the comfort while improving durability and breathability, I'm convinced they'd have the perfect hiking boot.

Salomon continually updates the Salomon Quest line of boots – you can find the latest version here at REI Co-op as well as here at Backcountry, and at Amazon.com.

Editor's Note: This review originally appeared in Issue 15 of TrailGroove Magazine. Read the original article here for additional photos, pros and cons, and our star rating of the Salomon Quest hiking boots.