Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX: Top Choice for Serious Backpackers
It’s extremely important to have a comfortable, sturdy, and dependable pair of boots to support you while you’re on a hiking trail. When you’re pitted against the worst that nature has to offer, from rocky terrains to torrential rains, you have to constantly be on the move. What’s more, you have to move quickly and efficiently.
Our Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX review will give you an idea of what a quality pair of hiking boots should look like.
Overview
The Salomon men’s Quest 4D 2 GTX is the company’s flagship product. This pair is the second iteration of the Quest 4D GTX, which was released several years prior. Compared to the original version, the overall look and feel of the newer boots remain largely the same, which is going to please those who love the older boots.
Improvements in the second-generation boots are relatively minor and mostly have to do with improving comfort. The tongue is wholly connected to the upper of the boots to make the boots fit better when laced up. Then, there are some upgrades to the laces and the rubber band.
AVERAGE SCORE8.54
Other than that, the Quest 4D 2 GTX is similar to the first generation Quest 4D GTX.
The boots’ construction is great and very rugged. A mixture of nubuck leather and textile is used to create the upper. This combination offers great durability, breathability, and also serves to keep the boots’ light (the textile, specifically.)
Salomon 4D 2 GTX
Salomon’s 4D chassis provides better stability and support on rocky terrain by reducing lateral flex. In addition, the chassis provides extra protection against road hazards (pointy rocks, for example.)
The midsole is made from EVA foam for better cushioning, working in tandem with the 4D chassis to stabilize your gait.
OrthoLite foam is used for the insole. The foam reduces chafing as well as encourages ventilation, thus, keeping your feet cool and free of sweat (so less smelly feet, too.)
In case you got hit by a bout of rain on your hike, the boots have a Gore-Tex waterproofing layer to keep the rain water out. Quest 4D 2 GTX reviews from consumers and professionals alike have stated the boots are constructed well enough that it could stay dry after a brief stint in puddles or small streams.
Down at the soles— the “business end” of the boots— it has a ContaGrip outsole to maintain traction even on rugged, uneven terrain. This makes the boots even more ideal for intensive hikes or climbs.
Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX has ContaGrip outsole
These technologies and components combined allow the Quest 4D 2 GTX to withstand the roughest of road and weather conditions. Despite its toughness, it will still be able to give you ample comfort and support to continue on your merry way for hours on end.
The boots are available in 3 color schemes: Fossil/Rain Drum/Humus (an earthly brown), Iguana Green/Asphalt/Dark Titanium (forest green), and Detroit/Black/Navajo (black). All common men’s sizes are available.
Its perfect balance between performance and comfort is the reason why the Salomon Quest 4D II GTX hiking boots men’s has always been one of our top recommendations.
Next up in our Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX review, we’ll go deeper into each individual feature of the Quest 4D 2 GTX.
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Features
Nubuck Leather - Textile Upper
The most distinguishing detail of any boot is the upper. The Quest 4D 2 GTX’s upper is made from a mixture of Nubuck (full-grain) leather and textile, both of which, like we mentioned before, give the boots great comfort and protective ability.
The textile is abrasion-resistant and so is capable of standing up to scratches and impacts. On top of the textile is a thin Nubuck leather overlay to increase durability and reduce wear.
Gusseted Tongue
The boots come with gusseted tongues that hug the lower portion of your leg. They make a tight seal and can prevent water and debris from falling into the shoes. The snug fit of the tongues also make it more comfortable to travel.
Gusseted tongues of the boots make comfortable
Ortholite Insole & EVA Midsole
Ortholite foam is a special type of Polyurethane (PU) that’s quite springy and facilitates ventilation well. The foam will retain its elasticity and overall comfort for years and does a great job at venting heat and moisture. Salomon’s decision to use Ortholite for the insoles has paid off considering the praise this part has got in customer’s Salomon boots review.
The midsole is made from Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam. EVA is known to absorb shock and forces well and has been used for a long time in sport shoes. Its incorporation into the midsole means an upgrade to comfort and stability.
But here’s the first design problem with the boots: the Ortholite insole and EVA midsole are basically sandwiched together. Between the two pieces, there’s a tiny space where dirt, dust, and small rocks can become trapped. These particles, if they’re not picked out, can make their way into the shoes and become an annoyance.
Salomon’s 4D Advanced Chassis
Salomon actually adopted the 4D Advanced Chassis from one of its trail-running shoes (the XA Pro). It is basically a midsole support plate that’s made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
Its job is to improve stability by improving the flexion of your forefoot and reducing lateral flex (inadvertent movement of your foot to either side.) The thickness of the TPU foam also protects your foot from rocks and other sharp objects on the road.
Gore-Tex Waterproofing Outer Layer
Gore-Tex is a popular waterproof fabric membrane that’s been applied to many different hiking boots other than the Quest 4D 2 GTX. The Gore-Tex membrane can ward off rain water and puddle splashes well. It can even hold up to a running stream, according to some Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX reviews from consumers that we’ve read.
In addition to keeping your feet dry from water on the outside, the fabric also helps with ventilating moisture (sweat) on the inside. Waterproof hiking boots are known to be especially stuffy and hot to hike in, so the extra ventilation is appreciated.
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Rubber Toe Cap & Ankle Protection
The toe cap is constructed ruggedly to protect your foot from the painful experience of getting your toe caught on a rock. Made from rubber, it wraps all across the toes and provides protection on all sides.
Additionally, the rubber bands that wrap around the boots is a notable upgrade from the previous version. It’s a tad thicker and covers a fuller portion of the boots’ sides.
As an over-the-ankle style pair of boots, the Quest 4D 2 GTX also has ankle protection. The extra cushioning will protect your ankles from a hard tap against the rocks or scratches.
ContaGrip Outsole
While most hiking boots on the market use Vibram outsoles for traction, Salomon uses ContaGrip— an in-house outsole design. We’re pleased to say that ContaGrip has proven itself when it comes to reliable traction on trails.
The Quest 4D 2 GTX’s lugs are grippy and will help your feet hold onto wet rocks and keep balance on muddy trails. So not having Vibram outsoles isn’t at all a drawback, it could potentially even be an upgrade.
Quest 4D 2's ContaGrip Outsole will help keep your feet from slipping and keeping balance
Lacing System
The lacing system is one of the most crucial parts of a good pair of hiking boots that’s often overlooked. For the Quest 4D 2 GTX, its lacing system is superb and one of the most positively-received features in Salomon boots reviews.
You have a number of lace hooks all across the boots to lock the laces in place and prevent them from slipping. The lacing itself is snug, as well.
Alternatives
So it turns out that the Quest 4D 2 GTX isn’t what you’re looking for? Or maybe you want to see more options before making your decision?
Well, don’t worry about it. We have a few alternatives here for your consideration.
#1- Keen Targhee II Mid Review
If you need an over-the-ankle pair of boots that’s more affordable than the Quest 4D 2 GTX, the Keen Targhee II will do.
Keen Targhee II Mid
In spite of the affordable and accessible price tag, it has great comfort thanks to a lightweight and padded design, high overall performance (stability, traction, water resistance), and is fairly durable. All of this combined has given the Keen Targhee II quite a large following in many hiking and climbing communities.
First thing first, comfort. Most of the Keen Targhee II Mid from users reported that the boots are comfortable to wear from right out of the box. The insole is thick and cushy to provide better support. You will appreciate this feature if you regularly hike on rocky, rugged terrains.
Stability is reinforced by the Torsion Stability ESS shank, which can reduce the shocks of impact and enhances load-bearing performance.
As for traction, unlike other boot manufacturers who go for Vibram soles, Keen uses their own brand of soles. Although unnamed, the Keen Targhee II’s soles feature aggressive lugs make this pair very grippy. You will hang onto surfaces even when they’re wet or covered in moss.
The ankle collar is designed to give as snug a fit to the user’s leg as possible. This is done partly to improve comfort, but the second reason is to fortify the boots against water and debris.
Keen Targhee II is waterproof, but it remains fairly breathable despite this fact. It uses the company’s in-house KEEN.DRY membrane to keep water from infiltrating. By not using Gore-Tex, Keen has managed to keep the price of the boots relatively low.
Nonetheless, waterproofing performance isn’t as good as the boots with Gore-Tex. So you may need to look elsewhere if water resistance is truly important to you.
Its lacing system can give you a comfortable fit. The upper eyelets offer a positive lock on the laces, so even if the lace knots were to come undone during the hike, the whole thing doesn’t fall apart.
The special part about this is that the middle webbing eyelet leads down the boot and around the heel. You can use it to tie down the heel and lock it securely against the heel cup. Not many boots on the market have this feature.
Overall, the Keen Targhee II is a solid pair for a decent price.
#2- Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX
The Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX is the third evolution of the Quest 4D. This will be the hiking boots to shoot for if you like the Quest 4D series and want the best that Salomon has to offer.
Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX
In our Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX review, we have mentioned how the second version has very small changes to the original. The same thing happened here. The third iteration didn’t see very significant changes and stuck to the tried-and-true recipe.
Construction is largely the same with a combination of Nubuck leather and textile. The lacing system and the paddings are the same.
All of the important technologies that made the original Quest 4D so popular are still there. You still get the Ortholite insole and EVA midsole, 4D Advanced Chassis, Gore-Tex waterproof membrane, and the ContaGrip outsole with the Quest 4D 3 GTX.
In short, apply all you read in the Salomon 4D 2 GTX review and you’ll glean 99% of the Quest 4D 3 GTX’s features.
The key difference between the second and the third version lies in the ankle collar’s padding, which is fuller to improve comfort and fit. This newer model also sees improvements to the outsole, which has a different lug pattern for greater traction on trails, mud, and snow.
The new lug pattern makes the Quest 4D 3 GTX an excellent option for use as snow boots. Information about the Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX crampon compatibility isn’t available straight from the manufacturer. However, you can use it with strap-on crampons for traversing ice and snow.
We do not recommend you to take up serious alpine hiking and mountaineering with this pair, however. If you engage in these sorts of activities, it would be best that you choose a pair of full-fledged winter boots.
#3- Salomon Quest Prime GTX
One of the biggest complaints about the Salomon Quest 4D series is that they are very heavy. The Quest 4D 3 GTX weighs about 640 grams (22.5 ounces), which can be burdensome if you’re a light hiker.
That’s where the Salomon Quest Prime GTX comes in.
Salomon Quest Prime GTX
It’s a tad bit lighter at 570 grams (20.1 ounces) and is a little bit more affordable. If you like all of the capabilities that the Quest 4D 3 GTX has to offer, you will also get them on the Quest Prime GTX. It has everything from the Gore-Tex membrane, Contagrip outsoles, robust lacing system, and so on.
But there are a few omissions here and there. The Quest Prime GTX doesn’t have the Quest 4D 3 GTX’s special 4D Advanced Chassis. It’s marketed to have an “Advanced Chassis” of its own. Unfortunately, most reviews said that the chassis of the Quest Prime GTX doesn’t do well at managing lateral flex.
The Quest Prime GTX is also more versatile. Other than the normal backpacking/hiking version, it also has a special winter version with fur-lined collar to control temperature. There’s also a tactical Forces 4D version with more durability and reinforcements.
The Salomon Quest Prime GTX vs Quest 4D 3 GTX fight comes down to preference, technically. If you want a lightweight, affordable version and are willing to lose a few features, the Quest Prime GTX will do. But if you want the best, don't mind a heavier, costlier pair of boots, go for the Quest 4D 3 GTX or the Quest 4D 2 GTX.
Conclusion
Looking for a dependable pair of hiking boots can be pretty difficult. You don’t get to take them off and return them while you’re on the trail and it turns out the quality isn’t what you expected them to be. It’s also a pretty expensive investment to boot!
With this Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX review, we hope you have found the best pair of boots to accompany you on the rough trails ahead!
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