Really glad you did this, I was a Northern Arizona tour guide for over 20 years and my go to footwear was mostly Solomon. I liked the way they looked but mostly their performance and durability, thanks for doing this because I haven't bought any Solomon for a while and wondered if they can still take the wear and tear of outdoor trekking in rugged places. Ty Rose Anvil the GOAT.
Im a forester in the SE United States and have bought and broken a lot of the top brands and styles over the years. Years back I converted to a hiking style boot bc of the comfort value. I rarely get more than a year out of boots unfortunately. A lot of my work puts the boots to the test. Swamp type river bottoms and creeks, flatwoods loaded with Saw Palmetto, and upland prikely pear sandhills. My last 3 pairs of boots have been the Soloman brand. This exact style I purchased in January and by April they started seperating at the seams. Customer service was awesome and sent me a credit to their website. I then decided on the Quest Elements and same thing within 6 months. Both pairs were very comfortable and waterproofing lasted longer than most but they just didnt hold up. Solomans Customer service made it right again and this time I went with a pair from their Forces Line. What ive read is the Forces line stands true to their reputation and are built different. I am currently wearing them but havent really put them in the fun places just yet. I need to get a boot sponsor or a company to let me truly test their boots. Married with 4 kids makes spending 250.00 on boots that dont last sting a lot. To date the longest lasting and my favorite boot for what I do are hands down the Danner Vital Trails. Once these Solomans are trashed I'll keep my loyalties back to Danner.
For years I have worn Salomon Quest 4 boots for work and for general wear. I have been a land surveyor in interior Alaska for 20+ years and Salomon has been my go to boot for covering ground which performed for me when the ground was...rough. I finally wore out my LAST Quest 4s and went to try a new pair, the ones you reviewed. They utterly failed. The fit was more narrow, the "sock" feel was gone. They felt clunky and cheap, and I have NO room for that. I'm doing serious stuff. So I bought Lowas, and so far they are ok, no sock feel. But my last pair of Salomons and I dropped out of a helicopter from 15-20 feet into the spongy tundra, waited for the chainsaw to be lowered on 550 chord and humped my way 1/2 mile to the planned LZ and cut 100' radius area for the helicopter. Then repeated 4 more times, then again for the rest of the week. These are not those boots. They are cheaper, less thoughtful and damn I'm sad about it. This would have been my 4th pair.
I've bought Salomon quest forces 2 for the same reason as you. Forces are supposedly based on previous model of civilian quests and I'm quite happy with my pair so far.
Yeah everything is getting cheaper and cheaper. If you find something you love and can afford it buy a few. In another 10 years it will be even worse. I find myself searching ebay and poshmark more and more for older, yet betteritems from foot wear to snowboard and ski pants and jackets. It's either that or you have spend 3x to get the same quality.
In my experience the new model is not nearly as good as the older Quest 4D. The previous model was the best boot I ever owned. This new model is nowhere close.
You should review modern military boots. I just bought a pair of Garmont NFS for about $140. They seem top notch and are inexpensive. Heritage boots and traditional construction seem to be overbuilt with no real practical purpose anymore. I say this while wearing my Vibergs.
Got a two decade old pair of Garmont hiking boots and are the best I ever owned. Trying to find a new pair, but can't find North American/Canada outdoors stores who still carry those.
@@richards6431 I already own two pairs of military issued goretex boots and don't need others. I simply want a classic dark brown hiking boots and only seen those in Europe. What I seen on Amazon are quite expensive and completely different styles. I ended up buying a cheap pair of Columbia Ridge Plus II. Not remotely as sturdy and waterproof, but very light and comfortable. Hopefully we'll see more choices in the near future.
I find myself reaching for my PNWs when logging in slash, old garbage dumps, or scree. I literally CANNOT twist an ankle, they keep me from falling or slipping, allow me to walk over ANYTHING like it's a flat floor, and 80 lb log sections can fall on my toes without me noticing. I do tend to reach for lighter boots like Red Wings for other duties.
I think part of Salomon's change to their hiking boot construction is also due to the market's trend toward lighter boots. Majority of the hikers/campers that purchase these light duty hiking boots do not use these in environments with heavy mud, snow, rain, etc., and they prefer lighter hiking boots compared to some of the hardier (but heavier) boots.
Some people who take their boots to bad environments also prefer lighter options. I find heavy duty boots way to stiff. If its warmi-ish, I'd rather have water in my canvas "boots" than wear something that feels like a cast.
I’ve been working in the tree work industry for over a decade; the last 6 of which I have been in these boots. INSTANT broke in feeling, tons of grip, and fantastic support. That being said, I typically get about 6 months in them before the tread begins to separate and the glue fails, at which point I replace them which is a bummer. Either way, I’ll keep buying. They’re perfect for my foot.
@@momo_the_great6969They would have been less comfortable from new, take longer to break in, and been heavier. The general trending is towards comfort and performance, which means that unless the cost jumps up dramatically, the longevity will be the thing that gives for those other improvements.
I bet it's no coincidence that you talk about Salomon while wearing a Knocked Loose t-shirt. This band is responsible for popularizing Salomon shoes in the hardcore community. You can see Bryan and Nicko from KL wear them all the time.
When I used to hike the Appalachian Trail, I went through every hiking boot and shoe at REI. I realized that 60% of the hiking footwear was designed for "lifestyle" and not function. The best hiking footwear was a Nike all-leather mid-top hiker and a Salomon all-leather hiking shoe. I bought both in 2006. The Salomon hiking shoes were so great that I bought four pairs. And I was surprised with the Nike hiking boots. They were one of the best hiking boots that I have ever owned. And of course, Nike discontinued that particular boot after a year.
I’m absolutely loving your channel and it’s so helpful to understand without having to go through and buy it myself what goes into each one of these products, I am especially learning so much about leather through your channel
I'd love to hear your opinion on Zamberlan walking/hiking boots, I've owned several pairs over the years and have been very happy with the quality and comfort.
Yep, same here, Zamberlan Vioz 996s, theyve been awesome for the last 3 or 4 years, taking care of them routinely and they still look and perform like new!
I generally don't comment on boot stuff but I own a pair of Quest boots. For me they are the most comfortable boots I own for the purpose I use them for. Hiking backpacking and peak bagging in the Sierra mountains. The soles don't last long but very grippe in rock and off trail hiking. That's the tradeoff for grippy outsoles. The boots are light for the support they give. For what I use them for they are the best I've ever used. I also own 4 pairs of Whites and quite a few others that I use for everyday wear.
My military boots are holding up from two years of non-stop use. I have hiked over 1,000 miles and the soles are still thick. My garrison Nikes, not even close.
Ah, I've waited for this model to be reviewed for so long. I've bought my pair for my Tatra mountain hiking trip almost 5 year ago. After that it endured Baltic swamps, Mediterranean heat, Caucasian mountain trails and much more. They were so great for my feet, I've just bought a second pair that's designed just like the pair in this video. Might be just the anatomy of my feet, but I've never had a more comfortable boot in both snowy peak of winter Rysy ant summer trails of Cinque Terre. 👌
I bought 1st gen of Quest 4D GTX back in 2009. Comfiest hiking boots I ever had! I have used them for 10 years plus one year as work boots (just to kill them completely). Gore-tex lining was doing its job to the very last day. I was surprised that such complicated boots were so durable. When I looked for replacement I simply bought 2nd gen of this model in the outlet store :)
Probably one of the most appreciated boot of all SF all over the world. If they start to lack on quality, they'll notice, quit the brand and they'll spread the word ! Got my Quest 4D GTX "tactical", unkillable so far !
Thanks for expanding your scope to include shoes of this type. I had major feet problems on the Camino last year when my Salomon Quest Forces midsole failed. Fortunately the Salomon guarantee is great and they replaced them very quickly once I got back to the U.K.
Salomon is still headquartered in Annecy, France not Utah. In my opinion the brand sold out when the former ceo Jean luc diard (founder of Hoka) left in 2007. He had been the engine behind the brand’s innovations for 16years and understood the needs of outdoor pursuits better than anyone else, being an elite athlete himself to begin with and then thoroughly testing products himself.
I would love to see you do the Zamberlan Tofane; it's a stormwelted, single piece of full grain leather, hiking boot that is built like an absolute tank. I've been really impressed by mine.
I wore a pair of these on a 65 mile JMT segment. My feet hurt at the end of every day and I ended up with a broken toe. I’ve never experienced that with my Zamberlan Vioz or my Nicks. These are now just reserved for day hikes with no loads.
I wore this for the Everest Base Camp trek. It is the only hiking boot I've found that doesn't make my feet hurt and actually withstands significant abuse.
That’s one of the most common boots you’ll see going up and down elk and mule deer mountains, out west, in the early seasons. Along with their higher top version. Likely one of the last really good boots they make
I’m have these boots. I’m really happy with them. Got them a year ago, wear them every day for hiking and work, I stand for around 5-6 hours at a time and my feet feel great. I’ve been waiting for a review of these boots since I got them.
As a ice climber who uses the Salomon Guide Mountain 9, the brand bought out by Addidas, caused the brand to lose its way. It's now a running shoe, that is suppose to be a boot. The new Salomon is not a boot, the Guide Mountain 9 is a boot. Wake up Salomon, bring back the Guide Mountain 9.
Please do make an open vs. closed cell foam video, that would be surprisingly relevant to my life. I'd be particularly interested to know which tends to maintain its resilience for longer. Also, I own this boot and the previous version of it, and speaking as a hiker, it's fantastic. Excellent grip, excellent ankle mobility while somehow also providing excellent ankle support, good waterproofing, and my previous pair lasted until the soles skinned out. Some issues with sole delamination on the older pair, but some Aquaseal fixed that until the rest of the sole wore down. If I had a complaint, it would be that they run hot. I don't use them much in the summer. For spring and fall though, or summer hikes where you know wet feet are going to be a challenge, they can't be beat.
My X ULTRA 4 MID GORE-TEX version has been fantastic. lots of miles in the Sierras and Costal range in California, and they are holding up well. Contagrip soles are very good. These are real hiking boots.
i know this is not related to the video what so ever but i would love to see u cut up some original 70's "german army trainers" aka gat and compare them to all the different brand's versions (the shoes been recreated by adidas, puma, steve madden and maison margiela)
I have the Quest "Forces" (if you're mil/LE, you get a nice discount). They've held up to some rough hikes, but the toe caps will separate a little. Nothing some glue can't fix.
I bought a pair of these two years ago. I wear them when upland bird hunting. I like the lace locks. So far they've been comfortable and durable. I would buy them again.
Special forces was using Salomon quests in the 2010s and they held up but in the past 5+ years they have moved to china and they get mixed reviews with many complaints about separation in the sole. I have a pair but wont use it for anything but fashion its very comfortable and very adjustable. If they would keep the design and return to the original quality id be sold as a duty boot. Will be getting lowa zephyrs for a duty grade boot to add to my collection.
I got a pair of Quest 3 4D GTA’s last winter for work as a garbage man n when I say they grip is no joke I was on the back of the truck in snowstorms, I live upstate New York btw, but not even one slip cold or wet foot and very comfortable so much so that I was wearing them this summer for local errands lol…insole definitely wears down over time but in a good way like the more I wear them the more they fill like they were made for me. I can honestly say these boots is the best $300 I’ve spent on footwear in quite some time.
I’ve worn numerous Salomon boots and running shoes over the years. Some are more durable or comfortable than others. My XA Pros are my daily and X Ultra Forces are my work/hiking shoes. Very pleased with the comfort and durability.
I wanna thank you. I don't even read a review for a shoe unless you have cut it open that is when I start my research to buy a shoe. you are doing a great job. I would appreciate if you can add a section on what purpose a particular boot fullfill and an option to buy your boot in Australia.
Never been a fan of heavy boots. I love trail runners and Salomon was my go to because they had literally zero break in, were super light and you could hike through water and have dry feet 10 minutes later. I don't know what has changed, but I now get blisters and hot spots that I never had before. Unfortunately trail runners are sort of designed to wear out and be replaced, but I don't really have anything to replace them with anymore at this point. The grip is still excellent, but the overall shoe comfort has done a 180.
I've got a pair of Mammut Trovat Guide II HIgh GTX boots and after a year and almost 300 km of hiking in all the seasons, I could say they're built like a tank and look almost as new. I would love to see a review of them and a comparison to other similar boots you've tested.
I was wearing these for 10 years and went through 3 pairs of these. Every time the sole gave in first. After the second pair, I was a bit bummed that they cannot be resoled. So after the third pair was about to go in the bin, I changed to Haix full-leather for the majority of the year (they are too hot for summer here though). But you can resole these, which I very much prefer. I do not consider myself a very hard user, but almost all of our strolling ways are gravel, so that might have worn out the soles more. And some times in the year there are heavy lumberworks done here, which turns our tracks into mudpits. So boots with a well-gripping sole is a must. In that, the Salomons were great, but the Haix are even better, because they give more support. There might be a reason why they are the boots of the German police...
2nd hiking boot review! Awesome, thanks. What's important for me, is that the (Vibram) sole can be replaced. Fast fashion for me, also means a boot that's become useless, just because the sole, or in my case mostly, the heel profiles wore out completely.
Would love to see you cut up some of the premier hunting boot brands like Schnees, Crispi as well as the mountaineering brands a lot of hunters use like Zamberlan, Hanwag, Scarpa, La Sportiva.
Nice review! I have owned several pairs of Quests over the years and like them a lot. I usually replace the Ortholite with a Sole insole. As for the Contagrip out sole, it grips very well on dry surfaces, but I find that a Vibram sole provides better grip on wet and slippery surfaces. I like Scarpa boots too. If I could combine the wide toe box of the Quest with the heel cup of a Scarpa, that would be my perfect boot.
I was suggested by a friend to get a pair last year....I went to my well known 2000's vintage Belleville's 790 instead. Watching this video I think it was the right choice.
Very happy with my Salomon Alphacross and Thundercross trail running trainers. I got into trail running after a 10 year pause and do it alongside mountain biking, and have found a brand that are comfortable, perform unbelievably well with grip. My only minus point would be the durability of the cheaper Alphacross trainers. But if that’s the sacrifice for great grip, I don’t mind. I’ve also seen friends wear them as normal fashion trainers, confusing me as I thought they were also into trail running! You have todo mountain bike shoes, there are some brilliant brands, and some scam brands!
I really like my Salomon Quest 4 for comfort. They are superb when it is dry and dusty but the slightest bit of rain and they leak badly. I vowed not to buy again after taking the last pair back to the shop after a month due to leaking. They replaced and gave me a new pair and the same happened again 5 months later and in the later summer months with less than 80k on them. The sole also fell apart very fast. Shame as very comfy. I now wear Karrimor SF military boots that I picked up here in the UK for £80.
I think you should try Salomon's tactical line of boots in your military boot roundup. They are very popular brand in spec ops and military worldwide, especially Quest Forces 2 and XA Forces.
They're not great for real mountain use in my experience. The toe bumper started to separate from the leather on mine after only 100km (reviews on their website reveal it's a fairly common issue). They feel really stiff out of the box which is what I wanted for scrambling on rock etc. But after 1 hike they broke in and ended up being very bendy in the forefoot so there was no support for holding edges. The contagrip rubber is okay but not even close to Vibram megagrip which beats it in every aspect - grip in wet / dry and durability. The spacing between the lugs are also fairly small so they don't shed mud very easily. I switched to La Sportiva TX5's which have proven to be superior in every aspect apart from underfoot comfort. The Salomon has slightly softer EVA and more of it under the forefoot which is nice when you're hiking all day. I offset this by adding a thicker insole to the TX5. They weigh in lighter too at 550g vs the Quest 4 at 656g. Would be great to see you cut some La Sportiva boots in half.
It's funny, I'm a huge hiker, done lots of the AT, all over KY where I live, VA, east coast, all over and I don't hike with boots. Typically trail shoes, not runners. If I need to cross a stream I throw on some waterproof socks and that's that. For me the issue is weight. When you're doing 20 to 30 miles a day, boots get heavy and every Salomon I've tried has been VERY heavy, even their shoes. The one downside to doing it the way I do is its easier to turn an ankle but for me that's not too big of a problem, I have very flexible ankles. Hiking is one of those things that you need to kind of work out what works for you. Unfortunately that's hard to do because this shit is expensive.
It would be awesome to see a comparison between Crispi, Kenetrek, and HanWag--they charge PNW prices for these boots and it would be neat to see what(if anything) is justifying that price tag!
Picked up a pair of the Quest Element GTX about 18 months ago, my first ever pair of Salomons. Fantastic boot, super comfortable, very waterproof, great sole grip (apart from on wet, shiny, stone) and pretty durable too - mine have covered in the region of 450 / 500 km so far, lots of life left in the sole, still very waterproof, heel lining no where near worn through. Best bit is I got them in a flash sale for just over 50% of the rrp ... absolute bargain for quality goretex boots 🙂 Only downside is they do get a bit warm in 30 degree C ambient temps ... but also don't have any insulation either so get quite cold in single C digit ambient temps ... other than that they are awesome!!
Used to buy Salomon and several other brands. There was always issues. Then I found a pair of Mammut on sale and was very satisfied. So continued buying Mammut, and after 4 different pairs, I am still as impressed, and even the first pair is holding up. When I look at new shoes I skip over every other brand and only look for Mammut.
Salomon also used to make some of the best rollerblades in the game, and then they just stopped in 2006. The Salomon brand has become one of the most contentious brands in inline history,
Have been a fan of Salomon hiking shoes/mids for years for wearing around and fitness activities. I usually choose trail shoes/runners for fitness stuff, as I like the more aggressive look and the extra stability and support. Have had great luck with the X Ultra shoes (wore out two pairs over 5-6 years, and just started in on a third I'd stockpiled), and have a pair of the mids been wearing here and there for years. Also had a pair of Quest 4D 2 GTX that were great for hiking and light backpacking. Don't know about the latest generation shoes but have had nothing but good experiences in the past.
I think you should evaluate Merrill Wilderness. They are great. All leather old school boots on the outside but with pretty high tech stuff inside for comfort.
They have definitely gotten cheaper. Vibram soles have always been used. I have been wearing this brand for 15 plus years and my current pair is my last. I have discovered Aku boots in the last few years and they are my new go to. I wish you would do a pair of those. The pilgrim is awesome
Well, the original Quest 4D GTX are popular with military/merc/pmc/etc. people. Salomon did the "Forces" edition for a reason (constant calls for plain matte black/coyote/sand/olive). I have to agree... To me they are comfortable out of the box, and they work well for many different terrains and weather conditions, as well as for urban environment while having a more "civil look" than average military/law-enforcement/security boots.
Those Salomon boots are not built for serious hiking and upland hunting. The waterproofing will let you down quickly. In fact, it fail on the first 15 minutes of walking. So I was wet for all my weekend of upland hunting . Salomon customer service sent me a new pair, but I have the same problem. On the two pairs of boots, the rubber toe protectors unglued it self rapidly ( within 3 months). If you are hiking or hunting near or below the freezing point, the sole will become slippery. CONCLUSION don’t buy those boots, even if the are confortable and don’t require a breaking period. I miss my old Salomon that I use to buy. If you are searching for a good pair of hiking boots that can survive heavy use, try the Zamberlan 1996 Viox Lux GTX. But they require a good breaking period, the leather must be maintained. Ok they are expensive but to by 2 pairs in a year or 1 every 2 years…
I bought my D4;s over 2.5 yrs ago. Gore-Tex works my only issue with the boot is it tends to be slippery on rocks around freezing temps. In the late fall and early winter in NWO Canada traction on rocks or frozen ground the treads lose their effectiveness. But I do love my Solomon's. On my 3rd pair of Solomans current pair is X Ultra 4. Great for off road and trail. Not a mall walker shoe.
For trail running I've been impressed with Solomon's grippy soles, especially when descending in loose scree. The biggest problem is their inconsistent sizing between models. As for hiking boots I either use trail runners or Asolo's. The Asolos are like a $400 boot, so a bit outside the realm of this test, but for serious climbing in ice or with a lot of weight, it's the only boot I trust.
You should check out the QUINTIC Winter Navy from the company Zaqq (German Company) or an other boot they sell. There are lots of great aspects they produce and the materials.
I went away from anything other than all-leather, European or US-made hiking boots a long time ago. I'd love to see some of the real classic, one piece leather lower hiking boots. Vasque, Scarpa, Asolo, Zamberlan, plus the high-end models from Lowa and others.
I think they are a fair price for what you get. I have been able to get their trail runners on sale for $50 regularly (100-130 for boots). At that price, I can't really find a better option. They are cheap shoes at the end of the day, but If you know that going in, there's really no surprises.
I still want to see you tear apart _Vessi_ footwear, they be having a lot of youtubers shilling for them lately and they're ads be claiming to be 100% water proof and a bunch of other stuff and I think it's all BS. So please do Vessi 🙏
I own a pair of lowa z-6,n best boots I’ve had in my entire life, full leather, excellent comfort,breaks in very well, waterproof by nature plus goretex, super cool aggressive elegent practical design. It would be cool to see a review on them made by you, just saying
I had a Salomon Quest boot like 10 years back, it was really comfortable but not built to last. I tore an eyelet on a rock on my second trip, and the outsole started peeling off in about a year.
this has honestly been my experience with modern hiking boots in general (as well as barefoot hiking boots) It's one of the reasons I wanted to buy some Limmers but idk if I want to do the weight or the wait.
I've given up on wearing textile hiking boots for my daily dog walks as they are just like sponges during the wet season. The Gortex liner keeps my feet dry (until it breaks), but the outer layers just soak up all the rain and take an age to dry out. Nikwax, etc has no real effect. I've turned to leather military issue boots instead - Iturri and Alt-berg - and they are much more robust and waterproof, so long as you maintain the leather properly. It would be good to see you review modern military boots, and not just the US ones.
Salomon quality has rapidly deteriorated since 2015 or so. They started making their midsoles firmer and more uncomfortable. The out the box feel began to decline. Merrell started to go the same way too. Once Chinese companies get a hold the quality declines. The last few pairs of Salomons I bought were uncomfortable.
These kind remind me of the Hi-Tech "day hikers" that were super popular back in Calgary in the 90s. They we're a great all purpose high cut runner that gave the wearer a distinct whiff of "I'm totally ready to hit the mountains RIGHT NOW!" 🙄
My experience with Salomon is all second hand, through friends and local shops reporting on their experiences. The general consencus for at least the last 15-20 years is that the comfort and performance of their various higher end hiking boots and shoes is very high, great designs and decent materials, but far less sturdy and more prone to failure at various points (joins, stitching, certain panels, etc depending on the model) than most of the competitors in the market segment. They just don't last as long as similar boot brands, is what everyone has said, and I don't know anyone that has worn them for more than a few years because of this, switching to other brands.
As a user of the Salomon Quest 4 GTX boots for years thank you! I've always liked these boots, though I preferred the previous generation. How about cutting apart some Kennetrek Mountain Extremes?
IMHO they went down hill a while back and I stick to Asolo for my heavier backpacking boots that are flexible crampon compatible (ie. c2) boots. Their sole compond is trash as is the stitching and lace points (asolo brass rollers are great). Vibram make a lot of compounds not just the one, some are soft and sticky but their Mont compound used on most heavier hiking style like this is much much harder wearing and despite that also grippier vs what inhouse stuff lowa and salomon use. For lightweight I tend to wear Lowas such as zephyrbut at that point it isn't a true hiking boot and is more of a trail runner with mild ankle support. Salomon are not Merrel level s**t yet but I suspect they will go that way as trend most popular brands seem to follow.
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do solomon forces
That lacing at (1:58) looks strange. Is the lacing twisted up or what?
Can you do the Zamberlan 1996 VIOZ LUX GTX® RR ? Loves those boots but I wonder how they are really built…
Really glad you did this, I was a Northern Arizona tour guide for over 20 years and my go to footwear was mostly Solomon. I liked the way they looked but mostly their performance and durability, thanks for doing this because I haven't bought any Solomon for a while and wondered if they can still take the wear and tear of outdoor trekking in rugged places. Ty Rose Anvil the GOAT.
Im a forester in the SE United States and have bought and broken a lot of the top brands and styles over the years. Years back I converted to a hiking style boot bc of the comfort value. I rarely get more than a year out of boots unfortunately. A lot of my work puts the boots to the test. Swamp type river bottoms and creeks, flatwoods loaded with Saw Palmetto, and upland prikely pear sandhills. My last 3 pairs of boots have been the Soloman brand. This exact style I purchased in January and by April they started seperating at the seams. Customer service was awesome and sent me a credit to their website. I then decided on the Quest Elements and same thing within 6 months. Both pairs were very comfortable and waterproofing lasted longer than most but they just didnt hold up. Solomans Customer service made it right again and this time I went with a pair from their Forces Line. What ive read is the Forces line stands true to their reputation and are built different. I am currently wearing them but havent really put them in the fun places just yet. I need to get a boot sponsor or a company to let me truly test their boots. Married with 4 kids makes spending 250.00 on boots that dont last sting a lot. To date the longest lasting and my favorite boot for what I do are hands down the Danner Vital Trails. Once these Solomans are trashed I'll keep my loyalties back to Danner.
That's great information.🥾🥾👍
Try Nick's! You won't be disappointed.
Have you tried the Scarpa Grand Dru GTX?
@@Jebbisyeah they’re a fucking mountain boot. They were great for me during winter in Montana. Not so much in Tennessee heat. 😂
Please respond to this thread when ur current ones break 🙏🏽
For years I have worn Salomon Quest 4 boots for work and for general wear. I have been a land surveyor in interior Alaska for 20+ years and Salomon has been my go to boot for covering ground which performed for me when the ground was...rough. I finally wore out my LAST Quest 4s and went to try a new pair, the ones you reviewed. They utterly failed. The fit was more narrow, the "sock" feel was gone. They felt clunky and cheap, and I have NO room for that. I'm doing serious stuff. So I bought Lowas, and so far they are ok, no sock feel. But my last pair of Salomons and I dropped out of a helicopter from 15-20 feet into the spongy tundra, waited for the chainsaw to be lowered on 550 chord and humped my way 1/2 mile to the planned LZ and cut 100' radius area for the helicopter. Then repeated 4 more times, then again for the rest of the week. These are not those boots. They are cheaper, less thoughtful and damn I'm sad about it. This would have been my 4th pair.
I've bought Salomon quest forces 2 for the same reason as you. Forces are supposedly based on previous model of civilian quests and I'm quite happy with my pair so far.
Yeah everything is getting cheaper and cheaper. If you find something you love and can afford it buy a few. In another 10 years it will be even worse. I find myself searching ebay and poshmark more and more for older, yet betteritems from foot wear to snowboard and ski pants and jackets. It's either that or you have spend 3x to get the same quality.
In my experience the new model is not nearly as good as the older Quest 4D. The previous model was the best boot I ever owned. This new model is nowhere close.
I’m a wildlife biologist and I’ve relied on my same pair of Salomon boots for years upon years. Never failed me yet
You should review modern military boots. I just bought a pair of Garmont NFS for about $140. They seem top notch and are inexpensive. Heritage boots and traditional construction seem to be overbuilt with no real practical purpose anymore. I say this while wearing my Vibergs.
Yeah people seem to love the Garmonts
Got a two decade old pair of Garmont hiking boots and are the best I ever owned. Trying to find a new pair, but can't find North American/Canada outdoors stores who still carry those.
@@beepster991 Amazon has their military styles and I think some of their hiking boots.
@@richards6431 I already own two pairs of military issued goretex boots and don't need others. I simply want a classic dark brown hiking boots and only seen those in Europe. What I seen on Amazon are quite expensive and completely different styles. I ended up buying a cheap pair of Columbia Ridge Plus II. Not remotely as sturdy and waterproof, but very light and comfortable. Hopefully we'll see more choices in the near future.
I find myself reaching for my PNWs when logging in slash, old garbage dumps, or scree. I literally CANNOT twist an ankle, they keep me from falling or slipping, allow me to walk over ANYTHING like it's a flat floor, and 80 lb log sections can fall on my toes without me noticing. I do tend to reach for lighter boots like Red Wings for other duties.
I think part of Salomon's change to their hiking boot construction is also due to the market's trend toward lighter boots. Majority of the hikers/campers that purchase these light duty hiking boots do not use these in environments with heavy mud, snow, rain, etc., and they prefer lighter hiking boots compared to some of the hardier (but heavier) boots.
Some people who take their boots to bad environments also prefer lighter options. I find heavy duty boots way to stiff. If its warmi-ish, I'd rather have water in my canvas "boots" than wear something that feels like a cast.
I’ve been working in the tree work industry for over a decade; the last 6 of which I have been in these boots. INSTANT broke in feeling, tons of grip, and fantastic support. That being said, I typically get about 6 months in them before the tread begins to separate and the glue fails, at which point I replace them which is a bummer.
Either way, I’ll keep buying. They’re perfect for my foot.
The old Salomon boots would have lasted years. They make them to fall apart now.
@@momo_the_great6969They would have been less comfortable from new, take longer to break in, and been heavier. The general trending is towards comfort and performance, which means that unless the cost jumps up dramatically, the longevity will be the thing that gives for those other improvements.
Just threw my Salomons away. The fabric was worn out from the heel just after 100 km and caused blisters for both my feet. Never again.
Their Warranty service is super easy if you've had them under 2 years
Damn ig i need to throw my 4 pair away along with my qst 106s!! What are we switching too
I’d love to see an aftermarket insole brand/model comparison video
This🎉
I bet it's no coincidence that you talk about Salomon while wearing a Knocked Loose t-shirt. This band is responsible for popularizing Salomon shoes in the hardcore community. You can see Bryan and Nicko from KL wear them all the time.
BROOO YES
When I used to hike the Appalachian Trail, I went through every hiking boot and shoe at REI. I realized that 60% of the hiking footwear was designed for "lifestyle" and not function. The best hiking footwear was a Nike all-leather mid-top hiker and a Salomon all-leather hiking shoe. I bought both in 2006. The Salomon hiking shoes were so great that I bought four pairs. And I was surprised with the Nike hiking boots. They were one of the best hiking boots that I have ever owned. And of course, Nike discontinued that particular boot after a year.
My current favourite hiking boot. Can't imagine wearing them in town. Super comfortable and supportive, no regrets.
I’m absolutely loving your channel and it’s so helpful to understand without having to go through and buy it myself what goes into each one of these products, I am especially learning so much about leather through your channel
I'd love to hear your opinion on Zamberlan walking/hiking boots, I've owned several pairs over the years and have been very happy with the quality and comfort.
Me too, especially the voiz lux rr boots.
@@icekrieg6953 Yes, I have a pair of these, awesome boots imho. Also have a pair of Zamberlan Trail Lite GTX.
I’d love it if they’d do the Tofane NW GTX from Zamberlan
Yep, same here, Zamberlan Vioz 996s, theyve been awesome for the last 3 or 4 years, taking care of them routinely and they still look and perform like new!
i second this!
Fun fact, Salomon invented and patented the first Goretex construction and ended up selling the commercial rights for it
What year was this?
I generally don't comment on boot stuff but I own a pair of Quest boots. For me they are the most comfortable boots I own for the purpose I use them for. Hiking backpacking and peak bagging in the Sierra mountains. The soles don't last long but very grippe in rock and off trail hiking. That's the tradeoff for grippy outsoles. The boots are light for the support they give. For what I use them for they are the best I've ever used. I also own 4 pairs of Whites and quite a few others that I use for everyday wear.
I've been clicked baited! You still had a lot of good things to say about Salomon and the boots haha.
Wish you’d test the forces edition ☺️
My military boots are holding up from two years of non-stop use. I have hiked over 1,000 miles and the soles are still thick. My garrison Nikes, not even close.
Ah, I've waited for this model to be reviewed for so long.
I've bought my pair for my Tatra mountain hiking trip almost 5 year ago. After that it endured Baltic swamps, Mediterranean heat, Caucasian mountain trails and much more. They were so great for my feet, I've just bought a second pair that's designed just like the pair in this video.
Might be just the anatomy of my feet, but I've never had a more comfortable boot in both snowy peak of winter Rysy ant summer trails of Cinque Terre. 👌
I bought 1st gen of Quest 4D GTX back in 2009. Comfiest hiking boots I ever had! I have used them for 10 years plus one year as work boots (just to kill them completely). Gore-tex lining was doing its job to the very last day. I was surprised that such complicated boots were so durable. When I looked for replacement I simply bought 2nd gen of this model in the outlet store :)
Probably one of the most appreciated boot of all SF all over the world.
If they start to lack on quality, they'll notice, quit the brand and they'll spread the word !
Got my Quest 4D GTX "tactical", unkillable so far !
Thanks for expanding your scope to include shoes of this type. I had major feet problems on the Camino last year when my Salomon Quest Forces midsole failed. Fortunately the Salomon guarantee is great and they replaced them very quickly once I got back to the U.K.
I've been waiting for this hiking boot to feature. And yo that knocked loose tshirt! My man!
Got the wife a pair and she’s not a aggressive hardcore backpacker but she loves them for the medium difficulty hikes we do together
Salomon is still headquartered in Annecy, France not Utah. In my opinion the brand sold out when the former ceo Jean luc diard (founder of Hoka) left in 2007. He had been the engine behind the brand’s innovations for 16years and understood the needs of outdoor pursuits better than anyone else, being an elite athlete himself to begin with and then thoroughly testing products himself.
I would love to see you do the Zamberlan Tofane; it's a stormwelted, single piece of full grain leather, hiking boot that is built like an absolute tank.
I've been really impressed by mine.
I wore a pair of these on a 65 mile JMT segment. My feet hurt at the end of every day and I ended up with a broken toe. I’ve never experienced that with my Zamberlan Vioz or my Nicks. These are now just reserved for day hikes with no loads.
I wore this for the Everest Base Camp trek. It is the only hiking boot I've found that doesn't make my feet hurt and actually withstands significant abuse.
That’s one of the most common boots you’ll see going up and down elk and mule deer mountains, out west, in the early seasons. Along with their higher top version. Likely one of the last really good boots they make
I’m have these boots. I’m really happy with them. Got them a year ago, wear them every day for hiking and work, I stand for around 5-6 hours at a time and my feet feel great. I’ve been waiting for a review of these boots since I got them.
Bought a pair as a last minute buy at an REI saw them trusted Solomon felt great on a 5 hour hike. Glad they’re pretty good still.
As a ice climber who uses the Salomon Guide Mountain 9, the brand bought out by Addidas, caused the brand to lose its way. It's now a running shoe, that is suppose to be a boot. The new Salomon is not a boot, the Guide Mountain 9 is a boot. Wake up Salomon, bring back the Guide Mountain 9.
Please do make an open vs. closed cell foam video, that would be surprisingly relevant to my life. I'd be particularly interested to know which tends to maintain its resilience for longer.
Also, I own this boot and the previous version of it, and speaking as a hiker, it's fantastic. Excellent grip, excellent ankle
mobility while somehow also providing excellent ankle support, good waterproofing, and my previous pair lasted until the soles skinned out. Some issues with sole delamination on the older pair, but some Aquaseal fixed that until the rest of the sole wore down.
If I had a complaint, it would be that they run hot. I don't use them much in the summer. For spring and fall though, or summer hikes where you know wet feet are going to be a challenge, they can't be beat.
My X ULTRA 4 MID GORE-TEX version has been fantastic. lots of miles in the Sierras and Costal range in California, and they are holding up well. Contagrip soles are very good. These are real hiking boots.
Thats what i have too and i love mine. A lot of km worth of trails from Hope BC to Ontario
Did 1500 miles with my first pair. Now they’re dead. Bought another pair with the big toe box. Good for hiking
shoutout the knocked loose shirt
Merrell MOAB 3 would be a good one to review in this segment. I mean as the name suggests they do claim to be “The Mother of all Boots”.
i know this is not related to the video what so ever but i would love to see u cut up some original 70's "german army trainers" aka gat and compare them to all the different brand's versions (the shoes been recreated by adidas, puma, steve madden and maison margiela)
good idea
Gorpcore - In Germany Gen X did it more than a decade earlier as "Jack Wolfskin parents"
I have the Quest "Forces" (if you're mil/LE, you get a nice discount). They've held up to some rough hikes, but the toe caps will separate a little. Nothing some glue can't fix.
Can you do a comparison between three German boot brands and specifically their military line ups? Lowa, Hanwag and Meindl. That would be amazing.
I bought a pair of these two years ago. I wear them when upland bird hunting. I like the lace locks. So far they've been comfortable and durable. I would buy them again.
Special forces was using Salomon quests in the 2010s and they held up but in the past 5+ years they have moved to china and they get mixed reviews with many complaints about separation in the sole. I have a pair but wont use it for anything but fashion its very comfortable and very adjustable. If they would keep the design and return to the original quality id be sold as a duty boot. Will be getting lowa zephyrs for a duty grade boot to add to my collection.
I got a pair of Quest 3 4D GTA’s last winter for work as a garbage man n when I say they grip is no joke I was on the back of the truck in snowstorms, I live upstate New York btw, but not even one slip cold or wet foot and very comfortable so much so that I was wearing them this summer for local errands lol…insole definitely wears down over time but in a good way like the more I wear them the more they fill like they were made for me. I can honestly say these boots is the best $300 I’ve spent on footwear in quite some time.
I’ve worn numerous Salomon boots and running shoes over the years. Some are more durable or comfortable than others. My XA Pros are my daily and X Ultra Forces are my work/hiking shoes. Very pleased with the comfort and durability.
I wanna thank you. I don't even read a review for a shoe unless you have cut it open that is when I start my research to buy a shoe. you are doing a great job. I would appreciate if you can add a section on what purpose a particular boot fullfill and an option to buy your boot in Australia.
Never been a fan of heavy boots. I love trail runners and Salomon was my go to because they had literally zero break in, were super light and you could hike through water and have dry feet 10 minutes later. I don't know what has changed, but I now get blisters and hot spots that I never had before. Unfortunately trail runners are sort of designed to wear out and be replaced, but I don't really have anything to replace them with anymore at this point. The grip is still excellent, but the overall shoe comfort has done a 180.
My Saloman boots lasted 6 months. Back to proper hiking boots now.
I've got a pair of Mammut Trovat Guide II HIgh GTX boots and after a year and almost 300 km of hiking in all the seasons, I could say they're built like a tank and look almost as new.
I would love to see a review of them and a comparison to other similar boots you've tested.
I was wearing these for 10 years and went through 3 pairs of these. Every time the sole gave in first. After the second pair, I was a bit bummed that they cannot be resoled. So after the third pair was about to go in the bin, I changed to Haix full-leather for the majority of the year (they are too hot for summer here though). But you can resole these, which I very much prefer. I do not consider myself a very hard user, but almost all of our strolling ways are gravel, so that might have worn out the soles more. And some times in the year there are heavy lumberworks done here, which turns our tracks into mudpits. So boots with a well-gripping sole is a must. In that, the Salomons were great, but the Haix are even better, because they give more support. There might be a reason why they are the boots of the German police...
2nd hiking boot review! Awesome, thanks.
What's important for me, is that the (Vibram) sole can be replaced.
Fast fashion for me, also means a boot that's become useless, just because the sole, or in my case mostly, the heel profiles wore out completely.
Would love to see you cut up some of the premier hunting boot brands like Schnees, Crispi as well as the mountaineering brands a lot of hunters use like Zamberlan, Hanwag, Scarpa, La Sportiva.
Nice review! I have owned several pairs of Quests over the years and like them a lot. I usually replace the Ortholite with a Sole insole. As for the Contagrip out sole, it grips very well on dry surfaces, but I find that a Vibram sole provides better grip on wet and slippery surfaces.
I like Scarpa boots too. If I could combine the wide toe box of the Quest with the heel cup of a Scarpa, that would be my perfect boot.
I was suggested by a friend to get a pair last year....I went to my well known 2000's vintage Belleville's 790 instead. Watching this video I think it was the right choice.
Very happy with my Salomon Alphacross and Thundercross trail running trainers. I got into trail running after a 10 year pause and do it alongside mountain biking, and have found a brand that are comfortable, perform unbelievably well with grip. My only minus point would be the durability of the cheaper Alphacross trainers. But if that’s the sacrifice for great grip, I don’t mind.
I’ve also seen friends wear them as normal fashion trainers, confusing me as I thought they were also into trail running!
You have todo mountain bike shoes, there are some brilliant brands, and some scam brands!
I really like my Salomon Quest 4 for comfort. They are superb when it is dry and dusty but the slightest bit of rain and they leak badly. I vowed not to buy again after taking the last pair back to the shop after a month due to leaking. They replaced and gave me a new pair and the same happened again 5 months later and in the later summer months with less than 80k on them. The sole also fell apart very fast. Shame as very comfy. I now wear Karrimor SF military boots that I picked up here in the UK for £80.
I think you should try Salomon's tactical line of boots in your military boot roundup. They are very popular brand in spec ops and military worldwide, especially Quest Forces 2 and XA Forces.
@1:08, days had those boots when they came out in ‘92! Very comfortable.
They're not great for real mountain use in my experience. The toe bumper started to separate from the leather on mine after only 100km (reviews on their website reveal it's a fairly common issue). They feel really stiff out of the box which is what I wanted for scrambling on rock etc. But after 1 hike they broke in and ended up being very bendy in the forefoot so there was no support for holding edges. The contagrip rubber is okay but not even close to Vibram megagrip which beats it in every aspect - grip in wet / dry and durability. The spacing between the lugs are also fairly small so they don't shed mud very easily. I switched to La Sportiva TX5's which have proven to be superior in every aspect apart from underfoot comfort. The Salomon has slightly softer EVA and more of it under the forefoot which is nice when you're hiking all day. I offset this by adding a thicker insole to the TX5. They weigh in lighter too at 550g vs the Quest 4 at 656g. Would be great to see you cut some La Sportiva boots in half.
It's funny, I'm a huge hiker, done lots of the AT, all over KY where I live, VA, east coast, all over and I don't hike with boots. Typically trail shoes, not runners. If I need to cross a stream I throw on some waterproof socks and that's that. For me the issue is weight. When you're doing 20 to 30 miles a day, boots get heavy and every Salomon I've tried has been VERY heavy, even their shoes. The one downside to doing it the way I do is its easier to turn an ankle but for me that's not too big of a problem, I have very flexible ankles. Hiking is one of those things that you need to kind of work out what works for you. Unfortunately that's hard to do because this shit is expensive.
I go with my Salomon boots from - 40 to +40 , only thing that they was not good was ice, they was very slippery on ice. Unless that I love them!
It would be awesome to see a comparison between Crispi, Kenetrek, and HanWag--they charge PNW prices for these boots and it would be neat to see what(if anything) is justifying that price tag!
Picked up a pair of the Quest Element GTX about 18 months ago, my first ever pair of Salomons. Fantastic boot, super comfortable, very waterproof, great sole grip (apart from on wet, shiny, stone) and pretty durable too - mine have covered in the region of 450 / 500 km so far, lots of life left in the sole, still very waterproof, heel lining no where near worn through. Best bit is I got them in a flash sale for just over 50% of the rrp ... absolute bargain for quality goretex boots 🙂 Only downside is they do get a bit warm in 30 degree C ambient temps ... but also don't have any insulation either so get quite cold in single C digit ambient temps ... other than that they are awesome!!
I'm pretty sure that this material with pattern that you like is cordura 1000D. It used to be at least in quest 2, when I worked at Salomon
THE WORLD NEEDED THIS VIDEO BAD!
I wear the quest 4 with leg gaitors for hunting in the adirondack mountains. They are by far the best boot I have ever worn
Used to buy Salomon and several other brands. There was always issues. Then I found a pair of Mammut on sale and was very satisfied. So continued buying Mammut, and after 4 different pairs, I am still as impressed, and even the first pair is holding up. When I look at new shoes I skip over every other brand and only look for Mammut.
Salomon also used to make some of the best rollerblades in the game, and then they just stopped in 2006. The Salomon brand has become one of the most contentious brands in inline history,
Have been a fan of Salomon hiking shoes/mids for years for wearing around and fitness activities. I usually choose trail shoes/runners for fitness stuff, as I like the more aggressive look and the extra stability and support. Have had great luck with the X Ultra shoes (wore out two pairs over 5-6 years, and just started in on a third I'd stockpiled), and have a pair of the mids been wearing here and there for years. Also had a pair of Quest 4D 2 GTX that were great for hiking and light backpacking. Don't know about the latest generation shoes but have had nothing but good experiences in the past.
I think you should evaluate Merrill Wilderness. They are great. All leather old school boots on the outside but with pretty high tech stuff inside for comfort.
They have definitely gotten cheaper. Vibram soles have always been used. I have been wearing this brand for 15 plus years and my current pair is my last. I have discovered Aku boots in the last few years and they are my new go to. I wish you would do a pair of those. The pilgrim is awesome
Well, the original Quest 4D GTX are popular with military/merc/pmc/etc. people. Salomon did the "Forces" edition for a reason (constant calls for plain matte black/coyote/sand/olive). I have to agree... To me they are comfortable out of the box, and they work well for many different terrains and weather conditions, as well as for urban environment while having a more "civil look" than average military/law-enforcement/security boots.
Nice to see perform boots coming in. Cut some mountaineering boots up please.
Love your reviews and the sick Knocked Loose shirts don't hurt either!
Those Salomon boots are not built for serious hiking and upland hunting. The waterproofing will let you down quickly. In fact, it fail on the first 15 minutes of walking. So I was wet for all my weekend of upland hunting . Salomon customer service sent me a new pair, but I have the same problem. On the two pairs of boots, the rubber toe protectors unglued it self rapidly ( within 3 months). If you are hiking or hunting near or below the freezing point, the sole will become slippery. CONCLUSION don’t buy those boots, even if the are confortable and don’t require a breaking period. I miss my old Salomon that I use to buy.
If you are searching for a good pair of hiking boots that can survive heavy use, try the Zamberlan 1996 Viox Lux GTX. But they require a good breaking period, the leather must be maintained. Ok they are expensive but to by 2 pairs in a year or 1 every 2 years…
Would be interesting to see your review of some Italian brands like Zamberlan, Salewa or La Sportiva
I bought my D4;s over 2.5 yrs ago. Gore-Tex works my only issue with the boot is it tends to be slippery on rocks around freezing temps. In the late fall and early winter in NWO Canada traction on rocks or frozen ground the treads lose their effectiveness. But I do love my Solomon's. On my 3rd pair of Solomans current pair is X Ultra 4. Great for off road and trail. Not a mall walker shoe.
Great to hear you on Australian radio yesterday! RMW deserve a serve
For trail running I've been impressed with Solomon's grippy soles, especially when descending in loose scree. The biggest problem is their inconsistent sizing between models. As for hiking boots I either use trail runners or Asolo's. The Asolos are like a $400 boot, so a bit outside the realm of this test, but for serious climbing in ice or with a lot of weight, it's the only boot I trust.
You should check out the QUINTIC Winter Navy from the company Zaqq (German Company) or an other boot they sell. There are lots of great aspects they produce and the materials.
I went away from anything other than all-leather, European or US-made hiking boots a long time ago. I'd love to see some of the real classic, one piece leather lower hiking boots. Vasque, Scarpa, Asolo, Zamberlan, plus the high-end models from Lowa and others.
I think they are a fair price for what you get. I have been able to get their trail runners on sale for $50 regularly (100-130 for boots). At that price, I can't really find a better option. They are cheap shoes at the end of the day, but If you know that going in, there's really no surprises.
Salomon Quest 4's were my go-to hiking boots before I got a pair of Limmer's.
Look cool, very comfy, somewhat waterproof BUT SHOCKINGLY BAD WET GRIP which is a disappointment in the UK as its mostly wet.
I still want to see you tear apart _Vessi_ footwear, they be having a lot of youtubers shilling for them lately and they're ads be claiming to be 100% water proof and a bunch of other stuff and I think it's all BS. So please do Vessi 🙏
can you do the danner sharptail hunting boots soon.
A video on hunting boots would be awesome. Good boot while hunting is very important.
Can you do a review about the VASQUE hiking boots. Thanks for the info
I own a pair of lowa z-6,n best boots I’ve had in my entire life, full leather, excellent comfort,breaks in very well, waterproof by nature plus goretex, super cool aggressive elegent practical design.
It would be cool to see a review on them made by you, just saying
I have them, got on winter sale couple of years ago. They are good.
I had a Salomon Quest boot like 10 years back, it was really comfortable but not built to last. I tore an eyelet on a rock on my second trip, and the outsole started peeling off in about a year.
this has honestly been my experience with modern hiking boots in general (as well as barefoot hiking boots) It's one of the reasons I wanted to buy some Limmers but idk if I want to do the weight or the wait.
I've given up on wearing textile hiking boots for my daily dog walks as they are just like sponges during the wet season. The Gortex liner keeps my feet dry (until it breaks), but the outer layers just soak up all the rain and take an age to dry out. Nikwax, etc has no real effect. I've turned to leather military issue boots instead - Iturri and Alt-berg - and they are much more robust and waterproof, so long as you maintain the leather properly. It would be good to see you review modern military boots, and not just the US ones.
Arcteryx boots would also be cool for testing.
Salomon quality has rapidly deteriorated since 2015 or so. They started making their midsoles firmer and more uncomfortable. The out the box feel began to decline. Merrell started to go the same way too. Once Chinese companies get a hold the quality declines. The last few pairs of Salomons I bought were uncomfortable.
Thank you for the honest review 👏👏👏
That Jaguar tattoo is sick!
got that KNOCKED LOOSE shirt i see you!!
These kind remind me of the Hi-Tech "day hikers" that were super popular back in Calgary in the 90s. They we're a great all purpose high cut runner that gave the wearer a distinct whiff of "I'm totally ready to hit the mountains RIGHT NOW!" 🙄
My experience with Salomon is all second hand, through friends and local shops reporting on their experiences. The general consencus for at least the last 15-20 years is that the comfort and performance of their various higher end hiking boots and shoes is very high, great designs and decent materials, but far less sturdy and more prone to failure at various points (joins, stitching, certain panels, etc depending on the model) than most of the competitors in the market segment. They just don't last as long as similar boot brands, is what everyone has said, and I don't know anyone that has worn them for more than a few years because of this, switching to other brands.
My Salomon trail shoes, Speedcross 6, XA Pro 3D, are the best walking/trail shoes I've ever owned.
As a user of the Salomon Quest 4 GTX boots for years thank you! I've always liked these boots, though I preferred the previous generation.
How about cutting apart some Kennetrek Mountain Extremes?
IMHO they went down hill a while back and I stick to Asolo for my heavier backpacking boots that are flexible crampon compatible (ie. c2) boots. Their sole compond is trash as is the stitching and lace points (asolo brass rollers are great). Vibram make a lot of compounds not just the one, some are soft and sticky but their Mont compound used on most heavier hiking style like this is much much harder wearing and despite that also grippier vs what inhouse stuff lowa and salomon use. For lightweight I tend to wear Lowas such as zephyrbut at that point it isn't a true hiking boot and is more of a trail runner with mild ankle support. Salomon are not Merrel level s**t yet but I suspect they will go that way as trend most popular brands seem to follow.