Boot Month: Review Salomon Quest GTX by Brock Akers

[DeepMauka]

For those that asked about insoles, I think they do make a lot of difference, particularly in footwear without a stiff shank. The stock insole that comes with most tennis shoes and boots is thin and flimsy...really nothing more than a thin cushion to protect your feet from the seams in the bottom of the shoe. After market insoles can provide increased ridgidity and support, as well as cushion. They can also add volume. I notice a huge difference in the amount of support I get backpacking with a 50+lb pack with green or pink (ladies equivalent to men's orange) superfeet in my Salomon trail runners. The shoes themself have a flexible sole which offers no real torsional ridgidity to speak of. The addition of a stiffer insole makes the shoes a lot more comfortable for hiking long distances, especially with a heavy pack. I have noticed enough difference that I routinely replace the insoles with superfeet or sole insoles whenever I buy new shoes for work or exercise.

Thanks for that Becca. I think your reply solved my only issue with these boots. I busted up my big toenails on a gnarly decent packing out a small goat(2k descent less than a 1/4-1/2 mile). I was running stock insoles, and it seems like insoles would have helped with volume, and extra space exploited by the gnarly decent.

Thanks Brock for the review. I have about 150 on mine and they are the best boots I have owned to date (although that may not be saying much).

My boot progression went from addidas trail running shoes, to panama sole military boots (which are killer in the mud, but offer no ankle support), to under armor ridge reapers (I liked the tread), to Solomon quest 4d's. The Solomon's offer more support with heavy loads, are more comfortable, and make me want to hike faster. Kinda like having a good pair of running shoes. They aren't as good as the panama soles in the mud and rain (as I get a lot of where I hunt), but I adjusted to how I attack the jungle hikes that require what I've dubbed the "roots, rock, reggae" dance. (Avoiding slipping on wet rocks and tree roots which are prevalent on most hikes in/out).

Would not hesitate on buying another pair, but the cevedales tech lite got me wondering if I should try them out. The added stiffness and better tread is what had my interest, but not sure if the price tag is worth pulling the trigger.

 

[Brock A]

I failed to mention I'm still using the stock insoles. Do aftermarket insoles really make that much of a difference?

God Bless.

For reference on insoles making a difference. Clearly, much more support in the aftermarket insole.

Here is the factory insole out of a Salomon



And here is the SuperFeet...

 

[Becca]

Illustrated the point perfectly Brock! Plus the world got to see your holiday Jammie pants...thanks for that

 

[Brock A]

Illustrated the point perfectly Brock! Plus the world got to see your holiday Jammie pants...thanks for that

Haha! I was wondering if anyone would catch that

 

[Justin Crossley]

At least he's wearing pants!

 

[Poser]

One of my partners bought a pair of these, conditioned them twice out of the box and they leaked at the seams in wet grass. Wet grass.

 

[Becca]

At least he's wearing pants!

I predicted this comment, but your response time exceeded my expectations

 

[Brock A]

I predicted this comment, but your response time exceeded my expectations

Justin waits in shadows for an opportunity to say it.

 

[Brock A]

One of my partners bought a pair of these, conditioned them twice out of the box and they leaked at the seams in wet grass. Wet grass.

Wet grass will find a leak in anything faster than a storm. IMO

 

[Ironman8]

Being that the hard plastic shank doesn't extend to at least the forefoot (pads of feet) on the Superfeet...how does it add support for a heavy load? I have never used Superfeet, so I can only look at the design and come to my own conclusions at this point...and I'm also not bashing. Either the green or orange is likely my next set of insoles, so if I can get by with a lighter, more flexible boot/shoe and throw an insert in for more support with heavy loads over long distance, then that's exactly the route I'd like to take.

 

[Brock A]

Being that the hard plastic shank doesn't extend to at least the forefoot (pads of feet) on the Superfeet...how does it add support for a heavy load? I have never used Superfeet, so I can only look at the design and come to my own conclusions at this point...and I'm also not bashing. Either the green or orange is likely my next set of insoles, so if I can get by with a lighter, more flexible boot/shoe and throw an insert in for more support with heavy loads over long distance, then that's exactly the route I'd like to take.

Thats a tough question to answer but Ill take a stab.

I find that the factory insoles fail me in 3 areas.

. Heels
. Arches
. Bottoms of my big toes

The SuperFeet, IMO, solves these issues (to a point) buy providing stiff, well built support in the heel and arch with the hard plastic. The "Toe fatigue" is helped because the material used is much better than the factory insoles. You can just tell by holding them side by side.

I can pull the factory insoles out of a shoe/boot after just 15 - 20 minutes of wearing them and you can see a perfect imprint of where my foot was. This is an indication that the insole was "bottomed out", therefore not really providing comfort and support. I don't see this with the SuperFeet.

I hope that makes sense.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Brock,

What a great review!

I moved to the Quest 4Ds this season after I just couldn't get my Zamberlan Latemars to lock my heel properly.

My experience with the Quests was very similar to yours.

That is, the Quests are just about the most comfortable boot I have ever worn, but their shoe-like comfort comes at the expense of some reduced durability. For me, they will be a one season boot, thanks to their running shoe technology (particularly the EVA midsole).

The Latemars on the other hand are built for many seasons with great materials and craftsmanship, but just don't have that sport shoe fit of the Quests that works so well for my feet.

A boot that combines the assets of both would be just perfect for me, but until that dream boot arrives I think I will just continue to wear out and replace Quests.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I predicted this comment, but your response time exceeded my expectations

Tapatalk..... I have to have something to do at work.

 

[dieNqvrs]

I have been wearing a pair of these for the last 4 Months. I took them this fall goat hunting and they worked great. Also used crampons on them with no ill effect as well. Also continue to wear them daily to work because they are very comfortable.

 

[Becca]

Being that the hard plastic shank doesn't extend to at least the forefoot (pads of feet) on the Superfeet...how does it add support for a heavy load? I have never used Superfeet, so I can only look at the design and come to my own conclusions at this point...and I'm also not bashing. Either the green or orange is likely my next set of insoles, so if I can get by with a lighter, more flexible boot/shoe and throw an insert in for more support with heavy loads over long distance, then that's exactly the route I'd like to take.

Thats a tough question to answer but Ill take a stab.

I find that the factory insoles fail me in 3 areas.

. Heels
. Arches
. Bottoms of my big toes

The SuperFeet, IMO, solves these issues (to a point) buy providing stiff, well built support in the heel and arch with the hard plastic. The "Toe fatigue" is helped because the material used is much better than the factory insoles. You can just tell by holding them side by side.

I can pull the factory insoles out of a shoe/boot after just 15 - 20 minutes of wearing them and you can see a perfect imprint of where my foot was. This is an indication that the insole was "bottomed out", therefore not really providing comfort and support. I don't see this with the SuperFeet.

I hope that makes sense.

Brock pretty much hit the nail on the head. Only other thing i would add is super feet or any other insoles are never going to turn running shoes into full shank mojntaineering boots. And I wouldn't expect them to. What they will do is add stiffness, support and increased torsional ridgidity to footwear that otherwise would lack those attributes almost entirely. I can tell a huge difference between hiking with a load in my Speedcross 3s vs my Hanwag Lady Alaskans. Which is why I don't typically rok the trail runners for mountain hunts in steep terrain, or where I know I am almost guarunteed to pack heavy meat loads long distances. My boots do a better job of that, and that's when I wear them. But for packraft trips, or long slogs through swamps or wet tundra, the quick drying trail runners really cant be beat because they will dry out between water logged episodes in ways my boots never would. And adding the after market insoles beefs up the trail runners to improve them for those circumstances when the disadvantages of my heavy duty boots outweigh their benefits.

 

[Manosteel]

Nice review, in year 4 for my menidl's this year, might give this a shot for spring bear in the Rockies .

 

[Ironman8]

Brock pretty much hit the nail on the head. Only other thing i would add is super feet or any other insoles are never going to turn running shoes into full shank mojntaineering boots. And I wouldn't expect them to. What they will do is add stiffness, support and increased torsional ridgidity to footwear that otherwise would lack those attributes almost entirely. I can tell a huge difference between hiking with a load in my Speedcross 3s vs my Hanwag Lady Alaskans. Which is why I don't typically rok the trail runners for mountain hunts in steep terrain, or where I know I am almost guarunteed to pack heavy meat loads long distances. My boots do a better job of that, and that's when I wear them. But for packraft trips, or long slogs through swamps or wet tundra, the quick drying trail runners really cant be beat because they will dry out between water logged episodes in ways my boots never would. And adding the after market insoles beefs up the trail runners to improve them for those circumstances when the disadvantages of my heavy duty boots outweigh their benefits.

Thanks Becca and Brock. Good explanations.

Regarding turning a trail runner into a mountaineering boot with the addition of an insole, I'm sure that was more an exaggeration lol, but I was thinking more along the lines of something in the hiking boot category benefitting from the added support and possibly being more capable of heavy loads over longer distances. I went to REI and tried out some Lowa Renegades and put an orange Superfeet insole into one boot and left the stock insole in the other. Aside from a better supported arch, and the boot feeling better volume-wise, I did feel a slight difference in rigidity underfoot between the two. Definitely not a mountaineering boot feel, but I'm hoping it's enough to keep my feet feeling good under a load with a lighter hiker.

I hunted Idaho this year for 9 days in My Asolo Fugitives. My pack started out about 58 lbs and even with some decently steep terrain, I never felt "under-booted". Feet were never sore the whole trip. I was running the L&S footbed, so no real arch support to speak of. The Fugitives are slightly stiffer than the Renegades, but over a pound heavier. With the insole, I'm hoping the Renegade will give me enough support.

 

[husky390]

Brock, have you had issues with the laces coming untied? I'm breaking mine in and unless I double knot them, they will untie in no time. I agree that the insoles suck and I'm going to have to try some superfeet in mine. They were killing my feet on a hike last weekend. Great write up.

 

[Brock A]

Brock, have you had issues with the laces coming untied? I'm breaking mine in and unless I double knot them, they will untie in no time. I agree that the insoles suck and I'm going to have to try some superfeet in mine. They were killing my feet on a hike last weekend. Great write up.

Husky

Glad you brought that up. I found that the laces come loose pretty easily as well. I started double knotting them very tight. This fixed the problem. I feel like the laces have alot of stretch to them which is why the work loose if not cinched down.

 

[husky390]

Husky

Glad you brought that up. I found that the laces come loose pretty easily as well. I started double knotting them very tight. This fixed the problem. I feel like the laces have alot of stretch to them which is why the work loose if not cinched down.

Glad I'm not the only one. I was thinking the material is too slick causing them to come untied. I'll stick with lacing them tight and double knotting them. Thanks again.