Lightweight but stiffer options? Salomon Quest Element type fit...

[gostovp]

This past week for my elk hunt I used my Salomon Quest Elements...the lightness and cushioning were awesome (22.3 oz is size 11), but they struggled on steep sidehilling and steep downhilling....on more moderate terrain I loved them, and having a light boot overall I felt really did help with leg fatigue... and I did like the synthetic construction of the Quest Elements, as they dried really fast compared to other leather boots I've used

Any thoughts on something that is still light (at or under 3lbs per pair) but a little bit stiffer? .... know the Crispi Thor and Colorado are out there, as well as the Crispi Briksdahl MTN..but most Crispis I've tried bug my heels...but I know there are tons of other brands that might offer a lightweight but stiffer option (Asolo, La Sportiva, Scarpa, etc)....but I need something that has that Salomon Quest 'fit' as well

 

[patagonialuke]

La Sportiva's Aequilibrium Trek & Hike are worth checking out.

I haven't used the Quest Element but did use the Quest 4 for a while; in comparison, the Aequilibrium's are lighter, a bit stiffer, and offer substantially better grip than my Quests in loose dirt / rock and steep terrain. For my feet, I also get way better ankle / heel lockdown in the Aequilibriums, though I needed to go up a half size from what I wore in the Quest 4 (due to length / toes bumping the end of the toe box on downhills).

Overall, I became a big fan of them for archery elk this year in CO. Nearly all of our usual approaches are in very steep terrain and they excelled there without feeling like major overkill on smooth, flat trails. They do have a pretty high heel-to-toe drop, though, which took some getting used to for me.