As the Tortuga is getting ready for this Summer’s Border to Border Trip, I knew I would need a good pair of Hiking Boots that could get me to that next overland adventure just 1 mile further down the trail that the Tortuga Truck could not. So one day while in REI with a knowledgeable sales associate, I walked out with a pair of Salomon Quest Hiking Boots.
Merrell Moab Ventilator, my daily go-to, wear-about shoe, has been a great expedition shoe when out in the Tortuga Truck. In fact, it is such a good shoe I have worn out two pairs, 300 miles on each pair, over the last couple of years just around the homestead, but there are those times when you want to grab your day pack and spend the day on the trail that demands a little more stiffness in the soles and support for the ankles.
On a recent hike on the Austin Greenbelt, (one of the top 10 trails hiking in Texas, see link for a recent Park Review), I was surprised that the 9-mile trail through downtown Austin was rough on my Merrell’s. Over the next week my tender feet told me I should have worn my new Salomon Quest Hiking boots.
Construction
- Full-grain nubuck leather upper with synthetic textile mesh.
- Gore-Tex® membrane inner liner with seam sealed construction.
- Antimicrobial treated, mesh-covered Ortholite memory foam & EVA innersole for odor control.
- 4D Advanced Chassis system supports and gives you complete control.
- Non-marking Contagrip rubber sole with all-terrain tread has protective toe cap and mud guard.
- Ergonomically shaped, padded gusseted tongue.
- Web pull-on loop at collar back.
- Imported
As of April 2016, I only have 15 miles on the boots. The first 3 miles came on the beach in Galveston to watch the sunrise, the rest came from a hike in McKinney Roughs Nature Park. 15 miles is not a lot of miles but I have a few initial observation: It was very easy to tie the boots way to tight. There are four rows of eyelets then a series of boot lace hooks. I is very easy to pull the laces through the boot hooks and tie your boots to tightly. Several of the hook are made with internal ribs that won’t release the lace even if untied, so you have to get the tension in your lace right before you start your hike. I found they did not loosen up within the first couple of miles.
The next outing was at McKinney Roughs Nature Park. The idea was to try the boots on the trail while carrying my new Gregory Day Pack (a future gear review) with about 25 pounds of gear, food and water. The boots performed well and the stability over my daily wear was comforting as the trail got rocky. Even though the hike was in mild temperatures I did get the impression that these boots will run a little warm, so sock selection should be taken into consideration. (Sock selection, thickness, material and how many pair do you need will be addressed in a future in Field Notes)
It is always good to buy hiking boots from someone that hikes. I was advised to size up. I sized up 1/2 a size and they felt like a glove, very pleased with the REI advice in the store as I got just a few miles down the trail at McKinney Roughs.
This will be just a start of an ongoing review of these boots, more to follow as I get down the trail.
Salomon Quest 4D 2 Gore-Tex Hiking Boots
Pros
- Great Looking Boot
- Comfortable
- In Process Review
Cons
- Need to test if they are water proof
- Concerned they will be warm
- More to Follow