Salomon Quest 5 GTX Review: Supportive Waterproof Boot for Rough Trails

The Salomon Quest 5 GTX is the fifth generation of Salomon’s supportive backpacking boot, built for multiday hikes and rocky, technical terrain. It sits above lighter Salomon hiking options such as the X Ultra line when you want more structure around the foot and ankle. Salomon sells Quest 5 GORE-TEX versions for both men and women. See our Best Salomon Shoes guide to compare it with the rest of the current lineup.

What makes the Quest interesting is that it borrows some ideas from lighter trail footwear without giving up what a backpacking boot is for. The upper mixes nubuck leather and ripstop fabric, while the 4D Advanced Chassis adds structure underfoot. It is aimed at backpackers, cold-weather hikers and people who want a waterproof boot with substantial ankle coverage and trail protection.

Specs

Here are the specifications for the Salomon Quest 5 GTX:

Pros

These are the things the Quest 5 does better than most boots in its class:

• Support and stability that stand up to a loaded pack, thanks to the plastic chassis and the tall, well-padded cuff.
• Relatively light for a structured backpacking boot, with a trail-runner-inspired design that still provides substantial support.
• A secure, supportive fit with a structured upper and a regular-width last.
• Gore-Tex waterproofing that holds up to shallow stream crossings and wet grass, with a tall cuff that keeps debris out.
• A Contagrip outsole that grips rock and dirt well and walks smoothly on flat trail.

Cons

These are the compromises to weigh before you order:

• A tall Gore-Tex boot can feel warm in hot weather.
• Salomon lists only a regular width, so hikers with genuinely wide feet have fewer fit options.
• The midsole feels firm and protective rather than soft and plush.
• The tall, structured cuff may feel restrictive to hikers who prefer flexible footwear.
• It is more boot than a well-groomed trail or a light daypack usually requires.

What is new compared with the Salomon Quest 4 GTX

The Quest 5 keeps the supportive backpacking-boot formula while using a nubuck-and-ripstop upper, Gore-Tex waterproofing and Salomon’s 4D Advanced Chassis. Salomon lists the men’s boot at 583 g and the women’s at 511 g, with a 12 mm drop and 34 mm heel stack. The water-repellent treatment is also listed as PFC-free and PFAS-free.

What carries over is the architecture. The 4D Advanced Chassis, Salomon’s plastic frame that runs through the sole to resist twisting while letting the foot flex forward, is the same idea as before, as are the Gore-Tex lining, the Contagrip outsole and the tall cut with locking lace hooks at the ankle. The Quest 4 built a reputation for toughness over years of hard use; the Quest 5 has not been on the market long enough to prove the same, though nothing in its construction suggests it will fall short.

Who should buy the Salomon Quest 5 GTX

Buy the Quest 5 if you carry a backpack over rocky, root-strewn, muddy or uneven terrain and want more structure than a hiking shoe provides. It suits multiday hikers, backpackers and cold-weather hikers who value waterproofing, a tall cuff and a protective platform.

It suits cool and wet climates far better than hot, dry ones. If most of your hiking is in the Pacific Northwest, the Northeast, the Rockies in shoulder season or anywhere with stream crossings and afternoon storms, the Gore-Tex earns its keep. And because the boot is lighter than it looks, it works for the person who wants one boot for both long day hikes and the occasional overnight.

Who should probably skip it

Skip the Quest 5 if you hike mostly in hot, dry conditions, on well-maintained trails or with a light daypack. You would be carrying a warm, stiff, tall boot for no benefit, and a lighter hiking shoe would be faster and more comfortable. Skip it if you want the soft, cushioned ride of a modern hiking shoe, because the Quest’s midsole is deliberately firm. And if you need a wide fitting, Salomon does not make one; the roomier toe box helps but it is not a true wide.

Here are three shoes and boots that suit those hikers better:

• Merrell Moab Speed 2: a light hiking shoe with trail-runner comfort and serious grip, for day hikers who want an easy first mile and no ankle collar (check price | read review)
• Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX: a waterproof low hiker on thick Hoka cushioning with a Vibram sole, for hikers who want softness underfoot rather than structure (check price | read review)
• Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof: a leather boot at about a third of the price, with waterproofing and ankle support for beginners and occasional hikers (check price | read review)

How does the Salomon Quest 5 GTX fit?

The Quest 5 fits like a supportive backpacking boot rather than a snug trail shoe, with a firm, padded hold around the ankle. Salomon lists it in a regular width, so hikers with wide feet should be cautious and try it on when possible.

Fit and sizing

Salomon lists the Quest 5 in a regular width. Because hiking-boot fit depends on foot shape, sock thickness and how much room you want for downhill walking, use your normal hiking-boot size as the starting point and make sure your toes do not touch the front when walking downhill. People with genuinely wide feet should try it on before buying. The lacing system lets you adjust the lower boot and cuff separately, which helps you secure the heel without overtightening the forefoot.

Upper and step-in comfort

The upper is nubuck leather across the flex points with ripstop fabric panels to save weight, a rubber cap over the toes and a thickly padded tongue that buffers the laces. Out of the box the boot feels structured and a little stiff, as a backpacking boot should, and it needs a few short walks before a long day. The ankle cuff is tall and firm; it flexes forward well enough for climbing but can feel confining after several hours, and a few pairs develop a soft squeak at the cuff early on. Inside, the fit is clean with no hot spots at the usual places. Ventilation is the real weakness: a full-height Gore-Tex boot does not breathe well, and warm-weather hikes end with damp socks.

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How does the Salomon Quest 5 GTX perform?

On the trail the Quest 5 does what a backpacking boot is supposed to do and does it with less weight penalty than usual. It is supportive, protective and waterproof, and it walks efficiently on flat ground. It is not cushy, and it is not cool. The sections below take the parts in turn.

Cushioning and ride

Salomon’s EnergyCell midsole is a firm EVA foam, the standard cushioning material in hiking footwear, and in the Quest 5 there is not a great deal of it. The ride is minimal and responsive: you feel the trail through the sole, which many experienced hikers prefer because it improves footing, and the boot rolls forward smoothly for something this tall. Underfoot protection is good because the chassis and the sole together shield the foot from rocks. What you do not get is the deep, soft cushioning of a modern maximalist hiker, so a full day on hard-packed trail leaves the feet feeling worked rather than pampered.

Ride and trail performance

The Quest 5 makes the most sense when the terrain is rough enough to justify its extra structure. The chassis helps resist twisting on uneven ground, while the tall cuff and firm platform give the boot a planted feel. On easy, groomed trails with a light load, that same structure can feel like more boot than you need.

Stability and support

The Quest 5 is a high-support backpacking boot. Its 4D Advanced Chassis is a structural frame built into the sole to resist twisting while still allowing forward movement through the stride. The tall cuff, firm heel counter and locking lace hooks add a secure feel around the rearfoot and ankle. This does not correct gait, but it does give the boot more structure than a low hiking shoe or trail runner.

Outsole, grip and durability

The All Terrain Contagrip outsole is Salomon’s own rubber compound, designed for mixed trail surfaces such as dirt, rock and gravel. The Gore-Tex membrane adds waterproofing for wet grass, mud and shallow water. Because the Quest 5 is still a relatively new model, long-term durability is harder to judge than it is for older versions, so we would not put a mileage figure on it yet.

Is the Salomon Quest 5 GTX good for walking?

For trail walking, yes; for everyday walking, no. On dirt paths, rail trails, muddy dog-walking loops and winter sidewalks the Quest 5 is a fine walking boot: waterproof, warm, stable and grippy, with a smoother stride than most tall boots. Walkers who want a boot for wet-weather rambles and cold mornings will like it. It is a poor choice for ordinary pavement walking or standing all day, because it is stiff, warm and heavy compared with a walking shoe, and the firm midsole offers little of the cushioning that hard floors call for. It is also overkill for a stroll in the park in July. Think of it as a boot for walking where a shoe would get wet or twisted, not as a substitute for a walking shoe.

Salomon Quest 5 GTX vs. Salomon Quest 4 GTX

Here is how the new boot compares with the one it replaces:

Choose the Quest 5 when you want the current version, updated materials and Salomon’s latest fit and waterproofing package. The Quest 4 can still make sense when it fits well and is heavily discounted.

Salomon Quest 5 GTX Alternatives

The first place to look is within Salomon’s own range. The Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid Gore-Tex is the lighter, lower and more agile sibling: the same waterproofing and a similar chassis idea in a mid-cut boot that suits day hikes and lighter packs, and it comes in a wide fitting, which the Quest does not (check price | read review).

For a more traditional leather boot with the same job description, the Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Mid is the classic rival. It is a touch heavier and a little stiffer, its full leather upper breaks in to a custom fit over time and it is offered in narrow, regular and wide (check price).

If softness underfoot is what the Quest lacks for you, the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX puts Hoka’s thick cushioning under a supportive leather boot with a Vibram Megagrip outsole. It is heavier and less nimble, but far plusher on a long day (check price).

For the budget-minded, the Merrell Moab 3 Mid gives you a comfortable, roomy mid-height boot for far less, at the cost of the Quest’s support and off-trail toughness (check price | read review).

Price and value

Salomon priced the Quest 5 GTX at $240 at launch, placing it in the premium waterproof-backpacking-boot category. The price makes the most sense for hikers who will use the Gore-Tex membrane, supportive chassis and tall boot construction regularly. Fair-weather day hikers may get better value from a lighter hiking shoe or mid-cut boot.

Final verdict

Best for: Backpackers, hunters and cold- or wet-weather hikers who carry a real pack over rough ground and want serious ankle support without a heavy leather boot.

Avoid if: You hike in hot weather, stick to groomed trails with a light pack, want a soft cushioned ride or need a wide fitting.

Fit: Regular width. Start with your usual hiking-boot size and use the locking hooks to tune heel hold and cuff pressure separately.

Verdict: The Salomon Quest 5 GTX is a strong choice for backpackers who want a supportive, waterproof boot for rough and wet terrain. Its biggest trade-offs are warmth, a firm ride and limited width choice.

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Frequently Asked Questions for Salomon Quest 5 GTX