Salomon Quest 5 GTX (men’s) review: the backpacking boot, lighter and tougher underfoot
A heavy pack on rough, steep ground needs a boot that holds the ankle and keeps the foot steady when the trail tilts. The Salomon Quest 5 GTX is the newest version of the boot many backpackers have trusted for that job: the same supportive build as the Quest 4, with a new single-layer outsole, a tougher upper and a little less weight.
Quick take
A load-carrying backpacking boot for steep, rough and wet ground. It holds the heel and ankle firmly, resists twisting on uneven rock, stays dry through creek edges and wet brush, and the new outsole is built as one layer so it no longer peels at the edges. It is heavy for day hiking, runs warm in summer and comes in standard width only. For multi-day trips with a full pack, it remains one of the best boots you can buy.
What it does
The Quest 5 GTX is Salomon’s backpacking boot, built to steady the foot under weight. A stiff chassis in the midsole resists twisting on uneven ground, a tall cuff and a firm heel counter hold the ankle, and a protective toe cap and rubber rand take rock strikes. The Contagrip outsole is now one layer of rubber with lugs about 0.15 in (3.8 mm) deep and a pronounced heel brake for steep descents; the Quest 4’s two-layer sole could separate at the edges, and the single layer removes that weak point. A GORE-TEX membrane keeps water out, and the upper is a tougher synthetic than before. The midfoot lacing uses fabric loops in place of the old metal hooks, which makes it easier to lace the forefoot loosely and the ankle firmly. Each boot weighs about 20.7 oz (587 g), roughly 2.7 oz (77 g) less than the Quest 4, and the heel sits about 0.55 in (14 mm) above the forefoot, a steeper angle than most hiking shoes.
What verified buyers say
Across verified-purchase reviews, the same points come up:
- Comfortable from the first day. Many owners report long days, including multi-day backpacking with 35 to 60 lb (16 to 27 kg) loads, without hot spots or sore feet, and several call it the most comfortable Quest they have owned.
- Support under a pack is the reason to buy it. Ankle support and stability on rough and muddy ground are the most frequent praise, from backpackers, hunters and a working guide.
- Waterproofing holds. Owners describe walking through puddles and wet trail with dry feet.
- Repeat buyers. A number of owners are on their second or third pair of Quests after older pairs lasted six to eight years.
- Fit suits average to wide-ish feet. Several owners with wider feet or low arches find it fits well; a few size down a half size, and one found it tight across the top of the foot at first.
- Complaints are isolated. One owner had a lace hook break early, and one found the boot hot with too little arch support.
Worth knowing
This is a lot of boot, and on easy trail with a light pack it can feel heavy and stiff. GORE-TEX keeps water out but breathes poorly, so feet run warm in hot weather, and once soaked the boot takes more than a day to dry. Expect a short break-in: the upper softens over the first few miles, and loosening the midfoot laces helps if the ankle rubs. The heel can lift slightly on very steep descents until the laces are set. The toe box is roomy in height but only standard in width, and there is no wide version, so try it on with your hiking socks if your feet are wide or very narrow. Grip is excellent in mud and loose ground and only fair on smooth wet granite.
Who it is for
The Quest 5 GTX is for backpackers who carry real weight over steep, rough and wet ground, and for anyone whose ankles need support at the end of a long day. If you mostly day hike on maintained trail, a lighter boot such as the Merrell Moab 3 (men’s / women’s) is more comfortable and costs less. If wide feet rule out the Quest, the KEEN Targhee 4 Mid (men’s / women’s) is cut roomier. The Quest 5 replaces the Quest 4 GTX (men’s), which Salomon has discontinued; if you find a Quest 4 in your size, that review still applies. Choosing between boots, trail runners and approach shoes is covered in hiking boots, trail runners, or approach shoes.
Specs at a glance
- Typewaterproof (GORE-TEX) backpacking boot
- Listed weight2.6 lb (1.2 kg) · pair, men's
- Dropabout 0.55 in (14 mm)
- Outsolesingle-layer Contagrip, 0.15 in (3.8 mm) lugs, heel brake
- Fitmen’s, roomy toe box height, standard width only
- Trade-offsheavy, runs warm, slow to dry, short break-in
- Best formulti-day backpacking with a full pack on rough ground
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The Verdict
The Salomon Quest 5 GTX keeps everything that made the Quest a backpacker’s standard: firm ankle support, a stable chassis under load, dependable waterproofing and grip that inspires confidence on steep, loose descents. The new single-layer outsole addresses the old model’s main durability complaint, and the weight is down a little. It is still a heavy, warm boot that needs a short break-in, so buy it for loaded trips on rough ground, not for summer day hikes.
