Review: Long Term Testing*
* I've said long term - but boots get a hard life with me - so these boots lasted 4 months - but they did:
1200 km of distance, 81,000m of ascent, 5 countries - all on rocky mountainous paths.
So as ever with a footwear review I'm going to start by stating the obvious - the best boot for you is the one that fits the shape of your foot best - its well worth spending some time with a specialist boot fitter!
That said - if you're here then chances are you're interested in this boot - I'll assume you've tried a pair on & are just looking for a bit more information!
So I've been wearing Salomon's for years - but as they've chased down lighter & lighter designs I've become less impressed with the boots abilities to deal with mountain terrain - or at least the sort of places I like to go - I wouldn't use them for full on scrambling - but I do like to get into the rocky stuff every so often - and certainly my Cosmic's weren't tough enough. So this year I reverted to a pair of Quests in the hope that the suede upper would last a bit better.
The first thing I notice with all Salomon boots is just how comfy they are - these are from box to trail boots - no breaking in should be required - and they're not something you feel a pressing need to take off at the end of the day either, I was happy from my first to last kilometre in these - if I ever found myself needing an emergency replacement boot - this is what I'd go for - confident it would work right away. I think in part this is due to a relatively wide toe box whilst keeping (probably from their running heritage) a narrow heel - this coupled with Salomon's superb Ortholite insoles and a (new to this model) slightly raised heel position means that your foot feels secure - but never gripped.
Salomon's contragrip sole is one of the best non vibram products I've used - on wet ground it felt remarkably secure - and the design allows for a lot of traction on moving scree. Obviously for a boot this comfy there's no real climbing performance - it has no edging ability - but neither should you expect that - but if you need to stick your feet down and slide on the scree - this is a good boot to be in.
However - there's always a but... much as the boot comes with the industry standard Goretex Comfort layer - these were amongst the least waterproof boots I've ever worn - If I'd not been out on the trail I'd seriously have considered taking them back - they leaked from about day 20 onwards. Not really a problem for the time I spend in the Alps - the odd wet day can be managed - but if you're spending time in wetter climates then you'd be advised to reproof them often. I had a lot of time in refuges to consider this - and I think the toebox design is just too busy - there's too much stitching creating a weak area - definitely an area Salomon can improve.
Overall the boot has felt & behaved like a much more solid boot than it actually is - I for one wouldn't want to go any lighter (I've tried) and expect any performance - whilst the Quest has matched much heavier boots that I've tried. One reason for this is the large & impressive toe rand - I'd have liked to see this extend perhaps another 50mm round the sides, but it certainly offered plenty of protection.
After a full summer season in the Alps mine finally died - but I think they did well.
Pro's - can be got for a good price, so so so comfy, surprisingly durable
cons - not very waterproof