Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX Review: A Full-Height Hiking Boot Built for Long Days

Introduction

The Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX is a full-height hiking boot that has earned a serious following over several seasons, and it remains a genuinely interesting buy now that a newer version has taken its place at the top of the range. It originally retailed at around £180, and with the updated model on the market, the 4D 3 GTX has been appearing in sales at close to £100.

For a boot carrying this much hardware, that discount matters. The 4D element of the name refers to a construction designed to reduce fatigue across long hiking and walking days while still allowing a little flex through the foot. That balance is what keeps the boot comfortable over big mileages rather than only on short outings, and it is the main reason this model has collected so many awards.

Who the Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX Is For

This is a boot for people who spend whole days on their feet in the hills. It suits long walking days, mountain routes, and scrambling terrain where a sturdy, protective platform matters more than saving grams.

It is also a sensible choice for anyone who wants a full-height boot rather than a mid-height one. The extra collar height adds support around the ankle, and for a boot this rugged it stays surprisingly comfortable, comfortable enough that it can feel better on the foot than some mid-height alternatives.

It is not aimed at fast-and-light walkers or anyone who wants a soft, flexible trail shoe. The Quest 4D 3 GTX is a deliberate, supportive boot, and it makes the most sense for walkers who value that support over minimal weight.

Main Strengths

The headline strength is stability, and it is rated at the top of the scale for good reason. Up and down the mountains this boot gives real confidence that the ankle is not going to roll or turn, and it has prevented that kind of trouble more times than can reasonably be counted.

Comfort is the second surprise. For such a big, rugged boot it is genuinely comfortable, with a well-judged sole and a shape that works over long distances. On seriously long hikes, the fatigue-reducing design shows itself in how fresh the legs and feet still feel at the end of the day.

Protection is rated just as highly as stability. The boot is rugged throughout, which makes it excellent for scrambling, and durability has held up well: after plenty of proper miles, the footbed shows only light wear and the edges of the sole are still sharp.

Waterproofing and Breathability

A Gore-Tex liner runs through the boot, making it fully waterproof, and that claim has been tested repeatedly in wet conditions rather than simply taken on trust. The tongue is fully waterproof as well, so there is no obvious route for water to creep in around the laces.

Breathability sits around the middle of the scale, which feels about right in practice. Feet have never become uncomfortably hot in these boots, though they do warm up on sunny days. That is a fair trade for the level of weather protection on offer.

For walkers who spend a lot of time on wet ground, boggy paths, or long days of steady rain, that combination of a waterproof liner and a sealed tongue is the difference between a comfortable day out and a miserable one.

Stability, Protection and Grip

The stability of this boot is its defining quality. It is rated at the maximum, and that matches the experience on real ground: climbing and descending, the boot holds the foot firmly and removes the constant background worry about a turned ankle.

Protection follows the same pattern. The build is tough, the boot handles rough, broken ground well, and it is particularly strong when scrambling, where a supportive platform and a protective upper both matter.

Grip is excellent in dry conditions, effectively full marks, and drops to roughly seven out of ten when things get wet, particularly on rock. That is the one area where the boot gives ground, though it is worth asking whether any boot truly earns full marks on wet rock. On mixed terrain in the dry, the outsole is very hard to fault.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Weight is the most obvious compromise. Each boot comes in at around 640 grams, which is not light, and lightness is rated only mid-scale. For a boot this rugged there is a clear trade-off, and the payoff is that even after seriously long hikes the legs do not feel completely drained.

Wet rock grip is the other limitation to accept going in. The boot is superb in the dry and noticeably less secure on slick stone, so anyone whose routes are dominated by wet, polished rock should factor that in.

It is also worth weighing up which version to buy. The newer generation retails at around £180 and should logically offer improvements, so it is a reasonable option for anyone with the budget for it. The 4D 3 GTX makes its case on value rather than novelty.

Buying Advice

If the budget stretches, the newer version is the natural choice, and it is worth considering seriously. If value matters more, the Quest 4D 3 GTX is the smarter purchase, especially at sale pricing.

Close to £100, this boot is a genuine bargain. It is packed with features, fully waterproof, breathable, and adds a level of stability that is hard to find elsewhere at anything like the same money. Buyers who can find it near that price are unlikely to have any regrets.

For a fully waterproof Gore-Tex boot with this much support and this much protection, it is difficult to see how you get meaningfully better without spending considerably more.

Conclusion

The Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX is a rugged, stable, fully waterproof full-height hiking boot that stays comfortable over long days and protects the ankle on rough ground. Its grip in the dry is excellent and its durability has proven solid over real mileage, with wet rock grip and a fairly substantial 640 gram per boot weight as the honest compromises.

At full retail it competes on capability. At sale pricing near £100, it becomes one of the easier footwear decisions a hill walker can make.