And the outsole proved to be quite malleable while still maintaining good structure, which allowed my foot to flex naturally without feeling sloppy. Even when cinched tightly via the highly customizable lacing system (more on this below), the boots were comfy, secure, and not restrictive in any way. I did worry that the generous cushion would cause some constriction, but it proved to be a non-issue. The toe box is on the wider side and easily accommodated my left foot’s bunion, and the substantial padding-particularly around the ankle and underfoot-is cushy and well-placed. The boots were highly comfortable right out of the box with no pressure points or areas of rubbing that could lead to hotspots. For reference, I purchased the boots for a committing trek over three mountain passes in Nepal and only wore them for a single trial hike before the trip, but that brief break-in period was more than enough. If I had to pinpoint a single strong suit of the Salomon Quest 4 GTX, it would be comfort. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best women's hiking boots. Below we break down our experiences with the Quest 4 GTX. It’s far from the lightest or most streamlined option on the market, but the Quest remains an excellent match for committed backpackers and trekkers covering serious mileage with heavy packs. I took the women’s version of the boots on a demanding 16-day trek through Nepal’s Everest region and came away impressed by their excellent out-of-the-box comfort and unfaltering grip over variable and technical terrain. That’s the first line of defense,” Henkes said.Salomon’s Quest 4 has been one of the most capable backpacking boots on the market for years running, and the latest model carries the torch. “Once the water stops rolling off the top, basically you are going to want to treat it. Be sure to re-treat your boots’ waterproofing two to four times per year.If you have a full-leather boot, condition it once or twice per year to keep the leather soft and pliable.“You need to go walk your dog in them once a month, or something like that, to keep them flexible and pliable and help them understand that you are still using them,” Henkes said. Take your boots out for a spin every month.All of those little cracks that form in the glue when you first started wearing them get really dried out, and your sole can delaminate.” “That’s because you’ve warmed up the glue and then didn’t do anything with it. “If you buy at the end of the season, and you go out on three hikes and then you put them away in the garage for winter, you have the potential to lose the sole of your boot,” Henkes said. Instead, keep your boots in a room-temperature space, such as your closet. Don’t store your boots in the trunk of your car or leave them in a cold garage.“Nikwax shoe cleaner is a water-based cleaner … and it’s going to help repel dirt,” Henkes said. Always clean the mud off your boots as quickly as you can, and use a product with a water-based formula. ![]() We recommend ordering at least a half-size up from your street-shoe size. These hot spots diminished over time, but you should expect a longer break-in period with these, compared with some of our other picks. The only downside is that these boots do run a bit narrow all the way up several of our testers ended up with hot spots on their ankle bones. ![]() ![]() Paired with the substantial underfoot support, the lighter weight was especially noticeable after longer hikes, when we found our legs and feet were less sore than expected. The Breezes weigh (approximately) 2 pounds 2 ounces, depending on sizing, so they’re the lightest of our picks. We found ourselves gravitating toward these boots over other options. They formed to our feet as they broke in, so they became even more comfortable after weeks and months of use. Though they were comfortable right out of the box, these boots seemed to get better with wear. And the soles grip the ground, no matter the terrain. But the ankle support is substantial enough to support you when you’re carrying a heavy pack. The midfoot is flexible enough to allow you to drive, maneuver difficult terrain, and move quickly. The updated Vasque Breeze boots (in men’s and women’s sizes) offer the comfort of a trail-running shoe with the ankle support of a hiking boot. We’ve tested the Vasque Breeze hiking boot many times over the past few years, and we’ve found its most recent iteration to be the best yet.
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