3 Best Salomon Hiking Boots in 2025
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If the best hiking boots are what you demand, we give you our tried-and-tested top picks from a brand that needs no introduction—Salomon.
The kicks that await you here are the crème de la crème under Salomon’s fantastic roster of magnificent boots. We know this for sure because we realised this ourselves during our long and excruciating process of testing. Whether you’re looking for a pair that can give you a burst of speed both on and off the trail, or you require something quite well-rounded, we set up this corner for you.
How we test Salomon hiking boots
Here at RunRepeat, we do our best to deliver honest and professionally written reviews. Our means to that end are as follows:
- We buy Salomon hiking boots with our funds. This ensures our reviews come out as unbiased as possible.
- We put every model to the test, taking a closer look at each one’s level of comfort, setting-specific performance, and longevity, among other parameters. To achieve this, we take these boots to our actual hikes, exposing them to different environments and conditions.
- We tear the shoes into pieces and we measure all 30+ of their properties. This includes durability which we gauge by applying abrasive force to the upper, outsole, and sock liner using our Dremel tool. We even insert attachments like a wire brush or a steel hole saw to see how the shoe holds.
Best Salomon hiking boots overall
What makes it the best?
Pros
- Stable and grounded platform
- Flexible forefoot adds manoeuvrability
- Great grip on wet terrain and rocks
- Surefooted on mixed and hilly trails
- Much lighter than average
- Excellent Gore-Tex waterproofing
- Tough and durable upper
Cons
- Minimal cushioning and shock absorption
- Not for deep mud
Best Salomon hiking boots for backpacking
What makes it the best?
Backpackers looking for a supportive, stable boot that will protect their feet every step of the way need look no further. With support and durability in bucketloads, the Salomon Quest 4 GTX is our best backpacking boot from the Salomon lineup.
With a whopping amount of ankle support, the Quest 4 GTX means business. Salomon’s tried-and-tested support system keeps our feet perfectly locked into the boot, and we experienced no slippage (bonus: no blisters!). Our manual tests of the heel counter showed it is among the stiffest we have tested, so we awarded it a solid 5/5 (5 being the stiffest). It held our feet securely without compressing or squeezing, and we felt confident even with the added weight of a heavy pack.
It goes the extra mile in terms of stability, too. The wide platform offers a solid landing surface underfoot, and we felt surefooted and stable while hiking on rough, rocky trails. Back in the lab, we measured the midsole width at the forefoot with a calliper. Sure enough, at 116.5 mm, the Quest 4 GTX is 2.7 mm wider than average at the forefoot. It’s no wonder it feels so stable on uneven ground!
The last thing we want on our multi-day hikes is to worry about our boots taking one bump too many. No need to worry about that with the Salomon Quest 4 GTX. It’s got durability written all over it, with the multi-layered overlays, and a protective toebox which combines a sturdy rubber toe cap, nubuck leather and robust nylon weave. We applied a Dremel to the toe cap for 12 seconds at a force of 3.2 N at 5K RPM to see what it’s really made of. Pretty stern stuff, as it happens - there was only a minor scrape to show for our efforts! This boot is tough as nails, and we trust them to keep going for a long time.
On the flip side, when we calculated the heel-to-toe drop, we found it was a jaw-dropping 18 mm. This is a significant increase from the average of 12.4 mm, and it may be uncomfortable for some hikers. We therefore don't recommend it to backpackers who prefer a more natural feel underfoot.
Pros
- Exceptional durability
- Top-notch waterproofing
- Excellent underfoot protection
- Highly secure ankle support
- Fantastic stability
- Comfortable in-boot feel
- Effective grip on various terrain
- Fits as expected
Cons
- A bit heavy
- Gets very stiff in cold
Best Salomon hiking boots for speed hiking
What makes it the best?
Agility is the game of the Salomon Outpulse Mid GTX, which is why on our hikes, we felt all our strides and movements optimised. This hiking boot is so gentle on our feet but when it comes to performance, it is hella fierce.
We can’t help but draw comparisons with the Salomon Outpulse Mid GTX to trainers because of its super light build. At 13.6 oz (380g), it can easily be mistaken for a sneaker, especially since it is 20.6% lighter than the usual weight of hiking boots. Moreover, the in-shoe feeling it provides in our treks is somewhat similar to the feeling when we are just cruising the streets. Using our durometer, we found out that its midsole is 18.8 HA soft, which is softer than the average by 27.1%.
While it overflows in comfort, this hiking boot supports our feet very well. We don’t mind wandering in this pair for the whole day, as it keeps our arches from falling. We found that the torsional rigidity of this boot, which we rated 4/5, also helped in resisting twisting. The support around the ankle is not up to par, though. We only gave the stiffness of the heel counter a 3/5. So, if you want a better fit, we suggest searching for other hiking boots that securely wrap around the ankles.
Pros
- Astonishingly light
- Comfy like a sneaker
- Excellent waterproofing
- Very durable build
- Decent impact protection for its low stack
- Low-to-the-ground platform
- Remains soft and flexible in cold weather
Cons
- Loose collar fit
- Not for technical terrain
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