I've hiked and backpacked more than 1000 miles in the Salomon Quest, so I was stoked to get my hands on the new Salomon Quest 5 GTX. Salomon hadn't updated the world's best backpacking boot in 5 years. Was it worth the wait for the 2026 update? After several test hikes, I'd say so. My Salomon Quest 5 review gives you the scoop on the updated version of this iconic hiking and backpacking boot.
Testing the new Salomon Quest 5 in New Mexico's Ojitos Wilderness
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Salomon Quest 5 Review
When the Salomon Quest 5 dropped, I quickly loaded up a 50-liter backpack and hit the trails of New Mexico to test this 2026 update to Salomon's iconic backpacking boot. My test hikes included snowy slogs up the Embudito Trail (8 miles, 3000ft elevation gain), the La Luz Trail (9 miles 4,500'), and on and off trail hikes in the Ojito Wilderness. Plus, I have several years of backpacking experience in previous versions of this boot, including the Grand Canyon, Tasmania's Overland Track, Minnesota's Superior Trail, and Pennsylvania's Allegheny Front Trail. Overall, my evaluations of this boot's support, weight, fit, comfort, traction, weather protection, and value are based on more than 1000 miles(!) of personal experience.
Testing the Quest 5's ankle support on La Luz Trail
Support
The Salomon Quest 5 boasts excellent foot and ankle protection. Thanks to moderately sturdy ankle collars and good torsional rigidity (resistance to twisting) in the soles, it provides more ankle support than most hiking boots. In my recent test hikes and long-term experience in the Quest, I haven't had any ankle issues, even when carrying a heavier pack over hardy terrain, such as the Grand Canyon.
Support-wise, this is a legit backpacking boot. It's athletic enough that you can day hike in the Quest 5, but backpacking is its bread and butter.
My pair of Quest 5s weigh less than 3 lbs (Men's size 12)
Weight
The Quest 5 is light by backpacking standards and heavy by day hiking standards. My pair weighs 2 lbs 15 oz (Men's size 12)—which is slightly lighter than most backpacking boots in my gear closet.
At this weight, the Quest is relatively light and nimble for a serious backpacking boot. (My other backpacking boots weigh 3 pounds or more.) But it's heavier than most people want or need for day hiking. If you're mostly a day hiker, check out my recommendations for the best hiking boots or my review of the lighter Salomon X Ultra 5.
The Salomon Quest 5 is comfortable for a backpacking boot
Comfort
Comfort is subjective and depends a lot on fit. The Quest 5 is mostly stiff underfoot (as a good backpacking boot should be) with modest flex at the toes. Like earlier versions of the Quest, its build balances stability with agility. As I explain below, it's not as narrow in the toes as most Salomons. If you care about heel-to-toe drop, the Quest is 12mm (traditional drop).
For me, the Quest is average in comfort. It's moderately cushioned with more room in the toes than I remember in previous versions. I've knocked out several 15-20 mile days in this boot with plenty of weight on my back with no complaints.
If you're after a relatively athletic boot for backpacking, you'll probably find Salomon Quest more comfortable than bulkier backpacking boots. If you're not experienced with real backpacking boots, you might find it stiffer and firmer than you prefer (but that's what gives it its backpacking support).
The Salomon Quest 5 isn't as narrow as some Salomons
Fit
The Salomon Quest 5 runs true to size. It features a standard fit in the forefoot and isn't narrow in the toe box like most Salomons. It's a higher volume hiking boot than most I've tested and reviewed, giving it roomier fit than I remember in previous versions.
Most hikers will want to size up a half-size from their everyday shoe size. Sadly, the Salomon Quest is not available in wide. But I actually get an okay fit in the Quest, in spite of my moderately wide feet. You'll want to try this boot on before committing to it if you have (1) truly wide feet or (2) narrow, low-volume feet.
I felt some medial rubbing on my right foot near the edge of the rubber mudguard. That's probably a quirk of my foot, especially since I only felt it on one side.
The Quest 5 also excels at locking your heels and feet into place with a narrow heel cup, reinforced heel counter, and a (Sensifit) design that wraps the boot's uppers snugly around your feet. I also like the locking lace system, which allows different tension in the foot and ankle areas. In my case, I can snug up the ankles tight while leaving the laces loose around my feet to add some extra room.
Traction
On my test hikes, I didn't have any traction troubles in the new Quest 5—which was mostly my experience in older versions, too. Salomon also corrected a durability issue in the older Quest 4D by switching from a two-layer to one-layer rubber outsole in the Quest 5.
Overall, this is a solid outsole for mixed terrain. There's a deep heel brake to slow you down on steep descents in snow, mud, or gravel. Its mix of deep, widely spaced lugs sheds snow and mud reasonably well. On a snowy and icy test hike, the Quest 5 handled the uphills well. However, I added Microspikes for added safety on my steep and slick descent.
The tread is not quite as good on solid rock, but it's not bad, either. I found the smooth granite boulders of Embudito Canyon a little slick, but the Quest 5 handled rougher rocks well in my traction tests.
Two of my 2026 test hikes included snow and snowmelt
Weather Protection
The Salomon Quest is about as good as it gets in terms of water and weather resistance. It features GORE-TEX, which provides more reliable and breathable waterproofing than conventional waterproof membranes. Over the years, I've worn the Quest as my winter hiking boot to seal out snow and slush on trail.
Taller than most hiking boots, the Quest 5 offers good overall weather protection on rainy, snowy, and muddy treks. In 2026, my feet stayed dry over several miles of testing on snowy trails. In the past, my feet did get soaked in Quests on the Superior Hiking Trail —where we hiked in sustained rain and thunderstorms over two days. Even then, they kept me completely dry for hours (and likely got wet through moisture running down my legs—not a failure in the waterproofing). They've also been clutch when I've worn them for winter hikes, keeping my feet dry and warm enough in snow.
Value
While most hiking boots have increased $30-50 the past 5 years, the Salomon Quest only costs $10 more than it did 5 years ago. With a MSRP of $240, it's expensive for a hiking boot—but not for a backpacking boot. It's a good value, providing above average performance across the board at an average price.
Men's Salomon Quest 5 GTX
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Women's Salomon Quest 5 GTX
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Salomon Quest 5: Pros vs. Cons
Based on my 2026 test hikes—and more than 1000 miles of personal experience in previous versions of the Salomon Quest—I've found the new Quest 5 above average in most areas:
How is the Salomon Quest 5 different from older Salomon Quests?
The Salomon Quest 5 (new in 2026) is similar to its predecessors, but Salomon has changed the Quest in a few ways:
The Quest feels roomier than I remember. But I'm not sure if that's my imagination (which is often the case when a brand updates a best seller) or a function of Salomon actually making it wider or using newer GORE-TEX?
Overall, these small improvement have not fundamentally changed this best-selling boot. Like the 4 previous Quests, the Quest 5 remains a high-performance backpacking boot that balances stability with agility while boasting solid ankle support, weather protection, and mixed terrain traction. Based on my preliminary testing in 2026, the Salomon Quest is still the GOAT when it comes to backpacking boots for men and women.
Testing the newest Salomon Quest with a 50-liter pack on my back
What's the difference between the Salomon Quest 5 and X Ultra 5?
The Salomon Quest is primarily made for backpackers, and the Salomon X Ultra is primarily made for day hikers. The Quest 5 is athletic for a backpacking boot but buliker and heavier than most day hikers need. In contrast, the Salomon X Ultra 5 is lighter and more athletic than the Quest 5 but also has less ankle support and weather protection.
Should you buy the Salomon Quest 5?
If you're a backpacker, the Salomon Quest 5 GTX is a great hiking boot (as long as it fits you well). For years, backpackers have loved its ankle support, weight savings, weather protection, and versatile traction when hiking big miles with extra weight on their backs. The Quest's balance of stability and agility stands out for backpacking, but it's a little heavy and cumbersome for day hiking—unless you have serious ankle problems or tackle the gnarliest day hikes (such as Colorado 14ers or off-trail mountain hikes).
I've tested several backpacking boots the past five years. None have supplanted the Quest as my favorite. If you're not a backpacker, though, the lightweight Salomon X Ultra 5 makes more sense for 99% of day hikers.
The Salomon Quest's standard-but-roomy fit accommodates many hiking feet, but hikers with wide feet or narrow-low volume feet should test its fit indoors before tearing off the tags and hiking outdoors.
Conclusion
If the Salomon Quest 5 isn't a good fit for your feet or the best match for your hiking style, no problem. Feel free to browse my expert recommendations for the best hiking boots or best backpacking boots for men and women. Or, scroll through all my first-hand hiking boot reviews, which are backed by my extensive hiking experience and my experience as an outdoor industry professional.
If you're feeling the Quest 5, you can support Hiking Feet's free and independent hiking boot reviews by purchasing your pair through the affiliate links below. The retailer may share a few dollars of the sale with Hiking Feet at no added cost to you. Those small commissions keep this site afloat—and give me a little bit back for the thousands of unpaid hours I've spent testing and reviewing footwear for hikers I'll never meet.
Men's Salomon Quest 5 GTX
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Women's Salomon Quest 5 GTX
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