Thread: Lightweight Boot advice

I loved my Salmon Quest 4D boots...until the sole disintegrated after only about 3 trips in 18 months :-(

Serves you right with those amateur numbers

Strummer, were they new or did you have them a while?

PU sole breakdown is not use dependent, age and humidity drive breakdown unfortunately. Not much humidity needed either.


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For those who use trail runners/lightweight synthetic boots - hunting central north island. I've used Salomon mid-gtx lightweight boot, x ultra trail shoes and last few years Speedcross which have exceptional lugs (super grippy for bush hunting) and will last about a year of full use (bush hunting hard a 2-3-4 days a month) - pretty light and not much cushioning (so add a comfortable inner sole). They do wear out after about a year - hold together just tears to the fabric and not kind to the feet due to rubber compression in the soles. To the point @Dicko made above, they also do dry out iand lose their flexibility if you store them dry, so make sure you use them regularly. Experience with goretex was it is crap and doesn't work. The outer fabric will get micro holes, and once the boots get wet from a river crossing, they take ages to dry (2-3 days). Wet lighter synthetic boots will be much lighter than wet leather boots. Not for Southern Alpine hunting, but perfectly fine for most North Island conditions if your feet like this type of boot/shoe.

Irish Setters work for me

Current in the Salomon Quest boots, real comfy but I do notice the downgrade from my previous 2 pairs of 4D GTX boots.
The Quests were a heck of a lot cheaper which is a bonus.
I've noticed on all the Salomon footwear I've worn, the soles chew out quickly on rocks.
Currently wearing a very work set of Speedcross's while roofing, the soles are very grippy

Originally Posted by Dicko

Strummer, were they new or did you have them a while?

PU sole breakdown is not use dependent, age and humidity drive breakdown unfortunately. Not much humidity needed either.


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They were bought new, kept in a shaded place out of the sun. I'm aware of the issue with soles, which made it all the more disappointing. :-(

Keeping them in the shade does seem to delay the problem is my experience also.

Buying cheaper lightweight Salamon boots now and replace as I wear them out now. No more Meindels etc


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