Salomon Quest 4D GTX or Meindl Perfekt

[Mxracer532]

Looking for a new pair of boots for my back country bear hunt in the Wenaha and am torn which boot to get. I tried on the Salomons at REI and can get $50 right now and they fit really really well and if I dont like them in a yr REI will take them back no ?'s asked. Now the Meindl's my good freind has worn them for a few yrs and swears by them but I have yet to try them on. Maybe I need to make a trip to Crakima to Cabelas and try them? Anyone have experience with either or both???

[NRA4LIFE]

I bought the Meindl Perfekt Hunters last year and absolutely love them.  The most comfortable pair of boots out of the box I've ever put on my feet.

[fillthefreezer]

my wife and a couple buddies love the salomon quests. i have their running shoes i love! i will probably wear them all of scouting season i like em so much

[jackelope]

I've been using the Perfekt Hunters for the last 3-4 years or so and love them. A lot of people complain about a squeak but I found that keeping them greased there is no noise.
With that said, if you buy the Meindl's, I'd suggest you get them on your feet and wear them a lot before you go. New boots on a hunt in that country is a recipe for damaged feet. Do as much hiking as possible before you get down there and get those boots broke in.

Those are 2 fairly different boots. As more of a mountain hunting boot, expect the Meindl's to be a lot stiffer and less flexible than you might think. I think they're great for that country with the steep hills, sidehilling and stuff. I'm not familiar with the Salomon's and how much support they'll offer.

[Pueblo]

I've just about destroyed a pair of the Salomon Quests I bought back in 2009.  They are hands down the best thing I've every had on my feet.  Properly fitted, they are amazing.  Great at everything from trail hiking with 50 lbs on your back, which I've done many times, to scrambling on steep slopes and rocks.  They are very supportive yet somehow nimble.. the tread hangs on well to rocks at steep angles as well.  I never jam my toes forward on steep descents with them.

The only complaint I've had is the gore-tex waterproofing ended years before the useful life of the boot.  I think this is common though. 

Why are they only $50?

[Mxracer532]

I've just about destroyed a pair of the Salomon Quests I bought back in 2009.  They are hands down the best thing I've every had on my feet.  Properly fitted, they are amazing.  Great at everything from trail hiking with 50 lbs on your back, which I've done many times, to scrambling on steep slopes and rocks.  They are very supportive yet somehow nimble.. the tread hangs on well to rocks at steep angles as well.  I never jam my toes forward on steep descents with them.

The only complaint I've had is the gore-tex waterproofing ended years before the useful life of the boot.  I think this is common though. 

Why are they only $50?

I can get $50 off. They are $230.

[coop2424]

Meindl perfekt here.  Most comfortable boot I have had and still on the first pair after 5 years and still waterproof.  With that being said it all depends on if they fit you well since some boots fit some but not others.  Go try them on and see if you like them.

[huntnnw]

Ill never own Meindl boots again! 2nd pair in 2 years..first ones made it a year and were leaking, returned them and 11 months later the back of the 2nd pair has a huge hole! I contacted Meindl..no response

[bowhunterty]

I just picked up Salomons. Fit and are comfortable. Hopefully get to give them a test soon.

[xXLojackXx]

I wear the Meindl Perfekt's as well and love them. Extremely comfortable and waterproof. I bought them and went on a 15 mile hike the next day expecting them to wear in. They were just as comfortable on that hike as they are now with hundreds of miles on them. Great boots for the $$$.

[BULLBLASTER]

I have had bad luck with meindls also. Won't buy them again. Mine were replaced after a year and also are basically falling apart now. Have had to glue them too get her with freesole in numerous areas.

[nw_bowhunter]

I tried the salomon quests but the fit didn't work for me. I also tried the meindls and again the fit didn't work for me, although I was impressed by the way the boot was built. I use Asolo and Vasquez only because they fit my foot the best and have great results.

If you get salomon quests for $50.00 and they fit I wouldn't hesitate to buy

[Harbor_hunter]

I have had my Meindl Perfekts for four years now and they have been awesome.  I wore them for the first time on my Wenaha spring bear hunt four years ago, and they never hurt my feet or gave me blisters, and haven't ever in those four years. I haven't changed the insole or anything, and they work great. I would recommend them.

[RadSav]

I've only tried one pair of Salomon boots.  They were nice, but I blew them out the first year.  And I wasn't hunting extremely hard.  Could have been just that pair   So many other choices I never thought to try them again. 

I did have the Perfekt Hikers and absolutely loved them.  I would still be wearing them if I hadn't had a hard fallen arch that increased my boot size.  While the 9.5 fit perfectly before the problems I somehow could never get the 10's to fit properly after my arch collapse.  I tried two pair and then switched to LaSportiva.  If and when those wear out I might have to give the Perfekt Hikers a try again.

[blackpowderhunter]

I bought a pair of salomon Quest 4D GTXs two years ago and couldn't be happier with them and I have put many many miles on them with pretty heavy loads.
My .02 is to go try them on and see what fits YOUR foot the best.

[JWBINX]

Hey Mxracer,
The Saloman quest 4d GTX is a great Ltwt hiker that you will enjoy in rough ground as well as trails,
However the Asolo Drifter is the same weight and has a better sole that will not let sharp rocks Jab
at your feet like the Quest.If you want the Quest watch Amazon.com often for the best deal, for the Asolo
try OMC (Oregon Mountain Community) on the web for good deals.(no shipping and no tax).The Asolo 520 gv
is hands down one of the best heavy hiker money can buy, but more bucks and heavier(good for big loads)
I spend 40 to 60 days a year in the high country, and I've tested and worn out lots of boots!! I'm really impressed
with Asolo Drifter for a Ltwt fast hiker. Good luck in the Wenaha, Lots of big bulls and some good rams.

[RadSav]

for the Asolo try OMC (Oregon Mountain Community) on the web for good deals.(no shipping and no tax).

I'm sure half of the employees there are anti-hunting.  And they know I am an active hunter.  Yet, they are always extremely helpful when I go in there and they keep their political and emotional views to themselves maintaining a positive and service oriented environment.  It's a small business managed and run like a well tuned machine.  One of the better runs shops in Oregon IMO.  If you watch there online bargains (which they seem to always have something good at a discount) you can really score!  I probably visit their site once a week

[Crook]

My wife and I have the Quest 4Ds and love them, no break in required, I had submersed them many times and are the best hiking boot I've ever owned so far, no problems with 50lbs of gear over many miles.

[flyguide]

I laughed when I saw this thread.  My backcountry partner wears the Salomon and I wear (or used to wear the Perfekt).  I love the Perfekt Hiker and have been through a couple of pairs using them on shed hunts, bivy hunts, and tons of scouting.  I love them and they are great for quick paced trail hiking, but are not rigid enough for heavy packs on ground IMO. With that said, I do a lot of extreme trail runs/racing and swear by Salomon XT Wings and 3D Pro Ultra's.  I have done many tough 30+ mile runs without so much as a hot spot!  I think Salomon has the fit figured out in footwear but my buddy wears the Quest and I don't think its rigid enough for tough side hilling with a heavy pack on for days at a time.

For what its worth, I bivy hunt extremely hard for elk in country better suited for sheep and just recently went with the Lowa Tibet Pro which is a whole new level of rigid.  I put a Meindl footbed in them and am still breaking them in.  They are a heavier boot and stiff as a board.  I think it will require some serious break in time but will help me handle 80 pounds on the gnarly slopes.  Both boots are good but I don't think either will hold up more than 2 seasons, at best, of truly heavy use.

[dukethedog]

Sir

I usually don't insert myself in to these conversations.  But if there is something I'm a expert on its synthetic materials and gear.  I have designed skiing equipment for years and well as worked with designing gear.

As far as boots.  If you want a truly specific boot for what your doing, and I know what you doing because I only wilderness hunt bears, try looking at the Scarpa Treolet PRO GTX.  Another great line is the La Sportivas.  It depends on your foot shape.  Both boots need a Super-foot in them.  The two boots mentioned in your tag line are not heavy enough material for a athletic person like your self. 

As well, stay out of rei, they are pretty much hiring house wifes at this point between runs to soccer camp.  Go to a climbing store, deal with the "climbing store people," and move on. 

[WaltAlpine]

Can you give us the name of a "climbing store" to go to?