Salomon Quest 4D GTX or Meindl Perfekt

[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?