Travis Olander 12.15.22
The Salomon Quest 4D Forces 2 are a number of the lightest, most well-insulated, and correctly waterproofed boots I’ve worn. They’re my new each day drivers for hikes all through Utah’s cold and warm seasons. I purchased these boots at my native Blue Line LEO clothing store – they’re issued boots for some U.S. Army Ranger items, and Salomon contracts with police departments. These boots are, technically, “mil-spec” and conform to ISO 20344:2011 for puncture resistance.
The presentation is nothing particular: A typical shoebox with some packing paper stuffed in every boot, and a small tag with guarantee information. Salomon warranties these for 2 years in opposition to defects.
Specifications – Salomon Quest 4D Forces 2 ENs
- Outsole: Rubber Contagrip®
- Footbed: Molded “Ortholite”
- Upper: Gusseted Leather (2mm)
- Weight: 23.5 oz / 665 grams
- Lacing: Standard
- Eyelets: Leather, metal
- Waterproofing: GORE-TEX
- Colors: Black, Green, Brown
- MSRP: $260
Out-of-the-Box Fitment – Salomon Quest 4D Forces 2 ENs
I’ve huge, flat ft, and run a dimension 11 in avenue footwear, so I grabbed the Salomons in 10.5 – I discover most boots run about half a dimension giant, and I used to be proper this time.
The toe cap offers ample safety in opposition to exhausting strikes.
I discover most boots to really feel too slender in direction of the toe field, however that isn’t the case with the Salomons. They have loads of wiggle room in your toes. I had no points with compression in opposition to the edges of my ft.
Breathability
The Salomons hug your ankles and the balls of your ft, however they open and supply some “vapor” house across the prime of your foot. This offers good breathability, as long as you’re not carrying thick socks – a problem with any waterproofed boot that has a giant, gusseted tongue clamping the insole shut. I wore these within the August warmth whereas mountaineering by means of Cougar Canyon in Utah. Over the span of three hours, I bumped into no points with sweat build-up, so I didn’t need to swap socks.
Freedom of Movement
I assumed these boots would show a problem with issues like driving, getting in the way in which of my automotive’s peddles, or inflicting me to journey up on small obstacles whereas I obtained used to them. But the Salomon Forces 2 are surprisingly nimble and versatile.
After some exhausting miles, the insole liner has stored its spring with out compressing or tearing.
At first look, the insole liner doesn’t look spectacular. But the rubber bridge on the rear offers good spring and help, and it’s breathable. Folks with excessive arches will need a fitted, customized liner; arch help isn’t nice. My flat duck ft have executed effectively with it. For having such a broad rubber sole, these boots present first rate tactile suggestions. That’s most likely because of the pliable cap which bends simply with toe presses, along with the sunshine weight.
Support
For me, the Salomons are within the “Goldilocks” zone. Ankle help is, actually, good – not too low to permit for a rolled joint and a limp down the path, however not so excessive as to limit freedom of motion or make you’re feeling such as you’re stomping your path.
The mesh liner and huge brim do an excellent job stopping scorching spots and chafing.
I’m not a fan of low-rise mountaineering boots, however I want I used to be. They present probably the most shoe-like match and really feel. But they depart you open to harm in the event you’re not on a well-treaded, maintained path. The Salomons get near that really feel with out sacrificing the type of help that you must climb a scramble or egress down some rocky or moist hikes. Speaking of moist…
Waterproofing
Finally, a boot that I can correctly submerge as much as the tongue, with out winding up with a 5-pound bucket of soaked sock. The Salomon Forces 2 present spectacular waterproofing – little shock given the GORE-TEX liner.
The GORE-TEX liner wraps beneath the insole liner.
The leather-based and textiles are additionally handled with a waterproofing compound, evidenced by wicking and beading after I climbed up a waterfall path (Horse Tail Falls) in October.
Grip and Traction
The Salomon’s rubber lugs don’t disappoint. They’re not precisely Vietnam Jungle Boots, however they supply the grip wanted on slippery stuff. I had no points retaining traction on the moist granite and washed pebbles discovered alongside the Horse Tail Falls path.
The treaded lugs offers good wet-weather grip; I haven’t had any chip or crack.
The lugs keep comparatively freed from mud, they usually’re simple to choose and clear off. Part of their efficiency is, once more, because of this boot’s stunning flexibility.
Stitching and Construction
A boot with glued toe caps goes to ultimately undergo some separation. After carrying these in Utah’s backcountry for the higher a part of six months, I’ve discovered the corners of the toe cap simply beginning to separate from the leather-based higher.
After six months and ~70 miles, no stitches have popped or torn.
I want the toe cap was stitched, however it isn’t an enormous concern to me. I’ve worn sufficient mountaineering boots to know that the majority uppers with a toe field this versatile are going to have some peeling edges after some time. It’s nothing that some Shoe Glue didn’t repair up, and it didn’t compromise the waterproofing. After some fundamental upkeep, the issue hasn’t returned.
The ripstop tongue looks like Cordura; the GORE-TEX liner runs its complete size.
If you set these treads by means of their paces, you’ll probably end up in the same state of affairs earlier than the boots’ two-year guarantee is up. If your outsole or cap is excessively worn, Salomon is fairly squared away when it comes honoring their craftmanship. If it’s below two years, you’ll be able to e mail them for replacements with out a lot fuss. Just preserve your buy receipt.
Lacing and Eyelets
There’s not a lot to say right here, apart from the Forces 2’s laces work effectively. I’m an enormous fan of steel eyelets; I’m at all times cautious concerning the longevity of textile or leather-based eyelets. I’ve seen others say they tore one or two, however I’ve but to run into this challenge.
The huge, crescent ankle eyelet offers good stress with out pinching.
Thankfully, the ankle eyelets are all steel, with rivet fasteners. That’s the place I discover myself cinching my laces tightest. I like to depart the laces above the highest of my ft looser. I’ve put about 60 to 70 miles’ value of trails on these boots, and I’ve but to note any leather-based eyelets that appear prepared to tear or tear. As lengthy you’re not guerilla-arming your laces (which you shouldn’t for the sake of circulation and breathability), then you definately’ll most likely be wonderful.
The leather-based eyelets are double-layered; This ought to forestall tearing over time.
If you’re a stickler for this sort of stuff, the Forces Quest 4D GTX 3 boots are practically equivalent to the Forces 2, however they’ve steel eyelets for all of the laces.
6 Months of Wear: What’s to not Like?
The Salomon Forces 2 EN are wonderful kickers, however no boot is ideal. I’ve already talked about the 2 misgivings I’ve, they usually boil down to 1 factor: Durability. Yes, over time, I count on the leather-based eyelets to fray, however not tear or fail. And sure, I seen the toe cap separation, which was a simple repair with some Shoe Glue. Keep in thoughts these boots are “mil-spec.” That doesn’t imply they’re made to be indestructible. It means they have been designed to get the job executed with out costing an arm or (frostbitten) foot.
Although the Salomon Forces 2 ENs appear costly at round $260, they’re a good bit cheaper than different boots of comparable development and intent. I’m speaking about $400 Arc’teryx Acrux GTX’s or Zamberlan Cresta’s, or $450 Danner Mountains. Having worn two of the three boots I simply talked about, I can attest that the Forces meet that bar – they’re simply lighter, cheaper, and maybe a tad much less sturdy however extra snug.
Who are the Salomon Forces 2 ENs for?
The Forces 2 EN boots make a superb responsibility boot, as evidenced by the actual fact they’re present challenge for some Ranger and airborne items. They’re now my go-to mountaineering boots for difficult trails alongside Mount Timpanogos. If you’re EMS, police, safety, or army (and your commander is lax on the subject of AR 670-1), these boots will work effectively. They’re tremendous snug, and may stand up to nearly all the pieces you encounter at work and out of doors.
If you’re an Alpinist, extremely path runner, or the kind of hiker to drop $800 on a framed pack or some NASA-inspired sleeping pad, then you definately’re most likely not bothering with what you understand to be “mid-budget” boots like these.
For all-metal eyelets, try the Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX
I feel the Forces 2 EN’s the fitting match and value for the mountain fanatic who hikes by means of moist stuff and climbs 10- to 20-mile trails in summer season and winter. That descriptor suits me and my equipment fairly effectively. The snug, agile, always-dry Salomons have but to fail me. The Irish Setter VaprTek 2815’s are a prime competitor to the Salomon Forces. Check out our assessment of these boots.
