If you spend long days under load, bad boots expose themselves fast. Hot spots, sloppy heel hold, weak ankle support and midsoles that go soft halfway through a shift are more than annoying - they cost you pace and confidence. This Salomon Quest Forces review looks at the boot the way it should be looked at: not as lifestyle kit, but as a working platform for patrol, field movement, range days and hard kilometres.
Salomon Quest Forces review - who this boot is for
The Quest Forces sits in that space between a light hiker and a full traditional combat boot. That matters, because a lot of users want one pair that can handle mixed ground, decent weight on the back and long hours on foot without feeling like a brick. If that sounds familiar, this boot makes sense.
It suits Defence members, police, security teams, hunters and serious bush users who need support without going full heavy-duty mountaineering. It also suits anyone who spends more time moving than standing around. If your work or training means stairs, scrub, fire trails, rough paddocks and hard-packed tracks in the same day, the Quest Forces is built for that sort of crossover use.
If, on the other hand, you want a slick urban boot for mostly flat surfaces and short wear times, it may be more boot than you need. Likewise, if you work constantly in wet mud, deep slop or heavy abrasive terrain, there are tougher, stiffer options with thicker leather and a more old-school build.
First impressions in the field
The big sell with the Quest Forces is that it feels more athletic than it looks. Straight out of the box, it has less of that clunky, fight-the-boot feeling you get with some patrol and field footwear. The chassis gives it structure, but the overall ride is closer to a supportive trekking boot than a hard military issue boot from years gone by.
That lighter-on-foot feel is a genuine strength. You notice it on quick direction changes, walking broken ground and covering distance with a moderate load. It does not feel floppy, but it does not punish you for moving at pace either.
There is a trade-off, though. Boots that feel more agile can sometimes give away a bit of long-haul bombproof toughness compared with heavier stitched leather designs. The Quest Forces leans toward mobility and comfort first, with durability still solid but not indestructible in every environment.
Fit and comfort
Fit is where this boot tends to win people over. The heel hold is secure, the midfoot feels locked in, and the forefoot usually gives enough room for natural movement without feeling loose. For many users, that means fewer pressure points and less foot fatigue over a long day.
The cushioning underfoot is one of the standout features. On hard surfaces, it helps take the sting out of concrete, compacted dirt and rocky trails. If you move between urban ground and bush terrain, that matters. Boots that are too firm can leave your feet cooked by the end of a shift, especially if you are carrying extra weight.
That said, fit is never universal. Salomon boots often suit narrow to medium feet better than very wide feet. If your feet are broad through the toe box, you may find the Quest Forces comfortable enough, or you may find it a bit restrictive depending on sock choice and the exact model variation. That is not a fault so much as a reminder that sizing and foot shape still decide whether a boot is brilliant or ordinary.
Support under load
This is where the Quest Forces earns its reputation. The ankle support is strong without feeling overbuilt, and the chassis does a good job of keeping the foot stable on uneven ground. With a day pack or a loaded patrol pack, the boot stays composed.
For users doing extended walking on side slopes, rocky access tracks or uneven bushland, that support is a practical advantage. You are less likely to feel your feet rolling around inside the boot, and less likely to finish the day feeling beaten up from constant correction and compensation.
It is not a rigid alpine boot, and that is a good thing for most tactical and outdoor users. You get enough support for load carriage and mixed terrain, but still enough flex to kneel, climb in and out of vehicles, and move naturally.
Grip and sole performance
How the outsole handles mixed Australian terrain
Grip is generally strong across dry dirt, loose gravel, compact trails and urban surfaces. The sole pattern bites well enough for most field use, and the boot feels confident on the sort of mixed terrain that defines actual Australian use - hard-baked tracks, scrubby slopes, rocky ground and wet grass in the morning.
On slick rock and polished wet surfaces, results depend on conditions. The grip is capable, but no sole is magic when algae, smooth concrete or greasy mud gets involved. If your work regularly puts you on steep wet rock shelves, creek lines or heavily contaminated ground, you still need to place your feet properly.
The outsole balances traction with all-round wear. That is important for people who split time between bush and built environments. Some aggressive soles grip brilliantly in soft terrain but wear fast on concrete. The Quest Forces is more balanced than extreme.
Durability - good, but know the limits
Salomon Quest Forces review on wear over time
Durability is one of the more debated parts of any Salomon Quest Forces review, usually because people use the boot in very different ways. For standard tactical movement, field training, hiking, hunting and regular load carriage, it holds up well. The materials, construction and support package are built for serious use.
Where some users run into issues is in highly abrasive environments or with relentless daily punishment over long periods. Dragging the boot through sharp rock, constant scrub bashing, repeated soaking and drying cycles, or hard urban use every day will test any lighter tactical boot. The Quest Forces is tough, but it is not a full leather tank.
The upside is that it does not feel like one either. You are trading a bit of brute-force ruggedness for better comfort, less weight and easier movement. Whether that is the right trade depends on your job and where you are wearing them.
If you want a boot for regular movement, training and operational use with strong comfort and support, it makes sense. If you need something to be abused in the worst terrain day after day with no compromise, you may want a heavier boot and accept the extra fatigue that comes with it.
Breathability and weather use
The Quest Forces performs best as a general-purpose boot rather than a specialist hot-weather or full wet-weather option. Breathability is decent enough for long wear, but in a hot Australian summer, especially inland or up north, your feet will still get warm. That is normal with a supportive boot in this class.
In cooler weather and shoulder seasons, it is easier to live with. In wet grass, shallow mud and light rain, it does what you would expect from a quality field boot. But if your days involve repeated creek crossings, prolonged saturation or tropical humidity, sock choice and drying routine matter almost as much as the boot itself.
Where it stands against heavier boots
What makes the Quest Forces popular is that it avoids the usual punishment of old-school military boots. You get support and protection, but without the dead, stiff feeling that makes some boots a chore after ten hours. For many users, that means better pace, less fatigue and less hesitation on uneven ground.
The trade-off is simple. A heavier full-leather boot can offer more outright abrasion resistance and, in some cases, longer service life in extreme conditions. The Quest Forces gives you more mobility and better comfort from day one. Neither is automatically better. It depends on whether your priority is maximum toughness or strong all-round field performance.
Verdict
The Quest Forces has earned its place because it works for people who actually move. It is supportive, comfortable under load, capable on mixed terrain and far more athletic than traditional issue-style boots. For tactical users, hunters and serious outdoor types who want one boot to cover a lot of ground, it is easy to see the appeal.
It is not the answer for every task. Very wide feet, constant swampy conditions or brutally abrasive terrain can push you toward something else. But if you want a field-proven boot that feels ready for work rather than made for a catalogue shoot, the Quest Forces is still one of the better options in the stack.
Buy boots for the ground you actually cover, not the fantasy version of your kit list. That is usually where the right decision starts.