Merrell Sawtooth vs Salomon Discovery GTX boot review

Check out the reviews and comparisons for the Merrell Sawtooth boot vs Salomon GTX boots and you make the best choice for your feet on your next big hike.

Merrell Sawtooth Hiking Boot

I purchased these boots for the Hindu Kush mountain range in Afghanistan. These boots are amazing for the price. Very comfortable. I did a 8 mile foot patrol the day after I received them and did not get a single blister. I did however, replace the insoles that are sold with them. The insoles that come with them are good, but feel “gel-like” and I needed something a lot stiffer for the extremely rocky terrain here. I purchased them about a month ago, and have put over 100 miles on them so far. They have held up very well with only one scratch (from constantine wire). Overall, wonderful boots, would definitely recommend to a friend, as well as, buy them again if I needed to.

I bought these boot on a recommendation from a coworker. We are both currently active component Army deployed to Afghanistan, and the treads on my last boots wore down rather quickly (6 months). I’ve had the Merrell boots for about a month now, and I believe they are the best pair of boots I’ve owned so far. I used to wear Asolos, and before that, Danners. The day I received thses in the mail, we were called out on a mission that took half the day and well into the night, I had already put these boots on to start breaking them in and had no time to change before the helicopter arrived at the HLZ.

These boots felt comfortable right off the bat. They did need some breaking in, but I hardly noticed at all, the boots were just a bit stiff. The soles by Vibram are definitely a step up from the Asolos I was wearing previously. They grip the rock surface better, and are a bit wider for more surface area. From what I’ve been told they also last longer. The boots also provide sufficient ankle support without being uncomfortable.

I have had a chance to test these out on various different terrain, and the only negative I’ve found so far is that they take in water as soon as it reaches the laces. I suppose that’s my fault for not dousing them in waterproof spray as I have always done previously with my other boots. Also, one of the top hooks for the laces has separated from the shoe partially, but it is held on tight by a second rivet, which I suppose is why there are two rivets per lace hook.

Salomon Quest 4D GTX Boot Review

First let me start by saying I am merely a day hiker, nothing extreme or expedition. That being said I have worn merrel for alot of years. So this time around I needed something a little higher for support and wow. The Salomon Quest 4D GTX Boots fit like a slipper they are extremely comfortable to wear. The laces are tough since I usually pull pretty hard on them and the hook lace system I have always preferred. Some people say these fit like a ski boat and I could see that perhaps as Salomon makes Ski Boots. I just got back from a weekend from leyus caves to mt. adams and goldendale area. I forgot I was even wearing these things. What I mean by that is, “there wasn’t anything I noticed like heel strikes, sore foot, blisters or anything that would even have me look down as if something felt wrong. My new favorite hiking shoe/boot.