Salomon QST Pro 120

Model Year
2017-18
Category
All-Mountain Walk
Last Width
100
Flex Index
120
Price (MSRP)
$725.00USD

The Gist

The 2018 Salomon QST Pro 120 appealed to our test team for its unique design approach and the combination of reduced weight, touring capability and downhill game. Its specific fit characteristics and one-of-a-kind flex feel meant it was tailor-made for some and not for others.

The Fit

Testers said it's a bit resistant on entry due to the tacky feel of the tongue fabric and the fact that the "Endofit" tongue sits down inside the cabrio edges of the lower shell, close to the foot. This low-ceiling fit across the top of the foot is the hallmark of the QST design and it either makes it or breaks it, fit-wise, for our test team. Those with lower-than-average insteps and generally low-volume feet loved the containment, while average and higher insteps felt the blood flow to the toes slowing down. The cuff is more average mediumish in the way it holds the leg, though some testers mentioned a flat feeling tongue that didn't want to contour with the shin.

Performance

The cuff is upright and the flex is long in travel. This was pure pleasure for some testers who loved the free flexing movement, but a search for fore-aft balance and connection to the ski's shovel for others. Laterally, testers agreed that the QST Pro is a snaky, agile groveler that accurately wormed its way through all manner of soft, off-piste junk. On smooth, firm surfaces testers said it felt slightly under-edged and required a bit more roll to a steeper edge angle to uncork its lateral juice. In hike mode, testers found huge amounts of aft travel but said it was somewhat hindered in its forward range of movement.

Cool Features

The Surelock cuff release mechanism is an easy sideways flip of a switch. The Custom Shell 360 feature is a useful tool for opening up a bit more room in tight spots and a way to fine tune stance alignment specifically to the skier.

Gender 
Men's
Sizes (MP) 
25.5-30.5
Hike Mode 
Yes
Construction 
Cabrio/3-PC
Boot width profile 
Medium
Also in this Collection 
QST Pro 130 TR, $850; QST Pro 100, $600
Cantology Compatible 
No
Total Avg Score 
18.31
  • 2017-18 Salomon Qst Pro 120 at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
  • 2017-18 Salomon Qst Pro 120 at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test
  • 2017-18 Salomon Qst Pro 120 at America's Best Bootfitters Boot Test

Kudos

  • “Surprising skiability and comfort for this minimalist design.” -- Jim Schaffner
  • “Nice edge roll and foot steering—tons of range of motion in hike mode.” --
  • “Better feel for the snow than I expected.” -- Marc Stewart
  • “Edge snap is sharp!” -- Bob Gleason
  • “Great walk mode switch and power strap!” --
  • “Surprisingly quick—great flex feel.” -- Pat Sullivan
  • “Excellent steering and snow feel—solid sidecountry boot.” -- Greg Coulter
  • “So light, and the tongue is different, but I could ski this boot all the time!” -- Stacy Crumpler
  • “Skied good, and the hike mode works well.” -- Dallas Goldsmith
  • “Fit like a glove and it was warm and light!” -- Dave Alleman

Caveats

  • “Holds one in the oddest places.” --
  • “Medium on the power scale—easy to over-flex.” -- Marc Stewart
  • “The geometry is slightly off, feels unnatural.” -- Bob Gleason
  • “So much forward movement you never engage the front of the ski.” -- Charlie Bradley

This boot available at...

Golden, CO
Killington, VT
Breckenridge, CO
Taos Ski Valley, NM
Ann Arbor, MI
Costa Mesa, CA

Special thanks to all of our sponsors!

Platinum

Gold