Hiking shoes provide a good balance for weight, water conservation, blister prevention, comfort, durability, and traction that require stable and protective trail footwear. This is after research, broken, and tested dozens of shoes thousands of miles to bring you this list of the best shoes on the market.
Best Hiking Shoes | Quick Recommendations
- Hiking shoes overall for comfort, traction & waterproofing: Salomon X Ultra 3 Low GTX
- Best ultralight shoes: Altra Lone Peak 4.5
- Shoes for wide feet: Merrell Moab 2 WP Low
- Lightweight shoes with excellent traction: Saucony Peregrine 10
- Breathable waterproof shoes with a narrow fit: Vasque Breeze LT Low GTX
- Rugged & durable waterproof hiking shoes: La Sportiva Spire GTX
- Best affordable waterproof hiking shoes: Merrell MQM Flex 2 GORE-TEX Low
- Super cushy hiking shoes with a wide fit: HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4
- All-around solid shoes with a durable waterproof build: Vasque Breeze AT Low GTX
- Stable & grippy shoes with a wide toe box: Keen Targhee III Low WP
- Supportive hiking shoes with a running shoe feel: Salomon XA Pro 3D V8
- Stylish & affordable shoes that are great for day hikes: The North Face Hedgehog Fastpack II WP
- Durable & supportive hiking shoes for rugged adventures: Oboz Firebrand II BDry
WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU IN A HIKING SHOE?
COMFORT and FIT – This is the most important consideration when choosing hiking shoes. Different people need different things in shoes (wide vs. narrow, arch support, etc.), so what makes your feet happy is important.
Top pics for out-of-the-box comfort: Salomon X Ultra 3 Low GTX, Ultra Lone Peak 4.5, and Saucony Peregrine 10 Best Boots for Wide Feet: Merrell Moab 2 WP Low, Keen Targhee III Low WP, and HOKA One One Speedgoat 4 Best shoes for narrow feet: Vascat Breeze LT Low GTX and Salomon XA Pro 3D V8
Price – We are willing to spend a bit more on quality footwear because we truly believe that the success of our adventures depends on happy, healthy feet. Comfort and fit usually cost Trump in our books, but we recommend quality options at a variety of price points in our top selections below.
Best Budget Hiking Boots: Merrell MQM Flex 2 Whites-tex Low, Altar Lone Peak 4.5, and Saucony Peregrine 10 Top Price Picks: Salomon X Ultra 3 Low GTX and HOKA 1 Speed Angel 4
Weight – The weight on your legs consumes about 5 times more energy than the weight on your back. Lighter shoes mean less muscle fatigue, less flexion, and can help avoid knee and hip flexor problems. This does not mean that heavy shoes are bad, though. If you do a lot of bumpy hiking, or you like to carry a heavy pack, you can have more confidence in cute shoes.
Best Lightweight Hiking Boots: Ultra Lone Peak 4.5, Saucony Peregrine 10, Vasque Breeze LT Low GTX Most Heavy-Duty Hiking Boots: Vasque Breeze on Low GTX
Durability and Material – One of the biggest benefits of shoes is that they provide a great balance of durability, weight, and comfort. If durability is more important to you than weight, then a hiking boot or shoe is a great option for you.
Most durable shoes: Salomon X Ultra 3 Low GTX, Vasc Breeze on Low GTX, and Oboz Firebrigade II Beaudry
Waterproof VS Non-Waterproof – Waterproof shoes can be a real lifesaver if you often hike in wet, slushy areas. We like to use them for day-long trips in the spring and fall. On the other hand, waterproof shoes do not breathe much on hot days, and when they get wet, they can be heavy and slow. Non-waterproof shoes are lighter and more breathable, and although they are susceptible to getting wet, they dry out fairly quickly.
Best Waterproof Hiking Shoes: Salomon X Ultra 3 Low GTX, Merrell Moab 2 WP Low, and Vasque Breeze LT Low GTX Best Non-Waterproof Shoes: Ultra Lone Peak 4.5, Saucony Peregret 10, HOKA One One SpeedGat 4, and Salomon XA Pro Pro 3d v8
Related Posts – TREKKING GUIDE | Trekking Shoes
Frequently Asked Questions About Trekking Shoes
Q. Which are the best men’s trekking shoes?
A – Below are the best trekking shoes
- Woodland Men’s Shoes
- Wildcraft Men’s RuNX TR Hugo Blue & Hiking Shoes
- Adidas Men’s Ax3 Ind Shoes
- Liberty Unisex Adult’s Hiking Shoes
- Furo Men’s Hiking Shoes
- Adidas Men’s Entry Hiker Ind Shoes
- Redchief Men’s Leather Hiking Footwear
- Salomon L40662000 Synthetic X Ultra 3 GTX Waterproof Hiking Shoes
- ADD GEAR CTR Anti-Skid Shoes
- Lee Cooper Men’s Camel and Hiking Boots
Q. Which are the best women’s trekking shoes?
A – Below are the best women’s shoes
- Merrell Women’s Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoes
- Adidas Outdoor Women’s Terrex AX3
- KEEN Targhee III Waterproof Trail Shoes
- Columbia Women’s Redmond Waterproof Trail Shoes
- The North Face Hedgehog Fastpack Gtx
- Ahnu Women’s Sugarpine Air Mesh Hiking Shoes
- Salomon Women’s X Ultra 3 GTX Hiking Shoes
Q. Which are the best Adidas trekking shoes?
A – Best Adidas Hiking Shoes
Adidas Terrex Eastrail GTX For Men.
Adidas Terrex Eastrail GTX For Women.
Adidas Terrex Eastrail Mid GTX For Men.
Adidas Terrex Eastrail Mid GTX For Women.
Adidas Terrex Swift R2 GTX For Men.
Adidas Terrex Swift R2 GTX For Women.
Adidas Terrex AX3 For Men.
Adidas Terrex AX3 For Women.
Q. Which are the best Woodland trekking shoes?
A – This shoe is too heavy, has poor grip, is very slippery on wet surfaces, extremely bad on black ice, however, it is good on fresh snow. However woodland boots are good for trekking in stony areas where there is little or no contact with water.
Q. Which are the best Decathlon trekking shoes?
Q. Which are the best waterproof trekking shoes?
A – Below are the best options
Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof.
Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Hiking Boot.
Timberland Mt.
Keen Voyageur Mid Hiking Boots.
Q. Which are the best trekking shoes Wildcraft?
A – Below are the best trekking Wildcraft shoes
- Wildcraft Men Navy Blue Shoes
- Wildcraft Men Grey & Black Volga Shoes
- Wildcraft Men Khaki Clivton Shoes
- Wildcraft Men Charcoal Grey Avic Plus Shoes
Q.Which are the best snow trekking shoes?
A – Best options of best snow trekking shoes are available on the below link
Q. Which are the best Nike trekking shoes?
A – Below are the best options
- Nike ACG Air Revaderchi Men’s Hiking Shoes
- Nike Men’s Lupinek Flyknit Shoes
- Nike Wildhorse 6
- Nike Air Zoom Terra Kiger 6
- Nike Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail Gore-Tex
