You can't head out on the trail without a good pair of hiking shoes, but it can be hard to know where to start when you're shopping for them. Check out this list of our experts' most recommended hiking shoes, and don't forget to talk to a Camping & Hiking expert to find the perfect hiking shoes for you.
- Salewa Women's Mountain Trainer Lite Mid GORE-TEX® Shoes
- Salewa Men's Mountain Trainer Lite Mid GORE-TEX® Shoes
- COLUMBIA - NEWTON RIDGE PLUS II WTPF M - 9.5 - WIDE - Cordovan Squas
- Salewa Men's Mountain Trainer Lite Shoes
- Salewa Women's Mountain Trainer Lite Shoes
- KEEN - PYRENEES MENS - 13 - Syrup
- Salewa Women's Mountain Trainer Lite GORE-TEX® Shoes
- Salewa Women's Dropline Hiking Shoes in Field Green/Fluorescent Coral, Size 7
- Salewa Men's Wildfire Edge Shoes
- Mens Durand II Mid WP
Salewa Women's Mountain Trainer Lite Mid GORE-TEX® Shoes
This shoe is the most recommended women's hiking shoe of 2021, and for good reason. It's at a great price and has a comparable weight to a trail runner, making it great for keeping things light!
Providing ankle support for backpacking and long hikes with comparable weight to a trail runner.
Waterproof and breathable, built for comfort and support during long hikes.
Salewa Men's Mountain Trainer Lite Mid GORE-TEX® Shoes
Great for moving fast in the mountains, while being supported. It's constructed of lightweight, but strong materials to transform you into a mountain goat!
Great, fully supportive synthetic design with a GORE-TEX liner - fully waterproof and highly supportive.
COLUMBIA - NEWTON RIDGE PLUS II WTPF M - 9.5 - WIDE - Cordovan Squas
A mid hiking boot with full-grain leather that offers improved water resistance and abrasion resistance for protection in rugged terrain. These boots have a weight of 1.9 lbs and offer a semi-breathable membrane. Great for longer trips, rugged terrain, or heavier loads.
A mid-ankle boot with water resistance. Columbia boots tend to be very comfortable. This pair has great traction and is very affordable.
Salewa Men's Mountain Trainer Lite Shoes
The stiffer nylon makes this more support while hiking on uneven rocks and roots. Rubber toe to keep them from getting banged up on rocks. Good protection.
Salewa Women's Mountain Trainer Lite Shoes
This is a sturdy hiking shoe that is on the stiffer side, perfect for someone moving from a boot to a shoe or someone who just likes a supportive, burly trail shoe. Capable of off trail travel and rugged, rocky, wet terrain; it's especially lightweight for the support it provides. It has POMOCA rubber outsole, the same rubber trusted by many expert alpinists and ski mountaineers on their boots and ski skins. A Gore-Tex waterproof membrane makes for unrivaled waterproof comfort while still allowing excellent breathability.
KEEN - PYRENEES MENS - 13 - Syrup
Designed for longer backpacking trips in mind, comfort is at the forefront of the Pyrenees. Dual density compression molded EVA midsole is going to keep your feet from fatiguing over the course of putting miles behind you. 4mm multi directional lugs on the outsole give you optimal traction when the terrain gets a bit more variable. As well as KEEN.DRY waterproof breathable membrane and waterproof nubuck leather upper, you'll be dry and comfy throughout your excursions!
A blend of all-leather construction with waterproofing durability. A classic boot built for long distances.
Salewa Women's Mountain Trainer Lite GORE-TEX® Shoes
Rubber toe cap increase durability, heel stabilizer supports the heel on unstable terrain with high wear-resistant fabric including Gore-Tex technology, offering the ultimate in waterproofing for unpredictable wet weather days or stream crossings.
Salewa Women's Dropline Hiking Shoes in Field Green/Fluorescent Coral, Size 7
This is a great show for everything from fast approaches to longer day hikes. The extra cushion is forgiving and they will keep your feet dry if you encounter rain or wet conditions.
This is a great trail runner/backpacking shoe. Cushy sole, forgiving tread and and an easy on/off quick lace system.
Its water resistant, breathable, and light to keep you covering ground.
Salewa Men's Wildfire Edge Shoes
Trail running style performance from a stiff and capable shoe with precise lacing system and fit for staying light and no nonsense on the trail.
Mens Durand II Mid WP
A tough and dependable waterproof hiking boot. This boot provides arch support and cradles the natural contours of the foot for ultimate comfort. They are waterproof and feature eco anti-odour to keep them fresh!
Salewa Men's Alp Trainer 2 Mid GORE-TEX® Shoes
The Alp Trainer 2 Mid's are equipped with a GORE-TEX Extended Comfort membrane providing more longevity out of the waterproof and breathable upper. Salewa's Multi Fit Footbed Plus features interchangeable layers to fine tune fit and volume! An improved Vibram Alpine Hiking outsole is exclusive to Salewa, and boasts unparalleled traction in virtually any conditions when out on the trail.
La Sportiva Men's TX4
Well-rounded shoe for backpacking, daily wear, trail running etc.
Salewa Men's Mountain Trainer Lite GORE-TEX® Shoes
Great for hikes of any length, these waterproof, durable hiking shoes are super lightweight at just 15oz! The light weight of these shoes makes them super comfortable for long days, and the EVA midsole provides cushioning and support.
Gore-Tex waterproofing tech, durable material for trail running, and great grip for any surface. These trail runners can handle any conditions, and their light weight makes them perfect for long days.
MERRELL - FORESTBOUND MID WP MENS - 11 - Cloudy
Designed with comfort at the forefront of this endurance-ready boot, the removable contoured insole gives you a ton of flexibility and support along with the molded nylon arch shank. This boot features a lightweight EVA foam midsole to keep weight down while keeping support and comfort high. Merrell's sticky rubber outsole has adaptable traction with 5mm lugs to ensure that even the most technical terrain can't stand in your way.
ALTRA - TUSHAR BOOT WMNS - 7 - Black/Purple
These mid ankle hiking boots offer increased flexibility and performance. They are both waterproof and breathable with an outsole that provides great traction on terrain in any environment. Designed for comfort and performance.
TECNICA - PLASMA MID S GTX MENS - 9 - Dk Piedra-Fh Lava
This high performance boots feature Vibram Megagrip soles for incredible traction, bombproof Gore-tex waterproofing, and a breathable synthetic fabric. The mid-cut also provides a moderate level of ankle support.
Salewa Women's Alp Trainer 2 Mid GORE-TEX® Shoes
Waterproof with a Gore-Tex membrane, your feet will stay nice and dry when that unexpected rain comes in. Customizable multi-fit footbed adapts to your feet, making these an extremely comfy option for you! Weighing in at 2lbs 2oz, these are not bulky at all, and still provide ankle support with their mid-height, plenty of traction with their Vibram outsole, and comfort and stability with EVA midsoles.
With a waterproof membrane, aggressive tread, biting heel, and tall height, these boots will be super durable and supportive for the trickiest of terrain and biggest adventures.
Curated Experts don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews. All of their opinions are their own and unbiased. Want to learn more about our experts? Check out the video or view some of their profiles to learn more!
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