Best Hiking Shoes: Top 10 Choice For Comfort And Stability
With the hectic pace most of us live our lives at these days it is important to take time to get away from the rat race and clear the cobwebs from our minds and bodies. Getting out into the wilderness is good for both our mental and our physical health. Being present in nature can be relaxing, but it can also be frustrating if you don’t have the proper gear. One of the most important pieces of equipment is your hiking shoes. The best hiking shoes will provide protection and stability while also being comfortable and lightweight.
Determining the best hiking shoes for you depends on several factors—will you be hiking on steep terrain with loose gravel, or will you be making your way through muddy areas with patches of snow? Are you looking for insulation for cold climates or ventilation for hot days? With so many shoes on the market choosing the best hiking shoes can be mind-boggling. We’ve taken the guesswork out of your choice by reviewing the best hiking shoes available today. Read on to determine which choice is right for you.
Contents
BEST HIKING SHOES COMPARISON TABLE
PRODUCT FAQ
1. WHAT ARE HIKING SHOES?
2. HOW DO HIKING SHOES WORK?
3. WHERE CAN YOU BUY THE BEST HIKING SHOES?
HOW WE REVIEWED
The following products were reviewed based on the following parameters: features, pros & cons, price, where to buy, and warranty.
OVERALL PRICE RANGE OF THE BEST HIKING SHOES
Pricing for the best hiking shoes varies widely. Prices for the best hiking shoes reviewed in this article range from $ to $$. Shoes on the lower end of the price range tend to be made of lower quality materials while shoes on the higher end of the price range have patented technologies that provide stability, support, and comfort.
WHAT WE REVIEWED
- KEEN Men’s Targhee II Hiking Shoe
- Vasque Men’s Juxt Multi-Sport Shoe
- Oboz Men’s Sawtooth Low Bdry Hiking Shoe
- Salomon Men’s X Ultra 3 GTX Hiking Boot
- La Sportiva Men’s Wildcat Trail Running Shoe
- Salomon Women’s Ellipse GTX W-W
- The North Face Men’s Ultra 109 GTX Trail Runner
- KEEN Koven Low Hiking Shoe
- Adidas Outdoor Men’s Terrex Fast R GTX
- Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Vent Mid Hiking Boot
KEEN MEN’S TARGHEE II HIKING SHOE
FEATURES
The KEEN Men’s Targhee II hiking boot features a 100% leather upper that is waterproof yet allows feet to breathe. It has a rubber sole and a 2-inch heel. The boots have an easy-on heel pull and a torsion stability ESS shank. They have a padded tongue and collar, 4mm multi-directional lugs, and a hydrophobic mesh lining. The heel lock is contoured. The midsole is made of dual density compression molded EVA.
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for an affordable price.
pros
cons
VASQUE MEN’S JUXT MULTI-SPORT SHOE
FEATURES
This hiking boot is comfortable enough to wear every day to do anything and go anywhere. The Arc Temp arch creates an athletic fit for agility over challenging ground. The asymmetrical curve is great for higher arches and it puts your foot in a more powerful position during toe-off. The aggressive toe spring allows the user to clear obstacles at high speeds.
The tapered toe box provides adequate room without wasting space, and the medium volume heel fits a wide range of shapes. It is made with a durable suede leather upper and has a highly tunable lacing system. The Off The Grid sticky rubber outsole provides top traction on trails, bouldering, and more. They have a dual-density EVA footbed, a molded EVA midsole with a TPU plate for additional support.
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for an affordable price.
WARRANTY
One year.
pros
cons
OBOZ MEN’S SAWTOOTH LOW BDRY HIKING SHOE
FEATURES
These hiking shoes feature an O Fit insole that is designed to keep your foot in a neutral position. They have a high-density EVA sculpted arch for superior support. The deep heel cup maximizes stability and support. The EVA pods provide shock absorption and rebound. The top layer provides comfort and wicks moisture.
The midsole design delivers precise torsional stability and protection. The nylon shank offers support between the heel and forefoot. The dual-density EVA midsole provides support, balance, and cushion. The classic Obox outsole is built to be versatile, flexible, and supportive. The map molded in the bottom of the outsole features the Sawtooth mountain range. The B-DRY waterproofing system lets sweat escape while keeping moisture out.
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for an affordable price.
pros
cons
SALOMON MEN’S X ULTRA 3 GTX HIKING BOOT
FEATURES
These hiking shoes feature a textile and synthetic upper and a rubber sole. These shoes have been time-tested and refined over the years to produce an optimal fit. They are designed to work synergistically with the reinforced top arm that holds your foot comfortably in place, especially when going downhill. The advanced chassis is surrounded by foam cushioning for comfort and connects directly to the sole to stabilize your heel.
A more intense grip is achieved by the use of two different types of rubber strategically placed on the sole. The heel features a special patterned area to grab terrain aggressively, giving you more control.
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for an affordable price.
WARRANTY
Two years.
pros
cons
LA SPORTIVA MEN’S WILDCAT TRAIL RUNNING SHOE
FEATURES
This shoe is La Sportiva’s most cushioned trail running shoe. It performs best in moderate to technical terrain. The nylon molded flex transfer shank and a layer of LaSpEVA provide added shock absorption. The vented AirMesh uppers keep feet cool on hot days, control moisture, and prevent blisters without adding unnecessary weight.
The grippy FriXion AT sole with impact brake system and X-Axis provides traction and stability on slippery trails and uneven terrain. The aggressive outsole bites into the trail while the one-piece molded lacing harness maintains a snug fit. TPU transkinetic heel stabilizers and UreTech reinforcements provide extra support and stability.
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for an affordable price.
WARRANTY
Limited lifetime.
pros
cons
SALOMON WOMEN’S ELLIPSE GTX W-W
FEATURES
These women’s hiking shoes feature a full leather upper with a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane bootie that provides protection when walking in wet, muddy terrain. The low height allows for a superior range of movement. The asymmetrical Sensiflex enables the shoe to accommodate a larger range of foot shapes with a precise, comfortable fit. The abrasive resistance lining allows for excellent breathability and quick drying. The shoes have a protective heel cap, mudguard, and a protective synthetic toe cap.
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon foran affordable price.
WARRANTY
Two years.
pros
cons
THE NORTH FACE MEN’S ULTRA 109 GTX TRAIL RUNNER
FEATURES
This is an excellent all weather hiking shoe that will impress in both comfort and durability. They require minimal break-in time and they’re so light you’ll forget you have them on. The waterproofing is effective for shallow puddles and if they get wet in deeper water, the mesh on the upper portion allows them to dry out quickly. The rubber sole is responsive. The EVA midsole keeps feet stable on uneven terrain.
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for an affordable price.
WARRANTY
One year.
pros
cons
KEEN KOVEN LOW HIKING SHOE
FEATURES
These hiking shoes ensure a good fit with the secure fit lace capture system and the hook and loop strap. The cushioned EVA footbed features anti-odor protection. The upper is breathable mesh with stabilizing leather overlays. The padded tongue and collar have pull-on loops. The shoes have a durable, non-marking rubber outsole.
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for an affordable price.
WARRANTY
One year.
pros
cons
ADIDAS OUTDOOR MEN’S TERREX FAST R GTX
FEATURES
This light hiking shoe features protective weldings, a grippy Continental rubber outsole, pro-moderator support, and waterproof Gore-Tex and Adiprene+ cushioning. They have a neoprene collar for comfort and protection. They have a molded Ortholite sock-liner inlay. The midsole features full forefoot Adiprene+ for forefoot propulsion and efficiency. They feature an outdoor specific Formotion unit for enhanced motion control and downhill comfort.
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for an affordable price.
pros
cons
MERRELL MEN’S MOAB 2 VENT MID HIKING BOOT
FEATURES
This hiking shoe features a Vibram sole, a removable insole, a breathable mesh lining, and a protective rubber toe cap. The lugs are a rugged 5mm. The arch shank is molded nylon. The bellows, closed-cell foam tongue keeps moisture and debris at bay. The Merrell air cushion in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability. The shoes feature a Merrell M Select FIT.ECO+ blended EVA contoured footbed with added zonal arch and heel support. They have a performance suede leather and mesh upper.
PRICE
This product can be found on Amazon for an affordable price.
WARRANTY
Sixty days.
pros
cons
THE VERDICT
Based on our research we believe the best hiking shoes are the Oboz Men’s Sawtooth Low B-DRY Hiking Shoe. It has an O Fit insole that is designed to keep your foot in a neutral position. The nylon shank and dual-density EVA midsole deliver precise torsional stability, and the outsole is versatile and stable. It even has a map of the Sawtooth mountains in Idaho molded into the design! Whatever trail conditions you encounter, the Oboz Men’s Sawtooth Low B-DRY Hiking Shoe will deliver comfort and protection. Happy Hiking!
My articles appear in Marketing Edge Magazine, on Gizmogrind, and with various Medium publications. But one thing hasn’t changed in all of my life: no matter where I was or what I was doing. I’ve always loved to be outdoors.
A man needs nothing more than a good flannel shirt, a well-worn pair of jeans, and comfortable hiking boots. I don’t go for all the fancy luxury stuff. Suits are uncomfortable and shaving sucks.
