If you are looking at hiking 500 miles or even 5 miles, you need the best hiking boots for the job. Trust me, hiking in inadequate footwear is not a good idea!
I’ve been lucky enough to hike in some truly incredible places – from the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal and Jomalhari Basecamp in Bhutan to Mt. Roraima in Venezuela and Nanga Parbat in Pakistan.
Overall, I’ve spent hundreds of days hiking through the forests, rivers, and mountains of incredible landscapes. I pretty much live in my hiking shoes and have been buying the same make of hiking shoes, every year, for over a decade.
I wanted to put together the ultimate roundup of the top hiking boots so I spoke to not one hiking expert, not two hiking experts but our entire team of hikers who live, breathe and dream adventure. They gave me lots of insider tips on finding the best pairs of outdoor shoes and I am proud to share their thoughts with you.
Without further ado, let’s unleash the ultimate list of the best hiking boots to take trekking…
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Quick Answer: These are the Best Hiking Boots of 2024
- Lowa Renegade GTX Mid – Top Hiking Shoes for Men
- Mammut Ducan Mid GTX – Stylish Hiking Boots for Women
- Salomon Women’s X Ultra 4 Low – Hiking Shoes for Women
- Merrell Moab 3 – Best Budget Men’s Hiking Boots
- Salomon Cross Hike 2 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots – Best Budget Women’s Hiking Boot
- La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX – Best Waterproof Hiking Boots
- KEEN Terradora Flex Waterproof – Best Waterproof Hiking Boots for Women
Talking to Hikers About Their Favorite Boots
Pretty much every member of The Broke Backpacker team loves to hike. We have tried the whole gauntlet of hiking shoes over the years and this list is comprised of our favorites, including some exciting new boot models for 2024.
What we look for in a great hiking boot is pretty universal: lightweight, waterproof, comfortable, and crucially, not overly expensive.
Now let’s take a look at some of our top staff picks for 2024…
The Best Hiking Boots for Men
LADIES, worry not! We will cover our top hiking boot picks for women later in the article. If you’re looking for the top ten hiking boots, well, we’ve only gone and listed 12 for you lucky people!
Lowa Renegade Mid GTX
- > $255
- > Full ankle support
- > Waterproof
- > Comes in many colors
Salomon Quest 4 GORE-TEX
- > $230
- > Amazing stability and grip
- > Solid ankle support
- > Lightweight for being a boot
Merrell Moab 3
- > $170
- > Built for comfort
- > Water-resistant leather
- > Super lightweight
La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX
- > $239
- > Great Ventilation
- > La Sportiva makes great shit
- > Tough and light
KEEN Men’s Durand Mid Wide
- > $200
- > Amazing stability and grip
- > Solid ankle support
- > Fully waterproof
#1. Lowa Renegade Mid GTX
Best Overall Hiking Boots for Men
I used to be of the mindset that the lightest boot possible was best. While I still believe that to a degree, after years of hiking in the rugged mountains of Pakistan and other places where the terrain is rough and walking through the occasional light snow is possible, I am now a firm believer in the balance of lightweight and toughness offered by the Lowa Renegade.
Four pairs of these boots later – I am pleased to say that these walking boots have performed well in just about every test I have put them through, including a trek to K2 Base Camp and a recent 180 km hike of Madeira Island. They are not the lightest boots out there, but for supported hiking boots they achieve the balance most hikers are looking for which is why we’ve rated them as the best hiking boots for men in 2024.
Our testers gave these boots a good test drive and what they remarked was just how well-supported their ankles felt. The padding on the ankle supports was also reported to be super comfortable too. If you want more info then we did make a detailed Lowa Renegade GTX review.
Pros
- Full ankle support
- Waterproof
- Comes in many colors
Cons
- Seams can split after a year of heavy use
- Not very cheap
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Join REI Today!#2. Salomon Quest 4 GORE-TEX
Best Overall Hiking Boots for Men Runner Up
The Salomon Quest 4 GORE-TEX are some of the most awesome hiking boots on the market. While I personally prefer hiking shoes to hiking boots as shoes weigh less and take up less space in my pack, there are distinct advantages to using hiking boots instead of hiking shoes. Salomon are also one of the best hiking boot brands on the market too, so you’re going to be investing in quality gear.
If you are in the market for lightweight boots, there is no better option. Completely waterproof, the Salomon 4 GORE-TEX has technology created to eliminate fatigue and discomfort. The Salomon 4 GORE-TEX Quests off fantastic back support and are our pick for the greatest hiking boots of 2018. They aren’t cheap but they are the best boots on the market…
Our team loved these boots and one of their main complements was just how easy they were to break in. One team member remarked that they were comfortable straight from the off but after their first 15km hike, they felt just as good as their old pair. We’ve reviewed more Salomon boots in case you are interested.
Pros
- Amazing stability and grip
- Solid ankle support
- Fully waterproof
- Lightweight for being a boot
Cons
- Heavier than hiking shoes
- Mixed reviews on durability
#3. Merrell Moab 3
Best Budget Hiking Shoes for Men
Perfect for warm weather, the Merrell Moab 3 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a durable lightweight hiking shoe. Merrell Moab has made a name for its amazing ventilation, and its shoes are typically ready to hike directly out of the box.
Moab = mother of all boots, and whilst I personally prefer the Hedgehogs, the Merrell Moabs received continuous high praise from the hikers I interviewed for this review roundup.
I personally used the Moabs when I hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2015 and I got nearly 1000 miles out of one pair! One thing I noted was just how comfortable they were for those of us requiring a wider fit.
Pros
- Built for comfort
- Gore-tex waterproofing
- Super lightweight
Cons
- Lacks ankle support
- Mixed reviews on durability
#4. KEEN Targhee III
Best Budget Hiking Shoes for Men #2
It would be a disservice if I recommended a crappy boot that costs only $50. Truth be told, I am yet to find a truly excellent boot for under $100 (on sale) but these are up there when it comes to the best midweight hiking boots on a budget.
The new Keen Targhee 3 model is a solid option for those not wanting to splash out $200+ for a pair of hiking boots. There are cheaper options out there but the Targhee 3’s deliver the best value for what you get, whilst just threading the line to qualify as a budget boot, if our standard for a quality boot price is usually higher than $150. Comfortable, light, and capable of big adventure objectives, the new and improved Targhee series is a fine 3 season hiking shoe that will meet the needs of most people without totally breaking the bank.
After our Broke Backpacker crew gave these boots a run out one of the main compliments was their lightweight yet quality construction. If you don’t know already, we are big fans of travelling lightly so there are up there for contender for best backpacking hiking boots on the market.
Pros
- Great Value
- Solid padding
Cons
- Waterproofing not as good as Gore-Tex
- Durability is average
#5. La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX
Best Waterproof Hiking Shoes for Men
If you are hiking in wet climates and keeping your feet dry is a priority, then the La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX is one of the best options out there.
This Italian brand is one of the most respected names in the industry, and won’t steer you wrong. La Sportiva makes some of the best mountaineering footwear in the world, so it is no wonder that their hiking boots perform at a high level as well. The Nucleo High II GTX also perform well in warm climates; they breathe well while keeping water out. No boot can stoop the natural wetness that comes from sweating, but this boot gives your feet an excellent shot at reaching camp with the least amount of dampness possible.
After giving these boots a few good test hikes, one of the things that really stood out to us was the excellent traction on these bad boys. It shouldn’t really come as much of a surprise seeing as La Sportiva is known for its high-quality climbing shoes and are a brand I’m personally a big fan of.
Check out our epic review of the best men’s waterproof hiking boots.
Pros
- Great Ventilation
- La Sportiva makes great shit
- Tough and light
Cons
- Not great in snow
- Not very cheap
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#6. KEEN Men’s Durand Mid-Wide
Best Hiking Shoes for Wide Feet for Men
So, you’ve had the top 5 hiking boots but wait, there’s more!!
This is a wide-fit boot for men with wide feet – simple as that! The reviews are all pretty positive, so if your feet are a bit wider than the average person’s, you’ve found your boot-soul-mate. These boots will perform a bit like the Targhee boots listed above; a safe bet.
Made in America, KEEN boots are one of the best brands in the industry, and these boots are solid for 3-season hiking. Being wide-fitting boots it’s no wonder that our testers with Frodo feet (not naming any names!) found these boots super well-fitting, comfortable and offering great support.
Pros
- Amazing stability and grip
- Solid ankle support
- Fully waterproof
Cons
- Fit can feel tight on wide feet
- Limited color options
The Best Boots for Hiking for Women
Now let’s take a look at our best women’s hiking boots in 2024 for all you hiking women out there…
Salomon Women’s X Ultra 4 Low
- > $140
- > Waterproof/weather protected
- > Lightweight and breathable
- > Cradles snug to the foot
KEEN Targhee II
- > $155
- > Great for hiking
- > Solid ankle support
- > Fully waterproof
Oboz Women’s Sawtooth
- > $140
- > Super lightweight
- > Amazing stability and grip
- > Great for narrow feet
Salomon Cross Hike 2 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots
- > $190
- > Waterproof
- > Great Value
- > Great in mixed terrain
KEEN Women’s Terradora Flex Waterproof
- > Waterproof and lightweight
- > Great breathability for waterproof shoes
- > Stylin’!
Merrell Moab III
- > $140
- > Every size made in wide
- > Solid ankle support
- > Fully waterproof
Mammut Ducan Mid GTX
- > $209
- > Stylish outdoor boots
- > Comfy and supportive
- > Durable and resilient
#1. Salomon Women’s X Ultra 4 Low
Best Hiking Shoes for Women
These Salomon Women’s shoes are the cream of the crop when it comes to lightweight hiking shoes for ladies. These cool hiking boots have fantastic soles that keep your feet comfortable and blister-free when hiking many miles through jagged terrain.
Salomon hiking boots have a built-in arch that keeps your feet feeling great on all kinds of trails and terrain. These are the best hiking shoes for women at the moment, period and were the most popular shoes amongst the hikers I spoke to.
What our testers loved most about these shoes was how lightweight they were both on the feet and when packed in a bag. Being shoes rather than boots both keeps the weight down but also meant they took up less room in our packs too making them contenders for the best hiking boots for backpacking.
Pros
- Waterproof/weather protected
- Lightweight and breathable
- Cradles snug to the foot
Cons
- Little ankle support
#2. KEEN Targhee II
Top Hiking Boots for Women
Waterproof and offering great support, the KEEN Targhee II is our pick for the most awesome hiking boots for women in 2018. Made in the USA, KEEN is one of the most dependable boots brands in the industry, and the Targhee II is their flagship model for the ladies.
These boots are great for all-terrain, are affordable, and are very versatile. Are they the best hiking boots for 2024? Quite possibly!
So, for many women, bunions are an issue and for one of our testers that was, unfortunately, the case. But what they remarked was that often that causes issues when it comes to boots, but the KEEN Targhee II accommodated them well with no issues.
We did a full review of these boots; be sure to check it out!
Pros
- Great for hiking
- Solid ankle support
- Fully waterproof
Cons
- Heavy (but light for boots)
#3. Mammut Ducan GTX
Stylish Hiking Boots For Women
The Mammut Ducan High GTX boots are designed for agile hiking and are suitable for multi-day outings, trekking excursions, and fast-paced hikes in the mountains. They’re noted for being lightweight, weighing only 545 grams for size 8.5, and providing a good balance of stiffness and flexibility, which is essential for ankle support and sole flexibility.
Above all, the Mammut Ducan High GTX boots are highly regarded for their balance of lightweight construction, comfort, and durability. They’re suitable for a variety of hiking activities, from day hikes to more strenuous mountain excursions. The main critiques involve the potential for debris to get caught in the sole and questions about their suitability for heavy backpacking due to the flexibility of the sole.
Pros
- Really good looking boots
- Comfortable
- Excellent support
Cons
- Took some wearing in…
- High of the ground.
#4. Oboz Women’s Sawtooth
Best Cheap Hiking Shoes for Women #1
Simplicity is the key, and Oboz knocks this one out of the park. With patented soles and a great reputation, Oboz makes some of the lightest and best hiking shoes on the market.
The shoes have an impressive grip and are renowned for their durability so you can be sure it’s an investment worth the money as these hiking shoes should last for many an adventure!
Our testers remarked just how well these shoes fit, in fact, the exact quote was “fits like a glove”. They also noted how the fit meant the support and comfort they offered was excellent.
Pros
- Super lightweight
- Amazing stability and grip
- Great for narrow feet
Cons
- Narrow fit isn’t good for wide feet
- Not ideal for someone who needs ankle support
Now, you could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.
So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card! REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉
Buy on REI!#4. Salomon Cross Hike 2 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots
Best (almost) Budget Women’s Hiking Boot
Whilst these boots are not dirt cheap, they do deliver the kind of performance and value we have come to love from Saloman.
The Vaya Mid series delivers great ankle support and standard Gore_tex waterproof coating that can withstand a bit of rain and a romp through a shallow stream. If you don’t want to go all out for a pair of the Salaman X Ultra’s, then the Vaya Mid GTX boots are a fine option.
We also appreciate that these boots don’t just come in the standard “feminine” colors – ask most female hikers and they will tell you they are totally sick of teal, pinks, and purples!
We Love how flexible and mailable the material of these boots are It meant the break-in time was almost nothing and comfort levels were great. For me, these might just be the best hiking boots for women.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Great Value
- Great in mixed terrain
Cons
- Sizing can be tricky for wide feet
#5. KEEN Women’s Terradora Flex Waterproof
Best Waterproof Hiking Boots
Trust me, ladies love their KEENs. KEEN shoes are some of the best waterproof hiking shoes you can find on the market.
The women hikers I spoke to trailside raved about the arch support of this leather boot and also about what a lightweight walking boot they are while still giving higher ankle support. These are a phenomenal choice for anyone who needs waterproof hiking shoes.
Our team of testers really put these boots through their paces and ended up in some torrential downpours on more than one occasion. This might have ruined their trip in lesser shoes but they all remarked just how dry their feet stayed!
Pros
- Waterproof and lightweight
- Great breathability for waterproof shoes
- Stylin’!
Cons
- Mixed reviews on durability
#6. Merrell Moab III
Best Hiking Shoes for Wide Feet
The Merrell Mother of all Boots (Moab) hiking shoes are a fantastic pair of lightweight trail shoes for ladies who want tried and true performance, comfort and durability all in one tasty package.
If for some insane reason you are not going to have time to properly wear your shoes in before you hit the trail or start hiking up a mountain, go with Moab – these bad boy girls are ready to hike out of the box!
For those ladies out there with wider feet (no shaming here, those guys are better for balance afterall!) our team remarked how well they fit and how much more comfortable and accommodating these shoes are than others they’ve tried out.
Pros
- Every size made in wide
- Solid ankle support
- Fully waterproof
Cons
- Can be heavy
- Mixed reviews on durability
How to Find the Best Hiking Boots for you…
If you are new to hiking, you might be thinking to yourself ‘what’s the big deal, they’re just shoes, right?’
Wrongo.
If you are thinking of hiking, you have to understand that your feet are your life. Injuries are prevalent in hikers, and the ones with poor quality hiking boots are the first to suffer.
Photo: Chris Lininger
But what are the most important aspects of a hiking boot? What specs should you look at when considering which hiking boots you should buy?
Comfort
- Make sure the boot or shoe is a good fit
- This means making sure it fits the shape of YOUR foot
- Uncomfortable boots are the worst
- Wear the boot around the house so you can return it if it doesn’t work out
Breathability
- Feet sweat, especially when hiking in big bulky boots
- Shoes that breathe mean you are less likely to develop blisters
- Breathable shoes won’t smell as bad as quickly (but all shoes get smelly eventually)
- But breathable shoes have a tendency to NOT be waterproof
Weight
- As a rule of thumb, 1 lb of shoe = 5 lbs of strain on your back
- If you can, buy the most lightweight boots you can find
- Remember: you still have to carry around boots when you’re not wearing them
- Heavier boots are usually more specialized/durable
Traction
- Traction is produced by the outsoles, which are nearly always made of rubber
- Good traction prevents slippage and injury
- Traction will wear down over time
- Mountaineers may need additional traction i.e. crampons, spikes, etc
Waterproof
- Depending on where you go, this is either unnecessary or mandatory
- Remember that the more waterproof, the less breathability the shoe has
- Waterproof won’t keep your feet 100% dry…. but it does help
- Waterproof shoes become incredibly heavy when they do get wet, and take forever to dry
- We recommend going for a shoe that is somewhat waterproof or couple your hiking boots with a waterproof gaiter
Photo: Chris Lininger
Ankle Support
- If you have weak ankles, ankle support can be a lifesaver
- But ankle support = more weight
- If you are in decent shape, it’s worth considering ditching the boots and going with super-light trail shoes instead
How to get happy feet!
Pro tip – buy your hiking boots a few months in advance to break them in on local trails in your neighborhood! If you don’t have much time for a full on break in period, then wear the shoes around your home as much as you possibly can!
Remember when your new walking boots come in the mail, try them on at the end of the day. Your feet should be slightly swollen after a long day at work and your tired feet at this time of the day will be similar to your feet after hiking miles on the trail.
I love buying my trekking boots from Amazon because when you get them in the mail, even if you do a few practice hikes in them if you have hiker’s feet just can’t get used to your new lightweight walking boots, you can always send them back and try a different brand!
One important thing to know about buying the best mountaineering boots on the market today is everyone has different feet, different arches, and different hot spots.
There is seriously no best outdoor boots brand for everyone because all of our feet are so different! Luckily there are so many great boots out there and some of them are really not too expensive!
When I am seriously searching for the best outdoor boots on the market I visit stores like REI to try on different brands and get a feel for how the different brands feel on my particular foot.
How and Where We Tested To Find The Best Hiking Boots
In order to put these boots through their paces, we got our hands (or feet?) on all of them and took them out for a test drive (well, a test walk, you get the idea!). In order to truly test each pair out, our people walked at least 5km in them before coming to a conclusion on each pair.
In terms of where we tested them, our team is based all over the globe so, between us, we’ve tested them out in pretty much every environment possible, from beach hikes to mountain passes and urban adventures, we’ve done it all!
Comfort and Support
A great man once said, “you never truly know a pair of shoes until you’ve walked a kilometre in them” or some shizz like that!? Basically, trying on a pair of shoes in the shop is one thing, but seeing how they actually perform out in the field is a completely different matter.
Breathability and Waterproofing
While testing these boots out we paid close attention to how well they kept out any sort of moisture from dew to rain. At the same time, we also needed to test them for how well they breathed too. Any pair found leaking excessively was banished from our list and any pairs that ended up too sweaty for comfort were knocked down valuable boot points!
Weight
For this test, we paid attention both to how heavy they felt to wear as well as how they felt when thrown inside your backpack. Naturally, some boots just have to be heavy but the question is whether they felt acceptable heavy in relation to their intended use.
Traction
One of the most important elements of hiking footwear is how well they grip the surface you’re on. This is something you can only really experience for yourself by putting a pair on and getting out in them on different terrain to get a feel for how they perform.
Quality and Durability
When we looked at these boots we paid close attention to things like what materials they were constructed from, the sewing quality of the seems and how well glued the soles and eyelets are. Obviously, to really test out how durable a pair of hiking shoes are you’ll need to own them for at least a few months and take them on a good few trips.
| Name | Price (USD) | Waterproof (Yes/No) | Upper Material | Weight (lbs,oz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowa Renegade Mid GTX | 245 | Yes | Nubuck leather/Cordura nylon | 2 lbs. 7 oz. |
| Salomon Quest 4 GORE-TEX | 230 | Yes | leather/textile | 2 lbs. 14.4 oz. |
| Merrell Moab 3 | 170 | Yes | Leather/mesh | 2 lbs. 3 oz. |
| KEEN Targhee III | 174.95 | Yes | Oiled nubuck leather | 2 lbs. 2.8 oz. |
| La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX | 229 | Yes | Nubuck leather | 2 lbs. 1 oz. |
| KEEN Men’s Durand Mid Wide | 209.95 | Yes | Waterproof nubuck leather | 2 lbs. 12.2 oz. |
| Salomon Women’s X Ultra 4 Low | 140 | Yes | Synthetic/textile | 1 lb. 6.4 oz |
| KEEN Targhee II | 164.95 | Yes | Nubuck leather/nylon mesh/webbing | 1 lb. 14 oz. |
| Oboz Women’s Sawtooth | 135 | Yes | Oiled Nubuck leather/CORDURA fabric mesh | 1 lb. 11.2 oz. |
| Salomon Cross Hike 2 Mid Hiking Boots | 190 | Yes | Synthetic textile | 1 lb. 9.4 oz. |
| KEEN Women’s Terradora Flex Waterproof | 160 | Yes | Performance mesh/TPU overlays | Unavailable |
| Merrell Moab III | 140 | Yes | Pigskin leather/mesh | 1 lb. 11 oz. |
FAQ about the Best Hiking Boots
Still have some questions? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:
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Final Thoughts on The Best Hiking Boots
Regardless of whether you are hiking in the USA, Nepal, Venezuela, Pakistan or Thailand… you need decent footwear.
I wholeheartedly recommend trying out several types of hiking shoes and books until you find the one that works best for you – as I did with my beloved Lowa Renedage Mid Gtx – once you find your soul-shoe, there’s no going back… I will say that anything we have tested by KEEN is also a good bet.
Take a look at our comparison table below for our top picks for the best hiking shoes and boots of 2024.
If you don’t have the absolute best boots for hiking then you are going to have sore and bloody feet and be in utter misery. Investing in the right pair of hiking shoes is one of the smartest decisions you can make before starting out for a summer of hiking so do yourself a favor and go try on some boots…
Happy hiking friends! (PS, also check out our best travel shoes review!)
Is there a pair of boots that you absolutely adore? Did we forget to mention them? Leave a comment below and we’ll check them out!
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