Best 10 Backpacking Boots Of 2024

We should always do our very best to protect our feet from harm or damage while backpacking. Hiking for a lot of miles while carrying a heavy backpack can be detrimental to our feet and legs. A good pair of backpacking boots can definitely help and deter lots of injuries to our feet. I have listed a few amazing backpacking boots that you should take a look at.  I am incredibly sure that you will be very happy with one of the boots that I have listed since the boots below are incredibly good, durable and provide lots of comfort.

Best Backpacking Boots – Quick Chart

How To Choose A Pair Of Backpacking Boots

Types Of Outdoor Footwear For Hiking The Trails

Day Hiking Boots

Day hiking boots are meant for day hikes and most day hikes are around 8 miles or less. These boots are typical boots that are not that heavy and not that light either. They have a high cut to protect the ankles and a lot of day hiking boots are waterproof as well. These are very comfortable and designed to handle rough terrain.

Backpacking Boots

Backpacking requires the user to hike more miles than usual. These backpacking boots tend to be more stiff and more durable than day hiking boots. These boots require a little bit of time to break in as a lot of their materials are very dense. They are also often more expensive than day hiking boots.

Mountaineering Boots

Mountaineering boots have very high cut. These boots are often insulated and have a lot of traction. They are often crampon compatible as well. These boots are very hard and durable. They require a lot of time to break in. They tend to be more expensive and have a lot of features meant for hiking in the snow.

Hiking Shoes

Hiking shoes are very light in weight. Some are meant for trail running purposes. These shoes are very comfortable to wear and have a lot of ventilation to let sweat evaporate. Unfortunately, these shoes are often not waterproof. They will let water in and not prevent it. If you are going to hike in the mud, rivers or any pool of water, be prepared for your feet to get wet.

Common Features People Are Looking For

Waterproof

There are lots of times when you are going to be crossing a river or a pool of water. Sometimes you do not have a choice, you will have to dip in your boots deep into the body of water. It is best if your boots are waterproof. This will keep your feet dry and protect it from getting wet. Waterproof boots are also great for rainy weather. They will protect your feet from rain and water.

Traction

There are many times in the trail where you have to do a little bit of bouldering. Sometimes, you may have to climb a little bit also. It is best that your boots have traction. Traction also helps prevent you from slipping and falling down. A good pair of boots will help you breeze through the trail a lot easier and faster.

Insulation

Mountaineering boots will often have insulation. They have to keep the feet warm especially when the environment is very cold. If the feet get cold or cold seeps into the insides of the boots, the feet may get frostbite in time. It is important to keep the feet warm by getting boots with insulation.

Crampon Compatible

A lot of mountaineering boots and backpacking boots will be crampon compatible. Crampons provide more traction and help people walk along a snowy terrain. Snow can melt and harden, forming slippery sheets of ice. Snow can harden as well. A good crampon will provide traction and allow the user to save some energy while walking on the snow.

Comfort

Comfort is very important. You are going to be hiking for miles and for hours. You want a comfortable item that will protect your feet. If you are not comfortable, you are going to get blisters and you may injure your feet. You may get wounds and you infect these wounds. Having comfortable footwear is very important.

Style / Color

The last thing you will think about will be style and color. I tend to like the darker colored ones but some people like their colors more flamboyant. This is really a matter of preference. You should get the color and style that you want. However, certain colors tend to cost more. Some are even $50+ more.

Price

The price of the boots is very important. It depends on how many times you are going to use the item. I hike all the time so I don’t mind paying for a high priced boots. However, if you are not hiking all the time, you are just hiking once a month, you can just a get a cheap pair of boots. You don’t need something expensive.

Backpacking Boots Upper Construction

Full Grain Leather

Full grain leather boots are very durable and resilient. These boots are often made for backpacking and mountaineering. The durability of full grain leather is amazing. The boots are often very stiff as the materials are very dense. You will have to spend a considerable amount of time to break in these boots before you can truly begin to use them.

Split Grain Leather

This material is very light in weight and offers a lot of breathability. The boot or shoe will often have nylon mesh to offer more breathability to the item. This material is not waterproof or water resistant at all. Companies will often add a layer on top to make the boots waterproof. This is called a waterproof membrane. This material is pretty durable and great for day hikers who hike during the weekends.

Nubuck Leather

Nubuck leather has the same benefits of a full grain leather but this material is more flexible. This is a buffed down version of full grain leather. This leather looks like suede. It offers amazing abrasion resistance and water resistance. This material is very popular but it is not as durable as full grain leather. More affordable though.

Synthetics

There are many different types of synthetic material. It is up to the designer or manufacturer what they would use. This material is often nylon, polyester, PU, synthetic leather or a blend of these materials. Synthetics are very cheap and they do not cost a lot which makes the boots more affordable. Synthetics are not good with water though and they will often absorb water than repel it. This material is lighter than leather, more flexible and easy to break in.

Waterproof Membranes

Waterproof membranes add a layer of fabric to the outer or top of other fabrics. This fabric will repel water or make the boots waterproof. These membranes are often created out of Gore-Tex of eVent fabric. They repel water while making the item breathable to let the sweat evaporate.

Hiking Boots Midsole

The midsoles are responsible for the cushioning, shock absorption and stability of the backpacking boots. There are different materials that can be used for the midsole.

Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)

This is a type of foam and very common in a lot of hiking sticks handle. The EVA midsoles are very common in a lot of running shoes. The softer the EVA, the more comfortable and more cushioning it provides. Soft EVA breaks down rather fast. The denser the EVA, the more support it provides and it will not break down easily also.

Polyurethane (PU)

Polyurethane provides a lot of support and lasts a lot longer than EVA foam. This material is very dense and very stiff which offers a lot of support to the boots. This material is rather heavy though and most of the time, they can be found in backpacking boots and mountaineering boots. This is a great material for a midsole if you are always carrying a lot of weight with you.

Plates

Plates provide a lot of protection against rocks, pebbles, roots, and uneven terrain. This is very common in a lot of trail hiking shoes which gives the shoes more protection. Plates are often made out of nylon or TPU.

Shanks

Shanks often protect the heel and arch of the foot. These are often 3-5mm inserts that stiffen the midsole. Shanks are often seen in trail running shoes and hiking shoes. They are often not see on backpacking shoes.

Insoles

Insoles are often made out of EVA, we at least, factory insoles are. They provide additional comfort and protection to the feet. You can remove your insoles and replace them with third party insoles that are much better. There are insoles that provide more comfort and protection to the feet but they do cost a lot.

Outsoles

The outsole of the boot is the part of the boot that makes contact with the ground and terrain. The outsole is often made out of some form of rubber with some sort of design. Different outsoles will have different densities. Each company designs their own outsole. The softer the rubber, the more traction the outsole will have but the rubber will break down a lot faster. Harder rubber will offer very little grip but they last longer.

Lugs or Cleats

If you look at soccer shoes and rugby shoes, they will often have teeth like rubber in the front. These are called lugs or cleats. Of course, these teeth can also be found at the back and everywhere on the outsole. They provide a lot of traction and allow the boots or shoes to shed mud easily.

Heel Brake

A raised heel zone is a heel brake. This feature provides unbelievable stopping power. They give people a lot of braking power especially if they are moving downhill. Not a lot of shoes or boots have this feature though.

Best Backpacking Boots

Here are some amazing backpacking boots that are very durable and comfortable. All product links are affiliate links.

1. Salomon Men’s X Ultra 3 Mid Gore-tex Hiking Boots

Technical Specs
Material: Textile / Nubuck Leather
Waterproof: GORE-TEX waterproof protection
Outsole: High Traction Contagrip® sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary: Material is high quality, 4D Advanced Chassis guides the foot, reduces fatigue, made out of high quality materials

Short Review: This pair of backpacking boots is outstanding and this has a lot of positive customer reviews. Comfort and the simple fact that this is well-built are some of the reasons why I love to highly recommend this to anyone. The person who designed this item did a fantastic job considering that this works extremely well. This is very light and very comfortable. I hiked for about 30+ miles with these boots and my feet felt fine. The usefulness this brings for hiking purposes is amazing which is why this has a lot of satisfied customers. This is among the highest quality items I know of and I know that you will love this also. I like that this is incredibly sturdy and very durable. Expect this pair of boots to last for a lot of years.

2. KEEN Men’s Targhee II Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot

Technical Specs
Material: Waterproof Nubuck Leather
Waterproof: Yes
Outsole: Rubber sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary: Very durable and made to last, Made in the USA, ghillie lacing for comfort, easy-on heel pull, padded tongue and collar

Short Review: Personally, I have tried and analyzed this pair of boots for hiking. One thing I notice is that the design is really good. The waterproof breathable membrane keeps your feet dry and comfortable all day long by allowing vapor out without letting water in. The all terrain rubber outsole provides high traction grip in muddy environments and on rocky surfaces. Non marking rubber outsoles leaves no trace or imprints when walking indoors. The volume of positive customer feedback that this item has is fantastic that you can find all the details you need just by going through them. It is easy to see that a lot of people are satisfied with this because this is very light which makes it perfect for the outdoors.

3. Asolo Men’s Fugitive GTX Hiking Boots

Technical Specs
Material: Suede and Cordura Gore-Tex Lining Duo
Waterproof: Yes
Outsole: Asolo Syncro Rubber Outsole
Traction: High
Feature Summary: Durable item for the outdoors, light, supportive hiking boots, revolutionary Duo Asoflex insole, fully gusseted tongue, breathable lining insert

Short Review: This pair of hiking boots is really inexpensive and it works well also. This is ideal choice for light hikers and trekkers who demand lightweight and comfort with a snappy design. This comes with duo Asoflex midsole in which two elements are melted together to improve comfort and performance. This features water resistant suede and Cordura® uppers and GORE-TEX® liners for waterproof yet breathable boots. The best part is that this item has a great deal of positive consumer reviews which suggest that lots of people have acquired this and they are very happy with their decision. This feels very comfortable. After a long hike, my feet feels fine and still ready to go. The traction is pretty good which is why this is perfect for the outdoors.

4. Lowa Men’s Camino GTX Hiking Boot

Technical Specs
Material: Leather and synthetic
Waterproof: GORE-TEX Waterproof Construction
Outsole: Synthetic sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary:  Supination-Pronation System, helps reduce or prevent over-pronation and supination, TPU support inlays

Short Review: One of the best pair of backpacking boots is this. This features supination-pronation system that helps reduce or prevent over-pronation and supination. This is constructed with GORE-TEX waterproof layer, TPU support inlays and X-Lacing with pressure-distributing tongue stud. This is one of the greatest that is available right now and I find this item to be very impressive. This is one of the finest that you can get on the web because this has an exceptional design. A great item that provides comfort to the feet. This is a very versatile item to have for hiking and this is very well constructed. I like that I can recommend items from this company due to the fact they generate incredible items and their consumer service is amazing.

5. Oboz Men’s Bridger BDRY Hiking boot

Technical Specs
Material: Leather
Waterproof: BDry waterproof membrane
Outsole: Rubber sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary: Trust worthy company, BDry waterproof membrane, nylon stability shank, EVA pods provide shock absorption and rebound

Short Review: If you’re searching for an amazing pair of backpacking boots then take a look at this. This features a proprietary insole that is molded to match the specific shape and construction, this purpose-designed technology delivers the kind of fit, feel and performance that’s unmatched in the industry. This also features nubuck full leather upper screams durability and protection and molded rubber toe cap that protects your toes from trail debris. This incredible item is one of the greatest that you can acquire at this time. This has a great quantity of positive consumer reviews which is why I have no doubt in recommending this item. I love that the company made this item very durable and very waterproof.

6. Vasque Men’s Breeze 2.0 Gore-Tex Waterproof Hiking Boot

Technical Specs
Material: Leather
Waterproof: Goretex waterproof
Outsole: Synthetic sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary: Company continues to amaze me with amazing items, now lighter, tougher, and more breathable, waterproof, athletically inspired

Short Review: I like this pair of backpacking boots. This is Vasque’s most breathable hiking boot with abrasion-resistant air mesh panels. This features GORE-TEX with Extended Comfort Technology for breathable waterproof protection. This is a great item for backpacking and for hiking purposes. I like that this is very waterproof as well. Resilient items such as this one will frequently mean that the item will last for several years. This is waterproof, comfortable and very durable. Hiking can be easier with this and this makes hiking a lot more fun.

7. Salewa Men’s ALP Trainer Mid GTX Alpine Trekking Boot

Technical Specs
Material: Leather
Waterproof: Yes
Outsole: Synthetic sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary: Lots of amazing items come from this company, breathable Gore-Tex liner, feet to stay comfortable, sole works well in a wide spectrum of mountain terrains

Short Review: If you get hold of this pair of boots for hiking, you may be surprised at how incredible this is. This features Vibram Hike Approach sole is both durable and versatile while it covers a wide spectrum of mountain terrain. This is constructed with GORE-TEX Extended Comfort lining for optimal waterproofing and breathability in moderate and warmer climate conditions. This also has 3F System for flexibility, fit and firm ankle and heel support. This is among the best items that can provide comfort to the feet while walking simply because of its remarkable design. This is very durable and feels very comfortable. A great pair of boots that works well for backpacking adventures.

8. Timberland Men’s White Ledge Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot

Technical Specs
Material: Waterproof leather
Waterproof: Yes
Sole: Rubber Sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary: Men hiking boots features waterproof leather and waterproof membrane construction, upper use soft suede leather material which is comfortable and durable, slip & abrasion resistant and flexible response to various outdoor terrain

Short Review: The top quality components used to create this pair of outdoor boots made it outstanding. This features a premium full-grain waterproof leather uppers, seam-sealed waterproof construction, and rustproof speed lace hardware with hooks at top for secure lacing. This is 100 percent leather and looks very beautiful. The price is also very reasonable. I am delighted I discovered this item. It can provide comfort to the feet while walking. I love the lightweight material this is created out of and this feels great on my feet. A great item to have if you love hiking and this is made out of high quality materials.

9. Merrell Men’s Moab Ventilator Mid Hiking Boot

Technical Specs
Material: Leather and Textile
Waterproof: Yes
Outsole: Synthetic sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary: Materials are very high quality, breathable mesh lining. Protective rubber toe cap, molded nylon arch shank, closed-cell foam tongue keeps moisture and debris out

Short Review: I absolutely love this pair of hiking boots due to the fact it is astonishing. Merrel makes pretty good and affordable hiking boots. This comes with kinetic fit advanced removable contoured insole with reinforced heel cushioning for medium support and features Merrell Air Cushion in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability. This also comes with lightweight EVA foam midsole for stability and comfort. The design of this item is attractive so if you ever need a superb design, you should look into this item. Having a great item like this is great for hiking and this has lots of positive customer testimonials. The traction is pretty good and protects the ankles rather well. Feels comfortable to use and I can hike miles with this item.

10. Hi-Tec Men’s Bandera Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot

Technical Specs
Material: Leather/Textile
Waterproof: Yes
Outsole: Rubber Sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary: High quality boots, suede overlays, striped nylon straps, and logo on tongue/heel, traction rubber cupsole

Short Review: I am promoting this pair of hiking boots due to the fact I am positive you will love it. This is a lace-up hiking boot featuring suede overlays, striped nylon straps, and logo on tongue and heel. This also features removable molded insole and traction rubber cupsole with steel shank for support and stability. The materials and the design are amazing. My feet feels so comfortable whenever I wear these boots. You don’t want to have a dreadful design or items that fall apart easily. I recommend this high quality item and will continue to recommend it for years to come. A great pair of boots that is created by a great company.