Best 10 Hiking Shoes Of 2024

It is important to have proper footwear whenever you are hiking. Lots of injuries happen to the legs and foot whenever a person hikes. Most of my injuries are often foot related whenever I hike for multiple days. I highly recommend at least getting a decent pair of hiking shoes. Hiking shoes are designed to protect the feet from rough terrain. I am recommending a few hiking shoes that I know to be amazing. I imagine that you’re going to be happy with one of the shoes below because all of the are very high quality.

Best Hiking Shoes – Quick Chart

How To Choose A Pair Of Outdoor Shoes

Types Of Outdoor Shoes

Hiking Shoes

The standard hiking shoes are often used for day hikes. These shoes are often lightweight, have holes on the front for air to get in and out of. These provide amazing ventilation to the feet but these shoes are not waterproof. These shoes are great for hikes that are around 8 miles or less.

Trail Running Shoes

Trail running shoes are meant for hikers that run the trails. These shoes are very durable and will often cost more than ordinary hiking shoes. These shoes will often have a balance between durability and cushioning. These shoes are meant to protect the user from uneven terrain while also being very durable and resisting wear and tear.

Running Shoes

Running shoes are meant for flat terrain. They will often not have the same traction as hiking shoes. Running shoes do not provide protection from pebbles and uneven terrain when compared to hiking shoes. These are very light and often lighter than hiking shoes.

Hiking Boots

There are many different kinds of hiking boots. There are day hiking boots, backpacking boots, mountaineering boots and so on. Heavier and more durable boots are meant for mountaineering and backpacking. These boots will often have more traction when compared to ordinary work boots.

Things To Consider

Durability

It is important that the hiking shoes that we get are very durable. Not all shoes are made the same. I remember bringing my normal shoes to hiking. My shoes were pretty durable and I use them all the time. But after one hike, they broke. So make sure that the item that you are getting is very durable. This will save you a lot of money and headache in the long run.

Weight

The weight of the hiking shoes are also very important. The more weight that we carry, the more fatigue we are going to get. We are just not going to have a lot of fun if we are too tired. We need energy to enjoy ourselves. The lighter the shoes, the easier it is for us to move. We want to be able to move easily. It is for this reason that we need to get shoes that work well.

Comfort

The more comfortable we feel, the better it is for us. Comfortable shoes will allow us to walk lots of miles and have fun walking. If we do not feel comfortable, then we will most likely not going to have fun. We are going to be using our feet for hours. If our feet are not comfortable, we will not be comfortable. It is important that we get shoes that fit perfectly for us that provide lots of comfort.

Waterproof

We will come across rain, rivers, mud and other types of terrain. It is important that the shoes that we have are waterproof. Waterproof shoes will allow our feet to stay comfortable even on the nastiest terrain and weather. The more comfortable we feel, the more willing we will be to hiking more miles. It is important that the shoes we are thinking of getting to be somewhat water resistant.

Traction

Traction is also one of the most important things we need to consider. We can injure ourselves if our shoes do not have traction. The more traction we get, the better and safer we will be. You will end up climbing and ascending through lots of terrain. Shoes that have lots of traction can prevent slips, falls and accidents.

Hiking Shoes Upper Construction

Full Grain Leather

Full grain leather upper construction are often found in a lot of boots. There are hardly any shoes that have full grain leather because this is very stiff and very dense. This has waterproof capabilities and very beautiful. However, full grain leather is very heavy so it is not a good material for hiking shoes.

Split Grain Leather

Split grain leather can be used to create the upper part of the hiking shoes. This is very lightweight and offers a lot of breathability. The shoes will often have a mesh nylon to offer more ventilation. Most shoes made with this material are not waterproof. If the company wants to make the shoes waterproof, they will have to add another membrane or another layer to this material. Great material for day hikers or people that love to go hiking during the weekends.

Nubuck Leather

This material is very flexible and will often have the same benefits as full grain leather. This leather resembles suede. This is very durable and offers amazing resistance to abrasion. This material offers waterproof or water resistance capabilities as well. Not as durable as full grain leather though. I don’t see a lot of hiking shoes made with this material. This is more common with hiking boots.

Synthetics

Synthetic can be anything. This can be nylon, polyester, synthetic leather, PU and so on. Synthetic is very commonly found in a lot of shoes because synthetic materials tend to be very cheap and easily produced. The downside with synthetics is that they are not very water resistant or waterproof when compared to leather. The good news is that synthetics are very light in weight, and very flexible which makes them ideal for hiking shoes.

Waterproof Membranes

These are often additional layers added to the top of the fabric to make the fabric waterproof or water resistant. There are many ways to do this. The popular ways that companies do this is they create a fabric layer that is made out of Gore-Tex, eVent, and so on. These membranes repel water very well while allowing the item to breathe and evaporate sweat.

Hiking Shoes 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)

EVA foam is very common and a lot of hiking gear uses this foam. EVA midsoles are very common too and a lot of hiking shoes and running shoes use EVA midsoles. 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)

This material is more durable and lasts a lot longer than EVA foam. Polyurethane provides a lot of support to the user and this is more common in boots than shoes. Polyurethane is heavier than EVA and often found in a lot of backpacking and mountaineering boots. If you are carrying a lot of weight whenever you go hiking then this is a good midsole to have.

Plates

This provides a lot of protection to the user. This protects against pebbles, rocks, and uneven terrain. You will often find plates in a lot of trail running shoes and this gives those 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.

Hiking Shoes Insoles

Insoles are often made out of EVA, we at least, factory insoles are. Insoles provide support, comfort and protection to the user’s feet. You can replace the factory insoles and get a third party insole to give yourself more comfort and protection. However, you will end up paying more money for this type of extra comfort.

Hiking Shoes Outsoles

The part of the shoes that comes into contact with the terrain or ground is called the outsole. This part of the shoe is often made in some form of rubber. Each company will create their own pattern and design for the outsole. Outsoles vary in density and thickness. 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

Cleats are teeth like structures in the front of the shoes. People who play sport soccer or rugby will often wear shoes with cleats to give themselves more traction. Cleats can be found in the back, front or everywhere on the outsole of a shoe. They provide a lot of traction and allow the boots or shoes to shed mud easily.

Heel Brake

Heel brakes provide amazing stopping power to the user. This is often a raised heel zone. Great feature for people who often find themselves running downhill or hiking downwards. Not a lot of shoes or boots have this feature though.

Best Hiking Shoes

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1. Salomon Men’s Speedcross 4 Trail Running Shoes

Technical Specs
Material: Synthetic
Waterproof: No
Sole: Rubber sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary:  Obvious and penetrating traction on soft ground, close to foot and comfortable feel, aggressive grip, precise foothold, lightweight protection

Short Review: This pair of hiking shoes is impressive and I really like it. Salomon is an amazing company and they create amazing shoes and boots for the outdoors. This one is meant for trail running. If you love to run on the trails then this is a good item. It has a lot of traction for those steep inclines and declines. It is pretty balanced and stable also so the body has less chance of falling or getting into an accident. I like this item that I highly recommend due to the fact this is very durable. Amazing shoe for hiking. I like this company, and I have a couple of other footwear from them. This just makes the outdoors a lot easier and this is very high quality as well. If you want a version of this that is waterproof then you can try the GoreTex version.

2. Vibram Five Fingers Men’s KSO Trek Trail Hiking Black Shoe

Technical Specs
Material: Polyester and Spandex
Waterproof: No
Sole: Rubber sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary: Spyridon mr/elite running shoes, Vibram 3d cocoon technology molded into the sole, multi-directional lug design outsole for grip in all directions, rock-stopping protection

Short Review: If you are looking for an extraordinary shoe for the outdoors you will want to check out this. Barefoot hiking has been getting popular lately and for people who want to experience barefoot then this is a good step towards it. The padding at the bottom is very minimal but this shoe  provides a lot of traction. The design is pretty important simply because it plays a huge role on how the item will look and how well it will function. The design for this is very innovative however, it is not for everyone.

3. KEEN Men’s Targhee II Hiking Shoe

Technical Specs
Material: Leather
Waterproof: Yes
Sole: Rubber sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary: Sleek and amazing design, provides a lot of traction and protection to the feet, stylish and great footwear for uneven terrain

Short Review: This is certainly one of the best hiking shoes that I am aware of. This is very comfortable on the feet and this is also waterproof.  So if the terrain is going to be muddy, watery or if you are expecting rainy weather then this is a good item to have. Having a great item like this is great for hiking and other outdoor activities and this has lots of positive customer testimonials. The design and material of this is amazing and it is one good reason I recommend it. Lightweight footwear like this one are great for trail running and hiking.

4. Merrell Men’s Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoe

Technical Specs
Material: Leather/Mesh
Waterproof: No
Sole: Vibram sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary: Company is very trust worthy, water-resistant leather and mesh upper featuring rubber toe bumper and heel counter, air cushion midsole and Vibram Multi-Sport TC5+ rubber outsole

Short Review: You’ll want to look at this pair of shoes for hiking before this is sold out. This footwear is one of the best that is on the market at this time and it has an exceptionally low price. Merrell is an amazing company that makes a lot of shoe related items. This is very good and provides a lot of protection. This is a wonderful item and the price is pretty decent. This incredible footwear will give numerous years of usefulness. This is fantastic! This has a lot of functionality and the construction is very good.

5. Vasque Men’s Mantra 2.0 Gore-Tex Hiking Boot

Technical Specs
Material: Leather and textile
Waterproof: Yes
Sole: Vibram sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary: GORE-TEX with Extended Comfort Technology for breathable waterproof protection, Nubuck leather upper with abrasion resistant mesh for breathability and durability, lightweight polyurethane midsole delivers backpacking boot level stability

Short Review: This pair of hiking shoes that you are going to look at is really good. The usefulness this brings for outdoor purposes is amazing and this makes hiking more fun. This is very comfortable to wear and the material is very durable as well. This is made out of GoreTex which means that it is going to be waterproof. A great pair of shoes to have for hiking and for backpacking trips. If you are hiking for a lot of miles then this is a good item as well as it is lightweight and it will protect the feet from harm.

6. New Balance Men’s 510v3 Trail Running Shoe

Technical Specs
Material: Leather/mesh upper
Waterproof: No
Sole: Rubber sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary: Injection molded eva midsole, nb ultra soft comfort insert, at tread outsole. Pu sock liner, unique and versatile New Balance lifestyle shoe

Short Review: This is an amazing pair of hiking shoes. I like making use of this footwear and this is pretty extraordinary. This is extremely durable. This is another amazing trail running shoes that works very well. The materials are also very durable so expect this to lasts for many years to come. The customer feedback were correct, this is one of the best. This just makes the hiking a lot easier and a lot more fun. I like that this is accurately what I expected, an extremely good pair of hiking shoes.

7. Salomon Men’s X Ultra 3 Wide GTX Hiking

Technical Specs
Material: Synthetic
Waterproof: Yes
Sole: Rubber sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary: lightweight precision and foothold you need for technical ascents and descents, shoe hugs your feet comfortably, utilizing Descent Control Technology

Short Review: This pair of backpacking shoes is one of the best that I have ever tried. This is exactly what I hoped this would be. Very stylish while providing a lot of protection and comfort. This is one of the best that you can obtain on the internet and I know that you will really like making use of this. Another item from Salomon that I would like to list. This one is waterproof since it is made out of GoreTex. This superb company created another incredible item and I know they will keep creating more unbelievable items in the future.

8. Columbia Men’s Crestwood Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot Shoe

Technical Specs
Material: Full-grain leather
Waterproof: Yes
Sole: Rubber sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary: Lightweight, durable midsole for long lasting comfort, superior cushioning, comfortable and worry-free with this boot’s waterproof full-grain leather

Short Review: A very important factor I realize without a doubt is that this hiking shoe is really excellent. The design made this very light. If you would like sturdy items, then you should try this. Great item for hiking and for backpacking trips. So far, this has been one of the finest I have ever owned. We are constantly searching for low-priced items like this. I highly recommend this mainly because this is extremely durable and very comfortable. This footwear has lots of positive customer feedback which should help people understand what this item is capable of by reading other people’s experiences.

9. Merrell Men’s Chameleon Prime Stretch Hiking Shoe

Technical Specs
Material: Leather and Mesh
Waterproof:
Sole: Rubber sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary: Durable hiking shoe featuring stretchy topline and bungee laces for ideal fit, athletic hiking shoe streamlines its fit and trims the fat to prime your engine for fast-paced trail missions, quick and secure cinching stretch closure feels snug

Short Review: This pair of shoes for hiking may be one of the very best things that you have ever get. Another pair of shoes from Merrell that I would like to recommend. The company is awesome with a lot of awesome footwear. It is easier and a lot more fun to have this for hiking which is why I highly recommend this. Wow! I was ready to be not impressed with this one but I completely love it. This works well. Having a great footwear like this is great if you love the outdoors. The cushioning on this is amazing. It feels really comfortable and gives that snug feet feeling.

10. adidas Outdoor Men’s Terrex Ax3 Beta Cw Hiking Boot

Technical Specs
Material: 100% Textile Synthetics
Waterproof: No
Sole: Rubber sole
Traction: High
Feature Summary: Men’s versatile, lightweight hiking shoes, synthetic upper for breathability and support, EVA midsole for lightweight cushioning, continental Rubber outsole for extraordinary traction in wet and dry conditions

Short Review: This outdoor shoe is exceptional and I like it. This hiking shoe is good to have and this provides lots of benefits. This is pretty simple to use and this works well. We frequently consider the selling price before we finally buy anything online. This has a low price tag. The material is very lightweight which is why this is good for hiking and trail running. This high quality item will absolutely impress you. This is a fantastic item which I highly recommend.