Top 10 Hiking Shoes

Lately, more hikers are moving from heavy boots to low cut shoes. While these models don’t offer as much ankle protection as boots do, they offer a lot of advantages. These models are lightweight, which means you can walk faster and lighter. Also, they are great for travel because they take up less space in your backpack. In addition, they feature advanced technologies to provide great water resistance, breathability, and grip.

Today, I’ll review the year’s top 10 hiking shoes for men and women. In addition, I’ll explain the main characteristics to take into account to find the model that best suits your needs.

Take a look at other hiking guides to find the best boots, jackets, trail runners, and GPS watches.

THE 10 THRU-HIKING SHOES

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THE SPORTIVA SPIRE GTX

The Sportiva Spire GTX offers one of the best tractions on the list, on both dry and wet terrain. Because of the super lightweight design, they are not as strong and durable as other models. However, they have a fantastic overall performance. The breathable Gore-Tex membrane keeps your feet dry, which makes the Sportiva Spire a great option for both winter and summer.

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SALOMON X ULTRA 3 GTX

The Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX stands out for several reasons: It has a nice design, is comfortable and lightweight, offers great traction, has a great on-trail performance, and is available for an affordable price. This model is designed for all types of terrain and climates. The Quicklace lacing system is really helpful and easy to use. At first, it feels a bit funny, but once you get used to it, it’s really cool. This is, without a doubt, one of the best models of the year.

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MERREL MOAB 2 VENTILATOR

The Merrel Moab 2 is a good option for less-demanding routes. If you are hiking on difficult terrain where rain is likely, these are not the best option. Why are they so popular, then? Because they have a very comfortable design, great breathability, and one of the best prices on the list.

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ALTRA LONE PEAK 4.5

The Altra Lone Peak 4.5 is the perfect choice for minimal hikers and trail runners. This model stands out for its super light weight and “Trailclaw” outsole, which provides great traction. They are not waterproof. If you like to go fast, this could be your model.

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LA SPORTIVA TX4

The Sportiva TX4 is designed for experienced hikers who like difficult terrain. It features reinforced laterals for extra protection. The reinforced tip has a special design to help you climb over rock walls. This model is perfect for adventurous hikers and climbers, though it is not waterproof. If you need that, you can find the GTX waterproof version here.

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ADIDAS TERREX SWIFT R2 GTX

The Adidas Terrex Swift R2 GTX is a great choice for hiking in humid places. Its comfortable design allows you to go fast on almost any kind of trail. This model is breathable, waterproof, and durable. It has excellent features and a beautiful design.

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THE NORTH FACE HEDGEHOG FASTPACK GTX

The North Face Hedgehog Fastpack GTX is designed for trails of moderate difficulty. They are very comfortable to wear, providing good foot support and traction. You can use them throughout the year, as they are waterproof and breathable. Plus, they are available for a great price.

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KEEN TARGHEE III

The Keen Targhee III features sturdy construction, a reliable non-slip outsole, and a reinforced tip for greater toe protection. This model, which is waterproof and breathable, is a great choice for trekking on rough terrain in rocky or muddy areas.

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ADIDAS TERREX AX3 GTX

The Adidas Terrex AX3 GTX has a casual design, which makes it a popular choice for outdoor activities and everyday use. The non-slip outsole provides a good grip, but it’s not designed for very technical trails. These sneakers are waterproof thanks to the breathable Gore-Tex lining. They are also available in a “No Gore-Tex” version, which is fresher and more breathable.

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VASQUE JUXT

The Vasque Juxt is a good option for trekking, camping, and outdoor adventures. It provides good support and traction so that you can walk comfortably. The tip is reinforced for added protection. This model is not waterproof, but it has a great overall performance. Also, it has one of the best prices on the list.

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THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

SHOES vs BOOTS

A few decades ago, it seemed almost impossible to hike while wearing a pair of sneakers. Hiking has always been associated with sturdy boots featuring high-tech designs and thick soles. However, as the years passed, lightweight models became more popular. Today, it seems like boots have disappeared from the market. Of course, this is not true—boots still exist and, in some cases, can be a great option.

Both styles have their advantages depending on the activity:

Advantages of trekking shoes

• They are much lighter.
• They are compact and easy to transport.
• They allow for greater foot movement (which is good as long as you’re not hiking on extreme terrain).
• They can be waterproof.
• They are cooler in hot weather.

Advantages of boots

• They offer greater ankle protection (which is important for high-difficulty trails).
• Some models are suitable for use with crampons.
• They offer greater stability (important when carrying heavy packs).
• They usually provide greater water resistance in humid climates.
• They prevent snow from getting into your feet when you are walking in snowy areas.

Which type will be a better fit? That depends on the terrain and the weather conditions. If you think that you need trekking boots, check out this detailed article.

ANKLE PROTECTION

Most boots offer greater ankle protection. However, it’s important to note that ankle mobility has some advantages. So long as you don’t have any ankle or knee injuries, it’s a good idea to allow some movement, as these joints absorb the weight of our bodies. This will be good as long as you are not getting into extreme terrain.

When you restrict ankle movement, the shock absorption capacity of your feet is drastically reduced. This increases stress in the knees and hips.

FREQUENCY

If you hike only occasionally and don’t carry heavy packs, I recommend that you get lightweight, flexible sneakers, which are perfect for mild climates and terrain of moderate difficulty.

If you are a passionate hiker, you will have to decide between boots or sneakers depending on the features you are seeking. Make sure you get a resistant, durable model.

COMFORT AND SIZE

No matter how many features your footwear includes, it’ll be useless if it’s not comfortable to wear. Feet come in different shapes, which is why you’ll find some brands more comfortable than others. This may be because of differences in the sole width, the tip shape, or the arch design.

Your footwear should fit the shape of your feet as much as possible. Also, make sure they include padded insoles and resistant outsoles that absorb impact and improve cushioning. This will help protect your knees, allowing you to walk longer distances before getting tired.

Finding the right size is crucial to ensuring that your feet remain comfortable. If your sneakers are too tight, you will quickly find out, especially when you’re walking downhill. In addition, too-short models can cause injuries and blisters.

If you are trying to decide between two sizes, choose the larger one. In winter, it’s common to wear thicker-than-normal socks, which will take up more space. Also, in summer, feet can swell a bit due to the heat.

You may get small blisters when you first wear a new pair, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you got the wrong size. It may be due to excess moisture or a lack of practice.

However, if you think you have chosen the wrong size, don’t worry! If you buy on Amazon, you’ll have the option to exchange them for another size.

WEATHER

Climate is another important factor to consider. A waterproof model is a good option for multi-day hikes (in which you might need to cross streams or muddy areas) and humid climates. Keep in mind that even the best waterproof model can suffer some water filtration after a few months of use.

Breathability is another important feature related to water resistance. As your feet sweat, especially in summer or when you’re running, the excess moisture has to escape outside the footwear. Otherwise, the skin on your feet will become softer and blisters will be likely to appear.

Some waterproof materials do not allow your feet to breathe. This is something you want to avoid. Good water-resistant membranes should never impede breathability.

Gore-Tex waterproof linings (usually abbreviated as GTX) are a great choice because they offer water-resistance while guaranteeing sufficient breathability. Other certified waterproof membranes also work pretty well, such as Sympatex, Dry Line, and Nova Dry.

Note that models with high breathability are rarely waterproof.

OUTSOLE

The outsole is responsible for ensuring good traction on dry and wet terrain. This will help us avoid falling on slippery trails, thereby reducing the risk of injury. Pay attention to the design of the outsoles because they have different functions.

Most outsoles have special designs to prevent the accumulation of dirt and mud. Also, the front is usually thinner to facilitate rock climbing, while the heel tends to be thicker to improve cushioning.

Vibram is the market leader, as its outsoles offer maximum traction and abrasion resistance, as well as great performance, even on trails with dust, water, and snow. Many models on the list include Vibram soles.

PROTECTION

When we hike on complicated terrain, we are likely to find potentially dangerous elements such as branches, rocks, wired fences, etc.

If you are trekking along easy paths, you won’t need extra protection. However, if you are crossing rocky areas or going off-trail, you might need a pair of reinforced-toe shoes. If you’re trekking while carrying a heavy backpack, you may need boots to improve your ankle protection.

WEIGHT

Weight is a key factor when choosing the right footwear. Generally, I recommend lightweight models over heavy ones. Heavy shoes increase fatigue and decrease efficiency. In addition, they are annoying to carry in your backpack.

However, keep in mind that most ultralight models don’t offer as much protection as sturdy models. Also, lightweight models tend to be more expensive.

For short hikes and trail running, you’ll need a lightweight model. For longer, technical trails, you might need a more robust model.

DURABILITY

After spending $100 or $200 on your new sneakers, you’ll want them to last a long time. One of the disadvantages of lightweight models is that they are not as durable as boots. Try to avoid designs with large sections of breathable mesh because this material is not durable.

BEST BRANDS

Cheap sneakers usually present problems such as seam failure, water filtration, noisy soles, and designs that cause blisters.

I recommend that you spend a little extra money and buy a good product. Many brands manufacture great mountain gear. If you want to play it safe, you should choose high-quality brands such as La Sportiva, North Face, Salomon, Keen, Adidas, or Merrell. Their products are not cheap, but they offer the best on-trail performance and durability.