Hiking Boots
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Shoes to get you moving down the trail—no matter the conditions
Who knew the famous comfort, durability, and versatility of the Merrell Moab could be improved?
I came for their looks. I stayed for their all-day comfort and all-terrain performance.
These hikers will help you carry your load and stay comfortable and secure, no matter the terrain
In the ten years since she published her memoir about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, her life has changed dramatically—and so has the trail itself
Even the runner-up hikers from this year’s test are pretty great
Thanks to these boots, hiking went from painful to pure bliss
The Moab Vent is one of the best hiking shoes, according to adventure guides. “It is a little sturdier than a trail runner, with a stiffer sole, and great traction,” wrote Dave Logan, owner and head guide for Four Seasons Guides.
Now’s a great time to save a few bucks on hiking gear
Keen's Senior Vice President of Global Supply Chain describes how he got into the shoe business.
Outside contributor Wes Siler called these the best hiking boots he’s tested. “If you need ankle support and weather protection, then you’ll find more of that in these Altras at less of a weight penalty, and with more comfort, traction, and support, than you will in just…
The Mountain Light Boot is an iconic hiker for good reason: The one-piece leather upper is ultra-durable and the entire shoe has Dri-Lex waterproofing so your feet will stay dry during nasty trail conditions. Plus, every shoe is handmade in Portland, Oregon.
These aren’t the sleekest boots, and we’re perfectly fine with that. One of our testers covered thousands of miles in these kicks and she loved the nylon shanks in the outsole as well as the stiff rubber over the toe.
These were our favorite hiking boots of 2017. “We adore this everyhiker’s companion because it does damn near everything well,” wrote our testers. “In short, La Sportiva packaged all the best features into a workhorse shoe that’s exactly what most of us want.”…
Elise Wortley is replicating the achievements of historical female adventurers, wearing only the gear that would have been available to them at the time
Kicks to keep feet fresh no matter what your mileage
The Moab shoes have been around for years now, garnering love and a cult-like following from hikers across the country. This low-volume option for women is completely waterproof and has a Vibram outsole for extra grip and durability.
We included these shoes in our 2018 Winter Buyer’s Guide roundup of the best winter hikers. “We loved the speed-lacing setup, which was a breeze to cinch and take off, as well as the rubber heel rand, which totally eliminated blisters,” we wrote. The boot’s Gore-Tex membrane keeps your…
This boot earned our approval thanks to its technical chops in challenging weather. We praised the Arctic’s grippy outsole in our 2020 Winter Buyer’s Guide: “The Vibram ArcticGrip sole stuck to every surface, from frozen granite steps to slick and steep roots on the Appalachian Trail.”…
You don't need mountain trails out your door to get your boots ready for a big hike
You don't need mountain trails out your door to get your boots ready for a big hike
These kicks were one of our favorite pairs in the 2020 Winter Buyer’s Guide. The paraffin-treated cotton upper and flannel lining is made to keep cold weather out of your soles. “The Vibram Megagrip outsole and reinforced leather accents make this vintage-inspired hiker even more winter-ready,” our tester wrote.
Weather’s nasty? No need to stay inside if you’ve got a pair of these.
We tested 37 hiking boots and La Sportiva’s Stream was the best lightweight boot of the bunch. At 31 ounces for the pair, the Stream is also fully waterproof, but impressed us with how breathable it was in dry conditions. Our tester wrote: “I couldn’t believe how much traction…
Amphibious features make this shoe a no-brainer for warm-weather adventures
Everyone's quick to tell you all the reasons to go lighter. Allow me to explain why they're wrong.
The Unico blends the performance and support of a hiking boot with the style and agility of a trail runner. A one-piece Kevlar upper and seamless construction eliminates potential rubbing areas, which means no hot spot or blisters. Inside, a wool sock liner wicks moisture away from your foot. Plus,…
These Chelsea boots look good and perform well, too. Made from a waterproof leather upper with a canvas lining, the boots slip on and off easily. The rubber outsoles have a slight heel and are made to be grippy on rocks and light snow.
We crowned this the Gear of the Year hiking shoe in our 2019 Summer Buyer’s Guide. They’re fully waterproof, and gave us confidence to power through puddles and light streams, thanks to the Gore-Tex construction. The cherry on top was the lightweight Vibram outsole, which kept our feet secure across…
Be cautious, but don't let small things scare you away from a deal
The beloved max-cushion brand is branching out with its new Sky collection
The Maine gear giant worked with a small backpack brand to design Bean Boots made with sail cloth. We're obsessed.
Style and capability, all in one pretty fun package
A stylish twist on a classic—and supremely comfortable—Danner build
The Thyrus boot is built for day hikes and quick weekend backpacking trips. With a Perwanger waterproof leather upper and Gore-Tex liner, it’ll be a completely dry hike, regardless of how hard it’s raining. The upper and dual-density footbed are complemented by the popular Vibram Megagrip sole for traction on…
For years, Vasque has been known for its straight-out-of-the-box comfort and has made a substantial contribution to the world of leather hiking boots with its classic Sundowner. The sportier St. Elias has a full-grain all-leather upper with a Gore-Tex waterproof liner, a soft EVA footbed for cushion, and a urethane…
Hoka One One went for an uncharacteristically subtle approach to the day hiker with the Tor Summit. You get the maximum cushion and rocker you’re used to with Hoka but also a Vibram Megagrip outsole with extra sticky lugs and a nubuck and suede upper with a eVent membrane bootie.
This solid, waterproof hiking boot is built to last. The height of the boot provides more ankle support than a traditional hiking shoe, and the hefty cushioning in the midsole means it’s super comfortable on long hikes.
These waterproof ankle boots were featured in our roundup of the best women’s après gear in our 2019 Winter Buyer’s Guide. With lugged soles that provide grip on snowy streets, the Elsa is a go-to boot for the winter months.
The Altra Lone Peak 4 Mid RSM is lighter, more comfortable, and more supportive than any other boot I've tested. They're not stylish, but hey: Looking good in the woods is overrated.
Stylish, water-resistant protection for the shoulder season
Strap on one of these accessories and walk with confidence this winter
Altra's zero-drop, wide toe-box trail runners—which have become insanely popular with thru-hikers—are designed to mimic your foot's natural shape
And four things you should definitely not use it for
A budget-friendly list of the gear you should—and definitely shouldn't—save money on
The stuff we've owned for ages that we couldn't adventure without
Give your wallet a break for just a slight weight penalty
Aislinn Sarnacki, a columnist for the Bangor Daily News in Maine, on her go-to hiking gear
And how to know when it's time to splurge on a new pair
Our editors on what they expect to spend on new gear, with the goal of balancing quality and affordability
What does this mean for U.S. consumers?
Eleven companies making apparel and equipment just the way you like it
The new Vasque Clarion 88s work as good as they look
Customers now have one year to return a product—and must bring in a receipt
Sixteen years and eight iterations in, this boot is a solid hiker that feels an awful lot like a trail runner
Both brands just built websites that will help people shop for pre-owned products
We asked some of our favorite hiking guides to dish on the shoes and boots that they’ve fallen in love with over the years
Here's some key equipment and planning advice from a first-timer who just completed the Appalachian Trail
Seven items that the Mystery Ranch founder always has on the trail
One of the products we are most excited about this year is the new hiking boot from Tecnica, which uses a heat molding process to custom fit each pair of boots.
The well-known ski company now makes specialty trail shoes, too
Six bold new products for summer 2018
Why good old leather shit kickers like the Oboz Wind River II BDry still matter
