Hiking is a healthy outdoor activity with a low barrier to entry. In hiking, choosing the right gear is important. The most important gear to have is quality hiking boots that will help you hike on any terrain. When choosing hiking boots, don’t just buy boots, buy something that will fit you well for the best experience. Hiking with poorly designed boots will give you a hard time outdoors.
So, which are the best hiking boots or shoes? First, look for a boot that provides enough support, comfort, breathability, and longevity. To make your work simple, we have keenly gone through several hiking boots and come up with a list of the top best hiking boots currently in the market. Still, we have included a buyer’s that will make the selection and decision-making process simple.
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Top 5 Best Hiking Boots
If you are looking for lightweight, breathable, heavy-duty, and durable hiking boots you can use on any outdoor surface, here are some of the best hiking boots you can purchase.
- Columbia Women’s Newton Hiking Boot
- NORTIV 8 Men’s Waterproof Hiking Boots
- Timberland Men’s Waterproof Boot
- Merrell Women’s Moab 2 Hiking Shoe
- Columbia Men’s Newton Waterproof Hiking Shoe
Best Lightweight Boot
5. Columbia Women’s Newton Hiking Boot
This is a hiking boot designed with excellent craftsmanship for female hiking lovers; Columbia Women’s hiking boot is the best boot that will handle any trail. The boot has a lace-up closure that ensures you get a secure, adjustable fit. Furthermore, the women’s boot offers style and longevity with it’s contrasting color combinations that make it great for women.
Columbia women’s hiking boot allows you to walk on any surface, thanks to it’s multi-terrain system and strong treads that guarantee ultimate stability. Still, it has a dual-zone winter tread pattern that supports solid footing on snow and ice surfaces. The boot has water-resistant mesh and a leather exterior that protects your feet from elements.
It has a lightweight, comfortable midsole that offers long-lasting comfort, high energy return, impact absorption, and superior cushioning. Because it comes in different colors and sizes, you can get this boot in your favorite color or size. To ensure the sizing is right, you can utilize the sizing chart.
What most hikers love about this hiking boot is its traction. With its heavy-duty rubber sole, dual-zone winter tread pattern, and treads, you can use this boot on any surface without worrying about slipping. What’s more, the treads release mud easily to keep your feet light and comfortable.
Features
- It has a simple lace-up closure for a secure fit
- Features a multi-terrain system and strong treads for traction
- Equipped with breathable leather exterior and waterproof mesh
- It has a lightweight midsole for impact absorption and cushioning
- Shaft measures approximately ankle-high from arch
Pros
- This boot is available in different sizes and colors
- It is a lightweight and comfortable hiking boot
- Offers all-weather traction
- Soft interior padding makes them comfortable
Cons
- Not suitable for using when it is extremely hot
- The toe area is poorly designed.
Best for Rough Surfaces
4. NORTIV 8 Men’s Waterproof Hiking Boots
With these hiking boots from NORTIV, you can go outside and take a natural connection with nature. The boot is equipped with a padded tongue and collar that protects the feet and ankle from rubbing, and it allows you to feel comfortable all day. It provides long-lasting comfort for any surface, such as mud, gravel, sand, and more surfaces thanks to the shock-absorption midsole.
There is a 6mm flexible insole that offers enough cushioning for each step you take and it reduces fatigue on your feet. NORTIV 8 hiking boots are fitted with 5mm-deep, spaced lugs that provide excellent traction on all surfaces and shed mud easily to keep the boot light.
This boot is fitted with braided shoelaces that can withstand a maximum tension of up to 650N and they are durable. If you are afraid of water splashes or moist conditions, worry no more because this boot has a waterproof coating and membrane that enables the boot to resist water.
The good thing about the boot is its heavy-duty construction. With its sealed mesh fabric and PU material, the boot will resist wear and can survive in all environments. Other than hiking, this heavy-duty boot can be used for any outdoor occasion.
Features
- Fitted with a 6mm insole, shock-absorbing midsole, padded tongue, and collar for comfort
- It has 5mm deep lugs for traction
- Features braided and strong shoelaces for a perfect fit
- Shoelaces withstand maximum tension of up to 650N
- It has sealed mesh fabric and PU material
- Boasts a waterproof coating and waterproof membrane for water resistance
Pros
- The hiking boot is suitable for any outdoor occasion
- Water-resistant and durable
- Lightweight and flexible hiking boots
- Non-slip and suitable for a wide range of surfaces
- Well-cushioned and comfortable to wear
Cons
- The arch support is poor
- They don’t resist water well in extreme, moist conditions.
Best Boot for any Weather Condition
3. Timberland Men’s Waterproof Boot
Timberland has designed this quality hiking boot built to give you the best outdoor experience, no matter the weather condition. The boot features water-resistant leather uppers that prevent your feet from getting wet. Still, the uppers are breathable to keep your feet cool every time and prevent odor.
It has a rust-resistant speed lace with study hooks that allow you to have a secure fit and prevent debris from getting in the boot. Timberland men’s waterproof boot is equipped with a heavy-duty rubber sole that allows you to walk on different surfaces without slipping or falling.
What you will love about this waterproof hiking boot is its trail-ready performance that makes the boots great for hiking, casual wearing, mountaineering, camping, hunting, and many more outdoor occasions.
Features
- Made of 100% leather
- It has a sturdy rubber sole with multi-direction lugs
- Features a rustproof lacing system for a secure fit
- Equipped with water-resistant and breathable uppers
- It has an EVA midsole and fully gusseted tongue
Pros
- They are suitable for any outdoor occasion
- The construction is reliable and durable
- Available in different sizes and colors to choose from
Cons
- They are not 100% waterproof
- The weak padding at the ankle area causes painful pressure at the joint.
Best Boot for Budget
2. Merrell Women’s Moab 2 Hiking Shoe
This is a great hiking shoe from Merrell that will make your hiking experience enjoyable and full of good memories. It is made from the best materials that ensure reliability, comfort, and durability. The shoe is made from 100% suede leather that resists outdoor elements without being damaged.
It has a mesh upper that is lightweight to facilitate air movement in and out of the shoe to keep your feet comfortable and prevent sweating. Merrell is one of the best hiking shoes that can be used on any surface because it has a sturdy Vibram sole with 5mm lug depth for traction. It has a comfortable insole that is slip-resistant to keep your feet in position, and the interior is padded for comfort.
With this hiking shoe, you will always have a secure fit because it has a sturdy and reliable lacing system. If you are a hiker who loves style, this shoe has got you covered as it has different colors you can choose from.
Features
- Constructed from 100% suede leather
- Features a mesh upper that enhances air movement
- It has a Vibram outsole with 5mm lug depth
- Equipped with a reliable insole and midsole
- Features a lacing system for a good fit
Pros
- Great for trail running, hiking, casual wear, or work
- Comfortable to break-in
- The shoe is lightweight and great for long walks
Cons
- It doesn’t have arch support
- The shoe doesn’t fit well for hikers with irregular feet (great for a flat foot).
Best Heavy-Duty and Durable Boot
1. Columbia Men’s Newton Waterproof Hiking Shoe
Every hiker needs a boot that can withstand any condition while maintaining it’s integrity and style. Columbia has designed this improved hiking boot made with the best materials. It features a lightweight midsole that provides superior cushioning, comfort, and high energy return so that you can hike for hours without feeling discomfort.
The boot is equipped with an advanced rubber sole that guarantees slip-free movement on rough surfaces. With this boot, you will never have to worry about tricky terrain because it has weatherproof leather and mesh bootie construction. It has a mesh construction that enhances comfort and breathability.
Columbia men’s Newton hiking boot has a lace-up closure that ensures you have a secure, adjustable fit. The boot has a multi-traction system that matches treads to specific environments, and it has a dual-zone winter tread pattern for solid footing on ice and snow surfaces.
Features
- It’s lightweight midsole offers cushioning
- Features a rubber sole for slip-free movement
- It has weatherproof leather and mesh construction
- Equipped with a reliable lace-up closure
- Features a multi-traction system for specific environments like snow and ice
Pros
- It offers all-weather traction
- The lightweight midsole is well cushioned and supportive
- Well-cushioned for impact absorption and high energy return
- This boot can be used for different outdoor occasions
Cons
- These boots are not fully waterproof
- They don’t offer arch support.
How to Choose a Good Pair of Hiking Boots: Buyer’s Guide
Comfort
If you purchase an uncomfortable boot, it will be completely useless. Wearing an uncomfortable boot will give you a hard time outdoors and you will not enjoy your hike fully. You should check the padding on the entrance, inside, and tongue to ensure you get a good fit. Still, choose a boot with a cushioned footbed and a boot will enough ankle support.
Still, the hiking boot needs to have a breathable and waterproof upper that will prevent your feet from sweating or forming an odor. Even if your hike is intense, your feet won’t sweat provided it is breathable.
Construction
Hiking boots are made from different materials. Choose a boot with an upper layer made from 100% leather or suede leather material. These two materials are great for water resistance and breathability. Next, buy a boot will a quality midsole. Because weight puts a lot of pressure on your feet, especially when carrying a backpack, you need a boot with a reliable outsole.
A boot with a good midsole can absorb shock between the outsole and the insole. The most recommended midsoles are the ones made from PU and EVA foam materials. The other thing is the outsoles. Most boots are equipped with soles made from quality rubber that provide excellent traction on surfaces.
Traction
The other thing you have to look at is the traction the boot offers. Not only does a boot with good traction offer comfort, but it also prevents you from injuries. Because you will meet trails with slippery, uneven, and rough surfaces, you need a boot with good traction.
If you want maximum support and stability, choose a boot with rubber outsoles featuring threads or lugs that will offer a firm grip. The boots in our guide have a dual-tread winter pattern that allows you to hike comfortably on snowy surfaces.
In addition, there are some boots with a handy feature called a heel brake. This feature is useful on loose and steep terrain as it prevents slippage.
Weight
For weight, hiking enthusiasts advice buying a flexible and lightweight boot. A good pair of hiking boots should weigh between 1.5 to over 4 pounds. The weight of the boot is determined by the materials and structure of the boot. Keep in mind that boots with leather upper and stiff soles are a bit heavier.
Consider the boots with flexible soles because they will be lighter and perform well. So, once you have looked at all the features, compare the weights and see a boot that suits.
Fit
Because we all have different feet, concentrate on getting a boot that gives a secure fit. You should check out the lacing system as it helps keep your feet stay secure and tight in the boot. Besides, a lacing system allows you to make adjustments according to your needs. There are different lacing system and you must ensure that it tightens well without loosening.
Hiking Boots: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use hiking boots for running?
A: It is not good to use hiking boots for running. Trail running requires a trail runner or comfortable shoe that will help you run on any surface. Trail runners lack ankle support and they are made of a lightweight material that can’t withstand hiking conditions. Last, they will not provide the protection needed from stones, debris, and rocks.
Q: Can I use regular hiking boots for regular walking?
A: Absolutely yes. Hiking boots are built to be used for long distances, making them suitable for regular walking. However, if you are walking on a hard surface, sturdy and heavier hiking boots can make your walk a bit tough. Consider using a lighter trail runner or walking shoe.
Q: Should my hiking boots be a size bigger than my usual shoe?
A: Manufacturers recommend going a half size up, but it can end up being uncomfortable. Before you buy your boots, check your foot length, size, arch, and width. Check out for anything that can cause pain or discomfort in the new boots. Furthermore, getting a bigger size than usual may cause a lot of discomfort.
Q: Can I wear hiking boots in the snow?
A: You can wear hiking boots in sow. However, the market offers different types of hiking boots, where some will perform better than others in snow. If you are looking for hiking boots suitable for using in snow, check this article (Top 10 Best Men & Women Winter Boots in 2022). It has the best boots suitable for winter and hiking on snow.
Conclusion
When picking the best hiking boots, there are many options in the market. In our guide above, we have the best hiking boots designed to offer comfort, durability, traction, protection, and support. Their waterproofing and breathability level is high, making them great for use during any weather condition. We hope you enjoyed going through our guide and you can pick a hiking boot that will suit all your needs.