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Hiking is our jam. We've trail-tested 129 unique pairs of the best hiking shoes since 2014, and in this update we compare the 18 best men's models available today. Our experts covered hundreds of miles in these shoes, from dry, high alpine hikes to wet, muddy rock-strewn paths. Day hikes and multi-day adventures informed us on key performance areas like traction, all-day comfort, and support to bring you relevant and helpful comparisons. For moving light and fast, hiking shoes can be a better choice hiking boots, but choosing the ones to suit your needs isn't always easy. Our review guides you to the ideal shoe for your foot, whether you want the lightest pair, a trail-running hiker, or just a screamin' deal.
While most shoes come in women's and men's versions, they don't always perform the same. To address this, we also conduct in-depth testing of the best women's hiking shoes. If you want something burlier, check out our review of the best hiking boots. Additionally, we have extensive reviews of hiking gear and backpacking gear to help you get ready for all manner of adventure.
Editor's Note: On May 9, 2024, we added some new models from Columbia and Merrell, updated some reviews after long-term testing, and added new media to illustrate performance.
The Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX is, without question, the most comfortable shoe in our review. We love how Hoka has taken a trail running shoe and beefed it up in all the right ways while keeping the soft and cushioned sole that we have come to know and love as thru-hikers and fastpackers. This is the shoe for the modern hiker who wants added durability, solid waterproofing, and support for sections of hiking off-trail but with a plush sole for soaking up all the jarring impacts of mile after mile. We have been increasingly impressed with Hoka hiking shoes; this pair is the best low-cut hiking shoe we tested.
Surprisingly, we have little critical to say about the Anacapa. However, we found ourselves grabbing a different pair when there was going to be sustained scrambling involved, as the wide platform that does so well on the trail is less secure in technical, rocky environments where precise edging ability is required. This high-scoring model is the shoe we would heartily recommend to someone looking for a super comfortable shoe for most hiking applications. At the same time, the La Sportiva TX Hike GTX is the shoe we would give to someone looking for a nimble, narrower, and more technical shoe.
The Columbia Crestwood is a fantastically priced pair of hiking shoes that is one of the best values we have seen in a while. For well below a hundred bucks, you get a comfortable hiking shoe that is ready to hit the trail right out of the box and does a great job at keeping your feet happy on warm weather hikes thanks to its mesh and suede leather upper. The Techlite midsole is supportive and responsive, offering enough stability to feel confident on easy and moderate trails.
The Crestwood is not as stiff as many other shoes, so they don't hold up as well in off-trail terrain, and they do not use any waterproofing materials, so they are not designed for really wet environments. While these received mostly average scores outside of comfort, we have no qualms about recommending them as one of the best options at a budget-friendly price. The Vasque Juxt are on the less expensive side too, and feature excellent comfort and traction.
The Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite GTX embodies the important elements of a good hiking shoe. It is relatively light, hovering around two pounds, comfortable in all conditions, has great waterproofing, and is super durable. Our lead tester has abused his pair on long-distance trail hikes in the mountains and in the desert, has used them as approach shoes to access rock climbing venues, and even found them to be supportive enough to be good work shoes. This is one of the best models we tested for scrambling around in the mountains, climbing off-trail, and up to summits that involve 3rd class terrain.
The Mountain Trainer is one of the stiffer soled shoes in our review, a trait that many will benefit from, but they are not nearly as flexible and easy to walk in as some of the other lighter shoes that more closely resemble a running shoe. Should this be what you're searching for, the Hoka Speedgoat 5.0 is worth taking a look at. We also find them a bit uncomfortable initially, but they are not nearly as difficult to break in as an old-school boot. These are a great choice as an all-purpose hiker, but we recommend them for those who want to venture onto challenging off-trail routes.
The Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite GTX boasts aggressive lugs that deliver exceptional grip on various terrains, from loose dirt and scree to wet rock and light snow.
Some comfort issues with tongue and heel construction
Quicklace lacing system might turn some off
Average durability
The Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex hiking shoe is built to chew up even the roughest trails. These shoes are made especially for rugged terrain, requiring high-performance ability on various surfaces. Built on an AVD-C Chassis, the support offered by these low-top hikers is top-tier, and the combination of SensiFit technology and the Quicklace lacing system allows the shoe to conform to your foot. Cinching the laces makes these shoes quick to put on and generally convenient. We love how confident our footwork feels thanks to the deep-set lugs on the outsole and what a difference solid waterproofing, thanks to a Gore-Tex membrane, can make to hiking comfort. For all of these attributes, it is surprising that these shoes come in at such a low weight, a measly 1.76 pounds for a pair of US size 11. This new iteration of a well-known and well-regarded classic shaves off nearly a quarter pound per pair. This is a light and effective shoe with a lot of attributes that support its price tag.
While the Quicklace system is mostly convenient, it sometimes slips or becomes hard to release. To avoid a tripping hazard, the laces must be tucked into the storage pouch on the tongue or behind other laces. Due to the extended heel tab, we found these shoes to feel taller than other models. This tab led to rubbing on the Achilles area when wearing thin or low-cut socks, especially when going down steep slopes. While this is a very worthy hiking shoe, especially for its weight and overall performance, continued testing has highlighted several small imperfections that keep us from giving it our top award. The Oboz Sawtooth X Low Waterproof is another shoe worth mentioning for its performance in rugged terrain, though not nearly as light as the Salomon.
The La Sportiva Spire GTX has been another favorite of our reviewers for a long time. This capable hiking shoe performs admirably on all terrain, from on-trail walks to long-distance thru-hikes over rough cross-country routes. Supportive and comfortable, we are also impressed with their weight. While there are certainly lighter models out there, at 2.06 pounds per pair, the Spire gives us a lot of hiking performance and without sacrificing comfort.
The Spire GTX is a shoe we recommend to people who want to easily switch between hiking and running while out on the trail. It is the most effective option in our lineup as a trail running shoe, though it contains so many hiking shoe attributes that we classify it as such. Fastpackers, speedy thru-hikers, and those who prefer softer, more forgiving on-trail footwear will like this shoe. If you're looking for something that excels off-trail, the Adidas Terrex Swift R3 is an excellent option.
The Merrell Moab 3 is a fine hiking shoe that excels in warm weather. This comfy shoe uses soft pigskin leather and mesh in its upper, making it cozy to slip into. It fits snugly, making it feel supportive around the foot and below thanks to a molded nylon shank. This is the non-waterproof version, though we also have good things to say about the Moab 3 Waterproof. This lack of waterproof membrane means that they are best suited to hiking in warm, dry or arid environments. We would far rather grab a pair of these shoes for a desert hike than a pair that have a Gore-Tex lining, as they expel heat much more efficiently.
They are not the lightest shoe, and they do feel a little bit clunky due to this weight, so we found them to be most useful on simple and moderately challenging trails, and a little out of their league in more demanding off-trail travel or with a really heavy pack weight.
This breathable and supportive shoe is a perfect choice for dry trail conditions.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
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A burly hike like this one is best enjoyed with a lightweight and technically-minded shoe like the X Ultra 4 GTX.
Credit: Jen Reynolds
How We Test Hiking Shoes for Men
Since the category of hiking shoes (or shoes that could easily be hiked in) is broad, our review staff and editors spend much time sifting through the countless models before settling on the top shoes for testing. This starts with extensive research, ultimately selecting interesting, exciting, or highly regarded models. We then buy each pair and ship them out to our expert review staff, who spend untold hours hiking around. We hike for our living, so it is an enjoyable task, though we use our predetermined metrics to judge each pair and see how they perform against each other. Once we have walked many miles in each of these hiking shoes, we tally up our results and write the thoughtful, in-depth reviews that you, as a GearLab reader, have come to know and expect. For more on our test process, see our How We Test article.
Men's hiking shoes were tested across six performance metrics:
Comfort (25% of total weighted score)
Support (20% weighting)
Traction (15% weighting)
Weight (15% weighting)
Water Resistance (15% weighting)
Durability (10% weighting)
We performed more than 10 individual assessments on each hiker, and our testers wore each pair in the real world for a minimum of 20 miles to determine long-term wear and changes in performance over time as they break in and potentially wear out. Each shoe was scored on a scale of 1 through 10 for each metric, resulting in an overall score. While looking at the overall score to see which models were the best across all metrics is useful, you should also pay attention to how each shoe performs in specific applications.
Just a few of the shoes we send through our testing gauntlet year-round.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Why Trust GearLab
This review was tag-teamed by Ryan Huetter and Ben Applebaum-Bauch. Ryan is a full-time mountain guide who spends more than 200 days a year hiking, climbing, and recreating on and off-trail. As an IFMGA Certified Mountain Guide through the American Mountain Guides Association, Ryan is an outdoor professional, and hiking on a trail is his daily commute. Ben started his outdoor career as a guide on multi-week backpacking and cycling trips. He is an avid distance hiker, completing thru-hikes of iconic American trails, including the Pacific Crest Trail, Long Trail, Oregon Coast, Pinhoti, and Superior Hiking Trail.
We tested these shoes in all types of conditions, from wet trails to dusty playas.
Nimble and fresh-feeling in the Aerios FL GTX.
Capable and comfortable, the Toa Gore-Tex takes rough conditions in stride.
Analysis and Test Results
We tested thoroughly, taking meticulous notes along the way so that we could score them all using a set of pre-defined testing metrics to help you find the right hikers for you.
Value
Many purchase decisions require us to prioritize one consideration over another. For example, you might prefer something lightweight with hiking shoes, but chances are it won't be as supportive. If you're wondering about the trade-off between the price and our estimate of the product's value, this review can help.
One of our favorite value options, the Columbia Crestwood, gives a great performance for a very reasonable dollar amount. And, for just a tiny bit more, the Columbia Facet 75 provides great all-around performance and a little more comfort. Through our years of testing, we have found that quality hiking footwear starts in the triple digits. You can get shoes for less, but they will not be high-quality enough for us to recommend or to last through multiple seasons. When you get into this price range, you will maximize your value and get a pair of hiking shoes to take you places.
What a great day for a dog walk on the area's beautiful trail network! The Crestwood shoes are a stand-out budget buy for these kinds of walks.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Comfort
Comfort is king when it comes to all hiking footwear. There is simply no reason to choose a shoe that does not feel great right out of the box. Everyone's foot is different, and we recommend ordering a few different shoes and keeping the ones that fit the best. Luckily, we are past the days of excruciating break-in periods; modern hiking shoes are lighter and use less rigid materials, which allows them to be ready to hit the trail from the moment you lace them up.
We take extensive notes on how each shoe feels when we test for comfort. We start by scrutinizing material stiffness, ease of entry and removal, lacing systems, and roominess. A shoe should not need to be broken in if it's made from synthetic fabrics such as mesh and PU-coated nylon, which is now quite common. The material should wrap around the foot without feeling bulky or clunky, and it should not have any stiffness leading to discomfort while walking, such as a tongue that cuts into your ankle. Comfort also relates to fit, and we relate the fit to individual foot volume so that you can get an idea of how loose or snug a pair of shoes might be. Shoes like the Hoka Anacapa 2 Low and La Sportiva Spire rose to the top of the more traditional hiking shoes, and for those that like trail running shoes, the Hoka Speedgoat 5 and Columbia Facet 75 were also high scorers.
We want our shoes to protect us from the jarring impacts that hiking trails have.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
We consider the entire shoe and cover everything, including the way the cuff feels around the ankle, the width of the shoe, the insole quality and arch support, the size of the toe box, as well as any improvements to comfort and protection, such as a molded toe cap or bumper.
Useful features, like the molded toe bumpers seen on the Danner Trail 2650 GTX, protect the foot and make the shoe more comfortable.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Finally, we looked at how well each model breathes. Dry feet are comfortable feet, and a good design keeps everything dry when splashing through puddles while still breathing well on warmer days. We took each model to the local gym to walk on a treadmill at the same speed (3 mph), at the same incline (moderate), and for the same distance (1 mile) in the same socks (no fear, we cleaned them between trials). Afterward, we noted how hot our feet were, then removed the shoes to check for sock dampness and sweat accumulation on our feet. The products without a waterproof membrane — the Hoka Speedgoat 5.0 breathes the best by far since it is entirely mesh, followed by the Merrell Moab 3 and the Columbia Crestwood. These models use large mesh panels but still have some suede leather for durability. The Vasque Juxt does not use a waterproof membrane of any kind, but the lack of mesh means it does not breathe as well as the others.
Thirteen miles in, our feet feel great, thanks to the Speedgoats! The perfect shoe for the approach hike to this backcountry climb. The rest of us are feeling the miles, though!
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Of the shoes with waterproof membranes, the La Sportiva Spire breathes the most, likely thanks to the added air ventilation below the insole. The Columbia Facet 75 was a solid contender in this regard — lots of mesh along the upper allows it to breathe quite well. Some users will need to choose a shoe with a waterproof lining based on where they hike (wet environments), but if you live in an arid climate, then consider one of the shoes without a liner so that your feet will breathe better and not get as sweaty and damp.
The Moab 3 can slosh through a bit of water, but are really meant for dumping heat and breathing well in hot weather.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
The Hoka Anacapa Low 2 GTX is the most comfortable shoe in our review. It provides luxurious comfort with a cushioned midsole that helps shield your feet from the jarring impacts of firm surfaces like rocks and packed down trails. Our testers didn't need to break them in; they were comfy from day one. For more off-trail-ready comfort, the Spire GTX was a tester favorite.
The notoriously sharp rocks of McGee Creek Canyon, brutal on thin soles, were a breeze to navigate thanks to the supportive Spire GTX.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Support
How much support a shoe provides depends on several factors, including the thickness and materials of the midsole, the thickness of the outsole, the shape of the last, and, to a lesser extent, the insole. An ideal hiking shoe is stiff from heel to midfoot but flexible upfront. Most models we reviewed include a shank between the midsole and outsole, increasing stiffness and protecting the foot over rough terrain. Stability is also affected by the forefoot width and ankle collar height.
If ankle protection and support are a key concern for you, consider a pair of hiking boots. While not always the most comfortable option for day hikes, the extra weight and warmth might be worth it if it stops you from rolling your ankle. We've also outlined the best boots from our footwear reviews and rounded them up in one place.
To investigate stiffness underfoot, we tested the lateral torsion of each model. Reliable torsional support reduces the risk of injury in uneven terrain and when carrying a load. Holding the front of the shoe in one hand and the heel in the other, we twisted the shoe, similar to wringing out a towel. The more twist resistance, the greater rigidity in the sole. This rigidity improves a shoe's support when moving through talus and rough terrain or scrambling and hopping boulders. The Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite is one of the stiffest contenders in a group that varies widely in this aspect. Similar to the La Sportiva TX Hike GTX, it can be hard to find burly support in the form of a midsole stiffener without sacrificing comfort.
Awkward and uneven terrain necessitates excellent support, and in this slot canyon the X Ultra 4 didn't let us down.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Those who desire a hefty underfoot structure may also find the Facet 75 OutDry a solid option. With an especially wide base that our testers found to reduce the likelihood of ankle rolls, it felt similar to the Hoka Anacapa 2 Low. The Facet also comes with a robust heel guard, which secures the back of the foot. We were pleased that all the shoes we reviewed flexed sufficiently in the forefoot. While this flex and softness of materials can help with comfort, if the design is not well executed, it can leave you feeling uneasy and vulnerable. The Speedgoat 5.0 and Keen Zionic Speed have similar running shoe construction, but we felt very tippy and unsupported while wearing the Zionic.
The Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite offers excellent ankle support thanks to its stiff sole and a 3F system that cradles your foot.
Credit: Jen Reynolds
Additionally, we measured the forefoot at its widest point on each shoe. Wide bases provide a stable foundation for powering through each step. The Hoka Anacapa 2 Low has the widest of all the forefoot widths at 5 inches, and the Merrell model tied with the Columbia Facet for the second broadest forefoot at 4.75 inches. We also measured the height of the ankle collar (from the footbed to the highest ankle point) to check ankle stability. While ankle protection is more of a thing with hiking boots, we still appreciate a pair of hiking shoes that offers more stability than a typical trail runner.
The Anacapa 2 strikes the perfect balance between lightweight comfort for long treks and rugged durability for handling challenging terrain.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Lastly, we also considered the quality of the insole. Some manufacturers view the insole as just an opportunity to add cushioning and improve the fit of the footbed. We appreciate manufacturers that take the insole as an opportunity to add support to the heel and arch. The stiffest insole award goes to the Keen models, while the Salomon, Vasque, and Merrell products also beefed up their insoles by adding a second, more dense layer of foam to the back half of the foot. This extra support does not take away from comfort in the footbed. While many hikers see buying third-party insoles as automatic, hiking shoes are not cheap, and we like included insoles that aren't either.
An array of insoles from pairs we tested.
Credit: Ross Robinson
To circle back, the Mountain Trainer Lite excelled in this metric, topping the charts as the most stable under any conditions imaginable. It's a great hiking shoe for those needing to carry heavier packs or ankle support. Low-cut shoes that wrap around the bottom of the ankle can provide that much more stability, and we tend to favor them when hiking on rough and uneven terrain where the risks of twisting an ankle are higher.
Traversing the Olympic High Divide, the Mountain Trainer Lites provide additional stability on challenging sections of the trail.
Credit: Jen Reynolds
Traction
Traction is a fundamental trait to consider in a hiking shoe. The basis for a shoe's traction is the outsole. Made from rubber compounds and molded into different shapes called lugs, the amount of grip the shoe's outsole directly relates to how secure you will feel, whether you're walking the dog on a local trail or scrambling up peaks deep in the backcountry. Depending on your application, you may want a shoe with softer or harder rubber. Soft rubber will conform better to smooth surfaces such as rock slabs, while harder rubber will resist deformation and bite into loose terrain better while also lasting longer. Some companies outsource their rubber selection to well-known companies like Vibram, while others choose an in-house or proprietary rubber blend.
Lug pattern and shape will also impact your shoe's ability to hold on to the terrain you are on. Wide and shallow lugs give more surface area contact, making them more appropriate for packed trails and firm surfaces, while deeper and sharper cut lugs will provide a better grip on loose trails, mud, and snow. Shoes such as the Salomon X Ultra 4 and the Adidas Terrex Swift R3 Gore-Tex have great traction on various surface conditions.
The X Ultra 4 is one of the most supportive shoes in our review, we feel confident traveling over varied terrain.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Midsole inserts made of molded plastic also contribute to a shoe's traction by giving the user a more stable and secure platform to edge upon, making a dime edge seem like a much broader ledge to use as a foothold.
After finishing a technical climb, the Mountain Trainer Lite gripped the exposed rock slabs on the descent.
Credit: Jen Reynolds
Each model was tested side-by-side on five separate surface types to determine the shoes' overall traction score. We even wore different shoes on each foot to compare them directly when trekking through the test areas. First, we walked up and down dry granite slabs. Most models performed well in these scenarios, with the Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite GTX and La Sportiva Spire GTX sticking best to the steepest slopes. Both pairs have lugs that allow for lots of surface area contact. We walked back and forth across the same wet rocks in mountain brooks and streams in our wet rock test. The Salewa Mountain Trainer impressed us on both wet and dry rock.
Descending the loose scree of Baxter Pass in the Sierra Nevada, the La Sportiva Spire GTX's Impact Brake System provided confidence-inspiring stability with every step.
Credit: Jen Reynolds
In our traction tests, we also hustled up slopes of loose sediment, and the more aggressive tread of the Salomon X Ultra 4 dug in better than the rest. We found a trail covered in mud from the thawing snow on the eastern side of the Sierra in Spring. Again, the X Ultra's deep and multi-directional lugs cut through the mud efficiently, finding hidden rocks or more stable soil to gain purchase.
Matching shoes to your most common trail conditions helps you achieve the most out of your outsoles. Consider the ground you hike most often.
Smearing up smooth rock on an off-trail section of Mt. Whitney requires precise traction control. The Sportiva Spire performed very well.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Finally, we walked up and down some gentle snow-covered slopes warmed into a slushy state by the midday sun. The Salomon X Ultra 4 was a champ while kicking in steps in the snow, especially when going up. Coming down, we again loved outsoles with heel brakes, which tended to catch a sliding foot. The Spire GTX also did well in the snow. Overall, the X Ultra 4 showcases the best all-around traction, while the Salewa Mountain Trainer has the most purchase on rock, a boon for rugged alpine travel.
The La Sportiva TX Hike GTX is good for off-trail adventures, including steep-class terrain.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Water Resistance
It's no secret dry feet provide more comfort and warmth than wet ones. Moisture and water in the footbed also increase the likelihood of blisters. The trade-off for solid waterproofing is lower breathability, warmer feet, and a higher price tag. Most of the shoes we reviewed have waterproof liners except for the Keen Zionic Speed, Vasque Juxt, and Hoka Speedgoat 5. Many of the models that we tested come in both standard and “waterproof” options (a designation in the name like “GTX” for Gore-Tex or “Dry” usually gives it away). Popular liners include options from Gore-Tex or eVent, while some manufacturers, like Keen, use a proprietary membrane. We chose to test the waterproof versions as much as possible because the average hiker often encounters wet conditions, from water crossings and muck to slush and precipitation. However, most manufacturers produce waterproof and non-waterproof versions of their hiking shoes. If you don't need the protection, the non-waterproof versions are almost always cooler, more breathable, and cost less.
To score our contenders in this metric, we considered their flood heights, how readily the upper absorbs water, and performance in our waterproof challenge. After a couple of months of hiking, we headed to a small mountain stream in the Eastern Sierra. We checked for leaks and splashed around in water deep enough to cover the forefoot. We walked around and flexed the forefoot to see if the added stress caused any leakage. After five minutes, we removed the shoes to see if any water made it inside. A handful of models emerged from the water on top, including the Salomon X Ultra 4, La Sportiva Spire, Salewa Mountain Trainer, Keen NXIS EVO Waterproof, and Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX. It's worth noting that the Spire has a relatively tall flood height (4.75 inches) which kept our feet dry through the waterproof test and resisted absorbing water into its synthetic upper.
Having a waterproof lining in your hiking shoes like on the Anacapa 2 will give them more versatility when considering environments you may hike in.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
If heavy dew and water crossings are common where you hike, consider choosing a dark color option for your shoes. This allows them to dry quickly under the sun.
Weight
Light is right for footwear. One of the benefits of a hiking shoe over a full boot is the significant weight shed from every step while still providing a bit more stability and durability over a trail runner or tennis shoe. To compare the different models accurately, we weigh each one ourselves on a digital scale straight out of the box.
The different pairs in our lineup ranged between 1.34 to 2.33 pounds. That pound difference might not seem like much on paper, but we noticed it underfoot. The Hoka Speedgoat 5.0 is the lightest pair that we tested and manages to provide solid comfort and support, despite the impressively light weight.
For long hikes like this one (26 miles!) it's helpful to stay light with footwear. The Speedgoat treated us well, staying light while offering enough support for the job.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
The Facet 75 OutDry is also a very light pair, though it's worth noting that it does not have the rugged structure that some of the more supportive models will be able to provide. The Salomon X Ultra 4 only weighs a touch more at 1.76 lbs and offers more longevity and stiffer support. We think this balance of low weight and support is unmatched in all models we have tested and a big reason the X Ultra 4 wins favor among our testers. On the opposite end, the Oboz Sawtooth X Low is the heaviest pair we tested, but it's also incredibly stable and clearly built with longevity in mind.
We independently weighed the Sawtooth X Low to provide an accurate weight comparison rather than relying solely on manufacturer specifications. This ensures a more consistent and reliable measurement for you to consider.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
While weight is an important trait, you do not always have to choose between weight and performance. The Spire GTX weighs a hair over 2 pounds but is among the more comfortable, stable, and supportive options. The Vasque Juxt weighs just over 2 pounds and is equally nice underfoot. Most of our favorite shoes hover right around two pounds. More than two pounds and the shoe will likely boast better durability thanks to heavier, natural materials, as well as improved support thanks to a burlier midsole construction.
Combining nimbleness with stability, the TX Hike tackles both trails and off-road adventures with ease.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Durability
The are many trade-offs when designing hiking footwear, and the cost for a more durable shoe is commonly more weight. When a manufacturer focuses on making lightweight shoes, durability is less of a focus. Full leather uppers tend to be more durable than synthetics but also weigh more. Rubber-covered toe boxes increase durability in that high-wear area but also add to the shoe's weight. Durable, dense rubber soles are also heavier than softer rubber. Your footwear takes more punishment than any other kind of hiking gear you wear, making craft, materials, and design an important part of choosing a pair that will age well.
While we didn't test each product's entire lifespan, we put a minimum of 20 miles on each shoe and checked them at the end of the testing period for any signs of weakness or wear. We looked at protection in high-wear areas, rubber density of the sole, materials and construction of the upper, quality of stitching, and other unique characteristics of each shoe. We also talked to fellow hikers on the trails about their shoe experiences.
The exposed stitching on the heel of the Juxt is vulnerable to damage when scraping against rocks.
Credit: Ross Robinson
The hikers we found to be the most durable were the Hoka Anacapa, La Sportiva TX Hike, and Oboz Sawtooth X Low. These shoes have impressively robust mesh on the upper and a solid interface between the upper and the sole. We experienced zero delamination issues, even after trying hard to beat these things up. Nothing seemed to phase them.
With its impressive features, the TX Hike is built to conquer this challenging terrain of off-trail cross-country travel above tree line.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Mud and sand left on the upper create premature wear, so cleaning and treating your footwear increases its life expectancy. Warm water and a soft brush is your best tactic for cleaning. Nikwax offers a line of leather and fabric conditioners, including products for suede leather and synthetic fabrics. Common wear areas, like the flex points on the forefoot and seams that are prone to scuffing, can be reinforced. Applying Gear Aid Seam Grip or a similar sealer keeps out dirt and sand, prolongs use, and has the added benefit of keeping water out.
We hope this review helps you find the right shoes so you can tackle any terrain or objective you dream up.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Conclusion
Few things make us happier than a good pair of hiking shoes. These capable low-cut models provide all the traction, comfort, and versatility that a pair of boots might, but at a much-reduced weight. For most of us who don't tend to carry big, heavy packs out onto the trails, these are the perfect tickets to an enjoyable hiking experience. They are more comfortable, breathe better while usually still providing waterproofing, and take virtually no time to break in and get used to. Do yourself a favor and slip into a nice new pair of hiking shoes; your feet will thank you.
