The 7 Best Hiking Shoes for Trail Trotting Near and Far
Find the best balance between light weight and traction with these expert-approved trail shoes.
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Although we love the durability and support of a good pair of hiking boots, many hikers these days are leaning toward lighter, more flexible low-top shoes as their go-to hiking kicks. And as the quality of lightweight shoes has increased dramatically over the years, they're becoming a viable option even on the toughest technical trails.
As they get lighter and more flexible, hiking shoes are starting to resemble Hiking Boots PRIMIGI 6440611 S Visone—in fact, we've found many of our top trail shoes work quite well in this category too. But regardless of their intended use, these hiking shoes will carry you for hundreds of miles, whether you’re in the woods, bagging peaks, or heading out on a relaxed recovery walk around your local trail system.
The Best Hiking Shoes
- Best Durability: Chaussons NUVOLA Boot UNBHGPR21MSO18 Mostro Lt Hiking Shoe
- Most Comfortable: zapatillas de running Nike hombre tope amortiguación talla 43 grises
- Flatfor Sneaker FW0FW05939: Keen NXIS Evo Waterproof Hiking Shoe
- Best Traction: Hoka Speedgoat 5 Hiking Shoe
- Most Versatile: Saucony Peregrine 13 Hiking Shoe
Should I Get Hiking Shoes or Trail Running Shoes?
When you’re shopping for a hiking shoe, consider the terrain and conditions you’re most likely to encounter, as well as intended use. For trails that are on the technical, rugged side, look for a traditional hiking shoe. Shoes like the Chaussons NUVOLA Boot UNBHGPR21MSO18 Mostro Lt have multidirectional lugs for extra side-to-side traction, as well as burlier upper material, like suede, to hold up against overgrown trails.
If you plan to combine hiking and trail running on the same outing (or just want a shoe that can do both), you may like a more flexible trail-running shoe that’s lighter and easier to break in than a true hiking shoe. The Saucony Peregrine and Brooks Cascadia, for example, are both several ounces lighter than the average dedicated hiking shoe, but they still keep your feet protected with thick lugs, rock plate inserts, and extra rubber coverage on the toes. They also tend to have squishier midsole foam for softer impacts when you pick up the speed.
On more established trails, you won’t need the same level of traction and support as a true hiking or trail shoe, so a sneaker with shorter lugs and less aggressive tread will work just fine—and, in some cases, even more effectively.
Waterproofing
Waterproof membranes such as Gore-Tex, eVent, or a proprietary membrane made by a company in-house, offer increased protection from wet conditions, which you’ll encounter much more often as you explore dicier terrain. That said, these membranes won’t dry out as fast if your shoe gets submerged, and can make your shoes less breathable and a lot heavier.
This limited breathability has led many trail runners and some hikers to prefer non-waterproof shoes that feel lighter, dry out quicker, and offer a bit more mobility. We mostly suggest non-waterproof hiking shoes below, but many of our recommended models are available in (slightly pricier) waterproof versions, too.
How We Selected
Maggie Slepian, the original author of this guide, has been professionally testing and reviewing trail shoes for over seven years. She used her experience hiking thousands of miles in minimalist styles, beefy off-trail shoes, and industry mainstays to review and recommend the best hiking shoes for runners and non-runners alike.
We also considered variability of terrain, conditions, and distance to find the best fit for a slew of hiking styles. Whether you’re most likely to encounter steep, rocky terrain or rocky, wooded trails, there’s a shoe in here for you. Some models that made the cut work best for long days in the mountains, and others are fast-and-light shoes that serve you best on afternoon outings on local trails.
All of them offer excellent out-of-the-box performance and require little break-in time—something Slepian can personally vouch for. We’ve tested all of these models on trails ranging from steep alpine scree fields to the sandy desert, and we’ve trudged through various conditions during all four seasons.
Adam Schram is an Assistant Editor of Commerce at Runner's World, though you might see his byline on Bicycling and Popular Mechanics, too. A lover of all things outdoors, Adam's writing career comes after six years as a bike mechanic in his hometown of State College, PA. His journalism experience is steeped in cycling and running gear reviews, and he's also a published creative nonfiction and satire author. When he's not writing, riding, or running, you can catch Adam at home mixing cocktails, watching Star Wars, or trying in vain to do the Sunday crossword. You can check out his latest work below.
Maggie Slepian is a full-time freelance writer in the outdoor industry and has tested gear professionally for almost ten years—she is an avid backpacker, trail runner, bikepacker, and horseback rider and has thru-hiked thousands of miles on the Appalachian, Colorado, and Ouachita trails, along with backcountry travel on terrain including coastal trails, the desert, and high alpine peaks. Maggie has written for New York Magazine, Huffington Post, REI, and Outside. She is a columnist with Backpacker Magazine and is the co-founder of BackpackingRoutes.com. Contact her at MaggieSlepian.com.
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