Rack Up Your Step Count Outdoors with These Hiking Stabilizing Boots (2024)

When you need fresh air, hiking is a relaxing way to unplug and enjoy the outdoors—and you can do it just about anywhere. It only takes water, snacks, a good backpack, and a reliable pair of hiking boots (or, for the ultralight crowd, trail shoes).

Made with rugged yet breathable fabrics and insoles as comfortable as the best running shoes, hiking boots are more supportive, lightweight, and more stylish than they used to be. Low-top trail runners are great for light hikes and fitness, while beefed-up ankle boots support you on treacherous paths.

We tested several hiking boots to find the best hiking bots to hit the trails. Here are our top picks and advice to consider while you shop.

Best Hiking Boots

• Best Overall: Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX
  
• Best Budget: Merrell Moab 3 Mid
• Most Cushioned: Hoka Kaha 2 GTX
• Best for Tough Hikes: Danner Crag Rat EVO Hiking Boots
  
• Best for Backpacking: Vasque Skywalk GTX

What to Consider

Waterproofing

Waterproof membranes are essential if you live and hike in damp areas. They protect your feet from water while splashing through puddles, trekking through mud and morning dew, or even crossing a river or stream. Boots with waterproof membranes are less breathable and take longer to dry out than non-waterproof shoes. They also add to a boot's cost. Waterproof membranes are permanent, but loosening seams, wear and tear, and minor holes through use can cause them to fail, thus soaking your feet.

Gore-Tex, often called GTX, is a branded waterproof membrane that is considered the gold standard in waterproof textiles. It's reliable and popular, though expensive. Because proprietary waterproofing methods vary between brands, we recommend reaching for Gore-Tex when possible.

A waterproof membrane is a barrier to stop water from penetrating your boots, while a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating protects them from precipitation. This soaking can make your boots heavy and soggy, making your feet cold and damp while the trapped moisture evaporates. DWR isn’t permanent, and if your boots feel damp when trekking water, it’s time to re-apply via a spray or a wash-in formula.

If you hike in warmer climates, it’s worth forgoing waterproof boots so your feet can breathe. Many styles come in both waterproof and non-waterproof options.

Weight

The lighter the boot, the more breezier the hike. If you're taking an easy hike on a relatively flat trail or a short path, you can afford to reach for lightweight boots (at the cost of stability) for quicker movement. These rely on synthetic materials (mesh, nylon, polyester) to keep weight down and are more flexible than heavy boots. The lightest hiking boots weigh between 1 and 3 pounds per pair.

Heavier boots are best for backpacking trips, rough terrain, light mountaineering, and technical hikes. They have higher ankle collars (to prevent ankle strain, heftier materials (full-grain leather) for padded protection and support, and stiffer outsoles for better traction. Heavier boots weigh closer to 3 lbs. and over per pair.

In either case, a waterproof membrane always adds weight, so skip waterproofing to keep things light. The shoes below are listed as weights per single men's shoe, not per pair.

Trail Running Shoes or Hiking Boots?

Hiking boots have firm, grippy soles, ankle support, and a stable base. Layers of leather and rubber protect and pad your feet from banging into rocks and roots. With all of this protection and support, though, comes weight. Ankle-height hiking boots are used for treks on rough terrain, especially if carrying a sizable load.

Trail runners offer a lightweight, low-cut alternative if you want something less cumbersome. Trail running shoes are often made with mesh and synthetics, offering a flexible footbed and a spring step at the cost of ankle support and underfoot protection.

Traditional hiking boots are better suited to hiking in rocky uneven terrain, though some hardcore hikers use trail shoes for even the longest hikes, or even backpacking. For most people, trail runners are the best bet if you’re on a relaxed terrain or using your shoes for running.

Traction and Outsoles

Outsoles on hiking boots are rubber and often have lugs that help with traction. The bumpy lugs give the boot slight elevation and teeth to bite into the ground, while the spacing between them helps shed grime, mud, dirt, snow, and rough terrain.

Generally, outsoles with wider lug spacing are better for mucky terrain than outsoles with tighter-spaced lugs. It's a good idea to refer to a shoe's photos to see how spacing looks on an outsole and if it suits your intended hike terrain.

Speed Hooks

High ankle collars and extra padding can make it more time-consuming to tie up hiking boots, so consider a pair with speed hooks. Made with plastic or metal, speed hooks replace the uppermost eyelets on your boots, allowing users to wrap their laces around each hook rather than tightening them against your ankle like a traditional shoe. These make lacing boots much easier, requiring less squatting, prying, and tugging than a traditional pair. Speed hooks make booting up a jiffy in conjunction with pull tabs, those small loops attached to the back heel collar of boots.

How We Selected

We tested different styles of hiking boots on various terrains—from hills and creeks to rocky trails and city streets—to determine which boots are comfortable and provide the best combination of support, traction, and stability. Between the hikers in our offices in Easton, Pennsylvania, and our urbanites in New York City, we wore boots from frequently recommended brands, scrutinized details, and read various critic and user reviews,

For the original version of this story, trusted style expert and commerce editor Danny Perez, tested a few pairs on our list, including the Merrell Moab 3 Mid, Hoka Kaha 2 GTX, and Eddie Bauer K-6. His hands-on experience involved long commutes to work during the spring and summer seasons, especially on rainy days.

For our latest update, I, Kevin Cortez, added more context for the Moab 3 and Kaha 2. I have owned and hiked various parts of Pennsylvania in both boots for over two years, and I find them enjoyable to use as regular beaters. I also tested the Keen Pyrenees over a month, walking in them to work during rainy days and wearing them on leisurely weekends.

Our testing process includes real-world use in various terrains and conditions, evaluating each hiking boot's durability, traction, waterproofing, and overall comfort to ensure we tried the best hikers of today.

No boot on this list balances lightness, functionality, durability, support, and waterproofing better than the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX. Weighing just under 1 pound each, these boots have a sneaker-like feel, and their midsole and traction are plenty for all-day comfort. They're superior for long-hike performance, challenging hikes, diverse terrain, and moist conditions. The soles provide excellent grip on slick surfaces, and the specialized sock liner adapts to your foot's contour with wear. A protective toe guard is also present for rocky paths.

Despite a wide toe box, these boots tend to fit narrow, potentially posing a problem for those with wider feet. Despite their light build, they're robust and possess an outsole that combines flexibility and strength, resembling a trail runner more than a traditional hiking boot.

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This boot is designed to be a lightweight hiker for warmer days. The uppers use leather and mesh for durability and breathability, the sole provides excellent traction, and the midsole pleasantly cushions the underfoot. The toe cap protects your foot from kicking large rocks and is excellent for rugged, root-covered trails. It has a roomy toe box that keeps feet comfortable after long wearing periods, and its lightness means no foot fatigue.

The original writer of this story, Danny Perez, considers these boots comfy, though they lacked grip on rainy sidewalks—he slipped when walking outside during an early wear test. Meanwhile, I've used this boot, as well as older versions of it, on and off in the last few years. I'm a huge fan of the Moab 3's ultra-cushy tongue, which is padded and breathable. It's also pretty lightweight compared to other boots at this price, and it's frequently found on sale at Amazon, especially in specific sizes and colors.

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Hoka is known for its ultra-cushioned running shoes, but its hiking boots deserve just as much praise. The Kaha 2 is a mid-top hiking boot with a high, plush footbed that’s supportive and provides all-day cushioned comfort.

The uppers are waterproof nubuck leather, and the Vibram outsole with five-millimeter lugs gives you great traction on any surface. Metal speed hooks make them easy to lace up and take off, and the padded tongue and ankle collar provide both cushion and stability.

“These have fantastic traction even on the rainiest days, winning my accolade as some of the most surefooted boots I’ve ever worn,” says Perez. “They’re also well-cushioned, and I often wear them for walking around New York City. The fit is true to size and they’re comfortable in both thick and thin socks.”

I've worn these boots into the ground. I got a pair a few years ago in a striking blue colorway, and then I tossed them on straight out of the box and took a four-mile hike without a single hang-up. They're super padded around the ankle collar and forefoot, and the shape of the outsoles keeps my posture upright while maneuvering around roots and rocks. The only issue I've ever had with these is tongue-slippage, which occurs if I don't lace up my boots properly.

These durable Danner boots are brute enough for light mountaineering yet modestly weighted to keep you nimble and comfortable on the most strenuous hikes. Made with tough synthetic leather, they feature hefty wrap-around mudguards to prevent gunk from engulfing your feet and heel clips for crampons in snowy conditions. Triple-thick insoles offer dense plushness and are perforated for airflow, keeping feet comfy. They also have lightweightPrimaLoft-branded gel toe caps, which provide warm synthetic insulation similar to what NASA uses in its astronaut suits.

These boots are loaded with warming tech, including Gore-Tex for keeping dry from rain and snow, and they're built for serious hikes. Naturally, they're also not as breathable as any other option on this list, as they're meant for waterproofing your feet, providing rigid, high-ankle support, and, as their wide lugs indicate, plenty of deep snow. These may be overkill for a casual hiker, but anyone who lives or hikes in high elevation should reach for these, especially in icy conditions.

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These streamlined boots suit serious backpackers who want durable support and incredible traction—like a hiking-mountaineering hybrid shoe. They have a soft, padded interior, with supple leather and light perforation to help breathability—especially useful given they use Gore-Tex, which can make feet feel toasty. They sport a glove-like fit and are durable enough to tackle descending steep rocks and ascending treacherous trails confidently.

The rubber toe guards at the heel and toe absorb shock, and the insole provides enough cushion to carry heavy packs all day. Meanwhile, the outsole is extra-thick for staying on your heels, and the ankle collar is slightly stiff to keep your posture upright while hiking. You can replace the soles when they wear out to keep these boots going for years, too. Though these are fairly lightweight, they're best reserved for cooler days to prevent your feet from running hot.

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Though you might know Keen for its sandals, the support and protection you get from these boots might convince you of the brand’s versatility. The uppers are made from waterproof leather for durability, and the interior has a moisture-wicking liner to keep your feet dry.

Each shoe weighs just under a pound, staving off foot fatigue after a long day of hiking. The wide toe box provides a great fit, especially if boots are typically too narrow. Some reviews mentioned concerns about long-term durability, so consider that when you’re shopping. If you put in many miles yearly, there may be better options, but these are solid for casual use.

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The Pyrenees is another Keen boot worth buying due to its low weight, excellent style, and roomy fit. I've been wearing these during my commute to work and find them ultra-comfy, supportive, and stylish. They have a plush pad and ankle collar that feels similar to a firm pillow, and their upper construction, made with leather and minor stitching, gives them a minimalist, classic style. I have wide feet and I found these boots to fit roomy, which may be a dealbreaker for those with smaller ones but satisfying for thick sock wearers.

These are the fastest to lace up on this list due to six-speed hooks per boot, making them easy to slide off and on. Each pair of Keen Pyrenees hiking boots also comes with a colorful spare set of laces, spicing up any basic pair you may consider grabbing. Although I'm not a fan of some of the colors the Pyrenees comes in—the black and legion blue pair are way too tactical for my taste—the collaboration pair with Leave No Trace is right up my alley, plus Keen's site lists several more vibrant colorways.

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Danny Perez's favorite pair is the K-6 boots from Eddie Bauer due to their retro look and cushioned footbed. They're waterproofed and feature full-grain leather uppers, plus a chunky Vibram sole that grips rocks, wet streets, and everything in between.

Perez has used these boots while hiking in the Catskills during a few rainy days and always wears them when he has a lot of walking to do in the city. Despite their chunky silhouette, they’re relatively lightweight, and he's never experienced blisters or foot fatigue at the end of a long day. The black leather cleans up nicely for versatile styling off the trails, and the ankle height lets him wear them with pants or shorts.