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After years of hiking boot and trail runner designs merging and blending, it can be hard to tell if a boot is built for long days in the backcountry or better left to strolls in the park. Does anyone really wear traditional leather hiking boots anymore? If so, when, and why? The answers can be found in these reviews of our top picks, selected after a season of fastidious testing. Regardless of style, all of these boots, which range from plush day hikers to boots capable of handling 50-pound packs, made hiking in the wilderness easier and more comfortable, protected our feet and ankles, and gave us purchase on the trickiest terrain.
At a Glance
Best Value
Keen Targhee IV Waterproof Mid
$170 at REI $170 at Backcountry
Weight: 2.5 lbs (men’s) / 2 lbs (women’s)
Sizes: 7-15 (men’s) / 5-12 (women’s)
Pros and Cons
⊕ Excellent waterproofing
⊕ Durable
⊗ Some break-in required
⊗ Heavy
The Targhee has long been one of our top picks for a sturdy, traditional hiking boot thanks to its full-leather construction, waterproof-breathable liner, and killer price point. The newest iteration comes with a lifetime guarantee against delamination of the outsole, which means you’ll rarely have to replace these duds. Thanks to a new mechanical bonding process, there’s much less of a chance of having your outsole detach from the midsole, as is the case with traditional glueing methods. And after a full season of hiking on trails, in scree, and across beaches, the boots show little sign of wear, from outsole to cuff.
The leather upper, which Keen sources from Leather Working Group-certified tanneries, is lined with the brand’s proprietary waterproof-breathable membrane, a PFAS-free water repellent coating, and an anti-odour treatment. This made them “totally waterproof and really durable feeling,” says tester John Waters, who wore them backpacking and scrambling in B.C.’s Vancouver Island mountains. He spent a day walking through puddles and then got soaked by a rainstorm. His socks never got wet, but the upper did take a long time to dry. Waters found that the boots breathed well up to about 70 degrees and then got clammy inside—in hot summer climates, a vented, non-Gore-Tex low-top version of this boot was much more comfortable.
The midsole and above-the-ankle cut provided plenty of support in rough terrain and the outsole’s chunky chevrons gripped both wet and dry trail surfaces. A proprietary air-filled foam gave the midsole a cushy—but not squishy—feel. Stiffer material around the heel added some stability, but the Targhee IV’s are happiest on-trail, and feel solid carrying loads up to 40 pounds. Beyond that, they started to buckle and felt a little wobbly in uneven terrain.
While Waters loved them out of the box, it was a slow burn for some other testers. After logging more than 200 miles of day hiking in New England, tester Adam Sauerwein says the boots have steadily conformed to his feet like a baseball mitt. The narrow-ish heel holds his foot snug, while the wide toe box provides plenty of room for swelling feet and pounding descents. “The more I wear the boot the more I fall in love with it,” he says.
Best Do-It-All
Arc’teryx Kopec Mid GTX
Weight: 12 oz (men’s)/ 10 oz (women’s)
Sizes: 7-13 (men’s)/ 5-10 (women’s)
Pros and Cons
⊕ Lightweight
⊕ Excellent grip
⊕ Responsive
⊗ Firm cushioning
The Kopec felt like an extension of our bodies: The canvas-like Cordura upper conformed to our foot shape, the midsole was both responsive and supportive, and the twelve-ounce (per shoe) weight lent a barely-there feel. Add it all together and the Kopec Mid GTX inspires confidence to move faster, take chances, and wander off trail.
The dual-density midsole doesn’t have a ton of cushion, but is firmly supportive and provides good feedback. Over long hauls, that supportive midsole created stability that allowed our muscles to relax, leaving our legs feeling fresher than expected. Superior traction helped: The Vibram Megagrip outsole’s chunky and well-spaced 4-millimeter lugs provided reliable grip in loose, muddy, and rocky conditions.
The shoes are tough, too. A TPU reinforcement around the toe box deflects scratches, and the upper shows no sign of wear after a season of use. The low-cut version of the Kopec is optimized for day trips, but the mid-height version, with its molded and padded collar, provided testers enough support to carry overnight loads up to about 30 pounds on trail. Thanks to the Gore-Tex liner, our Pacific Northwest-based tester reported dry feet through a season of winter testing, and acceptable breathability in conditions up to 70 degrees.
Testers reported no break-in period, but true to the Arc’teryx last, they tend to fit narrow feet better. Overall, the Kopec Mid GTX is a shoe our testers kept reaching for, whether for a morning dog walk, a technical day hike, or a long weekend backpack.
Best for FKTs
La Sportiva Prodigio Hike GTX
$179 at REI $179 at La Sportiva
Weight: 13 oz (men)/ 10 oz (women)
Sizes: 7-14 (men)/ 5-12 (women)
Pros and Cons
⊕ Speedy feeling
⊕ Innovative gaiter
⊗ Limited to day trip loads
Integrated gaiters are a gamble. More often than not they chafe, attract filth, and eventually fray. Not with the Prodigio Hike GTXs. The knit-style upper—made from four-way-stretch, high-tenacity thermoplastic yarns—tops out in a sock-like cuff that hugged our testers’ lower calves and sealed out sticks, pebbles, and dust while bushwacking and climbing scree fields. It also has a lace garage that kept ours tied throughout testing. Mostly though, the knit upper creates what feels like a custom fit: “They hugged my foot from toe to ankle,” said Jose Boulding, a speed hiker in Squamish. “They’re super comfortable.”
Backed by an ePE-Gore-Tex membrane, the Prodigo Hike GTX’s upper kept Boulding’s toes dry through a wet day hike. (Although the gaiter did not.) And they were surprisingly breathable on a humid, 75-degree mountain climbing day trip. The fabric held up well to hard use, even weathering a scree field scramble without a scratch. The outsole is a collection of chevron-shaped lugs that do a nice job of digging into soft trail surfaces and shedding mud while also sticking to slick rock and hard surfaces.
La Sportiva designed this shoe off its Prodigio trail runner. The difference, in addition to the gaiter, is that the hiker’s forefoot is wider and the midsole is a little more rigid. With a slight rocker shape and cushy EVA midsole, this is a solid running shoe, particularly for messy conditions. But the Prodigo Hike GTX felt most at home hiking fast and pushing big distances at more of a walking stride without much pack weight—it isn’t meant for backpacking or off-trail wandering. Bottom line: if you hate it when an intruding pebble slows you down, these are your new best friends for moving fast down the trail.
Most Supportive
Meindl Air Revolution Alpine 4.1
Weight: 1.8 lbs
Sizes: 8-14, D & EE widths (men’s)
Pros and Cons
⊕ Durable
⊕ Very supportive
⊕ Out-of-box comfort
⊗ Too stiff for day hikes
The ability to handle heavy loads, rugged country, and off-trail hiking is expected of a boot this rigid. What we weren’t prepared for was the instant fit: “These are amazingly comfortable right out of the box,” echoed every tester who took them for a walk. One laced them up for the first time at the trailhead for a 40-mile, four-day trip. “Not even a hotspot,” he reported afterwards. With the dual lacing system, he could adjust the top and bottom independently, customizing the tension throughout the boot.
Our Vancouver-based mountain guide tester used them in 85-degree temperatures and was shocked by the all-leather, Gore-Tex-lined boot’s breathability. Meindl claims that its design, which incorporates air channels that run alongside the tongue, push out hot air with each step. What we can say for certain? The boots definitely kept our testers feet more comfortable than expected in warm temperatures.
Testers used the 4.1 on both long alpine adventures and more pedestrian hikes. The stiff shank and 7.5-inch tall cuff felt clunky on day hikes, but was at home with pack weights up to 50 pounds and in rough, unstable trail conditions. The polyurethane midsole provided stiff support for edging and ankle stability, without being too clunky for trail hiking. Off-trail, the Vibram outsole’s variable lug pattern dug into duff, vegetation, and gave purchase in slippery conditions.
After multiple trips into the alpine, the 4.1s show little sign of use thanks to the tall rubber rand and an attention to craftsmanship evident in high stitch counts and high quality materials. “I think my body will fall apart long before these boots do,” noted our mountain guide.
Best for Long Day Hikes
Hoka Anacapa 2 Freedom
$155 at REI $155 at Backcountry
Weight: 14 ounces (men’s)/ 12 ounces (women’s)
Sizes: 7-15 (men’s)/ 5-11 (women’s)
Pros and Cons
⊕ Easy on
⊕ Lightweight
⊕ Fast drying
⊗ Narrow toe box
We loved the original Anacapa for its light and speedy feel, excellent stability, and cloud-like cushioning. The updated Anacapa 2 is all of those things, but with better grip and easier on and off.
The “Freedom” part of the name refers to the new “slip-on” design, courtesy of a springy rubber heel counter that allowed testers to slide into the shoe with no hands or bending required. (It’s a nice perk, but a bit gimmicky, considering we still have to tie the damn things.) We worried the flexible heel might rub or let us down in technical situations, but we experienced neither.
Beyond the slip-on design, we were impressed with the shoe’s continued performance on-trail. It required no break-in and was light and smooth-feeling on flat and rolling terrain. The boot’s chunky, 38-millimeter-thick EVA midsole cushions impacts, the wide last allows feet to splay, and the tapered toe lends it the feel of a heavy-duty trail running shoe, although some testers found it a bit tight.
What surprised tester Craig Romano, a Washington-based hiking guide author, was the stability provided by the TPU heel counter, which held him steady in rooty and rocky terrain. “It feels like a trail runner, but offers more comfort and support,” he says. Romano found the Vibram Megagrip outsole was reliable in muddy and dry conditions, making the Anacapa a versatile day hiker ready to take on long miles and variable conditions.
Most Durable Dayhiker
Aku Flyrock
Weight: 13 ounces (men’s) / 13 ounces (women’s)
Sizes: 7-13 (men’s)/ 5-11 (women’s)
Pros and Cons
⊕ Durable
⊕ Trail runner comfort
⊗ Techy colors
⊗ Lacks support
Dust off the dirt and my pair of Flyrock’s are nearly mint, even after two summers of nearly daily use. And it’s not superficial, either. With 150 miles on them, they still have a tenacious grip and put spring in my step. That’s surprising, considering the Flyrocks look and feel more like a trail runner than a burly hiking shoe.
For lasting looks, credit the armadillo-like upper. Strips of TPU across the top and along the sides of the breathable nylon textile upper add a touch of structure and plenty of shielding from trailside hazards without reducing breathability. The durable EVA midsole is cushy with decent rebound, while a lasting board offers just enough stiffness and protection without impeding easy walking. There isn’t enough structure for heavy loads or ankle protection, but they’re nimble enough for rough trail surfaces. Blocky, widely spaced lugs on the Vibram outsoles proved grippy on a variety of trail surfaces, from slick gravel to thick mud.
My favourite feature is the quick lace system. It uses cinchable cord rather than laces, and the top eyelet integrates with a strap that loops around the ankle and through the top of the heel counter. According to Aku, the design slackens to allow more mobility on heel strike, and pulls snug on toe-off to prevent lifting. All I know is that these shoes are shockingly comfortable to walk and hike in. The heel feels locked in place and there’s room in the toe box for swelling on hot days and long hikes where the Flyrocks are at their best.
Beefiest Low-Top
Scarpa Moraine Low WP
Weight: 1.4 lbs
Sizes: 7-13 (men’s) / 6-10 (women’s)
Pros and Cons
⊕ Stable
⊕ Waterproof
⊕ Built-in RECCO locator
⊗ Heavy
Opting for an airy low-top doesn’t necessarily mean less stability and protection than a tall boot. The Moraine Mid WP is a prime example: In addition to dual-density EVA cushioning, Scarpa added a nylon medial shank and a stiff TPU counter to the shoe, which wraps high around the heel. The Moraines don’t have the bouncy feel of a speedier hiker—they feel quite stiff, in fact—but compensate by smoothing out uneven ground and providing a surprising amount of ankle support for a low-cut hiker, lending boot-like stability without boot-style clunk. After hard hikes, the added protection left my legs feeling fresher.
I found the Moraines were most at home on day trips, but I didn’t wish for taller boots while hauling a 25-pound load during a six-mile hike into Cream Lake on Vancouver Island or route-finding in Coast Range scree (if you prefer taller boots, the Moraine comes in a mid height as well). And on a rainy fall hike, the oiled nubuck leather and recycled mesh upper, backed by a waterproof-breathable membrane, kept my feet dry. After two seasons of use, the Moraine Low WP’s show little sign of wear and tear.
Best for Scrambling
Zamberlan Salathe Trek GTX
Weight: 1.1 lbs (unisex)
Sizes: 7.5-13 (unisex)
Pros and Cons
⊕ Grippy
⊕ Waterproof
⊕ Durable
⊗ Expensive
Zamberlan’s Salathe Trek GTX is the mid-cut big brother of the popular Salathe approach shoe, and it shows. The brand kept the foot-conforming suede upper (backed by a Gore-Tex liner), the to-the-toe lacing for a snug fit, a chunky Vibram outsole with smearing and edging sections, and a 360-degree rubber rand to protect against scree and rock gashes. To handle pack weight and the uncertainties of route-finding, Zamberlan raised the ankle to six inches with just a bit of foam for support.
The extra height and waterproof membrane were appreciated in soggy conditions and in uneven, mountainous terrain. The hydrophobic suede deflected melting snow while the Gore-Tex liner stood up to an all-day soaking mist. Breathability is about average for an all-leather boot: Testers noticed some clamminess above 65 degrees.
There’s enough boot here for gear-intensive trips—they felt rock-solid under a 50-pound load—and off-trail hiking or light mountaineering. To maintain walking flexibility, Zamberlan added a cutout at the ankle crease, which allows for natural motion. Despite the boot’s rigidity, testers appreciated the lightweight, dual-density EVA midsole. “They felt light on my feet and springy on the ground,” says tester Jakob Schiller, who wore them on smooth trails and scrambling in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains of New Mexico.
What really stands out, though, is the quality: thick suede leather, durable rubber rands, high stitch counts, and a resoleable design: “They’re built to last,” says Schiller.
Paid Advertisement by Merrell
Merrell Moab Speed 2
Merrell’s Moab Speed 2 combines trusted traction, stability, and durability with the lightweight feel of a sneaker. This hiking shoe features Merrell’s exclusive FloatPro foam for unparalleled comfort, Vibram TC5+ for superior traction, and lightweight FlexPlate™️ technology for torsional rigidity, lateral stability, and forefoot flexibility. Also available in Gore-Tex, the Moab Speed 2 has everything you need to go the distance.
Best for Smooth Trails
Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0
Weight: 1.1 lbs (men) / 1 lbs (women)
Sizes: 6-15 (men)/ 5-11 (women)
Pros and Cons
⊕ Cushy
⊕ Lively feel
⊗ Poor grip
⊗ Not particularly durable
Even when we were dead-tired, the Free Hiker put the bounce back in our step. Credit the eTPU (expanded thermoplastic polyurethane) midsole: An air pocket-filled rubber that creates durable cushioning and noticeable energy return. (“It’s bouncy without being squishy,” is how one Colorado-based tester put it.) The midsole is noticeably wide, which helps to disperse impact, and is rimmed with harder plastic and a heel counter that hugs the lower ankle. Together, this created a supportive and stable feel—most of the time. The exception was rocky and rooty terrain, where the wide footprint felt ungainly and the Continental Rubber outsole wasn’t aggressive or durable enough to keep up.
The synthetic upper—backed by an above-the-ankle Gore-Tex sock—conformed to our foot shape and kept us dry even after a full soaker. “It molds around my foot for a kind of barefoot feel,” said one tester. It’s not quite as quick-stepping as the Saucony Ultra Ridge, nor as stable as the Arc’teryx Kopec, but neither can touch the rejuvenating boost of the Free Hiker on smooth trails and uncomplicated terrain.
Honorable Mentions
Merrell Moab Speed 2 ($140): Merrell’s most popular day hiker is like an outdoor-focused cross-trainer. It’s up for any adventure and is a great alternative if you have trouble finding the Aku Flyrock or have a wider foot (it comes in two widths). We prefer the Flyrock for its longevity, but are always happy to lace up the Moab Speed 2s.
The North Face Offtrail Low ($149): An old school-feeling boot with new school technology and a misnomer of a name. We liked it best on-trail, where we could unleash the rockered sole and thick cushioning.
Garmont 9.81 Alert ($165): Rucking fans or anyone looking for a more urban look should check out these mid-height hikers. They’re also a great candidate for people with very narrow feet. With a touch of ankle support, a soft midsole, and a highly breathable synthetic upper, they’re best for smoother trails.
How to Choose the Right Hiking Boots
Fit
The most important consideration for hiking boots is fit. They should feel snug (but not tight) everywhere except around the toes, where you want a little extra room to accommodate foot swelling and to keep piggies from hitting the end of the shoe on downhills. All footwear brands come with their own idiosyncrasies—finding the exact right fit will take trial-and-error. So it’s best to try boots on before purchasing. Ideally, go to a brick-and-mortar retailer later in the day when your feet have swelled a little. Bring your favorite socks and a footbed if you prefer an after-market one. Once you’ve found a pair that seems to fit, resist the urge to hit the trail right away. Instead, wear them around the house for a few hours. This will give you an early sense of any issues while retaining the option of returning them.
Hiking Style
Before you start trying pairs on, think about the type of hiking you’ll be doing. For light and fast hiking, a lower cut and softer, more flexible midsole is preferable. For heavy pack loads or mountainous terrain, an above-the-ankle boot and stiffer midsole may work better. These burlier boots often have shanks and heel counters, which add even more rigidity and support. Many boots and trail runners also come with a rock plate for protection from bruising on sharp trail protrusions.
Environment
Finally, focus on trail conditions and environment. For rainy or wet trails, a waterproof membrane will keep your feet dry. For a dedicated summer hiker or for hot and dry conditions, a mesh boot will breathe considerably better and dry out quickly. Turn the boot over and look at the outsole pattern. Most lug patterns offer versatile grip, but in general, wet trails benefit from a deeper and wider lug pattern, which digs into and sheds mud better. A sharp inside edge and lug-less smearing zone around the toe help with scrambling on rock and slabs.
How We Test
- Number of testers: 15
- Number of shoes tested: 40+
- Number of miles: 500 and counting
- Number summits climbed: 25
Mostly we just let our testers do what they do best: walk. We called in dozens of different hiking boots and shoes and handed them out to 15 testers with instructions to put on some serious miles. They took short hikes and 30-mile backpacking trips, on-trail and off. They scrambled up peaks and down canyons, logging more than 500 miles in total. As they trekked along, we asked them to consider everything from fit to grip, cushioning to stability. Because pack weight can influence all these variables, we had them hike with both light loads and heavy packs. And to understand how boots and shoes performed in different weather conditions and environments, we spread testers and samples across the continent, from coastal British Columbia to New England’s windy summits.
After at least two testers have tried every shoe, we have them fill out a detailed questionnaire. Then we send them back out with more shoes. The process is ongoing and endless. With every review we compare the results to all the other hikers we’ve tested over the years. Because ultimately we’re not just looking for the best new hiking boots, we want the best hikers, period.
Meet the Testers
Ryan Stuart: Ryan started hiking at 16, when his family moved from Toronto to Calgary. After a decade exploring the Canadian Rockies, he migrated west to Vancouver Island and is now tromping his way around the coastal hikes and remote mountain routes that lace that region’s temperate rainforest. He’s been testing gear for Outside, Backpacker and Ski for 15 years.
Patrick Lowkes: The Vermont-based weekend warrior is always lining up his next adventure, which usually involves lots of miles at an aerobic clip. He spends his summer exploring the trails in the White and Green mountains.
Bill Phipps: Bill is a mountain guide and climbing gym owner on Vancouver Island. He focuses on testing mountain boots and burlier backpacking boots.