Every outdoor enthusiast needs the best hiking boots possible. They want to feel comfortable and stable, and endure long hours on multiple terrains in a variety of weather. We’ve taken a close look at a lot of brands with the best hiking boots for men and women who love all kinds of adventure.
Whether you are an experienced hiker or an amateur finding your way, having the right footwear is imperative to a successful trip. To hit the world’s best hiking trails, you need the best hiking boots. It doesn’t matter where you are hiking; it can be a backcountry road, mountain summit, or tough terrain like the Grand Canyon.
The best hiking boots are reliable for all the right reasons. They are sturdy, comfortable, breathable, and can withstand any landscape.
Why Choose the Best Hiking Boots?
Hiking, walking, and trekking connect you with nature and contribute to a healthy lifestyle. To have hassle-free hiking, you need the right gear. This includes hiking shoes, reusable water bottles, a sustainable backpack, and more. You might also need an eco-friendly tent and some camping gear if you plan to camp.
The best hiking boots come with a range of features to maximize endurance and durability while maintaining comfort.
How to Choose the Best Hiking Boots
The secret to happy hiking is choosing the right boots. There is a lot to consider from size to style, and knowing which shoe is best for you can be challenging. We’ve narrowed down some important factors when choosing a hiking boot:
Hiking Terrain
When choosing a hiking boot, it’s best to consider where you plan to hike. Terrain plays a key role in determining what you have on your feet.
Rough terrain with lots of rocks or mud requires a hiking boot with lots of foot support. You need to choose a shoe with a rugged tread on the outsole. This feature offers high traction and underfoot protection, providing the support you need to have a smooth hike.
If you plan to hike on wet terrains, you need a waterproof hiking boot. Waterproof hiking boots prevent water from entering the boot and reaching your feet, so you can stay warm and dry at all times.
Right Fit
Hiking requires you to have the right boots to get the job done. No one wants sprained arches, blackened toenails, or blisters.
A hiking shoe should never be tight on your feet. Tight shoes tend to feel uncomfortable after hiking a few miles, because of the natural swelling that happens to our feet when we hike. Also, you don’t want a shoe that’s too loose because this can rub your skin, and make your footing less secure on the ground.
The best approach is to choose a hiking boot that’s half or one size bigger than your normal daily wear. If you wear size 8, you can go for size 8.5 or 9 for your hiking shoe. Ideally, the best shoe size allows you to fit your index finger in between your achilles and the back of the shoe’s interior. This also allows for thicker wool socks that many hikers occasionally opt for. Either way, regardless of sock choice, the boots should not be too snug.
Material
The choice of material matters when choosing hiking gear. The material used determines the shoe’s support, performance, water resistance, and durability.
A boot made sustainably using sustainable materials is not only good for the planet, but can contribute immensely to comfort and reliability as well.
Weight
The weight of your shoe determines its performance. Lightweight hiking boots ensure you can hike for longer without getting tired. Hiking shoes that have superior quality while being lightweight are the best pick. Any hiking shoe not exceeding 3.3 pounds is considered lightweight.
Weight distribution is also an essential factor to consider. The best hiking boots are evenly weighted between toe and heel to allow you to move your feet faster and more effortlessly.
EVA Midsole
You’ve probably heard the term, EVA midsole, but what is it? An EVA midsole is a foam-like material that cushions the foot with each step. It’s flexible and lightweight and helps disperse weight and add stability.
Hiking shoes with EVA soles have better shock absorption and midsole support. The foam-like material is soft and resilient and gives the shoe extra durability.
10 Brands for the Best Hiking Boots for Men
There you have an overview of the factors to consider when choosing hiking boots. Now, let’s dive into the best brands to source hiking boots so you can hit the trails. We’ve only listed sustainable brands committed to creating hiking shoes with minimal environmental impact.
Here is a breakdown of our favorite hiking boots for men:
Merrell Moab 2 Mid Ventilator– Best All Round Hiking Boot for Men
Keen Targhee III– Best Waterproof Hiking Boot for Men
Oboz Bozeman Low Leather– Most Versatile Hiking Boot for Men
The North Face VECTIV Fastpack MID FUTURELIGHT– Best Lightweight Hiking Boot for Men
ethical WARES Tibet Vegan Walking/Hiking Boots– Best Summer Hiking Boots for Men
ZAMBERLAN 1007 VIOZ HIKE GTX®– Best Rough Terrain Hiking Boot for Men
ECCO EXOHIKE MID GTX– Best High Traction Hiking Boot for Men
Teva RIDGEVIEW MID– Most Durable Hiking Boot for Men
Wills Vegan Store WVSport Waterproof Hiking Boots– Best Vegan Hiking Boots for Men
Hoka Anacapa Low Gore-Tex– Most Comfortable Hiking Boot for Men
Read on to discover the unique features that make these boots ideal for hiking!
Merrell
Merell is a sustainable footwear brand offering a wide variety of hiking boots for men. It has a sustainability approach centered around recycling and creating partnerships with other sustainable organizations to keep its environmental impact as low as possible.
Our Pick: Men’s Moab 2 Mid Ventilator
The Merrell Moab 2 Mid Ventilator is a lightweight men’s hiking boot for all your outdoor adventures. It combines good traction and ankle protection, and good comfort too.
This hiking boot features a mesh and suede leather exterior. The breathable mesh lining allows aeration into the shoe while the protective rubber toe protects your feet when hiking on rough terrains.
This boot has an air cushion in the heels to absorb shock and has EVA midsoles that add extra comfort.
Keen
Keen crafts footwear consciously to help outdoor enthusiasts explore the planet without impacting it negatively.
Our Pick: Keen Targhee III Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots
The Keen Targhee III is known for its waterproof capabilities that allow you to hike in wet environments comfortably. It’s well-built, comfortable, and lightweight to provide incredible hiking adventures. It’s a hardcore boot designed for hiking on fairly rough terrain. Its outer section features a leather and mesh combination that withstands many years of hiking.
The Targhee III boot definitely focuses on comfort. It is wide in the toe area to ensure that the boot won’t pinch your toes. Its removable footbed features lightweight cushioning so you can hike for long hours. The outsole is made to provide a higher-traction grip.
Oboz
Oboz creates footwear while contributing to sustainability through activities such as carbon offsetting, renewable energy, the use of sustainable materials, and ethical manufacturing.
Our Pick: Oboz Bozeman Men’s Low Leather Shoes
Thanks to its sturdy construction and versatility, the Oboz Bozeman Low Leather hiking boot fits perfectly in the city as in the outdoors.
The sturdy upper construction combined with the grippy rubber outsoles provides good traction on rough landscapes. Its upper combines nubuck leather and a breathable mesh made from recycled water bottles. It also has EVA midsoles designed to cushion your feet while keeping them agile.
For every pair of shoes sold, Oboz plants a tree. They partner with Trees for the Future, a sustainable organization focused on reforestation in different parts of the world.
The North Face
The North Face is a sustainable outdoor brand that makes various gear, from tents and backpacks to footwear that allows you to be good to the planet while you enjoy it.
Our Pick: The North Face VECTIV Fastpack FUTURELIGHT™
The North Face VECTIV Fastpack hiking boot is a lightweight waterproof hiking shoe for men. Made with the FUTURELIGHT™ waterproof/breathable technology, this shoe helps you cover more miles faster. The FUTURELIGHT features a nanospinning technology to create a waterproof, breathable membrane while being lightweight and soft.
The FastFoam™midsoles enable wearers to hike more comfortably as they provide extra comfort. The OrthoLite® X35™ Hybrid™ footbeds provide high-impact cushioning for additional comfort. The outsoles have a stair-step lug design that contributes to better grip.
ethical WARES
ethical WARES is a vegan outdoor brand that aims to support your wonderful adventures while being cruelty-free. All its brands are not only vegan but also manufactured in worker-friendly environments.
Our Pick: ethical WARES Tibet Vegan Hiking Boots
The ethical WARES Tibet Vegan hiking boots for men were designed to provide excellent grip and comfort.
Thanks to the carefully crafted mesh, this hiking shoe is both water-resistant and breathable. It is designed for summer hiking when temperatures are high.
Zamberlan
Zamberlan focuses on a wide variety of footwear. They have suitable footwear for hiking, mountaineering, and trekking. With Zamberlan, you have the chance to choose the quality, technology, and safety you need.
Our Pick: Zamberlan 1007 VIOZ Hike GTX
The ZAMBERLAN 1007 VIOZ HIKE GTX® is an excellent hiking shoe for both on and off the trail. Handcrafted in Italy, Zamberlan 1007 VIOZ GTX RR is a comfortable hiking boot designed for the backcountry.
The shoe features a rugged design with a full-grain waxed leather upper and is water-resistant. Its outsole features an all-rubber construction with an excellent tread for maximum grip. This makes it good for downhill braking and toe climbing zones.
The rubber toe design helps maintain the boot’s uppers from wear and tear in rough terrains. It has corrosion resistant hardware that ensures the shoe has prolonged durability and easier lacing.
ECCO
ECCO is an innovative brand that makes footwear and clothing for the eco conscious consumer. Its design, development, production, and supply chain are streamlined for maximum sustainability.
Our Pick: ECCO EXOHIKE MID GTX
The ECCO EXOHIKE MID GTX is an outdoor hiking boot designed for rugged terrain.
The EXOHIKE MID GTX’s outsole features a Michelin rubber that’s highly responsive to outdoor conditions. It gives you the excellent traction and stability you need to hike in challenging landscapes. On the midfoot is a rubber grip grid that enhances traction. Its upper features an ethically tanned leather and Gore-Tex breathable mesh.
To ensure maximum comfort on your feet, the boot has padding at the ankle. This padding absorbs shock, while the soft and lightweight midsole offers excellent energy return.
Teva
Teva is a sustainable footwear brand that uses recycled plastic to make sturdy and durable shoes and sandals. Teva’s leather is sourced from tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group, whose mission is to promote sustainability in the leather industry.
Our Pick: Teva Ridgeview MID
The Teva RIDGEVIEW MID is a versatile men’s hiking boot designed to hike in all types of terrain. It has a breathable mesh and waterproof leather upper that protects your feet while hiking in deep snow or heavy rain. The recycled polyester mesh keeps your feet cool and comfortable in hot weather too.
To help you tackle every terrain, this hiking boot has an extra grip on the outsole. This optimizes balance and traction for both dry and wet surfaces.
Its interior is comfortable. The lightweight midsole adds extra cushioning for maximum comfort, while the footbed puts some spring action in every step you make.
Will’s Vegan Store
Will’s Vegan Store is a highly sustainable company that implements a wide range of ethical practices in its process. From sourcing responsible material and being carbon neutral to using green energy, Will’s Vegan Store is at the forefront of minimizing environmental impacts in production.
Our Pick: WVSport Waterproof Hiking Boots
Made in Italy, the WVSport Waterproof Hiking Boots are designed for durability, comfort, traction, and stability in the roughest terrains possible.
The uppers feature abrasion and scuff-resistant materials. It comes with waterproof seams and a breathable waterproof membrane that will help keep water out of your feet. The dark brown color scheme with vegan suede-finish uppers gives your hiking boot an aesthetic appeal.
When hiking with the WVSport Waterproof hiking shoes, the removable cushioned anatomic insoles provide the comfort you need to trek for long distances.
Hoka
Hoka is a footwear and fashion brand committed to innovating their sustainability processes to benefit the planet and human rights. Its shoes feature great designs, comfortable fit, and waterproof construction.
Our Pick: Hoka Anacapa Low GORE-TEX
The Hoka Anacapa Low GTX is a sturdy hiking shoe crafted from lightweight leather from the Leather Working Group. The low-profile design allows you to move light and fast.
The Anacapa Low GORE-TEX hiking shoe is designed to cushion and protect your feet, and the symmetrical bed of cushion provides the support you need.
Brands With the Best Hiking Boots for Women
We’ve also compiled a list of the best hiking boots for women. Here is a breakdown of the 6 best brands for women’s hiking boots:
Xero Shoes– Best Lightweight Hiking Boot for Women
Merrell– Best High-Quality Hiking Boot for Women
KEEN– Best Waterproof Hiking Boot for Women
Forsake– Most Stylish Hiking Boot for Women
Vivobarefoot– Best Women’s Hiking Boot With Free Trial
Vegetarian Shoes– Best Hiking Shoe for Vegan Women
Here’s what we like about these brands:
Xero Shoes
Xero Shoes makes a wide variety of shoes, sandals, and accessories sustainably.
Our Pick: Xero Shoes Xcursion Fusion
The Xero Shoes Xcursion Fusion hiking boots have a sturdy construction ideal for hiking. It has a rugged sole that provides grip, a midsole padding for comfort, and feet protection.
The Xcursion Fusion is enhanced with a protective toe cap and a water-resistant membrane behind the outer mesh. Weighing just 0.625 pounds, it’s lightweight enough for trail hiking, backpacking, or any other outdoor expedition.
Merrell
Merrell also creates a range of eco-friendly hiking boots for women. Driven by the pure spirit of adventure, Merrell has lots of hiking shoes, from low cuts to high boots that allow you to tackle any terrain. Merrell claims its shoes have been worn by over 20 million people in the world.
Our Pick: Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof
The Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof is a hiking boot designed to keep your feet warm when hiking. It comes with a membrane that seals out water, allowing you to stay dry when on the go.
This hiking boot features a mesh upper and suede leather, sturdy material that ensures its longevity. The breathable mesh lining keeps your feet well aerated.
The shoe’s interior features an air cushion with shock absorption capabilities and an EVA midsole.
KEEN
KEEN women’s hiking boots come with stylish designs. They are also focused on ensuring every outdoor enthusiast has sustainable footwear for positive environmental impact by providing ethical hiking shoes.
Our Pick: KEEN Women’s NXIS EVO Waterproof Boot
The KEEN Women’s NXIS EVO is a lighter version of the Targhee III Waterproof Mid. It’s PVC-free, made from environmentally-preferred premium leather from LWG-certified tannery. Its leather and mesh upper coupled with a breathable membrane give the boot waterproof capabilities. This design lets vapor out of the shoe without allowing water in.
The most impressive feature is the Metatomical Footbed Design. This design features an internal support mechanism that’s engineered to give your arch excellent support.
Another benefit is that this hiking boot doesn’t require complex maintenance.
Forsake
Born out of the love of exploring the great outdoors, Forsake is a climate-neutral brand that maintains net-zero emissions. It designs footwear with minimal environmental impact while upholding high-quality levels.
Our Pick: Forsake Thatcher Mid
The Forsake Thatcher Mid hiking boot provides women with a stylish way to hit the trails. Made from full-grain waterproof leather and durable interwoven fabric.
Besides being stylish, the boot is designed to be comfortable. It’s lightweight and ideal for long hikes. The breathable sweat-wicking lining and odor-resistant footbeds keep your feet cool and dry. A composite shank adds stability when hiking on uneven terrain.
Vivobarefoot
Vivobarefoot is a B-CORP-certified organization committed to minimizing environmental impacts in its supply chain and manufacturing. Using bio, recycled, and natural materials, Vivobarefoot creates sturdy hiking boots for the trails.
Our Pick: Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC
The Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC hiking boot is designed to support the outdoor enthusiast. Whether you are hiking on extreme forest terrain or endurance trails, this boot is your perfect partner.
The Michelin rubber sole combines high-performance rubber and a rugged sole ideal for the trails. This offers traction and a comfortable feel. The claw-like-lugs are well-positioned in ascent and descents, providing additional edge traction ideal for traversing steep inclines. These traction designs make the Vivobarefoot Forest Tracker an ideal mountaineering boot.
Vivobarefoot offers a 100-day trial, allowing you the chance to try the boots and see if they work for you. In case you are unsatisfied, you can return for a full refund.
Vegetarian Shoes
Vegetarian Shoes uses plant-based materials such as hemp, cotton, cork, and Pinatex to make sturdy, eco-friendly hiking shoes.
Our Pick: Veggie Trekker MK5
The Veggie Trekker MK5 is a vegan-friendly footwear ideal for vegan enthusiasts. Designed with water-resistant and breathable uppers, it comes in handy for any terrain.
Veggie Trekker MK5 has an inner lining made with Wind-Tex designed to keep your feet dry while the insulation layer provides warmth. It is also fairly lightweight.
The protective rubber around the boot increases its waterproof capabilities.
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