The Best Hiking Boots and Shoes for Any Adventure

Serious alpine terrain demands respect. If you’re going to be encountering snow, ice, rocks and steep climbs, you need a mountaineering boot. Weighing 1 pound, 5.8 ounces per boot (in a size men's 9.5) the Kento Tour, from Swiss mountain stalwarts Mammut, offers a surprisingly agile mix of stiff soled support, grip and protection. Given the height and stiffness, it’s a remarkably comfortable boot. Despite the big 11 millimeter drop, it's easy to stick to your natural stride.

These boots are built for serious terrain and transporting heavy loads, and are crampon-compatible for icy conditions. Surprisingly, they have impressive out-the-box comfort, and just enough flex to stop them feeling like a ski boot. Gore-Tex takes care of the waterproofing, and the velour leather upper and approach shoe style lacing system means you can really dial in the fit.

Tested on a snow-covered glacier in freezing conditions, I was impressed by the warmth offered, and the Vibram Hexa Tech sole made me feel more mountain goat than amateur mountaineer. I’ve also used these boots on scrambling rocky ascents, and they instill confidence in every step, while never feeling cumbersome.

The Altra Lone Peak shoe first launched in 2011 and now has a cult following, particularly with thru-hikers. (For more on ultralight backpacking, check out our guide here.) Weighing 11.15 ounces for men (9.3 ounces for women), the shoe is light and comfortable, and the reinforced toe and heel offers excellent protection from nature’s trip hazards. I tested the waterproof version (the version without waterproofing are $20 less), which made swift work of sloppy puddles and slippery grass. Look closely, and you’ll also see a small Velcro tab on the heel for attaching gaiters, which really helps in keeping out the damp.

As with all Altra shoes, it has a zero-drop (0 millimeter) design and superwide toe box to encourage natural movement. While this does give the Lone Peak a rather orthopedic look, the comfort is hard to argue with. As someone developing bunions from too many hours in climbing shoes, they’re a blessed relief. Be warned though, you will need to train your legs to adapt to a zero-drop design before taking on any serious distances.

The midsole here doesn’t offer super-shoe levels of cushioning, and that’s no bad thing, as they remain balanced and responsive over all types of terrain. There’s a rock plate, too, which really makes a difference, as does the MaxTrac rubber outsole with 3.5 millimetre lugs. There is also a marginally heavier Lone Peak 9+, which has a Vibram Megagrip sole for even greater grip. I didn’t get to test these however. (Ed. note: These are also editor Adrienne So's favorite trail running and hiking shoes.)

Relentless high profile marketing campaigns, frequent launches and the unmistakable hole-y sole means this once-niche Swiss brand is now playing in the big leagues. Love them or hate them, they have footwear now for every occasion, including these waterproof hiking shoes, which have yet to put a foot wrong. The first thing I noticed as I headed out in the Cloudrocks was just how unlike a pair of regular On Running shoes they felt. The super soft midsole I’ve enjoyed in their running shoes is surprisingly stiff. They remain comfortable regardless of how long you're on your feet, and there’s a traditional hiking boot feel to them, which makes a change to all the super cushioned hybrid options.

They’re stable, the Missiongrip rubber outsole and lugs are deep and offer excellent grip, and although they have no ankle roll support, I still felt secure in them over uneven ground. In fact, I’d happily carry a pack for extended periods in them. It’s not an especially fast shoe, prioritising control for propulsive power, but I think a lot of people will really enjoy them, both on and off trail. They also do a high-top version and a limited edition colourway in partnership with Beams and REI, which looks great. It’s just a pity they are so expensive, and if you do want a similar, but cheaper design, the $120 Adidas Terrex Skychaser AX5 GTX is worth a look.

Part of Arc'teryx's first wholly in-house-designed footwear collection, the Kopec replaces the popular Aerios. Despite the high price, it's a hugely versatile, waterproof boot. Made from 100 percent nylon Cordura, the upper is very durable and gives the boot quite a stiff, secure feel, despite weighing just 11.9 ounces (340 grams) for a size eight.

Designed for day hikes over varied terrain, they’ve impressed me with their the stability and cushioning. If you've been disappointed by the soft sneaker feel of many new-generation options from brands like Hoka, these hit the sweet spot. They have out-the-box comfort but feel far more secure when scrambling or just walking for hours on end. The security in the heel and ankle and from the 3D-molded collars and tongues is matched by a Vibram Megagrip rubber sole with 4-mm lugs. I'm a big fan of this rubber compound, and here the lugs have been arranged to give the most grip for the least weight.

After three months of regular wear—on and off the trails—they still look remarkably box-fresh, and I appreciate being able to simply hose them down to wash away the mud. Yes they're expensive for day hikers, but the materials used do offer a genuine crossover between old and new designs, without compromising on style or performance.

At 13.4 ounces per shoe, these new style Keen aren’t as featherweight as the Arc’yeryx Kopec, but they do have a more trail runner style feel, despite the ankle height. They’re agile, with plenty of spring from the midsole, with the added bonus of a bit of support over uneven ground. They’re not a pretty shoe, but performance is impressive nevertheless.

They’re far less clunky than a traditional boot, but solid enough that I’ve yet to be let down on slippery or technical surfaces. The multidirectional 4mm lugs gripped well on slippery autumnal trails, and I liked the inclusion of traditional boot eyelets. It’s a small detail., but one that makes getting these higher boots on much easier. Over a four hour hike without any prior breaking in, I found the cushioning forgiving, with no hotspots, and the toe box generous, which I appreciate. I’ve only tried the mid-height option, but I have no reason to think that the low design will be anything but as comfortable.

The latest Terrex Skychaser is a solid, good-value boot that handles cold and wet weather with ease. At around 2 pound 0.2 ounces per pair (US9.5), it’s light, but not featherweight, for a mid-height waterproof design and feels steady underfoot without bulk. The Gore-Tex ePE membrane does as it should in puddles, and combined with the clever neoprene-style Climawarm+ insulation, they’re an extremely warm boot without the need for thick shearling style liners. The boot is also available in a low style and also without the Climawarm lining for $20 less.

Terrex boots have evolved over the past few years, with an appreciable boost in hiking specific features and fit. This has made for a slightly bulkier style—they're not as fashionable as they once were—but I’m OK with that. Here, the tough ripstop uppers, synthetic overlays and a firm, supportive fit has proven itself to be comfortable and enjoyable even on the longest of day hikes. The midsole softens impacts without feeling spongy, and the Continental rubber outsole grips confidently. There’s no gimmick here, just a straightforward, well-made, well-priced, modern hiking boot with added warmth for the winter months.

In the 15 years since they launched, I've worn several pairs of the classic Moab 3 Mid and highly recommend them. But over recent years, Merrell's Speed collection has turned my head and pleased my feet.

They're around 2.8 ounces (80 grams) per boot lighter (14.1 ounces total), and you can really feel the difference after a few miles. The upper is made from nylon ripstop TPU which looks robust and gleefully sheds water, dust, and mud and is easier to clean that traditional suede leather. I wonder if it will be as durable over the years as suede, but so far, so good. Comfort is spot on, with a generous toe box and nicely padded collar. I also like that there's not an excess of material in the waterproof tongue bellows, which can often crease and be a point of weakness over time.

The foam midsole feels reassuringly like a walking boot rather than a squishy trainer, but there's still a nice amount of flex in the forefoot and plenty of cushioning. Combine with the Vibram TC5+ outsole with deep, well-spaced lugs and you'll be impressed by how nimble they feel over all sorts of terrain. They're not mountaineering boots by any stretch, but they proved especially good navigating slippery tree roots and muddy forest trails.

The Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX is also available in a women's specific fit, and as a stylish hiking shoe. There's also a heavier, but burlier, leather boot option I'm looking forward to testing.

I take my walking footwear seriously, and was skeptical of such a low cost boot, but in truth, if you’ve only got $55 you’ll do well to find better. They’re comfortable from first wear, the lacing eyelets are robust, there’s plenty of ankle support and the toe box is roomy. They also don’t look cheap.

Hiking in the wet but glorious Lake District in the northwest of England, the boots didn’t cause me any serious issues. This doesn’t sound like high praise, but trust me, it is. My feet remained dry even after several hours splashing through puddles, my toes were well protected, and there wasn’t a hint of a blister. I have wide feet, and my size 11 fitted generously, so sizing down might be worthwhile for some. The lugs are also quite shallow compared to many boots, and while this isn’t an issue on well maintained trails, things can get slippery during muddy ascents.

Will I be giving up my Salomons? No. But the Nortiv8 Armadillo 2 (please avoid the weaker Armadillo 1) is a cheap, versatile boot that will serve many casual hikers well.

These boots from a handcrafted Italian heritage brand are the best hiking boots I’ve ever tested. The fit is spectacular. Zamberlan’s X-Active Fit on a woman-specific last (the form around which the shoe is molded) fits my narrow feet and ankles even better than heat-molded boots. Even the tongue is elasticized and padded; I can tie the laces quickly and tightly without adjusting the pressure on specific parts of my foot. There’s plenty of room in the toe box for long days. A wide heel and big sticky Vibram soles keep me stable while skipping around rocks and logs. And each shoe is still almost as light as some of my trail running sneakers. It boasts Gore-Tex Extended Comfort waterproofing, which claims to keep the boot waterproof for the boot’s lifetime. I haven’t tested that yet (I wear hiking boots for years) but it is a comfort to know that they will be resoleable in the United States when their time comes.—Adrienne So

Adrienne raves about the women's model of the best Zamberlan boot, so I'm here to rave about the men's version. These Italian-made hikers are extra protective—they are six inches tall to cover the ankle, have exceptional padding all over, and there are rubber reinforcements all around the boot. The outsole is also spectacular; made by Vibram, it's a material called Pepe with Megagrip, which honestly sounds like the name of a terrible action figure. But in my two week-long backpacking treks spent testing the boots in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, these soles shocked me with how sticky and tough they are. They kept a firm grip on steep granite ascents as well as slippery creek crossings and lakeshore scrambles. Even if all I could get was a toe hold, I felt confident enough to take the next big step up without slipping. As protective as the boots are, they're also just supremely comfortable. Once I found the right socks for them, I could wear them all day and forget to change into my slides when I got back to camp. Like the other Zamberlans we tested, the Gore-Tex waterproofing is guaranteed for the life of the boot, and they can be resoled when needed.—Michael Calore

At 3 pounds 5 ounces per pair, these Nubuck leather and Gore-Tex boots from Germany are as traditional as they come. Mercifully however, despite the chunky dimensions there’s little breaking in to be done, and I didn’t feel any discomfort from them on a nine mile hike—even across the shin, a notorious pressure point for me— right out of the box.

I initially struggled with the narrow fit of the Tatra II, but that was due to a rapidly developing bunion. The Hanwag rep then told me they do a generous range of widths including a specific bunion fit, and, without hyperbole, my feet were in heaven. The extra room at the big toe joint didn’t make the boots feel oversized at all, just enough to relieve any pressure. They’re expensive, but if you struggle to find boots to fit awkward feet, they’re worth the investment, especially as the leather will last for years, and the Vibram AW rubber is re-soleable.

The other notable feature is the two-zone lacing system with click-clamp eyelets that lets you lock the fit at the ankle and loosen the forefoot when fatigue or conditions demand a change. They also offer women’s specific shapes too, also in various widths including narrow.

If you think of “hiking boots,” the iconic boots that you picture are probably these. They’re not the lightest boots, nor the most nimble, and the fit is perhaps not as dialed in as some of our other picks. However, they’re the boots that you want to be wearing while backpacking or if you have to flee a natural disaster on foot.

They’re still made by hand in Portland, Oregon, and my pair is 17 years old and still going strong. They have the fewest panels of any boot listed here, with a single piece of smooth full-grain leather making up each part of the upper—no worries about loose stitching or leaking here. Just clean the boots off with a damp cloth and re-dress them every few months with a single tin of Danner dressing (that will also last you several years) and they’ll be good to go. I also have a pair of the Jags ($200) that have a flat sole and which I can use while biking and skateboarding, too.—Adrienne So

“I am not wearing those!” is an all-too-familiar phrase from my 10- year old when it comes to buying anything that isn't a slipper-like sneaker. But she's been super impressed by these Sorel boots and loves the fact they fit properly, unlike Wellington boots.

The classic Sorel vulcanized rubber toe and foot is great for wet days, the grip is consistent, and there's a generous amount of ankle support. The suede upper is waterproof, but it is also a magnet for filth, as is the super soft and seriously warm shearling cuff. Do not expect these to stay pristine for long, but they are built well and will survive long past the time your kids have grown out of them.

Despite the high suggested retail price, they also feel like excellent value, and if you're lucky enough to find their size on sale, they can be found for almost half that. Our only real issue with these boots is that the laces are quite short, and even with the toggle pulled out they can be an effort to get into. That just means a little more work for Mum and Dad.