7 Best Cheap Hiking Boots, 70+ Shoes Tested in 2023

Enduring, reassuring, and best of all, quite inexpensive, the White Ledge Mid Waterproof from Timberland deserves the highest recognition among dozens of budget-friendlies.

At an MSRP of $115, this highly affordable boot schools most trail boots with its rugged performance. Indeed, its sturdy sole unit delivers a one-two punch: it has a stunningly protective midsole, which allowed us to trample over sharp rocks safely, and a grippy outsole!

Speaking of the boot’s outsole, it gave us top-notch slip resistance on rocky and grassy surfaces. While its lugs aren’t as deep, its prominent heel brake got the job done on moderately muddy descents.

We’re chalking up the White Ledge Mid Waterproof upper as mighty, as well. Where its outsole can brave the toughest terrain, the boot’s leather shell, on the other hand, is fully capable of keeping itself scratch-free through bushy and wooded areas!

Now, we can’t be bragging about the White Ledge Mid Waterproof without touching on its comfortable interior. Engineered with a soft waterproof liner, its confines felt richly pampering without a need for an initial hike. We experienced no chafing nor hotspots inside its plush upper.

Taking the crown of budget-friendliness and underfoot security is none other than the dreamy Voyageur Mid!

“Stout yet nimble” is how we’d describe this KEEN hiking boot. Armed with a proprietary support mechanism, the Voyageur Mid helps hikers devastate trails with cradled arches and high shock absorption.

The Voyageur Mid has the lightness to match its $120-ish asking price. Yes, this inexpensive hiker from KEEN weighs no more than 500 g for men and less than 400 g for women per shoe!

As a non-waterproof boot, the Voyageur Mid shines on the breathability front. Its vent panels did a remarkable job of flushing out steam and keeping our tootsies fresh and dry. Yes, its airy interior knows no sweaty feet, making it a highly recommendable kick for summer voyages!

Underfoot, the Voyageur Mid’s sole unit impressed us greatly with its versatility. Both on concrete pavements and mildly rocky trails, the boot granted us nimble steps with excellent surface grip thrown in!

And let’s not forget how plush the Voyageur Mid is! Straight out of the gate, this affordable gem from KEEN blew us away with its no-rub confines. Everything felt nice to the touch on day one, and we’ve absolutely no complaints!

Among the household brands on the western market, Timberland has got to be one of the few that put out exemplary hiking boots that sell for cheap. Case in point: the Euro Sprint Hiker, which has an MSRP of $110!

Built with hardwearing nubuck leather, the Euro Sprint Hiker does not skimp on plushness. Indeed, while the boot’s leather shell looks tough (and it is), its interior is a sanctuary. We give its comfort level a big A+ for spoiling our feet right from the get-go!

Speaking of toughness, the Euro Sprint Hiker’s svelte exterior stunned us with its sturdy construction despite not having protective overlays. We’re quite baffled to this day, but the brains at Timberland did a marvelous job of making one of the most long-lasting “armor-free” kicks under their wing.

The Euro Sprint Hiker’s inexpensiveness is matched by its lightness. In grams, the Timbs boot in question is around 480 per piece. In the world of brawny leather hiking boots, where kicks have an average weight of 600-ish grams, the Euro Sprint Hiker is quite competitive!

But does it perform as well as it sells for cheap? Why yes! It gave us more than enough support, particularly around the ankle!

Are you more into speedy hikes than slow-paced excursions? If so, try the Topo Athletic Trailventure, and save some dough at the same time!

A boot not going beyond the 150-dollar mark, this Topo hiker will surmount all manners of obstacles for you at break-neck speeds. Indeed, high mobility is yours in the Athletic Trailventure, thanks to its springy midsole.

In the area of flexibility, the boot is, without a doubt, a real doozy. We tested the Topo Athletic Trailventure on pavements and rough concrete roads, and the hiker gave us glide-like transitions as if we were in a pair of road runners!

The Athletic Trailventure is among Topo’s most comfortable hikers. While it’s not without a break-in period (it was rather brief, though), the boot made our feet feel cozy for hours. Its padded interior also did a swell job of preventing hotspots and bunching.

And before we forget: the Topo Athletic Trailventure has a roomy toe box. This amazing feature was what made us keep going. At the end of our hike, which lasted the entire day, our piggies were only mildly aching. Fantastic!

What’s a mind-blowing snow hiker that won’t leave your wallet out cold? Columbia has the answer: the Bugaboot III!

At an MSRP of $115, this extraordinary piece left us scratching our heads long after we bought it. You see, the Columbia Bugaboot III has a lot going for it, yet its price tag is not reflective of its greatness!

Built with a seam-sealed, high-cut upper, the Bugaboot III caressed our feet with supreme comfort minus the break-in time. And thanks to its 200-gram insulation, our feet stayed as toasty as they could be throughout our snowy adventures!

The same winter-ready shell also kept our tootsies moist-free through melting snow and freezing slosh. Its shell-like overlays walled off all manners of wetness, even in waters about 4.5 inches deep.

On snowy terrain, its grippy outsole didn’t disappoint. Its anti-freeze lugs latched on to icy surfaces without a hitch, making our winter traversals as safe as possible. We also tested the Columbia Bugaboot III on muddy sidehills and came away astonished with its super-tenacious heel brake!

And if you’re concerned about its durability, don’t be. If our haphazard snowy hikes are anything to go by, this hiker should last you two winters at least!

The Altra Lone Peak Hiker is a versatile hiking shoe that won't disappoint when used for day hiking or walks around the town. It has a more rugged look than the Lone Peak 5.0 and it is suitable for hikers who prefer lightness more than ankle support. It is perfect for outdoorsy individuals who like traveling urban and backcountry distances with a light pack in tow.

When the going gets rough and tough on the trail, clap back with the Euro Hiker Shell-Toe from Timberland. Built with a rubberized forefoot, this hiker can bulldoze whatever's in your way, all while keeping your tootsies nice and cozy on the inside. So, if it's your desire to feel mighty out in the wild, this finely crafted yet inexpensive piece has you covered.