5 Best Cheap Hiking Shoes in 2023

Paul Ronto
Paul Ronto on
5 Best Cheap Hiking Shoes in 2023
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You don’t have to break the bank to buy a new pair of quality hiking shoes. If you know where to look, there are actually over a hundred high-performance budget-friendly footwear for the trails. For this guide, we’ve rounded up and personally evaluated tons of really good deals under the $100 range.

From the popular Adidas Terrex models to the highly-rated Merrell Moab 3, these kicks are known for their extraordinary tenacity, plushness with some more extra features, and, yes, affordability. If you’re a fan of Salomon or Chaco, we’ve got plenty of pairs in our cheap hiking shoe collection, ranging from leather hikers and waterproof kicks to winter hiking shoes.

Get started right away by finding the ideal pair. We have chosen a particular group of shoes that we found the best in different categories based on our wear tests and shoe testing lab analysis. Read on if you're interested!

Cheap hiking shoes with the best grip

What makes it the best?

Hikers familiar with the Salomon X lineup can expect pretty much the same set of goodies in the Pioneer. There's its convincing sticking prowess and high comfort level, to name a few. This shoe from Salomon is also what you'd want to have on where the sun is in full force, particularly on not-so-demanding trails. And with its 110-dollar list price, the Pioneer is a more competitive option than most.

Pros

  • Quite plush
  • Above-average grip
  • Quick break-in
  • Lightweight
  • Protective underfoot
  • Breathable
  • Great odor control
  • Budget-friendly
  • Makes feet look slim

Cons

  • Slightly narrow overall
  • Laces come loose easily
  • Questionable outsole durability
Full review of Salomon X Ultra Pioneer

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Toffee Quiet Shade Mallard Blue (L416698)
Black Ebony Blue Ashes (L471972)

Best cheap hiking shoes overall

Merrell Moab 3
88
Superb!

What makes it the best?

For a great quality hiking shoe that won’t break the bank, we’ve chosen the Merrell Moab 3. And at just $110, the Merrell Moab 3 is a fabulous all-rounder which we can take anywhere! For reference, the average price of all hiking shoes in our database is $128 and it's $112 for non-waterproof hiking shoes.

This shoe oozes comfort from the get-go with its thick 14.5 mm tongue and padded ankle collar. We pressed a durometer to the midsole to measure the softness. It comes in at 33.5 HA, just 2% firmer than average, giving us plenty of protection underfoot from sharp objects, without compromising on its first-rate comfort. We also measured the flexibility of the midsole with a force gauge, bending it to 90°. These shoes are insanely flexible, measuring 24.9N as opposed to the average 39.2N! In practice, this keeps us agile, and we like the amount of ground feel we get.

The support in this shoe is second to none and we felt confident on loose gravel paths and wet rock alike. The medium-stiff heel counter holds our feet snugly into the shoe, while the nylon shank in the midsole prevents our ankles from rolling. We measured the lug depth in the lab and found them to be 4.8 mm deep, 0.5 mm deeper than average, and still enough to give our feet stable footholds. 

This shoe is not waterproof and the plush padding soaks up excess water from sustained exposure to rain or puddles. For this reason, we don’t recommend it for wet-weather hiking. Check out the waterproof versions: Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof and Merrell Moab 3 GTX.

Pros

  • Supremely comfy
  • Zero break-in
  • Boss-level support
  • Solid grip
  • Stable platform
  • Fantastic cushioning
  • Fits various foot shapes
  • Cheaper than average
  • Recycled materials

Cons

  • Heavier than average
  • Not quite sleek-looking
Full review of Merrell Moab 3

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Walnut (J03589)
Black Night (J03587)
Kangaroo/Coyote (J13554)
Walnut/Moss (J03628)
J036769 Bracken (J03676)
Granite V2 (J03588)
Incense (J03627)
Black (J03702)
Avocado (J03703)

Cheap hiking shoes with the best comfort

What makes it the best?

An exceptional budget-friendly day hiker—this is how many trail-goers find the Terrex X4, with negative reviews being a rarity. Indeed, from its virtually tackle-anything underfoot performance to the way it handles shifting weather, this piece from Adidas is a doozy. There's also its initial price of $90, which makes owning one not at all an uphill battle.

Pros

  • Excellent value for money
  • Feels like a trail running shoe
  • Breathable
  • Water-repellent
  • Solid grip
  • Durable for the price
  • Stable platform
  • Contains recycled materials

Cons

  • Lacks toe protection
  • Flimsy insole
Full review of Adidas Terrex AX4

Today's best price

Unisex
Any color
Negbás Carbon Gricua (HP7388)
Gray (IF4872)
Wonder Red Linen Green Pulse Lilac (GY8621)
Blue (HP7392)
Silver Violet/Blue Fusion/Black (HP7393)
Coral Fusion/Crystal White/Impact Or (HQ1047)
Black (FY9673)
Core Black Grey Three Mint Ton (HQ1045)
More colors

Best lightweight cheap hiking shoes

What makes it the best?

Amazingly lightweight, the Adidas Terrex Trailmaker is a perfect option for an easy hike minus the unwanted bulk. We instantly got lost in the shoe's plush confines which made us want to keep the shoe on even after the hike. On the trail, this Adidas offering feels more natural and grounded as opposed to being stable and protective. Some durability was sacrificed to keep the weight of the Trailmaker down but we believe that its comfort is well worth the price.

Pros

  • Extra lightweight
  • Amazing in-shoe comfort
  • Highly breathable
  • Balance of cushion and ground feel
  • Stable for a light shoe
  • More flexible than average
  • Welcomes wide feet
  • Secure lockdown (bootie upper)

Cons

  • Outsole lacks durability
  • Not enough grip on wet terrain
Full review of Adidas Terrex Trailmaker

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Black (FU7237)
core black/crystal w (FX4615)
Grey Two/Core Black/Hi Res Aqu (FU7238)
Black (FX4616)

Best cheap hiking shoes for water activities

What makes it the best?

The Merrell Hydro Moc is a very comfortable footwear option for both wet and dry conditions when performance is not a priority. The simple design allows for these shoes to be easily put on and taken off in moments. The heel strap provides for that shoe-like fit, or one can simply flip it up to have a sandal-like sensation. The designed holes throughout provide for both plenty of breathability and fast-drying ventilation, allowing for all-day comfort.

Pros

  • Super comfortable
  • Great for wet/dry transitions
  • Lightweight
  • 10/10 breathability & drainage
  • Easy on and off
  • Plenty of grip
  • Great for everyday errands
  • Doubles as a sandal
  • Extremely durable

Cons

  • Not a performance shoe
  • Minimal support
Full review of Merrell Hydro Moc

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Cabernet (J00492)
White (J85863)
Black/Brindle (J00412)
Butternut (J00405)
Merrell Blue (J00404)
Tangerine/Blue (J00386)
Black (J19992)
Herb (J00374)
More colors

Comparison of the 5 best cheap hiking shoes

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# of colorways

Some hiking shoes are seductive. They come with attractive colorways, cool features, and awesome aesthetics. They draw us in, and before we know it, we imagine how they will take our hiking to the next level. But then we see the price tag.

Sound familiar? We’ve all been there. The reality is that nowadays, some footwear comes with jaw-dropping price tags. However, the good news is that some good deals are out there. You just have to know how to find them.

merrell-moab-3-review.JPG

Hiking shoes don’t have to break the bank

You shouldn’t have to invest your life saving, an arm, and a leg to purchase a new pair of hiking shoes. There are plenty of cheap hiking shoes to choose from that will serve you just fine. Trust us; we’ve done the research.

Popular to contrary belief, buying a cheap pair of hiking shoes does not mean that the shoes will be bad quality. There are plenty of high-quality cheap hiking shoes on the market. So if you are an entry-level hiker or a hiker on a budget, consider the following when you start browsing for hiking shoes.  

What to look for in budget hiking shoes

A trustworthy and reputable brand

Many of the industry’s most trustworthy and reputable brands manufacture budget-friendly hiking shoes. They understand that not every one of their customers is looking for top-notch performance and fancy features. Therefore, they create entry-level shoes with a lower price point.

Fantastic brands like Addidas, Keen, Columbia, Salomon, Chaco, and Merrel all produce high-quality shoes at a lower price point. By doing this, they accomplish two goals.

  1. They create hiking shoes that satisfy the entry-level consumer looking for a starter shoe. 
  2. They create separation between their shoe lineup, making it easier to market new features and fundamental differences between their hiking shoes.

adidas-terrex-ax-4-grip.JPG

An economical outer material

There are many different types of materials used in the construction of a hiking shoe’s upper. 

  1. Full-grain leather
  2. Nubuck leather
  3. Synthetic materials such as mesh, nylon, textiles, and vegan leather

Some are cheaper than others. To find a good pair of cheap hiking shoes, it’s best to avoid leather. Typically, full-grain leather is more expensive than Nubuck leather. Instead, to save money, prioritize synthetic materials.

The shoes included in this article all utilize synthetic materials in the upper. This helps keep the cost down. For example, the Merrel Moab 3 combines mesh and synthetic leather in the upper, while the Adidas Terrex AX4 relies heavily on mesh and nylon materials.

High-quality yet affordable midsoles

The midsole of the hiking shoe is responsible for providing cushioning and support. It's the part of the shoe that cradles your feet. To do that, hiking shoe midsoles are typically made with foam. There are two types of foam used for midsoles- polyurethane (PU) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam.

PU foam is denser, therefore, more rigid and expensive. EVA foam is light and, therefore, cheaper. Despite their different price points, they both serve vital functions in the midsole.

Typically hiking shoes that utilize a predominately EVA foam midsole will cost less. For example, every shoe in this article sports an EVA midsole.

If you are looking for more support, you may not need to invest in more expensive hiking shoes. Instead, it could be as simple as investing in a new insole insert. Typically this solution is much more affordable than looking for a hiking shoe with built EVA foam arch support or an inserted nylon shank.

Outsoles with good traction

The outsoles of the hiking shoe are the bottom of the shoe– the part that comes into contact with the ground every time you make a step. Outsoles are responsible for providing traction and grip and insulating your feet from the wet and cold.

For entry-level and budget-friendly hiking shoes, the ideal outsole utilizes an all-terrain or all-purpose lug profile or tread pattern. Any shoe with a more specialized lug profile for specific types of terrain or highly technical terrain costs more money.

When it comes to rubber manufacturers for outsoles, Vibram is the best in the business. Luckily, Vibram outsoles are not only included on high-end models. Many of the cheaper models of hiking shoes utilize Vibram rubber outsoles, the Merrell Moab 3 for example.

merrell-moab-3-outsole.JPG

Waterproofing to keep your feet dry

Waterproofing makes hiking shoes more expensive. This is true because to make a waterproof shoe, there needs to be an additional waterproof membrane inserted into the interior of the shoe. The extra materials and labor increase the shoe’s value.

To avoid the extra cost of waterproofing, you can invest in water-resistant or water-repellent shoes instead.

If you must have a waterproof hiking shoe but still want to save money, you can try a hiking shoe without Gore-tex waterproofing. Gore-tex fabrics are the gold standard for waterproof hiking shoes. Therefore, any shoe with Gore-tex, abbreviated GTX, will be more expensive.

Luckily, many shoe manufacturers will have a non-Gore-tex waterproof model. This typically means that instead of using Gore-tex in the waterproof membrane, they’ve used some other waterproof fabric, typically an in-house proprietary fabric which is cheaper.

merrell-moab-3-gtx-waterproof.JPG

Example: The Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof (brand's proprietary waterproofing) is $20 cheaper than the Moab 3 GTX ($155).

Warmth and insulation to keep your feet warm

The warmth created from additional insulation on the interior of the hiking shoe can be helpful if you plan to spend a lot of time in cold and wet conditions. However, it may not be necessary, especially if you live in an area with mild winters. Therefore, if you can avoid hiking shoes with insulation, you will save extra money.

The hiking shoes in this article are all considered three-season shoes, meaning they do not include any additional insulation. This keeps their cost down but makes them far from the best option during the fourth season – winter.

Red flags for cheap hiking shoes

If you keep an eye out for the components we listed above, you should be able to pick out a pair of hiking shoes that will suit your needs and stay within your budget.

However, throughout that process, you might run into some red flags. Red flags indicate that the hiking shoe you are interested in may not be worth your time. Classic red flags include deals that seem too good to be true, bad consumer reviews, and mystery brands.

We recommend diving into the reviews to avoid buying a lemon pair of hiking shoes. It’s essential to see what other people are saying about the shoes you want to buy. Reviews from “ordinary” people that include photos are the most helpful.

Remember, spokespeople or sponsors sometimes endorse hiking shoes. Unfortunately, when this happens, only the positives of the shoes are shared publicly. So take these sponsored reviews with a grain of salt and try to compare them against other reviews from ordinary people.

We strive to provide objective facts about each cheap hiking shoe in our lab.

Lastly, avoid mystery brands, even if the shoes they sell look great and are the perfect price. The brand name was the first component of a reliable yet cheap hiking shoe that we discussed above. And for a good reason. Stick to tried and trusted brands, and you’ll have more success. 

How to find cheap hiking shoes 

Buying cheap boots is about more than just knowing what to look for. Knowing where and when to look is also essential. So before you purchase a new pair of hiking shoes, here are some helpful tips to consider.

To save you time, RunRepeat gathers information about all discounts from over 200 retailers in one place.

Shop around in multiple places

Buying hiking shoes online is easier than ever before. Nowadays, you can easily save item listings, open new tabs, and compare hiking shoes before buying. But we understand that this process can also be overwhelming.

Look for seasonal sales and holidays

The calendar year is chock-full of seasonal sales. In the United States, Memorial day, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and many other seasonal holidays are perfect times to look for cheap hiking shoes.

Department stores and eCommerce websites will participate in traditional seasonal sales. So if you are in between boots, we recommend being patient and waiting for a sale to start.

Purchase last season’s hiking shoes

If you don’t have the budget for them, don’t give into the hype about all the bells and whistles of modern hiking shoes. If you stick to buying last season’s models, you can save a lot of money.

You might miss out on new features by buying last season's boots. But often, the differences are almost nonexistent. We like to think hiking shoe manufacturers are constantly updating their shoes. Still, the new model sometimes only sports a different colorway, and the rest of the shoe is essentially the same.  

Buy secondhand shoes

Buying used hiking shoes is another great way to find great deals. Yes, you run the risk of buying an older pair of shoes, but many times, shoes get returned for almost no reason at all. Some of the best shoes we’ve purchased have been returned due to improper sizing or minor, aesthetic defects.

Some larger retailers will have used gear sales, for example, the REI Garage Sale. You can search in person, but don’t forget to check places like online forums for hiking shoes.  

Head to the bargain bin

Most gear shops and outlet stores have a bargain bin or discount section. If you look carefully and with some luck, you can find high-quality hiking shoes for bargain prices. There are a lot of online deals also.

Just be ready to be patient. Bargain shopping can take time because the selection can be limited. Therefore, it’s best to go bargain hunting without any pressure. For example, when you’re happy with your current hiking shoes but want to plan for when your current shoes inevitably break down.

adidas-terrex-ax-4-average-weight.JPG

How to make your cheap hiking shoes last longer

Cheap hiking shoes don’t just disintegrate over time because they cost less. You can get your cheap hiking shoes to last just as long as more expensive ones, if not longer if you take the time to care for them.  

Maintain your hiking shoes

You can lengthen the lifespan of your hiking shoes with simple, routine maintenance. For example, cleaning them after muddy or dirty days will help preserve the outer material. 

Wear them only for hiking

The outsoles of hiking shoes are designed to be used on dirt trails and over mixed terrain. If you wear them on concrete, you may wear them out faster. So instead, wear your hiking shoes only when you plan to go hiking and use a different pair of shoes for running errands around town.   

Focus on your footwork

Many durability issues with hiking shoes, like abrasion, holes in the upper, shredded laces, and delamination, come from poor footwork. The more time you can hike under control and avoid any unnecessary stubbed toes and collisions will preserve your shoe’s exterior and therefore lengthen its lifespan.

Store your hiking shoes properly

Another good way to make your hiking shoes last longer is to store them properly. For example, if you come home with wet feet, set them out to dry in a well-ventilated area and stuff them with newspaper. Consider setting them in front of a fan. And never use a heat source to dry your shoes.

In general, try to avoid keeping your shoes in places that experience temperature fluctuations, like car trunks and attics. Heating and cooling can cause your shoes to delaminate. Instead, keep your shoes in an area with an average room temperature.

Frequently asked questions

Why are some hiking shoes cheaper than others?

Some hiking shoes are cheaper than others because of the materials used in their construction and the lack of waterproofing and insulation. More expensive materials, such as leather, Gore-tex membranes, and additional insulation inside the shoe, will all raise the price.   

Do cheap hiking shoes break quickly? 

It’s common to assume that cheaper hiking shoes will break or wear down more easily than shoes that cost more money. However, that may not be true because the lifespan of the shoe is largely dependent on the user, the typical type of terrain they find themselves in, and maintenance.

For example, a person who purchased cheaper hiking shoes may get them to last longer because they maintain their shoes more and hike on easier trails than someone who spent more money but never takes care of their shoes.

merrell-moab-3-fit.JPG

Who makes the best budget hiking shoes?

The best budget hiking shoes typically come from trustworthy brands. We consider the four brands included in this article – Chaco, Salomon, Merrel, and Adidas– to be reliable sources of high-quality footwear, despite the lower price points of the shoes we reviewed.  

How we test hiking shoes

To make this comprehensive guide, we hiked 30-50 miles for each pair of cheap hiking shoes, covering different terrains. By the way, we are a team of outdoor experts and seasoned backpackers, if that matters to you. We also check the materials and technologies used in each footwear inside our RunRepeat lab.

Our selection method includes doing the following:

  • We invest the time, energy, and our own funds to procure the hiking shoes for our wear tests. This ensures the independence and 100% impartiality of our reviews.
  • We take the shoes on a series of backpacking trips and day hiking jaunts to get a first-hand experience of their overall performance. We highlight the shoes’ fit, plushness, traction, support, heel protection, and many more. We also see how the shoes perform during inclement weather conditions and even in tougher terrains.
  • We act like scientists at work as we rack up additional data inside our lab by subjecting them to different tests. One of which is checking the outsole hardness and durability using our durometer and Dremel tool. We then relate these two to the shoe's grip and susceptibility to wear and abrasion. We even reach a point where we cut the shoes into pieces just to reveal all the elements that are usually unseen by wearers.
Author
Paul Ronto
Paul Ronto

Over the past 20 years, Paul has climbed, hiked, and run all over the world. He has summited peaks throughout the Americas, trekked through Africa, and tested his endurance in 24-hour trail races as well as 6 marathons. On average, he runs 30-50 miles a week in the foothills of Northern Colorado. His research is regularly cited in The New York Times, Washington Post, National Geographic, etc. On top of this, Paul is leading the running shoe lab where he cuts shoes apart and analyzes every detail of the shoes that you might buy.