6 Best Day Hiking Boots in 2025

Numbers checked and mileage burned, we found Merrell Moab 3 Mid GTX as the ultimate day hiking boot. It’s tough on the outside and cozy on the inside, ensuring our comfort, stability, and protection as we tackle diverse trail conditions.

This boot is ready for the wilderness from top to bottom. The leather upper shields us from water, debris, and cold weather. Smoke barely escaped in our test, earning a 1/5 breathability score. Meanwhile, the Vibram outsole, equipped with deep 5.0 mm lugs, effectively secured our grip on wet rocks and slippery logs.

Our lab reveals a 36.1/22.6 mm stack for impact protection, muting sharp objects underfoot. Meanwhile, our durometer shows a firm 32.8 HA cushion for surefooted strides. However, it feels much softer thanks to the 24.6 HA Air Cushion.

Further adding to our stability is its rigid build, which prevents ankle collapsing that may lead to foot fatigue or injuries. Our manual assessment reveals a high 4/5 torsional rigidity because of the stiff nylon shank in the midfoot. To boost comfort, the boot is easily bendable, emerging 33.2% more flexible than average in our flex test.

Unfortunately, its lugs are not toothy enough for soft ground and mud. We grasped for branches and walking poles as we passed these surfaces. We recommend a boot with more aggressive lugs for these types of terrains.

The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX cruised through our test hikes keeping us as surefooted as we could be! With its superbly grippy outsole, we didn't have a flicker of doubt when we granted the best grip award to this boot.

The chevron design of the Contragrip sole wins us over every time, and we can confidently tackle steep uphills and downhills, knowing these boots will hold us steady. We measured the lug depth at 5.1 mm, 0.7 mm deeper than average. In addition, we measured the flexibility of the midsole in our bend test and found it is 4% more flexible than average. The flex in the sole increases the surface area in contact with the ground, upping the grip. In practice, we can trust these boots on just about anything.

Our wet hikes proved to us just how well the GoreTex is implemented in this boot. We even submerged them in water almost up to our ankles, but they didn’t let a drop of water in! The mid-height collar and gusseted tongue both have a role to play in this, and they play it well!

What really makes these shoes stand out above the rest is their insanely light weight. The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX manages an excellent GoreTex-to-weight ratio. On the scales, these boots weighed an astounding 14.5 oz (412g), which is 36% lighter than the average waterproof hiking boot! On our hikes, this translates to fresher feet for longer days!

For hikers who prefer a plusher ride, we don’t recommend these boots. We pressed a durometer to the midsole to test for softness and found this boot is 64% harder than average. 

We’re sure of it, through countless miles in the mountains and hours in the lab, the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 is our day hiking boot with the best shock absorption. It offers leg-saving comfort and responsiveness in a lightweight and flexible package, making it a reliable partner for long hours of trekking.

The stack height measures a generous 38.4/24.0 mm, shielding us against underfoot hazards and harsh impact. It feels well-cushioned with every step, backed up by its high 121 SA or shock absorption score.

With each step, the springy midsole pushes us forward, almost making us want to speed hike. With its top-notch 66.0% energy return, we understood why the shoe felt so agile.

Another reason for its speed is its light 15.0 oz (425g) build. Being 20.0% below average, it almost feels like a trail shoe because it was just that easy on foot. We felt like we could hike endlessly in this boot. Plus, its flexibility enhances its weightless sensation. In our bend test, it emerged as a mind-blowing 49.2% more malleable than average.

To unlock its one-of-a-kind lightness, it requires deep pockets with its $200 price tag. Casual hikers or those on a budget can find comfy yet cheaper alternatives.

The Hoka Trail Code GTX is our best pick for the most supportive day hiking boots for its superior stability, flexibility and sticky outsole. It is a versatile hiking boot that keeps our feet feeling supported and protected all day long.

We found the Trail Code GTX kept our ankles perfectly supported with its high collar and stiff heel counter. We assessed the heel in the lab, rating it as the stiffest 5/5 – that explains why we experienced zero heel slippage, even on the steepest inclines! The wide midsole measures 112.5 mm, around the average, and it provides a stable platform for our feet even on rocky and uneven trails.

Even with all the support provided by this boot, it doesn’t feel bulky or restrictive. In fact, hiking in the Hoka Trail Code GTX feels almost like wearing a running shoe, and that’s down to its impressive flexibility. We pushed it to 30° in our bend test and were amazed to find it measures just 18.4N, compared to the much stiffer average of 31.8N. Such a flexible boot offers a comfortably natural feel to our hikes, which we find perfect for our day hikes.

The grippy outsole sticks on steep, slippery slopes, wet mud and loose gravel with ease. In the lab, we measured the toothy lugs to be 4.7 mm – 0.2 mm deeper than average, which explains their tackiness. We felt confident on varied terrain during our test hikes.

We found the Hoka Trail Code GTX isn’t suitable for hikers with narrow feet. At the widest part of the forefoot, it measures 97 mm, and is 3.4 mm narrower than average. Hikers with wide feet are advised to go half a size up.

It’s hard to beat the stability and protection Scarpa Terra GTX offers. High ground sensitivity, unmatched traction, and weatherproofing abilities tick all of our boxes, leading us to crown this pair as the best leather boots for day hiking.

The upper is tough on the outside and cozy on the inside. Its solid leather is naturally waterproof and our smoke test further confirms its airtight nature, effectively protecting us from cold winds. No matter how many streams we crossed, our feet remained dry at the end of the day. Its robust exterior even serves as our shield against rocks and roots.

The Vibram outsole works perfectly over a variety of terrains we tackled. It proves its durability in the lab, but what’s hard to ignore is its adhesive abilities. Lined with 4-mm thick and multi-directional lugs, we had all the traction and braking power needed to hike confidently.

Terra GTX keeps us closely connected to the ground through its lower-than-average 32.1/17.0 mm stack and its 16.1% firmer-than-average cushion. Both elements serve as our stabilizers on rocky paths and uneven terrains since we can adapt quickly. The mid-cut boot also ensures firm ankle support without pressuring our Achilles. However, because of its focus on stability, the platform may lack the cushioning others prefer for long days.

The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX feels effortless on the move with its minimal and flexible build, making it our best lightweight day hiking shoe. Lab results show its reliable grip enhances trail adaptability, allowing us to speed up instantly, while it offers sturdy support in the right areas.

We never felt burdened while hiking in this pair, and our scales confirm its low 14.6 oz (415g) weight, 21.8% below the average. This boot prioritizes maneuverability, which is why the midsole bends freely with our feet. In our 30-degree test, it emerged 14.6% more flexible than average. Together with its good energy return score of 44.7%, we felt pretty agile in this boot.

We felt confident moving through changing terrain and elevation because the outsole delivers the traction we need. We measured the lugs at 4.3 mm deep, with various shapes for different purposes, such as braking.

This La Sportiva boot promises ankle twists are a thing of the past, with its structured midsole that received the maximum 5/5 torsional rigidity score in our manual assessment. We also felt its support through the stiff heel counter (4/5), which prevents unwanted movement.

We advise wide-footed folks to skip this boot because its toebox is not spacious enough for broad feet.