7 Best Running Shoes For Hiking in 2024

The Scarpa Spin Planet emerged as an exceptional road-to-trail hybrid shoe in our tests, prized for its reliability and immense breathability. Stable, comfortable, and grippy, our lab results agree it's the ideal choice for outdoor explorations and off-road adventures, earning our top spot for hiking-running.

The Spin Planet is designed in various shapes and angles to perform across various terrains. Designed for versatility, the 3.2 mm lugs were reliable on the trails without feeling too blocky on the road. Intentionally made, the set in the forefoot is for propulsion, the heel for braking, and the midfoot for stability.

With standard measurements from our durometer (23.0 HA) and caliper (32.8/26.6 mm stack height), the midsole offers a well-balanced experience. The shoe includes TPU reinforcements in the upper to guide our foot alignment effectively.

The upper brought a delightful experience, allowing our feet to breathe no matter how hot it got. In our smoke test, it’s one of the rare trail shoes that received a perfect breathability score, making it a perfect summer companion.

However, those who dream of a lightweight and responsive ride won’t find that in the Spin Planet. Those who demand more explosive midsoles should seek other options.

Fresh Foam X More Trail v3 is a reliable hybrid shoe with plenty of cloud-like cushion. It boasts a thick, buttery-soft stack, a grippy outsole, and a flexible midsole. It delivers consistent support and protection — from roads to mountains — making it our best cushioned hiking-running shoe.

It has a thick slab of dual-density Fresh Foam X that provides exceptional comfort and protection from landing impact and rocky terrains. It rises 6.8/7.3 mm above average in the heel and forefoot and measures 45.6% softer than average. It’s one of the trail shoes that spoiled our feet the most with its bouncy ride.

Armed with a grippy outsole and 5.0 mm lugs, it clings with grit onto soft dirt, mild mud, and wet roads. We can confidently cruise through most paths, knowing we won’t slip or fall.

Its midsole gives a good amount of flexibility, allowing us to maneuver through light to moderate trails. Our flex test confirms it's 11.4% more malleable than average, promoting a more natural running feel.

More foam means more weight. At 10.6 oz (301g), it’s heavier than the 9.5 oz (268g) average of running shoes.

Those of us with wide feet truly enjoyed our trials with the Altra Olympus 6. It features a breathable and durable upper, a remarkably grippy rubber, and generous room for toe splay, making it our best hiking-running shoe for wide feet in the lab.

We landed each foot confidently thanks to the broad platform of Olympus 6. Our measurements reveal it’s a wide 114.9/101.4 mm in the forefoot and heel vs. the 112.1/89.8 mm average. Additionally, it barely tapers to the front which gives room for our feet to swell. The big toe area measures a massive 87.4 mm, 8.3 mm wider than average.

The upper adds remarkably to the shoe’s comfort given its airy nature. We awarded it a perfect score in our breathability test as smoke easily escaped the shoe. While most shoes sacrifice durability at the expense of ventilation, Olympus 6 mind-blowingly aced our Dremel test too with a 5/5 durability score! 

Beneath our feet lies the highly trusted Vibram Megagrip outsole. Lined with deep 3.5 mm lugs, it erased any doubts about traction. Whatever surface we stepped foot on, we never had any slips.

However, we still find the midsole lacking in terms of responsiveness. Those who crave more energy rebound should explore elsewhere.

Our top waterproof running shoe for hiking is none other than the Nike Pegasus Trail 4 GTX. Its outstanding React foam, reliable grip, and superb flexibility — wrapped in the protective Gore-Tex fabric — make it a top-of-the-line water-resistant shoe.

The upper has several TPU layers and a Gore-Tex membrane for protection from unwanted elements. It incredibly resisted the force of our Dremel, receiving a remarkable 4/5 durability rating.

The React foam is a star as it blends lasting comfort and energy return. In the lab, we measured it at 37.7 mm, 5.5 mm higher than the average heel stack of trail-running shoes. It is 29.0% softer than average. This heavenly combination of a tall and soft midsole protects our legs during trail runs and hikes. 

We find Peg’s grip effective on uneven terrains and slippery surfaces. Its lug depth of 3.5 mm latches on any surface, helping us stay in control on steep ascents/descents and fast corners. 

We felt free in our runs as the midsole offers non-intrusive flexibility for a natural feel. Our lab test verifies that it’s 29.0% more flexible than the average trail running shoe.

The tall heel is paired with a modest forefoot, leading to a 12.8 mm drop. Those of us who are mid-to-forefoot strikers found this too steep.

The NNormal Kjerag is a lightweight marvel that is super-fast, super agile, and super grippy! Our lab confirms it delivers a responsive and grounded feel that allows us to take on the mountains with pure speed. This pair feels like a breath of fresh air, making it our top lightweight hiking-running shoe.

The Kjerag instantly disappeared on foot and our scales show a mere 7.5 oz (214g) build, 26.7% lighter than the average trail shoe. The midsole barely fights our natural movement, which adds to its weightless feel. Our bend test validates our experience with flexibility 45.1% better than average.

Our runs emphasized the Kjerag is focused on speed and ground feel through its slim yet responsive cushioning. Our caliper shows there’s only 25.0/16.4 mm of foam between us and the ground, which encourages the strengthening of our leg muscles.

The Kjerag features the world-class Vibram Megagrip Litebase, which feels reliable on mixed terrains. The 3.0 mm lugs gripped the ground as needed and the tough 88.0 HC rubber prevented premature wear.

However, the Kjerag’s lack of cushioning demands near-perfect form and advanced technique to avoid foot pain and injuries. Those who need more support should find a more forgiving shoe.

Staying true to Altra’s core, Lone Peak 8 delivered the most seamless zero-drop experience among hiking running shoes. Even our lab proves its minimalist build drives an agile yet stable ride, allowing us to maneuver through unpredictable trails with ease and control.

We have a heightened sense of the surface we’re tackling thanks to the low configuration of the shoe. Other than its below-average 22.7/21.3 mm build, it has a minimal 1.4 mm heel drop that essentially feels like none. The cushion feels protective enough and allows for more longitudinal flexibility. It was easy for us to be in control since the midsole barely fought back, showing 27.1% less resistance than average in our bend test.

The platform is composed of a dense EGO foam which gives a nice rebound and a hint of stability in our strides. Our durometer reveals it’s 11.4% firmer than average, ensuring it won’t bottom out even as we’re loaded with heavy backpacks. There are even raised sidewalls on the sides of the midsole, further contributing to a well-planted feeling.

Unfortunately, the weak spot we found is the lack of grip in wet and muddy conditions. For treks over tricky terrain, it's wise to swap out for a better-equipped shoe.

Salomon XA Pro 3D v9 epitomizes protection, standing out as a heavy-duty option. Its solid midsole, 3D chassis technology, and sturdy yet breathable upper collectively deliver exceptional protection throughout. Extensive lab testing confirms it's the most durable hiking running shoe.

The midsole strikes a perfect balance between cushioning and ground feel, boasting a 31.7/19.2 mm stack. This design effectively absorbs impact upon landing and shields the foot from potential debris thanks to its dense foam composition, which proves to be 17.9% more resilient than the average. This firm cushioning promotes confident strides, even when carrying heavy loads, as it remains resistant to bottoming out.

Adding to its stability is the 3D chassis, a rigid TPU layer between the midsole and outsole, reducing excessive lateral movements on demanding terrains. This feature ensures our safety on rocky and uneven ground. Moreover, the shoe's longitudinal flexibility enhances comfort, surpassing average flexibility by 18.8% in our 90-degree test.

When it comes to the upper, our lab tests affirm its impressive breathability and toebox durability, earning ratings of 4/5 and 5/5 respectively. This combination of airflow and protective features is truly remarkable.

However, the XA Pro 3D's robust design is better suited for hiking than fast and technical trail running, as it may feel too stiff and heavy for those activities.