7 Best Shoes For Light Hiking

Our light hikes were an absolute dream while wearing the Salomon Outpulse. This ultra-lightweight hiking shoe feels springy and lively underfoot and delivers excellent grip that keeps us stable if we want to break into a trot. We love the Salomon Outpulse, and it gets our vote as the best overall shoe for light hiking.

The Salomon Outpulse is so light that it was almost possible to forget we were wearing shoes at all! Tipping the scales at just 11.6 oz (329g), it is 1.8 oz (50g) lighter than our lab average, and one of the lightest hiking shoes in our database. Our feet felt agile and free on our hikes, and we had plenty of energy left at the end of our hikes.

Adding to that nimble feeling is the superbly springy midsole, which is instantly noticeable straight out of the box. When we pressed a durometer to the midsole in the lab, it measured 22.6 HA - a number more in keeping with a running shoe. We felt carefree and energetic while walking, making our light hikes even more enjoyable.

Smooth rock or gravel, wet or dry ground or mud; these shoes seem to grip it all. We measured the depth of the lugs in the lab, and while at 4.1 mm they are only 0.1 mm deeper than average, the intricate, multidirectional lugs play a huge part in the impressive traction of this hiking shoe. In addition, scoring a middling 3/5 in our torsional flexibility tests, Salomon Outpulse flexes with our foot on uneven ground, further increasing the grip.

The reinforced toe box of the shoe stands up only moderately to our Dremel test in the lab, leading us to issue a middle-of-the-range 3/5 for toe box durability. While this shouldn’t be a problem for light hiking use, hardcore adventurers may want to look into a more robust hiking shoe.

Amongst the best shoes for light hiking, only one can be crowned the most comfortable hiking shoe. We have chosen the Adidas Terrex Trailmaker for its delightfully natural feel combined with its incredibly light weight - so much so that we almost forget we are wearing them! With a wide toe box, the Trailmaker provides all day comfort for our short, light hikes.

We love the natural feel of the Trailmaker, and find their superb flexibility and close contact with the ground is perfect for short, easy hikes on maintained trails. They flex easily with our feet, and when we assessed them in the lab with a force gauge, we found they needed only 20.5N of force to bend to 90°! For reference, the average hiking shoe measures a much stiffer 30N. With less material underfoot than other hiking shoes, the Trailmaker has a low heel-to-toe drop of just 9.6 mm, 0.7 mm below average, giving us a more natural feel to our strides.

Complementing the natural feel is extra space in the toe box. Measuring 102.7 mm around the forefoot, the Trailmaker is 2.1 mm wider than average. Our toes have plenty of space to splay out and we found it superbly comfortable while hiking on easy trails.

There are not many hiking shoes that are lighter than the Trailmaker. We barely notice them when we put them on! In the lab, we popped them on the scales, and discovered that they weigh a mere 12.7 oz (361g). Compared to the average hiking shoe weight of 13.4 oz (379g), this is a lightweight kick that doesn’t weigh us down.

We are not impressed with the outsole durability. Adidas exchanged their Continental sole for a lighter but less durable TRAXION outsole. Our Dremel, applied to the outsole for 22 seconds, left a 2 mm dent - almost 2/3rds of the lug! We don’t recommend this hiking shoe for rocky trails, as the outsole wears out relatively quickly.

For those short, easy hikes when we want something comfortable and stable, the Hoka Anacapa Low GTX is just the ticket. With its incredible cushioning (of course, it’s a Hoka!), super-stable ride, and top-notch traction the Hoka Anacapa Low GTX is our pick for light hiking shoes with the best cushioning.

This shoe has so much going for it in the cushioning department. We measured its mighty heel stack at 36 mm, 18% higher than the average of our lab-tested shoes. We also pressed our durometer to the midsole, finding it to be 23.3 HA, softer than the average of 27.3 HA. On the trail, we felt protected from sharp rocks whilst simultaneously coddled by the plush midsole.

The soft ride is given additional stability by the wide midsole. Our calipers measured 113.2 mm at the forefoot and an impressive 93.1 mm at the heel. Compared to the respective averages of 110 mm and 86.9 mm, the Hoka Anacapa Low GTX definitely has a stable foundation, and we felt surefooted on our hikes.

The grip on the Anacapa Low GTX is worth writing home about. In the lab, we measured the lugs at 5 mm, 25% deeper than the average for hiking shoes. That’s another plus point for this stable hiking shoe, as we trusted our foot placements on rocks, gravel, snow, ice, and mud.

For all the extra width in the midsole, the toebox isn’t suitable for wider feet. Our lab measurements showed the toebox to be 95.4 mm at the widest part, compared to the average of 100.6 mm, while at the big toe, it narrows to a mere 75.9 mm, 5.7 mm narrower than average. Hikers with wide feet may want to continue their search.

On days when we have a light hike planned with plenty of chances for being in the water we turn to a pair of our trusty of Nike ACG Watercat+. With their exceptional stability on wet terrain, a low drop which helps us keep our balance, and breathability which is quite literally second to none, the Nike ACG Watercat+ is our pick for the best light hiking shoes for water.

We felt surefooted and confident on our light hikes while wearing the Nike ACG Watercat+. Our lab measurements of the heel showed that the midsole measures 5.6 mm wider than average. We found this enough to give us a stable foundation and landing area, and yet not so wide that we could trip ourselves up.

We feel very grounded and stable in the ACG Watercat+. Investigating the cushioning in the lab, we found the heel stack is 28% lower than average and the overall heel-to-toe drop is 4.7 mm - less than half the average of 10.5 mm. On our short, light hikes we feel more connected to the ground beneath our feet, and the natural feel helps us to balance when the going gets tough.

Breathability is the name of the game in the Nike ACG Watercat+. The woven cord upper lets the water flow out as easily as it flowed in, and the drainage holes in the sole get rid of the dregs. We dub this shoe a champion of breathability, awarding it 5/5 in our lab analyses. After splashing in rivers, the ultra-porous and quick-drying upper left our feet feeling dry and comfortable in no time at all.

The scant cushioning and lack of structure in the upper make this shoe a poor choice for carrying heavy loads. We recommend that hikers looking for a more supportive hiking shoe for longer day hikes and multi-day adventures look into other options.

We tested this shoe in a series of lab trials and test hikes, and it came out on top in terms of wiggle room for our toes, midsole comfort, and stability. This low-topped shoe is ideal for our shorter adventures, so we crowned the Teva Grandview GTX Low our best light hiking shoe with a wide toe box.

We are long-time fans of Teva’s roomy toe boxes, so it wasn’t a surprise to find our digits have plenty of space to splay and grip on our hikes. Back in the lab, we took our trusty calipers in hand to crunch some numbers. The widest part of the shoe measures 3.2 mm wider than average, but the Grandview GTX Low goes the extra mile around the big toe. Measuring a whopping 87 mm, we have a full 5.4 mm extra space for our toes compared to our lab average! This is excellent news for hikers with wider feet!

Straight out of the box we were struck by the incredibly plush underfoot feel. In the lab, we pressed a durometer to the midsole, we found it to measure an almost unbelievable 15.3 HA, 100% softer than average! Balanced by an additional 3 mm of cushioning both below the heel and the forefoot, the Teva Grandview GTX Low is an indisputably comfortable ride, making for highly enjoyable light hikes.

This shoe treads the line perfectly between comfort and stability. On our hikes, we felt stable and supported - even on rough trails we felt no risk of rolling an ankle. In the lab, we measured the width of the midsole. The Teva Grandview GTX Low once again outshines the competition, measuring 6.6 mm wider than average at the forefoot, and 3.1 mm wider than average at the heel. No wonder our landings felt so steady and safe!

The trade-off to all this comfort is a heavier-than-average weight. Tipping the scales at 15.6 oz (441g), the Teva Grandview GTX Low is 2.2 oz (62g) heavier than average. We recommend that hikers looking for a lightweight kick look at other options.

The characteristic silhouette of the Vibram Five Fingers V-Trek screams barefoot hiking, so we put it through its paces in the lab and on the trail. With its impeccable stability, featherweight, and impressive durability, the Vibram Five Fingers V-Trek gets our vote for the best barefoot shoes for light hiking.

A minimalist shoe uses a small amount of material to achieve a snug fit, and the Vibram Five Fingers V-Trek is no exception. While the midsole width is significantly lower than our lab average - 5.5mm less at the forefoot and 22.7mm less at the heel - the barefoot nature of the shoe makes it mold perfectly to our feet without compromising our foot’s natural stability. We also bent, twisted, and scrunched the shoe manually, awarding it the least rigid score of 1/5, compared to the average of 3.3/5. As is fitting for a barefoot shoe, the Vibram Five Fingers V-Trek aims for a barely-there feel, which makes us feel stable and grounded on all terrain.

Weighing in at just 6.5 oz (184g), the V-Trek is a whopping 51% lighter than average, adding to its minimalist feel. While we might have expected such a wisp of a shoe to compromise its durability, our test hikes and lab analyses tell a different story. Utilizing a Dremel at 5K RPM at a force of 3.2N for 12 seconds, the reinforced toe showed only a minor scuff. We awarded it a high 4/5 for durability, placing it slightly above the average of 3.7. Applied to the outsole, the Dremel left a mere 1.1 mm dent, comparable to the average. Contrary to its pared-down appearance, this shoe is up there with the typical offerings, and we trust it to last us 4-500 miles.

With a heel stack of just 9.9 mm, the Vibram Five Fingers is 64% closer to the ground than average. While this is to be expected in a barefoot shoe, heavy heel strikers and those just getting into barefoot hiking may prefer a bit more cushioning below the heel and should look into other options.

It’s official, the best budget hiking shoes for light hiking is the Adidas Terrex AX4. $39 cheaper than the average hiking shoe, this is an impressively versatile kick. It proved itself water resistant yet breathable, incredibly stable and lightweight. At just $90, it represents excellent value for money and is the perfect shoe for short, easy hikes.

With the upper fabric under the microscope, we spied an especially tight weave which is both abrasion-resistant and water-repellent on our hikes through wet grass and light rain. The shoe performed surprisingly well in our breathability tests too, and we awarded it 3/5 for breathability compared to the average of 2.3. We love the adaptability of this all-weather hiker.

The Adidas Terrex AX4 is a wonderfully stable shoe, and we felt confident hiking on rough, slippery trails. Its wide, stable platform measures 111.5 mm, around the average, and prevents us from rolling our ankles when hiking over rocks. We experienced no heel slippage, and in the lab, we awarded the heel counter 5/5 for stiffness. It holds our heel firmly without compression.

The cushioning in this shoe is pretty firm. We pressed a durometer to the midsole, and noted 39 HA, making it 27% firmer than average. Whilst this is surely a protective shoe, it’s not the most comfortable, which is why we don’t recommend it for long distance hikes.