7 Best Lightweight Hiking Boots in 2022

Out of the literal hundreds of hiking boots we’ve tested, we are so proud to crown the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker as the king of agility!

Lightness is coded in the construction of this shoe, and we have no complaints. Case in point, at roughly 760 g a pair, the Terrex Free Hiker gives its name justice. As for our time with it, we found ourselves zooming past obstacles left and right at break-neck speed!

Let’s turn our attention toward the prestigious Adidas Boost midsole. Yup, you read that right—the Terrex Free Hiker is built with Boost, which allowed us to negotiate tricky terrain as if we had cherubim wings on our ankles!

And dare we forget the Terrex Free Hiker’s level of comfort? Nope! This Adidas must-buy overflows with plushness. Right from the box, this lightweight boot made our tootsies sing in ridiculous comfort.

How about underfoot? Is it that sticky? Well absolutely! Don’t let its low-profile lugs fool you. They kept us surefooted on slick surfaces (e.g., wet grass, mossy logs, and slick rocks) quite effortlessly.

Do yourself a favor and get the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker now!

We have to hand it to the OUTline Mid GTX for being the nimblest of them all! Its light weight, which is roughly 420 g a boot for men, contributed greatly in this regard. That said, we dare not leave out its stunning sole unit, which allowed us to glide on well-maintained trails and rocky terrain alike.

Throughout our speedy escapades, our time in the Salomon OUTline Mid GTX was one marked with comfort. There was no need to break it in; we used it right away and got floored!

As for grip performance, the Salomon OUTline Mid GTX blew us away. We went practically everywhere—slopes, sidehills, near streams—and the boot didn’t give us a hard time. We didn’t lose our footing or slipped anywhere at all.

Let’s also talk about its support system. In our day’s journey, our feet remained in place and didn’t give in to the ruggedness of the trail. Both the OUTline Mid GTX’s collar and cushy midsole were amazingly supportive!

In terms of water protection, the OUTline Mid GTX was quite impressive, too. Moisture was kept at bay in it throughout our fast hikes.

If you want trail adventures at lightning speeds while wearing a boot, there’s no beating the OUTline Mid GTX from Salomon!

What we got in the Firecamp Boot from Columbia is a downright looker of a boot with remarkable versatility!

On the lightness front, the Firecamp Boot is wooing at 420 g per shoe. At first, it looked quite imposing, but when we slipped into it and tried it for a spin (about a mile hike), we were astounded by its weightlessness.

On the same initial hike, we encountered light rain and some puddles along the way. Not a droplet seeped into the Firecamp Boot’s confines. It was also rather chilly around the same time, which was perfect because we were able to test its insulation—it worked to our expectations!

Oh, but we haven’t told you yet about the compliments we’ve received while we got the Firecamp Boot on. Let’s just say that, whether on the trail or in the city, people were just smitten by its urban beauty.

We have no complaints about the Firecamp Boot’s adhesive performance. On trails, whether damp or dry, the boot didn’t slip. We took it to town soon after and traveled on some wet pavement, and it worked like a magnet. Amazing, right?

Anyway, what we’re saying is don’t hesitate. Get the Firecamp Boot now!

Oboz knows how to make great boots! The Sawtooth II Mid is a heavy-duty hiking boot and hasn’t shown any premature wear in the sole or the upper. I’ve worn them on numerous hikes and to work where I’m on my feet all day. The leather has broken in nicely and while the sole has roughed up a bit, it still slips pretty bad on wet surfaces.

The verdict is in: KEEN’s Targhee III Waterproof Mid is royally comfy, besting some 100+ lightweight hiking boots that we’ve tested!

Zooming in on comfort, the Targhee III Waterproof Mid pampered our precious feet without the customary break-in period. The suppleness of its interior (especially around the instep) and the cushiness of its footbed just spoiled our tootsies from the off!

At no more than 500 g per shoe, the Targhee III Waterproof Mid allowed us to pull off longer strides without weighing us down. Its tank-like appearance fooled us, indeed.

Speaking of tanks, you can say that the Targhee III Waterproof Mid was cut from the same cloth. We felt oh so secure in its solidly leather shell the whole time. Oh, but the star of the show in this regard was its rubber bumper. This toe cap, man—kicking unflinching roots and rocks with it was fun!

Its provision of support is something to write home about, too. Yes, the Targhee III Waterproof Mid’s collar kept our ankles safe, especially where twisting maneuvers were required.

And if you are worried about its price, don’t. The Targhee III Waterproof Mid is one affordable beast, selling for no more than $145 a pop. Get yours today!

Fact: The Newton Rudge Plus II Waterproof doesn’t mess around price-wise. Seriously, this bad boy from Columbia blew us away with its 80-dollar asking price!

Equally mesmerizing about this affordable wonder is its break-in-free comfort. We hiked for about a couple of hours in the Newton Rudge Plus II Waterproof straight from the box, and we experienced neither pinching nor hotspots. And our toes and heels? No blisters!

Did it ever weigh you down, you might ask? Not at all. At 450-ish grams a shoe, we found the Newton Rudge Plus II Waterproof quite freeing. We link this quality to the boot’s lightly seamed leather upper.

Sticking to both dry and wet surfaces is also business-as-usual for the Newton Rudge Plus II Waterproof. We traversed inclines, negotiated downhills, and balanced our way on some mossy logs, and we didn’t lose footing. On some wet grass, the Newton Rudge Plus II Waterproof gripped like a king, too!

But before we forget, the Newton Rudge Plus II Waterproof lives up to its name. Indeed, it is relentlessly waterproof. We found not a single drop of moisture on our pampered tootsies in it.

Where trekking mightiness is in great demand, the Nucleo High II GTX just might be the only ally you will ever need. Built weather-ready, snappy, and seriously protective, this La Sportiva hiker can personalize your multi-day excursions as if the wild were created just for you. While not the perfection it wants to be, the Nucleo High II GTX can elevate your outdoor performance all the same.