7 Best Low Cut Hiking Shoes in 2023

Paul Ronto
Paul Ronto on
7 Best Low Cut Hiking Shoes in 2023
We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you when you buy through us. Why trust us

For hikers who prefer more flexible and reliable footwear for day hikes and light backpacking, a pair of low-cut hiking shoes is the way to go. These dependable kicks generally come with soft and cushioned midsoles that offer superb comfort, sufficient stability, and versatility.

For many seasoned outdoorsmen and ultra-light backpackers who go on multi-day treks across the backcountry, the stability and support provided by low-cut style hiking shoes are enough for them. Many great choices await you from top brands such as Scarpa, Lowa, Salomon X, Timberland, and Merrell Moab, just to name a few.

With tons of great quality options available, picking the perfect fit for you can be confusing. To narrow down your choices, we’ve tested and reviewed 200+ of the best low-cut hiking shoes available out there. We evaluated them based on their fit, comfort, durability, support, grip, and many more. But overall, we were after their actual performance in the trails. Check out our top highlights.

Best low cut hiking shoes overall

What makes it the best?

Sporting the ultra comfy Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX has leveled up the hiking game for many. Taking inspiration from agile trail running shoes, this waterproof and grippy wonder will push you forward across technical terrain with or without rain.

Pros

  • Instant comfort
  • Impeccable waterproofing
  • Very lightweight
  • Exceptional grip
  • Excellent support and lockdown
  • Stable platform
  • Roomy toebox

Cons

  • Quicklace is not for everyone
  • Too-high collar
Full review of Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Legion Blue/Black/Fall Leaf (L416230)
Green (L413853)
Quiet Shade/Black/Evening Primrose (L416229)
Magnet/Black/Monument (L412892)
Vintage Khaki/Black/Cherry Tomato (L417314)
Blue (L473765)

Low-cut hiking shoes with the best cushioning

What makes it the best?

The Anacapa Low GTX delivers comfort and performance that only a few trail kicks from the same category can match. With this shoe on, you can brave the elements confidently relying on its blissfully comfortable cushioning, watertight upper, and all-terrain grip. It feels much like a running shoe but with the ruggedness of a boot.

Pros

  • Mind-blowing cushioning
  • Podiatrist-approved sole
  • Excellent grip
  • Top-notch waterproofing
  • Lightweight
  • Out-of-the-box comfort
  • Roomy toebox
  • Well-made
  • Contains recycled materials

Cons

  • GTX version only
  • Pricier than average
  • Weird-looking heel
Full review of Hoka Anacapa Low GTX

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Outer Space/Mountain Spring (OSMS)
Black (1122017BBLC)
Brown (1122017TEBC)
Green (DBRYL)
Dune/Oxford Tan (DOTN)
Blue (OSRT)

Low-cut hiking shoes with the best stability

What makes it the best?

With its incredible burliness and stability, the Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX feels a lot like a crossover between a hiking shoe and a boot. It will make you feel steady and surefooted on the most unpredictable terrains while keeping your feet dry in untimely rain or unfortunate puddles. As long as you give it some time to break into its full potential, this Adidas shoe will not disappoint.

Pros

  • Boot-like stability
  • Highly durable and protective
  • Lightweight for what it offers
  • Excellent waterproofing
  • Breathable for a GTX shoe
  • Generously cushioned
  • Very secure foothold
  • Top-notch grip with deep lugs

Cons

  • Stuffy for summer
  • Can be too stiff (even stiffer in cold)
  • Break-in needed
Full review of Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Core Black Grey Three Solar Red (HR1310)
Grau Neongelb (IF2408)
Green (GY5075)
Black (FW2769)
Brown (FZ3275)
Grey/Wonder White/Solar Red (GW0254)
Black (HR1311)
Black (FW2770)
More colors

Low-cut hiking shoes with the best comfort

What makes it the best?

There's a lot of goodness to unpack in the Moab 3 GTX. From its cloud-like plushness and tough-as-nails construction to its shield-like design and magnificent moisture protection, this low-top day hiking shoe from Merrell is an absolute giver. Just be warned, though, that good things come at a cost, which in this case is the weightiness of every pair.

Pros

  • Superb day-one comfort
  • Brilliant surface adhesion
  • Supportive like a work shoe
  • Fantastic cushioning underfoot
  • Remarkably durable
  • A-grade waterproofing
  • Sheds mud quite well
  • Protective toe box
  • Incredible overall quality

Cons

  • Heavy for a low-top
  • Subpar breathability
  • Its shoelaces unravel often
Full review of Merrell Moab 3 GTX

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Black (J03625)
Beluga (J03626301)
Beluga (J03626)
Grey (J03579)
Olive (J03580)
Navy Blue (J13553)
Grey (J50023)

Best lightweight low-cut hiking shoes

What makes it the best?

Another solid entry to our collection of light hiking shoes, the Terrex Trailmaker is fully equipped to give you empowered steps minus the unwanted bulk. While you can easily get lost in its plush confines, its excellent sticking prowess can make your jaws drop in amazement as well. And if you are into looks, the Terrex Trailmaker can make you look dapper without requiring too much human effort!

Pros

  • Quite comfy
  • Slip resistant
  • Amazing surface traction
  • Runs true to size
  • Pretty durable
  • Incredibly light
  • Quick drying time

Cons

  • Added bulk on med side
  • Lacing issue
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 low-cut hiking shoes for summer

Merrell Moab 3
88
Superb!

What makes it the best?

They say "third time's a charm," and for the Moab 3 from Merrell, that is quite the case. Indeed, this third-gen Moab hiker will push you to go further with extraordinary grip, all while charming your feet with plushness all over. Glorious in almost every way, the Moab 3 is also the one to beat when it comes to affordability and value for money.

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)
Walnut/Moss (J03628)
Kangaroo/Coyote (J13554)
Bracken (J03676)
Granite V2 (J03588)
Incense (J03627)
Black (J03702)
More colors

Best budget low-cut hiking shoes

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)
Blue (HP7392)
Wonder Silver Core Black Grey Two (IF4872)
Black (FY9673)
Focus Olive Core Black Grey Five (HP7390)
Wonder Red Linen Green Pulse Lilac (GY8621)
Core Black/Grey Four/Mint (FZ3255)
Green / Grey (IF4870)
More colors

Comparison of the 7 best low cut hiking shoes

+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
Best
CoreScore
Users rating
Experts
Best price
Ranking
Popularity
# of colorways

How we test hiking shoes

To extract the outstanding ones from the mediocre, we, in-house hiking experts, field-tested all the shoes on the list, trekking 30-50 miles for each model. Before giving our assessments, we subject each pair to the grind and intensity of the trails and technical terrains. Our selection method includes:

  • Putting in hours of research and our own funds to buy low-top hiking shoes from different brands. This allows us to remain independent and 100% honest with all our reviews.
  • Taking the shoes on actual outdoor adventures and backpacking journeys to get a real-life assessment of their fit, traction, breathability, support, protection, durability, and many more. We also test each model further to see how it can handle tougher outdoor environments and weather conditions.
  • Calibrating our tools and devices to dig facts and figures regarding the shoes' properties like waterproof ability and outsole grip and durability. We also check these shoes part by part by dismembering and cutting them into pieces.
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.