7 Best Nike Hiking Shoes in 2024

An excellent all-rounder, this shoe is spectacularly grippy across all terrain, whilst being comfortable, agile, and displaying superb lockdown. The Nike Wildhorse 8 undoubtedly has an excellent pedigree, which is what makes it the best overall Nike hiking shoe in our lineup.

We were impressed with how easily the Wildhorse 8 tackles all types of terrain, and we decided to dive deeper to discover the reasons. Our durometer measurements showed a soft rubber on the outsole: 83.3 HC compared to the average 86.1 HC. The soft outsole offers more traction on hard or polished surfaces, such as rock and asphalt. On the other hand, our torsional rigidity tests showed this shoe is more flexible than average. We rated it 3/5, while the average is a stiffer 3.9/5. On uneven surfaces, such as rocks and roots, our feet can mold to the surface below, increasing our grip. The 3.5 mm lugs, while 1 mm shallower than average, are spaced in such a way that they shed mud and snow easily. All in all, we trust the adaptable Nike Wildhorse 8 to provide us with a firm foothold on whatever the trail throws at us.

The Wildhorse 8 almost gives us wings, and we feel comfortable and confident springing up and down rocky inclines. In the lab, we pushed the shoe to 90° with a force gauge. It showed 21.7N, proving this to be an almost unbelievably flexible shoe! It offers a very natural ride, allowing our foot to flex and move with the terrain.

We experienced unbeatable lockdown in this shoe, and even after long hikes, with plenty of ups and downs, our feet remained snugly locked in. We assessed the heel counter, rating it an average 3/5 - the perfect balance between comfort and rigidity while preventing our heels from slipping. The lacing over the padded tongue is reliable and we didn’t have to stop to adjust them.

We worry a bit about the durability of the Nike Wildhorse 8. With no toe bumper to protect our digits from bumps and scrapes, the upper doesn’t perform well in our durability tests either. The Dremel wore a large hole in the mesh upper after only 4 seconds. We don’t recommend the Nike Wildhorse 8 to hikers who need a more solid workhorse.

The latest edition of the Nike Terra Kiger range features numerous updates which make it a superb choice for hiking and trail running alike. The unbelievable plush midsole is offset by exceptional stability, all the while shaving off the extra grams. This is why the Nike Terra Kiger 9 can rightfully claim its spot as the best lightweight Nike hiking shoe.

The Nike Terra Kiger 9 has been on a strict diet when compared to the previous iterations! Our scales noted a superbly lightweight 10.2 oz (288g), 9% lighter than the Kiger 7. When compared to the average hiking shoe, which weighs 13 oz (374g), we see that this is indeed a lightweight shoe. The result for our feet is putting in more miles per day before they get tired.

The React foam cushioning offers a soft ride that is unrivaled in comfort, and it is always a delight to slip into these shoes. Our durometer measured the softness of the midsole at a stunning 17.3 HA! For reference, the average hiking shoe midsole is a significantly harder 30.7 HA. As a bonus, in our lab-simulated winter conditions (i.e. a freezer), the midsole only hardened up to 22.9 HA. This cushy ride keeps our feet comfortable all day on the trail, whether it’s warm or cold out.

With such a soft midsole, stability can be a cause for concern, but the Nike Terra Kiger 9 refuses to compromise. In the lab, we measured the width of the forefoot at 115.3 mm, a full 4.1 mm wider than average. The heel, too, is 2.2 mm wider than average, at 89.9 mm. Combined, they make for a wide landing surface which provides stability and prevents our feet from rolling, even when hiking over rocks and roots.

Although the 4.4 mm lugs are around average for hiking shoes, we found that the Nike Terra Kiger 9 doesn’t perform well on soft terrain such as mud or snow. We therefore don’t recommend them to hikers who need a shoe with reliable traction for wet, soft surfaces.

We found the Pegasus Trail 5 as an ideal hybrid shoe because of its well-balanced cushion and robust outsole that has both traction and strength for mixed surfaces. It feels so light on foot and adapts seamlessly to our movement that we forget we’re even wearing them! Backed up by lab results, it’s our top Nike hiking shoe for the trail and city.

The Pegasus Trail 5 also doubles as a trail running shoe which explains its highly-cushioned and responsive feel. Carrying the ReactX foam, our durometer shows it’s 51.1% softer than average.

The All-Terrain Compound outsole represents its name well both in and out of the lab. Our durometer shows it’s a tough 87.9 HC, while extensive testing barely caused any wear. In terms of grip, the 3.2 mm lugs made us feel secure on soft ground without feeling too bulky on asphalt and concrete.

The Pegasus Trail 5’s versatility can be attributed to its light and flexible build. At 10.1 oz (286g), we felt highly agile and could easily adjust to different environments. Our bend test confirms the midsole is 30.8% more flexible than average, explaining its natural feel.

If only this shoe was an all-weather friend. We found the upper too dense for hot weather, as reflected by its low 2/5 breathability score. We don’t recommend this pair for summer hiking.

Our splash adventures in the mountains and deep analysis in the lab led us to Nike’s best waterproof hiking shoe: Pegasus Trail 4 GTX. Its extremely protective nature, from top to bottom, kept us safe from all unwanted elements—wet feet, fatigue, and slips and injuries. 

Starting from the top, the Gore-Tex membrane’s waterproofing function is further supported by the several TPU layers we found upon dissecting the shoe. With its 2/5 breathability rating, we're shielded from cold and moisture, while the outsole's durability shines in our Dremel test, earning an impressive 4/5 score against premature wear.

Moving to the middle layer, a snappy yet silky React foam greets us. It feels pleasantly gentle and energetic underfoot. Our caliper reveals a 37.7 mm heel for maximum impact protection, with a composition that’s 29.3% lighter than average for comfort. Extending our hikes was a breeze with Peg’s supportive platform.

Underfoot, the outsole lined with 3.5 mm lugs does the tough job of keeping our strides controlled and stable. It displays unquestionable grip on mixed terrains, wet surfaces, and even steep descents, ensuring our safety on any path.

However, the Peg’s waterproofing is only effective up until a certain point: the ankles. Beyond that, water will creep in since the tongue isn’t fully gusseted.

With the streets, trails, and lab as our witness, the Juniper Trail 3 is the best budget Nike hiking shoe. It delivers solid stability and lasting durability while boosting comfort and agility through its light and loose build. Plus, it only costs $90 vs. the $132 average Nike trail shoes in our lab.

To retain a level of nimbleness, the Juniper Trail 3 maintains a light build of 10.2 oz (288g), making it easier to move our feet each time. Our bend test also reveals just that: a measurement 23.7% more flexible than average.

The ride feels surefooted and forgiving, backed up by the balanced 23.0 HA durometer measurement we got in the lab. The stack is a moderate 32.6/21.7 mm, keeping us grounded and in control together with the shallow 2.6 mm lugs.

We barely observed signs of wear in the All-Terrain Compound rubber after outdoor testing and the minimal dent in our Dremel test backs up this observation. Our durometer echoes our sentiments with a firm 87.0 HC reading, erasing any doubts about the shoe’s longevity.

However, we advise sticking to tailored paths and moderate terrains since the tough outsole lacks grip on more demanding paths. We recommend finding more aggressive shoes for rocky and muddy areas.

There’s only one shoe in the Nike line that is best for water hiking and that’s the Nike ACG Watercat+. Highly breathable and quick-draining, it has incredible grip and is superbly comfortable, making it the perfect choice for waterside adventures.

Just one look at the Nike ACG Watercat + and we can see that it’s one of the most breathable shoes in the Nike lineup, not to mention to have passed through our lab. The extremely durable woven cord upper allows for maximum breathability and drainage. After splashing through streams on our test hikes, the water drains out through both the woven upper and the holes poked through the midsole. The cord dries rapidly, allowing our feet to remain dry and blister-free. This shoe is certainly an excellent choice for repeated soaking!

Our lab measurements of the ACG Watercat+ lugs show that they are smaller than average by 1.3 mm. However, their multi-directional, honeycomb design eliminated our concerns. They grip well on all surfaces, especially wet rock, where the hollow lugs act as suction cups.

Despite its minimalist design, the Nike ACG Watercat+ is an impressively comfortable shoe. The durable cord upper is soft and pliable, allowing for a range of foot shapes. We are particularly impressed with the insole, which cushions our steps with 8.6 mm of delicious padding, 3.1 mm thicker than average. Adapting well to wet and dry conditions, the ACG Watercat+ is the perfect companion for our adventures on water.

We don’t recommend the Nike ACG Watercat+ to hikers who require lots of ankle and arch support. It rated 1/5 in our manual tests for torsional flexibility, and while this makes it a seriously flexible shoe, hikers needing more support may prefer to look at other options.

Our top pick for cushioning among Nike hiking shoes is wholeheartedly the Zegama 2. Our feet couldn’t deny its plush ZoomX midsole that filled our outdoor adventures with relief and joy. Our lab shows a well-balanced upper and a reliable Vibram Megagrip outsole, making it a consistent performer across diverse terrains.

The cushioning feels plush and springy, with smooth transitions enhanced by its rocker geometry. Our durometer reveals its heavenly touch at 14.5 HA, 36.1% softer than average. The shoe’s flexibility also boosted comfort, as it emerged 24.7% more bendable than average in our 90-degree test.

The Vibram Megagrip outsole includes deep 4.0 mm Traction Lugs, which relentlessly gripped any kind of surface we tested. It also shows impressive abrasion resistance against our Dremel, performing better than average.

Even the toebox managed to get a remarkable 4/5 durability score while maintaining excellent airflow. Our smoke test confirms its breathable nature with a 4/5 rating.

Unfortunately, Zegama 2 failed to impress us in the weight department. At 10.7 oz (302g), we found it too heavy for its below-average stack.