Lightweight hiking boot reviews

Guide Best lightweight hiking boots

Guide Best lightweight waterproof hiking boots

17 boots reviewed

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Lightweight

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La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX

88

Great

$200 $153

Save 24%

See on REI
Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2

90

Great

Any color

$200 $84

Save 58%

See on Amazon
Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX

87

Great

Any color
$Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX - Asphalt/Aloe/Eden (L477540)$
$Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX - Grey (L491037)$
$Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX - Brown (L491036)$

$185

See on Zappos
Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof

84

Good

$100 $66

Save 34%

See on Amazon
Merrell Moab 3 Mid GTX

83

Good

$170 $110

Save 35%

See on Amazon
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid GTX

81

Good

$180 $108

Save 40%

See on Amazon
Columbia Fairbanks Omni-Heat Boot

87

Great

$130 $62

Save 52%

See on REI
Altra Olympus 6 Hike Mid GTX

81

Good

$220

See on Backcountry
Danner Jag

89

Great

$200 $180

Save 10%

See on REI
Hoka Anacapa 2 Mid GTX

79

Decent

$195

See on REI
Altra Lone Peak Hiker 2

74

Bad

$160 $150

Save 6%

See on Altra Running
Salomon Outpulse Mid GTX

85

Great

$165 $153

Save 7%

See on Amazon
Hoka Anacapa Mid GTX

84

Good

$189

See on KICKS CREW
Hoka Trail Code GTX

82

Good

$180

See on eBay
Timberland Sprint Trekker

84

Good

$201

See on KICKS CREW
Lems Outlander

92

Superb

Out of stock in all 43 shops
Merrell Moab Speed Mid GTX

77

Decent

Out of stock in all 43 shops

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Size
- 5.5 (1)
- 6 (1)
- 6.5 (1)
- 7 (1)
- 7.5 (1)
- 8 (1)
- 8.5 (1)
- 9 (1)
- 9.5 (1)
- 10 (1)
Brand
- Salomon (2)
- HOKA (3)
- Columbia (2)
- Adidas (1)
- Timberland (1)
- La Sportiva (1)
- Merrell (2)
- Danner (1)
- Lems (1)
- Altra (2)
Waterproofing
- Waterproof (14)
- Water repellent (1)
Condition
- Plantar fasciitis (2)
- Flat feet (3)
- Bunions (1)
- Overpronation (3)
Construction
- Vintage (1)
- Insulated (1)
- Chunky (4)
Use
- Snow (8)
- Speed Hiking (7)
- Backpacking (2)
- Day Hiking (15)
- Urban hiking (6)
- Beginners (4)
Audience score
- > 90 (1)
- 80-90 (13)
- 70-80 (3)
74 - 92

74 92
Season
- Summer (1)
- Winter (12)
- All seasons (3)
Features
- Lightweight
- Removable insole (17)
- Heel brake (5)
- Red laces (1)
- Orthotic friendly (17)
- Ankle support (2)
Price
- < $120 (5)
- $120 - $180 (6)
- $180 - $210 (10)
- $210 - $250 (4)
- > $250 (3)
- Cheap (3)
- Expensive (4)
Cut
- Mid cut (16)
- High cut (1)
Colors
Technology
- Vibram (6)
- Ortholite (4)
- Gore-Tex (10)
Weight
- < 14.1 oz (4)
- 14.1 oz - 17.6 oz (13)
11.7 oz - 17.5 oz

11.7 oz 17.5 oz
Width
- Wide (17)
- Narrow (17)
- X-Wide (17)
- Normal
Collection
- Adidas Terrex (1)
- Columbia Newton Ridge Plus (1)
- Merrell Moab (2)
- Columbia Fairbanks (1)
- Adidas Boost (1)
- Hoka Anacapa (2)
Material
- Leather (6)
- Mesh (5)
- Knit (1)
- Suede (4)
- Textile (8)
Release date
- 2025 (5)
- 2024 (5)
- 2023 (7)
- Hide low stock (11)
- Hide previous models (16)
Deals
- On sale (6)
- Deals (5)
- Outlet (3)
- Under $100 (3)
- Under $50 (1)
Discount
- > 70% (1)
- 50% - 70% (2)
- 30% - 50% (5)
- < 30% (15)
Trail terrain
- Light (11)
- Moderate (15)
- Technical (2)
Midsole softness
- Soft (1)
- Balanced (2)
- Firm (6)
31 AC - 56 AC

31 AC 56 AC
Heel to toe drop
- < 8 mm (3)
- 8 mm - 12 mm (7)
- 12 mm - 16 mm (7)
0 mm - 15 mm

0 mm 15 mm
Stiffness
- Moderate (4)
- Stiff (9)
12N - 32N

12N 32N
Breathability
- Breathable (1)
- Moderate (4)
- Warm (12)
Heel counter stiffness
- Flexible (11)
- Moderate (4)
- Stiff (2)
Heel padding durability
- Good (3)
- Decent (6)
- Bad (7)
Outsole durability
- Good (3)
- Decent (6)
- Bad (5)
0.2 mm - 1.3 mm

0.2 mm 1.3 mm
Toebox durability
- Good (1)
- Decent (9)
- Bad (5)
Torsional rigidity
- Flexible (4)
- Moderate (8)
- Stiff (5)
Difference in midsole softness in cold
- Small (7)
- Normal (6)
- Big (4)
4% - 50%

4% 50%
Toebox width
- Narrow (6)
- Medium (8)
- Wide (3)
62 mm - 81 mm

62 mm 81 mm
Width / Fit
- Narrow (3)
- Medium (11)
- Wide (3)
88 mm - 99 mm

88 mm 99 mm
Forefoot stack
- < 20 mm (3)
- 20 mm - 23 mm (5)
- 23 mm - 26 mm (7)
- 26 mm - 29 mm (1)
- > 29 mm (1)
19 mm - 31 mm

19 mm 31 mm
Heel stack
- < 30 mm (3)
- 30 mm - 35 mm (8)
- 35 mm - 40 mm (6)
26 mm - 39 mm

26 mm 39 mm
Lug depth
- < 4 mm (8)
- 4 mm - 5 mm (7)
- > 5 mm (2)
3 mm - 5 mm

3 mm 5 mm
Energy return
- High (4)
- Moderate (7)
- Low (2)
36% - 67%

36% 67%
Shock absorption
- High (5)
- Moderate (7)
- Low (1)
66 SA - 122 SA

66 SA 122 SA
Toebox height
- Low (1)
- Medium (8)
- High (2)
22 mm - 34 mm

22 mm 34 mm

Overall review lists

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Lightweight waterproof hiking boots

Best guides

For those who want a good combination of protection and mobility, we’ve reviewed several lightweight hiking shoes that just might hit the right spot for you. We test each of these shoes in our lab so you can get a good feel of how each shoe stacks up against the rest. The lightweight hiking boots we’ve reviewed can do well for desert hiking, snow hiking, and even alpine hiking.