7 Best Day Hiking Boots in 2024

Numbers checked and mileage burned, we found Merrell Moab 3 Mid GTX as the ultimate day hiking boot. It’s tough on the outside and cosy on the inside, ensuring our comfort, stability, and protection as we tackle diverse trail conditions.

This boot is ready for the wilderness from top to bottom. The leather upper shields us from water, debris, and cold weather. Smoke barely escaped in our test, earning a 1/5 breathability score. Meanwhile, the Vibram outsole, equipped with deep 5.0 mm lugs, effectively secured our grip on wet rocks and slippery logs.

Our lab reveals a 36.1/22.6 mm stack for impact protection, muting sharp objects underfoot. Meanwhile, our durometer shows a firm 32.8 HA cushion for surefooted strides. However, it feels much softer thanks to the 24.6 HA Air Cushion.

Further adding to our stability is its rigid build, which prevents ankle collapsing that may lead to foot fatigue or injuries. Our manual assessment reveals a high 4/5 torsional rigidity because of the stiff nylon shank in the midfoot. To boost comfort, the boot is easily bendable, emerging 33.2% more flexible than average in our flex test.

Unfortunately, its lugs are not toothy enough for soft ground and mud. We grasped for branches and walking poles as we passed these surfaces. We recommend a boot with more aggressive lugs for these types of terrains.

The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX cruised through our test hikes keeping us as surefooted as we could be! With its superbly grippy outsole, we didn't have a flicker of doubt when we granted the best grip award to this boot.

The chevron design of the Contragrip sole wins us over every time, and we can confidently tackle steep uphills and downhills, knowing these boots will hold us steady. We measured the lug depth at 5.1 mm, 0.7 mm deeper than average. In addition, we measured the flexibility of the midsole with a force gauge and found it is 4% more flexible than average. The flex in the sole increases the surface area in contact with the ground, upping the grip. In practice, we can trust these boots on just about anything.

Our wet hikes proved to us just how well the GoreTex is implemented in this boot. We even submerged them in water almost up to our ankles, but they didn’t let a drop of water in! The mid-height collar and gusseted tongue both have a role to play in this, and they play it well!

What really makes these shoes stand out above the rest is their insanely light weight. The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX manages an excellent GoreTex-to-weight ratio. On the scales, these boots weighed an astounding 14.5 oz (412g), which is 36% lighter than the average waterproof hiking boot! On our hikes, this translates to fresher feet for longer days!

For hikers who prefer a plusher ride, we don’t recommend these boots. We pressed a durometer to the midsole to test for softness and found this boot is 64% harder than average. 

The Hoka Anacapa Mid GTX is undoubtedly the number one day hiking boots with the best cushioning. With a midsole that gives our feet a gentle embrace, unrivalled weight in its category, and impressive performance on chilly days, there is more to this boot than meets the eye.

We could shout about the cushioning in the Anacapa Mid GTX from the rooftops! Measuring 22.5 HA with a durometer, it’s much softer than the average 27.9 HA, making for an extremely comfortable ride. We also measured the stack heights in the lab. Both are above average, with the heel measuring 0.5 mm higher than average, and the forefoot measuring 2.3 mm higher than average. What this means in practical terms is more material underfoot to protect our feet from sharp objects.

Since it’s a completely waterproof boot, we might expect the Anacapa Mid GTX to weigh us down, but Hoka have found the perfect balance between impermeability and weight. Weighing in at just 15.4 oz (436g), this boot is a whole 3.5 oz (99g) lighter than our other lab-tested waterproof boots. It’s a great choice for day hikes because our feet still have energy to spare by the end of the day.

We tested the boot for winter use by leaving it in the freezer for 20 minutes before testing it for flexibility. Pushing the boot to 90° with a force gauge, we found it is an incredible 30% more flexible than average! This is a real advantage on cold days since it doesn’t need much breaking in.

The 4.7 mm lugs are deeper than average yet they don’t cut the mustard when it comes to wet granite. We found ourselves slipping on wet days, so we don’t recommend these boots to hikers who regularly hike in this kind of rocky terrain.

The Hoka Trail Code GTX is our best pick for the most supportive day hiking boots for its superior stability, flexibility and sticky outsole. It is a versatile hiking boot that keeps our feet feeling supported and protected all day long.

We found the Trail Code GTX kept our ankles perfectly supported with its high collar and stiff heel counter. We assessed the heel in the lab, rating it as the stiffest 5/5 – that explains why we experienced zero heel slippage, even on the steepest inclines! The wide midsole measures 112.5 mm, around the average, and it provides a stable platform for our feet even on rocky and uneven trails.

Even with all the support provided by this boot, it doesn’t feel bulky or restrictive. In fact, hiking in the Hoka Trail Code GTX feels almost like wearing a running shoe, and that’s down to its impressive flexibility. We pushed it to 90° with a force guage and were amazed to find it measures just 26.1N, compared to the much stiffer average of 43.8N. Such a flexible boot offers a comfortably natural feel to our hikes, which we find perfect for our day hikes.

The grippy outsole sticks on steep, slippery slopes, wet mud and loose gravel with ease. In the lab, we measured the toothy lugs to be 4.7 mm – 0.2 mm deeper than average, which explains their tackiness. We felt confident on varied terrain during our test hikes.

We found the Hoka Trail Code GTX isn’t suitable for hikers with narrow feet. At the widest part of the forefoot, it measures 97 mm, and is 3.4 mm narrower than average. Hikers with wide feet are advised to go half a size up.

It’s hard to beat the stability and protection Scarpa Terra GTX offers. High ground sensitivity, unmatched traction, and weatherproofing abilities tick all of our boxes, leading us to crown this pair as the best leather boots for day hiking.

The upper is tough on the outside and cosy on the inside. Its solid leather is naturally waterproof and our smoke test further confirms its airtight nature, effectively protecting us from cold winds. No matter how many streams we crossed, our feet remained dry at the end of the day. Its robust exterior even serves as our shield against rocks and roots.

The Vibram outsole works perfectly over a variety of terrains we tackled. It proves its durability in the lab, but what’s hard to ignore is its adhesive abilities. Lined with 4-mm thick and multi-directional lugs, we had all the traction and braking power needed to hike confidently.

Terra GTX keeps us closely connected to the ground through its lower-than-average 32.1/17.0 mm stack and its 16.1% firmer-than-average cushion. Both elements serve as our stabilisers on rocky paths and uneven terrains since we can adapt quickly. The mid-cut boot also ensures firm ankle support without pressuring our Achilles. However, because of its focus on stability, the platform may lack the cushioning others prefer for long days.

Taking the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 in our daylong outings is nothing but just a day filled with comfort and support. We found that this is the best lightweight hiking boot to bring to daytime hiking trips because walking in it isn’t taxing at all. Advancing in it is as effortless as it can be!

The Terrex Free Hiker 2 is not the typical hiking boot in the market. Compared to most of its kind, this one is on the sleek side. As expected, lightness comes with its sleekness. And thanks to its 15 oz (425g) construction that is 16.8% lighter than most hiking boots, our hikes are so pleasurable we forget what’s pain like.

Behind our effortless strides is the flexible construction of the Terrex Free Hiker 2. We didn’t have to strain our feet and arches just to take a step. This boot naturally moved with us. This does not equate to flimsiness, though. As a matter of fact, it provided a secure feel on rough trails.

While the boot is flexible, it still necessitates a break-in time. So we do not recommend this for adventurers who prioritise immediate comfort.

In our outdoor adventures, the Altra Lone Peak Hiker 2 stands out as the day hiking boot with the best wide toebox. It has an all-natural feel with its light and malleable design that promotes unrestricted movement. It has an exceptional ground feel as an added appeal, boosting our agility and confidence.

Following the natural foot shape, its toebox barely tapers in the big toe area, which we measured at 91.1 mm vs the 79.2 mm average. It accommodates natural toe splay, eliminating any discomfort and hotspots. 

Weighing just 12.0 oz (339g), it's 33.3% lighter than the average. Adding to its airiness is the midsole that flows freely to our strides. Our bend test confirms it's 25.6% more adaptive than average. This high level of flexibility ensures comfort during long hikes.

The ride gives a barefoot feel due to its low and levelled stack. This gave us a lot of surface feedback, allowing us to adapt to uneven terrains. Despite its low 2.6 mm drop, we felt we had ample underfoot cushioning. On top of that, the platform feels soft with some bounce to make the ride more enjoyable. 

While the shoe excels in comfort and agility, its high flexibility may pose challenges on technical terrain, leading to a lack of sure-footedness. We recommend hikers requiring additional stability, especially on rocky terrains, to explore more supportive options.