7 Best Day Hiking Boots in 2023

The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX cruised through our test hikes and passed our lab tests with flying colors. , and we subsequently crowned it the best overall boot for day hiking. Unbelievably lightweight, waterproof, and with a superbly grippy outsole, these versatile kicks are our go-to hiking boots for long day hikes.

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!

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.

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, unrivaled 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.

In our lab tests and out on the trail, we found the Timberland Euro Hiker is a champion of urban hiking. Its plush padding provides comfort from day one and keeps our feet cozy on cold days. The grippy outsole is well-suited to urban environments and the midsole delivers consistent support in all weather.

Straight out of the box, these shoes have comfort (and style) written all over them. The ultra-padded tongue measures a whopping 22.3 mm thick - 9.7 mm thicker than average! We squeezed the padded heel counter and gave it 2/5 for flexibility, where 1 is the least flexible. It held our feet comfortably in the shoe without being over the top.

The grippy outsole is versatile, offering surefootedness on maintained and hard-packed trails. In the lab, we measured the thickness of the outsole at 3.5 mm, a substantial increase from the average of 2.7 mm. Even with the wear and tear inherent in hiking on asphalt, these outsoles have a lot of miles in them!

The boot feels supportive underfoot, so in the lab, we pressed a durometer to the midsole. It measured 54 HA, 86% firmer than average. That accounts for the stability we noticed on our hikes! In order to simulate winter conditions, we left it in the freezer for 20 minutes before testing it again. Remarkably, it only gets 7% firmer with exposure to sub-zero temperatures, so it performs almost the same as on warmer days.

It is worth noting that the Timberland Euro Hiker is not waterproof, so we don’t recommend it for wet or snowy winter hiking.

By the end of all of our rambling adventures testing out the Topo Athletic Trailventure 2, exhausted legs and feet have never been included in the post-hike aftermath. This hiking shoe prevented our feet from being crushed from tightness. Instead, it offered a nice space for our toes to splay. Also, the demands of day hikes are easily met by this champ.

The looks of the Trailventure 2 are quite deceiving, as our eyes see chunky but our legs feel airy. Due to this, we are not overtaken by fatigue even after spending the whole day trekking. One thing we also loved is that the cushioning is not compromised despite this boot being light for its kind. We found a fortress in the Trailventure 2 with its bountiful padding and liberal cushioning.

The superior traction of this hiking boot also helped us conquer our day hikes with surefootedness all throughout. Sadly, we noticed that the outsole does not hold up well. If you don’t plan on putting this pair through extreme conditions, there is no need to worry.

It’s hard to beat the plush comfort coupled with superb support offered by the Danner Mountain 600. Their classic leather profile is eye-catching, yet there’s more to this boot than meets the eye. Out-of-the-box comfort, a durable and grippy outsole and weatherproofing abilities tick all of our boxes, leading us to choose the Danner Mountain 600 as the best leather boots for day hiking.

The supple suede upper and overall design of the Danner Mountain 600 give this boot a delightfully classical look. The leather is naturally waterproof, plus the integrated Danner Dry waterproof lining helps moisture escape without letting stream water in. Despite stream crossings and stormy days, these boots have never let us down over hundreds of miles of hiking.

These boots are so cushy, they almost feel like a running shoe when we put them on! The plush EVA midsole is like a pillow, and our feel feel comfortable yet supported during our all-day hikes. We didn’t need any time to break them in, and still our blister-prone feet remained pain-free throughout! Win-win!

The Vibram outsole works perfectly on both wet and dry rock, loose ground and mud, and we happily take these boots anywhere. Their sleek profile even fits in under jeans and around the city, and we love their versatility! They make an excellent urban boot for winter, too, keeping our feet warm and dry and grippy in snow and slush.

Our main gripe with this boot is the wide collar around the ankle. On our hikes, debris easily made its way into the boot and we had to stop regularly to scoop it out.

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 prioritize immediate comfort.