7 Hiking Shoes With The Best Traction in 2026

How we test hiking shoes with the best traction

To list hiking shoes here, first we have to make sure that they actually have high traction. After thoroughly testing them on the trails, we take them to the lab and measure their dynamic coefficient of friction. We do this by following the SATRA TM144 methodology:

1. The test is done on wet concrete.
2. We press a hiking shoe against the surface at a 7-degree angle using 500N of force. 
3. We take note of the result (dynamic coefficient of friction). 
4. If the hiking shoe scores 0.65 or higher, it goes into the high-traction category. 

We publish all our findings in a way that allows you to compare the shoes to the averages and to each other. This is possible because all our tests are standardised and even done at a constant temperature and humidity (both lab testing and shoe storage). 

Testing the traction of hiking shoes in the lab

Doing this test allows us to assign a dynamic coefficient of friction to each hiking shoe. 

You may think, “Wait, these are not real-life hiking conditions,” and we would agree if you’re mostly hiking on terrains that do not include wet flat rocks. However, it’s important to have a standardised test and to follow protocols (in this case, SATRA TM144). This test compares all outsoles and their traction in wet conditions. 

The result of the test is a dynamic coefficient of friction and, the higher it is, the better. When hiking shoes score lower than 0.55, we put them in the low-traction category. 

When lug depth matters next to high traction

If you’re covering snowy patches, deep mud, and similar sticky situations, deep lugs are a must. Even mixed terrain, which means you’re doing a bit of everything, asks for at least 3.5 mm of lug depth. Deep lugs are counterproductive on wet slabs and trails covered with roots. Then, we’d look for something shallower than 3.5 mm. 

The difference between 3.0 mm lugs and 6.7 mm lugs in hiking shoes is clearly noticeable in the examples above.

Outsole durability in hiking shoes with high traction

When investing money into something, we naturally want the thing to last. In hiking, it’s not only about how long until the hiking shoe falls apart, but it’s also about traction. Once aggressive, sharp, and deep lugs can, in no time, become rounded and shallower. Traction degrades with wear and tear. That’s why it’s important to know how durable the outsoles are. 

In the lab, we test the durability of the outsole by pressing a Dremel against it. This test is standardised; we always use the same force, RPMs, and time duration. This makes tests comparable, so we can sort hiking shoes by the most durable outsoles or by the least durable outsoles. 

Once the Dremel test is done, we use a tyre tread gauge to measure the depth of the damage. The deeper it is, the less durable the outsole!

Stiffness of hiking shoes with high traction

As mentioned before, stiffness matters in hiking because it can:

1. Improve stability when hiking over scree slopes
2. Reduce the ground contact area when you need it the most, for example, when hiking over wet roots
3. Overall, improve support and stability, which is greatly appreciated on longer routes, especially when carrying a backpack. 

In the lab, we test the longitudinal and torsional stiffness of hiking shoes. 

First, we lock the forefoot in place, then adjust for the forefoot rocker by placing the bottom plate under the heel, and then we bend the shoe to 30 degrees and measure how much force is needed for that action

More force needed = stiffer platforms. It’s worth noting that more flexible platforms feel more natural because our feet are flexible on their own, so these hiking shoes basically follow the natural foot flexion. 

We don’t stop there, so we also measure the torsional rigidity. We do so by locking the shoe in place both horizontally and vertically, and then applying torsion to 10° towards the medial side and the lateral side of the shoe. The torsional rigidity metric basically tells us how twistable the hiking shoe is. 

Traction is nuanced and depends on the terrain

Saying you want the best traction or the best grip is easy, but finding that is difficult because, first, you’d need to know what type of terrain you’ll be covering. Here are some general guidelines on what to pay attention to. They can also serve as a reminder that we need when asking the question “Which shoe has the best traction?” 

Mixed/all terrain

• Important: varying lug thickness, ideally thicker than 3.0 mm. 
• Counterproductive: extremes like very deep lugs (thicker than 5 mm), very stiff shoes (longitudinally and torsionally). Might be a safer route to avoid a rocker.

Loose dirt and scree slopes

• Important: thick lugs, torsionally rigid platforms, durable outsoles. Lug depth and geometry matter but vary. Look for braking lugs on the heel if you’re doing descents. Soft sticky lugs would wear out very fast, and you would end up with rounded, shallower lugs. 
• Counterproductive: shoe flexibility (even better if it’s stiffer).

Smooth wet rocks, slabs 

• Important: sticky rubber and large contact area, which means shallower lugs and flexible platforms.
• Counterproductive: deep lugs would reduce the contact surface. Rocker.

Wet roots 

• Important: flexible platforms so that more rubber can “wrap” around the roots (bigger contact area). Sticky rubber. Foot placement: best to step on top perpendicular. 
• Counterproductive: Rocker, deep lugs. 

Mud and snow

• Important: very deep lugs (at least 4 mm) placed further apart to allow mud/snow shedding.
• Counterproductive: flexibility, immediate penetration matters more than the surface area. 

Ice

• Not about the shoe’s traction anymore. Look for outsoles with spikes or put on microspikes.