6 Best Hiking Shoes in 2023

Paul Ronto
Paul Ronto on
6 Best Hiking Shoes in 2023
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Nowadays, exploring the outdoors is one of the many things included in people’s to-do-lists. When it comes to getting the right footgear though, many are still at a loss. But don’t fret. Choosing the right pair need not be a nightmare thanks to our best hiking boots list and our handy buyer’s guide.

We have reviewed over 300 hiking shoes to single out the best options. Whether you are after a light, urban hiking pair or something a bit more rugged for a multi-day hike, we’ve got our top picks in five different categories.

To learn more about the differences between hiking shoes and boots along with some of the important aspects of choosing the right pair, scroll down to the guide below.

How we test hiking shoes

At RunRepeat want to make sure you get the most up-to-date and honest reviews on the best hiking shoe options out there. Here is our approach:

  • We buy shoes ourselves: As an independent review website, we avoid sponsorships and purchase all hiking shoes with our own money to stay unbiased.
  • We test in real conditions: Our testers take each shoe on a series of hikes on various distances and terrains to check every important aspect, including durability, comfort, waterproofness, and more.
  • We go extra hard on popular shoes: We are especially wary of the most sought-after models, so we put them through our rigorous lab tests.
  • We consider other opinions: To make our reviews as comprehensive as they can be, we gather thousands of reviews from expert hikers and regular buyers. These are summarized in a simple pros-and-cons format to save your time.

In the end, all of the above is reflected in the CoreScore, a number from 0 to 100 which is assigned to each model. This is our proprietary scoring system which helps us select the top picks in each category.

Best hiking shoes overall

Danner Trail 2650
91
Superb!

What makes it the best?

The Danner Trail 2650 is a supremely comfortable and capable hiking shoe, boasting a heritage and style that’s brought the early 20th century into the 21st these are more than just a statement piece. Grippy and comfortable there’s very little to pick at in the 2650.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Good grip
  • Incredible midsole
  • Protective TPU shank
  • Excellent lockdown
  • Fits true to size
  • Breathable

Cons

  • Ankle support isn’t there
  • No waterproofing
Full review of Danner Trail 2650

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Brown/Red (61272)
Black/Gray (61275)
Multi (61282)
Prairie Sand (61278)

Best lightweight hiking shoes

Merrell Moab 3
88
Superb!

What makes it the best?

They say "third time's a charm," and for the Moab 3 from Merrell, that is quite the case. Indeed, this third-gen Moab hiker will push you to go further with extraordinary grip, all while charming your feet with plushness all over. Glorious in almost every way, the Moab 3 is also the one to beat when it comes to affordability and value for money.

Pros

  • Supremely comfy
  • Zero break-in
  • Boss-level support
  • Solid grip
  • Stable platform
  • Fantastic cushioning
  • Fits various foot shapes
  • Cheaper than average
  • Recycled materials

Cons

  • Heavier than average
  • Not quite sleek-looking
Full review of Merrell Moab 3

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Black Night (J03587)
Walnut (J03589)
Walnut/Moss (J03628)
Kangaroo/Coyote (J13554)
Granite V2 (J03588)
Green (J03703)
Black (J03702)
J036769 Bracken (J03676)
More colors

Best waterproof hiking shoes

What makes it the best?

If you’re looking for an almost indestructible, waterproof rugged low-cut hiking shoe, then look no further.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Fits perfectly
  • Amazing lockdown
  • Incredible heel cup
  • Waterproof
  • Decent traction
  • Good lacing system

Cons

  • Lacks breathability
  • Grip fails in wet conditions
  • Very firm
  • Not supportive
Full review of Adidas Terrex Swift R2 GTX

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
black (CM7492)
Green (CM7497)
Black (BC0383)
BLACK (EF3363)

Best day hiking shoes

What makes it the best?

The Merrell Moab 2 GTX is a well-built hiking shoe. With heaps of comfort and a solid waterproofing system, the Moab 2 GTX might be your best choice for your go-to day hiking shoe.

Pros

  • Incredibly comfortable
  • Waterproofing that actually works!
  • Durable upper
  • Perfect for short one-day hikes
  • Soft, plush feel
  • Protects from sharp rocks underfoot
  • Flexible

Cons

  • Poor heel lockdown
  • Average grip
Full review of Merrell Moab 2 GTX

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Brown (J06041)
Brown (J06035)
Beluga (J06039)
Black (J06037)
Black (J03548)
Boulder (J03333)
Grey (J50006)
Blue (J12135)

Best breathable hiking shoes

What makes it the best?

The Salomon X Ultra 4 looks like the sort of hiking shoe you expect in 2021, lightweight, robust with a slew of features to get you walking further. While some are hesitant about the high ankle support, the benefits of the shoe (grip, weight, support) make up for this in heaps.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Exceptional breathability
  • Excellent grip
  • Comfortable midsole
  • Great ankle support
  • Insanely protective

Cons

  • Lacing system is not adjustable
  • Some issues with rubbing at the ankle
Full review of Salomon X Ultra 4

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Black / Grey (L413856)
Blue (L414530)
Bungee Cloud/Black/Khaki (L413859)

Best speed hiking shoes

What makes it the best?

Sporting the ultra comfy Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX has leveled up the hiking game for many. Taking inspiration from agile trail running shoes, this waterproof and grippy wonder will push you forward across technical terrain with or without rain.

Pros

  • Instant comfort
  • Impeccable waterproofing
  • Very lightweight
  • Exceptional grip
  • Excellent support and lockdown
  • Stable platform
  • Roomy toebox

Cons

  • Quicklace is not for everyone
  • Too-high collar
Full review of Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Green (L413853)
Black (L412892)
Quiet Shade/Black/Evening Primrose (L416229)
Legion Blue/Black/Fall Leaf (L416230)
Beige (L417314)

Comparison of the 6 best hiking shoes

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Best
CoreScore
Users rating
Experts
Best price
Ranking
Popularity
# of colorways

Hiking shoes vs other types of trail footwear

Generally, your common hiking shoes offer more protection, traction, and stability than your trail runners and sneakers. If you’re the athletic type then opting for your running shoes might do just fine. If, however, you’re the exact opposite, then choosing a pair of sturdy, supportive, and grippy pair of hikers might just be what you need. 

Check out the image below to understand what makes a hiking shoe different from your trail runners, hiking boots, and your daily beaters. 

Hiking shoes vs hiking boots vs trail runners vs daily beaters (2).png

NOTE: The ratings are based on how each type of footwear performs in general. This does not, however, apply to each model that exists. The ratings will vary depending on the make and model of the shoes.

Hiking shoe anatomy: Materials and their benefits

People often underestimate hiking. While it may seem like a simple walk in the park, it actually requires endurance, stamina, and strength. The type of footwear to use will depend on the kind of hike you plan to pursue and your individual traits.

When it comes to gauging a hiking shoes’ performance comfort-, traction-, stability-, and durability-wise, it all boils down to the shoe’s configuration. To help you pick the best hiking shoe, here are the basic parts of the shoe, the materials commonly used for each, their benefits, and could-be-betters.

  Common Materials Used Key Benefits Could-be-betters
Upper
Leather (Suede/ Nubuck/ Full-grain) - Durable (material can last for years)
- Stable and supportive
- Comfortable overtime (this material most often molds to the shape of the foot over time giving hikers a customized fit)
- Feels warm (making it perfect for cold-weather conditions)
- Naturally capable of repelling water
-Takes a long time to break-in
-Full-grain leather shoes are heavier on the feet
-Less breathable
Synthetic Mesh/Nylon -Breathable
-Dries quickly
-Weighs less
-A more affordable option
-Feels softer out of the box
-Prone to wear and tear
-Provides limited support and stability
-Tends to absorb water
Midsole
EVA -Soft to mildly stiff cushioning underfoot
-Much more flexible
-Lightweight
-Less supportive
-Tends to compress over time
PU -Supportive (helps when carrying a heavy pack)
-Durable
-Feels stiff out of the box
-Weighs more
Nice to know: Some shoes are made with shanks or plates placed in between the midsole and outsole improving its stability. This equates to less foot-fatigue. The plates also prevent bruising underfoot caused by sharp rocks.
Outsole
Soft rubber -Stickier
-Flexible
-Lighter
-Best used when scrambling in rocky terrain
-Mediocre performance on muddy trails
Hard Rubber -Durable
-Stable
-More protective
-Lacks flexibility
-Feels heavy underfoot
-Less traction on sleek surfaces like wet rocks
Nice to know: Deeper outsole lugs offer better grip on muddy terrain and shed debris with ease

Waterproof, water-resistant, and water-repellent hiking shoes

When talking about hiking shoes, its ability to repel water is something worth considering especially when your adventure involves snowy or rainy weather conditions and trudging through muddy trails or crossing rivers and streams. However, labels like waterproof, water-repellent, and water-resistant often cause confusion. 

Well, you need not be confused after all. Decoding the labels is actually easy. Check out the table below.

  Water-resistant Water-repellent Waterproof
General characteristics a tightly woven fabric that is naturally capable of resisting water upon contact fabric treated with durable water-repellent (DWR) or hydrophobic chemicals -fabric treated with DWR
-have waterproofing membranes like Gore-Tex and OutDry
-have seam-sealed construction for extra protection
Water protection level low water protection moderate water protection high water protection
Water pressure resistance 0-5000 mm (no pressure or moisture) 6000-10000 mm (light pressure) 10000-20000 mm (high to very high pressure)
Weather conditions best used in light rain shower and dry snow light rain and average snow moderate to heavy rain and average to wet snow

While waterproofing has its own set of benefits, this feature can be counterproductive especially in warmer conditions. Yes, we’ve all heard of their claims of being breathable. However, the fact remains that waterproof hiking shoes are less breathable than its non-waterproof or water-resistant counterparts. They also feel heavier underfoot.

So, if you’re prone to blisters (like everyone else are), then looking at breathable hiking shoes made of quick-drying materials is another great alternative. In case you’re worried about light rain and the like, you can always buy waterproofing sprays that can turn your regular kicks into repellent ones.

Your 5-step guide to choosing the best hiking shoes

After going through all the hiking shoe models in the list, picking the right one might still be challenging. Thankfully, there are a few expert tips which you just need to keep in mind in order to find the right one.

1. Know the duration and the difficulty level of the hike

The difficulty and the duration of the hike are two things you ought to consider when selecting your next pair of hikers. A more strenuous type of terrain will require shoes that are more stable, supportive, and durable. 

When it comes to difficulty, the National Park Service (NPS) classifies the trails into 5 difficulty levels - easy to very strenuous. Below you’ll find what type of shoe works best for each difficulty level. 

Hiking shoe types - based on your hiking plans.png

NOTE: The weather condition or season will definitely affect your choice. Hiking during the summer will require you to wear breathable kicks. On the one hand, insulated hiking shoes are recommended for winter hiking.

2. The weight of your pack matters

The load you carry on your back has the most impact on you during your hike. Thus, packing light and bringing just the essentials is always a good practice. 

There are times though that you can’t avoid carrying a heavy pack especially when thru-hiking or backpacking. When the trip calls you to carry loads on your back, make sure to find shoes that offer ample lateral support (disregard this if you have strong ankles).

3. Take a closer look at your feet

Knowing your foot type makes a whole lot of difference. Aside from gauging if your feet are wide or narrow, determining your arch type would also help you figure out which shoe will work best for you.

Arch types and recommended shoes.png

4. Find the perfect fit and right size

Finding the perfect fit and right size can be a bit tricky especially for a first-timer. However, getting the best fit ain’t that hard if you follow these 6 simple tips.

Go shoe shopping in the afternoon. Expect your feet to swell after a day of activities. The same thing happens when hiking. So, it’s best to try on those new hikers late in the afternoon to get the best fit.

Try it on, lace it up, and check for pressure points. There should be a thumb’s width space between your toes and the front of your shoes. If your feet move from side to side, then the hiking shoes are too wide. It should feel snug - comfortable and non-constricting. 

Make sure to try the shoes with your hiking socks on. Bring the socks that you plan to wear with your hikers when shoe shopping. Avoid using cotton since this type of fabric retains moisture and fails to provide insulation. Instead, choose wool or synthetic socks.

Take your preferred insoles or orthotics with you. Default insoles often leave users disappointed. Aftermarket insoles or your custom orthotics can greatly improve the fit of the shoe. If this fails, you can always try another pair from another brand.

Use the ramp and walk up and down. This tests the shoe’s snugness. When you go up the board, observe for any heel lift. When you go down, check if your toes hit the front of the shoes. If your heel rises more than a quarter of an inch or if your toes hit the front, adjust the laces or try sizing up.

Make sure to break in your shoes before your trip. Hiking shoes, especially the heavy, leather ones, require a different break-in time. Start small by wearing the shoes inside your house with your preferred socks. This might feel awkward but in the end, your feet will surely thank you). From there, increase your miles gradually. 

6 step guide to ensure proper fit - hiking shoes.png

5. Learn a few lacing techniques

Knowing a few lacing techniques might sound elementary, but this can actually help you avoid unnecessary mishaps when hiking. Lacing too loose might not give you the support you need while lacing it too tight may lead to blisters and hotspots. Here are a few techniques worth learning to remedy the most common foot problems when hiking. 

Lacing techniques.png

Author
Paul Ronto
Paul Ronto

Over the past 20 years, Paul has climbed, hiked, and run all over the world. He has summited peaks throughout the Americas, trekked through Africa, and tested his endurance in 24-hour trail races as well as 6 marathons. On average, he runs 30-50 miles a week in the foothills of Northern Colorado. His research is regularly cited in The New York Times, Washington Post, National Geographic, etc. On top of this, Paul is leading the running shoe lab where he cuts shoes apart and analyzes every detail of the shoes that you might buy.