5 Best Boots For Light Hiking in 2024

We found that one boot that’s absolutely remarkable for light hikes is the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker. It is basically an upgraded sneaker for hiking, so advancing on terrains is a cakewalk. Combining the excellent cushioning of this boot with its reinforcing ankle collar, our gaits felt so great!

First step on the foam of the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 and we already had a taste of utopia. We were so at ease from the get-go, we didn’t even mind walking for hours. We also found our feet moving more naturally in this hiker. Long or short walks, our gaits are unstrained. 

What also made the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 ideal for less strenuous hikes is its super light construction. At 13.5 oz (383g), this one is 20% lighter than the average hiking boot.

The only thing that stings is its high price of £210, setting us back by 13.4% more than other hiking boots. We recommend searching for more affordable pairs if your budget is limited.

We’ve worn and scrutinized light hiking boots in the lab and found the Merrell Moab Speed Mid GTX to be the ultimate lightweight boot. It does the greatest job of keeping our feet free from stress and fatigue with its airy build, protective nature, cushioned midsole, and bouncy ride.

This boot only weighed 11.7 oz (332g), which is 34.1% lighter than other boots we tested. It’s actually closer to the feel of a trail shoe. But apart from its extreme lightness, what's impressive is its luxurious and responsive cushioning. Our durometer confirms its plush feel, emerging 26.2% softer than average. The perfect combination of lightness and energy return had us sustaining quicker paces with less effort.

What we truly appreciated is this light boot didn't skimp on support. No second-guessing our steps with this pair's ankle support, which enhances our stability even on difficult terrains. Its grippy outsole with 3.5 mm lugs also ensures every step feels surefooted.

We found the Gore-Tex upper useful even on light hikes, allowing us to continue without worries in wet conditions. Our feet stayed dry and protected throughout as the tightly-knit upper also kept debris away.

A minor nitpick was the fidgety laces during our test hikes, but once secured, we’re all set and good to go.

The perfect grippy company for casual-to-fast pace and less technical terrains is the Salomon Outpulse Mid GTX. Light hikes might be less demanding but this hiking boot sure does add the fun to our expeditions with its super tenacious outsole sensational interior.

Softer outsoles are associated with better traction, so good thing that we recorded an 87.5 HC outsole hardness with the Outpulse Mid GTX, which is almost equal to the average hardness of hiking boots. On our hikes, this really displayed great adhesion to the ground, making our rides not only safer but also steadier.

The airiness of this hiking boot also resulted in our gleeful and fatigue-less treks. We found this sensation of weightlessness consistent even for daylong hikes. We also love how easy it is to shift our weight from heel to toe with the flexible construction of the boot. It only required a force of 27N to bend the Outpulse Mid GTX, and this is 36.5% easier to bend than most hiking boots.

We expected a better grip on our ankles from the collar. However, at a heel counter stiffness of 3/5, which is close to the average, we were underwhelmed. If you also need a secure ankle hold, we suggest giving other boots a try.

In our extensive testing of light hiking boots, the Fairbanks Omni-Heat stood out for its exceptional insulation, keeping us warm even in sub-zero temperatures. Its remarkable lightness, combined with sneaker-like flexibility and Omni-Tech lining, elevates comfort to new heights.

The Fairbanks Omni-Heat surprises us with its featherlight feel. Weighing just 15.5 oz (439g), it's significantly lighter than the 18.0 oz (508g) average hiking boot. This is attributed to its lower stack height which allows for more flex, and flexible it is! In fact, it exhibited the lowest resistance to bending among all our lab-tested boots, requiring only 16.6N of force to reach 90°, a staggering 58.7% lower than average.

Despite its grounded nature, this boot doesn't compromise on comfort. Its plush cushioning is our saving grace and our durometer confirms it's 25.0% softer than average.

True to its name, it excels in keeping our feet warm throughout the day, thanks to its impermeable upper and reflective Omni-Tech lining that traps our body heat. While its breathability score of 1/5 may sound low on paper, it effectively shields us against water and cold air. We find that it truly shines in temperatures below 40°F (5°C).

However, due to its focus on comfort and flexibility, the Fairbanks Omni-Heat may lack stability for severe overpronators. We recommend these runners to find a more supportive boot.

The elegant Timberland Sprint Trekker wins the top spot as the most stylish boot for light hiking. Its sleek leather upper turns heads whilst performing the practical task of keeping our feet protected from the elements. Throw in a really natural feel due to the low drop height and flexible midsole, and we’ve got a stylish, comfortable and functional boot. What’s not to like?!

With its leather upper and classy, mounted eyelets, there are no holes for water to filter into the boot. Our feet remain toasty throughout winter, and the Sprint Trekker can even resist light rain and wet grass due to the natural waterproofing properties of the leather. It even weighs 2 oz (68g) less than the average leather boot, so we felt agile and light-footed instead of heavy and clumsy.

This boot offers a delightfully natural feel while hiking, and when we measured the stack height we understood why. With a heel stack of 26.1 mm, our feet in the Sprint Trekker are 10 mm closer to the ground than average. Overall, we measured a 6.2 mm heel-to-toe drop, compared to the average of 12.4 mm. We loved the natural feel the low drop offers.

The 4 mm lugs measure 0.5 mm less than average, but we found this was more than enough for light hiking on manicured trails. Coupled too with a flexible midsole, we felt confident hiking even in light mud and slush. In the lab, we twisted the boot lengthwise, finally awarding it a middling 3/5 - not too stiff, but not too flexible either. There is, however, enough flex to enhance our grip on rough surfaces.

We don’t recommend the Timberland Spring Trekker to hikers with weak ankles. After our manual assessment of the heel counter, we awarded it a low score of 2/5 for stiffness, compared to the average of 3.3. We don’t feel it supports our ankles sufficiently on technical terrain.