7 Best Shoes For Light Hiking in 2023

On our short, light hikes, we like nothing better than to don our Hoka Speedgoat 5s. With excellent grip, unbeatable stability, and exceptionally lightweight, it’s no wonder it won us over as the best overall shoe for light hiking.

As an unmatched all-rounder, the Hoka Speedgoat 5 seems to deal with just about anything. When we tested it on the trail, the closely-spaced lugs clung to loose and frozen trails and even held us steady in mud. The lugs are 1.3 mm shallower than the average for hiking shoes, but for light hikes on groomed paths, we found this is more than enough.

Used also for trail running, the Hoka Speedgoat 5 has stability written all over it. It has a noticeably wide platform that makes it difficult to overbalance - yes, even when hiking (or running) over uneven ground! We measured the forefoot, finding it to be 116.4 mm, 5 mm wider than average. The heel is even more impressive, measuring a whopping 10 mm wider than the average of 97.5 mm. We put our faith in these shoes on all surfaces - and they did not let us down.

Weighing in at just 9.7 oz (277g), it’s easy to forget that we are even wearing shoes on our hikes! The average hiking shoe weighs 13 oz, 3.3 oz heavier than the Hoka Speedgoat 5. This makes our short hikes a breeze.

Despite the wide platform, the upper is 5 mm narrower than the average for hiking shoes, so we don’t recommend the Hoka Speedgoat 5 to hikers with particularly wide feet.

For hot summer days on our light hikes, it doesn’t get any better than the Nike React Pegasus 4. Lightweight and impressively breathable, it is grippy, adapting to any surface, and has a comfortably flexible sole. No surprises why we chose it as the best breathable light hiking shoe.

Weighing just 10.4 oz (295g), the Nike React Pegasus Trail 4 is far lighter than the average 13 oz (374g) hiking shoe, making it a dream for short, light hikes. The perforated mesh upper is a weight-saver, as well as providing first-rate ventilation which keeps our feet dry, even on our hottest summer hikes.

We were amazed by the versatile, sticky outsole, which works wonders on hard-packed or rooty trails, gravel or asphalt. We measured the lugs at 3.4 mm. Also functioning as trail shoes, the lugs are 21% shallower than the average hiking shoe, but we didn’t feel disadvantaged in the slightest. The outsole measures 85.5 HC, softer and therefore slightly tackier than average, which compensates for the shallower lugs.

Our feet can also flex naturally within the shoe, increasing the surface area in contact with the ground and increasing the grip still further. We twisted the shoe manually, awarding it 2/5 for torsional flexibility - definitely a flexible shoe! We love the natural feel this offers our feet and found it perfectly comfortable on short day hikes.

On the other hand, ground feel is lacking since the cushioning is pretty generous. The stack height at the heel is 35.5 and 22.8 mm at the forefoot, compared to the averages of 33.5 mm and 21.5 mm respectively. We don’t recommend it to hikers who prefer to feel what they are hiking on.

The Cascadia 17 from Brooks isn't just a product of chance with its seventeen editions. This trail saga, revered by many, remains a versatile marvel with upgrades like enhanced cushioning, top-notch breathability, and the innovative Trail Adapt system for unrivaled terrain adaptability. Some may find the weight a bit high and the foam slightly firm, but if you're fine with that, it's a magnificent shoe.

The versatile Altra Lone Peak 7 is our top choice for the best light hiking shoes for wide feet. With its generous toe-box and wide platform boasting excellent stability, this flexible, zero-drop shoe is the best friend of hikers and trail runners alike. 

With plenty of space for our toes to splay out, we are big fans of the roomy toe-box in the Lone Peak 7! We felt extra-stable on different types of terrain since our feet could mold naturally to the ground under our feet. At the widest part of the forefoot, we measured 96.2 mm, and the square shape of the toes means it doesn’t taper off quickly.

The stability in the Lone Peak 7 is as good as it gets! With a heel stack of 23.3 mm, it is 9.8 mm lower than average, offering a low center of gravity which makes it difficult to overbalance. The wide platform underfoot is also 1cm wider than the upper, so we found it practically impossible to twist our ankles while hiking or even running over uneven ground!

With its soft midsole – 8% softer than average to be precise – delivering plush comfort, we also noticed how it had enough give in it to allow our feet to bend and flex naturally over roots and rocks as we hiked. We measured the flexibility in the lab with a force gauge, finding it to be 24.2N - 34% more flexible than the average hiking shoe! We find this makes for a fabulously agile shoe, perfect for our short, light hikes!

With an overall drop height of 0.2 mm, the Altra Lone Peak 7 is firmly in the zero-drop category. We therefore don’t recommend it to hikers who have a heavy heel strike.

The Magna FG is a great zero-drop shoe that is versatile and can be worn for walking, hiking, and working out. It offers the typical natural feeling of a minimalist shoe thanks to its lightness, amazing flexibility, and enhanced sensitivity underfoot. It’s comfortable and works for those with wider feet too.

Another solid entry to our collection of light hiking shoes, the Terrex Trailmaker is fully equipped to give you empowered steps minus the unwanted bulk. While you can easily get lost in its plush confines, its excellent sticking prowess can make your jaws drop in amazement as well. And if you are into looks, the Terrex Trailmaker can make you look dapper without requiring too much human effort!

An exceptional budget-friendly day hiker—this is how many trail-goers find the Terrex X4, with negative reviews being a rarity. Indeed, from its virtually tackle-anything underfoot performance to the way it handles shifting weather, this piece from Adidas is a doozy. There's also its initial price of $90, which makes owning one not at all an uphill battle.