Whether you’re on a day hike with friends or an ambitious backpacking route, you need a good pair of hiking boots to protect your feet and stabilize your ankles. After trekking over 1,200 miles and taking more than 2 million steps across all types of terrain in more than 41 pairs of hiking boots over the course of three years, we’ve chosen the La Sportiva Saber GTX (men’s and women’s) as the best hiking boots. These waterproof boots are as lightweight and grippy as trail runners. They held up well over a year of hiking in our tests, and they excel on any terrain, in the heat or the snow
Our pick
La Sportiva Saber GTX Hiking Boots (men’s sizes)
A flexible, lightweight men’s boot
Inspired by trail running, these boots are excellent for hikers who want a lightweight and grippy fit. They work well on a variety of terrains, from deserts to snowscapes. Try them before buying, though—these do tend to run narrow.
La Sportiva Saber GTX Hiking Boots (women’s sizes)
A flexible, lightweight women’s boot
Inspired by trail running, these boots are excellent for hikers who want a lightweight and grippy fit. They work well on a variety of terrains, from deserts to snowscapes. Try them before buying, though—these do tend to run narrow.
La Sportiva’s Saber GTX Hiking Boots (which come in men’s and women’s sizes) ranked among the lightest, most agile boots we tested. Over the course of a year, we tested them on muddy spring trails, cold high-desert snowscapes, hot canyon hikes, and around town. They performed well in every single scenario and showed very little wear or tear. Newer and experienced hikers alike will enjoy these boots because they’re trail-ready right out of the box, requiring almost no break-in time, and they’re notably lightweight. The Sabers also excel at mixing waterproofing and breathability, helping to keep your feet dry while avoiding overheating. They have a fully gusseted tongue and solid underfoot protection. In addition, they offer good traction on wet surfaces and add stability if you’re hiking on loose gravel; their foamy midsole is more flexible and comfortable than that of Salomon’s Quest boots. That said, because the Sabers are inspired by trail runners and meant to be flexible, they may not be built-up enough for hikers who prefer more firm support. They’re also narrower than many of the other boots we tested, so you should try them on before you buy to confirm that their fit works for you.
Runner-up
Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex Hiking Boots (men’s sizes)
A solid men’s hiking boot for hikers with a heavy pack
These versatile boots are best suited for hikers carrying a heavy pack. They offer trustworthy traction, top-notch underfoot cushioning, and the widest toe box of any boots we tested. But they’re heavy and may feel rigid until fully broken in.
Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex Hiking Boots (women’s sizes)
A solid women’s hiking boot for hikers with a heavy pack
These versatile boots are best suited for hikers carrying a heavy pack. They offer trustworthy traction, top-notch underfoot cushioning, and the widest toe box of any boots we tested. But they’re heavy and may feel rigid until fully broken in.
Salomon recently updated its popular Quest boots from 3D to 4 (which comes in men’s and women’s sizes). The Quest 4 Gore-Tex boots take longer to break in than the Sabers, but they still have many of the essential features we also like in the Sabers: ample toe and heel protection, solid traction and support, breathable and waterproof materials, and a gusseted tongue. The updates are fairly small (increased ankle and heel support for people carrying heavy loads, as well as a more flexible midfoot plate), so we’re confident that the experience remains similar to that of the previous iteration, which we loved. The new Quest pairs also had the widest toe box of any of the boots we tested, which means they’re likely to fit most foot shapes right out of the box. That said, the various Quest boots have been fairly bulky compared with our top pick—and the updated version is even more so, which is why we’ve bumped this boot to the runner-up slot. We think the Quest 4 is more boot than you’d need for a day hike and is best suited for folks carrying heavy packs or heavy kids on their back.
Budget pick
Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots (men’s sizes)
A no-frills men’s hiking boot
These relatively low-priced boots are a reliable choice for people who plan to hike short distances and for those with wide feet.
Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots (women’s sizes)
A no-frills women’s hiking boot
These relatively low-priced boots are a reliable choice for people who plan to hike short distances and for those with wide feet.
The Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots (which come in men’s and women’s sizes) are a no-frills, trustworthy option for hikers on a budget. Despite the fact that they’re less expensive than our top pick and almost $100 less than our runner-up, we found them to be good enough in all the ways that counted: They were waterproof (although not for an extended period of time), they provided decent ankle support for moderate-length hikes, they offered an easy-to-use lacing system, and they were fairly breathable. We found them to be passably comfortable, too. But we don’t think they’re the best choice for longer hikes on rocky, steep, or wet terrain, since the traction is lacking compared with that of our other picks. If you have wide feet, you may appreciate that, unlike our other picks, the Moab 2 boots come in both regular and wide widths.
Why you should trust us
For the first iteration of this guide, which we published in 2018, writer Ebony Roberts spent 25 hours researching popular boots and working to understand how foot shape and hiking style might affect your boot choice. She interviewed experts including Beth Henkes, sales lead for footwear at the REI store in Alderwood, Washington, and residency-trained podiatrist and former Wirecutter writer Jim McDannald. She also chatted with Mike Armstrong, head of operations for Outward Bound Hong Kong.
In 2020, writer Jenni Gritters scoured the scene for new boots. Jenni has worked as a journalist for nearly a decade and has edited dozens of Wirecutter guides for the outdoor, travel, sleep, and babies/kids sections. She has also written for The New York Times, Outside, and Gear Patrol. She spent dozens of hours reading through editorial boot reviews from sites like GearLab and Outside Online, as well as reviews on REI’s site, after which she tested a set of new boots in the Pacific Northwest. In 2021, Jenni updated this guide again after extensive research; this time around, she took updated boots to the high deserts of Utah and Oregon. She has also been long-term testing our top pick, the La Sportiva Saber pair, throughout the fall, winter, and spring months while carrying a kid on her back.
Who should get this
Whether you’re just starting your hiking journey with a local day hike or you’re planning a one-month thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, you need a pair of good hiking boots. You can tromp through the woods in many different types of shoes, including hiking boots, hiking shoes, or trail-running shoes. But most hikers who want to tackle intermediate trails should choose a pair of hiking boots because they provide over-the-ankle support, whereas hiking shoes generally stop before your ankle bone. You’ll need that extra support to keep you stable if you’re carrying weight on your back.
Hiking boots fall into a few categories: hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering. In this guide, we cover hiking boots that bridge the hiking and backpacking categories to accommodate day hikers, campers, and weekend warriors. Most of the boots in this guide should be able to support a hiker carrying a backpack weighing up to 25 pounds, but we wouldn’t recommend using most of these for a mountaineering trip.
We chose boots that would accommodate a range of gaits. Our picks will likely work for you whether you pronate (walk on the insides of your feet) or supinate (walk on the outsides of your feet), and all should accommodate high or fallen arches. They’ll also work for you no matter your gender. (Some studies show anatomical differences between male and female feet; men’s feet tend to be longer and wider than women’s feet, while women’s feet tend to have a wider toe region and instep compared with men’s feet. However, most shoes, including the boots we tested for this guide, don’t reflect those differences. The men’s and women’s options we picked were the same, apart from variations in size.)
We also have options for a variety of foot shapes. Everyone’s feet are unique, and finding the right boot fit is essential to hiking comfortably and safely. So we encourage you to read this whole guide, including our list of the other boots we liked, with your foot shape and terrain plans in mind—as well as to try on multiple models if your first pair doesn’t feel secure and supportive on your feet.
How we picked
Most hiking boots look like this:
Even so, although boots may look similar, there’s a lot that distinguishes a truly great hiking boot from the rest. After considering nearly 125 pairs of boots, speaking to experts about the most important qualities to look for, and reading through hundreds of boot reviews on Amazon and REI’s site, as well as in other publications like GearLab and Outside, we narrowed our list down to 41 boots for testing (26 pairs in 2018, an additional 10 in 2020, and five more in 2021) using the following criteria:
Comfort:
If a boot isn’t comfortable, every other feature is insignificant. We read reviews with a focus on comfort, looking for boots with wide toe boxes and ample cushioning. We also looked at boot weight, keeping in mind that a lightweight but clunky boot might not be as comfortable to wear as a slightly heavier but more streamlined one. Fit is also a key part of comfort, since an ill-fitting boot won’t support your feet; be sure to read our fit guide before making a purchasing decision.
Support
Next to comfort, ankle and foot support is crucial in a hiking boot. A good hiking boot keeps your foot locked down and secured in the heel area; again, this cradling effect is dependent on fit. A good boot also has a well-thought-out lacing system that supports your foot.
Traction
A good pair of hiking boots provides solid traction on the slopes. You shouldn’t slip around in muddy, wet, or icy conditions. We looked for reviews that mentioned good traction, considering that at some point most hikers will traverse tree roots, loose rocks, slippery boulders, and other obstacles.
Protection:
Toe, ankle, and underfoot reinforcements are essential for good hiking boots, because they protect your feet from obstacles on the trail. If a pair of boots is meant for rocky terrain, the design should have a rock shield in the sole, too.
Water resistance
If you’re hiking, you’ll probably end up crossing creeks, trekking over snow, or getting caught in a rainstorm at some point. Good hiking boots should be able to withstand a moderate amount of water.
https://cdn.thewirecutter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/hikingboots-testers-daniela.gif?format=mp4
Hiking boots don’t need to be as waterproof as rain boots, but a good pair keeps your feet dry, no matter the climate. Video: Daniela Gorny
Breathability
A good all-around boot offers crucial features such as foot protection and water resistance, but it should also remain breathable during summer hiking, allowing feet to stay cool. Each brand has its own “breathable technology,” but not all are created equal. During our research, we watched for comments about ventilation. And during our testing, we looked for sweaty and swollen feet, noting wet socks (provided that we hadn’t just trekked through a creek) as an indicator that the boots didn’t breathe well.
Construction
We compared models to determine which boots had been designed with the most care. The names of most hiking boots contain the letters “V,” “GV,” or “GTX,” labels that tell you about their materials: A boot with “V” in its name has Vibram outsoles. Boots with “GV” contain a Gore-Tex lining with a Vibram outsole. And “GTX” indicates a Gore-Tex lining. While perusing hiking stores, we also looked at the tongue of each boot, paying close attention to tongues that are gusseted, which means they’re designed to prevent dirt, water, and sand from getting into the boot.
Durability
The footwear designers we interviewed said a good pair of hiking boots should last from 300 to 500 miles (depending on the type of hiking, the weather conditions, the hiker’s gait, and the pack weight) before the cushioning becomes ineffective. For many hikers, that mileage will take three to five years to achieve. We tested boots that had a reputation for being solidly long-lasting, with good warranty programs and good customer-service ratings. Worn-out seams and soles, broken eyelets, and torn or frayed laces are all warning signs of a nondurable boot, so we watched for those signs during testing.
The names of most hiking boots contain abbreviations that tell you about their materials: A boot with “V” in its name has Vibram outsoles, and “GTX” indicates a Gore-Tex lining.
We looked at the protective bumpers of these boots (the rubber parts on the toe, side, and heel), the type and makeup of the soles, how well the collars (the part of the boot up top that wraps around the back of the foot) were padded and shaped to fit the foot, and how the liners were constructed. Eventually, we narrowed our list to 13 men’s boots and 13 women’s boots for the first round of testing for this guide in 2018, 10 additional pairs during the 2020 update of this guide, and five more for the 2021 update.
How and where we tested
In 2018, we tested 26 pairs of boots. In 2020, we tested 10 more, and in 2021, we tested five additional pairs plus an update of our runner-up. To get multiple opinions, we handed them out to 26 testers, both male and female, plus the guide authors. We asked each of our testers to hike at least 30 miles total—and they went for it, hiking in 13 states and three provinces. (One tester even wore the boots in Iceland, and another in New Zealand.) They tackled loose gravel, groomed trails, and brush. They schlepped through mud, splashed in water, scampered up steep inclines, slid on snow, and even wore the boots into town and around the block. They hiked during the spring, summer, fall, and winter months.
Our testers hiked for over 1,200 miles, taking more than 2 million steps across 13 states, three provinces, and four countries.
And while they hiked, they tracked their steps and distance using fitness trackers. They also recorded information about the hike and the weight of their packs. And they took notes about the terrain and climate, in addition to recording their thoughts on the boots and the break-in time required for each pair. Some hiked with kids, while pregnant, and with dogs and friends. In the end, during 2018, 2020, and 2021, our testers hiked for over 1,200 miles, taking more than 2 million steps.
Our pick: La Sportiva Saber GTX Hiking Boots
Our pick
La Sportiva Saber GTX Hiking Boots (men’s sizes)
A flexible, lightweight men’s boot
Inspired by trail running, these boots are excellent for hikers who want a lightweight and grippy fit. They work well on a variety of terrains, from deserts to snowscapes. Try them before buying, though—these do tend to run narrow.
La Sportiva Saber GTX Hiking Boots (women’s sizes)
A flexible, lightweight women’s boot
Inspired by trail running, these boots are excellent for hikers who want a lightweight and grippy fit. They work well on a variety of terrains, from deserts to snowscapes. Try them before buying, though—these do tend to run narrow.
After a year of wearing these boots in every possible climate, we think La Sportiva’s Saber GTX Hiking Boots (which come in men’s and women’s sizes) are the best hiking boots. Modeled after trail runners, they’re more flexible than our other picks, and they wrap snugly around your midfoot—a fit that our testers with narrower feet found particularly comfortable. But despite their flexibility, they still offer ample structure for wobbly ankles and solid underfoot support. La Sportiva’s Saber boots were the most breathable of any we tested, too, and the design achieves the tough balance of waterproofing and breathability, as water beaded right off the Sabers during our sloshes through creeks and wetlands.
We also tested a few other trail-shoe-inspired options, such as the Vasque Breeze LT, but the Sabers edged out the competition by providing all the best qualities of a hiking boot without the added heft. As more people have taken to the trails during the pandemic, trail-running-inspired boots (and trail-running shoes) have become more popular because they don’t feel as rigid as traditional boots but still offer solid underfoot and ankle support. Three testers tried the Sabers in the Pacific Northwest mountains and in the mountains of Southern California, tackling late-spring snow banks, boulder fields, muddy marshes, sandy beaches, and wet rocks. Over the winter, we took these boots on snowshoe treks and wore them around town in deep snow. And as spring rolled in, we tried them out on slushy trails, dusty paths, and scrambles up the rocky edges of waterfalls. We even wore them during canyon hikes in the desert Southwest. Across all of these settings, and for both male and female testers’ feet, the Sabers excelled without showing any wear or tear. Weighing just over 2 pounds for the men’s size 9 hiking boots, they left our legs feeling far less sore than most other boots, including our runner-up, the Salomon Quest boots.
The Sabers offer a just-right balance of waterproofing and breathability, thanks to Gore-Tex membranes. We waded through several creeks and streams—and even walked into the ocean—and our socks stayed completely dry. And during hot, high-desert hikes in Utah and Oregon, we appreciated the nice breeze that the leather-and-mesh upper allowed in. (We also didn’t end up with the trail floor inside our boots, despite that breathability.) The Saber boots’ leather wipes off easily, and like most hiking boots, they have Vibram rubber toe caps, which keep your toes protected from rocks and roots.
Like our runner-up, the Salomon Quests, the Sabers have an EVA-foam midsole, a top-of-the-line choice that keeps your feet from taking the impact of every rock and root, even in a minimalist shoe. The foam in the Sabers feels more huggy than that of any of the other boots we tested, although other more built-up boots, such as the Quests, offer a bit more underfoot support. The gusseted tongue kept dirt and small rocks from flooding into our boots, and the contouring on the bottom of the Sabers’ rubber outsole proved to be sticky and strong, which helped keep us stable even while we were moving fast. Another small but important feature: Built into the Saber boots’ collars are soft cuffs with flexible heel pulls, which allow you to simply pull off the boots at the end of the day rather than fighting with them (which we found ourselves doing on other occasions with competing boots, including the Quests); the feature also makes it easier to drive in these boots in comparison with other models we tested. But the trade-off for that feature is the Saber boots’ slightly less-supported ankle (at least compared with that of our runner-up, the Quests), which you may notice if you’re carrying a heavy pack or a child on your back.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
La Sportiva’s Saber GTX boots are a bit more narrow than some of the other boots we tested, so you may want to try before you buy. (If you’re looking for notably wide boots, Merrell’s Moab 2 is your best bet.) That said, for our testers, the Sabers still fit true to size (we recommend trying both your street-shoe size and a half-size up) and felt comfortable right out of the box, requiring basically no break-in time.
Since the Sabers’ debut in spring 2020, we’ve seen customer reviews on the Backcountry and REI sites highlighting their trail-readiness and comfort while confirming their narrow fit. We’ll keep an eye on those reviews and continue to long-term test our boots, too, to see how durable they are after another year-long season. But after a full year of near-constant use, we’re confident in vouching for the longevity of these boots. You can return unused boots (“factory fresh,” according to the company’s website) to La Sportiva within 30 days, but we recommend buying through REI or Zappos because of those retailers’ excellent, less-restrictive return policies for online purchases.
Runner-up: Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex Hiking Boots
Runner-up
Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex Hiking Boots (men’s sizes)
A solid men’s hiking boot for hikers with a heavy pack
These versatile boots are best suited for hikers carrying a heavy pack. They offer trustworthy traction, top-notch underfoot cushioning, and the widest toe box of any boots we tested. But they’re heavy and may feel rigid until fully broken in.
Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex Hiking Boots (women’s sizes)
A solid women’s hiking boot for hikers with a heavy pack
These versatile boots are best suited for hikers carrying a heavy pack. They offer trustworthy traction, top-notch underfoot cushioning, and the widest toe box of any boots we tested. But they’re heavy and may feel rigid until fully broken in.
If you’re looking for a more built-up, less narrow, traditional hiking boot, the Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex Hiking Boots are our pick. The Quest 3D boots were our top pick when we first tested hiking boots in 2018, and again in 2020. This year, the newly updated fourth iteration of these boots (which comes in men’s and women’s sizes) still stands up well against the competition. However, you may find the Quest 4 to be too much boot if you’re setting out on a day hike, have a light pack, or simply prefer a lighter, more sneaker-like fit. Although the Quest boots were our top pick in previous years, the newly updated model is more rigid and more built-up than past versions, which means a slower break-in time and a clunkier profile, so we’ve downgraded it to a runner-up.
Over the past few years, we’ve tested 10 pairs of three versions of this boot. Our testers have crossed glaciers, braved tough trails, and climbed rocky terrain, and they’ve waded through streams, navigated late-spring snow, and slopped through knee-deep mud. So we can promise you this because we’ve tried everything: Whether you’re scrambling, climbing, or walking down a paved sidewalk, these boots can handle it. In addition, they have a wide toe box that’s likely to fit many different foot shapes. We also appreciate that, like La Sportiva’s Sabers, these Salomon boots are both breathable and waterproof, a combination that can be tough to find. And these boots fit true to size (we recommend ordering them in the same size as a street shoe, rather than a half-size up).
In 2020, Salomon updated the Quest boots with a new lug design along the bottom. We found this version to be just as grippy on wet and dry surfaces as the previous iteration. It’s still made with Contagrip rubber, not the more commonly used Vibram outsole of our other picks—we’ve found both to be exceptionally sturdy on the trail. The 2021 updates are comparatively more noticable, as the company has updated the chassis, or base of the boot, to add extra stability and heel support. Although the boots still feel as flexible as they did before, they’re a bit more rigid now and more attuned for backpacking trips, where you need the extra support.
Because of their extra support, the Quest boots are heavier than many of their competitors, including our top pick, weighing more than 2 pounds 13 ounces for a men’s pair size 9. But despite their heavy weight, they surprised us: They didn’t feel overbuilt on the trail compared with many other traditional hiking boots. The uppers hug the tops of your feet without feeling compressive, which is welcome on longer hikes. The underfoot protection was the best of any boots we tried due to a midsole made with EVA foam for cushioning (similar to the one we love on the Sabers) and an under-arch shank for added stability. If you struggle with aching feet or carry a heavy pack (or a child), this added support is likely to give you a few extra miles without foot pain.
In fact, after a long, challenging hike, these boots left our feet feeling far less sore than most of the other boots we tested, apart from our top pick. We could still sense the ground enough to navigate, but the multitude of rocks we encountered didn’t cause sore toes. And if you tend to stub your toes, you’ll also be grateful that the rubber outsole extends to offer toe and heel protection.
One of the Quest boots’ biggest benefits is their versatility for many foot shapes: Seven of our testers—who had a mix of wide and narrow feet—found these boots to be comfortable for their particular foot shape, which is likely thanks to the boots’ roomy toe box. We could wiggle our toes, but our feet still felt nice and snug. One tester who had plantar fasciitis even found that he could comfortably wear the Quests without having to insert his usual insoles. We found their shape to be slightly wider through the foot in comparison with most of the other boots we tested, including La Sportiva’s Saber pair. (If you have a very wide foot, though, we recommend our budget pick, the Merrell Moab 2 boots.) Because of the Quest boots’ ample toe room, most of our testers found that the boots could fit a thicker hiking sock if necessary.
After a long, challenging hike, these boots left our feet feeling far less sore than most of the other boots we tested.
The Quest boots excel at breathability. We’ve also found them easy to clean after a hike, as well as durable: Dirt and mud wipe off easily, and the Quests have held up well in a variety of conditions over a year of long-term testing. They stayed comfortable and well ventilated even on dusty trails in the mountains of Southern California, and they did not leak even after muddy, puddle-heavy walks along the shores of New Zealand’s alpine lakes.
These boots have a few downsides, though: Most important, the Quests are the heaviest of our picks, and they’re simply too much boot for most people. Their rigid build and heavy weight make them slow to break in. Additionally, the laces on the updated Quest 4 pair are sheathed with a material that’s supposed to make them more secure, but in our experience it only made them difficult to tie, because they were quite rigid. Even when we double-knotted the laces, they came untied or loosened as we walked; to get a more secure fit, we opted to replace them with another pair of laces we had at home.
One long-term tester complained that the top lace hook on one of the boots had twice caught on the other boot mid-stride. We’ve heard reports of failed waterproofing after the first year of use, too. If you do find an issue early on, Salomon offers a 30-day return policy for clean gear and a two-year warranty for manufacturing defects. However, we recommend buying through REI or Zappos because of those retailers’ excellent, less-restrictive return policies for online purchases.
Budget pick: Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots
Budget pick
Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots (men’s sizes)
A no-frills men’s hiking boot
These relatively low-priced boots are a reliable choice for people who plan to hike short distances and for those with wide feet.
Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots (women’s sizes)
A no-frills women’s hiking boot
These relatively low-priced boots are a reliable choice for people who plan to hike short distances and for those with wide feet.
The Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots (which come in men’s and women’s sizes) have been available since 2006, and they have been our choice for budget-minded hikers for two years now. These boots are a much-loved standby among both backpackers and hikers, who prize them for their versatility, low price, and decent grip. The Moab 2 pair is also our only pick that comes in both wide and medium-width sizes, which our testers with wider feet appreciated. In 2018, the Moab (which Merrell claims stands for “Mother of All Boots”) model got a redesign—and we think these boots have lost nothing in the process. Although the Moab 2 boots are the least expensive of our picks, they’re still sturdy and waterproof, fairly breathable, designed to offer decent underfoot protection, and capable of handling a 5-mile day hike. That said, we found their comfort and traction lacking on steep, wet, and rocky treks of more than 5 miles.
The Moab 2 boots weigh just 2 pounds 4 ounces per pair, and they offer relatively good grip on varied terrains. They also have a quick break-in distance: We thought they felt broken in after just a mile of walking on a well-groomed path. The Moab 2 boots are also waterproof, but while our feet stayed fairly dry through multiple creek crossings, the suede leather sections on the boots themselves got soaked. We doubt that in rainy, wet climates these boots will be able to hold the water out for long.
The Moab 2 boots offered the best breathability we could find in a pair under $150, probably due to their smartly placed mesh panels. But they weren’t as well ventilated as the Salomon Quests or the La Sportiva Sabers. These boots also aren’t as supportive as our top pick and runner-up because their ankle portion doesn’t extend as high, so they don’t work as well for longer hikes or for people hiking with heavier packs. Testers also complained about debris getting into the top of the boots’ wide, shallower ankle, and we found the traction to be less than trustworthy on wet rocks and loose gravel.
The Moab 2 boots shine in one specific area: They come in two widths, which isn’t the case for most of the other boots we tested. And if you do experience a problem with your boots, Merrell allows free returns on unused items for up to 30 days. (As we’ve said elsewhere, though, we recommend purchasing from REI or Zappos for those retailers’ excellent, less-restrictive return policies for online purchases, even if you’ve used the item.)
How to find your best-fit boot
Foot shape and gait are unique to each person, so a shoe that fits one person might not fit another. Our picks in this guide offer certain features—including expertly designed lacing systems (which let you customize your boot for your foot) and wider toe boxes—that will be comfortable for you whether your foot is wide or narrow. Still, there’s no replacement for trying on a boot to see exactly how it fits your foot.
If you buy your boots online, we recommend that you order several different boots or several sizes of one boot from a retailer (such as REI or Zappos) that provides free shipping on returns. When ordering online, always order your boots true to size or a half-size up—but never a half-size down. “Generally speaking, I tend to size everyone up a half-size,” said REI’s Beth Henkes. “For example, if I measure someone and they are dead on an 8, in most boots I am going to grab them an 8½ and at least start there.”
Better yet, go to an outdoor-gear store, ideally at the end of the day. “Feet can swell and change sizes, so it’s important to buy the boots when our feet are their largest,” said residency-trained podiatrist and former Wirecutter writer Jim McDannald.
Once you get the boot on your foot, check for a thumb’s width of space between your toe and the end of the boot. “As you hike, your feet are going to swell, and they are going to push forward,” Henkes explained, noting that you’ll also be grateful for that extra room when you’re coming downhill. “[Then] you aren’t jamming your toes at the end. That’s how you lose your toenails. It takes them about a year to grow back!” Also, if boots fit well, you should be able to spread out your toes and wiggle them. If the boots feel tight while you’re standing still, they’ll feel even tighter on the trail.
The “windshield wiper” effect is another problem to watch for: If your foot slides from side to side when you walk, the boot is likely too wide for you. On the other hand, it’s normal—even healthy—for your heel to move a bit in the boot. Henkes explained that a tiny bit of movement is important for protecting your Achilles tendon and preventing blisters, but your heel shouldn’t rise more than a quarter of an inch.
You should do the following things at home or in a store to test whether your new boots fit you well:
There’s also a sneaky little component of fit called volume. “[That’s] the depth of your foot versus the depth of the boot,” Henkes said. “That is possibly one of the most important pieces of fit no matter what you’re putting on. Because if [a boot is] not deep enough for your foot, you are going to put your foot to sleep. And if it’s too deep for your foot, you are going to slide underneath the laces and hit the end no matter what size that boot is.” To evaluate this aspect of fit, pay attention to where the boot falls at your ankle bone. If it’s uncomfortable, you might want to try a model that’s more (or less) shallow.
When it comes to making sure your boots fit just right, lacing can make a big difference. The right lacing technique can relieve hot spots, prevent blisters, and tailor your boots to your feet. You should try a few different lacing techniques before heading out into the field with a new pair of boots. To help get you started, here’s a video we made with some basics:
What to look forward to
Vasque is planning to launch a purportedly “sustainable” version of the Breeze LT Mid GTX called the Breeze LT NTX, which uses a Gore-Tex alternative. We’ll keep an eye on that new option—and whether it actually works—and we’ll share information when we learn more about this updated boot.
Other good hiking boots
If you’re looking for a stylish, all-leather boot that molds to your foot after a long-ish break-in period:
Consider the Danner Mountain 600 Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s sizes), which are comfortable and stylish. Some of our testers found them to be too wide, but others loved the slightly bulkier fit; if you do find these boots attractive, we recommend trying them on before you buy, as well as ordering in your street-shoe size rather than sizing up. The Mountain 600 boots have a longer break-in time than some of the others we tested (about 10 to 20 miles, depending on the terrain) because they’re made with suede leather. But once they’re broken in, they’re more likely to mold to your feet. The underfoot protection (bolstered by cushioned OrthoLite footbeds) kept our feet happy during a 6-mile hike through fairly easy terrain, and they’re unexpectedly lightweight at 2 pounds 5 ounces (for a pair of men’s size 9); they’re lighter than the Salomon Quests and similar to our budget pick, the Merrell Moab 2 pair. But on wet days, we didn’t feel secure on wet rocks, and our feet got hot quickly since leather isn’t very breathable. In addition, these boots aren’t likely to be waterproof for long, considering their suede materials, nor are they a good option for mountaineering or even advanced backpacking trips. But for day hikes on moderate terrain, they should do just fine.
If you love hiking in trail-running shoes and have narrow feet:
Consider the Vasque Breeze LT Mid GTX (men’s and women’s sizes) boots, another trail-shoe-and-boot hybrid that runs narrow. The uppers feel lightweight and flexible like a shoe, and the underfoot support is similar to that of a trail shoe, with built-in treads and a thinner profile. However, the ankle is bulkier and stiffer, as on a typical hiking boot, which gives you added support. They’re the lightest boots we tested (1 pound 11 ounces for a pair of men’s size 9), plus they’re well ventilated (due to a microfiber mesh upper) and stylish. They’re also decently waterproof, thanks to Gore-Tex materials, and the footbeds are cushioned with compression EVA foam, which makes for a comfortable ride and a near-zero break-in time. Several of our testers liked these boots more than any others they tried. But like all Vasque boots, the Breeze LT boots are narrow—and online reviewers note that they’re even narrower than many of Vasque’s other models. They also have a thinner profile than our top pick, La Sportiva’s Sabers. So if you have wider feet, look to our other picks instead.
If you hike in moderate or colder temperatures:
Consider the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s sizes), which have less ventilation than our picks and tend to be warmer. In our tests, they had excellent traction, even over loose rocks. The lacing system locked our heels in place, too, and the tongue came up high enough to prevent dirt from entering. Multiple testers reported that the Lowa boots were slightly stiff out of the box and required a lot of breaking in, but others said they loved that these boots offered good ankle support for carrying a heavy pack. In the end, these Lowa boots fell short because of their lack of ventilation: Our feet were too warm in the hot summer weather because of the all-leather upper and insulated insoles.
If you have achy feet and are looking for a tremendous amount of underfoot support:
Consider the Hoka One One Anacapa Mid GTX (women’s and men’s sizes) boots, which have an unusual build that feels more like a moon boot than a traditional hiker. This is Hoka’s newest addition to its hiking boot lineup. Although these boots might not be a fit for everyone, we thought wearing the Anacapas felt like hiking on a Tempur-Pedic mattress. The inch of underfoot EVA foam is comfortable and supportive but doesn’t allow for much ground feel, which can be disconcerting in areas with lots of rocks and roots. The chunky heel can also be cumbersome. That said, the lack of ground feel is largely psychological, as we didn’t actually slip or trip at any point, even on steep paths full of gravel and dust. We also liked the extra support of the sticky Vibram outsole and the huggy fit from the breathable upper, which wraps around the midfoot. These boots are better ventilated than Hoka’s most popular boot model, the Sky Kaha, and they offer a more secure lacing system. And they’re surprisingly lightweight for their large profile; the men’s models weigh just a pound per boot, similar to our top pick and less than our runner-up.
The competition
Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s sizes): Most people would be unlikely to find the extra stability and foot protection of these mountaineering boots necessary. In our experience, the firmer sole didn’t easily flex with the foot, and one tester said the lack of cushioning left her with sore feet after an alpine descent.
We also tested the Scarpa Zodiac Tech GTX Hiking Boots (offered only in men’s sizes), a beefed-up version of the Plus. Although they offered some cool features, such as an ankle cuff to prevent water and debris from entering, rands that run nearly all the way around, and crampon compatibility, they’re too much boot for most people. One tester found that his feet were constantly sore while he hiked mountain trails, and he had to switch out the insoles for something more cushioned, even after breaking the shoes in.
Keen Targhee III Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s sizes): This is the most recently updated Keen model. We found these boots to be too narrow in the toe box, which makes them unlikely to accommodate most foot shapes. After a 6-mile hike on rooted ground, our feet ached—which suggested that the boots offered limited underfoot support—and both testers developed blisters on their pinky toes.
Keen Targhee EXP Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s sizes): The Targhee EXP model looks less like a traditional hiking boot and more like a hybrid of a boot and a running shoe (similar to our budget pick, the Merrell Moab 2). These boots offered substantial room in the toe box, and we think even the standard width should accommodate most wider feet just fine. One major drawback: No matter how hard we tried to lace these boots snugly at the ankle, we couldn’t get them tight.
Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s sizes): These Salomon boots are overbuilt for most day hikers, and we found the fit uncomfortable. The X Ultras ran quite big around the ankles. Despite tight lacing, the boots loosened up during a 5-mile hike, and we ended our hike with debris in our shoes, which led to blisters. And the mesh upper creased across the top of the foot rather than moving flexibly with each step, which caused bruising for one of our testers.
Oboz Bridger Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s sizes): This Oboz model is a rugged-looking hiking boot with serious outsoles that provide excellent grip. All of our testers reported feeling stable in these boots in even the slipperiest conditions. However, every one of our testers also noted that these boots were too hot for midsummer hiking (likely due to the all-leather upper). In addition, we had a hard time keeping the laces tight, and we found that these boots ran small.
We also looked at the updated Oboz Sawtooth II Mid Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s sizes). They didn’t breathe as well as the Merrell boots, nor did they fit as snugly, due to a too-roomy toe box. We struggled to cinch them tight enough around the ankle and had to retighten them multiple times during a short hike.
Danner Explorer 650 Hiking Boots: These old-school, suede leather and nylon boots get serious style points, but they’re pretty basic in terms of functionality. They don’t offer any added toe or heel protection, and the lacing system is similar to that of your average high-top sneaker. These boots also rise quite high and snug on the ankle, which caused discomfort and blistering for our testers. If you prefer an all-leather boot, we recommend going with the Danner Mountain 600, a newer, lighter update that offers better underfoot protection and less ankle chafing.
Topo Athletic Trailventure WP (men’s and women’s sizes): These trail-running-inspired boots have an outsole that is grippy on many different types of terrain. However, our qualms concern the fit of the boots: They come up higher than a running shoe but lower than most mid-height hiking boots, which puts them at an awkward spot right on the ankle bone. To accommodate this design, the ankle fit is wider than that of most of the boots we tested, and despite our constant attempts at re-lacing, the boots constantly came untied during our test hikes. Testers also complained of hot spots on their ankle bones, and the break-in time was longer than that of most other trail-running-inspired boots we tested.
Timberland Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s sizes): Attractive but narrow, these hiking boots are stylish but not appropriate for adventures. The women’s model is suede and runs narrow, making it hard to clean, prone to creating hot spots, and less breathable than the other boots we tested, especially on hot days. The men’s leather version gets scuffed quickly. We’ll keep these on hand to try during the winter months, as reviewers have noted that these make for a good snow-boot option on city streets.
Decathlon Quechua MH500 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s sizes): In search of a hiking boot under $100, we ordered the Quechua MH500 boots, which typically retail for about $80, but we were disappointed by the cheap, thin materials. These boots took several hikes to break in, and they caused blisters for both testers. They’re not breathable because of the waterproof, leather upper, which makes for hot feet. The waterproofing wasn’t foolproof, either, and we ended up with damp feet after a plunge into a creek along the trail. There’s also very little foam in the underfoot panels, so your feet will ache after just a mile or two of hiking. You get what you pay for, and we can’t recommend these boots.
Hoka One One Sky Kaha Gore-Tex Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s sizes): Like its newer counterpart, the Anacapa, the Sky Kaha model boasts Hoka’s typical, built-up underfoot support, which means you’ll feel like you’re hiking on marshmallows. You might love this particular sensation if you have achy feet or if you’ve run in Hoka’s trail-running shoes, but it can be a turnoff for folks who depend on ground feel to navigate tricky terrains. The Sky Kahas have a wider toe box, a wider heel, and a narrower mid-foot section that wraps around the arch. This fit was uncomfortable for our testers with narrower feet, but it was beloved by those who enjoy more wiggle room in the toe area. We also found that this boot ran warm even on spring days, especially compared with the Anacapa and the La Sportiva Saber; the heat is likely due to the Sky Kaha’s leather upper and a special waterproof bootie that keeps moisture out but also holds heat in. The trade-off for the Sky Kaha boots’ heavy weight and profile is their foamy underfoot support and Vibram traction, which kept us secure on loose rock and prevented achy feet at the end of a long hiking day. That said, the newly released Anacapa is an improvement on the Sky Kaha, and we recommend trying the newer boot first if you’re looking for Hoka’s extra-cushioned fit.
Care and maintenance
REI’s Beth Henkes shared a few tips for maximizing the lifespan of your hiking boots:
- Always clean the mud off your boots as quickly as you can, and use a product with a water-based formula. “Some people will use dishwashing soap, like a mild soap, and that actually attracts more dirt,” said Henkes. “Nikwax shoe cleaner is a water-based cleaner … and it’s going to help repel dirt.”
- Don’t store your boots in the trunk of your car or leave them in a cold garage. Instead, keep your boots in a room-temperature space, such as your closet. “If you buy [boots] at the end of the season, and you go out on three hikes and then you put them away in the garage for winter, you have the potential to lose the sole of your boot,” said Henkes. “That’s because you’ve warmed up the glue and then didn’t do anything with it. All those little cracks that form in the glue when you first started wearing them get really dried out, and your sole can delaminate.”
- Take your boots out for a spin every month. “You need to go walk your dog in them once a month, or something like that, to keep them flexible and pliable and help them understand that you are still using them,” said Henkes.
- If you have a full-leather boot, condition it once or twice per year to keep the leather soft and pliable.
- Make sure to re-treat boots with waterproof membranes two to four times per year. “Once the water stops rolling off the top, basically you are going to want to treat. That’s the first line of defense,” said Henkes.
