When preparing for a backpacking trip, footwear will be among the main gear decisions you will make. Blisters, strained muscles, and scrunched feet can quickly ruin any backpacking trip, so this is a place where testing and experience go a long way.
Hiking boots are crucial to your comfort and functionality on the road, but this no longer means a rigid and burly model that will weigh you down. The tendency is toward lighter materials that still provide decent support, and watertight boots are the most popular by far (many offered in a non-waterproof variant for hiking in warm or humid climates). To find out more on selecting the most appropriate boot, visit our comparison table and buying information below the selections.
Locating a hiking boot is simple. We’ll make it a bit easier for you to prevent blisters and enjoy the experience. We polled our staff to discover their favorite hiking boots for day hiking, overnights and long tail treks.
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Timberland Men's White Ledge Mid Waterproof Boot,Dark Brown,9 M US
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Features
- Our White Ledge Men's Hiking Boots have premium full-grain waterproof leather uppers, seam-sealed waterproof construction, and rustproof speed lace hardware with hooks at top for secure lacing.
- LOOK NO FURTHER for trail-ready performance and style. Our selection of men’s hiking boots, waterproof hiking boots, casual boots, and casual shoes is designed to fit in with your outdoor-ready ensembles.
- TIMBERLAND HAS YOU COVERED whether you're looking for men's boots, women's boots, or kids boots. For the best in hiking boots, rain boots, work boots, casual shoes & boots & more, choose Timberland.
- WHAT YOU NEED IN THE OUTDOORS: Timberland has the gear you need for all your outdoor adventures, including jackets and coats for outdoor activities, backpacks and luggage & outdoor accessories.
- Covered by the Timberland Limited Warranty. For complete terms, limitations, and instructions on how to make a warranty claim, please visit the Timberland website.
Columbia MEN'S NEWTON RIDGE PLUS II WATERPROOF Hiking Boot Cordovan, Squash 15 Regular US
$69.02 in stock
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Features
- ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY: Columbia Men's Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boot features our lightweight, durable midsole for long lasting comfort, superior cushioning, and high energy return as well as an advanced traction rubber sole for slip-free movement on rough ground.
- HANDY FEATURES: Treacherous days out on the trail are comfortable and worry-free with this boot's waterproof full-grain leather and mesh bootie construction and its durable mesh tongue for breathability.
- ADJUSTABLE FEATURES: The Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boot features a lace-up closure for an adjustable, secure fit.
- VERSATILE STYLE: This men's waterproof hiking boot delivers style and durability with its contrasting color combinations and soft mesh exterior.
- OMNI-GRIP: This multi-terrain traction system matches specially formulated compounds and treads to specific environments. A dual-zone winter tread pattern ensures solid footing on surfaces such as ice and snow.
Columbia Women's Newton Ridge Plus Hiking Boot, Quarry/Cool Wave, 9 Regular US
$59.17 in stock
Free shipping
Features
- ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY: Columbia Women's Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Hiking Boot features our lightweight, durable midsole for long lasting comfort, superior cushioning, and high energy return as well as an advanced traction rubber sole for slip-free movement on rough ground.
- HANDY FEATURES: Treacherous days out on the trail are comfortable and worry-free with this boot's waterproof full-grain leather and mesh bootie construction and its durable mesh tongue for breathability.
- ADJUSTABLE FEATURES: The Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Hiking Boot features a lace-up closure for an adjustable, secure fit.
- FEMININE STYLE: This women's waterproof hiking boot delivers style and durability with its contrasting color combinations and soft mesh exterior.
- OMNI-GRIP: This multi-terrain traction system matches specially formulated compounds and treads to specific environments. A dual-zone winter tread pattern ensures solid footing on surfaces such as ice and snow.
Columbia Women's Newton Ridge Plus, Elk/Mountain Red 9 Regular US
$46.25 in stock
Features
- ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY: The Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped Hiking Boot features a seam-sealed construction, combined with our TECHLITE lightweight midsole, for long-lasting comfort with superior cushioning and high energy return.
- DURABLE HIKING BOOT: This women's boot is inspired by classic mountaineering style. A durable mid cut waterproof hiker that provides great traction and comfort. This classic Columbia hiking boot, will deliver years of comfortable service.
- ALL TERRAIN TRACTION: Our signature Omni-GRIP non-marking traction rubber outsole provides high grip across a wide variety of terrain, and versatile three season use.
- HANDY FEATURES: Treacherous days out on the trail are comfortable and worry-free with this hiking boot's waterproof combination of supportive leather and suede construction.
- REINFORCED TOE AND HEEL CONSTRUCTION: Designed for extended years of use, we’ve reinforced the toe and heel barriers, and extended the outsole toe overwrap to guard these key wear points.
RAX Men's Wild Wolf Mid Venture Waterproof Lightweight Hiking Boots,Light Khaki, 9.5 D(M) US
Features
- Waterproof hiking boot featuring suede leather upper with breathable lycra material and adjustable lace-up vamp
- Antiskid multi-directional traction rubber outsole
- Lightweight boots with cushioning EVA midsole
- Rax-Relieve fatigue magnetic sheet
- Padded tongue and collar keep debris out
KEEN Men's Targhee II Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot,Shitake/Brindle,10.5 M US
Free shipping
Features
- WATERPROOF & PROTECTION: KEEN.DRY breathable membrane keeps feet dry and comfortable by allowing vapor out without letting water in; Bruise plate for protection on uneven surfaces; High abrasion rubber toe guard for added durability
- MATERIAL & CONSCIOUSLY CREATED: Durable premium leather and breathable performance mesh; Quick dry lining for active use; KEEN sources hides from Leather Working Group certified tanneries; Environmentally friendly DWR helps keep leather from drying out
- TRACTION: KEEN ALL-TERRAIN rubber provides high traction grip in muddy environments and on rocky surfaces; 4mm multi direction lugs provide optimal traction for sure footing; Non marking rubber outsoles leaves no imprints when walking indoors
- SUPPORT & COMFORT: External Support Shank and mid cut height adds balance and ankle support; Contoured heel for stability; Removable footbed with arch support cradles to the foot’s shape; Resilient cushioning doesn’t compress quickly after extended use
- FIT & CARE: KEEN Original Fit gives generous space for toes to spread out; Gently brush leather with a soft bristle brush or hand towel to remove loose dirt and debris; Tough stains may require a leather cleaner
lightweight hiking shoes
Kinds of Hiking Boots
Day Hiking Boots: Search for low-cut versions with more bend in the midsole-for relaxation over shorter distances. Some ultralight backpackers even seem to trail running shoes for long-distance treks. These choices are flexible and do not require a lengthy break-in time, making them perfect for covering middle distances with lighter packs.
Long Distance Backpacking Boots: These sneakers have the help you need for longer treks. Made using a high cut for exceptional ankle support and stiffer midsoles than lighter footwear alternatives, these are made for on- and off-trail travel.
Trail Runners: Yes, we all know trail runners are not boots, but they are rad none the less. Moreover, you can proceed faster in them, and they dry more quickly than other shoes when moist.
Continue reading for our team members’ best picks, and their best tips for selecting the boot that’s right for you. Then scroll to the bottom to discover how to pick the hiking boot that is ideal for you.
Whey say, footwear is a highly personal choice, so we recommend finding what will work best for you.
How To Choose The Best Hiking Boots
COMFORT AND FIT – This is the most important consideration when picking hiking footwear. Different people need different things in shoes (broad vs. narrow, arch support, heel-to-toe fall, etc), so finding what makes your feet happy is crucial. If your shoes do not fit your feet, you’ll have pain with each step and your hiking trip will immediately turn into a bust.
Weight carried on your feet zaps 4-6 times more energy than weight carried on your back. So swapping a 3-pound pair of boots for a 1-pound pair of running shoes is the energy saving equivalent of eliminating 8-12 pounds from your backpack. Needless to say, that is a really big thing. Additionally, nimble feet lead to less muscle fatigue, less stumbling, and over time can help avoid knee and hip flexor issues.
PRICE – We tend to be willing to devote a bit more for quality footwear as it is tied so directly to the joy of our hiking trips.
SIZING – Feet tend to swell over long days on the trail, so it’s almost always a good idea to purchase footwear at least a half size bigger than your normal shoes.
TESTING – You’re going to take tens of thousands of steps on any backpacking trip, so you really need to know that your footwear will fit comfortably and won’t cause blisters. We recommend, at very least, buying your footwear a few weeks before any hiking trip and spending as much time in them as you can, making certain they work for your feet.
TRACTION – Traction is one the most important parts of quality backpacking footwear. Picture yourself trekking along a narrow ledge with shifting gravel beneath your toes. Knowing that your footwear will maintain and keep you from slipping is crucial, especially over washed out or exposed sections of trail. We heavily factored quality traction into all our footwear recommendations below.
WATERPROOFING – If you’re hiking for multiple days in moist conditions, your feet will get wet no matter what sort of footwear you are wearing. That is exactly how it goes. Moisture in the air will make it difficult for anything to stay dry. Rain will drip your legs down and float into your shoes. Sweat and condensation will build inside your footwear soaking your shoes from the inside out. And even if you were able to mitigate those other factors,”watertight” footwear will develop small holes and tears over time which allow water to seep in.
Additionally, when”watertight” footwear becomes wet, it tends to be very heavy and require a long time to dry. For those reasons, we always backpack in non-waterproof, quick dry, lightweight trail runners during our spring, summer, and fall backpacking trips. At night we clean our feet, out air, and keep them warm in warm camp socks.
BREATHABILITY – This is another crucial consideration when choosing footwear and one of the principle reasons we hike in trail runners. Your feet will sweat a lot when you lift, particularly on warm days. If this moisture doesn’t have a simple way to escape, it will make the skin on your feet soft and prone to blisters. Shoes which are highly breathable are generally not waterproof and will get wet quickly when it rains. However, they also dry quickly too.
DURABILITY – One downside to trail runners is that they are generally less durable than hiking shoes or boots. Generally , trail runners continue around 500 miles, hiking shoes approximately 750 miles, and hiking boots around 1000 miles. If you appreciate footwear that will endure for many years, you might prefer a hiking boot or shoe that will live longer trail runners, just be certain you realize the downsides associated with that choice too. Also, when selecting a trail runner or trekking shoe, stay away from large sections of unsupported mesh, which may wear out quickly.
ANKLE SUPPORT – Ankle support is among the most frequently contested issues among backpackers when talking footwear. If you would like proof, read through the comment section of our article: 5 Reasons To Ditch Your Hiking Boots. This is an extremely personal decision and we have our own opinions on the situation. Generally speaking, we feel claims of ankle support in hiking footwear are extremely exaggerated. So as to find true ankle support, you need high top footwear laced tightly around your ankles, which most boot wearers don’t actually do. In our opinion, most people in athletic state with healthy ankles carrying light to moderate loads do not really need extra ankle support for backpacking.
SOLES – We search for trail running shoes with relatively thick and well-cushioned soles so we do not feel every rock under our feet. Trail runners also generally have more flexible soles, which can help prevent blisters. Alternatively, hiking shoes and boots often have more rigid soles, which will last longer and feel stiffer under the feet.
HEEL-TO-TOE DROP – Conventional shoes typically have a noticeable drop in height from their heel to toe with the idea that it increases your running efficiency. Some trail runners have”zero drop,” meaning that the foot is the same distance away from the ground from heel to toe.
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