12 Best Hiking Shoes (Review) In 2020

Columbia is one of those few brands that reign supreme in all areas of outdoor wear, but when it comes to boots, they’re undeniably superior to the competition. The Newton Ridge hiking boot comes with a completely waterproof full-grain leather construction, as well as a touch of suede thrown in there. For keeping the rain at bay and maintaining your traction on slippery hiking trails, nothing compares. If you’ve got wide feet though, you’re going to run into a bit of an issue. These are fairly narrow boots, so if you usually wear a size wide, this could be a bit uncomfortable to slip into. The pull-on loop near the heel isn’t designed to last too long, but the durable rubber insoles are built to withstand just about anything that you put them through. For more reliable footwear check out our guide to the best trail running shoes for men.

Adidas has the market cornered when it comes to style, but we were a bit surprised to find that they ranked so highly when it came to outdoor function as well. The Adidas Ax2 hiking shoe is built to encase your foot in stabilizing support, from the contoured heel cap right on down to the EVA midsole to balance impact resistance. That’s all excellent support for where it counts, but you will find that the toe box is a bit thin. Adidas only really fell flat on the sock liner: it’s generic, and will need to be replaced after a short amount of time. That being said, you still benefit from the high traction outsole that makes this shoe excellent in wet conditions, as well as the quick lace-up system. Make sure you also check our guide to the best high tops.

Merrell made a few appearances on this list, and nothing beats their Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoes in terms of durability. Made of suede and mesh, they designed these to be ultra-breathable while still providing ample protection. Closed cell technology in the tongue helps keep debris and dirt on the outside of your shoes where it belongs, but you’ll find that waterproofing has taken a backseat during the design process. These are best suited for casual hikers who don’t see themselves in inclement weather situations. The only other downside is that suede can be a bit of a pain to clean. You get added stability in the form of a rubber toe cap, as well as a padded heel box to support proper ankle stability while you’re out on the trail. If you like stability in footwear, check out our guide to the best stability running shoes.

We fully understand that you’re looking to keep it budget-friendly while getting to enjoy one of your favorite outdoor activities, which is what brought us to Vasque Men’s Juxt Multi-Sport Shoe. They fell in between mixed opinions, because we’re huge fans of the padded tongue, collar, and the overall comfort of this hiking shoe. Vasque would have ranked higher if a few aspects were improved, such as the lacing system. It’s quick to tighten your shoes, but without metal eyelets to keep things nice and tight, you’ll experience loosening after a few hours of use. While suede leather is comfortable and rather breathable, it’s difficult to clean. Vasque’s primary attribute is the TPU plate and EVA midsole, which offers unbelievable stability even in adverse terrain. If you go off the beaten path, Vasque and their OTG outsole system will keep you at peak performance. For more sports footwear, check out our guide to the best basketball sneakers.

The North Face is another brand that’s style-centric, but they’ve come out of the woodwork to give their competitors a run for their money. Their focus on this hiking shoe was based on improving traction, so you can hike and go on a run without worry. There’s two separate styles of traction pads on the outsole that provide enhanced grip even on dry, loose dirt. With running in mind, The North Face made The North Face Ultra 109 GTX Trail Running Shoes unbelievably breathable, though at a cost of absolutely no waterproofing. Even light rainfall will begin to seep into your shoe, so plan these for dry days only. If you’re going hiking during the colder months, these will keep you warm down to about 25 F (based on user information), increasing their versatility. Don’t use them on asphalt, and they’ll last you for years to come. For more waterproof optionc, check out our water shoes for men review.

Adidas created something that truly doesn’t look like what you’ll find on the shelves of any department store. There’s no tongue to this innovative hiking shoe, which looks a bit bizarre at first glance, but benefits you in more ways than you know. You’ll be wrapped in insane comfort thanks to the high collar sock liner that wicks away sweat from your feet, though you’ll find that the lacing system only provides minor tightening adjustments, so it’s very important to lock in your exact size during purchase. The only other downside is that you’ll see a major fluctuation in pricing depending on your size and current customer demand. Adidas built Outdoor Terrex Free Hiker Boots with their Continental rubber outsole, granting superior traction to anything you’ve used before. Fantastic comfort and traction in wet weather, but a delicate purchase process. Be sure to also check out our list of the best soccer cleats for more great items like this. 

Salomon wanted to discern themselves from the common hiking shoe, which led to over ten different eye-catching styles to separate you from your mates on a hiking trip. Beneath the surface, they’ve included a handful of excellent features to deliver on top-line function. With Salomon Men’s X Ultra 4 GTX Hiking Boot you get a set of strategically placed foam block padding to help stabilize your heel during hiking, aided by the rubber toe box covering to keep your feet where they’re supposed to be. With all that stability, they unfortunately missed the mark on wide sized shoes. Even if you order in a wide size, they still feel too narrow, which is why we recommend going half-a-size up. The lacing system is quick and effective, but doesn’t leave much room for customization, so you’ll have a small range of how tight or loose you can make these shoes. Salomon is able to keep the price low regardless of your shoe size thanks to the lightweight synthetic and textile construction, which feels nice and light on your feet. Our handy guide to the best white sneakers features more great products like this.

Camel Crown hiking shoes are built for both men and women, and did something that their competitors dared not to: kept the exact same affordable price regardless of size. There’s no price penalty just because you have bigger feet, but do remember that you get what you pay for. We enjoy Camel Crown’s shoes, though it’s important to keep in mind that these are built to last for about one to two years. If you get any more out of that, you’ll be lucky. For the duration, they provide excellent traction thanks to the multiple rubber types on the outsole, all while keeping your feet wrapped in glorious comfort, partially responsible by the dual density foam midsole. These lack a bit on heel support, but still help you maintain stability with deep treads that grip the earth. Be sure to combine this with cool insoles from our list.

RAX fell into a funny spot on our list. On the one, RAX Lightweight Trekking Shoes for men are extremely affordable and designed to last for at least three to five years. On the other hand, you’ll run into a few issues, such as a lower than average platform. That doesn’t help with traction, but if you take a look at the reviews, you’ll see a lot of users that designate these shoes for nature trails and mostly flat ground expeditions. For that, these work a treat. RAX includes an EVA midsole to help maintain stability, as well as a high padded collar to prevent dirt and debris from slipping inside. Choose from three different styles to fit your current hiking gear, and slip into some stellar heel support that makes a ten-mile hike feel like two. Love this product? Check out our review of the best crossfit shoes for our top picks. 

Under Armour is a ride-or-die type of brand: people either have a full wardrobe of Under Armour gear, or none at all. If you want to mix it up a bit, their inexpensive Mirage 3.0 hiking shoe is just the ticket. There’s a heavy focus on stability and protection, made apparent by the TPU heel and toe box coverings. From there down to the comfortable and supportive midsole, you’ll be equipped for extra long hikes. They fall flat on waterproofing for the simple reason that their manufacturing process is a bit of a gamble, because you’ll either get a fabric exterior or textile depending on availability, each of which aren’t designed to tread water. With excellent traction and an even better price tag, UA put the pedal to the metal with this pair. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best cross training shoes.

If you start treading water in your hiking shoes, you’re going to have a rough rest of the trip. Merrell and their Alverstone hiking shoes offer excellent protection against the elements for all-weather hikers, as well as an air cushioning system embedded in the heel to keep the stress off your joints. Made of leather and textile, these shoes are fairly durable, until you get to the pull-on loop on the heel. It frays after light use, as does the surrounding material. We haven’t found this to impact water resistance, but it’s still not something you want to see in a median-priced hiking shoe. If you notice a lot of impact resistance in your heel, you’ll be happy to know that the Alverstone hiking shoe comes with a fully removable footbed. Don’t forget to also check our guide to the best shoes for spartan races.

Last but not least, you can’t ignore Keen’s take on the budget-friendly hiking shoe. Keen put heavy focus on making these hiking sneakers as breathable as you can get by targeting key ventilation areas that other brands ignore entirely. That’s the main sell of Keen Targhee Vent hiking shoe, but as we’ve found, breathability and waterproofness are usually mutually exclusive. There’s a light grade water resistance rating on part of the exterior, but it really doesn’t do much. You’ll have plenty of cushioning from the padded collar and tongue, and stability in your ankle thanks to the leather and textile construction. If you opt for this hiking shoe, we do recommend getting a separate insole to add in.