The Best Hiking Shoes of 2024

Also new is a completely redesigned ripstop mesh upper for added comfort and a refined fit. Additionally, Altra decided to shave a few ounces off of the 8’s. This might not be something you notice when holding them in your hand, but after a few miles on rough and rugged terrain, you’ll appreciate this smaller detail.

Overall, our experience with the Lone Peak 8’s was similar to what we had with the 7’s. These shoes have an excellent natural feel and superior drainage which helps keep you moving without getting bogged down and blistered. The changes in the upper made for a less cushioned, but easier-to-adjust experience around the ankle.

We loved the MaxTrac rubber chosen for the outsole. It provided exceptional grip on rocks and over other wet terrain. But, more importantly, it instilled confidence in the steps you made in those situations. Peace of mind goes a long way when you’re wandering around in the middle of nowhere.

In the long run (pun intended) we’re stoked by how the Lone Peak 8’s perform. In testing, we ran and hiked on all sorts of terrain. We even went grocery shopping and ran around soccer fields trying to catch wayward balls sent in all directions by 7-year-olds. They became the shoes we fell in love with and relied on for everything.

We like that they provide some of the stability and traction generally found in a hiking boot with the low-top freedom of a shoe.

The toebox was wide enough that our testers didn’t experience any uncomfortable rubbing. But they are a bit stiffer, and we recommend slowly amping up your mileage. Give them time to break in, and you could have a great hiking shoe for seasons to come at a very affordable price point.

These aren’t the lightest hiking shoes available. And on technical or wet terrain, they didn’t perform as well as shoes like the La Sportiva TX4 EVO, but the Moab 3s are winners for day hikes on regular trails. They’re also available in a waterproof version. Overall, they’re one of the best hiking shoes for regular use on moderate to easy terrain.

The mesh liner helped keep our feet cool and aided in breathability on hot summer hikes. In addition to the stylish looks, we really appreciate the fantastic grip these provided. We found them comfortable out of the box and suitable for all manner of day hikes.

Some testers wished they had more arch support, while others found them a perfect fit. This is a matter of personal preference and foot shape. The Trail 2650 shoe comes in several versions, including waterproof, mesh, and mid styles. Check out our full review of these Danner styles.

Whether you’re a paddler who also plans to hike or a hiker who happens to be near water, the TR1 shoes will keep your feet happy.

We like how light they feel on our feet and how easily they shed water. With holes at the front and back, they easily drain water and the mesh dries quickly. Plus, they help your feet breathe and stay cool even on dry trails.

The sticky rubber soles provided plenty of traction even when rock-hopping along the river’s edge. And we like that the wider toebox design of the TR1 gave our feet room to spread out.

The Polygiene-treated insole makes stinky shoes a thing of the past. This is an all-around great shoe for moderate hiking, tropical adventures, and all manner of watersports. If you’re taking a trip to Hawaii, for instance, these could be the best hiking shoes for the job.

With the mudguards and extended toecap, we never had any problems with rocks or sticks jabbing our feet. And the lugs proved plenty burly even for technical trails.

The sole of the X Ultra 4 is surprisingly flexible, which our testers enjoyed. But if you’re looking for something stiff, you may want to choose a different shoe.

Another feature you’ll either love or hate is the Quicklace system. Pull the lace, and it locks into the desired tightness. We’ve found it works well and doesn’t need retightening throughout the day. However, it can limit how specific you get on tightening your shoe.

All in all, these shoes offer traction and comfort while keeping feet cool. With this Salomon offering, you get a do-it-all shoe for $140. The women’s version seems to run a bit large, so we recommend going down a half-size.

Designed with relative simplicity with technical features where you need them, we think the X Ultra 4 is one of the best hiking shoes on the market today.

In the past, we have reviewed the standard TX4s and have loved their balance between stiffness and flexibility. With the EVO model, attention has been paid to using environmentally responsible construction and materials to create a shoe that performs just as well but adds in the feature of being better for the planet. 

In testing, we enjoyed the overall durability of the TX4 EVOs as we traversed up and over scree and other rocky outcrops. Our tester lives in Connecticut and a majority of the terrain is composed of trap rock that’s known for being sharp and unforgiving. The TX4 EVOs took a serious beating on the way to a trailhead as well as in a situation where they had to climb down from one level of the trail to the next, relying on small footholds. The TX4 EVOs were fantastic in keeping our tester from slipping on the way down. Vibram’s Megagrip outsole is second to none in adventures like this.

Approach shoes, like climbing shoes, can be more restrictive due to their lace-to-toe design. But we found that this kept our feet from moving around in the shoe. This proves to be especially beneficial when you’re scrambling around and trying to keep your feet from getting jammed up between the rocks. Additionally, after a few good approaches, the TX4 EVOs broke in well enough and are comfortable enough to wear out and about and on casual hikes.

While the Speedgoat definitely lets you push the pace, these things truly shine in their durability and unprecedented comfort over the long haul. Though they used to only be worn by trail running aficionados, their reputation has recently seeped into the long-distance hiking community.

Senior Editor Chris Carter walked over 5,000 miles in the Speedgoats in 2021 on his thru-hikes of the AT and CDT and won’t hike in anything else now. He squeezed out about 700 miles a pair and experienced little durability issues.

The soles are fitted with Vibram Megagrip and 5mm lugs, somehow providing even more traction than previous iterations. They also shaved off half an ounce. This doesn’t seem like much, but every gram literally counts at the end of a grueling day on the trail.

The new model also features a bolstered heel collar, more comfortable features, and what feels like a more responsive midsole with what Hoka calls a “late-stage meta-rocker.” An initial gripe of ours is the new gusseted tongue. It’s kind of short and super thin. We liked the previous one better.

We appreciate the protective toe rand that wraps around the front of the shoe. This works well for those who tend to drag their feet as they get tired near the end of a long day. Despite the lighter weight, Hoka still managed to keep the cushion balanced and comfy, and seemed to even improve it a little.

For months-long epics across the country, or weekend backpacking trips to your favorite alpine lakes, Hoka’s Speedgoat 5 will get you there in about as much comfort as you could ask for. Check out our full review.

Adidas designed the Terrex Free Hiker GORE-TEX 2.0 Low to be a good middle ground between a hiking boot and a trail runner. Although we found it a little bit heavier than the standard trail running shoe, considering the double duty these beauties are pulling off, 2 pounds is acceptable.

The abrasion-resistant upper and the GORE-TEX lining allowed us to run through trails, fields, muddy ruts, meadows, and paved surfaces without worrying about the shoes getting torn up or soaked on the inside.

In terms of overall fitment, the Terrex Free Hiker GORE-TEX 2.0 Low runs roughly half of a size bigger. This was quite a surprise for a shoe with so much cushion. That said, the pair we tested were a size 9 and we experienced slight slipping in the heel due to the factory oversizing. We compensated for this by wearing a heavier sock. Either way, it’s worth noting if you’re going right from the store to the trail.

The one gripe we had with the Terrex Free Hiker GORE-TEX 2.0 Low was the choice of colors. The light green color wasn’t much of an issue, but the white foam midsoles and heel turned tan and spotty after a few good runs through a puddle. 

Overall, If you’re buying these shoes to look cool with your friends, take a hard pass. But if you’re buying them for extended comfort and stability on all types of terrain then the Terrex Free Hiker GORE-TEX 2.0 Low are the right shoes for you.

Another classic trail runner that has eked its way into the hiking world, the Cascadia is being seen on more and more hiker’s feet, from weekend warriors to thru-hikers going the distance. The latest update keeps everything we loved from prior models, and offers improvements that focus on the comfort, protection, and sustainability of the shoe.

The Cascadia offers adequate cushion, with a 20mm heel that tapers down to 12mm in the forefoot. Brook’s Ballistic Rock Shield provides additional protection, which is sandwiched between two layers of that luxe DNA LOFT v2 foam we’ve grown to love from the Cascadia 16. This gives the runner noticeable defense against pokey protrusions on trail, without limiting flexibility.

The new PrintDyed air mesh upper is created more sustainably than previous iterations (saving 66% of the energy, and 75% of the water required for traditional dying processes), and affords a bit better ventilation than earlier models — though we haven’t had these shoes for long enough to fully test their upper’s durability compared to the 15 or 16. After a good deal of torture, though, it is showing little to no signs of wear.

New to the 17 is Brooks’ Trail Adapt System — a power combo of their DNA LOFT v2 cushion, rock plate, and strategically placed outsole pods that respond to uneven ground. Paired with their new sustainably made TrailTack Green outsole, these shoes performed quite well over loose, sludgy terrain. We’ve yet to find a proprietary outsole that could match something like Vibram or Vibram Megagrip’s tacky nature, but this does a surprisingly good job in wet, slippery conditions.

We have similar grumbles with the 17 as we had with prior models — namely its stiff nature out of the box, and heavier reading on the scale (even heavier than the 16). The shoe quickly becomes more flexible with use, but those first few hikes feel a bit rigid.

These qualms aside, the Cascadia is a top-shelf shoe that’s been at the forefront of hiking and running comfort for years. The 17 carries on its tradition as a standard bearer for long day hikes over rough trails, or extended backcountry backpacking trips alike.

Feet are protected like few other models under test with a toecap crafted for apocalyptic rock falls and narrow canyons. Tensioned speed lacing allows fast on-trail adjustment, even as the padded collar minimizes Achilles trauma. A GORE-TEX lining keeps moisture out, but is still breathable.

Not for bouncing along tourist paths, this hiker craves bigger challenges and carries the load in multiday backpacking scenarios. Tight mesh uppers keep abrasion resistance high but can’t undo the weight of the beefy outsoles at around 28 ounces per pair.

We’d recommend trying these on before use, but if they fit well, the Swift R3 GTX is one of the better hiking shoes we tried for technical terrain.

The new Adaptive Cushioning Technology used in these shoes is an interesting touch. Dual-density rubberized EVA is designed to easily adapt to changing terrain. While we can’t say we fully felt the effects of this, this has a cushioned ride to it and a soft heel strike zone with solid shock absorption.

This shoe comes out of the box ready to hike. It promotes more foot freedom with a wider toebox and an “O fit” insole that combats shifting and boosts comfort even on daunting descents.

The lug pattern of the Sawtooth X gives plenty of grip, and the toe overlays prevent abrasion. Our testers are happy to report that even after significant abuse, these show little signs of wear. Plus, you can feel good knowing that Oboz plants a tree for every pair of shoes sold.

True to their experimental nature, the newly minted Anacapa 2 Low GTX brings a unique flair to the traditional hiking shoe last, seemingly forcing people to either end of the spectrum. You either love ’em, or you hate ’em, but one thing’s for sure — there are few shoes like them.

Senior Editor Chris Carter recently got to spend several days testing the low and mid versions of the new Anacapa 2 in Zion National Park with Hoka developers, putting the shoes through the wringer and truly picking Hoka’s brain on its interesting design.

While it’s not his steed of choice for long hikes, he’s convinced these are some of the more well-designed, and sustainably constructed shoes for those who don’t require an aggressive ride while clocking miles in the backcountry. The supremely tacky outsole and thoughtfully placed Meta-Rocker make these shoo-ins for any serious hiker’s shortlist.

To that last point, we’ve always been fans of Hoka’s Meta-Rocker technology — a curved silhouette with denser foam placed at strategic points in the midsole, giving each stride a degree of smooth propulsion. The Anacapa features a late-stage Meta-Rocker, which puts the rocker point closer to the toe for added stability with slower paces.

Though our editor prefers an early-stage rocker for swifter movement on the trail, this is perfect for those who want stable confidence over variable terrain, and aren’t too concerned about chasing FKTs. For most hikers, this is the design of choice.

Vibram Megagrip — hands down our favorite outsole — decorates the bottom of the shoe. Its performance on slippery, rocky terrain, or muddy, uneven trails is next to none. Qualms we’ve had with other Hoka outsoles were addressed with this shoe. Vibram can be rendered useless if mud packs in tight around the lugs, making the sole a single, sleek sheet that easily slips around.

The Anacapa 2 features a “self-cleaning” lug pattern that channels mud away from the lugs as you step, forcing it to slide off the sole, and allowing the deep sticky tread to work its magic. This, paired with a GORE-TEX Invisible Fit liner, makes these shoes power players in wet, sloppy conditions.

The protruding SwallowTail heel is perhaps the first feature you notice on the Anacapa 2 — and isn’t for everyone. It undeniably affords better traction and stability while bombing down uneven hills, but can sometimes snag on roots and rocks (or even the other shoe) as you clunk down trail. The jury’s still out on whether we dig this design, but it does provide solid surface area on the steeps.

We do find these shoes to be sized a bit large, so make an effort to try them on in-store before snagging a pair. These are also on the heavier (and pricier) end of the spectrum, but the comfort and cushion they afford atone for these sins. Nearly every element of the shoe is designed with recycled components, making this a much more sustainable shoe than the previous iteration, without sacrificing longevity.

For all-day comfort and stability on quick weekend outings, or extended journeys through all sorts of climates, the Anacapa 2 GTX would be a stellar companion for any adventure you could drum up.