The best hiking shoes to conquer any terrain

There doesn’t seem to be a more well-rounded hiking shoe than the Danner Trail 2650. It’s a sharp, sneaker-esque shoe, especially in women’s variants, that fits right in at the grocery store or the workplace. Yet, it’s riddled with a toughened addition to make it a genuine outdoor shoe for various trails. The Vibram sole provides softness for grip on nearly any surface, plus shock absorption for comfort, while still being tough for traversing sharp objects. The Gore-Tex fabric, a material you’ll become quite acquainted with in this guide, greatly amplifies the waterproofing and resiliency, a frequent source of praise. As a fine little cherry on top, the shoe is surprisingly light, weighing roughly the same as our Best Lightweight trail running shoe.

But even the best will have a few caveats, and the Danner is not immune. Sizing tends to run a tad wider than some consumers are used to. It’s not uncommon in hiking shoes, but notes of awkward fitment requiring a downsize frequently appear here.

The pricing is also a bit of a tearjerker, with a price range of $190 to $210. I’m pretty sure I saw Jordan’s at a Footlocker for cheaper.

If triple digits for an outdoor shoe discourage your hand from clicking “buy,” then the Nortiv 8 is a fantastic value proposition. Stickering within the far friendlier range of $50 to $57 for men’s and women’s sizes, the Nortiv 8 puts up an impressive act borrowed from Merrell Moab’s playbook. Weight is still under two pounds, and the overall design remains robust and ergonomic with an appropriately wide toe box for breathability and comfort without slippage — if you purchased the correct size. Mesh keeps the shoe fairly light and breathable overall, while its generous use of rubber and leather is reportedly quite admirable at keeping feet dry.

So, the Nortiv 8s are adequate at doing all the things a premium hiking shoe would do, but are there any consequences for penny-pinching? Well, there are reported costs in comfort and quality, including material that may begin to peel and separate after time. Most buyers admittedly expected it for the price and claimed they’re minor issues that new adhesives can easily fix. The shoe is also regarded as just a tad too stiff for serious long-hauling, with ho-hum support despite a memory foam insole.

This high-octane trail runner is here to bring Adidas namesake to the great outdoors with its take on outdoor shoes. The Terrex Swift R3 is marketed as an on- and off-track, multi-terrain trail runner for athletes looking to make their strides across a vast array of terrain. Weight is minimal, although not the lightest in its class. They hold you around the ankle nicely to minimize blistering and maximize stability. The generous use of rubber and Gore-Tex make it a waterproof companion for mud and rain, with plenty of traction to boot.

Fun fact: The ultra-aggressive tread is formulated by Continental, the premium tire manufacturer renowned for high-performance sports car tires, whose logo adorns the sole of every Terrex Swift R3. If that’s not a flex, I don’t know what is.

The $160 price tag is a hard pill to swallow, however, even if it’s lower than the Danner hiking shoe. The Adidas Terrex Swift R3 could’ve easily usurped Danner’s Trail 2650 GTX title as the best hiking shoe if it wasn’t for frequent complaints of overly stiff construction. The shoe itself is comfortable and resilient for hikes, but some have found it too firm for casual wear, unlike the acclaimed Danner.

Salomon’s OUTpulse runs away with the textbook attributes of women’s outdoor shoes, from a flexible, lightweight design to the blinding color palette that I envy (I’d take a men’s pair in women’s blue). These women’s hiking shoes come finished in the aforementioned blue as well as a vivid pink or a dark teal, and sport an especially low-cut ankle. The overall design is slim, like a running shoe, yet it retains a broad rubber sole for maximum stability and comfort, plus Gore-Tex and synthetic textile materials for strength and weatherproofing. Its surprising ruggedness compliments what is regarded as one of the most comfortable hiking shoes on the market, with consumers reporting many miles of effortless use over rocks and even through snow.

While undoubtedly a waterproof hiking shoe, the low-cut ankle could hinder your ability to traverse deep mud or creeks without water seeping through the very top. Also, the materials that grant the OUTpulse its weatherproofing have reportedly created quite a hot shoe that could be a touch too warm in scorching climates.

The Merrell Moab 3 hails from a line of perennial favorites — hardcore and trail-proven. You can’t seem to search for quality hiking shoes online without quickly stumbling upon these, and it’s easy to see why. Super sticky Vibram soles with deep, aggressively-siped tread create one of the grippiest hiking shoes without sacrificing durability. Overall comfort and shock absorption have been improved versus its forbearers thanks to the Vibram material and contoured insoles with reinforced heel cushions. Mesh improves breathability, while pigskin leather improves toughness and water resistance.

Overall comfort is remarkable for this hiking shoe, but a few hiccups in fitment mean that not everyone can fully benefit. Some have noted that the toe box may not be spacious enough for wider feet, and flat-footed individuals may not enjoy the high arches of the contoured insoles. The Moab 3 is also the heaviest on this list, by only a small margin, and the generous use of mesh without waterproofed synthetics or fabrics hinders its overall weatherproofing.

On the plus side, the trade-off is that this hiking shoe manages to run quite cool, even in hot climates. That said, these would be excellent picks for desert explorers.

The Merrell Youth Moab 2 is a solid pick for those who fancy their younglings to be the next Bear Grylls. As the name suggests, it’s a hiking shoe specially made for kids and is available in a broad range of sizes suitable for tiny tots to even small adults. Sizing is also available for narrower and wider feet. Essentially a shrunken-down version of the standard Moab, many of the same design features carry over, including the extensive use of mesh between the leather inserts and a rubber sole and toe. The shoe has proven durable enough to keep pace with adults on the trail and grippy enough to keep kids safe and upright on snowy terrain.

Like the grown-up Moab it’s based on, the Youth Moab isn’t the most waterproof hiking shoe, so beware of river crossings and mud pits. Additionally, while the fit is reportedly perfect for most children, some parents have expressed that Velcro straps in place of the lace-ups would be a better solution, especially for the youngest of adventurers.

It seems as though the Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex was destined to be the most waterproof hiking shoe available. The immense use of synthetics, rubber, and Gore-Tex fabric creates an impenetrable barrier against moisture. The slightly higher-cut ankle that edges close to a hiking boot allows you to ford deeper waters and mud pits. Despite extensive use of dense materials, weight is not compromised and still undercuts heavier, less waterproof items on this list.

Like the slimmer OUTpulse, this hiking shoe dons a wide and aggressive tread that’s great for stability over most trails. The surface is textured as well, which will aid with slippery surfaces.

Aside from the somewhat steep price and no-tie laces, which could potentially loosen over long hikes, the number one drawback is insole comfort. Numerous consumers have reported a lack of arch support and an insole that’s generally too stiff. Some pan it as a considerable downgrade from other Salomon models, while others find them to be minor nitpicks and aren’t so bothered. Others even find comfort to be excellent. Perhaps it depends on the user’s feet, but be prepared to invest in upgraded insoles.

A favorite among the fleet-footed, the La Sportiva Jackal is one of the lightest hiking shoes on this list and is designed for seeing nature at a rapid pace. Similar to the OUTpulse, it bears a striking resemblance to many running shoes but is reinforced with added rubber and polyurethane for resiliency over rough terrain. Toe caps are polyurethane, and the deep-lug tread dons rock guards to keep them free of debris. EVA polymer insoles bolster the cushion and shock absorption while the small, ultra-thin tongue keeps from rubbing. Overall, it’s a proven choice that has been acclaimed for its comfort and durability in races, trailblazing, and casual hikes where someone simply wants a featherweight hiking shoe.

The Jackal’s focus on speed and comfort means that it, unfortunately, lacks proper waterproofing. One consumer noted that his pair even shrank a half size after accidentally getting them completely soaked. Additionally, while overall comfort is commendable, the heel counter is noted to be a tad abrasive, so longer socks are in order when purchasing this hiking shoe.