What are the best shoes for hiking and trekking?
If you’re here, it’s because you’re looking for tips on finding the perfect pair of hiking boots.There are lots of models: high shoes, low shoes, sandals, sneakers… How to choose ?
In this article, we present the best hiking boots 2022.
The 2 comparisons:
Buying Guides:
TOP of the best hiking boots - high
⭐ Why opt for hiking boots with a high upper?
- You have weak ankles, or you have been injured in the ankle;
- You go on treks, hike long distances, and sometimes on steep paths;
- You are looking for a stable shoe.
- For the middle mountain
- Stability and grippy soles
- Waterproof and robust
- 🧡 Very comfortable.
- Good general quality
- Shoes to wear all year round
- Very good protection (parre-pierre)
- Waterproofs
- 🧡 Impeccable quality
- For steep trails
- 100% waterproof and breathable
- 🧡 Very good ankle support
- Pour la montagne (roche, rivière, mont)
- Très légères
- 🧡 Bon déroulement du pied
- For the middle mountain
- Long treks and pilgrimages
- Eye-catching soles
- 🧡 Very good adhesion
Ms Mtn Trainer Mid GTX – SALEWA
- Treks of a few days
- 100% waterproof
- Robust
- Very comfortable
- 🧡 Good footwork
Renegade GTX® trekking shoes - Lowa
Why choose it? It is THE reference! Lowa shoes are perfect for day or multi-day hikes. The Lowa brand is known for offering very comfortable shoes and impeccable quality.
If you hesitate, take the Renegade, you won’t be disappointed!
✅ For hiking and trekking ✅100% Waterproof ✅ Strong and durable ✅ Grippy soles
What are the important things to know?
- Hiking shoes with mid-cut leather upper
- All comfort and 100% waterproof.
- Very good responsibility: The shape of the shoe is made so that the moisture is evacuated by the top;
- The Vibram® soles are made of rubber. They grip perfectly, and any type of soil (rocky, dirt, grass)
- You’ll enjoy a grippy sole.
- Good stability, even in torsion
- Materials: The shoe’s upper is made of bovine leather. The leather allows a good repirability in the shoe. The sole is made of rubber and PU.
- Weight: 555 grams
🛍️ Where to buy it?
👉 HOMME :
👉 FEMME :
⭐ For more information : renegarde lowa shoes
SUPERALP H hiking boots - AKU
Why choose them The Superalp H shoes are perfect for treks and multi-day hikes. They are technical hiking boots that offer comfort, stability and a great fit at the same time.
✅For backpacking ✅Very good quality ✅Comfortable ✅4 season shoes
What are the important things to know?
- High hiking shoes
- Waterproof: Thanks to the GORE-TEX membrane, the hiking boots are waterproof and breathable. You can hike in the rain, your feet will be safe!
- Very good quality, perfect stitching and finishing,
- Vibram soles: You enjoy good stability and grip on all terrains.
- Safety: The shoes are equipped with a stone guard. These are additional protections located at the level of the toes.
- Material : Shoe made of chamois leather of 1.8 mm thickness. Leather is an interesting material as it allows for good breathability in the shoe.
- Weight: 700 grams
🛍️ Where to buy it?
👉 MEN:
G Trek 5 GTX trekking boots - Millet
Why choose it The G Trek shoes are ideal for your long hikes in the mountains. You will enjoy optimal support at the ankle. With these shoes, you will not fear the bad weather, composed of deparlant fabric, they are 100% waterproof.
✅Mountain shoe ✅For steep paths ✅Very good ankle support ✅2 insoles
What are the important things to know?
- High hiking shoes
- Shoes that are bothwaterproof and breathable (Gore-Tex® membrane
- Thanks to the Vibram® sole(exterior), the shoes are ideal for trekking trails. They ensure a good grip on all types of terrain, even on rough and difficult areas.
- Shock absorbing insole (dual density EVA)
- The second insole is thermoformed and removable. You will be able to adjust the sole according to your desires, and enjoy an optimal comfort.
- Comfortable shoes: Around the ankle, there is a padding.
- Safety and comfort: The shoes are equipped with an integral rubber stone guard.
- Good support, thanks to the semi-rigid Flex system
- Material: Full leather (Water repellent) and Italian nubuck leather (Solidity)
- Weight: 2 x 690 g
Good to know: G Trek shoes are compatible with semi-automatic cleats.
See more waterproof hiking boots
🛍️ Where to buy it?
👉 MEN:
👉 WOMEN :
TENGU LITE GTX hiking boots - AKU
Why choose it? AKU shoes are very versatile: Whether crossing a river, climbing a mountain, or walking through rocks … your feet will not falter. With these shoes, the development of the foot is natural. Lighter than other hiking boots, you will love having them on your feet.
✅Perfect for mountain hiking ✅Very versatile ✅Very light ✅Waterproof
What are the important things to know?
- Mid-cut hiking boots
- Ideal for the mountain, for all types of soil;
- Comfortable, high-performance footwear (Gore-Tex® waterproof membrane)
- The walk is pleasant and the foot roll is as natural as possible (ELICA technology).
- Outsole is Vibram® Turmeric : good grip on all floors
- The shocks are effectively absorbed thanks to the Iintercalaire sole: (EVA)
- Lightweight shoes
- Weight: 2 x 570 g
🛍️ Where to buy it?
👉 MEN :
EXPLORER light hiking boots - LOWA
Why choose them Shoes are ready for any event! Nice product. With the grippy soles, you will be able to venture on hiking trails, medium mountains. Versatile and very comfortable, not all trails will be yours!
✅For backpacking ✅For mid-mountain ✅Catchy soles ✅Comfortable
What are the important shoes to know?
- Mid-top shoes
- For long treks, pilgrimages and hikes over several days
- Soles: The shoes offer very good grip, grip and comfort (Vibram® Rock Trac® Evo technology).
- Good protection against bad weather. Stay dry !
- Midsole: Lowa DynaPU®+
- Weight: 1160 g/pair
For snow, check out our comparison of the best hiking boots for snow
🛍️ Where to buy it?
👉MEN :
👉 WOMEN :
Hiking shoes Ms Mtn Trainer Mid GTX - Salewa
Why choose them For their comfort! As comfortable as slippers, these shoes are also very resistant and waterproof. Perfect for treks over 3 days. You will also love their design.
✅For treks of a few days ✅Very comfortable ✅Rigid✅Waterproof
What are the important shoes to know?
- Mid-top shoes
- To be worn all year round
- The shoes are 100% waterproof and breathable (Gore-Tex® membrane)
- Good external protection: there is a rubber border along the shoe
- The shoes have a fabric hyper-resistant to wear;
- Interchangeable insoles: ideal to customize the shoe according to your feelings, and reduce the risk of blisters.
- Weight: 2 x 630 g – a little heavier than average
🛍️ Where to buy it?
👉 MEN:
👉 WOMEN :
TOP of the best hiking shoes - low
⭐ Why choose hiking boots with low upper?
- You have never had an ankle injury.
- You are a beginner in hiking, and wish to increase your sessions;
- You are rather sporty.
- You are looking for a light shoe to be free in your movements;
The low hiking shoes are perfect for you!
- Protection against all types of weather
- Grippy sole
- 4 seasons
- 🧡 Very light
- Multi-purpose, multi-activity shoe
- Efficient shock absorption
- Comfortable
365 X-HIKING shoes - Cimalp
Why choose them? These shoes from Cimalp are incredibly lightweight. They are comfortable and offer enough stability for hiking and trekking. Equipped with an Ultrashell member, your feet will be protected from the elements all year round.
✅Year-round use ✅Lightweight ✅Comfortable ✅Good stability
What are the important things to know?
- Low hiking shoes
- Vibram® outsole suitable for all terrains
- 4 seasons: You can use the shoes all year round.
- Waterproof: Good protection against rain, bad weather, and effective windproof (Thanks to a Ultrashell® Membrane).
- The shoes are equipped with a reinforced front stone guard. This is an additional protection against impacts (rocks, pebbles).
- Good cushioning: The shoe absorbs shocks perfectly.
- Good heel support
- Weight: about 367 grams
What we love 🧡: The hiking boot is ultra-lightweight
🛍️ Where to buy it?
👉 MEN:
👉 WOMEN :
CARIBE GTX walking shoes - Meindl
Why choose it? Innovative, the Caribe GTX shoes offer you all the comfort you need to start hiking. Also suitable for trail running, they are perfectly breathable.
✅For beginners ✅With studs ✅Good breathability ✅Resistant
What are the important things to know?
- Sole: The shoes are equipped with studs for perfect grip (Meindl Trail Activity Sport System)
- Breathability: The Air Active sole effectively evokes moisture. Made of suede leather and fabric, the shoes offer optimal ventilation.
- Security: equipped with stone guards, the shoes are strong, resistant, and designed to be durable.
See more fast walking shoes
🛍️ Where to buy it?
👉 MEN:
👉 WOMEN :
MOAB 3 GTX VERT - Merrell
Why choose it? Versatile outdoor shoes! They have many advantages: gusseted tongues, eco-design, stone guard, shock absorption.
✅For hiking ✅Effective shock absorption ✅Comfortable
What are the important things to know?
- Low shoes
- It is the version 3 of the MOAB model. They are more comfortable and equipped with shock absorbers;
- Ecodesign: Shoe laces and canvas are 100% recycled
- There is a gusseted tongue to prevent outside elements from entering the shoe.
- Safety and comfort: Protective tips along the shoe (rubber stone guard).
- Breathable thanks to a lining;
- Shock Absorption: The insoles provide lasting impact absorption while walking (made of EVA foam).
- Weight : 442g
🛍️ Where to buy it?
👉 MEN :
👉 WOMEN :
Frequently asked questions
How to choose good hiking boots?
There are different criteria to consider:
- Your level of experience
- The hiking terrain: easy, rugged or off-trail
- The weight of your backpack: if you’re going on a backpacking trip, chances are you’ll have a heavy pack. So it’s best to opt for high-top shoes for better stability and ankle support.
Why choose a Gore Tex membrane?
Gore Tex membranes allow for waterproof footwear. They are perfect in cool weather, but in summer, they are hot. You will sweat in the shoe;The alternative is leather. Leather is an interesting material because it waterproofs the shoe while offering a good responsibility. This is the case of the Lowa shoes;
What is a lightweight shoe?
A light shoe is a shoe that is less reinforced, and that can hold less time. The advantage of light shoes is that they will tire you less quickly;
What are the best shoe brands?
For hiking, we advise you to choose shoes from brands like Lowa, Millet, Mindel or Quechua;
Why wear hiking socks?
It is important to wear socks that are suitable for hiking. Double skin socks avoid friction between the shoe and the foot. They unquestionably reduce the risk of blisters.
Learn more about hiking socks
Which size to buy?
Depending on the brand, the shoes can fit more or less large. It is best to ask around. The brands will recommend which size to choose according to your usual size.
You hesitate?
⭐ Check out our articles to help you make your choice: