If you’re trekking through wet or rocky terrain or climbing steep hills, you’ll need a good hiking boot. But for an easy-going hike or a weekend camping trip, a nice pair of hiking shoes will do the trick. We rounded up some of the best options so you can get right to the trails.
Best For Trail Trekkers
For the quickest way into the great outdoors, pick up a pair of La Sportiva Wildcats. ($110). There’s plenty of traction to keep you grounded, and they don’t require any shoe-tying nonsense, so trail runners can slip them on and get their jog on.
The lightweight Salomon X Ultra Low 2 ($110) is another good choice for hikers who want to keep their momentum. The underfoot is built for stability, so even when you’re moving quickly you won’t lose your balance, and the undersole has enough traction to handle bumpy terrains. It’s made of polyester, so water just brushes off, and it comes in a stylish Evening Blue color.
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For Tough Mudders
Don’t let a messy trail leave you with gross, muddy shoes. The Lowa Men’s Renegade II ($145) are made of nubuck leather for a resilient build that keeps nasty stuff away, and backed with polyester to keep your feet dry. It has Vibram outsoles with plenty of tread to handle the tougher parts of your favorite trails.
For Stylish Hikers
Hiking shoes aren’t always the most attractive footwear around, but you don’t always have to sacrifice style for substance. The Teva Arrowood WP ($120) has a dual-tone design that looks as good on the trails as it does in the city. The FloatLite Foam construction keeps the shoe nice and light while still being waterproof, so they’re great for casual hikers.
Those looking for a luxury hiking experience should check out the Renegade III GTX Lo ($210). It has the usual waterproofing and plenty of cushioning, but drops the clunky hiking boot look for a subtle leather design that looks good enough to wear out on the town. And for more variety, The North Face Ultra 109 ($120) gives you five rugged color to choose from. It’s sturdy enough to survive some tougher hikes, and lightweight enough for days where you’re looking to avoid steep climbs.
For Adventurers
The Oboz Sawtooth ($110) is built to keep you stable on your journeys with 3-D molded heel counters, plus they stay fresh with a mud-resistant design so you won’t have to do too much maintenance to keep a fresh look. As an added bonus, Oboz plants a tree for every pair of shoes they sell.
If you’re planning to make a day out of your hike, or looking for an overnight stay, you’ll want something that’s comfortable enough to hike with and lounge out around a campfire with. The Asolo Megaton GV ($175) touts a suede exterior, plus a comfortable dual-density insole for to keep your feet comfy.It’s also got enough grip to keep you from slipping around on wet trails.