Choosing the Best Hiking Shoes

Whether you're planning an extended hike or simply taking a day trip to the mountains, choosing the right hiking shoes is essential for comfort and safety. The type of terrain you'll be exploring and your foot shape will affect which shoe works best for you.

Hiking shoes come in a wide variety of styles, from approach shoes to light backpacking boots. Using this guide, you can narrow down your search to the best pair for your needs.
1. Merrell Moab 2 Vent

If you’re looking for a lightweight hiking shoe that can also handle backpacking and camping, you might want to consider the Merrell Moab 2 Vent. This is the brand’s best-selling model, and it’s a great choice for those looking for a lightweight hiker with decent support.

These shoes are made with a compression-molded EVA footframe and an Ortholite anatomical footbed, both of which are designed to contour to the foot. This is a great feature because it ensures that the feet are properly supported, even when you’re on rough terrain.

Another great thing about these Merrell hikers is that they’re extremely comfortable right out of the box. The upper is constructed of a combination of leather and mesh, which offers a lot of breathability. This makes them ideal for hot summer days when you might feel uncomfortable in a heavy hiking boot.

In addition to that, they’re lightweight and very flexible, which is something to look for when buying a new hiking boot. They’re also quite durable, and they should last for years of use.

For outsoles, Merrell chose a Vibram TC5+ outsole with 5mm lugs to give you good traction on both soft and hard surfaces. The lugs are large and deep, which means that they’ll grip firmly even when you’re walking on steep terrain.

The Merrell Moab 2 Vent has been a favorite of many outdoor enthusiasts for decades, so it’s no surprise that they’re still available today. This model has been tweaked for modern needs, including an improved insole and a more flexible outsole, but they’re still just as comfortable, durable, and supportive as the original.

They’re also available in wide sizes, which is an important consideration if you have a wider foot. The Merrell Moab 2 Vent is a good option for anyone who wants a lightweight and supportive hiking shoe that’s also very easy to break in.

The Merrell Moab 2 Vent is one of the most comfortable hiking shoes you can buy, and it’s very well priced. It’s also available in many different colors for both men and women, so you can find one that suits your style.
2. Skechers Selmen-enago Trail Oxford

A waterproof seam-sealed design and hiking-style construction make the Skechers Selmen-enago Trail Oxford the perfect choice for braving any outdoor adventure. Leather and suede upper materials with synthetic overlays at the toe and heel provide a rugged, yet comfortable feel. The lace-up design is secure and features pull-tabs at the tongue and heel panel for easy entry. Mesh fabric panels at the front, sides and collar offer a cooling effect. Air Cooled Memory Foam(tm) cushioned insole offers added comfort. Shock-absorbing midsole provides support and flexible, lugged rubber outsole offers traction.

While it’s a bit trickier to find the best hiking shoes on the cheap, we’ve found an impressive pair in the form of the Skechers Selmen-enago. Not only does it boast a waterproof, seam-sealed design, but it also has air cooled memory foam, an uncommon feature in footwear at this price point. Its darker brown color-way is a nice touch, too, as it doesn’t appear dirtier than other shades on the market.

Its patented Missiongrip technology gives it a kick in the pants, too. This traction akin to a springboard allows you to navigate any terrain with ease.

The shoes also boast a sleek design, and are built to last. A full-grain leather upper and padded collar add a touch of class, while its water-resistant finish helps keep your feet dry.

These shoes are also made to be lightweight and flexible, so you can walk on all kinds of trails with ease. Plus, they come with a lightweight EVA midsole that flexes with your foot’s natural movement.

They are also incredibly durable, and have a rock plate that helps prevent your feet from becoming bruised and damaged. Finally, they’re incredibly light, and are available at a reasonable price point.

If you’re looking for the best hiking shoes for men on the market, check out these options from our picks of the top brands. You’ll be sure to find the pair that is the most suitable for you!
3. Allbirds Trail Runners SWT

Allbirds has long been an advocate for sustainable and environmentally friendly shoes, but their latest launch brings the brand into the realm of performance hiking sneakers. The Trail Runners SWT combine the best of Allbirds' everyday wool sneaker with the technical components needed for trail running and hiking.

The Allbirds Trail Runners SWT are designed for rugged terrain and are made from a blend of merino wool and eucalyptus tree fiber to keep your feet warm and dry during your run. They also have a waterproof ripstop upper, a sock-like fit for comfort and traction, and durable outsoles with 4mm multi-directional treads to help you grip rocky or wet surfaces.

You can find the Allbirds Trail Runners SWT at select retailers or on the Allbirds website. They're not cheap, but if you're interested in testing them out before buying, Allbirds offers a 30-day return policy and free shipping.

While the Trail Runners are not as light as most Allbirds shoes, they do provide enough support for most people to run in. The lace-up closure ensures that your foot stays in place, but there's a small space between the insole and the top of the shoe that can cause pressure or irritation, especially for women with thinner feet.

As with other Allbirds shoes, the Trail Runners SWT are machine washable. Simply remove the insoles and laces, and wash your shoes in cold water on a delicate cycle. The ripstop fabric and wool blend will dry more quickly, but be sure to use a towel or soft brush when cleaning them, and leave them out of the sun to prevent damage.

Allbirds is a New Zealand-based company that's been around since 2007. It's known for its sustainable, eco-friendly shoes and apparel that utilize the two primary materials of sugar, wool, and trees (SWT).

The shoes are all made with a variety of sustainably sourced and renewable material. They have a thermoregulating eucalyptus fiber upper, a castor bean oil-based insole, a natural rubber outsole, a sugarcane-based SweetFoam midsole, a merino wool heel liner, and recycled plastic shoelaces.
4. Columbia Hatana Max Outdry

Take on anything that comes your way in this versatile shoe built for hiking, running and scrambling. Responsive cushioning, a lacing system that locks you in and wet-dry traction outsole combine for comfort anywhere you go.

Columbia is a name that's synonymous with quality when it comes to outdoor gear. Founded in 1938 and based in the great Pacific Northwest, they've been making tough outdoor gear that incorporates their innovative omni-technologies to keep you dry, warm, cool and most importantly, comfortable. www.bramverweij.com/11-best-mountain-bikes-under-1000-dollars/

The newest addition to their line of multisport shoes is the Hatana Max Outdry, a low top model that frees up your legs while still providing the support and stability that you need. The techy-looking upper materials are fully seam sealed to deliver waterproof protection without sacrificing breathability. The ADAPT TRAX outsole is the best out there, delivering superior traction on both wet and dry surfaces.

I bought this pair at the Blue Mountain store, and it was definitely the right shoe for me. It was a good investment and it has been a great companion on my walks. I can't wait to go on some longer hikes in the future. It is a true to size shoe with excellent support and is light weight. The best part is that I got them at 60% off, a big savings. I've only had them a week and I have already worn them more than once!