Your hiking boots have a tall order: protect and cushion your feet across technical terrain, be light and comfortable for long days, and have a durable construction that lasts. Below we’ve compiled all of our detailed hiking boot reviews, from lightweight models for day trips or easy terrain to burly, technical designs for demanding multi-day missions. In order to provide you with the most authentic, helpful information, we put these boots through extensive testing in places like Patagonia, the Pacific Northwest, and the Grand Canyon.

Hiking Boot Reviews

Hiking Boots (Lowa Renegade GTX on rock)

Best Hiking Boots of 2024

Hiking boots are critical to your comfort and performance on the trail, but this no longer means a stiff and burly model that will weigh you down. The trend is toward lighter materials that still offer decent support, and waterproof boots...
Women's hiking boots (hiking across stream in Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX)

Best Women's Hiking Boots of 2024

For the best combination of protection and support on the trail, look no further than a hiking boot. Compared to other forms of hiking footwear, boots are epitomized by their mid-height build, which offers best-in-class stability on technical terrain...
Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid hiking boot (closeup)

Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review

Salomon’s X Ultra lineup is legendary in the world of hiking footwear, and they overhauled the flagship collection in spring 2021. We brought the mid-height version of the X Ultra 4 into Washington’s Hoh Rainforest and found that it retained most of...
La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Leather GTX (up close)

La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Leather GTX Review

La Sportiva’s TX collection debuted as a series of approach shoes (the TX2, TX3, and TX4) and has since expanded to include a few hiking-oriented models. As a result of its climbing heritage, the lightweight TX Hike Mid Leather GTX...
Scarpa Rush Mid 2 GTX hiking boots (standing on rock)

Scarpa Rush 2 Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review

Scarpa specializes in technically capable footwear for climbing and mountaineering, but their foray into the lightweight hiking boot market hasn’t gone unnoticed. Part of the extensive Rush collection, the Rush Mid 2 GTX was an obvious choice for a...
Oboz Katabatic Mid Waterproof hiking boot (closeup on driftwood)

Oboz Katabatic Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot Review

Fast-and-light hiking boots are a rapidly growing category in 2023, and Montana-based Oboz recently threw their hat into the ring with the Katabatic. We put the women’s mid-height version to the test on Vancouver Island’s famed Juan de Fuca Trail...
Salomon Predict Hike Mid GTX hiking boot (tying shoelaces)

Salomon Predict Hike Mid GTX Review

Salomon’s reputation in the hiking footwear world is well established, often topping our “best of” lists. And as the dominant force in hiking footwear, they have the luxury to take a few risks—which is exactly...
Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite Mid GTX hiking boot (standing on rock)

Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite Mid GTX Review

Salewa is well known in the mountaineering world for their technical alpine boots, and I was very impressed by the performance of their burly Mountain Trainer boots on a recent trip to Patagonia. On a...
KEEN NXIS EVO WP hiking boots (standing on rock)

KEEN NXIS EVO Waterproof Review

KEEN’s Targhee has been a favorite among backpackers for years, and the NXIS EVO is a fast-and-light rethink of the legendary design. I was happy to find that KEEN retained key features like their signature wide toe box and good all-around...
Arcteryx Aerios FL 2 Mid GTX (overlook on Little Giant Spider Loop)

Arc’teryx Aerios FL 2 Mid GTX Review

Still a relative newcomer in hiking footwear, Arc’teryx has stuck to what they know best: technical performance. We tested the second iteration of their fast-and-light Aerios shoe on a demanding...
Hoka Kaha 2 GTX hiking boot (backpacking in Patagonia)

Hoka Kaha 2 GTX Hiking Boot Review

The Kaha 2 GTX is Hoka’s top-of-the-line hiking boot, with Gore-Tex waterproofing, a leather upper, and Vibram tread. We’ve had largely positive experiences with Hokas, but the Kaha 2 underwhelmed on a challenging backpacking trip in Southern Patagonia.
Scarpa Rush TRK GTX hiking boot (standing on rock)

Scarpa Rush TRK GTX Hiking Boot Review

Scarpa’s Rush is their do-it-all trail shoe, and the Rush TRK GTX adds a bump in support and protection for high-mileage backpacking objectives over varied terrain. I took the women’s version to Peru’s..
Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX (closeup on rock)

Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX Review

Adidas has really leaned into their Terrex outdoor collection of late, with a rapidly growing line of mountain-ready apparel and footwear. The Terrex Free Hiker 2 lands in a popular new segment of hiking shoes: It’s not a full-on boot, but you get over...
Topo Athletic Trailventure 2 hiking boots (standing on rock in mountains)

Topo Athletic Trailventure 2 WP Hiking Boot Review

Trail running-inspired hiking boots have exploded in popularity of late, combining the all-day comfort and flexibility of running shoes with the ankle support and protection of traditional hiking designs. Topo...
The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 Mid Futurelight hiking boots (side view)

The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 Mid Futurelight Review

Building off the success of the first-generation Vectiv Exploris, The North Face’s Vectiv Exploris 2 Mid is a thoroughly modern design that effectively bridges the gap between a hiking shoe and boot. You get great out-of-the-box comfort and a generous...
REI Co-op Flash hiking boots (standing on log)

REI Co-op Flash Hiking Boot Review

After a long hiatus, REI Co-op has returned to the hiking boot game with the Flash. Sharing a name with the brand’s in-house line of lightweight hiking and backpacking gear, the boot is highlighted by...
Scarpa Zodiac Tech GTX boots (hiking in mountains with pack)

Scarpa Zodiac Tech GTX Boot Review

Scarpa’s Zodiac Tech GTX takes their Zodiac Plus backpacking boot and adds a technical slant for light mountaineering objectives. I wore the boot while hiking around Canada and during a demanding 16...
Hoka Anacapa 2 Mid GTX hiking boots (standing on rock)

Hoka Anacapa 2 Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review

Running brand Hoka has been aggressively growing their hiking footwear collection of late, and the Anacapa Mid is arguably their best effort yet. Now in its second iteration, this boot combines the smooth ride and excellent cushioning that the company...
Salomon Vaya Mid GTX hiking boot (walking across rocks)

Salomon Vaya Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review

Salomon’s hiking boot collection runs the gamut from light-and-fast designs for covering ground quickly to burly leather models for intensive, multi-day backpacking trips. The women’s-specific...
La Sportiva TXS GTX hiking boot (standing on log)

La Sportiva TXS GTX Hiking Boot Review

La Sportiva’s TX series is a standout in the approach shoe world, and the latest TXS GTX builds on that concept in a mid-height, backpacking-ready design. Throughout a spring of testing, including...
Vasque Breeze AT Mid hiking boots (standing on rock)

Vasque Breeze AT Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review

Vasque’s Breeze lineup runs the gamut from the trail runner-inspired LT to the more robust, backpacking-ready AT. We put the latter boot through its paces and found that it’s noticeably less sprightly and nimble than many of its modern competitors...
Salomon Quest 4 GTX hiking boot (grip over wet log)

Salomon Quest 4 GTX Hiking Boot Review

Salomon’s Quest has garnered serious popularity over the years as a highly capable backpacking boot, and the latest Quest 4 carries the torch. We put the recently retooled boot through its paces...
Salewa MTN Trainer Mid GTX hiking boot (standing on rock in Patagonia)

Salewa MTN Trainer Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review

Germany-based Salewa is renowned for their technical alpine boots, and that expertise comes across clearly in the hiking-focused MTN Trainer Mid GTX. I put the boots through a thorough round of testing in Canada and Patagonia, including multiple high...
Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof (detail)

Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boot Review

Merrell’s Moab is about as classic as hiking boots come and an extremely popular first pair of hiking footwear for many (including multiple editors on our staff). Updated for spring 2022, we tested one of the...
Altra Lone Peak Hiker 2 hiking boot (up close detail 2

Altra Lone Peak Hiker 2 Review

Altra’s Lone Peak collection has long kept feet happy on the trail, thanks to signature features like a roomy toe box, zero-drop footbed, and lightweight construction. The recently updated Lone Peak Hiker 2 puts a stylish yet functional spin on the...
​​Salomon Cross Hike 2 Mid GTX hiking boots (holding boots up)

Salomon Cross Hike 2 Mid GTX Review

Salomon’s hiking boot lineup is undeniably extensive, and their Cross Hike 2 Mid GTX offers an interesting mix of running shoe-like agility with ankle-height protection. We tested the original model a couple seasons back and recently took the latest...
NNormal Tomir Waterproof hiking boots (mountain backdrop)

NNormal Tomir Waterproof Hiking Boot Review

Co-founded by decorated mountain athlete Killian Jornet and Spanish shoemaking brand Camper, Nnormal is taking a new—and exciting—approach to trail runners and hiking shoes. While minimalist, their designs are built to last and can be repaired and...
Danner Trail 2650 Mid GTX hiking boot (standing by lake)

Danner Trail 2650 Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review

Danner doesn’t have the same cachet as brands like Salomon or Merrell in the world of hiking footwear, but their Trail 2650 lineup offers some intriguing options. We took the impressively light Mid GTX model on a tough multi-day backpacking trip...
Salomon OUTward Mid GTX hiking boot (standing on rock)

Salomon OUTward Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review

Last year, Salomon added yet another boot to their already expansive lineup in the OUTward. Slotted just under the popular X Ultra 3 in price and performance, the boot features a stylish leather and mesh upper, 2-pound weight, and decent support for...
La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX (standing on log by water)

La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Review

La Sportiva is a climbing company first, but that expertise has transferred over nicely to the hiking footwear market. Among their growing line, the Nucleo High II GTX is one of the more capable and well-rounded lightweight boots we’ve tested. It’s...
Arc'teryx Acrux TR hiking boot (profile)

Arc’teryx Acrux TR GTX Hiking Boot Review

Arc’teryx is a relatively small-time player in the world of hiking footwear, but they’ve recently assembled a solid lineup of quality designs. The Acrux TR GTX slots in as their mid-height model designed for tackling technical terrain with a heavy pack...
Hoka One One Sky Arkali (standing on rock)

Hoka One One Sky Arkali Review

Hoka One One’s Sky Arkali blends the lacing of an approach shoe with the midsole of a trail runner and the height of an over-the-ankle hiking boot. Billed as a “do-anything” trail shoe, we were eager to see if the radical Arkali truly could tackle any...
Oboz Bridger Mid Waterproof hiking boots (standing on rock header)

Oboz Bridger Mid BDry Hiking Boot Review

Along with their Sawtooth line, the Bridger boot is a signature product from Bozeman, Montana-based Oboz. Its design is in many ways reflective of what has made the company a success: a reliable fit, durable materials, and high levels of support and...
Salomon Quest Prime GTX hiking boot

Salomon Quest Prime GTX Hiking Boot Review

Salomon is one of the biggest names in backpacking footwear, and their Quest Prime GTX slots in as a lightweight option for long-distance trekking. After wearing the boot in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains on terrain ranging from maintained trails to...
Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX hiking boot

Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX Hiking Boot Review

Salomon’s Quest 4D boot has headlined their backpacking lineup for years, and it remains a solid all-around performer in today’s market. We put the boot to the test while backpacking the rugged Huemul Circuit in Patagonia and found it to be the perfect...
Asolo Falcon GV hiking boot (side profile)

Asolo Falcon GV Hiking Boot Review

In many ways, the Asolo Falcon GV represents where we think hiking footwear is headed: a little less weight and support than a traditional heavyweight boot, but with the technical chops to get the job done both on and off trail. We brought the Falcon...
Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid hiking boot (crossing rocky stream bed)

Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid Review

Altra’s Lone Peak shoe is known for its exceptional fit and comfort and has long been wildly popular among trail runners and thru-hikers. Piggybacking off its success, Altra recently released the ALL-WTHR...
Hoka One One Toa (standing on log)

Hoka One One Sky Toa Hiking Boot Review

Hoka One One has dabbled in hiking footwear in the past, but they truly jumped into the fray with their Sky lineup. Eager to test the boots against long-time favorites, we took the speed-focused Sky Toa into the Palisades Backcountry of eastern Idaho...
Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX hiking boot (standing in Grand Canyon)

Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review

In the world of hiking boots, Salomon’s X Ultra 3 Mid GTX is a true standout. Despite its lightweight build, the boot nicely balances comfort, durability, and rock-solid traction. We put the X Ultra 3 through its paces over a full year of testing...
​​​​Osprey Sawtooth hiking boot (standing on rock)

Oboz Sawtooth II Mid Waterproof Review

Recently updated with a new collar design and increased ventilation, Oboz’s Sawtooth II Mid is a stable and tough boot meant to handle the rigors of backpacking. We put the women’s...
Vasque Breeze LT Mid (header)

Vasque Breeze LT Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review

Recently updated with improved traction, a running shoe-inspired design, and significant weight savings, Vasque’s Breeze LT Mid is aimed squarely at the lightweight hiking and backpacking...
Keen Targhee III boots (standing on rock)

Keen Targhee III Mid Hiking Boot Review

Keen’s Targhee line has been a powerhouse in the day-hiking world for years, and the “III” retains similar levels of comfort and build quality that has made the collection so popular. In short, this isn’t your hardcore boot for steep or rocky trails...
La Sportiva Trango TRK GTX

Review: La Sportiva Trango TRK GTX

With a serious alpine pedigree, La Sportiva has been manufacturing highly regarded climbing and skiing gear for almost 90 years. Therefore it’s no surprise that their Trango...
Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX boot (walking across stream)

Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX Hiking Boot Review

Scarpa’s Zodiac Plus GTX is a fully supportive yet exceptionally lightweight boot ideal for handling high-mileage days with a heavy load. This midweight hiker is designed to shine in environments when a mountaineering boot is overkill but a low-top...