The Best Hiking Boots and Shoes for Any Adventure

Chris Haslam Adrienne So

In the traditional world of hiking boots, practicality is king, with solid ankle support and a nice bit of leather keeping your feet dry and ankles intact as you head for the hills. Things are changing fast, though, with the modern technology found in running shoes being co-opted into walking boots and trail shoes, helping to reduce weight while increasing comfort, speed, and performance.

As a result, there are now hundreds of pairs to choose from, including tried-and-tested traditional leather clodhoppers, ultralight trail running sneakers, and a whole host of hybrid designs, like approach shoes for scrambling and pillowy soft designs for epic through-hikes and all-year adventures.

For more of WIRED's outdoor guides, check out our Hiking Gear 101 guide, Best Baselayers, Best Tents, and the Best Rain Jackets.

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Head to any serious hiking spot and you'll see at least one person wearing a pair of Quest 4s. Perennially popular and for good reason, the Salomons boast superb levels of comfort and support without the bulk typically associated with traditional walking boots. If the On-Running Cloudtrax (below) are sneakers, the Salomons feel like ski boots, but that's not a criticism. The extra height and support is most welcome when walking for long distances and when carrying a full pack.

Despite testing countless pairs of newer, lighter, and more stylish boots, when the miles get long and the terrain serious, I reach for the Salomon Quest 4 GTX. The suede leather and rubberized toe-cap make them impressively robust, they're easy to clean, and the all-encompassing Gore-Tex liner offers complete waterproofing. The outsole is deep, aggressive, and impervious to unexpected slips, and top marks go to the metal lacing system, especially the middle eyelet that grips the laces securely, meaning you will rarely need to tighten them once tied. They're not as forgiving underfoot as many of the newer running-shoe-inspired designs, but there's plenty of shock absorption in the balls and heel.

These boots from a handcrafted Italian heritage brand are the best hiking boots I've ever tested. I wear these as my normal, everyday walking shoes. The fit is spectacular. Zamberlan's X-Active Fit on a woman-specific last (the form around which the shoe is molded) fits my narrow feet and ankles even better than heat-molded boots. Even the tongue is elasticized and padded; I can tie the laces quickly and tightly without adjusting the pressure on specific parts of my foot. There's plenty of room in the toe box for long days. A wide heel and big sticky Vibram soles keep me stable while skipping around rocks and logs. And each shoe is still almost as light as some of my trail running sneakers. It boasts Gore-Tex Extended Comfort waterproofing, which claims to keep the boot waterproof for the boot's lifetime. I haven't tested that yet (I wear hiking boots for years) but it is a comfort to know that they will be resoleable in the United States when their time comes.--Adrienne So

Not to be confused with the questionable MBT "muscle toning" sneakers of the '00s, Keen's WK400 walking shoes feature a shaped inner plate and super-thick curved midsole designed to propel you forward, creating a more efficient stride. Think of the Keen.Curve sole design as a pedestrian version of a performance running shoe--that often features carbon plates for maximum energy return. But in the case of the WK400, the energy boost is focused toward the back of the foot rather than the toes.

The curved sole does leave you teetering a little when standing still, but once strolling the feeling of added momentum is instantly apparent. These shoes love to walk, and the exaggerated arch will push you forward. They boast sneaker-like comfort with plenty of cushioning around the heel and tongue, and the wider sole, with well-spaced rubber tread, gives an impressive amount of stability over uneven terrain. That said, given these shoes aren't waterproof and lack really deep mud-loving lugs, we recommend them for power walking, easy trails, and urban jaunts rather than off-road adventures.

If you think of "hiking boots," the iconic boots that you picture are probably these. They're not the lightest boots, nor the most nimble, and the fit is perhaps not as dialed in as some of our other picks. However, they're the boots that you want to be wearing while backpacking or if you have to flee a natural disaster on foot. They're still made by hand in Portland, Oregon, and my pair is 15 years old and still going strong. They have the fewest panels of any boot listed here, with a single piece of smooth full-grain leather making up each part of the upper--no worries about loose stitching or leaking here. Just clean the boots off with a damp cloth and re-dress them every few months with a single tin of Danner dressing (that will also last you several years) and they'll be good to go. I also have a pair of the Jags ($200) that have a flat sole and which I can use while biking and skateboarding, too.--Adrienne So

Adrienne So

Scott Gilbertson

Simon Hill

Parker Hall

Approach shoes are a hybrid of trail and climbing shoes, offering a mix of walking shoe comfort and climbing shoe grip--handy if you're traversing trails and scrambling up rock to get to the start of the climb. They're a niche proposition, but if you enjoy the challenge of varied terrain, you don't have to be free soloing to benefit. And thanks to the combination of underfoot support, exceptional grip, and clever dual lacing system, the all-weather AKU Rock DFS GTX should check a lot of boxes for plenty of people.

The lacing design looks a little excessive, but when you need to climb or scramble, you can tighten the second set of laces, which pulls the forefoot into the shoe, making foot placement reassuringly precise. Combined with the Vibram Approcciosa rubber sole and sharp, defined edges, your feet will stick to anything.

Away from the technical climbs, the shoe has a stiff sole and rugged build that is both durable and supportive, and easy to walk long distances in. The fabric is breathable and waterproof (Gore-tex), and the 1.6-mm suede leather will take years to wear out.

Joining the ranks of Nike ACG and Adidas Terrex, On Running's latest Cloudtrax colorways should have both through-hikers and sneakerheads interested. They're a stylish mid-height option equally at home in the city or off-road, and there's enough serious outdoor tech to justify the price.

As with all On Running shoes, the CloudTec cushioning system does a great job absorbing impact, reducing strain, and navigating uneven terrain. Yes, you will get the odd stone stuck in the holes, or wedged in the sole, but their ability to compress horizontally and vertically makes for a forgiving walk. At 430 grams (15.1 ounces), they're light too, and the Missiongrip rubber sole is reassuringly secure.

Don't expect the same level of support and performance as you'll get from the Innov-a or Salomon, but the use of 85 percent recycled polyester, and the clean, simple one-pull, no-tie lacing system makes them a contemporary, on-trend, go-anywhere option that won't disappoint. Also available in women's fit and a waterproof version.

Founded in the British Lake District, Inov-8 has been making award-winning trail running footwear for years, and the latest Roclite Pro walking boot distills this expertise into an impressively light (400 grams or 14.1 ounces), rugged option for all seasons. They offer a secure fit without the bulk of a more traditional boot and have a generous toe box that makes them especially comfortable if you have larger feet. The rip-stop upper, while supple, feels hardwearing, while all-over Gore-Tex takes care of any puddle problems.

But our favorite aspect of these boots is the deeply impressive G-GRIP rubber sole enhanced with graphene, a wonder material that distributes impact force better than any known material. The result is a ridiculously grippy boot that clings effortlessly to wet rocks, tree roots, and even tree branches and is designed to last longer than traditional rubber.

The grip is also helped by the deep rubber cleats that merrily tear up trails without clogging. Combined with a flexible rock plate in the sole that prevents sharp items from hurting your feet and you've got a superb boot right out of the box.

Adrienne So

Scott Gilbertson

Simon Hill

Parker Hall

They're a world away from the brand's recent high-end fashion collaborations and on-trend 1TRL collection, but if you're looking for a pair of no-nonsense, comfortable, and supportive walking boots and have a limited budget, the Moab 3 might be perfect. Yes, they're ugly, quite heavy (980 grams, or 2.1 pounds), and have a decidedly "practical Dad" vibe, but with a Gore-Tex lining and tough build, they're a solid bet if you're new to hiking or simply want a do-everything design for all weather.

I tested the mid-height men's boot in medium width and was impressed by the comfort. With absolutely no break-in period, I happily wore them on long walks, as well as general everyday wear to the park. They don't have the rigidity or support of the Salomon Quest 4, but that's arguably a good thing if you're looking to ease yourself into hiking. They do have plenty of cushioning, the thick suede and stitching is durable (I've had several pairs of Moab over the years and never seen a busted seam), and while the 5-mm lugs on the tread make it better suited to firm ground--clogging up in thick mud--the Vibram TC5+ sole grips all manner of surfaces with ease.

Tricky to categorize but easy to like, the North Face Vective Exploris 2 Mid is equal parts trail shoe and hiking boot. It offers a generously cushioned rocker-profiled sole that loves to move quickly across the trails, and enough support around the ankle and forefoot for longer, more challenging hikes and climbs. It also has a breathable and waterproof Futurelight membrane and impressively reinforced construction. A great mix of features for a mid-price boot.

As with the Keen (above), the rockered midsole profile can take a bit of getting used to, and may not suit those covering uneven ground with a heavy pack, but for day hiking we enjoyed the speed and security the mid-height design offered. The TPU plate helped with stability too, and, unsurprisingly, given the thickness of the foam, my feet were well protected from stones, branches, and general underfoot unpleasantness. This extra squish won't go down well with traditionalists, but combined with the extra sticky SurfaceCTRL rubber sole, I had high confidence in my foot placement.

Also available in women's fit, and heavier, plusher, less breathable leather design, they're also lighter than your average boot at 838 grams (1.8 pounds) for a pair. Check your sizing carefully, as I needed to go up half a size to find the perfect fit.

Every year, I buy a pair of Altra Lone Peaks. These are the official shoes of Portland, Oregon; I believe you're handed a pair at the city limits. Altra is a small, Utah-based company whose shoes are made to emulate a barefoot running experience without any of the actual discomfort of bare feet. From above, the shoes have a distinctive foot shape, with a wide toe box to let your toes spread, and minimal cushioning with a zero heel-to-toe drop, which means that your foot lies flat on the ground instead of on a slight incline as with most running shoes. This year's iteration has a lighter, more streamlined, and stitchless upper, and an upgraded outsole. However, it still retains the rock plate, big arrow-shaped lugs and comfortable fit that first drew me to the LPs so long ago. --Adrienne So

Adrienne So

Scott Gilbertson

Simon Hill

Parker Hall

Given how big and boat-like these shoes look on our feet, it's an engineering wonder that they weigh a mere 0.79 pounds (360 grams per shoe, size 8) while still offering the plushest level of cushioning and confidence-boosting support across a wide range of terrain. They also have the breathability of a pair of running shoes, which makes them ideal for dry, warm-weather excursions.

Given the chunky dimensions, some might be tempted to size down, but in truth, I'd actually take at least half a size up. My US 11/UK 10.5 sample had generous width, but only just enough length, which is unusual. Once you've found your size though, the shoe's Vibram mega grip sole and well-organized 5-mm lugs provide superb traction. Hoka has also incorporated a 100 percent recycled polyester upper here, as well as a sock liner made with 50 percent soybean oil. Thanks to the Gorecore hipster aesthetic and subtle (for Hoka) colorways, we expect to see more pairs in urban areas than on remote trails, but wherever you wear the Anacapa Breeze Low, your feet are in for a treat.

Reece Rogers

Jaime Stathis

Reece Rogers

Reece Rogers

Lauren Goode

David Nield

Adrienne So

Scott Gilbertson

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