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If you are hiking through the Colorado wilderness, exploring icy glaciers in Alaska, or discovering ancient rainforests in South America, choosing the right pair of hiking boots can make all the difference to your outdoor adventure.
There is a wide range of hiking boots available for both men and women, but they may not suit all types of outdoor activities.
The 5 Best Hiking Boots
- Salomon Men’s Cross Hike Mid GTX Hiking Boots
- Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Suede Waterproof Hiking Boots
- NORTIV 8 Men’s Leather Waterproof Hiking Boots (Our Top Pick for Men)
- Merrell Women’s Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots
- Asolo Stynger Gore-Tex Women’s Hiking Boot (Our Top Pick for Women)
Our Top Picks for the Best Hiking Boots
Our top pick for the best hiking boots for men is the NORTIV 8 Men’s Leather Waterproof Hiking Boots.
Exploring the rugged mountains or blazing a wilderness trail can take a toll on your feet, but not when you wear the NORTIV 8 hiking boots. These leather boots provide superior durability, support, comfortability, and grip, which make them a smart investment for the avid hiking enthusiast.
Our top pick for the best hiking boots for women is the Asolo Stynger Gore-Tex Women’s Hiking Boots.
For the lady adventurer, the Asolo Boots are super stylish and with a high level of comfort and support, these tough boots can handle almost any kind of terrain and weather.
Choice of Hiking Terrain
The first thing to consider when you are on the hunt for your perfect pair of hiking boots is to consider what you will be using them for. Some boots are specifically designed for hiking with a heavy backpack across rocky terrain and crossing an icy river, while other boots are more lightweight and are ideal for a day’s stroll through the woods.
Whether you are cross-training or walking along a familiar path in a local forest or planning to trek through a more exotic location overseas, the comfort level and the durability of the hiking boots are paramount. Ultimately, you need to ask the question: are the hiking boots able to match up with the level of hiking that you plan to do?
Hiking boots may excel in some areas such as providing you with good midsole and ankle support, others may have excellent waterproofing abilities. However, they may not have very good traction on slippery surfaces or for rough terrain.
To save yourself from the frustration of wearing out your snazzy new boots too soon on terrain that they are not designed for, and more importantly to save you from spending money on expensive and inadequate footwear, here are tips to help you choose the best hiking boots that are tailor-made for you.
Choosing the Perfect Pair of Hiking Boots
Hiking Boots vs Hiking Shoes
Hiking footwear comes in two styles: over-the-ankle boot or low-top shoe.
The over-the-ankle boot is the most common type of hiking footwear. Sturdy with good protection and support, over-the-ankle hiking boots are ideal for medium to heavy-grade hiking over rough terrain, climbing rocks, and carrying heavy camping gear or a backpack.
The low-top shoe looks similar to an exercise shoe. However, it is made from sturdy construction and can provide you with a good level of protection and support. It is more lightweight than an over-the-ankle boot as it is primarily designed for when you need to move fast.
This slimline hiking shoe is ideal for walking along even terrains such as forest paths or low-grade walking tracks through the wilderness.
3 Types of Hiking Boots: Lightweight, Midweight, Heavyweight
In the hiking boot category, there are three groups: lightweight, mid-weight, and heavyweight. These three categories relate to the durability and weight of the material the boots are made from, their ankle and foot support, and the traction ability of the under-sole.
– Lightweight Hiking Boots
Lightweight hiking boots or shoes are made from lighter material, without compromising on durability or quality. They are a great choice for day trips, overnight backpacking holidays, or for jogging along forest paths.
Some manufacturers make their lightweight hiking boots to be tough enough to give you the support and comfort you need for a mid-level trek that might take you across some uneven terrain.
– Mid-weight Hiking Boots
Mid-weight hiking boots are the best choice for light to medium-level hiking. They are made from a very sturdy construction such as durable leather uppers and have a good level of waterproofing.
They will have padded collars that will support your ankles and provide good support and stability in the under-sole for when you are traveling with a backpack across rougher terrain. However, they are still lightweight enough so you can store them away in your backpack when you are camping.
– Heavyweight Hiking Boots
If you are a serious hiker or a professional who has your eyes set on traversing icy glaciers, exploring volcanoes, or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, heavyweight hiking boots are made from tough construction that can withstand extreme temperatures.
Heavyweight boots are designed with a host of features that will give you the extra support and comfort you need for long periods of exploring the wild outdoors. They can take a battering from you and your surroundings as they are made from full-grain leather uppers, and they will have very good waterproofing abilities due to theirGore-Texliners.
They will have extra padding for the ankles and thick ridged soles such as the Vibram IceTrek outsole.Thick outsoles will give you very good tread that provides you with a high level of traction for slippery surfaces.
If you are going to be carrying a lot of weight and hiking for long periods in very rough, cold, and wet conditions, a pair of heavyweight boots is the best choice.
Besides the different styles of hiking boots, there are other specifications to consider. To help you find your best fit, here are 4 tips for choosing your new pair of hiking boots.
4 Tips for Choosing Your New Boots
1. Comfort and Support
How a hiking boot feels on your feet is one of the most important aspects of finding the best fit for you. How your foot feels in the footbed. Does the boot provide adequate support under the midsole? Does it give you proper torsional stability so that your feet can naturally adjust to the ground?
Good stability means less fatigued feet on rough terrain, especially when you are carrying a heavy load.
Some manufacturers design their boots with a molded EVA Ortholite removable footbed that conforms to the shape of your foot and provides you with extra support.
Other questions that you need to consider are:
- Do the boots cater to people who have high arches?
- Is there adequate room in the toe box?
- Does the boot provide padding around the ankle and do the laces tie up securely, which gives the boots a snug fit and provides you with that extra maneuverability when you are trekking up a steep hill?
These comfort specifications are important, especially if you are going to be wearing the boots for long periods.
The best hiking boots give you confidence and peace of mind before embarking on your hiking expedition. You know the boot is reliable if it has the support to prevent you from twisting your ankle on uneven terrain. The padding around the ankle and the extra room in the toe box will stop you from getting painful blisters.
While hiking boots cannot prevent all foot-related disasters, they should fit you well and be well suited for your activity.
2. Breathable Membrane
One of the worst things about closed-in shoes that have been on your feet for a while, especially in hot conditions, is the smell.
Hiking boots that have a breathable membrane will help you to keep cool and dry, while also eliminating nasty odors from perspiration, such as Gore-Tex Duratherm fabric orhydrophobic mesh liningthat protects your feet from getting wet, while also allowing the material to breathe.
3. Water Resistance/Waterproofing
Water-resistance is at the top of the hiker’s list for the ‘must-have’ specifications of a good hiking boot. Waterproof does not always mean the boot will not get wet.
If the rain is pouring and you are wading through a stream, all the waterproofing in the world cannot stop your boots from being waterlogged. Still, this being said, many manufacturers who specialize in hiking and especially military-style footwear are constantly looking for new technologies to give you the best waterproofing protection available.
Full-grain leather with a specially treated polyurethane (PU) coating offers you a very good level of waterproof protection, and also makes the material lightweight and flexible.
Gore-tex is one of the strongest water repellent material on the market. Some manufacturers design their boots with a waterproof and breathable bootie that is inserted in between the outer fabric and interior of the boot.
4. Durability
Durability is important, but in time, and especially if you are doing a lot of heavy-duty hiking expeditions, all boots will wear out. The seams will begin to come apart, waterproof membranes will start leaking, and the sole will wear down or come off.
However, hiking boots have come a long way and new and improved materials are being used by many companies. So there are a plethora of strong and sturdy hiking boots that will stand the test of time.
Whether you spend $50 or $230 on your hiking boots, it is the reputation of the manufacturer and their dedication to using the best material and technologies available, which can deliver the support and protection you need.
10 Tips For Looking After Your Hiking Boots
- Before you use your boots, spray your boots with waterproofing spray. This will increase the water-resistant level of the material.
- Keep your boots in tip-top condition by reapplying waterproofing treatments. In particular, leather footwear needs conditioning to prevent cracking or splitting.
- If you have narrow feet, choose half a size up from your normal shoe size.
- Clean your boots after hiking. Remove laces and footbeds so that you get into the tight spaces. Brush off mud and grime with a soft brush and a bowl of warm water. A build-up of sweat can actually damage leather and block the waterproof membranes, which can reduce the overall breathability and longevity of your footwear. To clean the inside of your hiking boots fill them with lukewarm water, leave them overnight, tip the water out, and leave them to dry.
- Store your hiking boots in a clean, dry place.
- Before putting your feet into your boots, check to see if any insects are lurking inside.
- For extra protection in extreme conditions, wear thermal or Merino wool socks.
- If you are hiking in heavy snowy conditions or have to wade through a river, gaiters can give you extra water protection. While it may not keep water completely out, it will help your boots to dry quicker and can keep the majority of water, snow, and trail debris from entering over the top of the boot.
- Although some manufacturers design their hiking boots with good support for people who have high arches, you can get extra orthopedic support by buying shoe insoles such as Superfeet.
- Besides knowing how to take care of your hiking boots, taking care of yourself and friends and family while trekking in the wilderness is extremely important. To be a savvy hiker – it is a good idea to acquaint yourself with somesafe wilderness hiking tips.
5 Best Hiking Boots – Reviews
1.Salomon Men’s Cross Hike Mid GTX Hiking Boots
Although these smart-looking Salomon Men’s Cross Hike Mid GTX Hiking Boots are made from a lightweight material, they can either be used for a short hike through the woods, or for hiking over more uneven terrain.
Featuring Salomon’s smart hiking boot technology, SensiFit foothold, and a breathable molded EVA Ortholite sock liner, the Cross Hike Mid Authentic GTX Hiking Boots for Men provides your feet with stability and cushioning. The multidirectional Chevron lug pattern on the outsole has a good grip for better traction on slippery and uneven surfaces.
These boots also have a rubber toe and heel cap for extra protection against sharp rocks. Padding around the ankle and the ergonomic gusseted tongue gives you all-day comfort. The Gore-Tex waterproof membrane makes sure that your feet will stay warm and dry and the Quicklace system allows you to tighten up the laces for a snug fit.
You can choose from a range of sizes and 3 trendy designs. Some people may find that the sizes are too big, so it is recommended that you choose half a size down from your normal boot size.
Pros
- Ideal for light to moderate trails
- Very good value for money
- Ergonomic design
- Very comfortable
- Good traction
- Good waterproofing
- Warm
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty hiking
- Low arch support: may not be ideal for high arches
- Plastic eyelets break easily
- Narrow fit
2.Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Suede Waterproof Hiking Boots
Columbia is well known for its intuitive footwear design and its dedication to providing high-quality hiking boots is evident with these durable boots that can endure the toughest of conditions. TheColumbia Men’s Newton Ridge Suede Waterproof Hiking Bootsare made from strong PU coated waterproof leather upper and suede, with a mesh Techlite™ material that is lightweight and flexible.
The EVA midsoles give you long-lasting comfort and superior cushioning, and the Omni-Grip™ non-marking traction rubber outsole has good shock absorption and provides your feet with a secure grip when you are walking on slippery and uneven surfaces.
These boots have D-caps lace closure, which can be firmly tied all the way up to the ankles, the mesh tongue is breathable, and the front part of the boot has a rubber cap for extra toe protection. The Newtons are ideal for long hikes, and if you are walking through snow, their seam-sealed construction makes sure that your feet stay warm and dry.
You can choose from a variety of colors and there is a wide range of sizes. If you have a narrow foot, choose half a size up from your normal boot size.
Pros
- Affordable
- High-quality construction
- Very comfortable
- Good support
- Good waterproofing ability
Cons
- Feels heavy after a long hike
- Not very good ankle support
3.NORTIV 8 Men’s Leather Waterproof Hiking Boots
When it comes to exploring rough terrain in extremely cold and snowy conditions, NORTIV 8 has designed tough Men’s Leather Waterproof Hiking Boots that ensure the highest level of protection and comfortability.
These streamlined mid-ankle hiking boots are designed using modern technology which provides your feet with the shock absorption and breathability that is necessary for vigorous activities like walking, running, or climbing. The result is a durable boot that feels lightweight and comfortable.
The premium leather upper is extra thick and provides excellent waterproof protection. Your feet will stay dry all day long as the inner mesh textile lining absorbs sweat and allows for better air circulation and a more comfortable hiking experience.
If you need to climb over rocks or walk on slippery surfaces, the thick Aosolite insole and MD midsole provide you with good arch support. The rubber sole has a deep insertion lug design that is wear-resistant and non-slip. Your toes and heels are protected by the front and rear rubber wrap design. The integrated tongue prevents debris from entering the boots and the lace closure ensures a snug fit.
NORTIV 8 offers these hiking boots in 4 stylish black and brown colors and a range of sizes.
Pros
- Ideal for winter conditions
- High-quality construction
- Very good waterproof ability
- Durable
- Warm
- Good cushioning and traction
- Very comfortable
- Four stylish colors
Cons
- Can be a little narrow on some feet
4.Merrell Women’s Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots
Whether you are backpacking on a day trip through a tropical rainforest or hiking along the Inca Trail, the Merrell Women’s Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots guarantee an excellent level of support, protection, and comfort.
Merrell has redesigned these hiking boots with durable but lightweight synthetic leather and mesh uppers that conform to the shape of your foot and protect your feet in rough outdoor conditions. Perfect for showers or downpours, the Gore-Tex antibacterial lining is waterproof and breathable.
These boots have a removable EVA contoured footbed and a molded nylon arch shank, which is especially important for those hikers who have high arches. If you are walking over rocky terrain, your ankles will have all the support they need from the mid-cut height and the special air cushion in the heel.
Your toes will be protected from sharp objects as the toe cap is made from thick rubber. The thick rubber Vibram outsole with multi-directional lugs on the tread gives you top-notch traction.
Stylish as well as functional, the Merrell hiking boots are available in a wide range of fashionable colors and there are sizes to suit just about any type of foot.
Pros
- Excellent protection, comfort, and support
- Ideal for low to medium-level hiking
- Lightweight
- Waterproof
- Antibacterial
- Very good support for high arches
- Very good traction
- Fashion colors
- Very good fit
Cons
- Pricey
- Thick rubber on the sole and toe can make the boot stiff
5.Asolo Stynger Gore-Tex Women’s Hiking Boot
For super comfortable and stylish footwear that can protect your feet in the toughest outdoor conditions, the Asolo Stynger Gore-Tex Women’s Hiking Boot can take you where other hiking boots fear to tread.
Asolo combines ground-breaking technological design and superior materials to create a pair of resilient hiking boots that offer you a high level of comfort and support.
The boot’s uppers are made from a mix of soft water-resistant suede and nylon, a fabric that is renowned for its long-lasting durability and abrasion-resistance in rough environments. A waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex membrane keeps your feet warm and dry in wintry conditions and fresh in summer.
The Syncro-PU sole and self-clean lugs provide an optimal traction performance on various terrains.
One of the highlights of the Asolo GTX is the exclusively designed lacing system, which allows you to tie the laces securely for a snug fit, which also increases maneuverability on rough, steep trails.
For those trails that have uneven terrain, these boots provide you with very good arch support and flexibility. There is plenty of padding for your ankle and toes to minimize blisters or jarring.
Although the boots may be a little narrow for some people’s feet, it is recommended that you can choose half a size up from your normal shoe size. The boots are available in 2 attractive colors: Earth/Tortora or Grapeade/Gunmetal.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- Ideal for rough terrain and very cold temperatures and summer
- Excellent traction
- Roomy
- Very good arch support
- Very good level of waterproofing
- Lightweight and breathable
- Very comfortable
Cons
- Can be narrow for some feet
Our Top Picks for the Best Hiking Boots
Our top pick for the best hiking boots for men is the NORTIV 8 Men’s Leather Waterproof Hiking Boots.
Exploring the rugged mountains or blazing a wilderness trail can take a toll on your feet but not when you wear the NORTIV 8 hiking boots. These leather boots provide superior durability, support, comfortability, and grip, which make them a smart investment for the avid hiking enthusiast.
Our top pick for the best hiking boots for women is the Asolo Stynger Gore-Tex Women’s Hiking Boots.
For the lady adventurer, the Asolo Boots are super stylish and with a high level of comfort and support, these tough boots can handle almost any kind of terrain and weather.
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