The 11 Best Men’s Hiking Boots and Shoes (2024)

From $230

Style: Mid-calf boot | Waterproofing: Gore-Tex | Traction: Deep lugs

Bringing together the best qualities of old-school boots and new-school trail runners, these hardy hiking shoes from Salomon feature deep lugs that’ll grip onto any terrain, a reinforced toe, and breathable Gore-Tex to keep your feet nice and dry. Yet despite these features, they’re super-flexible on the foot. Mark Whitman of Mountain IQ told us he wears his pair in all seasons; writer and outdoor enthusiast Jael Goldfine recently section-hiked New York on the Appalachian Trail in a brand-new pair and confirms they broke in immediately. “They’re built like sneakers but have the support and tough exterior of a hiking boot,” she says. “They were immediately comfortable.”

$160

Style: Over-the-ankle boot | Waterproofing: Non-waterproof | Traction: Medium lugs

Utah brand Altra is known for its trail runners, but it makes ankle boots using the same lightweight tech. This pair is especially waterproof and durable thanks to a Gore-Tex-like membrane called eVent. They’re “made for fast, lightweight hiking, even thru-hiking, especially when the weather is a lot less than perfect,” says Strategist contributing writer James Lynch. “They have a waterproof upper, an aggressive tread pattern, and a wide, comfortable toe box.”

From $204

Style: Over-the-ankle boot | Waterproofing: Waterproof membrane | Traction: Deep lugs

Waterproof, sturdy, and relatively affordable, the Merrell Moab is a classic in the hiking-footwear genre for a reason. “Merrells are really easy to come by, and they’re always in stock,” says hiking guide Melissa Goodwin. “They don’t take a long time to break in because they’re flexible from the get-go.” For this reason, “they’re a lot of people’s first hiking shoe,” Goodwin says, and if you’re not planning on doing anything particularly technical, you could easily keep wearing them for life. Strategist stylecolumnist Chris Black is a Moab guy, saying these have earned the acronym “mother of all boots” for a reason and are basically the “Air Force 1 of hiking shoes.” And those who often find shoes too narrow will be pleased to know that Moabs come in two widths for optimum size customization.

$80

Style: Sneaker | Waterproofing: Non-waterproof | Traction: Medium lugs

And here are those aforementioned trail runners that Altra is famous for. These beefed-up sneakers are especially known for their splayed-out toe box, which gives a lot of wiggle room — vital for increasing circulation whether you’re walking or running. They feature a “zero drop” profile, meaning your toe sits at the same elevation as your heel for a more natural gait. If you haven’t worn zero-drop shoes before, this profile could take some getting used to. “Altra Lone Peaks are one of the more popular trail runners for thru-hikers,” says Harrison Bacordo, a hiker who completed the Pacific Crest Trail in September. “Though they assume a higher-than-average level of foot strength slash conditioning beforehand.” The Altras feature grippy lugs and a reinforced toe box for protection against rocks, but they still feel very light. “They sit in the sweet spot of protection and minimalism,” says Hazzard. “The more cushion and sole you have, the more removed from the trail the feel is.”

$155

Style: Sneaker | Waterproofing: Non-waterproof | Traction: Medium lugs

The super-cushioned Speedgoats come recommended by Bacordo, who used them for the majority of his thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. (He started with Speedgoat 4’s, then switched to Speedgoat 5’s after about 300 miles.) “Having only worn non-zero-drop shoes up until then, I didn’t want to risk an early on-trail injury by skipping over the transition period that shoes like Lone Peaks demand. So I leaned into non-zero-drop shoes that focused more on comfort and cushioning, which led me to Speedgoats. These shoes worked wonders for me and many other hikers I met on trail,” he says. The Speedgoats have a four-millimeter heel-to-toe drop and an airy mesh upper that breathes well.

$285

Style: Sneaker | Waterproofing: Non-waterproof | Traction: Medium lugs

These trail runners from Canadian brand Norda are more lightweight than the other pairs on this list, as well as more eco-friendly — their plant-based Dyneema fabric is manufactured using sustainably sourced wood pulp. Hiemstra’s had his pair for almost two years and says they’re his most-worn shoe whether he’s trail running, backpacking, day hiking, or just traveling. They can be laced tight or loose and benefit from a slightly chunky Vibram sole while never weighing down the foot. He also likes them for their unusually good looks: “I get compliments from the UPS guy, from the bodega man, at the climbing gym, and from the older gentlemen in line at the coffee stand. People love this shoe.”

From $86

Style: Sneaker | Waterproofing: Non-waterproof | Traction: Medium lugs

Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard has been trail running for more than ten years now and even completed five 100-milers. He’s a Brooks fan and says that the original cult-favorite running shoe is the best value for the money. “Other brands made improvements over the years, and the Cascadias fell out of favor for a long time, but in the last couple years they have been redesigned,” he says. “Now I think they’re perfect: really solid, mid-cushioning.” They’re also a little more affordable than the picks above.

$240

Style: Mid-calf boot | Waterproofing: Gore-Tex | Traction: Medium lugs

For those who like to feel that bounce as they walk, Hokas are known for their chunky cushioned soles. “They are great shoes when either your foot’s injured and you need something with extra cushion or if you don’t have the miles on your legs but have signed up for a long trail,” says Hazzard. “They’re very forgiving, very cushy — it’s like walking on a little mattress. It’s great for when you have to drastically increase your mileage without physically being prepared for it.”

From $154

Style: Over-the-ankle boot | Waterproofing: Waterproof membrane | Traction: Deep lugs

While Goodwin is loyal to her Altra trail runners for most of the year, during winter, she admits that a waterproof ankle boot becomes necessary on muddy and snowy trails. “Keens are my go-to,” she says. “If you’re more of a trail runner like me, they’re a good fit because they tend to have a wider toe box, just like Altras or Hokas.” Made from leather with a breathable and odor-reducing waterproof membrane, these boots (alongside a pair of toasty wool socks) are still lightweight enough for anyone used to doing most of their physical activity in sneakers.

$440

Style: Mid-calf boot | Waterproofing: Water-resistant leather | Traction: Low lugs

“If you’re looking for one boot to rule them all, the vintage styling of the Danner Mountain Light is iconic, and the one-piece leather design makes for a sturdy boot that can handle anything,” says Zina Bougri, a former account manager at Backcountry. “Once these babies mold to your feet, if you’re invested in the process, they should be absolutely comfortable within a month, if not just a few weeks.” We’d warn against them when undertaking any serious thru-hikes, but there’s no denying that these boots have timeless charm and will travel well.

From $90