The Best Hiking Shoes for Every Kind of Aspiring Outdoorsman

If you're itching to get into the Great Outdoors™, the best hiking shoes for men will be your best trail companions. Whether your idea of getting some fresh air means a brisk stroll through the park or traversing up the side of a mountain, you've got to dress the part—and that means wearing shoes that'll get you comfortably and confidently to the end of the trail on your own two feet, no emergency stretchers necessary.

The Best Hiking Shoes Shopping Guide

• The Overall Pick: Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex Hiking Boots, $160
• The Budget Pick: Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Boots, $150 $94
• The Everyday Pick: Scarpa Mojita Shoes, $189
• The Comfiest Pick: Hoka Kaha 2 GTX Hiking Boots, $240
• The Retroiest Pick: Danner Mountain Light Boots, $440

The best men’s hiking shoes for men need to deliver on performance, of course: we're talking outsoles with excellent grip, insoles with plenty of support, and outer shells engineered for water protection and breathability. But they also need to look good—with the gorpcore aesthetic still thriving in 2024, you should both want and be able to rock your hikers off-trail. From heavy-duty backpacking boots to trail hikers to hybrid approach shoes, there’s a whole mountain range of hiking footwear to choose from. But don’t worry, because we’ve gathered the 11 best hiking boots that all those marks and then some. So what are you waiting for? Pick your poison, lace 'em up tight, and then get on out there.

What We Looked For

Weight: The lighter the shoe, the easier it'll be to hike for long distances. But it's not just about how heavy a shoe is.

Height: Though low-cut shoes are lighter, they're also less protective and don't provide the ankle support of a taller hiking boot. Consider the season. You may want a low-cut hiking shoe for the warmer months and to reduce weight. For the cooler seasons, a hiking boot that can provide more warmth and also keep water and debris out of your socks is better.

Grip: Traction is key for hiking, especially considering the varied terrain you can encounter.

Comfort: Well-cushioned outsoles, midsoles, and insoles are imperative for keeping your feet from fatiguing. Additionally, shanks help keep your arch supported.

Waterproofness and breathability: The weather is an important factor to consider when buying a pair of hiking shoes. For precipitous situations or terrain that might include trekking through puddles, you'll want a waterproof shoe. Gore-tex tends to be the most waterproof material, but many brands will opt to use other materials.

The Best Hiking Shoes Overall

Over the past few years, French mountaineering outfitter Salomon has crossed over from the Alps into the fashion world. While the brand's sleek trail runners have been the shoe du jour for all the stylish people you know—and even landed our Sneaker of the Year honor back in 2019—their flagship hiking shoe deserves equal praise. The Salomon X Ultra 4’s feature outsoles with a variety of rubber lugs for excellent traction for any kind of terrain, the upper chassis provides maximum stability, and the pillowy soft foam insoles cradle your feet with a snug-but-comfortable fit. They're gorp-y and modern without looking too Spy Kids futuristic, striking the perfect balance of aesthetics and function that's ideal for any outfit.

The Best Budget Hiking Boots

Considered by many hikers to be the best of the best, the Moab 3 Mid is built to handle the roughest of terrains. Unparalleled grip, a waterproof yet breathable upper, and stellar ankle support make it a consistent best seller among novice and advanced hikers alike. The mix of synthetic materials and natural suede uppers land the Moab smack in between the rugged heritage of an old-school alpine boot and the advanced modernism of a do-it-all trail shoe. That is to say: its looks are lovably granola. And we love that they come in different versions for different climates, including non-waterproof breathable low-tops.

The Best Everyday Hiking Shoes

Despite what hardcore multi-day backpackers might have you believe, hiking can be a pretty chill affair that doesn't require the most strapped of crag-gripping boots. In fact, there are plenty of lowkey hiking shoes that can take on a light hike like a walk in the park and, uh, actually go for a walk in the park without looking like you're way too overprepared. Scarpa's Mojito shoes are just that. They’re a low-cut, lightweight approach shoe with sneaker-like looks that make them great for off-trail endeavors bopping around the city, but the cushioned midsole, protective toe cap, and Vibram outsole also make them completely capable of breezy hikes.

The Comfiest Hiking Boots

The Hoka Kaha 2 boots have maintained their place atop the hiking shoe mountain thanks to a heaping helping of cloud-like comfort and rock-solid grip. The ultra-thick EVA midsole is the plushest-feeling out of the bunch and Hoka's SwallowTail heel gives every step a smooth landing. The Vibram megagrip lug soles ensure you'll keep your footing on any terrain and the waterproof Gore-tex uppers mean you won't have to think twice when you come across a puddle. And don't let their undeniable chunkiness fool you—they're way lighter than they appear.

The Best Classic Hiking Boots

Danner's classic Mountain boots made a serious impression when they first debuted in the 1970s and they're still making a great impression to this day. They feature a single-piece full-grain leather upper, a supportive fiberglass shank, a waterproof Gore-tex lining, and a grippy Vibram kletterlift outsole. At a hefty 29 ounces per shoe, they're more than double the weight of some of the other options on this list and come with an inherent break-in period, which will undoubtedly turn some people off. But the classic old-school alpine looks will outlast any design trend so if you're into the aesthetics now, you can bet you'll still be into them years from now. Not only that, they're also the only hiking shoe on this list that's fully re-soleable. Thanks to the stitchdown construction, the Mountain Light can easily be recrafted by your local cobbler. They may be the heaviest. They may be the most expensive. But they're also the most durable.

Plus 6 More Hiking Shoes We Love