The 10 Men's Hiking Boots and Shoes Our Testers Swear By
40 pairs went into the backcountry. Only a select few survived a season of thru-hikes, scrambling, and guiding.
Hiking Boots
Find the best breathable, supportive hiking boots for your next backpacking trip with expert advice from Backpacker Magazine’s hiking boot reviews.
The Best Hiking Boots for Winter (2026)
These kicks have the insulation, waterproofing, and support to keep you on-trail through the cold season.
Latest in Hiking Boots
Deal of the Week: The Hoka Anacapa Mid 2 GTX Is a Hiking Boot With a Running Shoe’s Soul
This do-anything mid may just rekindle your love for the category—and it's on sale now.
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Hike. Create. Repeat.
Meet two artists who want you to be a maker, too
Wanna Go Fast? Try These Speedy New Oboz Hiking Shoes
For day hikes, you can do no better than this low-top-sneaker fusion from Oboz.
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The Shoe Designed for Thru-Hikers
Developed and tested on the Pacific Crest Trail—the new adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2.0 is your next long-distance shoe
Long Term Test: The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Insulated Futurelight
These boots are the only ones you’ll need all winter long
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The Iconic Merrell Moab Just Got Better
Who knew the famous comfort, durability, and versatility of the Merrell Moab could be improved?
An Ode to the Best Pair of Hiking Boots I’ll Ever Wear
I came for their looks. I stayed for their all-day comfort and all-terrain performance.
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3 Life-List Hikes and the Shoes to Match
Put these world-class treks on your bucket list, and get the right footwear for success
Outside Gear Spotlight: Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite Mid GTX
Check out BACKPACKER Editors and Contributors's author page.
Outside Gear Spotlight: Salewa Mountain Trainer Mid GTX
Sometimes, you need a boot that can stand up to the toughest terrain.
Save Your Ankles With These Ultra-Supportive Boots
Bonus: the Scarpa Ribelle HD is crampon compatible.
Ecco Exohike Retro Hiker
Check out Jackie Bourgaize's author page.
Mammut Sapuen High GTX
The best all-around footwear of 2021
Danner Trail 2650 Campo
The most breathable footwear of 2021
Northside Stimson Ridge Mid WP
The best value footwear of 2021
HOKA ONE ONE TenNine Hike GTX
The best cushioned footwear of 2021
Oboz Sypes Low Leather B-DRY
The most versatile footwear of 2021
Asolo Corax GV
The footwear with best support of 2021
AKU Rock DFS Mid GTX
The best fitting footwear of 2021
Vasque Breeze LT GTX
Light-and-mighty boot
adidas Terrex Free Hiker Parley
Most Comfortable
Jack Wolfskin Force Striker Texapore Mid
Most Stable
Hoka One One Challenger Mid Gore-Tex
Best Stride
Tecnica Plasma Mid
Best Fit
La Sportiva Saber GTX
Best All-Around Light Hiking Boot
Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite Mid GTX
Best footwear for technical terrain
Oboz Arete Mid Waterproof
Most protective footwear
LOWA Innox Pro GTX LO
Light but sturdiest footwear
Garmont 9.81 N AIr G S Mid GTX
Most comfortable footwear
Merrell Altalight Knit Mid
Most durable footwear
Altra Tushar
Footwear with the best traction
Danner Arctic 600 Side-Zip
Warmest boot
Vasque Coldspark Ultradry
Best value boot
Hanwag Alverstone II GTX
Best traction
Jack Wolfskin Wilderness Lite Texapore Mid
Best support
KEEN Terradora Winter Lace Boot WP
Women's boot pick
BACKPACKER's Favorite Old Gear
Every piece of gear starts off new and shiny. But then come the miles. And the rocks. And the sun and the rain and the marmots. The stuff that lasts becomes part of our trip memories, intertwined with the journey. We keep using these things because we love them—and we love bucking our throwaway culture. Guides, editors, and testers share some all-time favorites here, and we hope your shiny new gear will someday look the same.
HOKA ONE ONE Sky Toa
Best ride
LOWA Baldo GTX
Best support
SCARPA ZG Trek GTX
Best stability
Zamberlan 331 Amelia GTX WNS
Women’s pick
Merrell Chameleon 7 Mid Waterproof
Most versatile
Helly Hansen Vanir Gallivant HT
Best traction
Tecnica Plasma S GTX
Editors' choice update
Vasque Breeze LT GTX
Most agile
adidas Terrex Free Hiker
Most comfortable
Arc’teryx Aerios FL Mid GTX
Best for speed-hiking
Columbia Powderhouse Titanium Omni-Heat 3D OutDry Boot
Extreme conditions call for extreme boots.
Lowa Renegade GTX Mid
Classic style meets modern performance.
KEEN Targhee III Waterproof Mid
Eco-friendly leather and a supportive ankle make this a boot that made us feel good about our choices.
Deal of the Week: Salewa Alp Flow Mid GTX Hiking Boot
Strut into savings with this trusty mid-cut.
Danner Mountain 600 EnduroWeave
Mixing the best of a low-top with mid-cut stability, this may be the perfect light boot.
Gear of the Week: Mishmi Takin Jampui
This light, waterproof boot is built to handle the heat.
The Best Hiking Boots for Backpackers
Need a little extra support on the trail? These mid-cut boots are here to help.
LOWA Aerox GTX Mid Surround
Most Breathable
Under Armour Newell Ridge Mid Reactor
Best Traction
Zamberlan 1000 Baltoro GTX
Best for Mountaineering
Adidas Terrex Conrax BOA
Warmest Boot
Adidas Terrex Fast GTX Surround
Waterproof light hikers
Hanwag Banks II GTX
High-milege strider
Columbia Daska Pass III OutDry Extreme
Most waterproof