Altra Lone Peak 4.0
Foot soldiers
Footwear
Our gear experts test the latest backpacking, trail running, hiking and camping boots and shoes in real trail conditions to help you find the best backcountry footwear to fit your needs. Whether you’re looking for a sturdy boot for stability on rocky trails or a lightweight minimalist trail running shoe, Backpacker has you covered with our comprehensive footwear reviews.
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
The 5 Best Recovery Shoes for Backpackers
Your feet deserve a little downtime. Pamper them with these 5 post-hike pairs.
Deal of the Month: Oboz Wind River III
This bomber boot offers tons of protection and comfort.
Salewa Wildfire Edge
Secure shoe
The Best Gear for Summer Trail Runs
Warm weather means it's time to go farther, and get there faster. Here are our top picks for summer trail runs, from smooth singletrack to alpine ridges.
Tested: The 7 Best Boots for Mountaineering
Going up? On routes that require more than just your standard hiking footwear, these boots will keep you on track.
La Sportiva Trango Tech GTX
The most affordable boot in the test is also durable.
Asolo Freney Mid GV
A plush interior makes this boot best for chilly ascents.
Salewa Raven 3
This do-anything boot excels all over the mountain.
Mammut Taiss Light Mid GTX
This boot proves good support doesn’t have to be heavy.
Garmont Ascent GTX
This boot’s traction and stiffness shine on steep climbs.
SCARPA Ribelle Tech OD
Great flexibility means no-problem approaches.
LOWA Alpine SL GTX
A reinforced upper boosts protection and cuts ounces.
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
Topo Athletic Terraventure 2
Best trail runner
Columbia Powderhouse Titanium Omni-Heat 3D OutDry Boot
Extreme conditions call for extreme boots.
Columbia Spinner Vent Moc
Camp shoe
Lowa Renegade GTX Mid
Classic style meets modern performance.
The Best Eco-Friendly Gear for Backpackers
These 5 pieces perform well on the trail and benefit the Earth.
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.
The Best Gear for Summer Adventures
The warmer months are in their final stretch, but they're not over yet. Make the most of the dog days with these 14 products.
Danner Mountain 600 EnduroWeave
Mixing the best of a low-top with mid-cut stability, this may be the perfect light boot.
2019 Gear Preview: Trail Running Shoes at Outdoor Retailer
Trail runners get dialed-in drop and extra support as customers train for their next ultrarun or thru-hike.
2019 Gear Preview: New Hiking Shoes at Outdoor Retailer
Hiking footwear gets decked out with proprietary components, race car rubber, and laceless cinching systems.
Deal of the Week: Merrell Trail Glove 4 Knit
Skip Prime Day and pick up this fleet-footed trail runner instead.
Mishmi Takin Kameng
This breathable boot is a swamp foot slayer.
Gear of the Week: Mishmi Takin Jampui
This light, waterproof boot is built to handle the heat.
Chaco Z/1 Classic
Expect more from your sandals.
The Best Trail Running Shoes for Backpackers
Eat up trail miles with these fleet-footed kicks.
The Best Hiking Boots for Backpackers
Need a little extra support on the trail? These mid-cut boots are here to help.
The Best Hiking Shoes of 2018
Somewhere between trail running shoes and mid-cut boots, there are light hikers. Find your happy medium with our picks.
Teva Ember Moc
These cozy slippers are made for winter camping.
11 New Products We Saw at Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show 2018
From a lighter winter boot to a tech-stuffed jacket, these eleven pieces of gear are what's coming next.
Treksta Libero
Grippy low-tops
The 5 Best New Hiking Boots of Winter 2017
A good backpacking trip starts with good footwear. Come prepared with these brand-new hiking boots and shoes.
LOWA Aerox GTX Mid Surround
Most Breathable
Under Armour Newell Ridge Mid Reactor
Best Traction
SCOTT Kinabalu Enduro
Best Trail Runner
Zamberlan 1000 Baltoro GTX
Best for Mountaineering
Adidas Terrex Conrax BOA
Warmest Boot
Vivobarefoot Primus Trail FG
Burly Barefoots
Five Ten Urban Approach
Versatile low-tops
Merrell Agility Peak Flex
Stable runner
Adidas Terrex Fast GTX Surround
Waterproof light hikers
Hanwag Banks II GTX
High-milege strider
KEEN Terradora
Women’s dayhiker
How to Prevent Blisters During Hikes
5 tips on keeping your feet dry, cool, and comfortable
The 14 Best New Hiking Boots and Shoes of 2017
The best boots and shoes of the year can rip their way up steep trail runs, traverse long trails, and tackle the roughest mountain routes. Pick your favorite and get out there.
Columbia Daska Pass III OutDry Extreme
Most waterproof
Lowa Irox GTX (w’s Lyxa GTX)
All-Mountain Boot
SCARPA Zodiac Plus GTX
Most Supportive
La Sportiva Nucleo High GTX
Best Traction
The North Face Ultra Gore-Tex Surround Mid
One-boot Quiver
AKU Alterra GTX
Best Fit
Vasque Breeze III GTX
Best All-Around
Altra Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Mid
Ultralight
SCARPA Epic Lite
Most versatile
Salomon Odyssey Pro
Most comfortable
Oboz Crest Low BDry
Most durable
Brooks Caldera
Best ride
On Cloudventure Waterproof
Best for wet trails
Dynafit Feline Vertical
Best traction
Asolo Drifter GV
Savor protection where you need it most.
Kahtoola Microspikes
Slip no more.