- Good footwear can turn a day on the trail from a slog to a skip if it fits well and is designed for the task at hand.
- We've selected a range of footwear for every possible trail user. Below are our best picks for hitting the trail in spring, summer, or winter.
- Our top pick overall, the Vasque St. Elias FG GTX reap big benefits from modern technology. They have taken me everywhere, from hot summer hikes to springtime multiday trips.
No matter how far or how fast you intend to hike, you'll need good footwear. Although some of the shoes featured in this guide might seem expensive, it's important to remember that they are about the only cost you'll incur if you want to start hiking. If you've got good footwear, access to the outdoors, and a bottle of water, you're good to go.
A recent debate, driven by gram-counting, ultralight thru-hikers, has been over traditional high-ankle hiking boots and trail-running shoes. Boots offer dependable support, waterproofing, and ankle protection. Shoes, meanwhile, are lighter, often more comfortable, and dry much more quickly when crossing rivers.
Ultimately, the decision is an individual one, so we've included both options here. I have always been a boots person, but I am relatively large and tall, making the extra weight less of an issue. And I have had enough falls riding bikes and climbing that I care more about protecting my ankles than a few extra grams on the trail.
We have tested each of the picks in this guide and comprehensively researched other users' experiences as well as reviews from reputable outdoor sites to compile this guide.
Here are the best hiking boots and trail shoes you can buy:
- Best men's classic hiking boot overall: Vasque St. Elias GTX FG
- Best men's shoe for summer hiking: Danner Trail 2650
- Best men's high-ankle hiking/approach shoe: Hoka One One Sky Arkali
- Best men's mountaineering boot: La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX
- Best men's shoe for hot and wet summer hikes: Chaco Z2
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