I've personally tested and reviewed approximately 40 of the best hiking shoes from the best brands, including Altra, HOKA, Oboz, Salomon, and La Sportiva. That's the benefit of hiking 1,000+ miles every year testing hiking footwear—and managing hiking footwear at Appalachian Outdoors. With all my hiking experience and outdoor industry experience, I know how most hiking shoes fit and how they stack up to each other. Most importantly, I know how to choose a pair that suits your body, budget, and hiking style. This top ten list highlights the best hiking shoes for men and women with notes on each shoe's "best fit" and "best match."
Enjoying Goblin Valley, Utah in his and hers hiking shoes
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10 Best Hiking Shoes of 2026
SALOMON X ULTRA 5 GTX
Best Hiking Shoe for Stability & Agility
Main Benefits:
Updated for 2025, the Salomon X Ultra 5 Low has upgraded the look and feel of the X Ultra 4. The latest version of Salomon's best-selling hiking shoe has a moderately stiff feel with moderate cushioning and moderate flex at the foot's natural flex-point—a great balance between stability and agility. It's also stacked with a waterproof-breathable GORE-TEX membrane (optional) and mixed tread for multisurface trails. I've personally hiked more than 1000 miles in X Ultras and have tested the X Ultra 5 Mid. This shoe's uncommon mix of support and weight savings means it appeals to most day hikers. Plus, it's availabe in both standard and wide sizes, so it fits a wide range of hiking feet.
Best Fit
standard (slightly narrow) fit,
available in wide sizes
Best Match
moderate/difficult day hikes, best in dirt, scree, snow, mud
Men's Salomon X Ultra 5 Low GTX
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Women's Salomon X Ultra 5 Low GTX
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MAMMUT SERTIG III
Best New Hiking Shoe for 2026
Main Benefits:
New in 2026, the Mammut Sertig III is the best new hiking shoe I've tested and reviewed this year. Like the X Ultra 5 above, it's the rare hiking shoe that's both lightweight and supportive. It's also well-cushioned while featuring a durably waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX membrane and plus-traction that's worked for me on tough mountain trails. The only downside for me is fit: The Sertig III is not available in wide and may require you to size up one full size from your everyday shoe size to get a good hiking fit. The Mammut Sertig II was one of my favorite trail running shoes. Totally redesigned for 2026, the Mammut Sertig III is one of my favorite hiking shoes.
To learn more, see my full Sertig III review.
Best Fit
standard to slightly wide feet
(everyone should size up)
Best Match
all types of day hiking, including hard day hikes
Men's Mammut Sertig III Low
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Women's Mammut Sertig III Low
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ADIDAS TERREX FREE HIKER SL
New Lightweight Hiking Shoe for 2026
Main Benefits:
Also new 2026, the adidas TERREX Free Hiker SL is an athletic hiking shoe that can handle fast-moving hikes over moderate terrain. The SL is lighter than the original Free Hiker (below) with a roomier fit and more aggressive build. I like wearing mine for fast-moving fitness hikes up and down mountain switchbacks, but the Free Hiker SL also feels at home on urban trails and more mellow hikes. The "speed laces"—which give this shoe it's "SL" name—may be a pro or a con. Either way, this is my favorite adidas TERREX hiking shoe.
For more, see my full Free Hiker SL review
Best Fit
standard
Best Match
fast hikes on mixed terrain, urban trails
Men's adidas TERREX Free Hiker SL GTX
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Women's adidas TERREX Free Hiker SL GTX
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HOKA ANACAPA 2 LOW
Best Max Cushion Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
Most lightweight hiking shoes cut cushioning to cut weight—not the HOKA Anacapa 2. HOKAs first hiking shoe is lightweight with maximum cushion to provide shock absorption on the trail. Plus, HOKA tricked this shoe out with premium features, such as GORE-TEX waterproofing and Vibram Megagrip outsoles. I have hundreds of miles of first-hand experience in the Anacapa Mid but prefer the Anacapa Low. Choose the Anacapa GTX (GORE-TEX) for a waterproof hiking shoe or the Anacapa Breeze for a more ventilated hiking shoe.
Best Fit
standard feet
runs slightly large
Best Match
max cushion fans,
day hikers, fast & light hikers
Men's HOKA Anacapa Low
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Women's HOKA Anacapa Low
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OBOZ KATABATIC WIND
Best Lightweight Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
Most lightweight hiking shoes are glorified sneakers—not the Oboz Katabatic Wind. The most technically advanced Katabatic is a "supershoe" with a carbon plate and nitrogen-infused foam for good energy return, comfort, and support on the trail. This shoe is made for moving fast over mountainous terrain. I wear mine for my mid-week fitness hikes, when I pick up my pace to burn extra calories. If you're a fastpacker or day hiker who wants a lightweight hiking shoe that's more durable than a trail runner, try the Oboz Katabatic Wind.
For more, see my full Oboz Katabatic Wind review
Best Fit
standard feet,
size up full size for wide feet
Best Match
fast hikers with light packs
Men's Oboz Katabatic Wind
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Women's Oboz Katabatic Wind
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SALOMON X ULTRA 360
Best Value Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
The Salomon X Ultra 360 is a much better hiking shoe—and much better value—than budget hiking shoes like the Merrell Moab. It's the less expensive and slightly more comfortable "all-around" version of the X Ultra 5 (at the top of this list). Like its more expensive sibling, the X Ultra 360 balances stability and agility while offering men and women aggressive tread and optional GORE-TEX waterproofing. Plus, it costs $25 less than the X Ultra 5 without much of a dropoff in performance. In other words, this shoe works from the summit to the sidewalk while saving you some coin, too.
Best Fit
standard feet
(snug in the heel, standard at the forefoot)
Best Match
budget-oriented hikers,
occasional day hikers,
trail to town use
Men's Salomon X Ultra 360 Low
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Women's Salomon X Ultra 360 Low
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For more modern colorways and a slightly lighter-duty build, try the similar Salomon X Ultra Edge hiking shoe:
Men's Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge
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Women's Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge
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ADIDAS TERREX SKYCHASER AX5
Best Budget Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
The Skychaser AX5 is the entry-level hiking shoe in the adidas TERREX line. It's not as protective as the regular TERREX Skychaser or as cushy as the TERREX Free Hiker 2. But it stands out from other budget hiking shoes because (1) it's actually supportive and (2) has GORE-TEX waterproofing. Those are two big plusses for the price. Keep in mind the Skychaser AX5 is heavier than average (due to its price) and may or may not be comfortable (due to its stiffer build and modest cushioning). That said, the cheaper AX5 version of the Skychaser proved itself on moderately tough trails when I personally tested it early in 2026.
Best Fit
standard feet
Best Match
occasional day hikers,
hikers on a budget
Men's KEEN Targhee IV Low
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Women's KEEN Taghee IV Low
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ALTRA OLYMPUS 6 HIKE GTX
Zero Drop Hiking Shoe with Wide Toe Box
Main Benefits:
Altra had never made a true hiking shoe before releasing the Olympus 5 "Hike" late in 2022. Updated for 2025, the Olympus 6 Hike GTX is a max cushion hiking shoe that adds some hiking features on top of that thick cushioning. The Hike-version of the Olympus includes sturdier uppers that mix synthetic mesh with leather for added durability, a waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX membrane for weather protection, and grippy Vibram Megagrip outsoles with hiking (not running) traction. It's a pricey hiking shoe, for sure, but it's packed with performance. I liked the Olympus Hike more than I expected when I tested and reviewed the original. This Altra is much more protective, cushioned, and durable than the Altra Lone Peak trail runner.
Best Fit
standard to wide feet
Wide toe box with wide sizes available
Best Match
day hikers, ultra-light backpackers, zero drop fans, max cushion fans,
Men's Altra Olympus 6 Hike Low GTX
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Women's Altra Olympus 6 Hike Low GTX
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Choosing the Best Hiking Shoes for YOU
hiking Pennsylvania's rocky Mid-State Trail in the Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite GTX
Life's too short to settle for crappy hiking shoes. So this post has highlighted the best hiking shoes for men and women— based on my extensive hiking experience and outdoor industry training. My hope is that this post has helped you find one or two pairs that will fit your feet, your budget, and your hikes.
If you have found your next pair of hiking shoes, please consider buying them through the affiliate links above. Hiking Feet may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) from the retailer. Those commissions fund this site (and compensate me for the hundreds of unpaid hours I spent creating free content to help you choose the hiking shoes that make the most sense for you). If this site hooked you up, please consider hooking me up, too. Thanks, I appreciate it!
