It’s finally here—the new X Ultra 5—and I’ve already tested it. Check out my full Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid Review
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Independent reviews from an outdoor industry professional who hikes more than 1000 miles each year testing footwear
Over the past five years, I've tested and reviewed more than 25 different hiking boots to help men and women find ones that fit their feet and match their hiking styles. For each review, I personally test each hiking boot on a range of trails that help me evaluate its support, weight, comfort, fit, weather protection, traction, and overall value.
Hiking Feet does not publish sponsored reviews. Each hiking boot review is based on at least 5-10 test hikes—sometimes hundreds or thousands of miles. My takes are based on my extensive hiking experience (17,000 miles the past 15 years) and my professional experience in the outdoor industry. I'm the former footwear manager at Appalachian Outdoors, a Certified Brand Expert for most hiking footwear brands, and a former Gearhead® Expert at Backcountry.
My hiking boot reviews are 100% independent . . . and actually mean something because I'm a true expert in hiking footwear.
Testing the traction of the LOWA Renegade EVO hiking boot in 2025
My hiking boots reviews focus on perennial best sellers and promising new hiking boots or updates hitting the market. I've personally tested and reviewed each of the hiking boots below to figure out their fits, pros and cons, and recommended uses. You can trust my expert reviews because they're based on my extensive first-hand experience and outdoor industry experience.
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February 17, 2026
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November 21, 2025
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November 13, 2025
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October 11, 2025
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June 25, 2025
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June 21, 2025
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March 14, 2025
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November 18, 2024
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November 1, 2024
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August 20, 2023
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April 24, 2023
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April 12, 2023
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March 11, 2023
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November 17, 2022
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November 15, 2022
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March 23, 2022
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March 27, 2021
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March 20, 2021
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March 15, 2021
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February 25, 2021
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Hi,
the creator and editor of Hiking Feet. Each year, I hike more than 1,000 miles to test best-selling hiking boots and shoes from the best brands, such as Salomon, HOKA, Oboz, Topo Athletic, and La Sportiva. I take each boot out on a series of test hikes to evaluate its support, weight, fit, comfort, weather protection, traction, and value. My reviews are 100% original and independent—not sponsored posts. In many cases, I've hiked hundreds (even thousands) of miles in perennial best sellers featured on this site. At a minimum, I'll hike 30-50 miles in new models before reviewing them. My hiking boot reviews are based on this extensive, first-hand hiking experience—and my experience as a Gearhead® Expert at Backcountry and as the footwear manager at Appalachian Outdoors.
Each year, I hike more than 1,000 miles to test and review the year's most promising hiking shoes and trail running shoes. Over the years, I've personally tested more than 50 different hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes. My specialized brand knowledge spans most premium and budget brands. I've personally worn, tested, and reviewed outdoor footwear from adidas TERREX, Altra, Asolo, Astral, Bedford, Brooks, Chaco, Columbia, Danner, Helly Hansen, HOKA, KEEN, Kuru, La Sportiva, LOWA, Mammut, Merrell, Nortiv8, Oboz, On, Salewa, Salomon, Scarpa, Teva, Topo Athletic, and Vasque. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who's personally tested and reviewed more shoes than me.
I personally test each shoe on a minimum of 5 different trails that I hand-pick to test its support, comfort, traction, etc. In many cases, I have hundreds of miles of first-hand experience with the hiking shoes and trail runners I review & recommend.
I not only hike 1000 miles each year but also work in the outdoor gear industry, where I have specialized footwear training and regularly meet with brands to stay up to date
Unlike other reviewers, I'm the former footwear manager at a hiking & backpacking shop, where I was trained by a licensed podiatrist and personally fit thousands of men & women
Unlike sites that publish sponsored posts or paraphrase other site's content, my reviews are 100% independent & original. Every review is based on my personal hiking experience and my professional experience in the outdoor industry.
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"Hikingfeet.com is an incredible resource for adventurers who are looking for honest and detailed reviews. Thanks to this site, I have been able to choose wisely when selecting long distance hiking shoes."
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"Finding the right shoes for my customers is easy with Jory’s site. He reviews shoes with reliability and honesty, and I trust I can recommend shoes that have his approval!"