The best alpine hiking shoes shed the weight of traditional trekking boots while still providing excellent support and traction for high-elevation conditions. Are you lucky enough to live near big mountains? Do you have a bucket list trip coming up to the Alps, Dolomites, Rockies, or Andes? Scroll down to see my pro picks for the best alpine hiking shoes.
As always, my footwear recommendations are based on my first-hand experience as an outdoor industry professional who's worn, sold, and tested a ton of hiking shoes. Three of the shoes below are currently in my closet, one is too narrow for me, and the other I own in a mid-cut. That means I know how each of these alpine hiking shoes fit and how they've performed for me personally as I've tested them on big-mountain hikes in the U.S. and Europe.
Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc in the French Alps
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5 Best Alpine Hiking Shoes
Scarpa Rush 2 GTX
Lightweight Alpine Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
Anchoring Scarpa's Rush series for fast-and-light hikers, the Rush 2 GTX hiking shoe is one of the best all-around hiking shoes. It's moderately stiff underfoot for good support and stability while still weighing a few ounces less than the average hiking shoe. The Presa rubber scores points with me on rocky trails by providing no-slip grip. The Rush 2 is the rare hiking shoe that's strong enough for alpine hiking yet light enough for fast hikers with light packs. If you're looking for a lighter alpine hiking shoe, the Scarpa 2 GTX is a great place to start.
"The Scarpa Rush 2 GTX has been my primary hiking shoe for 2024. I test a ton of shoes, but this is the one I keep coming back to for personal use when I'm not reviewing other shoes for this website."
- jory, editor of hiking feet
La Sportiva Spire GTX
Lightweight Alpine Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
Another lighter option, La Sportiva's Spire GTX is a premium hiking shoe that can pull off tough, alpine trails. Similar to the Scarpa Rush above, it balances stability with agility with TPU inserts adding support to its lighweight construction. It's also packed with the most breathable GORE-TEX waterproofing—GORE-TEX Surround— and Vibram XS Trek outsoles with the Impact Brake System sole for great grip on rock and steeper terrain. Fit-wise, the Spire runs small/narrow for men but supposedly runs large in women's sizes. The Spire GTX is one of the best alpine hiking shoes for men and women who want something lighter than traditional trekking shoes.
"La Sportiva's regular size is too narrow for my wide feet, but I personally sold the Spire GTX when I managed footwear at Appalachian Outdoors. Italian brands like Sportiva know how to build footwear for alpine hiking."
- jory, editor of hiking feet
Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite GTX
Traditional Alpine Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
Made for the Italian Dolomites and Alps, the Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite is a true alpine hiking shoe. It's lighter than the regular MTN Trainer but still pretty burly with plenty of backbone for tough mountain trails. I've personally hiked in Europe and the United States in the Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite—a shoe I save for tough trails that require great grip on rocks. Its design mixes elements of hiking shoes and approach shoes for better rock scrambling. Its GORE-TEX waterproofing adds weather protection for summers at altitude and Pamoca rubber outsoles that grip rock and dig into soft and loose sediment for well-rounded mountain traction. The Mountain Trainer Lite runs wide by Salewa standards but still runs snug by American standards (size up). This is an obvious pick for one of the best alpine hiking shoes for men and women.
"I've hiked famous trails in the Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite, including Acadia National Park and Carrauntoohil, Ireland's tallest peak. Now that I live near the southern Rockies, I'll be wearing these Salewas even more."
- jory, editor of hiking feet
Scarpa Rush Trail GTX
New Alpine Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
The Scarpa Rush Trail GTX is the low-cut version of Scarpa's lightweight trekking boot, the Rush TRK. More of a traditional alpine hiking shoe than the first two shoes on this list, the Rush Trail GTX feels firm, stiff, and sturdy underfoot while maintaining some agility for athletic performance. The Presa rubber outsoles are soft enough to grip rock with some deeper lugs to gain traction on steep ascents and descents—perfect for alpine terrain. The Rush Trail is sturdier than the Rush 2 above and also has a roomier fit. It's one of the best alpine hiking shoes for men and women who want both stability and agility for their mountainous treks.
"Don't let its name fool you. The Scarpa Rush Trail is not a trail running shoe— It's a serious alpine hiking shoe that's stiffer and sturdier than the regular Scarpa Rush. I've backpacked several tough trails in its mid-cut version, the Rush TRK."
- jory, editor of hiking feet
LOWA Delago GTX Lo
Low-cut Alpine Trekking Boot
Main Benefits:
New for 2023, the LOWA Delago is a brute that's built for big mountains and unpredictable weather. The heaviest shoe on this list, this low-cut trekking boot has stiff, rigid soles to prevent foot fatigue and stabilize ankles on uneven terrain. It's also built for rock scrambling with approach shoe-style laces, extra rubber in the toes, and Vibram outsoles designed for rock traction. The Delago is technically a trekking boot, but its low-cut build drops its weight down to more of the mid-weight hiking boot category for better athletic performance. This rock-solid shoe may be new, but it already rates as one of the best alpine hiking shoes for hikers who want a lot of stability and support in a low-cut package.
"I personally tested the Delago Lo GTX on some winter hikes in Pennsylvania last year. Now that I have 10,000-foot peaks in my back yard, I predict that I'll be hiking in them more often in 2024 and 2025."
- jory, editor of hiking feet
Buying the Best Alpine Hiking Shoes
New Hampshire's White Mountains approach alpine hiking conditions
You won't find the best alpine hiking shoes at your average sporting goods chain store. These are serious hiking shoes that you'll need to find at outdoor specialty retailers, such as Backcountry, REI. and your local outdoor gear shop. The affiliate links above will help you find these shoes online and check available sizes and colorways.
Are you feeling any of these alpine hiking shoes? If so, please consider purchasing your new pair through the affiliate links above. That doesn't cost you anything, but the billion-dollar retailer may share a small percentage of the sale with Hiking Feet. That covers my costs and gives me a little bit back for the hundreds of hours I've spend creating free and independent content to help men and women choose the best footwear for their hikes. Thanks for your support!
