The best hiking boot and hiking shoe brands are (in alphabetical order) Altra, Asolo, Hoka, KEEN, La Sportiva, LOWA, Merrell, Oboz, Salewa, Salomon, Scarpa, Tecnica, Topo Athletic, and Vasque.*
The more important question is which of these brands is best for YOU?
Your best brand is the one that best fits your feet and best matches your hikes. That's why Hiking Feet's brand recommendations highlight the "best fit" and "best match" for each brand—as well as its best hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes for hiking. My hiking boot and hike shoe brand list should help you narrow your choices down to the best brand(s) for your body, budget, and hiking style.
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best hiking boot and hiking shoe brands
Altra
Altra specializes in running shoes, not hiking shoes. However, their trail running shoes—especially the Lone Peak— are popular with hikers, particularly thru-hikers on long distance trails. The brand is known for its wide toe boxes, gender-specific fits, and balanced cushion (aka "zero drop") beneath the heel and toes—which removes the extra heel cushioning and support of conventional running shoes to force people to land "naturally" on the mid-foot. Altra's philosophy is that people should rely on their lower bodies—not their shoes—for stability and support. That means Altra is not a good brand for hikers who want good foot and ankle support. However, some hikers absolutely swear by Altra's "zero drop" and wide, roomy fit—it's one of the best brands for hikers who don't want a traditional hiking shoe.
Best Fit
wide feet
Altra's roomy fit and wide toe boxes may feel unnatural if you have narrow feet.
Best Match
thru-hikers
Altras work best for runners, long-distance hikers, and hikers who want less support
Altra recommendations for hikers:
Altra Lone Peak
Altra's best-seller is by far its most popular trail running shoe for hikers
Altra Olympus 5 Hike
Altra's first hiking shoe has max cushion and more support for hiking.
Altra Olympus 5 Hike Mid
Altra's best mid-cut hiking shoe/
lightweight hiking boot.
Asolo
Based in Italy, Asolo is one of the best hiking boot brands for stiff hiking and backpacking boots with narrow fits. Most hikers don’t need burly boots that are rigid from heel to toe. Asolos are made for the few who do—trail crews, wildland fire fighters, and backpackers with heavy packs. The average day hiker, casual hiker, or ultralight backpacker probably wants lighter, more flexible footwear. Most Asolos are brutes designed for tough trails, 14ers, off trail hikes, and summer treks to Alpine summits.
Best Fit
narrow feet
Asolos run narrow with wides available (which are not as wide as US wide sizes)
Best Match
hardcore mountain treks
backpackers with heavy packs, trail crews, wildland firefighters, Alpine trekkers
Asolo recommendations:
Asolo Fugitive GTX
A stiff and sturdy hiking and backpacking boot for hardcore hikers
Asolo TPS 520
A classic, full-grain leather hiking and backpacking boot for the mountains
Asolo Falcon GV
Light for an Asolo, the Falcon is a mid-weight hiking boot for moderate trails
Hoka
Hoka is the best brand for trail running shoes and lightweight hiking boots with maximum cushioning. Dominating the "max cushion" niche, Hokas feature super-sized foam midsoles that make you feel like you're hiking on mini-mattresses. They're also known for a rocker shape that helps roll you forward into your next step. Not everybody loves their unique look and feel. However, Hoka fans love that plush cushioning, which is surprisingly supportive for its weight. If you're looking for lightweight footwear with as much cushioning as possible, Hokas are an obvious place to start.
Best Fit
standard to wide feet
Hike-oriented Hokas have roomy fits (with wides available in the Speedgoat)
Best Match
max cushion fans
Best for maximum cushion,
fast-and-light hikers, and people who work on their feet
Hoka recommendations for hikers:
Hoka Speedgoat
The best-selling trail shoe in the US is super-light and super-cushioned.
Hoka Trail Code
Hoka's lightest and cushiest mid-cut for day hikers
Hoka Kaha 2
The plushest backpacking boot on the planet is Hoka's best backpacking boot
KEEN
Based in Portland, Oregon, KEEN is one of the best hiking boot and hiking shoe brands for wide feet. Hikers like KEEN's comfort and its roomy fit with wide toe boxes. The brand's boots and shoes are primarily built for day hiking—backpacking and tough terrain may expose that brand's average support and durability. Overall, though, KEEN is a good brand for the average day hiker and for men and women who want a wide fit with a wide toe box.
Best Fit
wide feet, wide toe box fans
Best Match
average day hikers
KEEN recommendations:
KEEN Targhee Low
Comfortable hiking shoe with wide toe box for day hikers
KEEN Targhee Mid
Best-selling hiking boot for day hikers who prioritize comfort
KEEN Durand II
Mid-duty hiking and backpacking boot with more support than most KEENs
La Sportiva
La Sportiva is another Italian brand with a primo line up of hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes that excel on rocky terrain. That’s what happens when a climbing shoe company gets into running and hiking footwear. La Sportivas generally boast good weight: support ratios and grippy outsoles for tehnical trails. It's also one of the best brands for hikers with narrow feet. (Although, they began offering a few wides in 2021). Sportiva often costs a little extra. However, it's one of the few brands that's strong across the board with good hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes.
Best Fit
narrow feet
Sportivas run narrow and small (size up) by US standards. Best-sellers now available in wide sizes
Best Match
technical trails
Best for rocky terrain,
narrow feet, and hikers who like firm footwear with less "float" & more "feel"
La Sportiva recommendations for hikers:
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II
La Sportiva's best trail runner for hikers has good support and trail feel
La Sportiva Spire GTX
The light but supportive Spire GTX is one of the best overall hiking shoes
La Sportiva Nucleo II High
The rare lightweight backpacking boot with high-cut ankle support
Lowa
LOWA is a German brand known for classic, leather hiking boots like the best-selling LOWA Renegade. Lowas feature premium leather and firm TPU midsoles that last longer than the softer, cheaper EVA foam that most brands use. That scores points for support and durability. Lowa hiking boots generally feel firm underfoot with plenty of lateral stability and above average ankle support. It's not the best brand for fast-and-light hikers who prioritize weight savings. Overall, Lowa is one of the best hiking boot brands for hikers who want good stability, support, and durability.
Best Fit
standard fit
(best-selling Renegades available in narrow and wide)
Best Match
backpackers,
brown leather boot fans,
hikers who prioritize support
Lowa recommendations:
Lowa Renegade GTX
Classic backpacking boot named to Backpacker's Gear Hall of Fame
Lowa Fortux
Lowa's first trail runner for hikers impresses with lightweight support
Lowa Innox Pro
Lightweight hiking boot for casual hiking and light-duty trails
Merrell
Merrell is a budget brand that's popular with hikers who care more about price than support or weight savings. Many beginners and casual hikers prefer Merrells' "out of the box comfort" to more supportive hiking boots and hiking shoes. It's also one of the best brands for hikers with wide feet. Serious hikers and backpackers probably should target brands with better support, waterproofing, and build quality. However, Merrells make good "trail to town" shoes, and they should be a step up from hiking in your sneakers or cross trainers. It's the most popular brand for budget-oriented hikers.
Best Fit
wide feet
Merrells have a roomy fit and offer their best-sellers in wide
Best Match
budget-oriented hikers,
beginners and casual hikers, trail-to-town shoes
Merrell recommendations:
Merrell Moab Mid
The "world's best selling hiker" is popular with budget-oriented hikers
Merrell Moab Low
Best-selling hiking shoe that many people wear as an everyday shoe
Rogue Hiker GTX
Merrell's performance hiking boot is a lightweight backpacking boot
Oboz
Montana-based Oboz is one of the best brands for mid-duty hiking boots and hiking shoes. Their sturdy hiking boots and hiking sholes are known for the brand's expensive O Fit insoles, which provide cushioning and almost orthotic support for better comfort than most brands. Oboz hiking boots and shoes are not only comfortable, but also supportive, durable, and moderately priced. It's not the best brand for lightweight fans. However, Oboz offers great bang for your buck, and it's one of the best brands for hikers who value comfort, support, and durability over weight savings.
Best Fit
standard fit, best-sellers available in wides
Best Match
moderate to difficult day hikes and backpacking
Oboz recommendations:
Oboz Sawtooth X Low
Best-selling hiking shoe is comfortable, supportive, and durable
Oboz Sawtooth X Mid
One of the best values in men's and women's hiking boots
Oboz Bridger
Oboz's flagship hiking boot is good for both day hiking and backpacking
Salewa
Salewa is one of the best brands for hikers and backpackers who prefer stiff and supportive footwear for alpine terrain. Another premium brand based near the Italian Alps and Dolomites, Salewas mix elements of climbers' approach shoes with sturdy mountain trekking boots for great rock traction and scrambling ability. It's not a good brand for casual hikers or flatlanders. Salewa is a much better match for serious treks on technical trails and big mountains, such as the Alps or Colorado 14ers.
Best Fit
narrow feet
Salewas run small & narrow by US standards (size up)
Best Match
serious day hikes or backpacking trips in technical, rocky terrain
Salewa recommendations for hikers:
Mountain Trainer Lite Low
Sturdy and grippy hiking shoe built for alpine hiking
Mountain Trainer Lite Mid
Midweight hiking boot for technical trails and alpine summits
Mountain Trainer
Burly backpacking and trekking boot for big mountain trails
Salomon
If forced to choose the best brand for hiking boots and hiking shoes, Salomon would get my vote. Salomon stands out for offering better support at lighter weights than other brands. That means they work for more hiking styles than most brands. It's also the rare brand that's strong in all categories—backpacking boots, lightweight hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes. Salomons even fit a range of feet with their regular sizes running slightly narrow and wides available in their best-sellers. Salomon is a good brand for men and women who want both stability and agility and a balance between weight savings and support.
Best Fit
Salomons fit true to size and snug in the heel and toe box. Best-sellers available in wide
Best Match
hikers who want a balance between weight savings and support, serious hikers
Salomon recommendations for hikers:
Salomon X Ultra 4 Low
Best-selling hiking shoe is light & supportive with aggressive traction
Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid
One of the best lightweight hiking boots is light yet supportive
Salomon Quest 4
Supportive yet agile, the Quest may be the best backpacking boot of all time
Scarpa
Scarpa is another Italian brand that makes world-class climbing shoes, mountaineering boots, and hiking footwear. For hikers, Scarpa's strongest niche is probably their Alpine trekking and backpacking boots. However, recreational hikers and backpackers should start with the Scarpa "Rush" series for light-but-supportive hiking boots and shoes. Scarpas aren't the best choice for casual hikers. But it's one of the best brands for hiking boots with great grip on rocky terrain, great support, and overall quality.
Best Fit
Standard fit (not as narrow as most Italian brands)
Best Match
serious hikers/ backpackers in mountainous environments
Scarpa recommendations:
Scarpa Rush 2 Low
Premium hiking shoe is both lightweight and supportive
Scarpa Rush 2 Mid
Lightweight hiking boots with impressive mix of stability & agility
Scarpa Zodiac Plus
Light alpine trekking boot with great grip for mountain terrain
Tecnica
Tecnica stands out as the best brand for hiking boots and shoes with customizable fits. Made with moldable thermoform, Tecnicas can be custom-molded to individuals' feet in a 20-minute in-store process that uses heat and compression airbags. (Note: Tecnicas can only be customized in person at select retailers with CAS units—only a few REIs have that capability.) The brand not only features the best fit for hiking footwear, but also excellent waterproofing, traction, stability, and support. Tecnica may be your best brand if you've had difficulty finding hiking boots and shoes that fit.
Best Fit
customizable, may be too narrow for wide feet
Best Match
hikers with fit issues, hikers who need great support
Tecnica recommendations:
Forge GTX
Burly hiking and backpacking boot with customizable fit
Plasma Mid GTX
Mid-duty hiking boot with Tecnica's customizable fit
Plasma Low GTX
Tecnica's best hiking shoe with a customizable fit.
Topo Athletic
Topo Athletic is one of the best brands for lightweight trail running shoes and fast-packing boots with low drop and wide toe boxes—similar to Altra but with more support, a more secure fit, and better durability. The "Topo fit" strikes a balance between "natural" hiking footwear and more traditional cushioning and support. The American Podiatric Medical Association awarded Topo its Seal of Approval for promoting healthy feet. However, Topos are not only popular with podiatrists. Topo Athletic is a good brand for thru-hikers, fast packers, low drop fans, and hikers who prefer lightweight footwear with a little stability and support.
Best Fit
standard to wide feet,
fans of wide toe boxes
Best Match
thru-hikers, fast-packers, low-drop fans, day hikers
Topo recommendations for hikers:
Topo Trailventure 2
Topo's award-winning mid-cut hiking shoe/fast-packing boot kills it
Topo Ultraventure Pro
Ultra-marathon shoe translates well to thru-hiking long distance trails
Topo Terraventure 3
Light and versatile trail running shoe also works for hiking
Vasque
Vasque is one of the best brands for traditional hiking boots with good support and premium leather. Their best boots are sturdy enough for backpackers yet flexible enough for day hikers who prefer more foot and ankle support. Vasques run a little heavier than the average hiking boot. However, if you like premium leather and prefer traditional hiking boots, Vasque could be your best brand.
Best Fit
standard to narrow feet
Vasque runs slightly snug with some wides available
Best Match
leather boot fans, backpacking, moderate to difficult day hikes
Vasque recommendations for hikers:
Vasque Breeze
Vasque's best-selling hiking and backpacking boot now costs less
Vasque Breeze LT
Lightweight hiking shoe made for fast & light hikers on well-maintained trails
Vasque St. Elias
Classic leather hiking and backpacking boot is sturdy and comfortable
FAQs
Altra, Merrell, KEEN, and Topo Athletic have the widest fits. Oboz, Hoka, and Salomon offer their best sellers in wide sizes.
Italian brands have the narrowest fits, especially Asolo and La Sportiva.
Oboz makes the most durable hiking boots and shoes that I've owned. LOWA, Scarpa, and Vasque also offer above average durability.
Your best brand is the one that best fits your feet and matches your hiking style. There's no substitute for trying on several brands to find the one(s) that fit you best. Outdoor industry professionals can also help you find the best brands for where you hike and how you hike.
buying the best brands for hiking boots/shoes
It’s smart to focus on the best brands for hiking boots and hiking shoes. Hiking is hard on your feet and ankles, so it makes sense to buy the best footwear that you can afford. That's why most experienced hikers and outdoor industry pros (like me) focus on the best hiking shoe and hiking boot brands. The list above should help you identify the brand(s) most likely to fit your feet, budget, and hiking style.
For more on these recommended brands, please check out Hiking Feet's brand reviews, where you'll find brand overviews and mini-reviews of the brand's best hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes for hikers.
My hope is that this list has helped you find YOUR best brand—the one that best fits your feet, your budget, and your hikes.
Happy hiking. . . in whatever brand works best for you.
* My list of the best brands is tailored toward recreational hikers and backpackers, so it excludes some premium brands focused on alpine trekking, mountaineering, and more specialized hiking and backpacking footwear.
