As a rule of thumb, European brands make the best hiking boots for narrow feet. That's especially true of Italian brands. So hikers who need narrow fits should pass on US brands, such as Merrell and KEEN, and key in European brands like Asolo, La Sportiva, Salomon, and Mammut for their narrower fits and tapered toe boxes. In my experience, the best hiking boots for narrow feet are the Salomon Cross Hike 2, La Sportiva Ultra Raptor Mid, adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2, La Sportiva Nucleo High GTX, LOWA Renegade GTX (available in narrow size), and Asolo Fugitive. Each of these boots has personally pinched my feet and/or been a good fit for my narrow-footed customers at Backcountry and Appalachian Outdoors (where I used to manage hiking footwear).
My recommendations for narrow hiking boots have been updated for 2024. The Salomon Cross Hike 2 has replaced the Vasque Breeze LT as my lightweight recommendation, and I've also dropped the regular Vasque Breeze from this list because it will no longer be available in 2025. I've also added the adidas Free Hiker 2 after personally reviewing it in 2023.
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best hiking boots for narrow feet
Salomon Cross-Hike 2
Narrow Hiking Boot for Casual Hikers
Main Benefits:
The Salomon Cross Hike 2 has crossover appeal for men and women who want a lightweight hiking boot for fast hikes and more casual wear. The Cross-Hikes are too narrow for my moderately wide feet. But that's a plus for narrow-footed hikers who will enjoy Salomon's snug fit in the heel and tapered toe boxes. The Quicklaces seem too long for this boot. However, it's got great looks, good traction for muddy and gravelly trails, and a build that's best for fast hikers with light packs. If you're looking for a narrow hiking boot for easy to moderate trails, I recommend the Salomon Cross Hike 2 GTX.
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid
Lightweight Hiking Boot Runs Narrow
Main Benefits:
The updated Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX is the mid-cut version of La Sportiva's best trail running shoe for hikers. This lightweight mid-cut may be a great choice for serious day hikers who want a lightweight hiking boot that's up to harder trails. The Ultra Raptor II has great grip on rocks, making it a good boot for technical trails and rock scrambles. Sportivas also feature a snug and secure fit with a firm feel underfoot. Like most Italian brands, La Sportivas run narrow, making Ultra Raptor Mids a good, lightweight hiking boot for narrow feet.
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adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2 (lightweight)
Casual Hiking Boot for Narrow Feet
Main Benefits:
The adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2 looks and feels more like a sneaker than a traditional hiking boot. It boasts a boatload of Boost foam—which is used in adidas's best running shoes—for a super-cushioned ride. But it's also more technical than you might think, with a lightweight EVA stabilizing frame that adds some mid-foot support and ankle stability, waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX, and Continental outsoles for tire-like traction on multi-surface trails. If you're a casual hiker who wants as much cushioning as possible, the Free Hiker 2 is one of the best hiking boots for narrow feet.
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La Sportiva Nucleo High GTX
Lightweight Backpacking Boot
Main Benefits:
Updated in 2021, La Sportiva's Nucleo High II GTX is the lightest high-cut hiking boot on the market, making it a popular pick for hikers who want a lighter boot without losing ankle support. It's an athletic, mid-weight hiking boot/lightweight backpacking boot with plenty of a performance and a narrow, low volume fit that's best for hikers with narrow feet. Nucleos also boast high end traction —Vibram Megagrip—and the most breathable GORE TEX waterproofing on the market, GORE-TEX Surround. La Sportiva has one of the narrowest fits on the market. (I personally need to order this boot in wide and size up 1.5 sizes just to squeeze in my moderately wide feet.) With moderately flexible yet supportive soles, the Nucleo High II is a good match for moderate to difficult day hikes and occasional backpacking.
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Lowa Renegade GTX
Available in Narrow Size
Main Benefits:
The first hiking boot inducted into Backpacker Magazine's Gear Hall of Fame, the LOWA Renegade is the prototypical hiking and backpacking boot that ticks all the boxes. Sturdy outsoles and ankle support? Check. Soft leather that forms to your feet? Check. Gore Tex waterproofing? Check. Vibram outsoles? Check. LOWA has standard fit. However, with Renegades being a perennial best-seller, LOWA offers them in narrow, regular, and wide sizes for both men and women— making it one of the rare hiking boots that's actually offered in a narrow size. You can find the narrow Renegade online at REI (see below).
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Asolo Fugitive GTX
Narrow Backpacking Boot
Main Benefits:
The Asolo Fugitive GTX is a badass hiking boot make for hardcore backpacking and off trail hiking. Heavier and stiffer than the average hiking boot, this one's a brawler with plenty of foot and ankle support for carrying a heavier pack through harsher terrain. As with several boots on this list, it also features GORE-TEX waterproofing and Vibram outsoles. Another classic Italian brand, Asolos run narrow, making this one of the best backpacking boots for narrow feet.
See size and color options:
how to buy hiking boots that fit your feet
For the best fit, there's no substitute for going to a hiking and backpacking specialty shop or REI for a trained footwear specialist to fit you. But this short list at least narrows your choices down to boots and brands that run narrow—based on my experience as the old footwear guy at Appalachian Outdoors. I've literally put each of these boots on many people's feet, so I know they're a good starting point for hikers and backpackers after a narrow fit.
Has this short list helped you find the best hiking boot for your narrow feet? Are you ready to pull the trigger on a new pair? If this post helped you make up your mind, please consider buying your new pair through the affiliate links above. Hiking Feet may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) from Backcountry, REI, etc. These (small) commissions fund this site (and compensate me for the hundreds of unpaid hours I spent creating free content to help you buy the right hiking boots or shoes).
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If not you might browse my brand reviews for good hiking boot brands with narrower fits, such as La Sportiva and Salomon.
Happy hiking…
