I've personally tested and reviewed more than two dozen of the best hiking boots while hiking 17,000 miles (and counting) in the past fifteen years. Plus, I'm the former footwear manager at Appalachian Outdoors, Gearhead® Expert at Backcountry, and certified brand expert for most of the best brands. In other words, I know how the best hiking boots fit, which hikers they work for—and don't work for—and how they stack up to each other. My professional recommendations break down the best hiking boots by fit, weight, and recommended use.
Testing the new Salomon Quest 5 hiking boot in Spring, 2026
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Best Lightweight Hiking Boots
SALOMON X ULTRA 5 MID GTX
Best Lightweight Hiking Boot
Main Benefits:
I've personally hiked more than 1,000 miles in Salomon X Ultras because they almost match the stability of a mid-weight hiking boot while weighing a half-pound less. Updated in 2025, the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid is not as tall as many mid-cuts, but its sturdy chassis offers plenty of foot protection and lateral stability. This boot weighs about a half pound less than the average hiking boot but can handle harder hikes than most lightweights. On my test hikes, it's tread came up short on smooth boulders while crushing steep trails with soft or loose sediments. But it's a versatile choice for most men and women who hike, which is why it's high on my list of the best hiking boots for 2026.
Best Fit
standard fit (slightly narrow in heel/toe), wides available
Best Match
all-around hiking, moderate to difficult trails
Click on the links below to see size and color options for men and women—or see my full X Ultra 5 Mid review.
Men's Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX
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Women's Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX
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TOPO ATHLETIC TRAILVENTURE 2
Best Lightweight Hiking Boot for Wide Feet
Main Benefits:
My personal hiking boot-of-choice for day hiking (see my first-hand review), the Topo Athletic Trailventure 2 is nimble with a wide toe box that adds comfort. Like most lightweights, its ankle support is limited. But its Zipfoam is cushy and responsive, and its Vibram outsoles excel on a range of hiking surfaces. The American Podiatric Medical Association has awarded the brand its Seal of Approval for the "Topo Fit"— with a low (5mm) drop, secure fit in the midfoot, and wide toe box to encourage a more natural base. For me, this is the best lightweight hiking boot for men and women who want extra wiggle room for their toes.
Best Fit
standard to wide feet
Best Match
day hikers, fast-packers, fans of low drop/natural fit
Men's Topo Trailventure 2
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Women's Topo Trailventure 2
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Best Hiking Boots on a Budget
OBOZ SAWTOOTH ASCENT (NEW FOR 2025)
Best Budget Hiking Boot
Main Benefits:
With Merrell and KEEN raising their prices, the Oboz Sawtooth Ascent now stands out as the most affordable mid-duty hiking boot on the market. New for 2025, the Sawtooth Ascent is the entry-level version of the Sawtooth—an Oboz best seller. The Ascent has decent foot and ankle support for a budget-oriented hiking boot, but it's better for day hikers than backpackers. This boot does boast two nice features for this price point: Vibram rubber outsoles and Oboz's O-Fit insoles. While most brands skimp on their insoles, Oboz builds its boots around its proprietary $35 insoles for added cushioning and foot support.
Best Fit
standard feet
Best Match
day hikers, bargain hunters
Men's Oboz Sawtooth Ascent
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Women's Oboz Sawtooth Ascent
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SALOMON X ULTRA 360 MID GTX
Best Value Hiking Boot
Main Benefits:
The Salomon X Ultra 360 is a less expensive variant of the Salomon X Ultra 5 (at the top of this list). Priced $25 lower than the original, the X Ultra 360 is made for more "all around" use—from casual hikes to occasional day hikes to trail-to-town wear. In my testing, I didn't detect much of a dropoff in performance. This boot provides decent support at a lower weight than most hiking boots—especially at this price point—while offering GORE-TEX waterproofing and aggressive traction for mud, gravel, scree, and steep terrain. (For more, see my full X Ultra 360 review.) If you want a less expensive hiking boot with enough performance for moderately difficult day hikes, I highly recommend the Salomon X Ultra 360 Mid GTX.
Best Fit
standard fit
Best Match
average day hikers, occasional hikers
Men's Salomon X Ultra 360 Mid
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Women's Salomon X Ultra 360 Mid
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Best Midweight Hiking Boots
OBOZ BRIDGER
Best Midweight Hiking Boot
Main Benefits:
The Bridger is the best hiking boot in the Oboz lineup. Its mix of moderate flex and support hits that sweet spot where it's comfortable enough for day hiking yet strong enough backpacking. It's a brute on the trail yet gentle on your feet, thanks to arguably the best footbed in the industry. It's also the most durable hiking boot I've owned. I've personally hiked more than 2000 miles in the Oboz Bridger over the years. It's my go-to, midweight hiking boot. Plus, it's available in regular and wide sizes, which accommodates many hiking feet.
Best Fit
standard fit,
wide sizes available
Best Match
moderate to difficult day hikes, backpacking
Men's Oboz Bridger
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Women's Oboz Bridger
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LA SPORTIVA NUCLEO HIGH GTX
Most Athletic Midweight Hiking Boot
Main Benefits:
Technicallly a lightweight backpacking boot, the Nucleo II High GTX is the lightest hiking boot I know with high-cut ankle support. The Nucleo features soft, Nubuck leather and stands out for its GORE-TEX Surround waterproofing—the most breathable GTX membrane—and for Vibram Megagrip outsoles that excel on wet and dry surfaces. La Sportivas run small and narrow (by US standards), but the Nucleo is available in wide. This boot is a premium pick for hikers who want high performance in a moderately light package with supportive ankle collars. I personally hiked several of Pennsylvania's best backpacking loops in this boot, including the Black Forest Trail—here's my full Nucleo HIgh II review.
Best Fit
narrow feet,
wide sizes available
Best Match
moderate to difficult day hikes, light backpacking
Men's La Sportiva Nucleo High
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Women's La Sportiva Nucleo High
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Best Backpacking Boots
LOWA RENEGADE EVO GTX (Updated in 2025)
Best Leather Backpacking Boot
Main Benefits:
The LOWA Renegade was the first hiking boot named to Backpacker Magazine's Hall of Fame. For the first time in forever, LOWA updated it in 2025 with the new Renegade EVO. (See my full review of the updates.) The Renegade EVO rocks protective leather uppers, stiff soles, sturdy PU midsoles, and lateral support to provide backpackers with the stability and protection they need to carry a heavier pack safely. The tradeoff is it's burlier than most day hikers want (unless they have serious ankle issues and hike serious terrain). However, the Renegade EVO is one of the best hiking boots for backpackers and off-trail hikers.
Learn more in my first-hand review of the Renegade EVO.
Best Fit
available in narrow, regular, and wide sizes
Best Match
backpacking, all-day day hike, off trail hiking
Men's LOWA Renegade EVO
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Women's LOWA Renegade EVO
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HOKA KAHA 3 (updated in 2025)
Most Comfortable Hiking Boot for Backpacking
Main Benefits:
Backpacking boots don't need to be stiff, burly, and brown. The HOKA Kaha 3 is a lightweight backpacking boot with plush cushioning to take the load off our hiking feet. I have personally tested and reviewed this boot, which wears more like a basketball high-top than a backpacking boot with less weight and more cushion than the competition. However, it's still a serious hiking boot with full-grain leather uppers, premium Vibram outsoles, and an eVent membrane for air permeable waterproofing that may not wear as warm as other waterproof hiking boots. If you like max cushion, the HOKA Kaha is the most comfortable backpacking boot I've worn.
Best Fit
standard fit
Best Match
backpacking
Men's HOKA Kaha 3
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Women's HOKA Kaha 3
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SALOMON QUEST 5 (New for 2026)
Best Overall Backpacking Boot
Main Benefits:
Newly updated for 2026, the Salomon Quest 5 is the latest iteration of a backpacking boots that's dominated many awards lists for years. I've personally tested and reviewed three different models, including the new Quest 5. Its ankle support stands out, but it's also quite athletic for a boot made for backpacking. Plus, there's the solid traction, the great locking-lace system, the industry-leading GORE-TEX waterproofing. I've tested and reviewed several backpacking boots and keep coming back to the Salomon Quest for personal use. I personally have more than 1000 miles of hiking and backpacking experience in the Salomon Quest. It's quality.
Best Fit
standard fit,
size up full size for wide feet
Best Match
all-purpose backpacking,
off trail hiking
Men's Salomon Quest 5 GTX
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Women's Salomon Quest 5 GTX
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How to Choose Hiking Boots
The key to choosing the best hiking boots for YOU is to choose a boot that (1) fits your feet and (2) matches your hiking style.
That's why your best play is to go to a true outdoor specialty retailer—a grassroots outgear shop or REI store—where an outdoor industry professional can (1) fit you and (2) ask qualifying questions to determine what you need (and don't need) for the specific type(s) of hiking you do. Once a footwear pro (like me) knows your fit and what types of hiking you do, they'll pull 2-3 hiking boots for you to try on.
Hiking Feet works the same way—because I'm the former footwear manager at a hiking and backpacking shop with specialized training in hiking footwear. I highlight (1) the "best fit" and (2) "best match" for every hiking boot on site. Plus, my recommendations usually group the best hiking boots by weight and recommended use, giving hikers 2-3 top choices to narrow down by fit.
To do this yourself, here are pro tips on how to choose hiking boots that fit YOUR feet and YOUR hikes:
how to choose hiking boots that fit
Hiking boots should fit snug (but not tight) with minimal heel lift, no pressure points, and enough room in the toe box to wiggle your toes. Choose boots with approximately 1/2" of room between your longest toe and the end of the boot—roughly the width of your finger (men) or thumb (women). This half-inch clearance (1) accommodates foot swelling and (2) prevents your toes from hitting the end of the boot on steep descents (which leads to injuries and lost toe nails).
Your hiking size usually will be a half-size or full-size larger than your everyday shoe size. However, the key is following the advice above, not simply sizing up. For example, the hiking boots in my gear closet include men's size 12, 12-wide, 12.5, 13, and 13 wide because every boot and brand has its own fit.
For more, please check out Hiking Feet's sizing and fitting guide.
Topo Athletic hiking boots fit my unique feet better than other brands
choosing the best hiking boots: support vs weight
Your next challenge is choosing boots with enough support— but not too much support— for the kind(s) of hiking you do. Most people choose hiking boots for their superior foot and ankle support, stability, and durability. If you want to reap these advantages of hiking boots, you should choose a pair with these features:
At the same time, it's usually a good strategy to buy the lightest hiking footwear you can that provides the amount of support you need. [That's why my recommended backpacking boots don't include hardcore, heavy-duty backpacking boot that approach 4 pounds per pair; that's overkill for most hikers (with the exception of wildland firefighters, trail crews, and backpackers carrying heavy weight over gnarly terrain).] Just remember the trade offs: you'll generally lose foot and ankle support—and durability— the lighter you go.
The Salomon X Ultra 5 hiking boot balances weight savings with support
how much support do you need?
If you want to choose the right boots for you, you've got to know yourself as a hiker. The amount of support you need mostly depends on the terrain you hike, the health of your feet and ankles, your hiking experience, and the weight that your lower body has to carry.
In general, your need for support goes UP if you're
Here are my professional recommendations for the best hiking boots for ankle support and best backpacking boots.
The LOWA Renegade EVO GTX is one of the best hiking boots for ankle support
You may get by with less support if you're
Here's the full list of the lightweight hiking boots I recommend for men and women.
Testing the Topo Trailventure 2 hiking boot at Acadia National Park in Maine
choosing the right foot and ankle support
Hiking boots can help prevent ankle injuries— at least if they're laced up tightly. Most of a boot's foot and ankle support comes from (1) the ankle cuff and (2) stiffness of its midsole and outsole.
The height of the ankle cuff is one key indicator of ankle support. For a quick estimate on ankle protection, count the number of eyelets above the ankle on each boot. Hiking boots with one eyelet above the ankle may provide more ankle protection than a low-cut hiker— but less than boots with two (or more) eyelets above the ankle.
However, the quality of materials on the boots' ankle cuffs also makes a difference. For stronger ankle support, look for stiffer leather or synthetic uppers around the boot's heel and ankle areas. Hiking boots with better ankle support will require some break-in time for the leather or stiffer synthetic materials to conform to your ankles.
Softer, more flexible uppers— common on budget boots and light-weight boots— may feel good out of the box; however, they may not provide much ankle support, even if they're a mid-cut or high-cut.
PRO TIP:
"Out of the box comfort" is a marketing slogan that usually means crappy foot and ankle support.
At the same time, a stiff sole may provide more foot and ankle stability than the boot's ankle cuff. Stiff soles—usually reinforced with a thin stability shank or chassis—can carry more weight and are less likely to fold over rocks and rocks, turning over your ankle. That's why (real) hiking boots are stiffer and thicker in the soles than sneakers, cross-trainers, running shoes, and budget-oriented hiking boots.
The LOWA Innovo has higher ankle collars than most hiking boots
how to test hiking boots' support
Here are two easy tests to evaluate the stability and support of a boot in a store or at home: the "flex test" and "twist test."
The Flex Text
Evaluate the boot's support by the grabbing it at the heel and toe and forcing the bottom of the boot to bend. Watch to see where the boot flexes and how hard/easy it is to bend the boot from heel to toe.
Less support: the best-selling Merrell Moabs flex easily at the midfoot
A boot that flexes easily at the mid-foot (see above) has limited support. Flexible hiking boots may be comfortable for easier day hikes, flat terrain, and well-maintained trails. However, that's less support than many people need for uneven terrain, steep trails, harder day hikes, and backpacking.
A boot that's stiff in the mid-foot with flex-point near the ball of the foot (3/4-length stability plate or chassis) may be sturdy enough for moderate backpacking yet flexible enough for moderate day hiking. This is the sweet spot for many hikers and backpackers.
A boot with little to no flex underfoot (full-length stability shank) provides the most foot and ankle support for uneven terrain and heavy packs; however, the lack of flex may be uncomfortable for day hikers, casual hikers, and easy-to-moderate trails.
Excellent support: the Salomon Quest backpacking boot has little to no flex
The Twist Test
Evaluate a boot's torsional rigidity— its resistance to side to side twisting— with the "twist test." Grab the toe box in one hand and the heel in other and try to twist the boot (like wringing out wet laundry).
Limited torsional rigidity: Merrell Moab has little lateral support
The easier it is to twist the boot, the less its torsional rigidity. Hiking boots with limited torsional rigidity won't provide much lateral support for your feet or ankles on uneven ground. They're more likely to collapse or bend over rocks and roots. This may increase your risk for rolled ankles, sprains, and other lower body injuries.
Good torsional rigidity: Salomon X Ultra resists twisting
The harder it is to twist the boot, the greater its torsional rigidit. A boot that resists twisting (like the Salomon X Ultra above) provides better foot support and lateral ankle protection, especially on uneven ground.
Each of my recommendations for the best hiking boots provide at least moderate support, including the lightweight hiking boots. The mid-duty hiking boots provide better support, and the backpacking boots provide the best foot and ankle protection for backpackers carrying heavy packs or hikers who mostly hike off trail in mountainous terrain.
How NOT to Choose Hiking Boots
Many men and women make the mistake of crowdsourcing hiking boot recommendations on Reddit or Facebook. If you ask for personal recommendations on social media, it won't take long for a hundred strangers to recommend whatever THEY wear—without knowing a single thing about your feet, your budget, or your hiking style.
PRO TIP:
The people who know the LEAST about hiking boots are MOST likely to respond to posts asking for hiking boot recommendations.
The amateur gear review sites aren't much better. They'll rank order hiking boots—which also ignores that each hiking boot has a unique fit and is made for specific types of hiking.
fantastic boots and where to find them
Thanks for checking out my recommendations for the best hiking boots at different weights and price points—and some pro tips on how to choose the right boots for you. I hope this post has helped you narrow down your choices. And helped you feel smarter and more confident about picking out hiking boots that fit your feet and match your hikes.
If you're not feeling these boots, please feel free to browse Hiking Feet's hiking boot and hiking shoe reviews, my brand reviews, or my curated lists of the best hiking shoes and best trail runners for hiking. You'll also find more curated lists of recommended hiking boots if you scroll down the home page,
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