I'm an expert on the best hiking shoes—and not just because I'm a certified brand expert and former footwear manager at Appalachian Outdoors. I've personally hiked in at least 46 different hiking shoes (at last count) while hiking 17,000 miles the past 15 years. Plus, I've tested and reviewed more than 25 hiking shoes here at Hiking Feet. My list of the best hiking shoes is based on my first-hand knowledge of most hiking shoes on the market—from perennial best sellers to new hiking shoes for 2026.
Enjoying Goblin Valley, Utah in his and hers hiking shoes
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10 Best Hiking Shoes of 2026
Based on my personal and professional experience, the best hiking shoes for 2026 are the Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX, Mammut Sertig III (New for 2026), adidas TERREX Free Hiker SL (new for 2026), HOKA Anacapa Low, Oboz Katabatic Wind, La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3, Salomon X Ultra 360, adidas TERREX Skychaser AX5, Altra Olympus 6 HIKE, and La Sportiva Spire GTX. Scroll down to see each shoe's "best fit" and "best match," so you can narrow down your choices to hiking shoes that fit YOUR feet and match YOUR hiking style.
SALOMON X ULTRA 5 GTX
Best Hiking Shoe for Stability & Agility
Main Benefits:
The Salomon X Ultra 5 Low is a Hiking Feet Favorite because it's both supportive and lightweight—a rare combination. I've personally hiked more than 1000 miles in X Ultras because their support and traction can handle moderate to difficult trails. When I managed footwear at Appalachian Outdoors, this was the hiking shoe I sold the most because it's so versatile. It's athletic enough for fast hikers and sturdy enough for hardcore hikers. Plus, it fits a wide range of feet, now that Salomon offers it in regular and wide sizes. If you want a sturdy hiking shoe that won't weigh you down, the Salomon X Ultra 5 is probably the best hiking shoe for you.
Best Fit
standard (slightly narrow) fit,
available in wide sizes
Best Match
moderate/difficult day hikes, best in dirt, scree, snow, mud
Men's Salomon X Ultra 5 Low GTX
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Women's Salomon X Ultra 5 Low GTX
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MAMMUT SERTIG III
Best New Hiking Shoe for 2026
Main Benefits:
New in 2026, the Mammut Sertig III is the best hiking shoe that most people don't know about. Like the X Ultra 5 above, it's the rare hiking shoe that's both lightweight and supportive. It's also well-cushioned while featuring a durably waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX membrane and plus-traction that's worked for me on tough mountain trails. The only downside for me is fit: The Sertig III is not available in wide and may require you to size up one full size from your everyday shoe size to get a good hiking fit. The old Mammut Sertig II was one of my favorite trail running shoes. The new Mammut Sertig III is one of my favorite hiking shoes—the hiking shoe I'm wearing the most now that I'm done testing new hiking shoes for 2026.
To learn more, see my full Sertig III review.
Best Fit
standard to slightly wide feet
(everyone should size up)
Best Match
all types of day hiking, including hard day hikes
Men's Mammut Sertig III Low
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Women's Mammut Sertig III Low
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ADIDAS TERREX FREE HIKER SL
New Lightweight Hiking Shoe for 2026
Main Benefits:
Also new 2026, the adidas TERREX Free Hiker SL is an athletic hiking shoe that can handle fast-moving hikes over moderate terrain. The SL is lighter than the original Free Hiker (below) with a roomier fit and more aggressive build. I like wearing mine for fast-moving fitness hikes up and down mountain switchbacks, but the Free Hiker SL also feels at home on urban trails and more mellow hikes. The "speed laces"—which give this shoe it's "SL" name—may be a pro or a con. Now that I've tested every adidas TERREX hiking shoe, the Free Hiker SL is my favorite adidas hiking shoe.
For more, see my full Free Hiker SL review
Best Fit
standard
Best Match
fast hikes on mixed terrain, urban trails
Men's adidas TERREX Free Hiker SL GTX
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Women's adidas TERREX Free Hiker SL GTX
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HOKA ANACAPA 2 LOW
Best Max Cushion Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
Most lightweight hiking shoes cut cushioning to cut weight—not the HOKA Anacapa 2. HOKA's first hiking shoe is lightweight with maximum cushion to provide shock absorption on the trail. Plus, HOKA tricked this shoe out with premium features, such as GORE-TEX waterproofing and Vibram Megagrip outsoles. I have hundreds of miles of first-hand experience in the Anacapa Mid but prefer the Anacapa Low. (The mid doesn't really add much ankle protection.) Choose the Anacapa GTX (GORE-TEX) for a waterproof hiking shoe or the Anacapa Breeze for a more ventilated (non-waterproof) hiking shoe.
Best Fit
standard feet
runs slightly large
Best Match
max cushion fans,
day hikers, fast & light hikers
Men's HOKA Anacapa Low
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Women's HOKA Anacapa Low
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OBOZ KATABATIC WIND
Best Lightweight Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
Most lightweight hiking shoes are glorified sneakers—not the Oboz Katabatic Wind. The most technically advanced Katabatic is a "supershoe" with a carbon plate and nitrogen-infused foam for good energy return, comfort, and support on the trail. Oboz made the Katabatic Wind for moving fast over mountainous terrain. I wear mine for my mid-week fitness hikes, when I pick up my pace to burn extra calories. If you're a fastpacker or day hiker hunting for a lightweight, the Oboz Katabatic Wind is one of the best lightweight hiking shoes I've tested and reviewed. Keep your eyes open for cheaper, closeout prices on the Katabatic Wind (see links below).
For more, see my full Oboz Katabatic Wind review
Best Fit
standard feet,
size up full size for wide feet
Best Match
fast hikers with light packs
Men's Oboz Katabatic Wind
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Women's Oboz Katabatic Wind
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LA SPORTIVA ULTRA RAPTOR 3
Best Lightweight Hiking Shoe for Tough Terrain
Main Benefits:
No longer a trail running shoe, the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 is a rarity—a lightweight hiking shoe made for serious hikers. Like most Sportivas, the new Ultra Raptor has excellent rock traction. It's not as stiff and supportive as the Spire (below), but the Ultra Raptor still has some backbone in spite of being a lightweight hiking shoe. After 50 miles of testing this spring, the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 has proved to be the best lightweight hiking shoe for more technical trails.
For more, see my full Ultra Raptor review
Best Fit
standard feet
(size up 1/2 size)
Best Match
mountain day hikes
Men's Ultra Raptor 3 Low
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Women's Ultra Raptor 3 Low
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SALOMON X ULTRA 360
Best Value Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
The Salomon X Ultra 360 is a much better hiking shoe—and much better value—than budget hiking shoes like the Merrell Moab. It's the less expensive and slightly more comfortable "all-around" version of the X Ultra 5 (at the top of this list). Like its more expensive sibling, the X Ultra 360 balances stability and agility while offering men and women aggressive tread and optional GORE-TEX waterproofing. Plus, it costs $25 less than the X Ultra 5 without much of a dropoff in performance. In my opinion, the Salomon X Ultra 360 is now the best hiking shoe for hikers on a budget.
Best Fit
standard feet
(snug in the heel, standard at the forefoot)
Best Match
budget-oriented hikers,
occasional day hikers,
trail to town use
Men's Salomon X Ultra 360 Low
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Women's Salomon X Ultra 360 Low
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ADIDAS TERREX SKYCHASER AX5
Best Budget Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
The Skychaser AX5 is the entry-level hiking shoe in the adidas TERREX line. It's not as protective as the regular TERREX Skychaser or as cushy as the TERREX Free Hiker 2. But it stands out from other budget hiking shoes because (1) it's actually supportive and (2) has GORE-TEX waterproofing. Those are two big plusses for the price. Keep in mind the Skychaser AX5 is heavier than average (due to its price) and may or may not be comfortable (due to its stiffer build and modest cushioning). That said, the cheaper AX5 version of the Skychaser proved itself on moderately tough trails when I personally tested it early in 2026.
Best Fit
standard feet
Best Match
occasional day hikers,
hikers on a budget
Men's adidas TERREX Skychaser AX5
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Women's adidas TERREX Skychaser AX5
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ALTRA OLYMPUS 6 HIKE GTX
Zero Drop Hiking Shoe with Wide Toe Box
Main Benefits:
The Olympus HIKE was Altra's first hiking shoe. The "Hike" version of the Olympus is sturdier than the Olympus trail running shoe and much more protective, cushioned, and durable than the popular Altra Lone Peak. Plus, it still features the wide "Footshape" toe box and balanced cushion (aka "zero drop") that Altra fans love. I liked the Olympus Hike more than I expected when I tested and reviewed the original in Pennsylvania. Zero drop normally doesn't work for me, but the sturdier, more cushioned soles of the Olympus HIKE put less strain on my lower body. If zero drop works for you, the Olympus 6 HIKE is Altra's best hiking shoe.
Best Fit
standard to wide feet
Wide toe box with wide sizes available
Best Match
day hikers, ultra-light backpackers, zero drop fans, max cushion fans,
Men's Altra Olympus 6 Hike Low GTX
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Women's Altra Olympus 6 Hike Low GTX
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LA SPORTIVA SPIRE GTX
Best Hiking Shoe for Tough Mountains
Main Benefits:
With the industry trending towards lighter, more casual hiking shoe, the La Sportiva Spire GTX remains one of the best hiking shoes for technical trails. I personally choose the Spire for tough mountain day hikes because it's sturdy with clutch traction on rocky trails. Even though it's stiff and supportive, the Spire still feels relatively athletic, too. This shoe also stands out for its GORE-TEX Surround waterproofing with 360-degree breathability. Just get it soon—La Sportiva is phasing out the Spire in 2026 (which means great close out prices!).
Best Fit
standard feet - not as narrow as most Sportivas (size up 1/2 size)
Best Match
difficult day hikes,
mountainous terrain
Men's La Sportiva Spire GTX
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Women's La Sportiva Spire GTX
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Why Trust Hiking Feet's Hiking Shoe Recs
Hiking Feet is not an amateur gear review site. I'm an outdoor industry pro who's managed footwear at a hiking and backpacking shop and hiked more than 17,000 miles the past 15 years testing most of the best brands of hiking footwear.
I've personally tested and reviewed each of the hiking shoes I recommend. While amateur review sites copy each other's content and recommend hiking shoes based on market research, I ignore customer reviews, reddit threads, AI, and silly lists that rank order hiking shoes.
Those sources of information are notoriously unreliable. They also ignore the two most important things about buying hiking shoes—choosing hiking shoes that (1) fit your feet and (2) match your hikes.
How to Choose Hiking Shoes that Fit
The best hiking shoes in the world will suck if they don't fit you properly. That's why it's best to get fitted by a footwear pro at an outdoor specialty retailer (not a sporting goods box store). If that's not available to you, check out my hiking shoe fitting guide.
For the best hiking shoe fit, choose a shoe with approximately 1/2" of room between your longest toe and the end of the boot. This half-inch clearance (1) accommodates swollen feet and (2) prevents your toes from hitting the end of the shoe on steep descents (which leads to toe and foot injuries).
Your hiking size usually will be a half-size or full-size larger than your everyday shoe size. My regular shoe size is a 11.5 mens, and my current hiking shoes include size 12, 12 wide, 12.5, 12.5+, 13, and 13 wide— because every boot and brand has its own fit.
Salomon hiking shoes fit snug in the heel with standard to slightly narrow toe boxes
Hiking Shoe Recommendations by Fit
If you have narrow feet, focus on European brands—especially Italian brands—for narrower fits. In my experience, La Sportiva often has the narrowest fit, followed by Salewa, Scarpa, Mammut, and adidas TERREX.
Several brands have more standard fits while offering their best sellers in wide sizes, including Oboz, Danner, LOWA, and Salomon.
For wider fits, focus on U.S. brands, such as KEEN and Merrell. Altra and Topo Athletic focus on more natural fits—shoes with wide toe boxes and less heel cushioning (to encourage you to walk on the balls of your feet instead of on your heels).
Pro Tip: If you struggle to get enough width, hikers with wide feet can sometimes size up a full size to get a wide enough fit.
I size up extra in European brands (like La Sportiva) to get enough width for my wide feet
How to choose the best hiking shoes for your hiking style
The second key to choosing the right hiking shoes is to buy shoes for the hikes you do most of the time. You should focus on where you hike and how you hike. That is, how fast you hike, how far you hike, how much weight you carry, and so on . . .
My "best match" recommendations will help you choose hiking shoes that match the type of hiking you do:
- If you're a fast hiker with a light pack, you might focus on lightweight hiking shoes, such as the adidas TERREX Free Hiker SL or Oboz Katabatic Wind.
- For more demanding mountain trails, I recommend the La Sportiva Spire, Salomon X Ultra 5, Mammut Sertig III, or La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3
- If you're concerned about wet/dry traction, consider hiking shoes with Vibram Megagrip rubber, including the HOKA Anacapa and Altra Olympus 6 HIKE.
- If you hike wet, muddy, or snowy trails, any hiking shoe with a "GTX" has GORE-TEX waterproofing.
- For more cushion, focus on HOKA (max cushion) or Oboz (O-Fit insoles).
- For less float and more trail feel, focus on Salomon or La Sportiva, which generally have a stiffer, less cushioned feel.
- If you prioritize price over support or weight savings, I recommend starting with the Salomon X Ultra 360 (best value) or adidas TERREX Skychaser AX5 (good entry-level hiking shoe).
When in doubt, choose a hiking shoe that matches the type of hiking that you do most of the time.
La Sportiva hiking shoes usually excel on rocky terrain
Yes, it's worth buying the best hiking shoes
I've skimped on plenty of outdoor gear. But life's too short to settle for crappy hiking shoes. So this post has highlighted the best hiking shoes for men and women— based on my extensive hiking experience and outdoor industry training.
My hope is that this post has helped you find one or two pairs that will fit your feet, your budget, and your hikes.
If you have found your next pair of hiking shoes, please consider buying them through the affiliate links above. Hiking Feet may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) from the retailer. Those commissions fund this site (and compensate me for the hundreds of unpaid hours I spent creating free content to help you choose the hiking shoes that make the most sense for you). If this site hooked you up, please consider hooking me up, too. Thanks, I appreciate it!
