As a general rule, lightweight hiking shoes are more supportive and durable than trail running shoes. Plus, they're a few ounces lighter than traditional hiking shoes. This makes them a good option for dayhikers who hike fast and carry little weight. Over the past five years, I've personally tested lightweight hiking shoes from brands like HOKA, Merrell, KEEN, and Salomon. My list of the best lightweight hiking shoes highlights the best options for light hikers, casual hikers, typical day hikers, and hardcore hikers.
Testing the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 in Spring 2026
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Best Lightweight Hiking Shoes of 2026
In 2026, the best lightweight hiking shoes are the
Disclosure: I have personally tested and reviewed each of these lightweight shoes. As always, Hiking Feet's recommendations are 100% independent and based on my extensive hiking experience and outdoor industry experience. Three of the lightweight hiking shoes on this list are new additions for 2025.
ADIDAS TERREX FREE HIKER SL
New Lightweight Hiking Shoe for 2026
Main Benefits:
New for 2026, the TERREX Free Hiker SL is the ultralight version of adidas's Free Hiker—one of the cushiest hiking shoes on the market. The SL is lighter and more athletic than the OG while still featuring max cushion for comfort. On my fitness hikes, I felt fast in the Free Hiker SL, and it also performed well on moderately difficult trails with plenty of ups and downs. It's one of the more performance-oriented, lightweight hiking shoes on this list, so you can legitimately wear it from city sidewalks up to mountain summits.
Best Fit
standard to slightly wide feet (roomier fit than most adidas)
Best Match
fast hikers with light packs, urban trails, trail to town
Men's adidas TERREX Free Hiker SL GTX
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Women's adidas TERREX Free Hiker SL GTX
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OBOZ KATABATIC WIND
Best Lightweight Hiking Shoe for Fast Hikers
Main Benefits:
Oboz may be best known for its sturdy boots and shoes, but the Katabatic Wind makes my short list of the best lightweight hiking shoes. More technical than the original Katabatic low, the Katabatic Wind is a supershoe with a carbon plate sandwiched between superfoam midsoles—made to feel fast and responsive on the trail. It's also comfortable with more cushioning than most lightweight hiking shoes. This is one of my go-to hiking shoes for mid-week fitness hikes and quick-moving walks through the desert washes and foothill trails behind my Albuquerque home. If you're looking for an athletic hiking shoe that can handle everything from easy to moderately difficult trails, the Oboz Katabatic Wind may be an excellent choice for fast-moving hikers with light day packs.
Best Fit
regular feet (standard fit)
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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DANNER TRAIL 2650
Best Lightweight Leather Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
Named for the 2650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, the Danner Trail 2650 is made for fast-and-light hikers who prefer lightweight hiking shoes to more supportive ones. Danner's best trail shoe runs several ounces lighter than the average hiking shoe, thanks to its thinner soles. Even though it's best for light hiking, the Trail 2650 has excellent Vibram outsoles and optional GORE-TEX waterproofing for wet weather or sloppy trail conditions. I personally wear my 2650s as a trail to town shoe—they're comfortable when I'm at my computer and capable when I walk the desert wash behind my house. The Trail 2650 is available in standard or wide sizes with several different builds available to match your hiking style, including leather or synthetic uppers, breathable Campos for hot weather hikes, or waterproof GTX styles.
See my full Danner Trail 2650 review
Best Fit
regular or wide feet
Best Match
fast hikers, trail to town wear
Men's Danner Trail 2650
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Women's Danner Trail 2650
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MERRELL MOAB SPEED 2
Budget-friendly Lightweight Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
Lighter and more athletic than the best-selling Merrell Moab, the Moab Speed 2 is a budget-friendly lightweight hiking shoe for hikers who prefer easy to moderate trails. This puppy only weighs a few ounces more than most pairs of trail running shoes while giving average hikers enough support and traction for their hiking style. Merrells fit too wide for narrow-footed hikers and may come up short on tougher trails. I don't mind this shoe for my daily wash walk and foothills trails but prefer other shoes on this list for harder hikes with more rocks, mud, or elevation gain. Overall, the Merrell Moab Speed 2 is affordable and makes the most sense for casual hikers, beginners, budget-oriented hikers, and people who wear hiking shoes as everyday shoes.
For more, see my full Moab Speed 2 review
Best Fit
wide feet
Best Match
light hiking, everyday wear
Men's Merrell Moab Speed 2
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Women's Merrell Moab Speed 2
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HOKA ANACAPA LOW
Lightweight Hiking Shoe with Max Cushion
Main Benefits:
Best Fit
average feet
Best Match
day hikes, max cushion fans
Men's HOKA Anacapa Low
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Women's HOKA Anacapa Low
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LA SPORTIVA ULTRA RAPTOR 3
Best Lightweight Hiking Shoe for Mountain Trails
Main Benefits:
New for 2026, the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 is a lightweight hiking shoe for the mountains. This shoe packs plenty of support and toe protection into a sub-2-pound package. But it's traction is its biggest selling point. On my test hikes, I got great grip on rock, gravel, and scree—great tread for steep, mixed terrain. This shoe's light on cushion, so you can feel the trail. It also features a roomier fit than most La Sportivas, so more hikers can wear it comfortably.
Best Fit
average feet
Best Match
hard 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 5 GTX LOW
Best Lightweight Hiking Shoe for Harder Hikes
Main Benefits:
Most lightweight hiking boots are made for easier trails—not the Salomon X Ultra 5. With an outstanding weight to support ratio, this hiking shoe can tackle tough scales without tipping the scales as much as the average hiking shoe. Newly updated for 2025, the X Ultra 5 has a snug fit, firm feel, and moderately aggressive traction for multi-terrain hiking. I've personally reviewed the new mid-cut X Ultra 5 and have hiked hundreds of miles in the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX. In my experience, less experienced hikers may find this shoe too stiff, and it's not quite as light as some shoes on this list. Overall, though, Salomon's best hiking shoe gets my vote for the best lightweight hiking shoe for serious hikers.
Best Fit
standard to slightly narrow,
wide sizes available
Best Match
all-around hiking shoe, trails with soft or loose surfaces
Men's Salomon X Ultra 5 Low GTX
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Women's Salomon X Ultra 5 Low GTX
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Buying the Best Lightweight Hiking Shoes
The best lightweight hiking boots may save you some energy on the trail, especially if you’re a fast hiker. And they generally cost less than the best hiking boots. That makes them a popular pick for casual hikers, fast hikers, and seasoned backpackers who want to save weight to save energy (especially on long hikes).
If you're not in love with these options, please check out my longer list of recommended hiking shoes or my pro picks for the best trail running shoes for hikers.
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Happy Hiking!
