Yes, you can wear hiking shoes everyday. But there's an art to buying the best everyday hiking shoes.
For the most part, you should avoid the best hiking shoes for everyday wear. The sturdiest hiking shoes may be too stiff to be comfortable in civilization, and the best waterproof membranes won't breathe if you're simply sitting, standing, or casually walking. Likewise, the most aggressive hiking tread can be dangerous indoors—catching on carpet or sticking to cement or textured stairs (which once caused me to fall down a flight of steps). On top of that, expensive hiking outsoles wear down much quicker in town than they do on the trail. That's not a great investment for most people.
For trail to town wear, men and women usually are better off choosing (1) an outdoor lifestyle shoe, (2) a budget hiking shoe, (3) a lightweight hiking shoe, or (4) a true hiking shoe that blends support with cushioning and flexibility. Here are the best everyday hiking shoes to wear from the summit to the sidewalk, the trail to the tavern, or the woods to the wine bar.
best everyday hiking shoes: outdoor lifestyle
Some outdoor brands specifically design hiking shoes to be worn everyday. In the outdoor industry, we call them "trail to town" shoes or "outdoor lifestyle" shoes—hybrid hiking-casual shoes that work for hiking, work, and casual wear. Lifestyle shoes are better people who mostly will wear them for work or casual use and less for actual hiking.
Oboz Sypes
Main Benefits:
Why the Oboz Sypes Low?
The Oboz Sypes stands out if you're looking for a hiking shoe to wear everyday. Most Oboz hiking shoes can be worn everyday because the brand's O-Fit insoles provide targeted cushion and support that's almost like an orthotic. The Sypes, however, is a dedicated trail-to-town shoe that's made for people who want to wear their hiking shoes everyday for work and play. It's a capable hiking shoe that comes through with all-day comfort, and it looks great next to khakis, blue jeans, and hiking pants.
Best Match
trail to town, outdoor lifestyle shoe for everyday wear
Best Fit
standard fit
with wide sizes available
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Vasque Satoru Trail LT
Vasque Satoru Trail LT- Women's
Main Benefits:
Why the Vasque Satoru?
The lightest shoe in Vasque's trail lineup, the new Satoru Trail LT is made for fast-and-light hikes on well-maintained trails. However, many hikers find its thinner soles and flexible build ideal for casual, everyday wear, too. If you're active and always on the go, you may love this lightweight, outdoor lifestyle shoe from Vasque.
Best Match
fast and light hikers,
outdoor lifestyle
Best Fit
narrow to standard feet: Vasques run slightly narrow
best everyday hiking shoes: budget
In many cases, budget-oriented hiking shoes make better everyday shoes than expensive hiking shoes. They're not as stiff as most premium hiking shoes—which may feel more comfortable on sidewalks, concrete, and carpet—and often feature multi-surface traction that wears well on man-made surfaces. Here are some budget-friendly picks for everyday use:
Merrell Moab
Merrell Moab 3 Low- Men's
Main Benefits:
Why the Merrell Moab?
Merrell promotes the Moab as "the world's best-selling hiker." But this budget-oriented hiking shoe is popular in part because many Merrell lovers wear them as everyday shoes. A little more supportive that your average sneaker, the Moab's "out of the box comfort" translates well to everyday wear, as does its wider fit (since our feet often swell a half-size by the end of the day). The Merrell Moab is an average hiking shoe, but it's a good trail-to-town shoe for indoor and outdoor work and everyday wear.
Best Match
day hiking, work shoe, general outdoor shoe
Best Fit
wide feet: wide fit
with wide sizes available
best everyday hiking shoes: lightweight
Many lightweight hiking shoes are flexible (not stiff) underfoot. That may limit their support. But it also makes them more comfortable for fast hikes on well-maintained trails—and for everyday wear. If you're looking for a lightweight hiking shoe to wear every day, here are two standouts.
Danner Trail 2650
Danner Trail 2650 - Men's
Main Benefits:
Why the Danner Trail 2650?
Named for the 2650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, the Danner Trail 2650 is a lightweight trail shoe made for thru-hikers. However, it's a good hiking shoe to wear everyday because it's flexible, features a roomy fit (which accommodates swelling feet), and dresses up well for casual wear. That adds up to a light, ventilated, and breathable trail-to-town shoe for men and women who wear hiking shoes everyday.
Best Match
outdoor casual,
fast-and-light hikers
Best Fit
standard to wide feet:
roomy fit with wides available
Danner offers several versions of the Trail 2650—which can be confusing. Here's how to pick the best one for you:
adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2
adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2 GTX
Main Benefits:
Why the TERREX Free Hiker 2?
The TERREX Free Hiker 2 is a lightweight hiker will extra-cushy Boost foam midsoles stolen from adidas's running line. They're made for fast hikers with light packs on well-maintained trails. That also means they're Hella comfortable for long distance trails, urban hikes, and casual wear. This premium hiking sneaker is expensive, but it packs in some premium technology with plenty of float underfoot, which is why many people consider it the most comfortable hiking shoe out there. If you love you some cushion and got the coin, the adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2 is a premium hiking shoe for everyday.
best hiking shoes to wear everyday
The best hiking shoes for everyday wear should be moderately supportive (not overly supportive) and well cushioned, especially if you'll be spending extensive time on your feet. The following shoes are made for hiking; however, they're also well cushioned to wear everyday for work, for play, and for outdoor looks.
Keen Targhee Low
Keen Targhee III Low- Women's
Main Benefits:
Why the KEEN Targhee Low?
Keen's best-selling Targhee Low is a good hiking shoe for moderate trails —with more than enough comfort for everyday wear. Keens feature plenty of cushion, and their signature toe boxes add everyday comfort by leaving room for your toes to wiggle and your feet to swell. It's a nice hiking shoe for people who work on their feet, and its leather looks good with office casual clothes and outdoor work clothes.
Best Match
day hiking, work shoe, outdoor lifestyle
Best Fit
wide feet: wide fit
with wide sizes available
Oboz Sawtooth X
Main Benefits:
Why the Sawtooth X?
The Sawtooth X is the rare hiking shoe that's sturdy enough for serious hikes yet comfortable enough to wear everyday, I've not only sold heaps of Sawtooths to hikers, but also to people who work on their feet, including surgeons, nurses, factory workers, and landscapers. The X--a 2022 update to Oboz's best-selling hiking shoe--also adds a bad-ass outdoor vibe to blue jeans, khakis, and after-work happy hours at your favorite brewpub.
Best Match
hiking, work shoe for people who work on their feet
Best Fit
standard fit,
wide sizes available
Yes, you can wear hiking shoes everyday
Hiking shoes can make good everyday shoes . . . if you know what to look for. Some people (like me) wear hiking shoes everyday for extra support and cushioning, especially if they work on their feet. Some wear their hiking shoes as often as possible because they paid good money for them. Others people just love the mountain town look. My recommendations above should help you narrow down the field to a hiking with the right fit, feel, and look for your everyday needs.
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