Hiking boots are expensive. But if you know where to buy hiking boots and shoes—and when to score the best prices—you can buy the best hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes for the prices that most people pay for mediocre ones. I've been doing it for years. And now that I work in the outdoor industry, I'm even better at finding the best hiking footwear at the best prices. If you want the best selection and the best prices, here's where to buy hiking boots:
- Local outdoor specialty retailers
- Backcountry
- REI
- REI Garage
- Sierra
- Steep & Cheap
This page includes affiliate links. If you click on a link and buy something, the retailer may share a small percentage of the sale with Hiking Feet. That's a free and easy way for you to support this site's free and independent content.
where to buy the best hiking boots
If you want to buy the best hiking boots or hiking shoes, there’s really no substitute for trying on a few pairs in person before you pull the trigger on your next pair. But here's pro tip #1: Skip the big box stores and sporting goods chains.
Instead, buy your hiking boots from an outdoor specialty retailer, such as your local outdoor gear shop (see map of grassroots outdoor retailers) or brick and mortar REI.
boot wall at Appalachian Outdoors, my local outdoor specialty shop
Yes, the prices will be higher at a specialized outdoor retailer. But no, that's NOT because they jack up their prices. Outdoor specialty shops simply sell better brands—and better hiking boots and shoes made for more pursuit-oriented hikers.
Plus, local gear shops have probably hand-picked the best hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail runners for your particular area, too. (In contrast, chain stores generally carry a generic selection of mediocre brands made for the mass market.) Most outdoor specialty shops should also have experienced hikers on staff who can fit you properly and recommend the best footwear for where you hike and how you hike.
The top shelf brands at sporting good chains and giant outdoor box stores will probably be the bottom shelf brands at outdoor specialty retailers, such as REI, Backcountry, and your local hiking and backpacking specialty shop.
Pro Tip #2: Price match! Many local shops will price match competitors’ online prices. If you find a lower price online, give your local hiking and backpacking shop a chance to earn your business—and support your local outdoor community.
Especially if you're new to hiking, there's no substitute for buying your hiking footwear from a brick and mortar store where an outdoor industry professional (like me) can help you find the best fit for your feet and best match for your hikes.
where to buy hiking boots online
That being said, the internet is where many people buy hiking boots and shoes. It's hard to beat the convenience of online shopping—and the greater selection of hiking footwear online. Plus, it's easier to compare prices online to get the best buys on hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes.
Where should hikers shop online for hiking boots and shoes? For the best online selection, I highly recommend Backcountry and REI Co-op. For the deepest discounts on hiking footwear, my go-to's are REI Outlet, Sierra, and Steep and Cheap. These sites carry most of the best hiking boots and shoes—and can be affordable if you know what you're doing.
Backcountry
Backcountry is one of the big dogs in outdoor specialty retail in the U.S. The Utah-based company is swarming with outdoor enthusiasts (including me) who like to spread the stoke for good outdoor gear. It's similar to REI but primarily an online retailer (unlike REI). That means Backcountry often has the best online selection of hiking boots and shoes.
Hoka Speedgoat trail running shoes from backcountry.com
Backcountry's prices are consistent with industry pricing and mirror the sale prices and promotions of other online retailers. At the very least, first-time customers can score 15% off most hiking boots/shoes (click on the banner below):
If you know when to buy hiking footwear on sale, you can snag solid discounts at backcountry.com—and even bigger deals at Steep & Cheap, Backcountry's online outlet store. Plus, anyone can join Backcountry's Expedition Perks loyalty program, which is free (unlike REI membership) and comes with additional discounts and promotions, birthday coupons, and credit back on full-price purchases (see below). This is where to buy hiking boots and shoes from the best brands.
REI Co-Op
REI (Recreational Equipment International) is a member-owned Co-Op that's grown into the dominant outdoor specialty retailer in the U.S. I usually root for the underdog, but in this case, I like the big dog, too. With its co-op structure, REI re-directs 70 percent of its profits back into the outdoor community through annual dividends to REI members, employee benefits and profit-sharing, and investments in outdoor nonprofits. That's solid.
Anyone can shop at REI. However, becoming a member of REI Co-Op can open up additional discounts (often 20% off couplons) and credit back on full-price purchases that REI pays out as dividend in the spring. A lifetime membership costs $25—and more than pays for itself if you buy a little outdoor gear.
FREE La Sportiva hiking shoes using annual REI Dividend
REI has a large network of brick and mortar stores and an online selection that rivals Backcountry's. Their regular prices aren't cheap. But that's because REI is an outdoor specialty retailer (like Backcountry) that only carries the good stuff. And their industry-leading return policy removes much of the risk of buying footwear online. Plus, there are several ways to save money through your lifetime REI membership. If you're not sure where to buy hiking boots, REI is a good bet if you're after quality selection.
REI Outlet
If you want to spend less at REI, it's best to start your shopping at REI Outlet (formerly called REI Garage):
REI Outlet has a smaller selection than the main REI store. But that's where you'll find best assortment of end-of-season and past closeouts and overstocked items with discounts of 20% to 70%. It's always worth checking REI Outlet before shopping the main REI site—just in case you can find your favorite hiking boots or shoes on a serious discount.
Backpacking Tasmania in $80 Salomon Quests (MSRP $230) from REI Garage
Sierra
Sierra (formerly Sierra Trading Post) is another online outlet (with a few brick and mortar stores) that offers deep discounts on overstocks and close outs from many outdoor retailers. They'll carry plenty of good stuff at 40-60% off (or more), usually from past seasons. But you have to sift through plenty of junk to find the treasures. Most of their footwear is not hiking footwear. Still, some of the best hiking boots and shoes can pop up at Sierra from time to time.
my wife in $60 KEEN hiking boots from Sierra
Ten years ago, Sierra was where I bought most of my hiking boots at significant discounts. It's not as good as it once was. However, this may be your best bet to buy the best brands at budget brand prices. Back in the day, for example, I snagged award-winning hiking boots from Asolo, Lowa, KEEN, and Vasque for $100 or less at Sierra.
Steep & Cheap
Steep & Cheap is Backcountry's online showroom for limited-time, limited-quantity deals on outdoor gear, clothing, and footwear. Backcountry has good sales with occasional steals. Steep and Cheap has ludicrous deals on outdoor gear—we're talking 40-70% off the best brands. But they're mostly offering these steep discounts on closeouts and low inventory items (to make room for new inventory). That means you need to pounce on good prices when you see them* because most of their deals will sell out in a hurry.
Steep & Cheap is where to buy new hiking boots from past seasons at sick discounts
You won't get lucky all the time at Steep and Cheap. But when you do, you can pull off killer prices on some of the best hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail runners—the same quality as the main Backcountry site. For me, Steep & Cheap is now where to buy hiking boots and hiking shoes at rock bottom prices.
* Backcountry and Steep & Cheap also have a 30-day price guarantee. You can chat/call in to customer service if the price on the boots/shoes you bought goes down within 30 days of your purchase to get that price difference refunded to you.
Conclusion
I get it. Hiking boots are expensive. But you don't have to settle for a mediocre pair if you know where to buy hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes. You can get good prices—sometimes outstanding prices—at outdoor specialty retailers.
Backcountry and REI have the widest selection of the best hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes for hiking. REI Garage, Sierra, and Steep & Cheap are where to buy hiking boots and shoes at the deepest discounts by focusing on past seasons' close outs and limited inventory items from the current season.
Please give these online retailers a look if you're in the market for new hiking boots and shoes. And don't forget your local outdoor gear shop if you've got access to one! You'll probably get better service—and much better boots and shoes—if you drive past the big box stores and chain stores and shop at your hiking and backpacking specialty shop.
Happy hiking!
