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After a new round of testing, we remain confident in our picks. We’ve also added a new pick, Hoka’s Trail Code GTX (women’s and men’s), for a more shoe-like fit. Mens Lace Up Zip Boots
Whether you’re going on a day hike with friends or tackling an ambitious backpacking route, you need a good pair of hiking boots to protect your feet and stabilize your ankles.
Over seven years, we’ve worn 55 pairs of hiking boots while trekking more than 1,400 miles and taking some 2 million steps across all types of terrain.
We chose the Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s) as the best hiking boots. They are breathable and waterproof, and they provide solid traction and support.
These boots also have several essential features—including a wide toe box, sturdy heel protection, and a gusseted tongue—that allowed us to hike comfortably for miles.
These versatile boots offer trustworthy traction, top-notch cushioning, and the widest toe box of any that we tested. Though they’re best suited for longer treks with heavier packs, they are comfortable to wear on hikes of any length.
These versatile boots offer trustworthy traction, top-notch cushioning, and the widest toe box of any boots we tested. Though they’re best suited for longer treks with heavier packs, they are comfortable to wear on hikes of any length.
These lower-priced boots are a reliable choice for people who plan to hike short distances and for those with wider feet.
These lower-priced boots are a reliable choice for people who plan to hike short distances and for those with wider feet.
These flexible, lightweight hiking boots work well in many different types of terrain, and they last over time. They do run narrow, though, and take longer to break in than our top pick.
These flexible, lightweight hiking boots work well in many different types of terrain, and they last over time. They do run narrow, though, and they take longer to break in than our top pick.
These ultra-comfy hiking boots are the lightest of our picks. They have a shoe-like, customizable fit, due to a well-thought-out lacing system.
These ultra-comfy hiking boots are the lightest of our picks. They have a shoe-like, customizable fit, due to a well-thought-out lacing system.
Our testers hiked 1,400 miles and took more than 2 million steps.
Wearing these boots, we trekked through New Zealand, Iceland, Canada, Mexico, and 13 US states.
We chose boots that kept our feet dry while we hiked in snow and rain, as well as when we trekked along creeks, lakes, and waterfalls.
We enlisted more than 25 testers to help us choose boots in a variety of fits.
These versatile boots offer trustworthy traction, top-notch cushioning, and the widest toe box of any that we tested. Though they’re best suited for longer treks with heavier packs, they are comfortable to wear on hikes of any length.
These versatile boots offer trustworthy traction, top-notch cushioning, and the widest toe box of any boots we tested. Though they’re best suited for longer treks with heavier packs, they are comfortable to wear on hikes of any length.
Salomon’s Quest Gore-Tex Hiking Boots (in men’s and women’s) offer ample toe and heel protection, solid traction and support, and a gusseted tongue. Made with breathable, waterproof materials, these boots also have a flexible midfoot plate, which makes flexing your foot a bit easier.
Updated in 2022, the newest Quest boots took slightly longer to break in than the previous model, but they also had the widest toe box of any of the boots we tested. So these boots are likely to fit most foot shapes right out of the box.
The Quest boots are fairly bulky, so they’re best for someone carrying a heavy pack or a kid on their back. Despite their clunkiness, though, these boots are surprisingly comfortable on shorter hikes.
These lower-priced boots are a reliable choice for people who plan to hike short distances and for those with wider feet.
These lower-priced boots are a reliable choice for people who plan to hike short distances and for those with wider feet.
Merrell’s Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots (in men’s and women’s) are a no-frills, trustworthy option for hikers on a budget. These boots have been one of our picks for seven years, and each time we test the Moab boots, we find them to be a good fit in all the ways that count.
They’re waterproof, though not for an extended period of time (like our other picks are). They provide decent ankle support for moderate-length hikes, and they’re easy to lace and fairly breathable. We found them to be extremely comfortable, too. The shock absorption and contoured foot bed make a noticeable difference in preventing sore feet, especially on longer treks.
If you have wider feet, you may appreciate that the Moab boots come in both regular and wide widths (and even the regular width is wider than that of our other picks).
These flexible, lightweight hiking boots work well in many different types of terrain, and they last over time. They do run narrow, though, and take longer to break in than our top pick.
These flexible, lightweight hiking boots work well in many different types of terrain, and they last over time. They do run narrow, though, and they take longer to break in than our top pick.
We’ve tested the Vasque Breeze Waterproof Hiking Boots many times over the past few years, and we’ve found the most recent iteration to be the best yet. These boots (in men’s and women’s) offer the comfort of a trail-running shoe with the ankle support of a hiking boot.
They’re flexible yet still substantial enough to support you when you’re carrying a heavy pack. Though it takes about 10 miles to fully break them in, these boots seemed to get better with wear in our tests. In addition to their substantial underfoot support, the boots’ lighter weight (just over 2 pounds per pair) was especially noticeable after our longer hikes, when we found that our legs and feet were less sore than we expected.
The only downside, besides break-in time, is that these boots run narrow all the way up the ankle; several of our testers ended up with hot spots there. We recommend ordering at least a half-size up from your street-shoe size.
These ultra-comfy hiking boots are the lightest of our picks. They have a shoe-like, customizable fit, due to a well-thought-out lacing system.
These ultra-comfy hiking boots are the lightest of our picks. They have a shoe-like, customizable fit, due to a well-thought-out lacing system.
Because of their marshmallow-like underfoot support, Hoka footwear can be an acquired taste. But Hoka’s newest hiking boots, the Trail Code GTX (in men’s and women’s), are a crowd-pleaser.
They offer superior underfoot support while still maintaining a trail feel, so you’re less likely to roll your ankle when you come across roots. They’re also breathable and made with mostly recycled materials. And at less than 2 pounds a pair, they’re the lightest of our picks.
Also, of the boots we’ve tried in the past three years, the Trail Code boots have the best lacing system—with ideally placed hooks, flexible laces, and a high enough ankle to keep your foot locked in (even when you’re carrying a heavy pack).
This lacing system allows you to customize the fit (which is already quite comfortable) right out of the box. You can also opt not to lace your ankles, if you have a lighter pack or you’re hiking on flat terrain. Hoka footwear tends to run big, so we recommend ordering a half-size down from your regular street shoe.
Journalist Jenni Gritters, who has been working on this guide since 2018, has edited dozens of Wirecutter guides for the outdoor, travel, sleep, and babies-and-kids sections. She has also written for The New York Times, Outside, Slate, Reviewed, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and Gear Patrol. Since 2018 she has tested dozens of hiking boots herself and coordinated dozens of other testing panels. During that time, she has hiked in the Pacific Northwest, the high deserts of Utah and Oregon, and beyond, all while carrying a 35-pound toddler or a 20-pound infant on her back.
For the first iteration of this guide, published in 2017, writer Ebony Roberts conducted hours of research and interviewed several experts.
Whether you’re just starting your hiking journey with local day hikes, or you’re planning a one-month thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail, you need a pair of good hiking boots that provide over-the-ankle support.
Sure, you can tromp through the woods in many different types of shoes, including hiking shoes or trail-running shoes, but if you’re carrying weight on your back, you need that extra support to keep stable.
We have options for various foot shapes. Our picks will likely work for you, regardless of whether you pronate (walk on the insides of your feet) or supinate (walk on the outsides of your feet), and all of the picks here should accommodate high or fallen arches.
Everyone’s feet are unique, however. To hike comfortably and safely, it’s essential that you find the right boot fit. We encourage you to read this whole guide—including our list of the other boots we liked—with your foot shape and terrain plans in mind. And if the first few pairs you try on don’t feel secure and supportive on your feet, we urge you to try more.
Most hiking boots look like this:
Even so, there are many things that distinguish a truly great hiking boot from the rest. Since 2017, we’ve considered over 200 pairs of boots, tested 55 pairs, and spoken with many experts about the most important qualities to look for. Those qualities include:
Throughout the years, dozens of testers have helped with this guide, hiking over 1,400 miles and taking more than 2,000 steps. We’ve taken boots all over the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), as well as to Iceland, Indonesia, China, New Zealand, Canada, and Mexico, and we’ve tackled loose gravel, groomed trails, and brush. Our testers have schlepped through mud, splashed in water, scampered up steep inclines, and slid on snow.
These versatile boots offer trustworthy traction, top-notch cushioning, and the widest toe box of any that we tested. Though they’re best suited for longer treks with heavier packs, they are comfortable to wear on hikes of any length.
These versatile boots offer trustworthy traction, top-notch cushioning, and the widest toe box of any boots we tested. Though they’re best suited for longer treks with heavier packs, they are comfortable to wear on hikes of any length.
The Salomon Quest Gore-Tex Hiking Boots, in men’s and women’s, have been our top pick since we first began testing hiking boots, in 2018.
They offer excellent traction on varied terrain. We’ve tested three versions of the Quest boots. Our testers have crossed glaciers, braved steep trails, and climbed rocky terrain, and they’ve waded through streams, navigated late-spring snow, and slopped through knee-deep mud. And because we’ve tried nearly everything, we can confidently make the following promise: Whether you’re scrambling, climbing, or walking down a paved sidewalk, these boots, with their stellar construction, can handle it. Instead of the commonly used Vibram outsole, the Quest pair’s lugs are made with Contagrip rubber, which we’ve found to be just as good. In 2021, the company added stability and heel support to the base of the boots. Although they still feel as flexible in the foot, these boots are now more rigid around the ankle, so they’re perfect for backpacking trips with heavy packs, when you need the extra support.
They fit most foot shapes. Multiple testers, with a mix of wide and narrow feet, found these boots to be comfortable for their particular foot shape. That’s likely thanks to the boots’ roomy toe box. We could wiggle our toes, but our feet still felt supported. One tester who had plantar fasciitis even found that he could comfortably wear the Quest boots without his usual insoles. We found these boots to be slightly wider through the foot than other pairs we tested. (If you have very wide feet, however, we recommend our budget pick, the Merrell Moab 3 boots.) The Quest boots fit true to size.
They’re supportive, but they don’t feel too heavy. Of all the boots we tried, this pair had the best underfoot protection, due to a midsole made with EVA foam for cushioning and an under-arch shank for added stability. If you struggle with aching feet or carry a heavy pack (or a child), this added support should allow you to go a few extra miles without experiencing foot pain. But compared with many other traditional hiking boots, these boots didn’t feel overbuilt on the trail, even on a shorter day hike. The uppers hug the tops of the feet without feeling compressive, which we very much appreciated on longer hikes.
They protect your toes. After we completed a long, challenging hike, our feet felt far less sore wearing these boots than most of the other ones we tested. We could still sense the ground enough to navigate properly, but the many rocks we encountered didn’t cause sore toes. And if you tend to stub your toes, you’ll also be grateful that the Contagrip rubber outsole extends to offer toe and heel protection.
They’re breathable but not leaky. The Quest boots strike that ideal balance of being both breathable and waterproof—a combination that can be tough to find. They didn’t leak, even after we took muddy, puddle-heavy walks along the shores of New Zealand’s alpine lakes. They’re also easy to clean: Dirt and mud wipe right off.
They last for years. Even after multiple seasons of use—including in the snow and the heat, in both Oregon and California—the Quest boots have remained comfortable and well ventilated. The waterproofing appears to be durable, too. If you do discover a problem early on, Salomon offers a 30-day return policy for clean gear and a two-year warranty covering manufacturing defects. But we recommend buying through REI or Zappos due to those retailers’ excellent, less-restrictive return policies for online purchases. (As of 2023, REI’s one-year return policy is limited to REI Co-op members; non-members have 90 days.)
These lower-priced boots are a reliable choice for people who plan to hike short distances and for those with wider feet.
These lower-priced boots are a reliable choice for people who plan to hike short distances and for those with wider feet.
For seven years and counting, we’ve been recommending the Merrell Moab Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots (in men’s and women’s sizes) to hikers.
These are the best boots for wide feet. The Moab boots come in two widths, which isn’t the case for most of the boots we tested (including our top pick). Even the regular-width model is significantly wider than our other picks’ regular-width options.
They’re inexpensive but still well made. Although these are the least expensive of our picks, they are still sturdy, waterproof, and fairly breathable. These boots offer high-quality underfoot protection, and they’re capable of handling day hikes and backpacking trips. In fact, the Moab 3 boots offered the best breathability we could find in a pair costing $150 or less, and that's probably due to their smartly placed mesh panels. (But they weren’t as well ventilated as the Salomon Quest pair or the Vasque Breeze boots.) Merrell allows free returns on unused items for up to 30 days. (Again, we recommend buying from REI or Zappos.)
They’re stable and comfortable to wear on all terrain. A newly contoured footbed (as of 2022) and reinforced heel cushion provide an extremely comfortable step—the boots feel broken-in right out of the box. The company also added extra shock absorption to the midfoot plates; along with the Vibram outsole, this protects toes against rocks and roots. The Moab 3 boots weigh a middle-of-the-road 2 pounds 4 ounces per pair (depending on sizing).
They work great for dry climates, but they may not remain waterproof. You can choose from waterproof or non-waterproof models. We tested the waterproof version, and though our feet stayed fairly dry through multiple creek crossings, the suede sections on the boots themselves got soaked. In rainy and wet climates, these boots may not keep the water out for long. If you’re looking for boots to wear in such places, we encourage you to check out our top pick.
And their lower ankle isn’t as supportive—though they are easy to lace. The ankle portion of these boots doesn’t extend as high as it does on the Salomon boots, so these boots may not work as well for longer hikes or for hikes with heavier packs. Testers also complained about debris getting into the top of the boots’ wide, shallower ankle. But the Moab pair is easy to lace, with rigid eye hooks that catch the sturdy laces well and keep the boots tight around the upper foot.
These flexible, lightweight hiking boots work well in many different types of terrain, and they last over time. They do run narrow, though, and take longer to break in than our top pick.
These flexible, lightweight hiking boots work well in many different types of terrain, and they last over time. They do run narrow, though, and they take longer to break in than our top pick.
The Vasque Breeze Waterproof Hiking Boot (men’s and women’s sizing) combines a flexible, comfortable midfoot with the ankle support needed for hiking with a heavy pack.
They’re light, and they’re the most flexible boots we tested. Weighing about 2 pounds 2 ounces a pair (depending on the size), the Breeze boots rank among the lightest boots we tested, second only to the Hoka Trail Code boots. The benefit: You can move quickly over varied terrain. Jenni especially noticed the flexibility while driving and getting her kids ready for a hike.
They’re supportive, comfortable, and stable. With many of the competitors, more flexibility and lighter weight meant less stability and comfort, but not so with the Vasque Breeze boots. The EVA foam under the midsole and footbed feels supportive, and the proprietary outsoles are grippy on wet, muddy, and dusty terrain. The Hoka Trail Code boots are similarly flexible and light, but they are more pillowy underfoot; choose the Breeze boots if you prefer being able to feel the ground. As with our top pick, it takes about 10 miles to fully break in the Breeze boots. But if you can tough it out, we think you’ll find—as we have—that these boots get better the longer you wear them. For several of our testers, the combination of a light, comfortable fit with a supportive ankle and sole made the Breeze boots, once broken in, their go-to option, regardless of the temperature or terrain. This was true even when we presented our testers with many other boots.
They’re waterproof, breathable, and durable. We tested the Breeze boots in desert and snowy climates, as well as on rainy mountain hikes. And our feet stayed warm and dry, but they never got too sweaty. After a desert hike, though, we did end up with a bit of trail debris in our boots. We also found that the laces loosened over time, so use proper lacing techniques to ensure the boots stay locked in. Although our pairs have lasted across multiple seasons, the leather can get scratched and dirty.
They’re the best fit for narrow feet. For our testers with narrower feet and higher arches, the Vasque Breeze boots appeared to be a winner almost every time. But for those with lower arches, the more-rigid ankle support sometimes hit higher on their legs, causing hot spots on testers’ ankle bones. These hot spots diminished over time, but they were a chief complaint during the first 10 or so miles. We do recommend sizing up at least a half-size, if not a full one, to get more room in the ankle and reduce the likelihood of hot spots.
These ultra-comfy hiking boots are the lightest of our picks. They have a shoe-like, customizable fit, due to a well-thought-out lacing system.
These ultra-comfy hiking boots are the lightest of our picks. They have a shoe-like, customizable fit, due to a well-thought-out lacing system.
The Hoka Trail Code GTX Lightweight Hiker (men’s and women’s) is a well-rounded, lightweight boot for hikers seeking a cushioned, more shoe-like fit.
They’re pillowy, but not as much as other Hoka boots we’ve tested. Hoka boots are known for their stacked underfoot support, which is often compared to a marshmallow. This fit can be polarizing. Though the Trail Code design is less pillowy than the Hoka Anacapa 2, it’s still well cushioned, with thick EVA foam laid across the midsole. The result is comfort without the loss of trail feel. Like the Vasque Breeze boots, the Trail Code boots are also flexible, so they’re easy to throw on for a drive to the trail, and they allow you to move quickly as you hike.
They’re the most breathable of our picks, yet they’re still waterproof. On a hot day, these are the boots we’d wear, due to the mesh upper, which extends along the top of the shoe as well as along the sides. Somehow, the Trail Code boots maintain solid waterproofing as well, with a Gore-Tex bootie (instead of just a liner) that keeps water out while letting air in. Nearly all of the fabric on these boots is made from recycled polyester.
The lacing system is easy to adjust. For anyone who is used to standing closer to the ground, having a lot of underfoot support can be disconcerting. But Hoka’s well-designed lacing system lets you tightly lock your ankle and upper foot into the boot, so you don’t roll from side to side (a major worry that comes with added height). These boots do run a bit large; you’ll probably want to move down about a half-size from your street-shoe size, and you should try them on in person if possible.
If you’re looking for an all-leather boot to wear around town: Consider the stylish Danner Mountain 600 Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s). Since they’re made of suede, the Mountain 600 boots take longer to break in (about 10 to 20 miles) than some of the others we tested. But once they’re broken in, they mold to your feet. If you do find these boots attractive, we recommend that you try them on before you buy, and order in your street-shoe size, rather than sizing up. Overall, we thought these boots were less appealing for actual hiking—and definitely not a fit for backpacking or mountaineering adventures—because they were rigid, prone to causing hot spots, and less breathable than our picks.
If the Vasque Breeze and Hoka Trail Code are sold out: La Sportiva’s Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX Boots (men’s and women’s) offer the same flexible setup as a running shoe but have added toe protection and a slightly longer break-in time. The previous version of this boot, the Raptor, was a pick, but the latest model didn’t maintain its support as well as the Breeze boots did over a year of testing. The Breeze boots were also more breathable. The Ultra Raptor pair runs small in length, so you should order a half-size to a full size up from your street-shoe size. All La Sportiva boots are generally narrow. But like the Merrell Moab boots, the Ultra Raptor boots come in medium-wide and wide options.
If you hike in colder temperatures: Consider the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s), which have less ventilation than our picks. In our tests, they had excellent traction, even over loose rocks, and they offered good ankle support for carrying a heavy pack. The lacing system locked our heels in place, too, and the tongue came up high enough to prevent dirt from entering. In the end, these Lowa boots fell short of our picks because the all-leather upper and insulated insoles made our feet too warm in hot weather. Multiple testers also reported that the Lowa boots were stiff out of the box and required a lot of breaking in.
Salomon Cross Hike 2 Mid Gore-Tex (men’s and women’s): Fitting like a rigid trail runner that lands slightly below the ankle bone, these boots don’t provide the needed ankle stability for hikers carrying heavy packs. We don’t think most people need this level of traction without ankle support. The Cross Hike pair’s lacing system, which cinches down with a pulley, can be tough to secure tightly.
Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s): In our experience, the firmer sole on these boots didn’t easily flex with the foot, and one tester said the lack of cushioning left her with sore feet after an alpine descent.
Scarpa Zodiac Tech GTX Hiking Boots (men’s sizes only): Even after breaking these in, one tester found that his feet were constantly sore while he hiked mountain trails, and he had to switch out the insoles for something more cushioned.
Keen Targhee III Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s): We found these boots to be too narrow in the toe box and unlikely to accommodate most foot shapes. After we took a 6-mile hike on rooted ground, our feet were aching, which suggested that the boots offered limited underfoot support.
Keen Targhee EXP Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s): These boots offered substantial room in the toe box, and we think even the standard-width version should accommodate most wide feet just fine. One major drawback: We couldn’t get the laces to stay tightly laced.
Keen Circadia Waterproof Boot (men’s and women’s): For someone who plans to carry a heavy pack or a child often, these lower-cost boots may be worth considering due to their strong ankle support, well-protected toe box, and simple lacing system, which helps keep the boots tight. But they’re lined with fleece and not very breathable, and they run big.
Keen Zionic Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s): Keen’s newest hiking boots feel—and look—like running shoes with ankle support, but the light weight comes at the cost of underfoot support. We felt unstable hiking across rocks and roots because the laces tended to loosen; after a few miles, our feet ached.
Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s): Overbuilt for most day hikers, these boots ran quite big around the ankles. Despite tight lacing, the boots loosened up during a 5-mile hike, and we ended our hike with debris in our shoes and blisters. Also, the mesh upper creased across the top of the foot, which caused bruising for one tester.
Salomon Elixir Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s): These new Hoka-esque boots from Salomon look like moon boots. After just 3 miles, Jenni’s feet started to ache badly. Because of the lack of any trail feel, she kept tripping, and the breathability left much to be desired. The next morning, her feet were killing her.
Oboz Bridger Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s): All of our testers reported feeling stable in these boots, even in the slipperiest conditions. However, they also noted that these boots were too hot for midsummer hiking.
Oboz Sypes Mid Leather Waterproof Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s): These boots have a longer break-in time than most of the others we tried; they also lacked the ankle support we needed, and their breathability was subpar.
Oboz Katabatic Mid Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s): These ran narrow—even more so than the Vasque Breeze boots—and multiple testers complained that the upper pinched the tops of their toes when they walked. At the same time, the ankles were boxy and let in trail debris.
Timberland Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s): Made with leather, these boots are hard to clean and less breathable than the other boots we tested, especially on hot days.
Topo Athletic Trailventure Waterproof Mid 2 (men’s and women’s): These boots are nearly as expensive as many of our picks, but the mesh upper wrinkles as you bend your foot, a sign of cheaper materials and blisters to come. They’re also not as breathable as our picks, though they’re built on a running-shoe last.
Decathlon Quechua MH500 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots (men’s and women’s): In search of a hiking boot under $100, we ordered these boots, but we were disappointed by the cheap, thin materials. They caused blisters for both testers and weren’t breathable. The waterproofing wasn’t foolproof, either, and the underfoot panels had very little foam. Also, their price has since risen, currently to about $110.
Hoka Anacapa 2 Mid GTX Boots (men’s and women’s): These polarizing boots have an unusual build that makes them feel more like a moon boot than a traditional hiking boot; our testers compared hiking in them to walking on a Tempur-Pedic mattress. The EVA foam underfoot doesn’t allow for much ground feel, which can be disconcerting, though we didn’t actually slip or trip at any point.
This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.
Mike Armstrong, disaster program manager at the American Red Cross, email interviews, July 1, 2017
Beth Henkes, sales lead in footwear, REI, Alderwood, Washington, phone interview, September 11, 2017
Jim McDannald, residency-trained podiatrist and founder of the consultancy Podiatry Growth, phone interview, August 31, 2017
Mark San Buenaventura, footwear designer for The North Face, email interview, June 21, 2017
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Outdoor Men's Comfort Work Shoes Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).