Hiking Boots & Shoes
Boots, hikers and trail runners for every terrain.
Best OverallSalomon X Ultra 4 GTX
A light, agile low-cut hiker with a locked-in fit and Contagrip outsole that grips wet rock better than anything else we tested.
Best BudgetMerrell Moab 3 Mid WP
The world's best-selling hiking boot for a reason: out-of-box comfort, wide sizing options, and a price that's hard to beat.
Best for ScramblingLa Sportiva TX4
An approach shoe with a sticky Vibram Megagrip sole and climbing-zone toe that eats fourth-class terrain for breakfast.
Hiking Boots & Shoes guides
- Matching Hiking Sock Thickness to Shoe Fit: A Decision Guide
Choose footwear first and fit it with the socks you plan to hike in. Snug or lightweight shoes usually suit thin socks; roomier, sturdy boots suit thicker ones. Expect to shift only about one thickness step in the same pair, and if the heel still lifts after break-in, the shoe size is the problem, not the sock.
- The 5 Best Winter Hiking Boots of 2026 (Tested Below Zero)
Insulation, waterproofing and real traction. Five winter boots tested through a season of snowshoeing, icy trails and single-digit mornings.
- How to Fit Hiking Boots: The 6-Point Check Experts Use
Half of all boot discomfort is a sizing problem, not a boot problem. The six checks our testers run before any boot leaves the store.
- The 5 Best Hiking Socks of 2026 (Blister-Free or Your Money Back)
The cheapest blister prevention you'll ever buy. Five merino hiking socks tested over 300 miles — including the pair with a lifetime warranty.
- The 6 Best Trail Running Shoes for Hiking in 2026
More hikers log more miles in trail runners than boots these days — for good reason. Six shoes tested across 400 miles of dirt, talus and mud.
- Trail Runners vs. Hiking Boots: An Honest Verdict After 1,000 Miles
Half our test team switched to trail runners years ago; the other half still laces up boots. Here's what 1,000 combined miles taught us about which you should wear.
- Best Hiking Boots & Shoes of 2026: 8 Picks for Every Trail
From cushioned day-hikers to ankle-supporting backpacking boots, these are the hiking boots and shoes our testers trusted across 500 trail miles this year.