Hiking has always embraced a “less is more” approach that compels us to ditch creature comforts in favor of the bare essentials. That’s enough to explain why we stuff our packs with lightweight stoves, sun-resistant layers and a select number of comfy socks when we might otherwise bring, well, a heck of a lot more stuff. And yet, as refreshing as it may be to simplify and streamline your setup, you shouldn’t write off any and all equipment for the sake of working with less. A case in point—the best hiking boots for men are a bit heavy and overbuilt, but the added ounces are designed to improve your experience. Among the many pieces of equipment designed to offer comfort and support on the trail—even if they sacrifice weight—I’d wager that your hiking boots sit atop the list.
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Unless you're planning to star in an episode of Naked and Afraid, you'll want a trusty pair of hiking boots to tackle various terrains. While styles, features and materials will undoubtedly vary from one model to another, the underlying principle remains constant: The best hiking boots for men offer the kind of protection, support, traction and comfort that regular shoes just can't provide. Whether you're eyeing rugged, alpine-ready hikers, ultra-lightweight designs or budget-friendly options, I’ve identified the perfect pair to meet your hiking needs. In my experience, good boots make for happier miles and safer adventures, which results in more hiking, bigger smiles and a whole lot less time on the side of the trail tending to hotspots and blisters.
Read on to discover our picks for the best hiking boots for men. Choose from a wide range of styles and budgets, and get expert tips in the buyer's guide below.
Salomon’s best-selling X Ultra 4 Mid GTX hiking boot is a superb choice for hikers who demand both long-term comfort and durability. Built to seamlessly blend the attributes we need in a hiking boot—support, stability and traction—the boot features a mid-height cuff for ankle support and soft fabrics for plenty of cushioning. Suffice to say, it’s perfect for hikes short or long.
The upper is made from a combination of PU-coated leather and synthetic fabric, ensuring the boot retains durability without sacrificing breathability. Towards the toe, a protective rubber cap prevents damage to the front of the shoe, and it keeps your dogs a little safer through rock scrambles. One of the standout features of the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX hiking is its waterproof, breathable Gore-Tex membrane that keeps your feet dry, even if you find yourself postholing in waist-deep snow. Underneath, Salomon’s Contagrip outsole provides excellent traction on a variety of surfaces, though it’s less effective over ice.
All in all, Salomon’s fourth iteration of the X Ultra Mid is a great all-around choice for hikers who need a durable and supportive boot that can withstand a variety of trail conditions. With your feet taken care of, you can focus on enjoying the adventures at hand.
Pros:
Waterproof Gore-Tex Performance Comfort membrane
Fast, light design
ADV-C chassis optimizes lateral stability
Cons:
A little stiff out of the box
Contagrip outsole isn’t as effective on ice
Best Budget Hiking Boots For Men
Hit The Trail Without Burning A Hole In Your Pocket
Generally speaking, I don’t recommend cheaping out on footwear you’ll be walking in for tens if not hundreds of miles, but Decathlon—the French outdoor sporting goods store akin to REI—designs well-made, durable equipment for the price, and the Quechua MH500 boots should meet the demands of any hiker shopping on a budget.
Now it’s worth noting that Decathlon specifically rates these boots for “regular mountain hikes” of four to six hours or 6 to 12 miles, so I don’t suggest wearing them on your next thru-hike. But if you need a pair of comfortable, capable boots that won’t burn a hole in your pocket, look no further. The upper is made with a blend of leather and synthetic materials to ensure it’s durable yet breathable, and the cushioned portion of the shoe provides plenty of impact protection and shock absorption. Underfoot, a non-slip rubber outsole employs five-millimeter lugs for grip, and the boot’s waterproof membrane keeps any and all moisture at bay for hours.
Outdoor brands can make any number of performance claims without providing details, but Decathlon is refreshingly transparent in this regard: Simply scroll down the webpage to learn how they tested the boot for waterproofing and grip. If it doesn’t offer the performance or comfort your feet crave, send it back within 365 days of purchase for a full refund (you don’t even need a receipt).
Pros:
Comfortable, capable design
Affordably priced
Transparent testing standards
Cons:
Long-term performance comes into question at this price point
The Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex hiking boot continues to dominate best-seller lists because it offers the bombproof reliability you’d expect from a go-anywhere, do-anything boot, but it’s plenty comfortable, too. Supportive and waterproof, it’s a responsive package that features details found in Salomon’s trail running shoes. At nearly three pounds per pair, it’s on the heavier side for a boot but the aggressive stance offers optimal performance whether you’re bagging a local peak or hiking over a long weekend.
The leather and textile upper features an overlay structure that cradles your foot like a baby to provide a secure and snug fit, even through dynamic movement. Reviewers rave that the upper, combined with the blended midsole, enables you to wear it right out of the box instead of enduring a dreaded break-in period. A tongue that seamlessly connects to the upper keeps out blister-causing debris and helps secure it in place to avoid hotspots.
The boot’s Gore-Tex membrane will keep your feet dry through wet trail conditions and shallow river crossings, while a rubber outsole with deep, multi-directional lugs adds traction and long-lasting durability. A rubber cap at the front of the boot takes the brunt of contact with rocks and roots so your toes stay happy.
The Xero Shoes Xcursion Fusion hiking boot is technically a boot, but at 1.63 pounds per pair, it’s about as light as a traditional running shoe, which makes it the perfect choice for those who need ultralight footwear that doesn't compromise on durability or protection. As one of the lightest hiking boots on the market, its minimalist design and flexible sole make it feel like you're wearing nothing at all—a common theme among Xero Shoes’ featherlight footwear offerings.
The boot's upper blends synthetic mesh with welded TPU overlays that provide structural support, while the outsole features 10 millimeters of cushioning and a rugged dual-chevron tread pattern peppered with 3.5-millimeter lugs. You’d expect a boot this light to do away with superfluous features, but Xero still manages to offer up waterproofing courtesy of seam-sealed inner booties, water-resistant membranes and gusseted tongues. In traditional minimalist fashion, these are zero-drop boots, which means your foot isn’t bolstered in the heel but rather, flat with the rest of your foot. While the zero-drop shoes aren’t for everyone, they can strengthen the muscles of your foot to promote balance, agility and proper posture over time. We recommend trying them on in-person if you get the chance.
Keeping your feet dry isn’t always possible, but it’s made easier when you’re wearing La Sportiva’s Nucleo High II GTX hiking boots. Built with a Gore-Tex Surround lining and a nubuck leather upper, the design does well to seal out water and dry quickly when it happens to get wet. The gusseted tongue, a feature that attaches the bottom and sides of the tongue to the shoe, does well to eliminate not only water, but dirt and debris as well. Weighing a shade over two pounds per pair, it’s a surprisingly light package given its robust protection and cushioning.
Like all good hiking footwear, this boot’s outsole is made with a rubber Vibram compound (in this case, Nano XS-Trek compound) that delivers superior grip whether you’re crossing a river or wading through waist-deep snow. The design is also available in a number of wide sizing options to accommodate different feet, and the boot can be resoled should you wear it for years to come.
Pros:
Gore-Tex Surround lining keeps moisture and debris at bay
Gusseted tongue slips easily on and off
Optimal performance on downhills courtesy of Vibram outsole
Cons:
Excellent waterproof lining seals in foot heat and sweat
The Altra Lone Peak All-Wthr Mid 2 is a great choice for those who have wide feet and struggle to find hiking boots like Goldilocks struggles to find a bed. The boot relies on Altra's signature FootShape toe box, which provides ample room for your toes to spread out naturally with each step, reducing the risk of blisters, hot spots and other issues caused by poor-fitting footwear. In addition to its spacious toe box, the Lone Peak All-Wthr Mid also features a wide last that accommodates a variety of foot shapes and sizes. This means that even if you have a wider than average foot, you can still squeeze into the boot without issue.
The boot's upper is made from waterproof and breathable synthetics that keep your feet dry and comfortable, while its mid-height cuff provides added ankle support. The outsole design offers excellent traction on a variety of surfaces, including wet and slippery terrain, and the sole's lugs are strategically placed to improve grip. After wearing a number of different boots with varying rubber compounds, we’d rank Altra’s DuraTread rubber as one of the best—it’s up there with a number of different Vibram rubbers.
Pros:
Spacious toe box supports wider feet
Aggressive lugs and sticky rubber compound provide plenty of grip
Lightweight at less than two pounds per pair
Cons:
Some reviewers have said the waterproofing quickly fades
Zero-drop cushioning isn’t for everyone
Best Hiking Boots For Light Alpinism
Summit Approaches And Light Snow Don’t Stand A Chance
The Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX is a backpacking boot that delivers ample support in a surprisingly responsive package. Perfect for hauling a heavy pack over rugged mountain terrain, it’s lighter than a traditional mountaineering boot but stiff enough to support on- and off-trail pursuits on some of the world’s most iconic hikes (think Mt. Whitney, the Sierra High Route and the like).
The boot’s tongue is integrated into the suede leather upper, almost like a sock, to eliminate bunching and hotspots. A Gore-Tex membrane, meanwhile, delivers waterproofing and debris protection whether you’re trudging through scree or snowfields.
Taking cues from Scarpa’s award-winning climbing shoes, this boot uses an asymmetric, to-the-toe lacing system that enables you to dial in a precise fit. A rubber rand protects the boot’s upper from abrasive impacts, adding to its longevity, and the midsole is made from four different densities of foam to deliver ample cushioning and support where it counts. Thanks to a Vibram outsole, the design keeps your feet firmly on the ground and balances the need for stability/speed whether you’re scrambling over boulders or battling steep summit pushes.
Pros:
Technical design supports on- and off-trail pursuits
Vibram Drumlin sole
Suede leather upper boosts longevity
Cons:
Technical design isn’t well-suited for casual hikes
Feels stiffer than its leisurely-hiking competitors
The right pair of hiking boots can mean the difference between a memorable adventure and a miserable one. As a long-time backpacker with flat, finicky feet, I understand the importance of finding the right footwear more than most, which is why I embarked on an extensive journey to identify the best hiking boots for men.
Like any good adventure, my quest began with rigorous field testing. I knew that to truly understand the performance of these boots, I had to take them into the terrain they were designed to tackle. From rugged mountain trails to flat and peaceful meadows, I put numerous hiking boots through their paces in a variety of challenging conditions. I hiked for miles, scaled steep inclines and even waded through water to ensure every pair experienced the same conditions you’re likely to put your boots through on a daily basis.
To create a more comprehensive assessment, I also spoke with industry experts, including experienced hikers and boot manufacturers. Their insights shed light on the subtle nuances of hiking boot design, such as materials, sole construction, waterproofing and more. And when I couldn’t test a boot, I delved into the vast online landscape of independent reviews and feedback, which allowed me to compile an extensive amount of data from hikers just like you. These insights were invaluable in understanding how these boots performed over time, in various terrains and under diverse conditions.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Here at Vetted, we're more than a group of gear nerds drooling over outdoor equipment; we're your unwavering allies in the pursuit of superior performance. With an extensive catalog of product reviews in the camping and hiking space, our expertise is honed through countless hours spent testing, evaluating and immersing ourselves in the world of outdoor gear.
What sets us apart? Well, it starts with an unyielding commitment to authenticity and excellence. We don't just sit behind desks; we lace up our boots, hit the trails and subject each piece of equipment to rigorous field tests. Beyond our hands-on experience, we also delve into the insights of industry experts and scrutinize independent online reviews to ensure you receive the most comprehensive and unbiased recommendations possible. So, when you choose to trust us, you're choosing a partner who shares your passion for adventure and understands the importance of reliable gear in making every outdoor moment unforgettable.
What To Consider When Shopping For Hiking Boots
When looking for the best hiking boots for men, it's important to consider several key factors that can impact your comfort, support and long-term performance on the trail. Here are some key topics to consider:
Fit
A proper fit is perhaps the most important factor to consider when shopping for hiking boots. Look for boots that provide enough room for your toes to move and flex without slipping in the heel or feeling too tight. Whenever possible, visit a retailer to try on boots in-person before buying them online.
Cushioning And Support
The amount of cushioning and support you need will depend on the type of hiking you plan to do. Boots with more cushioning are better for longer hikes and rough terrain, while those with less cushioning are better for shorter hikes and smoother terrain. Look for boots with enough cushioning to absorb shock and reduce fatigue, as well as good arch support and ankle support to prevent unwanted injuries.
Waterproofing
If you plan to hike in wet conditions, look for boots with good waterproofing. This can include materials like Gore-Tex or other waterproof membranes that keep water out while allowing moisture to escape as your feet begin to sweat. Also, consider the type of insulation you need for colder conditions, as some boots come with added insulation for warmth.
Traction
The outsole of a hiking boot should provide enough traction to prevent slips and falls on uneven or slippery terrain. Look for boots with deep, aggressive tread patterns and good grip, especially if you intend to traverse rocky or steep terrain.
Durability
Hiking boots are an investment, so keep an eye out for high-quality materials and construction techniques that will last. Leather is a durable and breathable material that can withstand the rigors of hiking, but it isn’t quite as breathable, while synthetic materials are durable, lightweight and breathable.
Weight
The weight of a hiking boot can impact your comfort and performance on the trail. Lighter boots are better for shorter hikes and smoother terrain, while heavier boots provide more support and stability for longer hikes and rough terrain. That said, you might consider a lighter hiking boot, or even a trail runner, if you intend to hike hundreds of miles over less technical terrain.
Breathability
Hiking boots with good breathability can help keep your feet cool and dry, thus preventing blisters and other foot problems. Look for boots with mesh or breathable materials that allow air to circulate.
Is It Better To Have Hiking Boots Or Hiking Shoes?
Whether to choose hiking boots or hiking shoes largely depends on personal preference and the type of hiking you plan to do. Both options have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages.
Hiking boots, on one hand, are typically heavier and provide more support and protection. They’re designed for rough terrain or heavy loads, and they come with better waterproofing and insulation, making them a good choice for cold or wet conditions.
Hiking shoes, on the other hand, are generally lighter and more flexible, which makes for better mobility and agility on the trail. They’re well-suited for smoother and less technical trails, and they tend to be less bulky and more comfortable for extended periods of time. This makes the hiking shoe a great choice for everything from thru-hikes that prioritize weight to day hikes that prioritize comfort.
Do Hiking Boots Make A Difference?
Yes, hiking boots make a significant difference, especially when compared to your everyday trainers. That’s because, unlike trainers, hiking boots provide extended support, protection and comfort on the trail. The main advantages of hiking boots include: refined stability and support for your feet and ankles; reinforced protection from rocks, roots and other debris; better traction on uneven or slippery terrain; and more cushioning in the sole and the upper to provide shock absorption and reduce fatigue.
