The 9 Best Lightweight Hiking Boots for All-Day Comfort
These editor-approved boots from brands like Merrell and Salomon offer stability without weighing you down.
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Staying comfy on a hike or backpacking trip is vital, regardless of the season. As for footwear on the trail, lightweight hiking boots quicken your pace and protect you from dreadful mid-hike woes like blisters and sweaty feet. Plus, they add less weight to your pack than a pair of chunky boots with extra padding.
The best lightweight hiking boots are supportive and responsive, and with some waterproofing, can help you cross streams and creeks. We tested some of the most popular styles from brands like Vasque, Merrell, and Lowa to find the best options for hastening your next hike.
Need more gear for your next outdoor adventure? Check out our picks for the best backpacking backpacks, ultralight camping chairs, and ultralight sleeping bags.
The Best Lightweight Hiking Boots
- Best Overall: Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-Tex
- Best Budget: Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boot
- Most Affordable With Gore-Tex: Merrell Moab Speed Mid
- Best Upgrade: Lowa Innox Pro GTX Mid
- Most Cushioned: Hoka Kaha 2 GTX
What to Consider
Weight
Lightweight hiking boots weigh between one and three pounds, and those on the higher end of the scale typically have waterproofing layers and extra padding. Most boots on this list are under two pounds, great for quick scrambles, fast-paced thru-hiking trips, and avoiding fatigue on challenging hikes without sacrificing stability.
Height
Hiking boots come in mid and high styles, protecting your feet from the elements just above or a few inches higher than the ankle bone. Low-cut hiking footwear provides the least protection from moist and grimy conditions designed for trail running or considered a hiking shoe (not a boot). They may be useful for long thru-hikes and relaxed trails with less obstacles, but the average hiker likely needs mid or high hiking boots to protect from rolling your ankle on a bumpy trail.
Material and Fabric
The most lightweight materials for hiking boots are synthetics like nylon and polyester. These are cost-effective, fast-drying wick away sweat to save weight.
Leather is a slightly heavier and often requires break-in before use. In most cases, PU-coated leather is an excellent material for hiking, but it’s heavy. The lightweight leather hiking boots we recommend are partially leather for durability, but use synthetics inside and on the tongue to save weight and help with durability.
Outsoles
Hiking boots’ outsoles are made from rubber and often have lugs that help with traction. The bumpy lugs give the boot slight elevation, and the space between them helps better dig into mud, dirt, and rough terrain. It also makes it easier to clean the grime out between uses.
Wider lug space sheds mud more easily than tighter-spaced lugs. Most boots on this list feature a heel brake, too, which is the drop-off at the end of the outsole’s curved arch closest to the back of the shoe. This part of the boot reduces your chances of slipping and falling on steep hills.
Vibram is a common branded outsole, but don’t nix a shoe because it doesn’t have it—it’s just a proprietary name for outsoles. Plenty of hiking boots without Vibram are just as good as in-house outsoles by, say, Merrell or Keen.
Vibram makes several outsoles with different lug patterns for specific terrain, each with a special name. While each is a good signifier of the type of terrain for which they’re intended, it’s best to read each boot’s product description for a deeper explanation of how each outsole performs best.
Waterproofing
A waterproof membrane is vital for most outdoor adventures, so we recommend several boots with waterproofing here. There is a caveat, however: Waterproofing often makes hiking boots less breathable. If you prioritize breathability in your hiking boots, consider ditching the tech and opt for waterproof socks or boots labeled as water-resistant.
A waterproof membrane stops moisture from penetrating a boot’s interior. This is achieved via a layer of water-tight material sandwiched between the outer upper and inner liner. Waterproof membranes have microscopic pores that are big enough to let water vapor escape but small enough to prevent water droplets from passing through.
Gore-Tex
Many shoe brands use their own waterproofing technology to cut costs, but Gore-Tex, often abbreviated as GTX, is the gold standard in waterproof textiles. Gore-Tex is the most popular, reliable, and expensive waterproofing membrane. Proprietary waterproofing methods often get a bad rap regarding longevity, so reach for Gore-Tex if you’d like your boot’s uppers to withstand water for years.
Still, like all waterproof membranes, Gore-Tex eventually breaks down after lots of use. Chances are that if your boots are falling apart, your Gore-Tex is, too. Per the company’s FAQ, eventually, “all products wear out with time and end use.”
Durable Water Repellent (DWR) Coating
If you’d like to extend the waterproofing of your boots, do your part in maintaining the DWR coating. A waterproof membrane prevents water from seeping into your boots whereas DWR prevents precipitation from saturating them. That saturation can make your boots heavy and waterlogged, sometimes chilling your feet as the excess moisture dries out.
DWR isn’t permanent, and if your boots feel damp when trekking water, it’s time to re-apply via a spray or a wash-in formula. Remember, regular wear and exposure to elements, dirt, detergents, insect repellents, and more all contribute to shortening DWR’s lifespan.
How We Tested
Our approach to finding the best lightweight hiking boots was multifaceted. First and foremost, hands-on experience: As an avid hiker, I’ve tested hiking boots for key factors, including comfort, breathability, waterproofing, and overall quality—I’ve tripped enough in the woods to know how important traction is.
Beyond personal trials, we considered opinions and evaluations from trusted sources, including our peers at Runner’s World. We only looked at models less than three pounds per pair to cater to those prioritizing nimbleness and less fatigue. We also considered a range of budgets, ensuring our picks are accessible to various hikers, from casual to thru-hike champ.
For this story, I tested lightweight hiking boots by putting in miles commuting to work and hiking local trails in the Merrell Moab 3 Mid and Moab Speed Mid, Lowa Innox Pro GTX, and (the ones I’ve worn the most and have gotten the dirtiest) the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX. I asked my colleagues and product testers Adam Schram and Danny Perez for their opinions on two boots included here: the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX and the Vasque Re:connect Here.
For the boots I haven’t tested—the Salomon Quest 4 and Ultra 4, the Danner Mountain 600, and the Vasque Breeze—I relied on critical reviews, previous hands-on experience with each brand, and on rigorously vetted technical specs and style.
Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.
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