Thanks to rugged and rocky terrain, our guide being stung by a Deathstalker scorpion (spoiler alert: he survived), and getting chased by a free-range camel, what should’ve been a 4- to 5-hour took nearly 9 hours.
By the end of it, my sunburn didn’t hurt nearly as bad as my feet, as the soles of my worn-out hiking boots made the constant “fwap fwap” sound that made it sound like I was wearing flip-flops.
Read on for our guide to the best hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes of 2024, including beloved brands such as Baffin, Garmont, Hoka One One, Keen, Merrell, Salomon, Vasque & more.
Best Hiking Boots & Shoes
Baffin Women’s Swift & Men’s Borealis Boots
Founded in Stoney Creek, Canada in 1979, Baffin specializes in high-tech footwear and apparel designed to perform well in the brutally cold conditions of the Great White North.
We’ve been big fans of the brand’s rugged, durable designs ever since connected with them at the Outdoor Retailer trade show back in 2018.
Their waterproof Swift Women’s Boot is an excellent example, with an anti-fatigue midsole, anti-odor lining, lug outsoles for traction on slippery terrain, and amazing insulation that offers warmth and breathability.
The vegan, snowshoe-compatible Borealis Men’s Boot is stylish, with body-heat moldable technology that provides a personalized fit, B-Tek Dry for breathable and waterproof performance even in the worst weather, and a Polar Rubber outsole for maximized grip in extremely cold environments.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Vegan Boots for Women & Men
Garmont 9.81 Alert
Focusing primarily on creating performance footwear for military, law enforcement, and outdoor enthusiasts, Garmont has been crafting cutting edge shoe/boot designs since 1964.
Their lightweight, mid-cut 9.81 Alert boots offer a sleek modern twist on the classic military boot, balancing comfort and stability with rugged durability and rock-solid grip on slippery surfaces.
The latter feature comes courtesy of the Megagrip compound in their Vibram Durmast outsoles, which complements a TPU Insert for added arch support an EVA midsole for enhanced cushioning comfort.
I also love the breathable anti-abrasion mesh upper, G-Wrap technology and welded TPU reinforcements around the heel for stability, the shock absorption of the midsole, and the roomy toe box.
READ MORE: The 25 Most Comfortable Walking Shoes & Hiking Shoes for Men
Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX Women’s Hiking Boots & Keen Targhee IV Waterproof Men’s Hiking Boots
Founded as a 5,000 sq ft store in Fenton MO in 1987, Chuck’s Boots has since grown to become the Midwest’s largest independent retailer of work, western, motorcycle, and casual footwear and fashion.
Owner Shawn Lane, who has been in the business for decades, has emerged as a respected authority on which brands offer the best value, comfort, and style.
Lane recommends Keen’s Targhee IV Waterproof Men’s Hiking Boots because they’re affordable, comfortable, and manufactured sustainably. We love features like the achilles lock (which holds your foot in place to prevent blisters) and the flexible rubber soles (which offer arch support and prevent foot fatigue).
He also recommends the waterproof Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-Tex, an upscale women’s hiking boot that offers extra comfort via a softer cuff, cradling anatomical design, and lower density Advanced Chassis for greater stability.
READ MORE: What is an Eco Lodge? The Top 20 Eco Resorts & Eco Hotels in the World
La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Womens & Ultra Raptor II Mid Leather GTX
La Sportiva is a legacy brand whose shoes and clothing have been made in a small factory in Ziano di Fiemme (a small village in the heart of the Dolomite Mountains of Italy) for nearly 100 years.
We love the fact that they prioritize environmental responsibility, with a myriad of sustainable initiatives at their main factory in Italy and their Climate Neutral Certified North America HQ in Boulder CO.
Their award-winning Women’s Nucleo High II GTX boots offer waterproof comfort and breathability, pairing a traditional Nubuck leather style with award-winning Gore-Tex Surround technology. Other features include compression-molded midsoles, Vibram Nano outsoles, and a 3D Flex ankle hinge for enhanced mobility.
The Men’s Ultra Raptor II Mid Leather GTX is a great option for extreme weather conditions. They’re waterproof, breathable, and rugged, with the Impact Brake System of a FriXion AT 2.0 outsole for traction, a TPU Transkinetic EVO heel stabilizer for support, and an injection molded MEMIex midsole for a cushioning bounce with each step.
Merrell Women’s Moab Speed 2
Traditional hiking boots certainly have their place, but most of the hikers we know prefer boots and shoes that can go from the trail to the lodge (or the street) without missing a beat.
Available in 9 colors, these shoes are super comfy, with a padded collar, a cushy FloatPro Foam midsole, a protective heel and toe cap, and Cleansport NXT treatment for natural odor control.
But they’re also durable enough to tackle any terrain, with Lightweight FlexPlate technology for lateral stability and forefoot flexibility and a Vibram TC5+ outsole with lugs designed to provide exceptional traction.
READ MORE: 10 Eco Lessons in Quotes from The Lorax (Dr Seuss’ Conservation Classic)
Muck Outscape Max Hiker Boots
Currently celebrating their 25th anniversary, The Original Muck Boot Company’s mission is to build the most comfortable, protective, and reliable waterproof boots to keep your feet warm and dry in even the muckiest muck.
Their all-terrain Outscape Max Hiker Boots are a perfect example of that ethos in action, with 100% waterproof construction with a 10-inch collar opening to make it easy pulling them on and off.
They’re available in four different styles (including the Mossy Oak Country DNA camouflage pictured above), with a Muckskin upper and a BioLite foam midsole that help to reduce weight without skimping on performance.
Other impressive features include lace-up construction for a tailored fit, a 3mm neoprene bootie, a dry footbed insert dry that helps with odor control and moisture management, and a rubber outsole for improved traction.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Kauai Waterfalls (and How to Get to Them)
SCARPA Moraine Mid WP Womens Hiking Boots
SCARPA’s name stands for Società Calzaturiera Asolana Riunita Pedemontana Anonima (the Associated Shoe Manufacturing Company of the Asolo Mountain Area).
Founded in the foothills of Italy’s Dolomites in 1938, the company remains one of the most respected shoe brands in Europe more than 85 years later.
New for 2024, their Women’s Moraine MID WP is a lightweight modern take on a classic hiking shoe, with a premium Nubuck upper, waterproof breathable lining, and an injected TPU heel counter for stability.
Our favorite feature in the RECCO reflector, a relatively new hiking shoe technology that makes the wearer easier for search & rescue teams to find in emergency situations. Given the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, it’s a timely feature for anyone who lives (or loves hiking) in the mountains.
Mary’s been wearing Teva Sandals for more than 20 years now, and rarely wears any other brand of water shoes. But until this year, neither of us had ever tried their hiking shoes.
Their Women’s Grandview GTX Hiking Boots and Men’s Grandview GTX Hiking Shoes are waterproof, with a GORE-TEX bootie, an adjustable Universal Heel Lock System, and a Vibram Megagrip outsole for excellent traction.
They’re made with responsibly sourced leather, recycled polyester yarn, and a natural anti-odor treatment.
Teva’s Men’s Trailwinder Low is more of an athletic-style hiker, with a quick-dry (and 100% recycled) upper for breathability, a NAVILOCK internal bootie system, a LITE-COMF midsole for comfort, and a Spider Rubber outsole with tiered traction lugs for improved grip on every imaginable terrain.
READ MORE: The 16 Best Mayan Ruins to Explore
Vasque Women’s Breeze Hiking Boots & Mens St. Elias XT Hiking Boots
If you’re seeking rugged, durable hiking boots for your outdoor adventures, we’ve long considered Vasque to be one of the most reliable brands on the market.
Their high-top Vasque Breeze is designed for agility and speed. Waterproof GORE-TEX keeps your feet dry, while 200g 3M Thinsulate keeps ’em warm, and the Vibram outsole offers terrific traction on any terrain.
The Mens St. Elias XT is one of the 60-year-old brand’s most popular models. It’s been redesigned for 2024, adding loads of new features to the premium full-grain leather design.
Noteworthy additions include recycled elements (collar, tongue, laces, toe box and heel), a high-energy return EVA midsole (also made with 20% recycled content), a Vibram® Megagrip outsole, and improved comfort in the footbed (which uses a 20% bio-content polyurethane).
READ MORE: What is Glamping? (A Guide to Luxury Camping)
Best Trail Running Shoes
Altra Women’s & Men’s Olympus 6 Trail Running Shoes
We were introduced to Altra’s high performance shoes at Outdoor Retailer 6 years ago, and we’ve both been wearing them as our go-to sneakers for travel ever since.
Much like our well-worn Altra Escalantes, their stylish new Olympus 6 shoes are designed to be used for trail running, hiking, or just everyday casual wear.
Available in men’s and women’s styles, the Olympus 6 boasts new design elements such as a more breathable mesh upper, a lug pattern that offers better traction and stability, and premium Achilles pillow for plush step-in feel.
Other noteworthy features include incredibly soft and responsive midsole foam, a Vibram Megagrip outsole, and Altra’s Original FootShape Fit toe box, which offers lots of wiggle room.
READ MORE: The 7 Safest Countries in the Middle East For Americans to Visit
Diadora Women’s Equipe Sestriere XT & Men’s Sestriere-XT 2 Trail Running Shoes
Another highly respected Italian shoe brand, Diadora was founded in 1948 and has partnered with legendary athletes such as tennis icon Bjorn Borg, Italian soccer star Roberto Baggio, and European basketball great Dino Meneghin.
They’re known for high-quality performance footwear manufactured using sustainable materials, with their Centro Ricerche Diadora considered a leader in research and innovation.
Their Women’s Equipe Sestriere-XT trail running shoes are engineered to ensure comfort on all terrains, with an outsole design inspired by the hoof anatomy of the Ibex (for stability and grip), and a breathable high-density foam insole for cushioning impact absorption.
The Men’s Sestriere-XT 2 boasts a similar design, including a recycled polyester mesh and virgin fabric upper, with XT technology and DD Anima technology offering the ultimate in trail running comfort and lightness.
READ MORE: 20 Best Caribbean Islands to Visit (If You Love Nature & Hate Crowds)
Peluva Women’s & Men’s Strand Lightweight Trainer
We’ve never been fond of the Vibram FiveFinger-style shoes. We honestly don’t even like flip-flops, because there’s something about having things between our toes that just rubs us the wrong way.
But for people who do like the “barefoot toe shoes” feel, the relatively new Peluva brand (founded in 2021 by the father/son team of Mark and Kyle Sisson) offers some of the most stylish designs we’ve seen.
Their Men’s and Women’s Strand Lightweight Trainer is a minimalist’s answer to traditional lightweight training shoes, with a zero-drop, flexible sole that offers a lightly cushioned barefoot feeling.
They weigh just 7.2 ounces, with individual toe boxes for a secure fit, a proprietary 300 Series EVA midsole, and strategically placed rubber treads that provide an exceptional grip on all surfaces.
Saucony Triumph 22
Inspired by the Saucony Creek in Kutztown PA, where the company was founded in 1898, Saucony has gradually gone global, growing into one of the world’s leading running shoe and apparel brands.
Available in men’s and women’s sizes, their Saucony Triumph 22 is an everyday training shoe that provides maximum cushioning comfort, whether you’re on the hiking trail or out here in these streets.
We love the soft & breathable mesh upper, lightweight PWRRUN PB foam cushioning, the enhanced balance of the wider mid foot, and the responsive energy return, which puts added bounce in every step.
All in all, it’s a stylish shoe that offers a great balance between fashion and function!
Hoka One One Men’s Speedgoat 5
Hoka One One has emerged over the past decade as one of the most beloved shoe brands in the business, offering a balance between the sporty style of a great sneaker and the rugged durability of the best hiking boots.
Named for athlete Karl “Speedgoat” Meltzer, their Speedgoat 5 is a terrific technical shoe designed for trail running or speed hiking. I wear them often for hiking in State Parks and National Parks.
This updated version of their popular line is a new shoe from top to bottom.
They’re lighter than ever before and offer more traction thanks to the Vibram Megagrip with Traction Lugs. -reviews by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett; featured image of Women’s Hiking Boots via Canva
