Best Hiking Boots for Hitting the Trail: Top Picks 2021

In the race for reducing weight, in our opinion the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX stands out as the best lightweight hiking boot. While not the lightest hiking boot we reviewed, it wins the top price by offering a reduced weight without severely compromising on stability or traction.

Like other Solomon boots such as the Quest, the X Ultra is built around Salomons hugely comfortable and supportive ADV-C chassis. However, while the Quest offers a very rugged feel, the X Ultra 4 is a pound lighter and feels more like a trail running shoe. This comfortable lightweight feel is great if you want to travel fast and light, while still providing good stability, traction and protection.

While you could opt for the Altra Lone Peak 4 which is over 4 ounces lighter(or a pair of hiking shoes), we felt that X Ultra’s extra weight is worth it for the improved protection and traction.

The downside to having such a flexible light hiking boot is that challenging technical terrain will remain…challenging. If you want lightweight hiking footwear then the Asolo Falcon and the La Sportiva Pyramid provide stiffer and more supportive boots at the cost of only a few additional ounces.

Specs

• Class: Lightweight
• Weight: 1 lb 14.4 oz
• Waterproofing: GTX
• Upper: Textile/Leather Upper

If you are looking for a great hiking boot at a bargain price, then it’s hard to look past the Merrell Moab 2. This is one of the cheapest pairs of boots we reviewed while providing great breathability and are amazingly comfortable.

The Moab has been around for some time, and the upgraded 2 version has only had minor adjustments made to one of Merrell’s most popular designs. Protecting your feet from the hardships of the trail, the Fit.Eco+ blended-EVA midsoles combined with the Air Cushioning in the heels give a great bouncy feel. While the improved insole design has a more contoured finish to provide more support to your heel and arch.

The Moab 2 are one of the most breathable boots we’ve reviewed, making them a great pick for hot summer hikes. The Moab also comes in a Ventilator model that is a little cheaper and does away completely with waterproofing if you need a boot for extremely hot arid hikes in the desert areas of the southwest.

For such a low price you shouldn’t expect premium features like Gore-Tex. Merrell’s in-house waterproofing M-Select is not the greatest, making them far from the most waterproof hiking boots on the market. If you’re willing to pay extra you can upgrade to a gore-tex version of this model, however, this does also result in a reduction in breathability.

The other downside is that while a little bulky, they are not particularly supportive, making them more suited for well-maintained trails. If you need a little more support and stability without breaking the bank then upgrading to the Vasque Breeze AT would be a good shout.

If your particular foot shape runs a little wide, then the KEEN Targhee III offers a very similar boot in terms of price and performance.

Specs

• Class: Lightweight
• Weight: 2 lbs 4 oz
• Waterproofing: M Select
• Upper: Mesh/Leather Upper

The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid was one of the most comfortable hiking boots we tested, providing superb support and protection for your feet on rocky trails. Despite the all-leather hiking boot uppers, full-length nylon shank and thick Vibram rubber outsole, the Renegade is one of the lightest boots in its class.

The Renegade is a classic-looking mid-cut hiking boot that offers great ankle support even when carrying heavy loads thanks to its external polyurethane Monowrap® frame. The polyurethane helps cut some of the weight from the boot and gives a sturdier and more supportive feel. The slightly higher than normal ankle cuff helps protect from scrapes, bumps, and debris ingress while still providing a comfortable fit.

Weighing 2 lbs 7 ounces, the Renegade is one of the lightest midweight hiking boots to offer this level of ankle support and stability. Which makes them an excellent choice if you need more support carrying heavier loads or if your backpacking trips take you over more technical terrain.

If we’re going to be picky then we’d zone in on the lacing system, which made it tricky at times to find the perfect fit. While the Renegade offers more cushioning than the Salomon Quest, the ability to get a precision fit is where the heavier Quest stole the top award.

Specs

• Class: Midweight
• Weight: 2 lbs 7 oz
• Waterproofing: GTX
• Upper: Nubuck Leather

Shoe running company Altra has taken a traditional trail runner and given it some upgrades to meet the demands of the hiking trail. Their first hiking boot, the Lone Peak Hiker has the fit and feel of a trail running shoe and has been winning over fans in the ultralight community.

The standout feature is of course the 1 lb 7-ounce weight making it over half-pound lighter than its closest rival in this category, the Salomon X Ultra 4. The roomy toe box and very flexible design make for a comfortable choice.

As a step up from running shoes, Altra has made the ankle collar a little higher cut, giving them a beefier outsole lug design, and added a little more cushioning to the footbed. Their Balanced Cushioning™ platform is designed to reduce heel dropping on ascents.

For such a dramatic reduction in weight, there are a number of compromises that Altra had to make. The all-synthetic upper offers little in the way of protection and can’t match the durability of a suede/leather boot or hiking shoe. The pair we’ve highlighted here are non-waterproof hiking boots, although Altra does make an ALL-WTHR version that costs a little more.

Then there is the lack of stability and traction that you will find in other boots. If you still want a pair of light boots then the Salomon X offers more stability and traction than the Lone Peak Hiker.

Specs

• Class: Lightweight
• Weight: 1 lb 10 oz
• Waterproofing: eVent
• Upper: Synthetic

The Zamberlan Vioz is everything you would imagine in a traditional pair of heavyweight leather boots for hiking. Made for more serious treks with heavy pack weights, and even a little light mountaineering, the Vioz provides some of the best traction, stability, and durability in our hiking boot reviews.

The full-length thermoplastic urethane shank and stiff leather uppers make for one very rigid boot that offers great stability even on precarious terrain. Combine that with the Vibram® rubber outsoles, polyurethane midsoles, and the padded, soft interior and you’ll be cushioned from even the most demanding of trails. If you are choosing hiking footwear for a difficult hike then the Vioz is one of the best hiking boots to meet the challenge.

The stiff leather design also gives you solid toe protection and durability that you won’t see in many synthetic or suede leather designs. Add to this the fact that the Vibram sole is resoleable, and these boots will last for years.

The downside to the Vioz, and the reason why there has been a wider retreat from using traditional leather boots is their weight. At 3 lbs and 8 ounces, they are heavier than other boots we have reviewed — a huge 9 ounces of extra weight as compared to the next heaviest, the Salomon Quest. The stiff leather will also require a longer break-in time so make sure to pace around the house in them before trying them on the trails.

Specs

• Class: Heavyweight
• Weight: 3 lbs 8 oz
• Waterproofing: GTX
• Upper: Full-grain Leather Upper

If you were to force us to pick our favorite hiking boots then the Salomon Quest 4 would be the first hiking boot on that list. The Quest’s fourth iteration is a solid boot with across the board levels of performance that in our opinion isn’t matched by any of the others that we tested.

Like many other Salomon boots, the Quest builds off an updated ADV-C chassis, which provides greater support and stability. Combined with the deep aggressive lugs of the Contagrip® TD rubber outsole, these boots are designed to handle all the trail has to throw at them. One area that really improves the overall fit is the Quest’s lacing which allows you to really lock your heel in place while allowing for adjustability when needed.

The mixed leather and textile upper marks the Quest as one of the coolest boots and provides ample protection and durability.

The Quest is one of the heavier boots reviewed at 2 lbs 14 ounces, and while this is 5 to 6 ounces heavier than the lightest midweight models such as the Scapa Zodiac or the Lowa Renegade, the upgrade in performance is well worth it in our opinion. 

These boots are designed for more technical trails, bushwhacking and carrying heavier packs so they will be overkill for short day-hikes on well-maintained trails. In which case we’d opt for the Salomon Ultra which features many of the same boot features but at a much-reduced weight.

Specs

• Class: Midweight
• Weight: 2 lbs 14.4 oz
• Waterproofing: GTX
• Upper: Leather/Textile

Superb comfort, good traction, and at a great price, it’s not hard to see why the KEEN Targhee III has been a perennial favorite amongst day-hikers. At 2 lbs 2.8 oz the KEEN Targhee is a lightweight pick that still provides good protection and durability despite its low price.

Despite its nubuck leather construction, the KEEN Targhee surprisingly doesn’t need much of a break-in period — it’s trail-ready straight out of the box. The interiors are soft and hug your feet, with dual-density midsoles providing more than enough cushion for your average trail. While the deep lugs offer great traction even in muddy conditions.

The Targhee as a lightweight option does lack some of the support of midweight boots such as the Scarpa Zodiac Plus or Lowa Renegade which are not that much heavier (although are pricier). 

It was a close runner-up to our value pick, the Merrell Moab. While the Targhee is more durable, it tends to run wide so is not so great for folks with narrow feet. It is also less breathable and more expensive than the Moab, which ultimately just gets the nod.

Specs

• Class: Lightweight
• Weight: 2 lbs 2.8 oz
• Waterproofing: KEEN.Dry
• Upper: Nubuck Leather

Great waterproofing, brilliant craftsmanship and excellent out-of-the-box comfort are some of the defining features of the modern-looking Asolo Falcon GV. 

At 2 lbs 3 oz, the Falcon is light for a boot classed as midweight, although this does mean that it doesn’t offer the same stability of its peers such as the Lowa Renegade or the Scarpa Zodiac Plus (both 4 ounces heavier). Giving more support and stability than a lightweight boot, but not as much as is typical for a midweight one, this uniquely places the Falcon somewhere between lightweight options the La Sportiva Pyramid or the Merrell Moab and it’s (supposed) midweight peers. 

Despite this, the Falcon still performs admirably and we’d still recommend it for tougher hikes. However, if you would feel safer with the extra ankle support then you’re going to have to opt for a heavier boot. For that we’d recommend the Quest, which while a lot heavier does come with a big step up in terms of performance.

The suede leather and Gore-Tex liners combine to give very breathable yet extremely waterproof footwear. Unfortunately, thanks to the Falcon’s lug design, it is not the greatest performer in the mud. Which is disappointing considering how well it performs in wet conditions.

Specs

• Class: Midweight
• Weight: 2 lbs 2.6 oz
• Waterproofing: GTX
• Upper: Suede Upper

One of our favorite lightweight waterproof boots, the La Sportiva Pyramid performs well on easy through to moderate treks. 

By adding Gore-Tex Surround to the sides, as well as the top of the upper boot, La Sportiva has put a lot of thought into how to improve breathability. In spite of this, the boot still performs well when wading through icy mountain streams.

At only 2 lbs 1.6 ounces, the low weight makes it a great choice for hikers and backpackers who prefer a lighter, faster trail shoe or boot. The traction is superb and comes close to the overall winner in this category, the Scarpa Zodiac Plus.

The lower weight does mean that it’s not as sturdy as some heavier options like the Vioz or the Quest. However, the Pyramid is more than capable of handling all but the most technical of ascents and treacherous descents.

If you have wider feet, then you may be out of luck. The Pyramid (like all La Sportiva footwear) tends to run narrow and is not available in a wide version. If this is the case, we would say the Asolo Falcon is the closest comparable boot that we would recommend for wider feet.

Specs

• Class: Lightweight
• Weight: 2 lbs 1.6 oz
• Waterproofing: GTX
• Upper: Nubuck Leather/Mesh

If you know you are in for a slog over rough terrain then the Scarpa Zodiac Plus is a semi-stiff boot that will provide ample support and stability. Surprisingly, it does this whilst only weighing a light 2 lbs 6 ounces.

The Zodiac Plus excels on rugged terrain, rock scrambling and snowy trails where its superb traction and stability put it ahead of its competitors in these categories. The Salomon Quest 4 comes a close second, but not quite matching the performance of the Zodiac Plus.

It’s hard to knock Scarpa’s Zodiac Plus boots, but if your typical trail is well-maintained and free from crazy ascents and tricky descents, then they will likely be overkill for your needs. We’d recommend you look at either the Asolo Falcon or the X Ultra from Salomon depending on your preference for weight vs support and stability.

While the Zodiac Plus offers better traction and stability, it narrowly lost out on the top prize to the Salomon Quest due to the Quest’s superior comfort and fit. That said, if you need to trust your tread, then Zodiac Plus may be the better option for you.

Specs

• Class: Midweight
• Weight: 2 lbs 6.4 oz
• Waterproofing: GTX
• Upper: Suede Upper

The REI Co-op Flash are the odd one out in our line-up with the unique polyester knitted upper giving the Flash a look all of its own. Aside from aesthetics, the Flash are a flexible, lightweight, and breathable pair of boots most suited to easy-going day hikes.

The knitted polyester may be great for breathability, but it lacks the durability of suede, nubuck or leather. With only a midfoot shank and the limited stiffness coming from the knit design, don’t expect the support and stability you’d see in its lightweight peers like the Salomon X Ultra or the Merrell Moab.

REI does a good job of using recycled materials and algae-based foam to make these waterproof shoes more environmentally friendly. Overall, this is a fun and interesting lightweight boot that works well for easy to moderate trails but don’t expect it to be as durable as its peers.

Specs

• Class: Lightweight
• Weight: 2 lbs 2 oz
• Waterproofing: Hydrowall
• Upper: FirmaKnit™ Polyester

The Vasque Breeze AT uses modern materials to give the traditional hiking boot look an update. The boot is extremely comfortable with a snug heel and a wide toe-box. It offers great support and stability making it well suited for tougher trails and days with a heavy pack.

The Breeze uses a mix of Nubuck leather with mesh vents to give the boot some extra breathability (there is also a full-leather version that improves durability/water resistance at the cost of diminished breathability).

The Vasque Breeze AT is a pretty heavy and bulky boot compared to its peers, making it more energy-sapping and less nimble than other midweight options like the Asolo Falcon or the Scarpa Zodiac. However, the Breeze AT does perform significantly better out on the trail than lightweight picks such as the Targhee or Moab. In terms of performance, the Lowa Renegade is its closest rival, with the Renegade a lighter but more expensive boot.

While it packs on a little more weight than other midweight peers, the Breeze is one of the cheapest boots in this category. 

Specs

• Class: Midweight
• Weight: 2 lbs 11 oz
• Waterproofing: GTX
• Upper: Mesh/Nubuck Leather Upper