Best Hiking Boots: 9 Top Picks of 2021

Benefits Of Hiking Boots Vs Hiking Shoes

While you can certainly go hiking in a pair of regular tennis shoes, hiking boots are the most well-equipped footwear for all trail purposes. There are a number of different reasons for this. 

Firstly, boots are constructed with a more aggressive and deeper outsole tread. This tread provides better traction and grip on the loose rocks, stones, and mud you’ll run into along the trail.

Another reason that hiking boots are the ideal hiking footwear is that they are made with tougher and often waterproof materials. This means they offer your feet and ankles superb protection from potential aggressors such as roots, rocks, thorns, sticks, rain, and groundwater. It also means they are built to withstand – and won’t fall apart if exposed to – a bit of rough treatment. 

The last, but certainly not least important benefit is that boots provide your feet a lot more support. When you’re out hiking, you’re walking over bumpy, uneven ground. This is obviously going to increase the chances of sprained ankles and other foot injuries.

The extra support provided by a boot comes in various forms. In addition to the tougher fabrics, they also usually used a beefy midsole to cushion underfoot blows, a more rigid sole to provide more propulsion with each step, and a toe cap or rand to protect your toes against bumps and bangs.  

Types Of Hiking Boot

Hiking boots can be broken up into three broad categories: trail shoes, day-hiking boots, and backpacking boots. Within each category, there are plenty of potential sub-categories, but below we’ll provide a broader overview of each main type to help keep things simple.

Further reading: If budget is a concern then check out our guide to the best cheap hiking boots

Trail Shoes

Also known as approach shoes or, simply, “hiking shoes”, these are low-cut, lightweight models with more flexible midsoles than either day-hike or backpacking boots. While these are excellent for day hiking in fair weather, they don’t offer enough support for carrying heavy loads and lack the protection provided by mid- or full-height boots. 

Day-Hiking Boots

These are typically lightweight, mid- or high-cut boots that are meant for use on shorter backpacking trips and day hikes on both well-maintained and more rugged trails. As a general rule, they offer outstanding from-the-box comfort but aren’t as supportive or long-lasting as out-and-out backpacking models. 

Backpacking Boots

These are specially made to provide added support and protection for your tootsies on long-distance treks on which you’ll be carrying heavy loads. Compared to day-hiking boots, they use stiffer midsoles, higher cuts, and usually weigh 20-30% more. They’re also typically made with more durable materials that are built for backpacking and walking in rough terrain.  

Hiking Boot Components

While there are three different types of walking boots, all three categories consist of the same physical boot components. Though these elements will not always be similar on a boot-to-boot basis, they are the foundation of every quality pair of boots. These components are the boots’ uppers, midsoles, outsoles, and internal support.

Uppers

Hiking boot uppers refer to the part of the boot that covers the top and sides of the feet. This component wraps around the feet and connects to the boots’ rubber outsole. In general, uppers are made out of three different types of material: leather, mesh, and nylon.

Boot uppers made out of nylon and mesh typically fall on the entry-level end of the spectrum. These uppers offer outstanding breathability and flexibility but sacrifice a bit in the way of durability and protection.

Boot uppers made out of leather typically fall on the high-end side of the spectrum. These uppers can withstand lots of wear and tear, making them ideal for long-term use. They are also typically better equipped to protect your feet from thorns, debris, and water. On the downside, leather uppers lack the breathability of synthetic counterparts. 

For most hikers, the ideal boot will use a combo of synthetic and natural materials, i.e. nylon and nubuck, or leather, nylon, and mesh. This construction brings the best of both worlds, offering ruggedness and durability where it’s most needed while also providing plenty of breathability. 

Midsoles

The midsoles of hiking boots, as the name suggests, lie in between the boots’ outsoles and insoles. They are responsible for shock absorption and cushioning, and are typically made out of materials like EVA foam and polyurethane.

EVA foam is often used in lightweight and midweight boot midsoles. It’s a thin, lightweight material that is capable of providing cushion and of absorbing shock. It should, however, be noted that not all EVA foams are of the same quality and you will typically have to pay more for a higher-quality EVA foam midsole.

Polyurethane midsoles are typically used in heavier and more technical boots. When compared to EVA foam, this material is thicker, less flexible, and more protective against rocks and bumpy terrain. It’s also more durable and less likely to lose its cushioning capacity over time.

Internal Support

The internal support on hiking boots consists of three parts: the insoles, the shanks, and the plates.

The insoles of hiking boots provide direct cushioning and support for your feet. While all boots come with stock insoles, these insoles are not always of the highest quality. This sometimes necessitates buying an entirely separate set of insoles

If so, high-volume insoles are usually the best bet for hiking boots as they do a better job of filling up the full boot so that your feet don’t slip around while walking.

There are a number of different insoles available for a number of different foot types and conditions. Plantar fasciitis, supination, and overpronation can all be relieved by a particular kind of insole. It’s also possible to just add a new insole for extra cushioning and support.

Shanks are 3–6mm inserts added between the midsole and outsole to provide extra stiffness, which makes carrying heavier loads a whole lot easier, particularly on steeper ground. Some shanks run from toe to heel, whereas others only cover a half to two-thirds of the midsole. As a general rule, the longer the shank, the stiffer and more supportive the sole will be. 

Plates are inserts are placed beneath the shank that protect your feet from impacts, bumps, and bruises on the sole. The size and thickness of plates varies from boot to boot and, again, the thicker and longer the shank, the more protection the boot will provide your foot. 

Outsoles

One of the main reasons for choosing a real backpacking shoe over a flimsy cross trainer is that the outsoles used in the former offer far superior traction. The patterning of the tread and depth of the lugs in your shoes together provide far better grip in loose, muddy, and slippery terrain, which helps to prevent accidental falls and slips. 

Another important aspect of a boot’s outsole is the heel brake. The heel brake is more textured than the rest of the outsole and is designed to keep you from sliding when going downhill.

The type of outsole is equally important. Vibram outsoles are generally the most grippy, but Salomon’s Contagrip is also a good choice.  

It’s important to note that because some manufacturers tailor the design of each shoe for specific brands or uses, Vibram models should not all be treated as equal. Those designed for serious grip in the mud (e.g., Vibram MegaGrip) have larger lugs while models designed for scrambling over rocks prioritize sticky rubber (e.g., Vibram Dynamis).

Features To Consider

When choosing a pair of hiking boots, there are a number of different things you must consider. These aspects may seem small on their own, but when added up, they make all the difference in the boots’ overall performance.

Waterproofing

While not all hiking boots are waterproof, the majority of them are at least water-resistant.

The difference between a water-resistant boot and a waterproof boot is that the former will use a DWR (durable water repellent) coating to ward off water, whereas the latter are either made of leather (which is naturally waterproof) or use a waterproof membrane, such as Gore-Tex.

In terms of performance, the difference between waterproof and water-resistant products is fairly vast. While waterproof boots are generally capable of keeping your feet dry in heavy downpours, crossing shallow streams, or when exposed to groundwater, water-resistant varieties are only capable of fending off limited amounts of H20.

Whether or not you need waterproofing depends on where and when you plan to do your hiking. If you’re going to be hiking in mountainous areas and wet weather, then waterproof boots are a must if you want to have dry feet. 

If you’re more of a fair-weather hiker, then you can probably get away with a pair of boots that are merely water-resistant (or non-waterproof boots), which will also likely save you a few ounces and a handful of $ to boot.

Further reading: Learn how to (re)waterproof your hiking boots!

Weight

Another important aspect to consider when choosing boots is their weight. Boots weights vary significantly, with ultralight mid-height models weighing under 1.5 pounds per pair and heavyweight three-season models weighing in excess of 4 pounds.  

A general rule of thumb is that heavier boots offer more support overall. This makes heavier models ideal for situations in which you’ll be carrying a heavy backpack and negotiating rougher terrain. However, it’s important to find a good balance between support and weight, because hiking in heavy boots can make you feel as though you’re walking through quicksand.

Lightweight boots and shoes are better designed for minimalist hikers who aren’t going to be carrying quite so heavy loads. They don’t offer quite as much support, but are usually more breathable, take less time to break in, and are less likely to cause leg fatigue if you’re racking up the mileage on the trails. 

Stiffness & Stability

Stiffness might not, on the face of it, sound like a quality you’d like your footwear to possess. However, a boots stiffness is one of the key factors in providing the stability and support you need to hike comfortably, and safely, in uneven and steeper terrain. 

In short, the stiffer a boot is, the more support it’s going to provide. However, more rigid models are typically going to allow for less flexibility, and can cause foot pain if you’re hiking on flat terrain. As such, it’s necessary to choose the stiffness according to your specific needs.

Further reading: Learn how to break-in your hiking boots quickly.

Two components contribute to a boots’ level of stiffness: the material of the upper, and the interior support. 

The stiffest boots are typically made entirely out of leather. These don’t provide quite as much breathability or flexibility but are ideal for heavy backpacking purposes where you need all the support you can get. 

The most flexible boots are typically made out of mesh, nylon, and leather. They provide enough stiffness to give you support but still allow for top-notch breathability and flexibility. These types are ideal for minimalist hiking where you won’t be carrying a heavy load.

As mentioned above, Interior support in any hiking boot is provided by the shanks and plates. The stiffer these are, the more load-bearing support they provide. Some shanks, moreover, cover the entire midsole, while others only cover half. The longer the shank, the stiffer the boot will be. 

Breathability

Breathability refers to any boot’s ability to let your sweat escape through its fabric as a vapour and thus prevent your feet becoming soaked in sweat. 

Typically, most models that are made out of a combination of nylon, mesh, and leather will provide the greatest breathability. This is because mesh possesses the capabilities to absorb and wick away sweat, and provides better airflow, thus ensuring your feet stay dry throughout your hike. 

All-leather boots, on the other hand, have a tendency to trap heat and sweat, and so aren’t the best bet for hikers hiking in warm or humid climates. 

Lacing

One of the more small and intricate, but important aspects of hiking boots is how they are laced. A lacing system can make the difference between an exceptionally well-fitting boot and one that slips around, leaving blisters and causing other forms of discomfort.

Further reading: Learn how to lace your hiking boots depending on the circumstances.

Generally, models that contain metal hooks around the front part of the ankle are the best option. These allow you to customize your lacing to fit your feet, something that can’t be done to the same degree with eyelets.

Materials

In general, hiking boots are made out of a variety of three different materials: leather (or varieties of leather), mesh, and nylon. Sometimes synthetic leather and other synthetic textiles are used, but this is not typical. The type of material a hiking boot is made out of will significantly affect its overall performance.

Products that are made out of a combination of leather, nylon, and mesh are ideal for minimalist hiking where you won’t be carrying a heavy load. They don’t provide as much support as solely leather boots but do offer more in the way of breathability and flexibility.

Leather models, on the other hand, are ideal for backpacking, as they will provide you with much more support. These boots aren’t as breathable or as flexible, but do offer more protection against rocks, branches, thorns, snakes, any anything else lurking at toe-to-calf level on the trails.

Outsoles & Traction

As mentioned above, the outsole of your boots largely determines just how grippy they will be in varying terrain. 

The majority of outsoles are made out of rubber, though there are some synthetic outsoles available. Typically, softer rubbers are lighter but tend to wear down quickly if used on hard surfaces, whether that be rocks or paved paths. Harder rubbers, on the other hand, are usually more durable but weigh more and don’t adhere to slick surfaces quite so well. 

Each boot’s outsole features a series of patterned bumps known as “lugs”, which dig into the terrain to provide better balance and stability. In general, lugs that are deeper and spaced further apart will give you better traction. They also do a better job of shaking off mud.

Toe Protection

A vital, but often overlooked aspect of hiking footwear is the amount of toe protection they provide. The majority of models possess rubber toe caps that line the very front of the boot. These are great to have in case you stub your toe or accidentally kick rocks, roots, or other impediments on the trail.

Insoles

Sadly, almost all hiking boots on the market come with cheap insoles that lack shock absorption and don’t provide enough cushioning under the arch. While this may not be noticable to most users, for others it will make days on the trail miserable until a suitable replacement can be found.

The good news is that removing the insoles and replacing them with a high-quality, aftermarket model specially designed for your tootsies is easy. The bad news is, of course, that you’ll have to fork out to get them, adding further expense to the price of the boots.

Fitting & Finding Your Size

Fine Tuning The Fit

Because you’re going to be wearing your hiking boots over extended periods of time while traversing rocky and uneven terrain, you need to make sure that they fit perfectly. Using an ill-fitting pair will end in nothing but pain and discomfort. Who wants to deal with blisters, burns, and rashes day after day, after all? No one, that’s who.

But how do you ensure that your chosen pair of hiking boots will fit to a ‘T’? Ideally, you’ll try them on in person before making a purchase. But with the ability to find more products and cheaper deals online, you may not have that option. If this is the case, there are a number of things you must do to ensure a quality fit.

It’s first necessary to remember that your boot will be worn with hiking socks, which are generally a little thicker than daywear socks. So, whatever your typical foot girth is, you should add around half a centimeter when doing your calculations.

You should also consider the fact that walking might make your feet swell, especially in warmer temperatures. As such, it’s always best to try on a pair of boots in the afternoon, when your feet will be at their biggest. 

A good general rule is to have about a thumb’s width between the end of the boot’s insole and your toes. This will keep your feet locked in firmly without risking the toes banging against the front on descents. 

The Best Hiking Boots: Reviews of Our 9 Top Picks for 2021

Last update on 2021-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API