Hiking Boots: Reviews

Updated April 2012

Whether you're taking a day hike on well-groomed trails or trekking into the deep woods over rough terrain, a good pair of boots will provide support for your adventure. In fact, the first thing to ask yourself when buying hiking boots is where and how often you will hit the trail. After analyzing the reviews from experts and users alike, ConsumerSearch deems the following six hiking boots your best bets for adventure-seeking footwear. The only question now is, where will those shoes take you?

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Summer hiking shoes

Merrell Moab Ventilator

*Est. $90 Compare Prices

If day hikes and short backpacking trips are the highlight of your summer plans, reviews point to the Merrell Moab Ventilator (available in both men's and women's sizes) as the best lightweight, low-cut hiking shoe. As… expandthe name suggests, the non-waterproof version of this shoe has a highly breathable mesh-and-leather body that isn't suited for winter use. Users say this shoe runs a bit small. Once you find the right fit, owners say the Moab Ventilator is extremely comfortable and supportive, and its soles firmly grip all surfaces. The tread reportedly wears well, although some users complain about durability. Depending on their preferred hiking style, reviewers either like or dislike this shoe's great breathability and the way its mesh-and-leather uppers drain water instead of retaining it once wet, as waterproofed shoes and boots tend to do. A mid-cut boot version, the Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid (*Est. $100) is also available. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

The Seattle Times: The Merrell Moab Ventilator earns praise from the author, a regular contributor to Backpacker magazine.

Boys' Life: The "Gear Guy" presents a roundup of eight sturdy hiking boots that won't break the bank.

Moosejaw.com: Together, more than two dozen men and women give their respective versions of the Merrell Moab Ventilator a 4.5-star average rating.

Backcountry.com: Two versions of the Merrell Moab Ventilator draw significant numbers of reviews here.

Amazon.com: More than 120 men give the mid-cut version of the Moab Ventilator a 4.5-star average rating, and more than 30 women give the low-cut version a near-perfect score.

REI.com: The men's version of this shoe gets more than 90 reviews; the women's version has about two dozen.

Cabelas.com: It's hard to know if we're looking at the trail runner or hiking shoe version of the Moab Ventilator, or more importantly, that the users knew which version they were rating.

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Waterproof Hiking Shoes

Lowa Renegade II GTX Lo

*Est. $170 Learn More

The Lowa Renegade II GTX Lo earns high marks for traction, comfort and sizing options. The shoe has an all-leather upper that can be waterproofed, plus a Gore-Tex breathable membrane for further protection from water and… expandsnow -- all of which makes it a great option for fall and winter treks. Available in both men's and women's sizes, this Italian-made hiking shoe comes in gender-specific lasts in three widths. Reviewers recommend it for travel and everyday wear as well as for day hikes. Main drawbacks include slow drying time once the shoe gets wet and some criticisms about durability. For more ankle support, consider the higher-cut Lowa Renegade GTX Mid (*Est. $220) that also draws positive reviews, or the even more popular Vasque Breeze GTX XCR (*Est. $160). collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

About.com: The About.com guide to walking gives the Lowa Renegade II GTX Lo a perfect 5-star rating in this long, detailed single-product review based on her personal testing.

Outside: Based on extensive field tests, Outside magazine editors recommend the Lowa Renegade II GTX Lo for good support and performance, saying "These sturdy mud-lovers hand a whuppin' to slick roots, scratchy underbrush, and heinous descents." The main drawback is that the all-leather uppers take a long time to dry.

REI.com: Fewer than 10 reviewers rate the Lowa Renegade II GTX Lo model.

Amazon.com: Less than 10 reviewers weigh in on the Lowa Men's Renegade II GTX Lo Hiking Shoe, giving it a 4.5-star average score.

Woodall's Camping Life Magazine: The Lowa Renegade II GTX Lo and the higher-cut boot version are the only footwear to make it into this roundup of favorite gear for 2011, from the editors of Woodall's Camping Life Magazine.

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Budget light hiking boots

Hi-Tec Altitude IV WP

*Est. $90 Learn More

As long as waterproofing isn't your top priority, reviewers say the Hi-Tec Altitude IV WP for men (and Hi-Tech Glide WP for women) is an excellent value. The boot doesn't have a waterproof lining but the leather upper is… expandwater resistant, and most owners say their feet stay dry. In fact, some experts prefer leather uppers over a waterproof lining because the leather does a better job of letting sweat escape. The Altitude IV WP draws repeated praise for excellent traction on wet surfaces. The shoe has a short 90-day warranty, but quite a few users report hiking in it for several years, then replacing it with the same model. At just under 2 pounds (for the average men's pair) these boots aren't built for maximum support and durability, but users say they're comfortable right out of the box. If you want better-ventilated, lightweight shoes for hiking, reviewers recommend the Merrell Moab Ventilator (*Est. $90). collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Zappos.com: More than one hundred reviewers at this popular online shoe retailer give the Hi-Tec Altitude IV a near-perfect 5-star rating.

Amazon.com: More than 170 men and a handful of women review the Hi-Tec Altitude IV hiking boots.

OnlineShoes.com: Almost 50 owners review the Hi-Tec Altitude IV, praising its comfort, durability, and overall value.

Buzzillions.com: This site consolidates owners' reviews and ratings from many websites, finding more than 150 for the Hi-Tec Altitude IV. The majority of feedback is quite positive (there are more than 130 5-star reviews), with just a few complaints about durability or poor waterproofing.

Trailspace.com: More than a dozen users review the Hi-Tec Altitude IV here.

TheBackpacker.com: Fewer than 10 owner-written reviews cover an earlier version of the Hi-Tec Altitude, giving it a positive average rating of 4 stars (out of 5).

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Lightweight waterproof hiking boots

Vasque Breeze GTX XCR

*Est. $160 Learn More

Reviewers say the Gore-Tex XCR waterproof membrane in the Vasque Breeze breathes better than a standard Gore-Tex lining. Many owners say the boots are comfortable from the first day, and provide good ankle protection and… expandsupport for not only a day hike but also backpacking with loads up to about 30 pounds. Some, however, complain about durability -- a common issue with light hikers -- and waterproofing, which a few users say failed in as little as six months. Traction is generally good, although one user says it's somewhat compromised when hiking at an angle. The men's and women's versions of the Breeze GTX XCR are built on gender-specific lasts, which some female reviewers report can run a little narrow (three widths are available for each gender). The boot is popular with both genders, but women looking for a better fit might consider the ladies-only Asolo Stynger GTX (*Est. $210). collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Moosejaw.com: About 40 women review the Vasque Breeze GTX XCR hiking boot at this retail site, giving it an average ranking of 5 out of 5.

ShoeBuy.com: More than two dozen men review the Vasque Breeze XCR, praising its waterproofing and comfort.

Backcountry.com: More than 50 men review the Vasque Breeze GTX, giving it an average 4-star rating.

Trailspace.com: More than two dozen owners rate and review the Vasque Breeze GTX XCR at this gear-review site.

OnlineShoes.com: About 40 men provide detailed reviews, giving this boot a 4.5-star average rating.

The Seattle Times: Comparison tests here recommend a similar Vasque boot which has limited availability, the Vasque Breeze Lite GTX. The Breeze Lite is praised for its fit, with a narrow heel and wider forefoot.

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Heavy-duty leather backpacking boots

Asolo Power Matic 200 GV

*Est. $290 Learn More

The Asolo Power Matic 200 GV is a bombproof, waterproof hiking boot with plenty of stiff ankle support. Its waterproofing -- a weak point for many boots -- "proved infallible," according to one expert reviewer. Available… expandin both men's and women's versions, these boots are recommended for rugged terrain and carrying heavy loads of up to 80 pounds, and they offer excellent traction. Despite their substantial weight and support, owners report a minimal break-in period; a few day hikes usually do the job. Lacing is sometimes a weak point for heavy-duty boots, but the Power Matic 200 GV comes with a pulley-based system that wears extremely well and is a big hit with reviewers. A big downside is this boot's weight: 3.75 pounds for the average men's pair. Another Asolo backpacking boot, the TPS 520 GV (*Est. $280), is also well liked by reviewers but weighs about the same. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Backpacker Magazine: Based on tests of dozens of hiking boots, editors like the Asolo Power Matic 200 GV boots for backpacking loads up to 80 pounds, adding that the "waterproofing proved infallible." Editors recommend the medium width for narrow feet and the wide width for most men.

Outside Magazine: Outside magazine's Gear Guy blogger recommends the Asolo Power Matic 200 GV hiking boots for backpacking or rugged day hikes where support is a concern.

REI.com: The Asolo Power Matic 200 GV hiking boot receives a 4.4-star rating from nearly 60 reviewers.

Moosejaw.com: The Power Matic 200 GV earns mostly positive reviews here from more than three dozen reviewers.

Backcountry.com: Two dozen reviewers give the Asolo Power Matic 200 GV a near-perfect rating.

Trailspace.com: More than a dozen owners review the Asolo Power Matic 200 GV boots, which are among the top-rated mid-weight leather hiking boots at this site.

Eastern Mountain Sports: More than two dozen reviewers give the Asolo Power Matic 200 GV an average rating of 4.4 stars, praising them for their great traction, water resistance, and comfortable fit.

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Women's hiking boots

Asolo Stynger GTX

*Est. $210 Learn More

All of the hiking boots and shoes above come in both men's and women's sizes, but a few models, like the waterproof Asolo Stynger GTX light hikers, are designed expressly for women, with lasts made for women's typically… expandlonger arches and narrower heels. These boots get top marks for comfort, with many women saying they're comfortable without a break-in period. Users praise the Stynger GTX boots for both traction and ventilation -- though there isn't consensus regarding the former, especially on wet surfaces. They're suitable for hiking on rough terrain and backpacking with loads up to 35 pounds. An average pair weighs just under 2.5 pounds, which is reasonable for boots with excellent support. The main drawback to these boots is the mixed durability reviews they've received (a fairly common complaint among lightweight hiking boots in general). collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Backpacker Magazine: A female tester for Backpacker magazine recommends the Asolo Stynger GTX for its toe protection, roomy forefoot, excellent support and "forgiving fit."

REI.com: Based on more than 80 reviews, the Asolo Stynger GTX are among the top-rated women's hiking boots here.

Moosejaw.com: About 60 women give the Asolo Stynger GTX enthusiastic reviews, making it one of the top-rated hiking boots for women at this retail site.

Zappos.com: More than three dozen women review the Asolo Stynger GTX hiking boots, with about 75 percent giving them the highest possible rating.

Backcountry.com: More than two dozen women review the Asolo Stynger GTX here with great enthusiasm, praising the boots for their comfort, support and durability -- though they don't fit every woman's foot well.

Trailspace.com: These reviews are mixed. A couple of reviewers give the Stynger GTX kudos for high comfort with a short-to-nonexistent break-in period, but another complains that her feet "are boiling" in hot temperatures, and another blames the boots for lumps on the front of her ankle.

Outside Magazine: For backpacking boots for a woman, blogger Douglas Gantenbein recommends the Asolo Stynger GTX as "light but tough, waterproof, and built for a woman.