Best Hiking Boots, Hiking Shoes Reviews

Summer hiking shoes

*Est. $100 Compare Prices

For day hikes or short backpacking trips on easier trails, the trend is toward lightweight hiking shoes rather than traditional boots. Reviews recommend the Keen Voyageur Low hiking shoes for day hikes in hot weather,… since they're very well ventilated. The tradeoff is that they're not waterproof, but they dry quickly -- which many hikers and ultralight backpackers prefer. An average men's pair weighs less than 2 pounds. This shoe is also available in women's sizes. The main drawback is that some reviews report poor traction on wet rocks. Keep in mind that lightweight hiking shoes don't last as long as heavier boots, but they usually cost less and are comfortable right out of the box.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Zappos.com: Nearly 80 women review the Keen Voyageur Low here, with 92 percent giving it the highest possible rating. Users advise buying a ...

REI.com: More than 20 men and about a dozen women give the Keen Voyageur low-cut hiking shoe mostly positive reviews here. Owners like the ...

Backcountry.com: About a dozen men and half a dozen women review the Keen Voyageur Low at this retail site, with their ratings making it the ...

Cabelas.com: The handful of women reviewing the Keen Voyageur Low at this retail site give it nearly perfect average ratings, making it the ...

Amazon.com: The handful of women and men reviewing the Keen Voyageur here give it high praise for comfort and fast drying. A male reviewer ...

Trailspace.com: The sole review published here at the time of our report is enthusiastic and detailed, praising the Keen Voyageur for protecting ...

Camping Life Magazine: Editors of this publication aimed at car campers recommend the Keen Voyageur for its summer coolness combined with toe protection ...

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Waterproof hiking shoes

Keen Targhee II Mid

*Est. $130 Compare Prices

These waterproof hiking shoes can be hotter in summer, but the Keen Targhee II Mid earns positive reviews for traction. It's a good compromise for those who want the light weight and flexibility of a shoe, but need a… little extra ankle support and want to keep their feet dry. Reviewers say the Keen Targhee II Mid is sturdy enough for carrying backpacks weighing up to 35 pounds. The Keen Targhee II Mid has been a favorite in reviews, earning praise for overall comfort, a roomy toe box and breathable waterproofing. However, they don't get the best grip in snow. This hiking shoe from Targhee is available in both men's and women's sizes.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Backpacker Magazine: This backpacking magazine tests more hiking boots than any other publication we've found, putting dozens of models through ...

GearReview.com: An experienced gear reviewer provides a detailed single-product report on the Keen Targhee II in its lower-cut version, comparing ...

Zappos.com: We found more owner-written reviews of the Keen Targhee II hiking shoe here than at any other site. About 100 men and 200 women ...

REI.com: More than 35 men review the men's version of the mid-cut Keen Targhee II eVent shoes at this top retail site, and the women's ...

Backcountry.com: More than a dozen women and about a dozen men rate and review the Keen Targhee II hiking shoe here. Most are satisfied, but ...

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Budget light hiking boots

Hi-Tec Altitude IV

*Est. $90 Compare Prices

As long as waterproofing and durability aren't your top priorities, reviewers say these budget hiking boots will fit the bill. Most owners praise the Hi-Tec Altitude IV boots as comfortable out of the box (without a… break-in period), and the boots do have some water resistance built into the leather uppers. They provide ankle support, come in both women's and men's sizes, and get high marks for good traction. The main drawback is the short 90-day warranty; most hiking boots have at least a one-year warranty.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Zappos.com: About 60 men review the Hi-Tec Altitude IV here, with 94 percent giving these boots at least a four-star rating (on a five-point ...

Cabelas.com: Based on more than two dozen reviews from owners, the Hi-Tec Altitude IV are among the top-rated light hiking boots here for men. ...

Amazon.com: Nearly two dozen men and half a dozen women review the Hi-Tec Altitude IV hiking boots here, where their ratings make this model ...

OnlineShoes.com: More than a dozen men and about half a dozen women review the Hi-Tec Altitude IV here, praising its comfort, durability and ...

Trailspace.com: Fewer than a dozen users review the Hi-Tec Altitude IV here, but it's still one of the top-rated hiking boots at this review ...

TheBackpacker.com: Owner-written reviews here cover an earlier version of the Hi-Tec Altitude, giving it a reasonably positive average rating. One ...

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Lightweight hiking boots

Kayland Zephyr

*Est. $190 Compare Prices

For excellent traction, better ankle protection and for carrying loads up to 50 pounds, testers recommend these light 2.5-pound Kayland Zephyr hiking boots. The eVent waterproof membrane gets high marks for breathability.… Most testers find this hiking boot comfortable right out of the box, even without third-party insoles. The lacing system adjusts boot width, but if you have very wide feet, other well-reviewed light hikers may be a better choice.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Backpacker Magazine: The Kayland Zephyr light hikers earn the 2009 Editors' Choice award from the backpacking magazine that tests more hiking boots ...

TheBackPacker.tv: This video review by two women hikers demonstrates the Kayland Zephr boots in action on a wet, muddy hike in Wales - on slippery ...

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Amazon

for $189.95

Heavy-duty leather backpacking boots

Asolo PowerMatic 200 GV

*Est. $275 Compare Prices

Midweight backpacking boots provide the most support for carrying heavy backpacking loads or bushwacking through rugged terrain. Both male and female reviewers praise the Asolo PowerMatic 200 GV hiking boots. Testers at… Backpacker magazine praise the Gore-Tex waterproofing, and Outside magazine recommends them for backpackers who need lots of support. Like most leather hiking boots, however, they're heavy, expensive and require a break-in period.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Backpacker Magazine: Based on tests of dozens of hiking boots, editors recommend the Asolo Power Matic 200 GV boots for backpacking loads up to 80 ...

Outside Magazine: Outside magazine's Gear Guy blogger recommends the Asolo PowerMatic 200 GV hiking boots for backpacking or rugged day hikes where ...

REI.com: Based on about three dozen owner-written reviews, the Asolo PowerMatic 200 GV are one of the top-rated hiking boots here. ...

Moosejaw.com: Based on about two dozen reviews (including women's reviews of their version), the PowerMatic 200 GVs are the top-rated leather ...

Backcountry.com: The half-dozen or so men reviewing the Asolo PowerMatic 200 GV hiking boots here are enthusiastic, reporting that the boots are ...

Trailspace.com: Fewer than a dozen owners review the Asolo PowerMatic 200 GV boots here, but they're still among the top-rated, mid-weight, ...

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Women's hiking boots

Asolo Stynger Gtx

*Est. $200 Compare Prices

If you're a female hiker with especially narrow feet or heels, you might find hiking shoes and boots designed expressly for women to offer a better fit. The waterproof Asolo Stynger Gtx light hikers get top marks for… comfort. Many women say they're comfortable right out of the box. Yet they're also suitable for hiking on rough terrain -- as well as for backpacking loads up to about 35 pounds. Reviews also praise the Stynger Gtx boots for both traction and ventilation. An average pair weighs 2.5 pounds, which is reasonable for boots with excellent support. The main drawback is that the boots receive mixed reviews for durability.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Outside Magazine: For backpacking boots for a woman, the Outside Gear Guy blogger recommends the Asolo Stynger GTx as "light but tough, waterproof, ...

Backpacker.com: A female tester for Backpacker magazine recommends the Asolo Stynger GTx for its toe protection, roomy forefoot, excellent ...

REI.com: Based on more than 40 reviews, the Asolo Stynger GTx are the top-rated women's hiking boots here. Women praise their comfort, ...

Moosejaw.com: About three dozen women give the Asolo Stynger GTx enthusiastic reviews here, making it the top-rated hiking boot for women at ...

Zappos.com: About two dozen women review the Asolo Stynger GTx hiking boots here, with 83 percent giving it the highest possible rating. ...

Backcountry.com: About a dozen women review the Asolo Stynger GTx here with great enthusiasm, praising the boots for their comfort, support and ...

Trailspace.com: At the time of our report, only two women review the Asolo Stynger GTx hiking boots here, but both give them high praise. Asolo ...

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Hiking Boots: Reviews

Summer hiking shoes

Waterproof hiking shoes

Budget light hiking boots

Lightweight hiking boots

Heavy-duty leather backpacking boots

Women's hiking boots

Hiking Boots by Price Range


	Vasque Men's Breeze GTX Hiking Boot from Amazon.com Average Customer Review:


	Lowa Men's Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boot from Amazon.com Average Customer Review:


	Men's Merrell Moab GORE-TEX® XCR® from Amazon.com Average Customer Review:


	Keen Targhee II Hiker Mens from Amazon.com Average Customer Review:


	KEEN Voyageur Mid Hiking Shoe - Men's from Amazon.com Average Customer Review: