Hiking Boots

Lightweight hiking boots for more challenging trails

Lightweight hiking boots -- often called light hikers -- tend to be somewhat taller than mid-cut hiking shoes, providing more ankle support. Leather uppers are often ventilated with strips of mesh, so they're more comfortable than all-leather boots in hot weather. The mesh also keeps the weight down to an average of around 40 ounces per pair. Compared with heavier, hotter all-leather boots, the main trade-offs are durability and water resistance -- which usually get mixed reviews from owners of light hikers. 

The Vasque Breeze GTX XCR (*Est. $120) uses plenty of mesh for ventilation, plus the most breathable version of Gore-Tex for waterproofing. This boot comes in gender-specific sizes and lasts. Another sizing plus is that it comes in two or three widths, depending on the exact version you choose. As the name suggests, these hiking boots are well ventilated with mesh, and the women's version uses the most breathable XCR version of Gore-Tex for waterproofing. The Vibram Contact sole has aggressive lugs for traction and stability, especially on rough and muddy trails.

This 40-ounce hiking boot is a top pick among women reviewing hiking boots at Moosejaw.com and LLBean.com, and among men at Backcountry.com. Many owners say Vasque Breeze GTX hiking boots have a minimal break-in time and provide an ideal mix of durability, protection and comfort. These hiking boots also earn mostly positive reviews from both men and women at REI.com, Zappos.com and Buzzillions.com. One woman says, "It's like wearing a tennis shoe on a hike only you get dry feet, ankle support and stiffness in the sole." We did find a few complaints from owners about premature wear, poor traction or defective waterproofing, but most owners report satisfaction on these factors.

Backpacker magazine gives a 2010 Editors' Choice award to the lighter 36-ounce Salomon Wings Sky GTX (*Est. $220) . This boot is not as widely available through online retailers as some of the other options. This hiking boot also comes in only one width and in men's sizing only, although some retailers (such as Amazon.com) will provide a chart converting men's sizes to the appropriate women's sizes. Editors say this boot provides comfort that's almost sneaker-like, but also "let us put in 15-hour days with 50-pound packs -- with no excessive foot fatigue." Traction is judged excellent.

The Kayland Zephyr (*Est. $120) is extremely scant on user reviews, but a professional reviewer at Wired liked its lightweight breathability and customizable lacing fit. The editors of Backpacker magazine chose the Zephyr for their 2009 Editor's Choice award, praising its waterproof, breathable eVent lining. The Kayland Zephyr appeared in Backpacker again in 2010, in the "Editor's Hall of Fame" for a check-in on how long previously tested gear has lasted. Editors praised the Zephyr for its lack of a break-in period, comfort, waterproofing and traction, and rate it as stout enough to support 50-pound loads.

As a budget choice for day hiking, it's hard to beat the L.L.Bean Trail Model Hiker II Mid-Cut (*Est. $60) , which earns enthusiastic reviews from both men and women at LLBean.com. Many owners report comfort right out of the box, plus good support for hiking. Good Housekeeping does a comparison test of eight hiking shoes, and finds the women's version of this boot to be the most supportive. Editors also praise the boot for both ankle support and comfort. This basic budget hiking boot isn't waterproof; for that you can step up to the similar L.L.Bean Trail Model Hiker II TekII (*Est. $90) -- still a good value, although the waterproof, heavy-duty Timberland White Ledge hikers (*Est. $90) are more appropriate if you'll be carrying heavy loads. If you're willing to take one more step up the budget ladder, the Vasque Breeze GTX XCR is named a Best Reviewed pick for lightweight, waterproof hiking boots.

For more light-hiking boots designed specifically for women, see the women's hiking boots page.

Heavier-duty hiking boots

Mid-weight hiking boots with all-leather uppers offer more support than lightweight leather/mesh boots for hiking on challenging terrain. Reviews recommend them for backpacking with heavy loads of 40 or 50 pounds or more. Mid-weight leather boots are also warmer -- a boon in cold weather, but problematic in heat.

Boots with all-leather uppers are the most durable hiking boots, but are also the heaviest, averaging around 4 pounds a pair. Mid-weight leather boots are stiff, so they can take weeks or even months to break in. Until that point, reviews say, they can be fairly uncomfortable, with hot spots and blisters a problem. Experts advise mitigating these problems so that they don't occur on the trail by wearing your boots as frequently as possible off the trail -- even on errands to the grocery store -- until they're comfortable on your feet.

For backpacking with heavy loads, reviews recommend two Italian brands of hiking boots, Zamberlan and Asolo, more than any other brand. The Zamberlan 760 Steep GT (*Est. $270) earns a 2010 Editors' Choice award at Backpacker magazine, where editors call it "uncommonly comfortable" even with a 70-pound load. Based on tests of dozens of hiking boots (more than 8,000 miles total), editors praise the Zamberlan 760 Steep GT for superb support and protection plus "Cadillac comfort."

The handful of owners reviewing the Zamberlan 760 Steep GT at REI.com and Amazon.com also give it rave reviews. One reviewer at REI.com calls buying the Zamberlan 760 Steep GT "one of the best decisions of my life," while another reports that these boots kept his feet warm and dry even when hiking in snow. A handful of reviewers at Zappos.com praise this boot's comfort and support; however, one user says the sole doesn't provide enough protection on rocky terrain. The only reviews we could find of the women's version of this boot were on REI.com, where three users praised the boot for its support, comfort, traction and durability.

The Asolo TPS 520 GV (*Est. $225) is a bit heavier (an average men's pair weighs almost 4 pounds, while the Zamberlan 760 Steep GT weighs a little more than 3 pounds). TPS stands for triple power structure, which incorporates three different shock absorbers for specific areas of the sole. These boots come in men's medium and wide sizes, plus sizes specifically for women. The 2009 gear issue of Backpacker magazine recommends the Asolo TPS 520 GV for hiking off-trail. There are so many enthusiastic, overwhelmingly positive user reviews for this boot that it beat out the Zamberlan 760 Steep GT for best reviewed. Hundreds of users on REI.com, Backcountry.com and Moosejaw.com have given the Asolo TPS 520 GV positive ratings, praising it for its durability, support and comfort, even when backpacking with heavy loads.

Owners say the TPS 520 is wonderfully waterproof, although they don't breathe very well in very hot weather, which is a typical problem for leather boots. Some owners report a break-in period. (Note that there's often a trade-off between the protection a boot provides -- which often makes it fairly rigid -- and the number of miles you have to hike before it shapes itself to your foot.) Users praise the TPS 520 GV for retaining its traction over time, but a few complain that it loses traction on wet rock, one of the most common complaints with all types of boots.

The Asolo Power Matic 200 GV (*Est. $290) is another excellent heavy-duty leather hiking boot. Both men and women praise the Power Matic 200 in owner-written reviews on TrailSpace, REI.com and Moosejaw.com. These boots are solid, stable and comfortable, although some users warn that they can slip on wet surfaces, and that they require a long break-in time. A few users on REI.com complained that this boot's laces are of poor quality, but this is a relatively inexpensive, easy fix. They otherwise have great traction, resist water well and support your foot well. The average pair weighs about 3 pounds, 12 ounces.

One exception to the popularity of Asolo boots is the Asolo Fugitive GTV (*Est. $215) . This boot is quite popular with Moosejaw.com users and gets a cheery nod from TheTravelRag.com for a solid, traditional design. But a few reviewers on Backcountry.com complain that this boot leaks, and that the soles wear down faster than they should, given the cost and heft of this 3-pound, 2-ounce design.

Although the Danner Light and its successor, the Light II (*Est. $265) , haven't received much attention from expert reviewers, some user reviews weigh in heavily in its favor, with one reviewer stating she was able to get 20 years of use from her Danner boots. The Light/Light II are also available in four widths (three for men and one for women-specific sizing), making it relatively easy to fit all sizes of feet. The Danner Radical 452 GTX (*Est. $165) is also well received by users, with positive reviews on both Amazon.com and Cabela's for being comfortable, tough and supportive.

The Vasque Wasatch GTX (*Est. $175) received universal approval from women hikers on Amazon.com, REI.com and Moosejaw.com. Interestingly, men were less positive about this boot on all three sites, raising concerns that the boots aren't very durable. In particular, the rubber on the sole and near where the sole meets the upper was reported to crack, and some male REI.com users complained that the boots were too heavy (the average women's pair weighs just under 3 pounds; an average men's pair weighs 3 pounds, 6 ounces.). By comparison, women reviewers on all three sites reported that the Wasatch is supportive, comfortable, gives great traction and is also durable enough for use on harsh terrain, although a few did complain about the weight as well, implying that these boots don't offer quite the performance you'd expect from a heavy-duty leather hiking boot.

Boys' Life praises the Timberland White Ledge hikers for their full-grain uppers and few seams, which make them more durable and less prone to leakage. Amazon.com users also liked the White Ledge, declaring it a good value that's also easy on the feet. Both men and women also liked the waterproof Timberland Chocorua (*Est. $100) boots, citing their light weight, sturdiness and comfort, although they don't seem to last as long as other heavy-duty boots. If budget is your primary concern, these are very solid boots for the price.

If you don't want to spend quite so much, it's hard to beat the Gore-Tex-lined Cabela's Perfekt 7 Hikers (*Est. $220) , made for Cabela's by Meindl. User reviews on Cabelas.com praise the waterproofing, durability and overall comfort of these boots. They come in both D and EE widths, and include an inner layer of cork that molds the insole to the user's foot, providing extra shock absorption and heel support.

It's hard to find backpacking boots that don't have a Gore-Tex lining, but some owners prefer the superior breathability of a leather boot without it. Experts say that a well-constructed full-grain leather boot with excellent waterproofing can keep feet dry in rain or snow, and prevent moisture from accumulating inside due to sweat and condensation. The Scarpa SL M3 (*Est. $255) uses silicone-impregnated leather uppers for its waterproofing -- no Gore-Tex. This boot is made in Italy on gender-specific lasts. Owners say the Scarpa SL M3 provides excellent support, but the soles are stiff and the break-in period can be quite long. An average men's pair weighs 3 pounds, 13 ounces.