Hiking Boot Review

Introduction to Hiking Boots

We found the best reviews of hiking shoes and boots at Backpacker Magazine, where experienced hikers test over 30 pairs under rugged conditions. Outside Magazine also tests hiking shoes, and editors at both publications give annual awards to the best new hiking boots or shoes of the year. We also found the owner-written ratings and reviews at REI.com particularly valuable; this site makes it especially easy to find the top-rated hiking boots and shoes for both men and women. Keep in mind that some people prefer to wear trail-running shoes for day hikes or easy hiking. These are covered in a separate ConsumerSearch report.

Hiking-boot reviews show a clear trend in recent years toward "less is more" - away from heavy-duty all-leather hiking boots except for off-trail backpacking with heavy loads. Instead, expert reviews recommend buying the lightest hiking shoes or boots that will serve your needs. Several studies have shown that wearing one extra pound on your feet takes as much energy as carrying five or six pounds in a backpack.

While well-constructed leather hiking boots can be seam-sealed and waterproofed, lightweight hiking boots and shoes usually incorporate areas of mesh for ventilation, using breathable linings for waterproofing. Breathability becomes a big issue in hiking-boot reviews, since these linings vary in how well they release the inevitable sweat that comes from exertion. Reviews say eVENT breathes better than Gore-Tex XCR, which in turn breathes better than standard Gore-Tex. However, even hiking shoes and boots using the same type of lining get different ratings for breathability, so specifications don't tell the whole story.