Safeguard Your Feet with the Best Hiking Boots Available

If you’re into minimalism or easily get stressed out because of excessive details and colors, like me, then this would be a perfect hiking boot for you. Still functional as hike-ready footwear, while at the same time, it offers the rugged, vintage aesthetic that would also go well with casual outfits.

There are three color options: black, dark brown, and wheat. My personal favorite has to be black because the others come with different colors for some components. Having a single, back-colored hiking boot might save you a lot of time as it’s compatible with any other color.

As the name suggests, the boots are completely waterproof thanks to their premium full-grain leather and seam-sealed construction, helping you keep your feet dry throughout the hike. Timberland’s shoes are often manufactured in Vietnam and China. I personally suggest you get the one made in Vietnam, as it will last longer than the counterparts made in Chinese factories. Be sure to check the tag or its origin before purchasing these boots.

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Another pair of hiking boots that offers hike-ready support and is at the same time aesthetically satisfying is the Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II. Compared to the previous entry in the list, these boots give out more sporty vibes but are still suitable for work and casual dates. If your work is done mostly outside or involves walking on different terrains for long periods of time, this would be a perfect fit for you.

These boots are as light as a sneaker but are durable and can give you as much support and comfort as other hiking shoes. They might not be the number one candidate in the waterproof department, but they work best to maintain balance in wet or slippery environments. They come in a wider range of color choices, including black, cordovan, graphite, silver sage, etc.

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In need of a functional hiking boot but running on a low budget? The HI-TEC Bandera Mid Waterproof Hiking boot may be a great fit for you. I personally had never heard of this brand before this, but it works surprisingly well considering the price they are offering. However, I would suggest not putting too high an expectation on it, even if they do come with some hiking features such as a breathable waterproof membrane that keeps your feet dry and steel shanks that provide extra support for walking on uneven terrains.

If trekking is only your weekend leisure activity, on not-so-rocky terrain and waterproofing aren’t big priorities for your hiking boots, then this could be worth your money. In terms of aesthetics, I’m not a huge fan of the design, but as long as it’s functional, it’s all that matters, right? I won’t suggest that you wear these guys on a date though (work is fine, I think).

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In need of functional hiking boots and have lots of money to spare? The Vasque Sundowner Gore-Tex Backpacking Boot would be a great fit for you. I mean, don’t they just look gorgeous? The price isn’t too outrageous, but I picked this one owing to its reputation for comfort and old-school style (I’m all for vintage, as you can tell).

As the name suggest, these boots features Gore-Tex lining which allows internal moisture to pass through while repelling external water, offering dryness and comfort for your feet. One thing to remember is to size up a little when picking up a pair of these guys, as Vasque might not be a fan of conventional hiking boot sizes, and these boots are not equipped with a “loosening up” feature.

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Planning on climbing the Alps with a group of friends as a year-end goal? Then consider this when deciding on purchasing a pair of hiking footwear. Some hike-specific features include rubber sole, Hydroshield Membrane waterproofing that keeps your feet dry and warm at the same time, rubber toe cap protection, and a rubber outsole for optimal grip when trekking through difficult terrains.

Since these are mountaineering boots, they would need to be broken in, so allow yourself plenty of training time before the trip. I would not say too much on the fashion aspect, though, since not many people would mind if your boots are not complimenting your outfits when climbing the Alps. There are three colors available, including black, light grey, and camouflage.

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I purchased a pair of these while planning a 6-day trip to Europe, and they worked wonders! It was the first pair from Merrell that I got, but it exceeded my expectation. I always have problems with shoe sizing, but these fit right out of the box, so thumbs up for Merrell.

There was not too much hiking involved during the trip, but I did use them as trail running shoes for one occasion, and they gave me the exact amount of support and comfort I needed. I like this pair more than other hiking shoes, as it’s less bulky and outdoorsy, and I use it for daily activities when extra support is needed. They have multiple colors to choose from, but my favorite is Faience (picture).

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The Altra Lone Peak 4 is currently the lightest option in the hiking shoe department. The whole pair only comes up to 1 lb. 3 oz., which would free you from a lot of fraction while trekking. There are several updated features that are noteworthy, such as static webbing for better cinching ability, a flexible strap for a roomier forefoot, and a sandpaper-textured toe cap. Not many sizing problems spotted, so you can rest assured while shopping for this online. Color options include gray/yellow, blue, green, black/red, and gray/orange (pictured).

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These may come across as bulky and heavy at first, but if you’re thinking of trekking the Arizona desert, this might be the right call for you. However, they make take up to four weeks to be broken in, providing you wear them weekly. If you are like me and get frustrated easily with shoe laces, then you would like Free Soldier’s speed lace fastening system in this one.

Some other hike-ready features include a rubber outsole that offers slip, oil, and abrasion resistance and a cushioned removable insole with anti-microfiber that keep your feet dry throughout trekking. These come in three color options: black, coyote brown, and soil.

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Yes! We are back to leather again! Although the design of these boots is not impeccable (too busy for my liking), I do like how it can work well in different circumstances, including trekking on rocky terrain, thick mud, rivers, snow, work, and gardening. I purchased a pair of these 4 months ago, and they are still in good condition. They are pretty comfortable and breathable for leather boots and keep my feet warm and dry – just as I like it.

One thumb down for this one would be the sizing. I would suggest half-size down when choosing these unless you don’t mind walking with extra space in your boots. There are five colors to choose from, including black, brown, grey, sand, and timberwoft.

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If your chosen hiking terrains entail crossing wet areas or rainy weather conditions, consider these as one of the best options for you. Although its water resistance feature is a bit better than other hiking boots out there, don’t worry, they are still breathable thanks to the leather lining make-up, curbing bad foot odor after a long trail. It might be a bit pricey for a pair of hiking boots, but you would get the best waterproof function if you’re going with these. Color options include black, raven, shitake, tan, and slate.

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Before deciding which boots are right for you, it is important to know “right for what?” Making plans to climb Everest would definitely entail boots that are different from the ones you would use for weekend trail hiking. Based on their intended purpose, hiking boots can be classified into 4 categories.

ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT TYPE OF HIKING BOOTS

1. Hiking shoes

Think of this as a hybrid of a running shoe and boot. While the structure remains relatively similar to normal running footwear, hiking shoes offer more protection and support thanks to extra padding and thicker soles. This is lowest class of hiking shoe, so they are usually reserved for gentle terrain or smooth, well-kept trails or long distance trail running with ultra-light loads. 

However, there are still plenty of occasions when these guys can come in handy. Hiking shoes are often light and resistant and provide good support, which makes them suitable for easy hikes during summer or used as “approach shoes” during mountaineering and expeditions. 

Also, as trail running is gaining popularity, more and more people opt for hiking shoes for extra support and comfort instead of normal running footwear. By the same token, these can also be used for daily-life purposes and travelling, even if you’re not a hiking-enthusiast. 

2. Mid-weight boots/ day hiking boots

As the name might suggest, mid-weight boots have a higher cut than hiking shoes; they reach over the ankle. The construction allows them to give better protection, making it less flexible, but not completely stiff. Despite having a less flexible make-up than the former, these boots can be used in almost any kind of hikes, especially those in which ankle protection is critical. Mid-weight boots are often intended for fairly rocky terrain and off-trail adventure in high-rising mountains with light loads.

3. Off-trail heavy boots/ backpacking boots

These boots are designed to provide maximum support and shock absorption, and they are suitable for the most difficult trekking with rough terrains with heavy loads. Compared to the two types mentioned above, backpacking boots have sturdier construction that requires break-in before doing the actual hiking. Some of their unique features are toe caps, rugged soles, and multi-purpose materials in some variances. 

Off-trail heavy boots can help you get through the most challenging trekking, but precaution needs to be taken when shopping for a pair of these. Online shopping surely is more fun and less time-consuming, but make sure you pay a physical store a visit to try on one of these boots before purchasing. Make sure you get the right size, and don’t worry too much about the initial soreness because they need to be worn for some time before fitting comfortably and preventing ankle injury.

4. Mountaineering boots

Or “hardcore” hiking boots, as I like to call them. These boots are specially designed to cope with high mountain hikes in extreme conditions. Therefore, they have the most rigid structure and are often used in combination with crampons with a special attachment point at the top of the sole. 

Despite not being the most comfortable option for long hikes, mountaineering boots give their owner the highest protection and warmth for ice climbing and mountain expeditions in the winter or low temperature environments. You definitely don’t want to take these guys for a mid-summer mountain hike (unless you’re up for a foot sauna). 

Similar to backpacking boots, mountaineering boots also need some “getting to know each other” time before you can feel comfortable walking in these. If hitting the top of the Alps or Everest is on your bucket list, then these would be something you would need in order to tick that box.