10 Best Hiking Boots For Outdoors Adventures 2024

Now that ultralight hiking gear has become the norm around the world, we have more options than ever before.

It’s important to break in your boots before embarking on an epic adventure, but most good boots will provide adequate support even on challenging terrain and in wet conditions.

Don’t believe anyone who says that trying out brand-new boots is easy!

Best Hiking Boots for 2024

1. Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX Hiking Boot

The Zodiac Plus GTX is Scarpa’s take on the hiking boot, with design cues taken straight from their mountain boots. Scarpa is well-known for their alpine and mountain equipment.

The Zodiac Plus GTX, as one might expect from Scarpa, excelled in the traction category thanks to its novel rubber sole’s performance on rocky faces and wet/snowy ground. The Zodiac Plus GTX has a full leather upper and a Gore-Tex lining, making it completely waterproof while still allowing air to circulate in warmer conditions.

While the suede will need treatment after extensive use, the leather upper adds an extra layer of durability to the shoe. The boots are moderate in weight and are suitable for a wide range of activities, from easy strolls to more strenuous excursions, but they are also quite expensive.

2. Hoka Kaha GTX Hiking Boot

Becoming the Best Lightweight Hiking Boots is a significant accomplishment in the world of hiking footwear.

The Hoka Men’s Kaha GTX Boot impressed our experts in every category as a lightweight boot that is also durable, comfortable, and performs well. The Hoka Kaha GTX’s massive wad of foam cushioning in the soles offer a great deal of comfort and easily absorb shocks without adding unnecessary bulk.

The high ankle collar and successful stability and comfort testing contributed to the boot’s outstanding overall performance rating. Waterproofing and durability were two areas where the Hoka Kaha GTX fell short.

Some hikers might be put off by the fact that the eVent waterproof membrane was more breathable than waterproof.

3. Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX

The Salomon X Ultra 3 is an innovative shoe that combines the best features of a trail running shoe and a full-fledged hiking boot.

The boot has a wide toe box, making it one of the most comfortable options. In terms of stability, the boot is head and shoulders above the average trail shoe but is clearly inferior to some of the heavier hiking boots tested due to its flimsy upper.

Furthermore, the Gore-Tex lining kept feet dry while still allowing for breathability on land, making this boot one of the lightest tested. If you’re looking for a shoe that can serve as a compromise between a trail runner and a hiking boot, look no further than the X Ultra 3 Mid GTX.

4. Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Boots (Womens)

Our top pick for women. In addition to being extremely lightweight, the boot is also very sturdy. The advanced traction rubber outsole provides grip on slick or rough surfaces, and the midsole’s superior cushioning makes for all-day wearability.

The boot performed admirably in our tests on ice and snow. The Columbia Newton Ridge Plus is a great hiking boot if you’re looking for durability and affordability.

5. Lowa Renegade GTX Mid

This Lowa Renegade Boot is a no-frills option for those looking for a mid-weight option that does what it says on the box. It can withstand a lot of wear and tear, feels great, offers excellent support and traction on different trails, and even works well in shallow water.

It is neither the lightest nor the most attractive boot on the market, but it is ideal for regular hiking trips of any length and difficulty. While the Keen Targhee 2’s lacing mechanism and other finer points fell short of competing models, the boots’ ample support and wide sole made up for any shortcomings on the various terrains and in the varying weather conditions we subjected them to.

Low durability for a midweight item; lots of upper panels mean lots of seams that can wear out over time. The Gore-Tex performed admirably in the rain, and we never got wet feet during the test period.

6. Keen Targhee 3 Mid Hiking Boot

Due to Keen’s affordable and high-quality hiking boots, the company has quickly gained market share. Their latest boots, the Keen Targhee 3, aim to improve upon the already impressive performance of the Keen Targhee 2, making them a popular choice among casual day hikers.

The boot is as comfortable as a pair of running shoes right out of the box, making it ideal for intermediate hikers who are looking for a pair they can use occasionally without having to break them in.

The Targhee 3 Mid is neither the heaviest nor the lightest shoe, but it provides a great deal of stability thanks to a novel lacing system. The price of these boots is a major selling point.

Hikers on a tighter budget or those venturing into the outdoors for the first time will find this to be an excellent long-term option.

7. Adidas Terrex Scope High GTX Hiking Boot

In search of a hybrid between an approach shoe and a hiking boot? The Adidas Outdoor Terrex Scope GTX is the shoe for you. The synthetic upper results in a relatively lightweight boot, superior to the competition when it comes to moving across rocky ground, especially during approaches and climbs.

The unique rubber used for the soles of these boots offers the best traction among those we tested, making them ideal for use on rocks and in a wide range of weather conditions during ascents.

The boots aren’t the most comfortable, and they need to be broken in, but that’s to be expected from an approach shoe. This boot is marketed toward specialized hikers who are looking for specialized performance but has low durability and will show significant wear after a season of use.

8. Arc’teryx Acrux TR GTX

A pair of the Arc’teryx Acrux TR GTX futuristic boots will set you back a pretty penny. Arc’teryx’s innovative double boot system allows for a nearly seamless upper to enclose a removable inner boot.

This provides a double-layer membrane to keep water out, but it reduces the shoe’s breathability, making it difficult to wear while sweating heavily. The inner boot made for great comfort, and the outer boot’s wraparound design helped it score well in the stability category; the only real downside was the sweating.

This is the heaviest boot we tested, so it’s not ideal for ultralight backpackers.

9. Vasque St. Elias GTX

The Vasque St. Elias GTX, with its classic good looks and focus on performance rather than weight. The boot uses cutting-edge materials to minimize its footprint, but this comes at the expense of some performance features.

The fact that these boots scored so highly in categories like comfort, traction, and durability speaks volumes about the care that was put into crafting them.

These sturdy, all-purpose boots are ideal for the traditionalist who can live with the extra weight. They are dependable and reasonably priced, making them a good choice for hikers with some hiking experience.

10. Merrell Moab 2 Vent Mid Hiking Boot

This Merrell option is great for novice hikers on a tight budget who only plan on using their shoes occasionally and in dry conditions. Merrell Moab 2 Vent did well in the categories that mattered most, but it lagged behind in the more nuanced categories of stability and traction.

The boots are supportive and stable enough for your standard day hike, and their comfort makes them ideal. Not having a waterproof membrane naturally reduces the boots’ usefulness, and the traction isn’t great on uneven ground but it held up well in dry tests.

Conclusion

It can be difficult to choose a good pair of hiking boots from the hundreds of different brands available because they all have slightly different features, designs, and specifications. What to look for in a good pair of trekking boots, and where to find them.