Best hiking boots 2024: trail-tested footwear for every adventure

Embarking on outdoor adventures requires more than enthusiasm – it demands the right footwear. Enter the realm of the best hiking boots, your trusted companions in conquering nature's challenges.

This guide is here to navigate the jungle of options, ensuring your feet are snugly encased in the perfect pair. From urban explorations to rugged terrains, these boots are more than just functional: they're truly versatile.

My testing partners and I sifted through the myriad choices to present you with only the best hiking footwear, offering comfort, durability, and stability. From scaling mountains to strolling through forests, these boots will have you striding confidently.

Check out our companion guide here: the best women's hiking boots for female hikers seeking the perfect fit. For leisurely dog walks or rainy-day strolls, I recommend perusing T3's best walking shoes and best women's walking shoe guides.

Best hiking boots to buy right now

Best overall

Crafted to endure the rigours of the great outdoors, the Inov8 Roclite Pro G 400 GTX V2s boast a formidable arsenal of upgrades. From an enhanced heel-lock system to fortified nylon ripstop uppers, every component has been meticulously refined to offer unparalleled protection and support.

Despite their robust construction, these boots maintain a surprisingly lightweight feel, ensuring agility and comfort on even the most challenging terrains. The Gore-Tex membrane keeps feet dry in adverse conditions, while the rock plate offers essential protection against sharp debris.

Tested across diverse landscapes, from Dartmoor to the South West Coast Path, the Roclite Pro G 400 GTX V2s consistently impressed us with their superior performance. Whether navigating rugged trails or traversing stream crossings, these boots inspire confidence with their secure fit and reliable traction.

While not designed for extreme alpine conditions, these boots excel in three-season trekking and backpacking adventures. With their unmatched grip, reinforced construction, and enhanced comfort, the Roclite Pro G 400 GTX V2s represent the pinnacle of hiking footwear, promising years of dependable service on the trails.

Read our full Inov8 Roclite Pro G 400 GTX V2 review

Also consider: the Inov-8 Roclite G 345 GTX excels in quick hikes with exceptional grip on various terrains. With its lightweight design, the boots are barely noticeable during long treks. Features like the bellows-style tongue and low heel enhance comfort and support.

Best lightweight

I appreciate that the Vivobarefoot Tracker Decon FG 2 hiking boots aren't for everybody. The sole is pretty thin, and the design, no matter how eye-catching, might be off-putting to people used to more traditional hiking boot shapes. However, if you've ever toyed with the idea of trying barefoot-style footwear, I'd argue that the Tracker Decon FG 2 is your best option, thanks to its versatility.

The multi-terrain approach lets you wear the boots as intended – for outdoor use (i.e. hiking) – while also allowing you to mix things up and use the Tracker Decon FG 2 as an everyday shoe. The grip is excellent, and the ground feel is second to none, which you'll appreciate both inside and outside city limits.

The boots aren't waterproof; if you need weatherproof footwear, check out other options in this guide. For anything else, I highly recommend the Tracker Decon FG 2, especially to those adventure types who sometimes jump up on rocks or climb a sturdy-looking tree when they hike for no apparent reason. These boots will help you rediscover the joy of movement in the funnest way possible.

Read our full Vivobarefoot Tracker Decon FG 2 review.

Most durable

The Danner Mountain Light II hiking boots offer a blend of retro style and robust construction. Crafted from a single piece of leather with a Gore-Tex lining, they promise durability and waterproofing for muddy terrains. Utilising Danner's stitchdown construction, these boots can be recrafted, extending their lifespan significantly.

Despite their weight, the boots are surprisingly comfortable, with ample toe room and a supportive lace-to-toe system. On walks through Wells and the Mendip Hills, they provide stability and traction, thanks to the Vibram Kletterlift outsole. Their waterproofing holds up well, and while they may feel stiff initially, they offer a blend of modern performance and traditional craftsmanship.

Although not the lightest option, the Mountain Light II prioritises longevity, making them a sustainable choice for outdoor enthusiasts seeking durability over agility.

Read our full Danner Mountain Light II review.

Best for summer

If you're looking for a versatile summer hiker, the Keen NXIS Evo Mid waterproof hiking boot is well worth a look. This lightweight men's hiking boot ticks a lot of boxes, offering plenty of comforts straight out of the box, a good grip and an excellent heel control system. With Keen’s own-brand waterproof membrane keeping the weather out, solid toe protection and 4mm multi-directional lugs for traction, there’s lots to keep you safe and warm on a long day out in the hills.

A stability shank might not be stiff enough for higher-level adventures, but it’s enough for casual rambles in comfort – a featherweight 332 grams per shoe certainly won’t tire you unnecessarily. Keen’s signature wide toe box is also present and correct, ensuring that the wide forefoot doesn’t get cramps or hotspots. Breathability is decent thanks to the mesh upper, and there’s an environmental nod in the PFC-free water repellent to boot.

Read our full Keen NXIS Evo Mid hiking boot review.

Best grip

Another impressive all-rounder is the Berghaus Explorer Trek. This versatile design is perfect for those who are getting more ambitious with their hiking adventures and want to graduate from a more basic boot. My colleague tested out the female version and found these boots delivered outstanding grip, even on wet rock or muddy ground, thanks to well-placed lugs.

These boots are also ready to wear straight out of the box, with deep, cushiony insoles that mould to your feet over time. A robust suede upper with a Gore-Tex liner will keep your toes dry even in the worst weather. Note: we found these fit on the narrow side, especially around the toes.

Read our full Berghaus Explorer Trek review.

Make sure you don't miss a deal by checking our Berghaus discount codes page before you buy

Best all-season

The Taiss Light Mid GTX isn’t just a technical boot – these are also the lightest crampon-compatible mountaineering boots on the market. When it comes to weight, they even undercut featherweight rivals like the Arc’teryx Acrux LT and the Scarpa Ribelle Lite HD. Unbelievably light, precise and nimble, these extremely capable 4-season boots excel on technical terrain. And despite their lightweight build, they’re also decently robust, able to cope with abrasion from rock and ice.

However, they’re still a bit of a specialist boot, especially for UK winter use. In particular, their spartan feel underfoot, lack of insulation, and lower ankle cuff are all design features that mean they are not as warm, protective or well-cushioned as bigger, burlier boots. In those respects, there are probably better all-around B2s out there. However, if your priorities are flexibility, feel and precision, as well as the lowest weight possible, they’re the best out there right now.

Read our full Mammut Taiss Light Mid GTX review.

Best technical

Crafted primarily for three-season alpine conditions, the Acrux LT GTX strikes a delicate balance between protection, technical prowess, and durability while maintaining an impressively lightweight profile. Its precise construction offers heightened sensitivity and outstanding climbing performance, whether with or without crampons.

The boot's stiffness renders it exceptionally adept on steep terrain, instilling confidence during edging manoeuvres, while the highly tapered toe lends itself well to snug fits into small rock pockets. Its front climbing zone beneath the toe provides reliable traction across various rock surfaces, making it a preferred choice for technical climbing and scrambling. The stiffened midsole ensures seamless compatibility with crampons for snow and ice environments.

During testing, a few drawbacks surfaced, including minimal cushioning and a narrow fit, which may not accommodate individuals with wider feet or those who prefer a roomier toe box. While the Gore-Tex lining offers some insulation, the fabric uppers may not provide the warmest experience, necessitating precautions against numb toes in colder conditions.

Read our full Arc’teryx Acrux LT GTX review.

Best for speed hiking

The Inov-8 ROCFLY G390 is a new hiking boot for AW21 from UK-based Inov-8, and features the company’s acclaimed Graphene-Grip outsole. The Graphene isn’t just technology for the sake of it, adding durability and strength to a very grippy sole compound (Inov-8 claims a 50% improvement on strength and wear). Inov-8 has rigged the deck in their favour by adding 35 multi-directional 4mm deep lugs to the sole too, their distribution specifically designed to prevent debris from gumming them up.

The midsole also features Graphene, this time in the shape of G-Fly foam, its presence being a first for hiking boots. The knitted upper conforms to the foot, allowing the foot to swell over longer distances without requiring adjustment, as well as offering excellent breathability. Coming in at a stupidly lightweight 390g, the Inov-8 ROCFLY G390 has already been used to break distance and speed records, namely James Forrest’s new record time for a solo and self-supported hike of Great Britain’s National Three Peaks.

Read our full Inov-8 ROCFLY G390 hiking boot review.

Best cushioning

The Salomon Predict Hike Mid is a boot with plenty of bounce. In the manner of a Hoka One One model (although without the head-turning looks), these really do bounce you onwards with each stride, especially on harder surfaces. The sole unit is fairly still but flexes enough to contribute to the bouncy ride. The build quality is solid, with the mid-height cut delivering ankle support, and the Gore-Tex keeps rain at bay effectively.

The lacing system keeps everything securely in place, and although the laces can be slick, to begin with, they do bed in quickly. On the down-side, the tester found they came up narrow – if you've got wide feet, you might need to go a half or even full size bigger than normal. And while they didn't have this issue, some other customers reported debris getting stuck inside the layers of the boot.

Read our full Salomon Predict Hike Mid review.

Honorable mentions

We put dozens and dozens of hiking boots through their paces every season, and only a select few will make it to this guide. The ones that don't make the cut aren't necessarily bad; it's just that we like not to feature multiple boots that are good for a certain purpose (e.g. there is only a lightweight hiking boots option listed).

One of the boots we tested recently and thoroughly enjoyed was the Vivobarefoot Pilgrim. It isn't on the list because it's more of an urban exploration boot rather than proper hiking footwear. It looks super stylish and provides some protection, though, so if that's what you're after, you should check them out. Otherwise, the Vivobarefoot Tracker Decon FG 2, listed above, is a brilliant barefoot-style boot for hiking.

How to choose the best hiking boots for you

The two key things to prioritise when hunting for the best hiking boot for you: finding the right boot style for the activity and getting a really good fit for your individual foot shape. The fit will vary by brand and style of boot, with some coming up much narrower (or broader) in the midfoot than others.

It's absolutely vital to try boots on before embarking on an expedition, and usually wearing them around the house before removing the retail labels is enough to show up any hotspots that could lead to painful difficulties further down the line. Head to our guide to how to break in hiking boots for some top tips (and our guide to how to treat blisters if the worst comes to the worst).

Although there are some stunning and super-technical hiking boots that might catch your eye, make sure you actually need the features they're offering before you shell out. Super-stiff mountain boots can be a trial on casual Sunday strolls, but equally, rocking up in trainers for a snowy ascent is a terrible idea. Generally, though, the extra support of a good hiking boot will see you happily meander wherever the fancy takes you.

The golden rule is to buy what fits and a model that suits your main use. In terms of brands, at the more robust end of the spectrum, La Sportiva, Scarpa, Mammut, Lowa and Aku all build boots that will shame a tank, while at the lighter, summery end, Teva, Keen and Salomon bring considerable expertise to the table.

How we test the best hiking boots

Testing hiking boots involves several steps to ensure their durability, comfort, support, and performance in various conditions.

Durability is assessed by subjecting the boots to rugged terrain, including rocky trails, muddy paths, and abrasive surfaces. This helps evaluate the resilience of materials such as leather, rubber, and stitching against wear and tear.

Comfort is another crucial aspect, tested through prolonged wear on different types of terrain. Testers assess factors like cushioning, arch support, and the fit of the boots to ensure they remain comfortable even during extended hikes.

Support is evaluated by examining the stability of the boots on uneven terrain and assessing features like ankle support and midsole stiffness. This helps determine how well the boots protect against twists and sprains while providing adequate support for carrying heavy loads.

Performance testing involves assessing the boots' traction on various surfaces, including wet rocks, loose gravel, and slippery slopes. Testers also evaluate the boots' waterproofing by submerging them in water and walking through puddles to see if any moisture seeps in.

Additionally, testers consider factors such as breathability, weight, and flexibility to determine the overall performance of the boots in different hiking conditions.

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