Whether you’re new to hiking or have earned your trail legs on days-long thru-hikes, you know the value of solid trail footwear. Gone are the days of lacing up five-pound hiking boots for a quick mile or two through the woods. These days, men’s hiking shoes are comfortable, lightweight and ready to wear straight off the shelf.
For hikers who hit the trail in warmer weather, the Keen Men's Voyageur Mid Hiking Boot is the best choice.
Men’s hiking shoes vary in terms of their ability to shed water, their traction and their warmth. If you prefer a hike above the treeline in cold, dry weather, you'll want a different hiking shoe than if you’re traipsing through swampy ground.
The insulation of your hiking shoes matters, too. Winter hikers will need more insulation than their summer counterparts. Of course, some hikers solve this dilemma by choosing a two- or three-season boot and swapping out the socks.
Hiking shoes are available in a variety of materials. Each has pros and cons.
Before buying hiking shoes, consider the terrain you'll be hiking in and the load you'll be carrying. Most hiking shoes are designed for moderately challenging terrain and small backpacks of 20 pounds or less. If you'll be scrambling on steep inclines or carrying a large backpack, you may want to consider hiking boots instead.
For warm weather hikes, nothing keeps your feet more comfortable than mesh inserts. Not only do these reduce the weight of your hiking shoes, they also allow air to flow through, keeping feet cool and dry.
And if your feet do get wet, mesh inserts allow them to dry faster.
The best men's hiking shoes have safety features to keep feet comfortable and protected on the trail. These might include:
A supportive insole helps keep feet comfortable on long hikes. This is especially important if you suffer from heel pain or foot conditions like plantar fasciitis.
Many hikers don’t consider the importance of a padded tongue until after their hike. Even a thinner, summer-weight padded tongue protects the top of your foot from scrapes while increasing the breathability and comfort of your shoe.
Expect to spend $60-$250 on quality men’s hiking shoes.
A. Because some hikers like to wear thicker socks when they hit the trail, some people advise purchasing hiking shoes one size larger than your regular shoes. While this might work in some cases, there are a few guidelines that can help you get the right fit.
A. Although low-cut hiking shoes offer less protection than their ankle covering hiking boot counterparts, there is one benefit to choosing shoes over boots. While hiking boots can take a long time to truly mold to your foot, most hiking shoes are ready to go when you buy them, with no (or a minimal) breaking-in period.
In some cases, you may need to break in stiffer, off-trail hiking shoes, but for the most part you can lace them up and go.
Keen Men's Voyageur Mid Hiking Boot
What you need to know: Hot-weather hikers will appreciate the cooling details.
What you’ll love: The mostly-leather upper is interrupted by mesh vents that keep feet cool. Multi-directional lug soles provide excellent traction in the slipperiest conditions, and the footbed is flexible but still supportive.
What you should consider: The mesh vents mean that this shoe is not waterproof.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods
Columbia Men's Crestwood Hiking Shoe
What you need to know: These shoes are light for rock scrambles and quick moves.
What you’ll love: The upper is suede leather with integrated mesh for superior breathability. The TechLite midsole is comfortable and supportive and the omni-grip outsole provides good traction but won’t scuff up floors.
What you should consider: The soles are too thin for seriously rocky terrain.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods
Merrell Men's Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe
What you need to know: This is an excellent all-around hiking shoe.
What you’ll love: The soles are synthetic and provide a good bit of traction. They have a mesh and suede upper that offers breathability and comfort. They are also available in 21 colors and regular and wide widths.
What you should consider: The tops of the feet were not as well protected as some hikers would like.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods
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Suzannah Kolbeck writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
