This guide will make this process less stressful and more fun so you can feel confident picking a pair that will serve your needs and help you get out and enjoy the outdoors! In our own testing, we found these lightweight summer hiking boots to have exceptional traction, good breathability, and feel comfortable right out of the box without a break-in period. The ankle-length version of Salomon's popular Outpulse Hiking Shoes, these lightweight boots are comfortable and cushy. The Anacapa uppers and midsoles combine waterproof nubuck leather with recycled polyester materials in the collar, mesh, and laces. The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX are versatile boots for most hikers tackling most trails in all climates and terrain.

They didn’t leak, even after we took muddy, puddle-heavy walks along the shores of New Zealand’s alpine lakes. Our picks will likely work for you, regardless of whether you pronate (walk on the insides of your feet) or supinate (walk on the outsides of your feet), and all of the picks here should accommodate high or fallen arches. While these boots were promising, their big brothers, the Keen Targhee II or Keen Targhee III, have more fabric and sole options and generally higher reviews.

The Hydrobloc® treatment and Gore-Tex lining ensure the boots are waterproof, while the 360° rubber/PU rand increases durability. Instead of the commonly used Vibram outsole, the Quest pair’s lugs are made with Contagrip rubber, which we’ve found to be just as good. Add a wider foot base for more dispersed ground coverage, ankle support that cushions, and make it all Gore-Tex. A tester new to Zero Drop said, "My toes were sore after the hike because I used them to grip and steady myself on the terrain. They provide decent ankle support for moderate-length hikes, and they’re easy to lace and fairly breathable.

To re-iterate: Although Merrell makes many variations of this boot in many kinds of fabric and waterproofing, we recommend the original, non-waterproof version.If you live in a dry part of the world with little chance of hiking through rain or a water source, you can probably get away with a non-waterproof option. They tested in southern California coastal, and mountain hikes in the Sierra, and both got sweaty feet. Always consider the weight of the boots along with other features when you’re looking for a new pair. Made in Italy, it is also ideal for hiking with light loads, on different types of terrain, for both experts and newcomers.

We ranked the criteria from the most important features to ones that would be nice to have but not a deal-breaker if they were missing. Personalised advertising may be considered a “sale” or “sharing” of information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have a right to opt out. I’ve taken these boots on unforgiving trails, dragged my toes across rocks, side-swiped rocks along narrow cliffsides, and had them in conditions that ranged from very hot to freezing.She has also written for The New York Times, Outside, Slate, Reviewed, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and Gear Patrol. Cushioning is provided by the EVA midsole which, combined with new MEGAGRIP® Zamberlan® Vibram® Junko outsole, with its wide shape on the heel and depth of the wedge, offers unique comfort and extreme stability on different type of terrain. Even if you live in a dry part of the world, it is beneficial to have a waterproof boot so that a chance rainstorm doesn’t ruin your hike. Other reviewers at REI have noticed this issue, saying, “Stuffing in the tongue wings and getting the boot tied properly is a bit of a nuisance.