Yahoo LifestyleThese Comfy Hiking Shoes Let You Explore the Great Outdoors With Confidence
- 1/21
These Comfy Hiking Shoes Let You Explore the Great Outdoors With Confidence
Exploring the great outdoors offers a chance to reconnect with nature and a great workout. Whether you’re setting off on a casual day-hike or a weeks-long thru-hike, don’t start on the wrong foot—make sure you wear the right hiking shoes or boots.
The best pairs of hiking shoes are flexible, supportive, and offer enough traction for craggy terrain, says Howard Freidman, D.P.M., a board-certified podiatrist and founder of Suffern Podiatry. Thankfully, plenty of hiking shoes fit the bill (and happen to look pretty nice, too).How to choose the best women’s hiking shoes
✔️Prioritize proper sizing. “Stick to foot-friendly brands that offer a wide enough toe box to fit the width of your foot,” recommends Jacqueline Sutera, D.P.M., a board-certified podiatrist at City Podiatry in New York City. This is especially important if you have bone spurs, bunions, or hammertoes. Keep in mind that your feet will swell during arduous physical activity, so make sure that your socks are thin enough to keep your footwear from feeling too tight.
✔️Pay attention to ventilation and soles. Shoes with plenty of ventilation will keep your feet dry on sweaty summer hikes, but you may want to wear a waterproof pair during winter months, especially when there’s snow on the ground, Dr. Friedman explains. (Pro tip: If your pair has “GTX” in the name, that means they’re equipped with GORE-TEX waterproofing.) A thick, durable outsole is also crucial, Dr. Sutera says, because it’ll cushion your feet and give you long-lasting traction. A slight heel might also make hiking safer and more comfortable.
✔️Choose a shape that’s right for you. Hiking shoes usually stop at the ankles, meaning they’re lighter, less sweaty, and easier to slip on; hiking boots, meanwhile, extend beyond the ankles, which helps prevent sprains during more vigorous activity, Dr. Sutera says. (Proper arch support, which comes in both shoes and boots, can also protect your ankles, she adds.)
No matter your personal style, your favorite terrain, or your level of experience, the top-rated options below offer all the support and protection you need to focus on your next hike—not on your feet.
- 2/21
1) Merrell Moab 2 Vent
Merrell
zappos.com
$99.95
Merrell’s Moab is known as the “mother of all boots” for a reason: It’s just about the best hiking shoe you can find anywhere, especially for less than $100. Mesh uppers and side panels ensure feet stay cool during warm-weather hikes, while protective toe caps keep trail debris and water out. There’s generous arch and heel support, meaning even vertical, rocky paths are no issue. Plus, these bestsellers have that perfect outdoorsy look to them—they’re the total package.
- 3/21
2) Riemot Waterproof Hiking Shoes
riemot
amazon.com
$59.99
Most hiking shoes aren’t exactly cheap, so this waterproof pair from Riemot is all the more impressive for offering great performance at a bargain price. Their thick, shock-absorbing midsoles and all-terrain outsoles work for most hikers, especially beginners who don’t want to invest too much in a first pair of hiking shoes. “I would definitely recommend these to anyone,” one Amazon reviewer says. “It’s all it says: waterproof, comfortable, and warm.”
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- 4/21
3) Oboz Sawtooth II Low BDry
Oboz
rei.com
$140.00
Oboz’s Sawtooth II employs both a waterproof leather exterior and a soft, moisture-wicking nylon interior to keep feet dry in all situations, meaning it’s just as useful in summer as it is in winter. And its serious outsole and roomy toe box are the stuff of legends, with reviewers raving how stable and comfortable the shoes are. “These shoes feel like they mold to my feet,” one REI customer says. “I was blown away in the arch support and heel support.”
- 5/21
4) Asics GT-2000 9
ASICS
zappos.com
$119.95
Although these top-rated Asics kicks are categorized as running shoes, Dr. Friedman recommends this lightweight option for women who need breathable support for long-distance hikes. The rear and front footbeds are fitted with flexible gel cushioning to absorb shock as you move, and the high abrasion rubber grips the terrain to keep you steady no matter where your journey takes you.
- 6/21
5) La Sportiva Spire GTX
La Sportiva
rei.com
$190.00
A serious Vibram sole help’s La Sportiva’s Spire stand out from the competition—the thing almost looks like a tire, and it’s meant to help you past any obstacle you might face on the trail. Beyond its impressive grip, this shoe is also equipped with breathable GORE-TEX waterproofing and impressive shock-absorption. “They are a bit pricey, but foot comfort and dryness are well worth the price,” one REI buyer explains.
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- 7/21
6) Keen Targhee III Waterproof
Keen
zappos.com
$139.95
Keen’s signature deep, wide toe box has made the brand a favorite among hikers with wider feet and those with conditions like arthritis. Plus, the extra room allows feet to swell painlessly during hiking, meaning you won’t have to drop out halfway through the trail. Mud shields, waterproof membranes, removable EVA footbeds, and all-terrain outsoles are just the cherries on top.
- 8/21
7) Salomon X Ultra 3
Salomon
backcountry.com
$119.95
Don’t be fooled by the X Ultra 3’s lightweight design: It’s one of the most supportive hiking shoes on this list. “As someone with very high arches I find them comfortable and supportive,” one Backcountry reviewer explains. “They are also breathable and have decent traction on rocky terrain.” Plus, the design is tailored specifically to women’s feet—it’s not just a smaller men’s shoe.
- 9/21
8) Adidas Terrex AX3 Hiking Shoes
adidas
adidas.com
$80.00
Hoping to walk or run hiking trails? With this Adidas pair, you can do both with full confidence. Equipped with Continental tire soles, they offer the same level of safety you’d expect when driving on slick roads. Plus, this sub-$100 pair is a favorite among hikers who prioritize comfort above all: “I hike every weekend, tried many shoes, and these are the best by far—lightweight and very comfortable,” one Adidas reviewer says.
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- 10/21
9) Teva Gateway Mid
Teva
zappos.com
$110.00
Teva’s Gateway walks the line between a shoe and a boot, providing all-important ankle support while still allowing your feet to stay cool. But we love it most for its techy-cute aesthetic, which would look at home on the trail and at the grocery store. “They feel really sturdy on the trail even though they are super-lightweight,” one Zappos reviewer raves. “I wore them for a morning hike and then all day after and my feet never hurt once!”
- 11/21
10) Hoka One One Stinson ATR 6
Hoka One One
zappos.com
$159.95
With thick soles and tons of tread, these shoes seamlessly switch between trail running and hiking—meaning you can do both without having to deal with multiple pairs. Plus, they’re extra comfy for people dealing with mobility issues. “I walk four to six miles a day and have bad knees, and have had plantar fasciitis in the past,” one Zappos buyer says. “But ever since I started with my first pair of Hokas my foot pain is gone!”
- 12/21
11) Chaco Z/2 Classic Sandal
Chaco
amazon.com
$99.95
Not into heavy boots during the summer? These cult-favorite sandals offer freedom during trail walks and hikes. Truly adjustable straps allow you to customize the fit, while the extra toe loop keeps them securely attached to your feet. Serious hikers will be impressed by their contoured, arched footbed and serious tread. Although they feel a bit heavy at first, they’re the real deal—they’re strong enough to last for years to come.
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- 13/21
12) Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX
Salomon
amazon.com
$164.95
Made with waterproof GORE-TEX protection, these over-the-ankle boots are your new go-to for hikes near running water or snowy mountain climbs. Shock-absorbing EVA foam lends an ultra-comfy feel, especially combined with an OrthoLite insole. “It was as if I’d had them for years, they were so comfortable,” one Amazon reviewer writes. “We’ve had a lot of rain lately and I didn’t even notice the soggy ground, and while walking through a few light streams, my feet stayed completely dry.”
- 14/21
13) Northside Pioneer-W
Northside
amazon.com
$39.99
At just $40, this pair of hiking boots from Northside is the cheapest footwear on this list. No, they don’t have the grip, waterproofing, or premium finishing as the other, more high-end options here—but if you’re on a budget, these beginner kicks should to the trick. “Hiked 12 miles with these and I have to say they were pretty great for the price,” one Amazon reviewer explains. “I did not need to break them in at all.”
- 15/21
14) Columbia Newton Ridge Plus
Columbia
zappos.com
$79.95
Columbia’s Newton Ridge Plus (a pair of boots that practically screams “hiking”) is truly waterproof, making them a must for cold and wet conditions. They’re also wearable right out of the box and resist creasing at the toes. Plus, reviewers say, they’re warm—maybe not the best for summer hikes, but ideal throughout the rest of the year: “This shoe is probably the only thing I wore over the winter, fall, and rainy spring,” one Zappos reviewer says.
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- 16/21
15) Keen Voyageur Mid
Visit the KEEN Store
backcountry.com
$129.95
With tons of ankle support, versatile lacing, and a strong grip on your heels, these hiking shoes will keep you steady on even the rockiest landscape. They’re not waterproof, but their mesh adds breathability and keeps them surprisingly lightweight—they weigh in at under a pound each. “Just hiked the John Muir Trail in these boots and they look like new,” one Backcountry shopper says. “No blisters or even hot spots.”
- 17/21
16) Teva Grandview GTX Mid
Teva
zappos.com
$174.95
Teva is most known for its sandals, but the brand is also great at hiking boots, too. “The wide toe is probably the best feature on this boot,” one REI reviewer explains. “It’s also warm and definitely waterproof. I’m in love.” On top of all that, a Vibram outsole provides tons of grip on craggy terrain, meaning these boots will perform wherever you decide to go.
- 18/21
17) Vasque Breeze LT GTX
Vasque
amazon.com
$178.59
With a supportive sole, wide toe box, and superior ankle control, this waterproof boot is great for anyone facing mobility issues (like plantar fasciitis) or looking for extra support. “The arch support was in just the right spot—I’ve NEVER felt so supported by any boot before, hiking or otherwise,” one Amazon customer writes. “I’ve gotten lots of compliments already and they are by far the coolest looking hiking boots I’ve owned.”
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- 19/21
18) Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof
Details
merrell.com
$135.00
The boot version of Merrell’s Moab has the same pedigree as its lower cousin, but with more ankle support. Plus, reviewers rave that its cushy insole makes it one of the most comfortable options available: “I did something no experienced hiker would ever do—I wore brand new boots right out of the box without break in for two weeks of intense hiking,” one Zappos customer says. But they “felt like bedroom slippers with excellent support and were dry in even pounding rain.”
- 20/21
19) Vivobarefoot Tracker II Fg
vivobarefoot.com
$240.00
These ultra-flexible hiking boots from technical footwear brand Vivobarefoot are perfect for hitting the trail and untouched terrain alike. Made with sustainable, waterproof, and temperature-regulating materials, they’re held up by a sole that feels almost like you’re walking barefoot. “These boots would be worth their salt at twice the price,” says an Amazon reviewer who climbed her first mountain in Tracker IIs.
- 21/21
20) Mountain Light Cascade
Danner
zappos.com
$359.95
Long beloved by hikers and made famous by Reese Witherspoon in the movie Wild, Danner’s Oregon-made boots are serious enough for thru-hiking and pretty enough for basically everything else. “They are by far the best looking hiking boots on the market,” writes one Zappos customer, who hasn’t gotten a single blister from their pair. “They are extremely durable. I break everything! But the tough leather can really take a beating.”
