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Best Hiking Boots (2026): Walking Shoes, Trails, Backpacking

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CitrixNews Staff
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Best Hiking Boots (2026): Walking Shoes, Trails, Backpacking
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Featured in this article

The Best Modern Hiking BootHoka Kaha 3 GTXRead more$240

REI (Men's)

The Boots I Keep Coming Back ToDanner Mountain 600Read more$250

REI (Men's)

A Superb Mid-Cut BootSalomon X Ultra 5 Mid Gore-TexRead more$190

REI (Men's)

Light, Comfortable, and DependableKeen Targhee ApexRead more$180

Amazon (Men's)

Over the past 12 months I’ve tested more than 50 pairs of outdoor shoes, from traditional leather hiking boots and their modern equivalents to ultralight trail runners and everything in between. I’ve popped out for dog walks around my local park, hiked for days along rugged coastal paths, thru-hiked with heavy packs, and even stepped out on the occasional glacier.

Hikers have hundreds of options to choose from these days, from old-school leather clodhoppers to ultralight trail-running sneakers, stiff approach shoes, and pillowy long-distance hikers made for big-mile days. Selecting the right pair depends on where you walk, how fast you move, how much you carry, and how much punishment your feet are prepared to tolerate. Below, I’ve pulled together my top picks for all sorts of different hikers.

I’ve also compiled a separate guide to whether you Should Hike in Boots or Trail Runners, plus looked into The Best Lightweight Hiking Boots and Shoes. And don’t forget to check out more of WIRED's outdoor guides, like the Best Hiking Daypacks, Best Puffer Jackets, and Best Backpacking Stoves.

Updated July 2026: I’ve added the HOKA Kaha 3 GTX, Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX, Keen Targhee Apex Hiking Shoe, Mammut Duncan III Low GTX, Altra Lone Peak 9+, and Danner Mountain 600. I’ve also updated links and prices.

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Other Boots to Consider

Courtesy of ZamberlanSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Zamberlan

Salathe Trek GTX RR

$330

Zappos (Men's)

$350

Zamberlan

Italian-made hikers built for protection without feeling like clogs, the Zamberlan Salathe Trek stand six inches tall, with ankle coverage, generous padding, and rubber reinforcements around the boot. The Vibram Pepe outsole with Megagrip sounds faintly ridiculous, but it proved seriously capable over two week-long backpacking treks in California’s Sierra Nevada. The soles felt sticky and tough on steep granite ascents, slippery creek crossings, and lakeshore scrambles, giving enough confidence to trust even a toehold before stepping up. —Michael Calore

Zamberlan 334 Circle GTX bootsCourtesy of ZamberlanSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Zamberlan

334 Circe GTX (Women’s)

$250

Zamberlan

These are the best hiking boots I’ve tested. Zamberlan’s X-Active Fit, built on a women-specific last, works brilliantly for narrow feet and ankles, giving a secure, precise fit that feels better than the heat-molded boots I’ve tried. The elasticized, padded tongue lets the laces cinch quickly and evenly, while the toe box still has room for long days. A wide heel and big, sticky Vibram soles keep things stable over rocks, logs, and uneven ground. Each shoe remains impressively light. The Gore-Tex Extended Comfort waterproofing is designed to last for life, and the shoes can be resoled. —Adrienne So

Nortiv 8 Armadillo 2, a pair of grey and green books, sitting in grass and dirtPhotograph: Chris HaslamSave to wishlistSave to wishlist

Nortiv 8

Armadillo 2

$60

Amazon

I was skeptical of such a low-cost boot, but if your budget is tight, you'd be hard-pressed to find better boots than the Armadillo 2. They’re comfortable, with robust eyelets, ankle support, and a roomy toe box, and they don’t look cheap. In the wet English Lake District, my feet stayed dry after hours splashing through puddles, with no blisters or toe-bashing. Fit is generously wide, so consider sizing down. The lugs are a bit shallow, too. For casual hikers, the Nortiv8 Armadillo 2 is cheap and capable.

  • Photograph: Chris Haslam
  • Photograph: Chris Haslam
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Hanwag

Tatra II GTX

$281

Amazon (Men's)

$370

Hanwag (Women's)

At 3 pounds, 5 ounces per pair, these Nubuck leather and Gore-Tex boots from Germany are as traditional as they come. Mercifully, however, the chunky dimensions require little breaking in, and I didn’t feel any discomfort on a nine mile hike—even across the shin, a notorious pressure point for me—right out of the box. I initially struggled with the narrow fit of the Tatra II, but there are a generous range of widths available. They’re expensive, but if you struggle to find boots to fit awkward feet, they’re worth the investment, especially as the leather will last for years, and the Vibram AW rubber can be resoled.

FAQs

How to Fit Your Hiking Boots

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Buying the most feature-packed, premium-priced walking boots does not guarantee you a comfortable fit. A good pair of hiking boots should be snug but never tight, and remain comfortable no matter how far you roam. Here’s how to dial in the perfect fit.

Know your size: Specialist retailers will have a universal measuring tool (known as a Brannock Device) to check your foot’s length, width, and arch. Some can also measure volume. Armed with this information, they can suggest brands that cater to your specific foot shape. If you’re buying online, most brands and retailers will have sizing charts for you to refer to, but you can also download a printable Brannock sizing chart from Meindl.

Wear hiking socks: It sounds obvious, but when trying on your walking boots and shoes, wear the socks you like to walk in. Take them with you into the store, or ask for a sample pair.

Go late in the day: Ideally, you want to try your new boots on toward the end of the day, or after you’ve been on your feet for a good few hours. Feet swell a little over time, so it’s advisable to try on boots when they’re at their largest to help weed out any possible pressure points.

Check for dodgy seams: It takes only a small knot or lumpy stitch on the inside of your boot to cause irritation and potential blisters. Manufacturing errors can happen, so the brand and retailer will be happy to replace your boots.

Walk in them: Difficult in the store, but at home make sure you wear your walking boots inside the house for a good few hours before making a decision. It’s important to work out if a boot is comfortably snug or simply too tight, and discover any possible irritation.

Still Having Foot Trouble? Here Are a Few Lacing Hacks

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Try toe box lacing. If your toes are in a world of pain after 20 miles on the trail, there’s an argument to be made that you need new boots. But for instant relief for tired and swollen feet, try toe-box relief lacing. Unlace the boot and simply relace, but skip the bottom one or two sets of eyelets. This helps the toe box expand, relieving pressure on your feet without causing the midfoot or ankle to slip.

Relieve pressure with window lacing. Feet eventually get tired regardless of how comfortable your boots are, and pain on the top of the foot is extremely common. Window lacing can alleviate the torture and requires unlacing across the top of the foot and relacing with some gaps to create a “window.” To do this, simply skip an eyelet or two and lace straight up on both sides, before finishing as usual. The no-lace hole created on the top of the foot should relieve the pressure.

Reduce heel slipping with heel lock lacing. Hikers with narrow feet and ankles often suffer with heel slip, which can cause painful blisters. One method to hold the foot in position is to use a surgeon’s knot, which anchors the heel without overtightening on the rest of the foot. First, unlace the boot down to the lace hooks closest to the top of your foot. Now tie a granny knot, but add in one or two extra wraps, before finishing the lacing as usual. This prevents the lace from slipping—it will cinch down on your loose ankles. It’s also a neat trick for keeping any kid’s shoes tied for longer.

Three Signs You Need New Walking Boots

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Have the treads started to become thin? When the tread pattern starts to flatten and the lugs lose their definition, wet rocks and loose gravel will start to feel unstable. If you’re slipping where you used to feel planted, the outsole’s rubber has hardened or worn smooth, and it’s time to repair (if you can), or more likely, replace.

Is the midsole flat? A healthy midsole should spring back slightly when you press the arch or heel. If your boots feel flat or thin, and you can feel every pebble on the path, the cushioning has compressed and stopped absorbing shock. Once that happens, no amount of new insoles will bring the comfort back.

They’re leaking. Waterproof membranes break down over time and are almost impossible to repair properly once breached. Crease points on modern sneaker-style boots and shoes are particularly vulnerable. You can treat leather and reapply DWR coatings with products like Nikwax Fabric & Leatherproof to prevent water soaking in, but once the membrane is torn, keep away from water.

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Back to topTriangleChris Haslam is an award-winning consumer technology journalist with over 20 years’ experience. As contributing editor for WIRED he specializes in audio, smart home, sustainability, and all things outdoors. Testing tents in McLaren’s Monsoon chamber remains a career highlight, while pitching reviews of exercise bikes a week before lockdown 1.0 was ... Read MoreTopicsShoppingbuying guidesoutdoorsshoesapparelSportshikingbackpackingwalkingThe Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled CatsWith these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.Molly HigginsThe Best Essential Oil Diffusers for Freshening Up Your HouseI tested over a dozen top home diffusers for scent strength, longevity, special features, and more. The Urpower Aroma is my favorite option for most people.Louryn StrampeThe Best Portable Power Stations for Blackouts, Camping, or Van LifeWhether you’re going off-grid or safeguarding against blackouts, these beefy, WIRED-tested batteries can keep the lights on.Simon HillGive Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office ChairsSitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.Julian ChokkattuThe Best Drip Coffee Makers Now Rival Café Pour-OverThe old-fashioned drip coffee maker has come a long way. These impressive machines can turn your barista into a stranger.Matthew KorfhageGive Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office ChairsSitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.Julian ChokkattuThe Best Keyboards for Work and PlayWhether you’re looking to boost your productivity or your Fortnite stats, these are the top keyboards for the job.Henri RobbinsGive Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office ChairsSitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.Julian ChokkattuStay Charged Around the World With the Best Travel AdaptersWhen going abroad, the right plugs are essential to keep your gadgets charged. These are my favorite travel adapters and chargers.Simon HillThe Best Wi-Fi Routers to Reach Every Corner of Your HomeDon’t suffer the buffer. These WIRED-tested home routers will deliver reliable internet across your home, whatever your needs or budget.Simon HillThe Best iPhone 17 Cases and Accessories—We’ve Tested More Than 100Protect your expensive iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone Pro, or iPhone 17e with our favorite cases and screen protectors.Julian ChokkattuI Tried 12 of the Most Popular Indoor Gardening SystemsGrow a backyard’s worth of greens and vegetables in your house with a vertical hydroponic garden. Here are a few that might be worth the investment.Kat Merck

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