Best hiking boots of 2025
Hiking boots and shoes | July 6, 2025
SAIL
June 15, 2025
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Your hiking shoes can make the difference between a great outdoor adventure and a painful outing that ends in blisters and discomfort. Choosing them wisely is essential. But with hundreds of models out there, how can you make sure you pick the right ones for your needs? The SAIL team is here to help! Have a look at our list of the best hiking shoes on the market and the most innovative hiking shoe models.
IN THIS ARTICLE, YOU WILL DISCOVER 9 HIKING SHOES:
Lowa has been making footwear for more than a hundred years. In addition to high-quality standards, the brand also applies strict environmental and humanitarian criteria.
One of its staple models is the Renegade LO Gore-Tex.
These hiking shoes are based on the classic Renegade, the best-selling hiking boot in Europe, which was re-engineered to create a low-cut model. Made using durable materials like nubuck leather and a breathable, durably waterproof Gore-Tex lining, they are perfect for muddy, wet, or overly dusty trails. Their grippy Vibram® outsole is well known for its optimal traction and lets you tackle various terrains. Not only does the Renegade LO provide plenty of grip, but it comes with a high level of comfort as well, particularly during ascents and descents.
For a sportier look and a dynamic trail running profile, look to another of the brand’s popular models: the Maddox Lo Gore-Tex hiking shoes for men, and the Innox Evo II for women. These versatile, waterproof, and breathable shoes are an excellent choice for day hikes and other outdoor pursuits. They have wide lugs and an outsole with superior traction that is both sturdy and flexible, ensuring smooth rolling and pushing motions every time.
When it comes to outdoor footwear, Merrell needs no introduction. The brand creates some of the best quality hiking boots and shoes on the market, with a mission to make the outdoors accessible to everyone. Its products are built to last and reflect its focus on producing high-performance gear.
Blending the comfort and protection of a traditional hiking shoe with the agility of athletic footwear, the Speed Strike 2 is built for hikers who like to move fast. This lightweight, low-cut model features a synthetic and mesh upper with reinforced heel and toe caps for added durability on rough terrain. The Merrell sticky rubber outsole delivers reliable traction where and when you need it, while the lightweight EVA midsole and padded collar ensure all-day comfort. Made with fully recycled laces, webbing, mesh lining, and footbed cover, this is a trail shoe that performs hard and treads lightly.
The Moab 3 is famous amongst hikers, and this low-cut model is perfect for summer hikes thanks to the ventilation on its side. It is said that these hiking shoes provide the stability, traction and support of a hiking boot, without the extra bulk. The Moab model is constantly reviewed and improved, and this version comes with a more supportive insole, added cushioning and shock absorption.
Like Lowa, Merrell also uses a high-performance Vibram® outsole for guaranteed grip. Ethical shoppers will also be glad to know that several components of the Moab are made using recycled materials. Pro tip: the shoes can be a bit stiff at first, so make sure you break them in before setting off on your hike!
Keen is committed to sustainability and has set up several initiatives that support both the planet and the people who live on it. The brand manufactures quality footwear that stands out for its comfort and durability, both amongst day hikers and backpackers.
The Keen Targhee hiking range is extensive, and there are lots of options to choose from. Low, mid, waterproof, breathable; shoes, boots or sandals… All Targhee footwear boasts similar high-performance features in terms of support, comfort, grip and durability, with certain specific variations between each model.
The Targhee IV, in particular, is built to last, featuring the most durable construction yet with a glue-free, fused design that won’t delaminate, and cushioning that resists compression over time. Its air-injected midsole and removable insole offer long-lasting comfort, while the outsole with multi-directional lugs delivers superior traction on all types of terrain. The premium nubuck leather upper and breathable mesh lining provide a durable, comfortable fit.
Salomon‘s initial focus in footwear was designing trail shoes, and it shows. The brand is known for its high-performance trail running shoes and durable boots, and most of its research and development efforts are concentrated on optimizing its trail footwear line.
The X Ultra 4 hiking shoes, also available in a Gore-Tex version, are breathable, provide excellent grip, and offer a perfect balance of stability and agility. The upper has polyester mesh panels for ventilation, while the insole and midsole provide superior cushioning and strong lateral foot support. The All-Terrain Contagrip® outsole is fitted with multi-directional lugs so that hikers can venture on a wide variety of surfaces without worrying about slipping. What’s more, the Quicklace system allows for one-pull tightening so you can quickly put the shoes on and take them off.
The X Ultra 360 shoes are another great option for trails and light hikes on various types of terrain. They provide excellent protection and stability without restricting movement, and their All-Terrain Contagrip® outsole ensures a strong grip even on wet or slippery surfaces. These hiking shoes also offer extra value for eco-conscious shoppers: their upper is made from 50% recycled materials, and their midsole is crafted from recycled electrical cables.
Founded and operated by hiking enthusiasts, Oboz designs top-quality footwear with a focus on comfort, durability, and peak performance on the trails. Famous for its sustainable practices, the brand is notably committed to planting a tree for every pair of boots or shoes sold.
The Sawtooth range is Oboz’s best-selling collection, and it has been for over a decade. These hiking boots and shoes offer breathability, cushioning and stability, plus effective protection against water and mud in the waterproof models. All Sawtooth footwear comes with the brand’s proprietary O Fit insole, moulded to perfectly match each shoe’s shape and construction for the best fit, comfort and performance. Built to handle whatever the trails have in store, these shoes offer both support and flexibility, along with outstanding grip and slip resistance. The Sawtooth X Low hiking shoes are designed with a lower profile and allow for ease of movement and agility while still offering great support and protection.
Columbia is known for its reliable outdoor gear, and footwear is no exception. The brand is constantly trying to find new ways to improve the quality of its products and tailor them to a wide range of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. There is even a convenient footwear-finder tool on its website to help you find the very best model for your needs.
One of Columbia’s most popular hiking shoe models is the Crestwood. In addition to being dependable and durable, the Crestwood and Crestwood Vent shoes are lightweight, sturdy and provide great traction. Their upper is crafted from a combination of durable leather, mesh panels for air circulation, and webbing (with extra ventilation in the Vent models). These shoes also offer excellent cushioning and a strong grip thanks to the lightweight Techlight™ midsole and the Omni-Grip™ non-marking rubber outsole. They come with a reasonable price tag, with no compromise on quality.
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