Best hiking shoes for 2025: Our expert testers reveal the top shoes for every trail and terrain

Born from La Sportiva’s mountain running expertise, the Ultra Raptor II Leather GTX is a solid yet relatively low weight mountain hiking shoe. The uppers feel almost as soft and forgiving as a trainer, even though they are made from nubuck leather, which brings a little more structure at the cost of some increased weight. A breathable Gore-Tex Extended Comfort liner boosts waterproof protection.

The rear of the shoe features a sculpted collar, an elevated heel section with an Achilles cutaway, and an unusual heel cage for improved stability, while the forward section has a prominent toe cap to guard against impacts.

Underfoot, you get high levels of comfort from a shock absorbing EVA midsole, which we felt was noticeably more cushioned than more minimalist trail shoes, but still offers plenty of lateral stability.

The soft and tacky Frixion Blue rubber outsole grips brilliantly on dry, rocky ground, but isn’t quite so impressive on wet or muddy terrain, probably because the 4mm sole lugs aren’t the most aggressive. It also tends to wear more quickly than harder rubber compounds despite being La Sportiva's supposedly more durable compound.

It is worth noting that the fit is relatively narrow, though a wide version is available.

Read our full La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Leather GTX review for more or find the women's version here.

Developed as a ‘fast hiking shoe’, the Rocket is more structured than many lightweight hikers. It’s also packed with tech, including AKU’s renowned Elica Natural Stride System for biodynamic efficiency, a ‘DFS’ dual fit lacing system, and innovative Vibram Traction Lug technology.

The upper is a combination of synthetic textiles, designed to offer durability and protection in a sleek package. A laminated TPU rand protects the front of the shoe, adding rigidity to the toebox and helping to fend off impacts.

AKU’s Dual Fit System (DFS) features two sets of laces: a primary set and a secondary ‘quicklace’ set. This allows you to quickly adjust the fit around the midfoot for increased precision on technical terrain.

The midsole is double density PU. This is a little more solid than EVA foam, but more resistant to long-term compression. It ensures a stable platform with plenty of lateral stability, reducing torsional twisting that can fatigue the foot.

The outsole features Vibram’s Megagrip rubber compound and ‘Traction Lug’ technology, which consists of stacked 4mm lugs, each of which has a series of serrations in the form of tiny, moulded rubber teeth. According to Vibram, this can improve overall traction by up to 25%.

Read our full AKU Rocket DFS GTX review or see the women's version here.

On test, the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low GTX was our pick for a shoe that performs best as a general-use hiker that people can wear from their doorstep to a hill summit. It's reasonable value, very comfortable, while also delivering a good level of performance, agility, and protection.

To us, one of the standout features of this shoe is its fit and comfort, securely cupping the heel and contouring the foot nicely, while also providing lots of cushioning around the ankle and underfoot.

Adidas claims the BOOST midsole on the 2.0 improves comfort and cushioning by 15% over the previous version. Is it noticeable? Not really but it's a brilliant shoe for long hikes.

Although not as durable as a leather hiking shoe, the Free Hiker 2.0 is still quite robust. The base of the upper has an abrasion-resistant coating, and at over 15oz per shoe, it's a bit more heavy-duty than it looks and certainly compared to other trainer-style rivals.

In terms of grip, the Continental rubber outsole delivers surprisingly decent traction on wet and dry surfaces, providing confidence on non-technical trails.

Read our full Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low GTX review or see the women's version here.

The Roclite GTX is Inov8’s latest in its run of lightweight, agile hiking shoes. Built on a completely redesigned wider fitting last compared to previous Roclite models, it mimics the natural shape of the foot with a roomy forefoot and a broad toe box with ample space for the toes to splay.

This trainer-style hiking shoe has a superlight mesh upper, overlaid with an ‘exoskeleton’-style TPU cage to provide a little structure and protection and lined with a Gore-Tex membrane. A generous toe bumper protects the front of the shoe, and a raised heel counter at the rear offers some Achilles support.

The Powerflow Pro EVA foam midsole is lightweight but responsive and is embedded with a flexible Meta-plate rock plate for underfoot protection. Sitting on top of the midsole, the Boomerang footbed is made from expanded TPU foam rubber ‘beads’ which, Inov8 claim, are designed to compress on impact and spring back, giving up to 40% greater energy rebound.

The undersole is Inov8’s Stickygrip rubber with 6mm lugs shaped like the hooves of a mountain goat. This is very much a mud and trail-oriented shoe, so there’s no climbing zone at the toe as you might find on approach-style footwear designed for steeper or more technical terrain.

Read our full Inov8 Roclite GTX review and find the women's version here.

Named after the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, this versatile trail shoe from Danner has proven to be a favorite with the LFTO team, even picking up a Gear of the Year award in 2023. In our opinion it's the best lightweight hiking shoe for spring and summer use.

The toe box and midfoot feature superlight laminated overlays to add a little more durability and protection, while the heel section includes Danner’s lightweight EXO external heel counter. Just note that the toe cap is not as burly as that found in some other hiking shoes.

Underfoot cushioning comes from an EVA midsole and a simple foam footbed. A plastic shank adds a little stiffness, reduces torsional flex, and offers some underfoot protection. The width of the forefoot adds stability and leaves plenty of room for toes to splay.

The Vibram 460 outsole has aggressively angled 4mm lugs, made from Megagrip rubber compound. We found it grips well on a multitude of surfaces, in both the wet and the dry. Only in the sloppiest mud did the sole unit start to struggle a little.

So, from performance and comfort perspectives, the Trail 2650 GTX is superb. But its main drawback is that it's expensive.

Read our full Danner Trail 2650 GTX review or check out the women's version here.

Despite demand for outdoor footwear arguably trending away from traditional leather walking shoes, they do have their fans and a rightful place on the store shelves because they are far more durable than the lightweight alternatives flooding the market.

German brand Hanwag is one of Europe's long-established shoemakers and has produced a superb modern iteration of the leather hiking shoe with its Blueridge Low ES. Our testing revealed it's a triumph of durability and quality blended with sustainability and innovation.

The upper is almost fully leather, with just the tongue and ankle cuff being made from recycled nylon. Every part of this shoe, including the waterproof membrane and the outsole, is Hanwag's own, which means all the components don't skimp on quality. This is a very high quality item, which, considering its pretty mid-range price tag, makes it very good value indeed.

It's not a super plush or cushioned shoe because its midsole is designed for longevity, but it's still comfy in its own right, and if paired with supportive insoles, it makes for a great long-distance trekking shoe.

We were also impressed with this shoe's eco credentials. It's made in Europe and the materials are sourced in Europe also, which lowers production and shipping emissions; it's also PFC-free and the nylon it uses is recycled; you can also get this shoe resoled, which massively extends the life of the shoe and makes it very economic in the longer run.

Read our full Hanwag Blueridge Low ES review or see the women's version here.

The La Sportiva TX5 Low GTX bridges hiking and approach shoes. The rubber is extremely grippy, while the outsole is semi-rigid. There's lugs for grip on hiking terrain and flatter regions for technical moves.

At 16.7oz per shoe, it's heavier than most hiking shoes. But this is a shoe you can rely on. The La Sportiva TX5 is made from tough nubuck leather, with reinforcements at the toe and heel.

Our tester for these shoes, James Forrest, felt confident jamming his feet into cracks. He also found that the Ortholite Hybrid insole was highly shock-absorbent, making hopping from rock to rock stable and comfortable.

James found that the waterproofing of the upper works well. There's a slightly narrow fit, which helps your foot to feel secure.

All of this means that the La Sportiva TX5 may be overkill for general hiking. But it's very well-suited for scrambling and via ferrata.

Read our full La Sportiva TX5 Low GTX review or find the women's version here.

Scarpa claims that these shoes are the “meeting point between hiking, running and climbing, taking the best from each category”. LFTO tester James Forrest broadly agrees.

The Scarpa Rapid XT GTX is great for scrambling. They're reinforced at the toe, with a Vibram MegaGrip outsole and flat climbing zones. They fit tightly around the front, enabling precise footwork. There's a TPU insert on the midsole, which improves the rigidity of the shoe.

James found that they also perform pretty well on trails. The lugs at the centre of the sole are deep and angular, like those seen on mud-gripping trail running shoes.

They're made of suede, which isn't as durable as the nubuck leather of the La Sportiva TX5 Low (above). They're not luxurious, as the cushioning is fairly thin.

James found this wasn't a major problem though: the low weight meant his feet didn't get tired. For an approach shoe, the Scarpa Rapid XT is fairly light (14.3 oz).

All in all, the Scarpa Rapid XT has the security of an approach shoe, without any of the clobber. It's an excellent choice for fast and light scrambling adventures.

Read our full Scarpa Rapid XT GTX review or find the women's version here.

Hikers will probably be familiar with Keen's rockstar products – its Newport sandal and Targhee boot (and shoe) – but the Versacore Speed is slightly different approach for Keen.

The trend for hiking footwear is moving in favor of a lighter, trail running-style construction and Keen is using the Versacore Speed to get in on the action. So, this is, as Keen describes, a lightweight, athletic, multitalented hiking shoe.

On test, we found this is exactly what the Versacore Speed is. It's very lightweight, exceptionally breathable, and boy is it comfortable thanks to a reasonably plush midsole and generous Keen fit.

Although, it's not quite as wide as some of the brand's other models, we liked it better because it has a better fitting heel.

As a non-technical hiking shoe for summer, the Versacore Speed is brilliant. As is the way with all lightweight synthetic shoes, the Versacore Speed isn't a heavy duty shoe like some of the heavier leather options here, but it's well made nevertheless and very good value compared to many rivals.

Read our full Keen Versacore Speed Shoe review for more and see the women's version here.

The Scarpa Moraine GTX is designed for day hikes and easier treks of varying distance and duration. They are built on Scarpa’s Activ Fit lasts, which are developed separately for men and women. They have a roomy forefoot with a broad, blunt toe box ensuring ample space for toes to splay, but feeling less precise than some trail shoes.

The upper is built from quality 1.6-1.8mm Idro oiled nubuck leather, interspersed with smaller mesh panels for additional comfort and breathability. Rubber bumpers at the heel and toe cap add protection and durability, while the waterproof lining is a PFCec-free Gore-Tex Bluesign-approved membrane.

The midsole features double density PU foam rubber with a built-up heel to increase walking comfort, plus a medial shank to add a little stiffness and stability. As a result, the shoe feels more structured than many trainer-style hiking shoes.

The outsole is made from Scarpa’s Presa Supergum compound with a hiking-focused lug arrangement designed to offer all-round performance on mixed terrain.

The widely spaced lugs clear out mud well but still grip competently on sticky mud and slick grass. A pronounced heel brake with blocky, undercut lugs provides reassuring traction when descending.

Read our full Scarpa Moraine GTX review or see the women's version here.

With the Elixir series, Salomon has moved into new territory. These are plush, ultra-cushioned trainer-hikers that compete with the maximalist shoes pioneered by brands like Hoka.

That said, the Elixir Activ GTX has borrowed a few features from its running shoe stablemates: Active Chassis technology for lateral guidance, a plush midsole foam compound, and reverse camber sole geometry for comfortable strides.

The uppers are made from lightweight mesh with textile overlays and a laminated TPU layer at the heel and toe. They are lined with a Gore-Tex membrane.

The seriously chunky EVA-based midsole is made from Salomon’s Fuze Foam compound. It’s all about bounce – or ‘energy return’ – as well as elevated, lofty cushioning. The trade-off is that you lose ground feel, making it a bit tricky to tell where you’re putting your feet on more uneven terrain.

The sole unit is Salomon’s proprietary Contagrip rubber with a pattern of 4mm chevron-shaped lugs which do a decent job in terms of overall grip, though we found that they do tend to clog with mud in sloppier conditions.

Contagrip isn't as soft and sticky as some rubber compounds, which limits grip on slick rock but ensures improved durability and more consistent lifetime performance.

Read our full Salomon Elixir Activ GTX review or see the women's version here.

The Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge Gore-Tex might look like a trainer, and has the comfort of one, but it's more robust.

On his test hikes, LFTO tester James Forrest found that there weren't any uncomfortable pinch points. He'd say the fit is a little narrow. While it's not mega-cushioned, the comfort levels are still high.

The waterproofing holds up in a brief shower, but James is slightly dubious about its long-term performance.

This a shoe that's designed for protection over speed. The midsole flexes slightly at the toe, but the rest of the shoe is rigid. Rather than being agile, the Salomon X Ultra is highly stable and supportive.

James finds that the outsole offers impressive grip and stability, but he wouldn't use these shoes for technical scrambling.

Overall, this is a solid all-rounder. The Salomon X Ultra lacks the cushioning and lightness for multi-day hikes, or the technicality for scrambling, but for general hiking, it's a good choice.

Read our full Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge Gore-Tex review or find the women's version here.

The Lowa Innovo GTX LO is a classic hiking shoe, which suits mountain terrain.

It's well-built, with a rigid outsole, suede upper, a reinforced toebox and a fantastically cushioned midsole.

The standout feature is the 'Monowrap' frame, which provides outstanding stability on rocky terrain. The cushioning is plush, thanks to a double-injected PU foam, which promises to be durable.

There's a specialized braking section at the heel, built for grip on loose terrain. The lugs create enough surface area for solid traction on flat slabs.

The Innova performs well on the lower scrambling grades, but it isn't tailored towards technical scrambling. It is, however, ideal for comfort and stability on long hikes.

Read our full Lowa Innovo GTX Lo review or find the women's version here.

The Obōz Katabatic LT Low GTX is a hybrid hiking/running shoe, built for speed in the hills.

It looks like a trail running shoe, and is very light for a hiking shoe. James Forrest finds that it's nicely cushioned. It's not super protective, but more so than a trail running shoe.

The Katabatic LT Low is more breathable than most other options in this review. The lugs dig into boggy ground, but also grip dry rock.

For James, the standout features here are comfort and speed. The Obōz Katabatic LT Low GTX isn't a technical shoe, but it's well-suited for walking the dog, fast hiking and easier scrambling.

Read the full Obōz Katabatic LT Low GTX review or find the women's version here.

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