The best hiking shoes reviewed (2023)

Whether you want a cushioned, trainer-style hiker for long, loping hill days or a more technical approach shoe for tackling tougher terrain, we've found the best tried and tested hiking shoe for you.

The best hiking shoes hiking trail running 2023

by James Forrest |
Posted on

Sturdy high-ankle walking boots or trainer-like hiking shoes – which are best in the mountains? This question has become one of the great gear debates of modern times. Truthfully, with impressive strengths on each side, the answer will always depend on what you're looking for.

Obviously, the major advantage of going for shoes over boots is their lighter weight. This makes even more sense in the prime hiking seasons, from late spring through to early autumn. Experienced hillwalkers often ditch their heavier gear for minimalist options once winter starts winding down. Once the sun's out, even super breathable lightweight walking boots aren't immune to overheating. And nobody wants hot feet!

Another oft-quoted bit of walkers’ wisdom – ‘One pound on your feet equals five pounds on your back’. This rule of thumb was (supposedly) developed by Sir Edmund Hillary and fellow climbers training for the 1953 Everest expedition. It’s a sage bit of advice, still repeated by some of the greatest exponents of ‘fast and light’ backpacking.

Walking across rocks wearing hiking shoes
©Live For The Outdoors

The best hiking shoes at a glance:

Gear of the Year 2023 Winner: Hoka Ancapa Breeze Low - view offer on Hoka

Best in Test: Arc'teryx Norvan LD3 - view offer on Arc'teryx

Best Value: Keen WK400 - view offer on Sports Shoes

Best women's hiking shoe: Salomon Outpulse GTX - view offer on Sports Shoes

If you're attracted to the idea of being a bit swifter and more agile in the hills, you've come to the right place. We've selected those that struck the best balance between comfort, support, cushioning, weight and grip – while also presenting something for everyone. So, there are stiffer, more technical approach shoes for hillwalkers who love rocky scrambles, plus a few lightweight, trainer-inspired hikers that promise instant out-of-the-box comfort – perfect for fast-paced hill-bagging.

The best hiking shoes in detail

Trail Gear of the Year 2023 Winner

Hoka Ancapa Breeze Low best walking shoe 2023
Price: £130.00

www.hoka.com

Description

These hiking shoes are unique, bold and succeed in their singular aim: comfort. While they aren't

Pros

  • Immaculate cushioning
  • Innovative geometry in construction
  • Durable for ultra-long distances

Cons

  • Heel shape isn't for everyone
  • Loud style isn't for everyone

Best in test

Arcteryx Norvan LD 3 best long distance walking shoe 2023
Price: £150.00

arcteryx.com

Description

Another trail running trainer that hits all the right notes as a hiking shoe, the Norvan LD3 is

Pros

  • Ultralight
  • Generously cushioned
  • Precise, technical design

Cons

  • Cushioning won't suit all tastes
  • Only 4mm lugs

Best Value

Description

This new-for-2023 shoe polarises opinion. Some hikers adore it, others despise it – as evidenced

Pros

  • Plush, unique midsole
  • Superb energy return
  • Lovely 'ride' to each step

Cons

  • Outlandish design
  • Not suited to very rugged, technical terrain

Best women's hiking shoe

Description

The Outpulse is a very capable lightweight option pitched at 'fast and light' hikers who like to

Pros

  • Snug trainer-like fit
  • Soft padding around cuff and tongue
  • Good breathability 

Cons

  • Not the most durable hiking shoe

Best rugged hiking shoe

Description

This is a La Sportiva classic that, with a few tweaks and the use of additional fabrics, now

Pros

  • Extremely protective
  • Stable and rigid construction
  • Wide fit available

Cons

  • There are better options for speedy hiking

Best lightweight hiking shoe

Description

Lake District-based brand Inov-8 is much-loved amongst the fell-running community for its

Pros

  • Excellent grip
  • Fantastic features
  • Gore-Tex liner

Cons

  • No stiffened toe cap

Best waterproof hiking shoe

Description

With the Cloudventure Waterproof, Swiss brand On has engineered a shoe with a unique, eye-catching

Pros

  • Stylish look
  • Quality waterproof construction
  • Clever design for performance

Cons

  • Slightly stiff
  • Outsole can clog with debris

Best traditional hiking shoe

Description

Reviewing this traditional, chunky, leather and waterproof walking shoe side-by-side to the

Pros

  • Strong and stable
  • Gore-Tex waterproofing
  • Highly protective underfoot

Cons

  • Chunky
  • Outsole and lugs could be more aggressive

Best for long distances

Description

Named after the 2650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, this shoe is excellent for big mileage day hikes

Pros

  • Long-distance underfoot comfort
  • All-round performance
  • Proven design

Cons

  • Others offer more foot support

Best trainer-style hiking shoe

Description

The Ribelle Run is a technical trail running shoe, but it works just as well for hiking. It is

Pros

  • Breathable
  • Highly responsive
  • Great on technical terrain

Cons

  • Not very cushioned
  • precise fit may not suit everyone

Best for hard-packed trails

Description

Light, agile, and as comfortable as a trainer, these are perfect for gobbling up the miles on

Pros

  • Spacious toebox
  • Gaiter keeps out debris
  • Breathable
  • Very comfy

Cons

  • Edgy styling not for everyone

Best for kids

Scarpa Rush Kids GTX being worn in a streamLive For The Outdoors

Description

The quality of Scarpa's footwear will need little introduction to regular hillwalkers because

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Durable
  • Grippy

Cons

  • They'll outgrow them before they wear out

How to buy the best hiking shoe

Walking shoes vs. trail running trainers: There is a huge variety in hiking footwear now. A current trend is to wear modern trail running trainers for hiking – they can be light, fast and grippy with excellent energy return, thanks to cutting-edge tech. Alternatively, you can go for shoes specifically designed for hiking, which tend to be slightly heavier and less cushioned but with better stability, protection and durability.

Upper: The upper is the exterior material of a walking shoe. Leather uppers (nubuck or suede) are generally stronger and firmer. Synthetic uppers are less durable but will be comfier and lighter, with enhanced flex and breathability.

Fit: Everyone's feet are shaped differently, and what fits comfortably for you might be blister-inducing for someone else. Fit is, therefore, absolutely critical. Even sock thickness affects fit. Your best bet is to try for size in a shop, ideally with a skilled footwear fitter. Aim for a secure, comfy fit without excessive compression or pinching. Space in the toe box for your toes to splay and the right volume at the forefoot are important.

Climbing a hill wearing hiking shoes
©Live For The Outdoors

Weight: One of the advantages of shoes is that they're lighter than boots. But a reduction in weight can mean a loss of protection and support, so consider what's important to you. All weights quoted are per individual shoe.

Tongue: A padded tongue will provide improved comfort, while a gusseted or bellows tongue – which is fully attached to the uppers – will provide better protection from water and debris.

Toe bumper: A toe bumper provides additional durability and protection for the front of the foot, particularly on rocky ground.

Heel counter: This is the stiffened cup that encloses the heel, providing protection and support. A firm heel counter helps to lock the foot in place and offers additional stability.

Ankle cuff: Unlike boots, walking shoes have a low cuff around the ankle. Some will be cut a little higher than others, helping to prevent water, mud and debris from entering the shoe, but all walking shoes generally prioritise comfort and flex over ankle support and protection.

Waterproof lining: A waterproof-breathable membrane liner will help keep your feet dry. This is often Gore-Tex or a brand's proprietary technology. But do you really need a waterproof shoe? In spring and summer, a non-waterproof shoe will be far more breathable, quick-drying and ventilated – an approach favoured by many experienced hillwalkers.

Insole: For enhanced comfort and stability, you might prefer to switch out the shoe's supplied insole for a higher quality, specialist insole instead.

Midsole: The midsole – usually made from EVA or PU foam rubber – provides cushioning and stability, and its design will affect how rigid and energetic a shoe feels underfoot. Oversized and mega-cushioned midsoles are currently popular, providing a very springy, forward-propelling sensation as you walk.

Outsole: The outsole provides traction via a tread pattern of rubber cleats and lugs. Different rubber compounds are employed – softer compounds offer better grip, but harder compounds will last longer. In general, deep and widely-spaced lugs will provide improved grip and won't get clogged with mud.

Standing on a summit wearing hiking shoes
©Live For The Outdoors

Hiking shoe care and maintenance

Hiking footwear get a hard life, and it's a wonder some of them last as long as they do. In order to keep your hiking shoes (or boots) performing as well as they can for as long as they can, proper cleaning and care is key. Fortunately, it's very easy. Head to our comprehensive guide to find out how to care for your hiking footwear.

How we tested these hiking shoes

Our test footwear are always subject to many miles of walking and hiking in the terrains they're designed to be used for. Our experienced and professional reviewers are thorough and objective, with the aim of finding the best options for our audience.

These hiking shoes were all (except one) rigorously tested by the author, Matt, on testing trips across the UK. The Hoka Ancapa shoe was tested as part of our Gear of the Year trip, which saw James Forrest scuttling around the Lakes in these plush footpillows.

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Matt Jones is a freelance gear tester for Live For The Outdoors and Trail Magazine. He has walked several long-distance backpacking trails in New Zealand, the USA and throughout the UK.

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