Hiking is one of the best ways to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, as nature has its way of refreshing and restoring. It's a fun way to explore your city's neighboring foothills for some after-work cardio if you're short on time, or it's your ticket to faraway places that can't be reached by roads, providing access to sights unseen by most travelers. For us, hiking is a release from life's daily stressors and a way to recharge our batteries, and the only limit is daylight.
A solid pair of hiking boots is the foundation to your newfound love for outdoor exploration. We prefer a boot with an ankle-height cut over a shoe, because a higher cuff keeps debris out, makes stream crossings easier, and helps minimize your chance of rolling an ankle! In years past, most hiking boots were heavy, leather monstrosities. But today's is all about being lighter weight, and it's a change we're pretty stoked about!
Modern hiking boots fit loosely into three categories: (1) lightweight boots for agility on day hikes, (2) mid-weight boots that are versatile enough for day hikes and backpacking, and (3) heavy boots that are durable and supportive for long backpacking trips. If you're unsure which category suits your style best, err somewhere in the middle — a Gore-Tex boot with a mid-height cuff, solid ankle support, relatively rugged outsoles, and the flexibility and breathability to avoid getting bogged down.
Hiking is something we couldn't live without, so recommending our top choices wasn't tough. Check out this list of 2020's best men's hiking boots, with options for everyone — from the budget-minded casual hiker to the long-distance trekker. Then lace up your boots, and put one foot in front of the other — winding trails, fresh air, and panoramic mountain vistas await.
Hoka One One's running sneakers used to be commonly mistaken for moon shoes because of their ultra plush, oversized footbeds. But now Hoka is a household name in the running category, and they've taken the hiking footwear market by storm with, in our humble opinion, the most comfortable men's hiking boots available!
Hoka's plush footbed is the obvious main attraction here, with a proprietary foam-blend midsole that feels like your path is being paved by a pillow-toting ferry. These boots also have a waterproof leather upper that offered a surprising amount of support for our tired feet after long days of 10-plus miles, making these a shoo-in as the most comfortable boot on the market. That's why we choose them before any other boot for day hikes — short and long — and quick backpacking trips where speed matters.
Conquer everything in your path, from quick day hikes near home to long through-hikes on the wet Pacific Coast. The midrise height of these North Face boots will protect your ankles and keep debris from infiltrating your shoe, while the extremely comfortable XtraFoam midsole cushions your joints from rocky roads.
We've been more than pleased that a boot could be this comfortable, supportive, and waterproof (thanks to the Gore-Tex membrane), while still being lightweight enough to sport for extended periods without feeling like you're lugging around a block of cement. These were our top choice for nearly every occasion — from long day hikes to week-long backpacking trips — until Hoka's Sky Kaha took the cake.
Looking for a true workhorse to guide longer journey? Salomon's Quest has been leading the league of heavier backpacking boots for years on end, and this year's updates are even more reason to rejoice.
Salomon has integrated their beloved trail-running shoe technology into a supportive and stable, yet surprisingly nimble, high-top hiking boot. Updated outsoles grip nearly any terrain confidently. Meanwhile, seam-sealed Gore-Tex membranes combine with uppers made of split suede leather and nylon mesh to make a boot that's plenty robust for multi-day treks, yet light and nimble enough for the steep pushes that separate campsites.
A boot that's waterproof and leather is a rare find under $100, and this option from Columbia is often found at almost half that price! The padder collar and firm feel are plenty of support for moderate hikes around a National Park, and the grippy soles will give you traction when the trail gets tough.
These Columbia men's hiking boots are by no means the most comfortable, supportive, or lightweight, but they offer plenty of performance for most casual hikers, with a clean styling for urban wear, too.
When life includes everything from soggy commutes to muddy hikes on your favorite foothills trail, you'll need a boot that performs just as good as it looks. Danner's Mountain 600 is just that — a boot that can handle tough days on the job site, grip slippery trails after work, and clean up nicely for a night at the breweries.
These men's boots have suede uppers that are both durable and waterproof, making wet feet a distant pastime. The Vibram midsole and Fuga outsole deliver supreme cushioning and traction without unnecessary weight (just 37 ounces per pair!). And the attention to detail is superb, with emphasis on quality over quantity, delivering the perfect blend of classic style and rugged functionality that's ready and willing for nearly any occasion.
Lowa's Renegade has been a top-performer and best-seller for years with good reason! This sturdy leather option falls in the mid- to heavyweight range, but is best used as a backpacking boot for long treks with heavy packs when a solid, strong shoe is paramount.
This hiking boot boasts some super tough outsoles that protect your feet from rough and rocky trails, plus a full leather upper and a high cut that is protective and supportive without weighing a ton. They're super comfortable for anyone who has sore, tired feet at the end of a long day, and they're offered in three different widths — narrow, regular, and wide — so it's a breeze to find the just-right fit!
Hoka made our list twice, and for damn good reason! This baby is a beefed-up version of their ever-popular Speedgoat trail-running shoe for guys who like to travel far and get there fast.
At just 13 ounces per shoe, this is the lightest hiking boot in our list. The anatomical padded collar is super soft and delivers the just-right amount of ankle support, while the waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex bootie keeps your feet cool and dry, no matter how hard you charge. For light and vast, we're pretty darn stoked about this trail-runner spinoff.
This is another light hiker that makes you feel fast and free, but is plenty capable of supporting you on backpacking voyages. Vasque's original Breeze has been a best-seller for years, and this fresh take on the classic is lighter, more comfortable, and more breathable than its predecessor.
Hiking can be hard on your joints, but these boots have impact-absorbing cushion pods in the midsole that reduces vibrations and rebounds energy into your foot, giving you more pep in every step, with less wasted energy. It's one of the more lively pair of boots we tried, and think it deserves a second look from anyone who favors trail running.
Adventure-ready is the way we describe these sexy sneakerboots from one of our favorite brands, Forsake. They're the perfect do-it-all pair for trips to the mountains, with enough style to be worn on the daily (and nightly, too!), from strolls down cobblestone streets to quick trips through the forest.
The leather uppers on this boot are super waterproof, while the moisture-wicking mesh lining keeps your feet surprisingly dry and comfortable. The trademarked Peak-to-Pavement outsole is much less aggressive than the other boots in this review, but these babies make up for it with a go-anywhere, do-anything style that's fresh to death.
Hiking on a budget? These boots are plenty well-equipped for a day on the trails, and they'll leave you with enough change in your pocket for a tank of gas (or two) to get to the trailhead!
They're not completely waterproof, but the water-resistant material will keep you dry in most situations, shy of stepping into a stream crossing. The partially mesh upper is pretty breathable, too, so overheating is rare. They even have a removable memory foam insole that lets you customize your level of cushion underfoot. Now that's a lot of bang for your buck!
We're willing to bet that Merrell is the most-worn boot brand on most trails, thanks to their long reputation of making solid hiking footwear at a reasonable price. The Zion is a venture away from the brand's norm and into the sneakerboot realm, aimed at being a one stop shop for travelers who hike.
The Zion is part sneaker, part trail running shoe, and part boot. Its style and comfort resemble a street sneaker, the midsole comes from trail-runners, and the Vibram Megagrip outsole are grippy like a classic hiking boot. The the break-in period is minimal, too, so you can go from the shelves to the trails in a breeze.
With this new update to a longtime classic, Keen kept the same beloved features that have made this a best-seller for years, but gave the boot a facelift. The new Targhee is leaner and more modern-looking, but just as tough as you'd expect.
The leather Targhee is waterproof and breathable, thanks to a Keen.Dry membrane that lets vapor escape without letting moisture in. Keen's all-terrain outsole with modest lugs gets solid traction on variable surfaces. And the quick-adjust hooks make it easy to loosen the boot on the ascent, then snug things up for more stability on the downhill.
Andrew BettlachAndrew has been contributing to the outdoors and fitness content on BestProducts.com since 2017; he's a nature lover, peak-bagger, skier, and general good-time haver who lives in Colorado, knows where all the fresh snow is, and what gear you should be wearing for staying warm or looking fresh.
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