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Hiking boots are like tents for your feet. And by that we mean, they’re an essential piece of any outdoor adventure—they protect your feet against rough terrain, inclement weather, unwanted debris and all the other natural hazards you might encounter on the trail. Not only do they safeguard your feet from injury, but their stability and cushioning lend support that the rest of your body relies on mile after mile. While the best hiking boots for women may vary from one pair of feet to the next, there’s no denying the importance of finding the right pair for you. (And if you happen to be looking for the best hiking boots for men, have no fear—we’ve reviewed those as well.)

Wherever the trail takes you, keep your feet happy with the right pair of hiking boots.

When choosing a pair of hiking boots, features such as comfort, style and durability all play a part, but the single biggest factor to consider is fit. Get the fit right and a good pair of hiking boots will simply become an extension of your foot—you should’t really notice them. Also consider the climate and terrain where you travel; do you really need waterproof boots? For example, it’s often better to go for quick drying, well-ventilated hiking boots that drain well (or even hiking sandals) rather than a waterproof model if you plan to hike through rivers or in wet conditions.

Though the sheer number of hiking boot options might seem overwhelming, we’ve compiled a list of our favorites, from updated cult classics that have stood the test of time to the latest and greatest models from some of our favorite brands. The following were chosen based on our own hiking experience, logging thousands of miles from the Americas to Asia. Read on to find the boots that will keep your feet happy on your next outdoor adventure.

Weight: 1.84 pounds | Waterproof: Yes | Category: Midweight

Continually at the top of the sales leaderboard, the Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX bags our number one spot for delivering a class-leading mix of durability, stability, waterproofness, and comfort without sacrificing on weight or breathability. 

On the outsole, Salomon uses two different types of rubber to give you an overall better grip on mixed terrain with a patterned area on the heel that bites into the trail as you head downhill. The lacing system covers the entire front foot to let you customize the fit whether you like it a little snug for extra security or need more breathing room and flexibility in the toe area. 

The water-repellent leather upper is paired with a breathable GORE-TEX liner to keep your feet dry through puddles and storms. The tongue seamlessly connects to the upper on both sides, preventing debris from entering the shoe and keeping the tongue centered. A thicker foam midsole, coupled with a cushioned sockliner contoured to the shape of your foot, boost the comfortability factor. You don’t need to worry about stubbing your toe on those errant rocks or logs thanks to rubber caps at both ends that protect the sensitive parts of your feet. Salomon also sells a men’s version of the same hiking boot, and that one ranks highly as well.

Weight: 1.75 pounds | Waterproof: Yes | Category: Midweight

HOKA’s are known for their cushy ride, and the Anacapa Mid GTX boot is no different. Its thick foam midsole absorbs hard shocks, thereby reducing the impact and fatigue to keep your legs feeling fresh even at the end of a long day on the trail. The rocker outsole, with its 6mm heel to toe drop, helps you attain a more natural stride, while aggressive lugs made from Vibram’s Megagrip compound ensure you’ll stick to the slickest of surfaces. Reviewers regularly commented on the all-day comfort and the Velcro-like traction on steep trails. 

The upper of this mid hiking boot is made from sustainable materials with a few lightweight leather accents. In between the liner and the upper, a GORE-TEX bootie ensures your feet stay dry as you trample through puddles or wet vegetation. 

Available in a variety of colors to suit your mood or on-trail ensemble, the design weighs in at less than two pounds total—quite a few ounces lighter then your average high top boot. As the old saying goes, “a pound on your feet is worth five pounds on your back.”

Weight: 1.87 pounds | Waterproof: Yes | Category: Midweight

If you’re looking for a full leather, waterproof boot with iconic style, look no further than the Danner Mountain 600. The mid-height uppers are made from a durable and waterproof suede leather with extra protection from Danner’s own waterproof membrane sitting between the leather and the synthetic liner fabric that helps wick sweat away from your feet. Bright red laces contrast the tan color of the suede and give it that classic Lumberjill feel. 

The hiking boots come with a cushioned insole for extra comfort. A plastic frame in the heel helps to keep your foot in place and give you a bit more stability on uneven terrain. The outsole is made from Vibram’s Megagrip rubber compound for superb grip and the lugs mold to the terrain underfoot so they’re constantly oriented to deliver the most traction. 

Danner, and a number of online reviews, recommend you go for a half size smaller than what you would normally wear. At 1 pound 14 ounces, theysearen’t the lightest hiking boots on the market but if they’re good enough for Cheryl Strayed on the Pacific Crest Trail in Wild, they’re good enough for us.

Weight: 1.5 pounds | Waterproof: Yes | Category: Lightweight

If you prefer to shed every possible ounce of weight on the trail, Altra’s feathery Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid boot should help in that pursuit. You can think of its design as a trail running shoe that’s been extended about the ankle for additional protection and support, which is why it feels so much more like a shoe than a boot the moment you slip it on. While the upper does sport a waterproof membrane, it’s still surprisingly breathable to keep your feet cool on the hottest of days. Altra’s signature shape adds interior space to help your foot sit naturally, and its widened toe box allows your foot to splay as you make contact with the ground.

Underneath, a dense rubber outsole is designed to last longer and offer more grip over varying terrain, and canted lugs placed strategically beneath the metatarsals provide additional traction. The outsole isn’t made with a Vibram compound, which many consider to be the gold standard in off-road rubber, but Altra’s composite material is surprisingly grippy and capable whether you’re traversing slippery snowpack or sending it down the mountain. Weighing in at a mere 12 ounces per shoe, you’ll hard notice these on your feet, which is kinda the point.

Weight: 1.87 pounds | Waterproof: No | Category: Midweight

If the Merrell Moab 2 Mid Ventilator proves anything, it’s that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to put your foot in a capable boot. Oddly enough, this particular shoe has achieved legendary status among certain circles for its comfort and performance that doesn’t break the bank, all while sporting some great materials. For instance, the suede leather upper delivers plenty of durability and integrated mesh panels promote airflow on hotter days. The Vibram TC5+ rubber outsole provides confidence-inspiring traction over loose gravel and snow, and the EVA midsole offers plenty of that much-needed support.

Of course, that’s not to say a shoe so popular doesn’t come without its flaws. This budget boot doesn’t have a waterproof liner so your feet are prone to getting wet and the fit, while comfy, feels a little vague through the midfoot when compared to other options like the aforementioned Salomon. The boot is a little chunky which some hikers won’t mind, but others will prefer a more streamlined profile that’s agile and spry. Flaws aside, this boot is perfect for groomed, well-trodden paths in dry conditions. And Merrell also offers it in a waterproof version for those who need the added membrane.

Weight: 2.18 pounds | Waterproof: Yes | Category: Heavyweight

Any brave soul battling high winds, heart-pounding scrambles and snowy ascents needs a boot built for the occasion. That’s why the stiffer construction and crampon-compatible profile of the Trango Tech GTX is our top pick for a woman’s hybrid boot. It blends the comfort of a traditional hiking boot with the advanced features of a mountaineering boot, ensuring your footwear is ready for almost any weekend scenario. Built with a GORE-TEX Performance Comfort laminate and QB3 waterproof fabric, it practically eliminates moisture penetration from every angle but still maintains breathability as you work up a sweat on those steep ascents. A toe-the-toe lacing system provides a dialed fit, and the laces are made with recycled water bottles for good measure.

Underfoot, a Vibram La Sportiva Cube rubber outsole combines with Impact Brake System grip to dominate over sketchy terrain, and the soles can be resoled after years of summit attempts. Because this is a technical boot, La Sportiva outfits the heel with a thermoplastic polyurethane crampon insert for hybrid crampons, and the rubberized toe adds durability.

Weight: 1.71 pounds | Waterproof: Yes | Category: Lightweight

In a bid to lessen its impact on the environment, Oboz sought out both natural and recycled materials to built the Sypes Mid Leather Waterproof boot.  The insoles are made from a sustainable algae biomass that is molded to match the specific shape of each hiking boot footbed for superior fit and feel on the trail. In addition to the natural nubuck leather upper, the laces, webbing and boot liner are all made from recycled plastic—even the reinforcement strips at key wear points on the shoes are made from repurposed Cordura nylon fabric. 

Even better? Oboz plants a tree for every pair sold. In addition to the hiking boots' environmentally friendly credentials, reviewers rave about the out-of-the-box comfort and reliable grip on loose terrain thanks to the deep directional lugs of the outsole. 

Weight: 1.37 pounds | Waterproof: Yes | Category: Lightweight

Keeping your feet dry isn’t always an option when puddles, snow or wet weather pop up, but La Sportiva’s Nucleo High II GTX hiking boot makes it easier to keep pushing forward. A Gore-Tex Surround lining combines with a Nubuck leather upper to not only seal out water, but dry quickly when the boot happens to get wet. The gusseted tongue attaches the bottom and sides of the tongue to the shoe, preventing water, dirt and debris from interfering with your hike. Weighing under 1.5 pounds per pair, it’s a surprisingly light package given the robust protection and compression-molded EVA cushioning that deliver superior support.

Just like the men’s version, this boot’s outsole is made with a rubber Vibram Nano XS-Trek compound that delivers superior grip whether you’re crossing a river or wading through deep, heavy snow in the dead of winter. La Sportiva also offers this boot in a number of wide sizing options to accommodate different feet, and the boot can be resoled after you’ve worn it mile after wet mile.