Here are some hiking boots to consider buying this season.
Summer is officially here, and the time for hiking is now. If you're going to spend a day hiking over rough terrain, you're going to want to protect your feet.
The only question is, what are some of the best hiking boots you can get for your next long-distance trek?
We'll try to answer that here today with 10 hiking boots that should fit all your day hike, backcountry and overnight backpacking trip needs.
Merrell Moab 2 Vent Mid Hiking Boot (Men and women)
These boots are some of the highest-rated pieces of hiking gear on Amazon. These are perfect for summer because of the mesh lining that allows for great breathability on long hikes over technical terrain.
The downside to the mesh is that it means the water resistance of these boots is terrible. You don't want to wear these in area where it will get cold, either.
But for warm summer hikes, this pair of boots will keep for feet comfortable while others are complaining of blisters. This boot style is available for both men and women. Their price ranges between $80-200.
Columbia North Plains II Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots
Hikers can't really go wrong with a pair of boots from Columbia. These boots are non-insulated and feature webbing making them perfect for a long day of hiking in warm weather. They have a waterproof membrane making them ideal for wetter hikes to that mountain waterfall or remote lake in Yellowstone.
They're also extremely light and feature a rubber toe cap to help protect your feet. These boots go for between $60-80.
Columbia Redmond Waterproof Hiking Boot (Women)
Here's a Columbia hiking boot for the ladies. These lightweight boots are made with waterproof suede leather and mesh for breathability.
They're also incredibly light. Combine these with a good pair of hiking socks to avoid blisters during the break-in period, and these boots should get you through all your summer adventures.
Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boot (Men and Women)
This is another boot style available for everyone. The Salomon X Ultra 3 is one of the most popular and lightest boots on Amazon right now.
They're lightweight and feature Gore-Tex fabric to help keep them waterproof. These boots get high praise for their comfortable cushioning insole and midsole and treads that provide great grip on slippery terrain. Some people refer to these more as hiking shoes than boots. Some users say there is little to no break-in required for these boots.
They're a bit on the pricey side at $165, but these boots are great for backpacking and camping trips off-trail in the summer months.
The North Face Hedgehog FastPack Mid GTX Hiking Boot (Men and Women)
This boot is very similar to the Salomon X Ultra 3 in that it is mostly leather and features a synthetic sole. These boots are lightweight and breathe very well, which is important during the hot summer months. If your feet are miserable while hiking, chances are the rest of you will be too.
The bad news revolves around the lacing system; complaints say they don't offer enough ankle support. The good news is that these boots are waterproof.
If you're looking for a great backpacking boot, this is an option to consider. These boots start at around $90.
Scarpa Zen PRO Hiking Shoe-U (Men and Women)
Technically, these aren't boots. But we wanted to recommend a little something different for trail runners or those looking for something a little more casual for some shorter hikes this summer.
The low cut Scarpa Zen hiking shoes might be what you're looking for. The nice thing about these Scarpas is that you can probably get more use of them in the spring and fall as well for shorter day hikes. You won't be using these for mountaineering over rocky terrain. But many people have found the treads to have excellent grip, making these shoes excellent light hiking footwear. These shoes start around $169.
Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX (Men and Women)
This is another boot that utilizes Gore-Tex to keep your feet dry. It's not a bad consideration if you're going to be hiking for an extended period. Nothing can make a hike miserable faster than a pair of wet boots.
They're a little bit heavier than some of the other boots on this list, but they do offer great protection and a nice toe box.
I did see one report that these boots don't come with an insole, so that's something else to consider. These boots are suede and are not cheap at $270, but they'll fit a variety of outdoor scenarios one might encounter. You do have to get used to those colors, which are little garish in my opinion.
KEEN Targhee II Waterproof Hiking Boot (Men and Women)
These boots are made of Nubuck Leather, making this a waterproof boot. They're also said to be quite comfortable. As a leather upper boot, this one probably won't have as ventilation as some other boots. If that's a concern Keen also makes a version of this boot with mesh. But this is a great all-around hiking boot for backpackers or just casual hikers.
There have been some complaints recently that KEEN changed their manufacturing processes and that some boots have come with defective soles. Just be aware of that. These boots start around $100 for both men and women.
Salomon Quest 4d 3 GTX Backpacking Boots (Men and Women)
For the serious backpacker or through-hiker, these boots get high marks for their cushioning and traction over wet terrain. They aren't light, but they'll need no waterproofing prior to hitting the trails thanks to its leather and synthetic design.
These boots are expensive at $227, but if you're going to be doing some serious hiking or backpacking, you probably don't want to skimp. One nice thing is that Salomon backs these boots with a two-year warranty.
Adidas Terrex AX2R Mid GTX (Men and Women)
While generally Adidas is better known for their other forms of footwear, these hiking boots have gotten good reviews online. These boots are waterproof thanks to the Gore-Tex membrane and are super lightweight for the casual hiker during the summer. They also come at a very budget-friendly price of $120 meaning it's easy to fit these boots into your summer adventures.
For more outdoor content from Travis Smola, be sure to follow him on Twitter and check out his Geocaching and Outdoors with Travis Youtube channels.
NEXT: HOW TO FIND A SUMMER JOB IN THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY
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