Whether you are a recreational hiker or a hardcore mountaineer, you need good footwear. If you are mainly into “easy” trails (in terms of terrain, not necessarily distance) you will probably be better off wearing a pair of good trekking shoes (also referred to as hiking shoes) rather than regular hiking boots. Not only are they lighter and more comfortable to wear than boots, but the flexible soles will also allow you to hike faster on technically easy trails. Trekking shoes are, however, not the best option for hiking on rocky terrain and for multiday hikes where you might carry a heavy backpack – exactly due to their flexible soles and lack of support in the ankle area.

Here we selected the best trekking shoes to make your buying decision a little easier. We only listed high-quality products which are durable, lightweight and comfortable. To learn more about the different types of hiking footwear, check out our Guide to Hiking Footwear.

1. Our Picks of Trekking Shoes

1. La Sportiva Spire GTX
2. Keen Targhee III
3. Salomon X Ultra Low III GTX
4. Lowa Renegade GTX Lo
5. Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof

2. Comparison of Trekking Shoes

Feature/Product	La Sportiva Spire GTX	Keen Targhee III	Salomon X Ultra Low III GTX	Lowa Renegade GTX Lo	Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof
Weight (pair)	1 lb. 14 oz.	1 lb. 14 oz.	1 lb. 13 oz.	2 lb. 4 oz.	2 lbs. 1 oz.
Weight - Metric (pair)	860 g	873 g	810 g	1040 g	940 g
Upper Material	Mesh (Nano Cell 2.0) and Polyurethane	Nubuck Leather	Nylon	Nubuck Leather	Nubuck Leather, Nylon
Lining	Gore-Tex Surround	Keen.Dry	Gore-Tex	Gore-Tex	M-Select Dry
Midsole	EVA	EVA	EVA	PU	EVA
Outsole	Vibram	Keen	Contagrip	Vibram Evo-Trac	Vibram
Height	Ankle	Ankle	Ankle	Ankle	Ankle

3. The Selection

1. La Sportiva Spire GTX

Suitable for:

• Trekking
• Hiking
• Walking
• Everyday use

The La Sportiva Spire GTX trekking shoes are perfect for hiking on easy trails. The trekking shoes feature uppers made of a breathable synthetic material (called Nano-Cell 2.0) which works together with the latest innovation from Gore-Tex; the Gore-Tex Surround technology. The synergy of these two technologies makes La Sportiva Synthesis Surround GTX trekking shoes exceptionally breathable, moisture-wicking and quick-drying. The Nano-Cell material ensures the durability of the shoes while the Gore-Tex lining provides breathability and protection against the weather. The Gore-Tex Surround technology was especially developed for footwear and distinguishes itself from other waterproof technologies by offering an “all-around breathability”; the special Gore-Tex insert is placed in the shoe and allows moisture to escape in all directions (even towards the sole). The La Sportiva Spire GTX trekking shoes also feature Vibram outsoles and Stability Control System which provides torsion resistance, comfort and a snug fit.

Women's Version: Available - La Sportiva Women's Spire GTX

Note: Women's version might slightly differ from the men's version.

 

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2. Keen Targhee III

Suitable for:

• Trekking
• Hiking
• Walking
• Everyday use

The Keen Targhee III trekking shoes have similar weight to the La Sportiva Spire GTX shoes and utilize durable materials. These trekking shoes feature nubuck leather uppers which provide good protection against abrasion from rocks and vegetation as well as a waterproof lining; the Keen.Dry lining with waterproof/breathable membrane. The midsoles are made of EVA foam while the footbed is anatomically shaped to provide good arch support and fit. Additionally, the Targhee III trekking shoes feature Keen outsoles and ESS system for good torsion stability. The outsole has 4mm multi directional lugs for good traction. The Keen Targhee III trekking shoes are a great option for the price; while they don’t provide as good breathability as La Sportiva shoes mentioned above, they are indeed made of more durable materials.

Women's Version: Available - Keen Women's Targhee III

Note: Women's version might slightly differ from the men's version.

 

3. Salomon X Ultra III GTX

Suitable for:

• Trekking
• Hiking
• Walking
• Everyday use

The Salomon X Ultra III GTX trekking shoes feature uppers made of abrasion-resistant nylon with Gore-Tex lining. Therefore, they provide good breathability and water resistance. The tongue is connected to the upper so that it prevents dirt from entering the shoe. The toe area is protected with a rigid rubber-like material that efficiently keeps your toes safe while hiking on rougher terrain. The Salomon X Ultra III GTX shoes also offer good stability and cushioning because they have the 3D Advanced Chassis – which consists of multiple carefully designed elements that come between your foot and the outsole. The Contagrip outsole is made of high-density and low-density elements, so areas more prone to wear and tear (like the heel and toe area) are made of durable high-density materials, while the less exposed areas are made of low-density materials to reduce the overall weight. In addition to that, the Salomon shoes also feature QuickLace technology; a minimalistic lace system which can be tightened by a single pull. They are best for those who want a pair of great-performing shoes for a reasonable price.

Women's Version: Available - Salomon Women's X Ultra III GTX

Note: Women's version might slightly differ from the men's version.

 

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4. Lowa Renegade GTX Lo

Suitable for:

• Trekking
• Hiking
• Walking
• Everyday use

The Lowa Renegade GTX Lo shoes are very robust and durable. They feature uppers made of nubuck leather with Gore-Tex lining and thus they offer great protection – not only against weather, but also against abrasion and tearing. In addition to the high-quality upper, the Lowa Renegade shoe features a Climate Control footbed, Vibram Evo-Trac outsole and hybrid midsole made of Dura polyurethane and Dyna polyurethane with Monowrap frame. The Climate Control footbed wicks moisture away from the foot and provides good breathability. Nevertheless, keep in mind that trekking shoes with synthetic uppers (mesh fabric) by default offer better breathability than leather uppers – for example the Salomon X Ultra III GTX above. The Vibram Evo-Trac outsole provides great traction on different terrain types while the DuraPU midsole gives efficient cushioning and stability. All in all, the Lowa Renegade GTX Lo are amazing because they are super lightweight despite using heavier polyurethane midsoles and durable nubuck leather uppers.

Women's Version: Available - Lowa Women's Renegade GTX

Note: Women's version might slightly differ from the men's version.

 

5. Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof

Suitable for:

• Trekking
• Hiking
• Walking
• Everyday use

The Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof shoes are best for easy and flat trails. They feature synthetic uppers, reinforced with leather overlays for better durability. The lining underneath the upper is equipped with M-Select Dry PU coating which prevents water from entering the shoe. The M-Select Dry doesn’t provide as good breathability and moisture-management as for example Gore-Tex, but on the other hand the Merrell Moab Waterproof 2 shoes are also the least expensive product in this review. They are equipped with Vibram soles which perform well on flat trails but lack traction on steeper slopes because they have relatively shallow lugs. The Merrell Moab Waterproof  are a great option for those who want to stick to relatively flat trails or have a tight budget.

Women's Version: Available - Merrell Women's Moab 2 Waterproof

Note: Women's version might slightly differ from the men's version.

 

4. Buying Advice for Trekking Shoes  – What is important?

Weight:

Trekking shoes are typically lighter than hiking and backpacking boots, but heavier than running shoes. However, the weight of shoes/boots depends on the materials. The midsole and upper have the biggest impact on the overall weight. Therefore, trekking shoes usually have lightweight synthetic uppers and EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) midsoles. In this review we only listed lightweight products.

Upper Material:

Trekking shoes usually have synthetic uppers, but some do feature leather uppers. Shoes with synthetic uppers are lighter and provide better breathability than shoes with leather uppers. However, leather uppers provide better abrasion-resistance and support because leather is a very sturdy material. Leather comes in different forms such as full-grain leather, split-grain leather and nubuck leather. Full-grain leather is the heaviest and most durable. Split-grain leather and nubuck leather offer lower abrasion resistance but they are also lighter and more breathable.

In this selection we listed three pairs of shoes that have synthetic uppers and two pairs of shoes which have nubuck leather uppers.

Lining:

The fabric on the inside of shoes/boots is called the lining. The lining should be breathable and moisture-wicking to transport moisture/sweat to the outside of the shoe. This is very important as moist feet get cold faster and often get blisters.

Waterproof shoes use a waterproof lining (such as Gore-Tex and eVent) which reduces the breathability to some extent. However, with advanced technologies (such as Gore-Tex Surround), shoes can nowadays be very breathable and water-resistant at the same time.

Insole:

The insoles of shoes should be moisture-wicking, breathable and durable. Many trekking shoes come with insoles that are treated with antimicrobial agents in order to reduce the growth of microorganisms and bacteria.

Midsole:

The midsole provides cushioning, support and stability. There are two types of midsoles; EVA midsoles (ethylene vinyl acetate) and PU (polyurethane) midsoles.

EVA midsoles are lighter and more flexible than PU midsoles. Therefore, trekking shoes typically have EVA midsoles. However, EVA midsoles are less durable than the PU midsoles – they get “flat” faster.

PU midsoles are very durable and rigid. They are typically used for backpacking and mountaineering boots.

Outsole:

The outsoles provide traction. They have lugs of different patterns; the deeper and thicker the lugs, the better traction they provide. Some brands develop their own outsoles like for example Lowa while others use outsoles from well-known manufacturers such as Vibram.

5. Questions and Answers