Gear

5 Rugged and Versatile Hiking Boots to Wear on the Trails This Season

Hiking in the mountainsJohannes Hulsch / EyeEm / Getty Images

by Adam Bible

The terrain and conditions you face on a hike can vary considerably. So you should invest in hiking boots that’ll work best for where you’re heading. If you like a strenuous hike that hits high alpine areas with plenty of loose rock and rough conditions, a stiffer, burlier boot is going to serve you the best.

Heading into a temperate rain forest like the towering forests of the Northwest? You’ll definitely need boots with a waterproof liner to keep leaks at bay and grippy lugs for navigating slippery slopes. Just planning on doing some hiking around a local state park where there’s not much extreme terrain to travel over besides gnarled roots? A light and versatile boot will fit the trail.

To find your perfect hiking boot for summer/fall 2018, we tested a variety of options in varying conditions. We picked the top five that will make your experience in the outdoors a satisfying and safe adventure, no matter the terrain or weather.

For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!

Courtesy of Astral 1 / 5

TR1 Merge by Astral

If you’re looking for a versatile, light, and flexible pair of hiking boots for scrambling and general trail use, the TR1 Merge’s will keep your feet happy. Astral, who comes out of the rafting and paddlesports world, made these with a breathable, fast-drying canvas upper (no waterproof liner though) and tough TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) toe caps and heel surrounds. They’d be perfect to pack for an overseas trip where you’ll be doing some light hiking or for a rafting trip featuring some steep side hikes since they stow away small and weigh less than a pound.

The outsole is made from a grippy and slightly soft compound called G.15 that we found gives lots of traction on slick surfaces and dry rocks while still conforming well to whatever surface you’re on for a sure-footed feeling. Other highlights include the rust-proof and tough brass hardware and a Polygiene insole to keep stinky bacteria at bay. Our only caveat was that we found them to run about a half a size too small.

[$140; astraldesigns.com]

Courtesy of La Sportiva 2 / 5

Blade GTX by La Sportiva

These sleek and sexy boots are true multisport beasts that would be great for quick and dirty hikes or even fastpacking as you can comfortably run in them. They felt super secure and really flexible, with almost an athletic shoe responsiveness that made bounding over logs and dashing down tricky trails a treat. The upper is extremely breathable with a bunch of triangular mesh inserts that allow lots of air flow, but still backed up by the Gore-Tex Extended Comfort liner that lets in air and keeps out moisture.

Secure steps were bolstered by the burly Trail Rocker2 outsole which features tough rubber compound slashed with a mix of lug shapes that help with traction and braking on scree and slop. Sure-footedness is also enhanced by an internal skeleton made from TPU that ties into the laces. We loved the neoprene cuff which helped keep debris out and felt super comfy while hiking. The toe box though, was a bit on the narrower side so those with wide feet may want to choose another boot.

[$175; sportiva.com]

Courtesy of Mammut 3 / 5

Ayako High GTX by Mammu

If you’re heading on a via ferrata trip this year, the Ayako is the boot to take. Designed specifically for the high-altitude, cliff-circumscribing trails where you’re tethered to a steel cable screwed into the steep sides, the Ayako is a lightweight mountaineering style boot that you can still use comfortably for hiking on less intense treks. The low-profile Vibram Mulaz outsole makes you feel more connected to the ground and the three-zone lacing offers a really snug and secure fit. We also dug the thin tongue made from elastic Gore-Tex for a close-fitting feel—the rest of the boot is lined with more Gore-Tex for enhanced water-shedding capabilities.

Other cool features include a neat system that transfers load from the laces to the sole as you hike, providing better traction, and a Memo foam lining in the instep, ankle and shin padding for even more comfort and a tailored fit. And if you end up wearing out the outsole, they are built by board lasting (upper is glued to a fiber board) that makes for a sole that can be easily replaced.

[$179; mammut.com]

Courtesy of Lowa 4 / 5

Sesto GTX by Lowa

For guy’s looking for a lightweight, do-it-all boot with subdued style, the Sesto is a great choice. It would be a great boot from everything to jaunts around local, not-too technical trails and even some backpacking with sub-30 lb loads. We found them to give your feet a flexible, but snug, fit out of the box that allowed for quick scrambling and fast hiking over varied terrain with no rubbing or uncomfortable hot spots developing. The durable split leather upper shed assaults by sticks and stones alike, with the tough textile inserts also weathering any abuse with relative ease.

They feature a Gore-Tex liner to keep moisture away and are built around a Monowrap Frame that helps provide the boot with its close-fitting and protected feel. The outsole is a special Lowa design that has a multi-directional tread pattern that gives increased traction on the toes for uphill climbs and the heel for more control on descents.

[$190; lowaboots.com]

Courtesy of Vasque 5 / 5

Clarion ’88 by Vasque

Guys who grew up wearing some of the first boots that started to mix textiles with leather—in a break from the standard-at-the-time stiff and clunky all-leather hikers—will love the Clarion ’88s. They are a nod to the classic and simple Clarions with an understated style and solid fit, but the whole boot has been updated with modern materials that are lighter and perform better than what was available in the ’80s. And just because these don’t look like some of the sexy, spacey new boots out there doesn’t mean they won’t still throw down on the trail.

The updates include the a 1.8mm waterproof suede upper (no Gore-Tex liner though, bummer) that’s blocked with patches of durable, abrasion-resistant nylon inserts and a Vibram Winkler outsole with a revised lug pattern that still mimics the iconic treads of archetypal hiking boots. Besides still giving you a comfortable and confident ride on a variety of trail terrains, we were into these boots the most when just wearing out on the town—at least one person will come up to you and reminisce about their first, beloved pair of Clarions.

[$149.99; vasque.com]

More News

2021 Luggage Gift Guide: Top Picks for Carry-ons, Garment Bags, and More

Wally WHY200: This Superyacht Blows Conventional Designs Out of the Water

The Best High-Tech Indoor Planters for Novice to Expert Gardeners

First Drive: The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan

This Brand New Chromebook Starts at Just $150 and Will Definitely Sell Out Before Black Friday

Wool Done Right: Fjällräven Finds New Ways to Work With Nature

All Stories

The Ultimate Camping and Hiking Gear Guide