There are hundreds of options out there, and we've whittled our list down to these top-performing contenders. The company also added extra shock absorption to the midfoot plates; along with the Vibram outsole, this protects toes against rocks and roots. The Gore-Tex waterproof membranes used on the Lowa Renegade, and the Salomon X Ultra 4 are comparable in breathability to the eVent liners of the Altra Lone Peak Mid 2. When these accumulate on the bottom of shoes and boots, it is a result of poor tread design and depth. The lacing system is still secured with mesh, which we imagine could wear out over time, though we had no issues during our testing period.

We’ve taken boots all over the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), as well as to Iceland, Indonesia, China, New Zealand, Canada, and Mexico, and we’ve tackled loose gravel, groomed trails, and brush. The Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX is impressively comfortable but has a more streamlined, sleek profile conducive to hiking through talus and alpine terrain. The Salomon X Ultra Mid 4 Gore-Tex scores well for support because it has a sleek but still cushioned ankle and a very supportive sole.Most of these boots have a longer lifespan than, say, a standard running shoe, though the lightweight mesh options won't last as long as a full-blown leather boot.

One tester who had plantar fasciitis even found that he could comfortably wear the Quest boots without his usual insoles. Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots ( men’s and women’s): Overbuilt for most day hikers, these boots ran quite big around the ankles. The Quest boots are fairly bulky, so they’re best for someone carrying a heavy pack or a kid on their back. Though this plays more into the support metric, it is worth noting that lugs and tread patterns have a large impact on the overall performance of a boot.Since 2017, we’ve considered over 200 pairs of boots, tested 55 pairs, and spoken with many experts about the most important qualities to look for. Of all the lightweight hiking boots we tested, this boot stood out for its out-of-the-box comfort, excellent stability, solid traction, and breathable, waterproof performance. width":"M","widthDisplayValue":"M"},"194713899898":{"isAvailable":true,"isComingsoon":false,"color":"J500121","size":"14","sizeDisplayValue":"13","width":"M","widthDisplayValue":"M"},"194713899904":{"isAvailable":true,"isComingsoon":false,"color":"J500121","size":"15","sizeDisplayValue":"14","width":"M","widthDisplayValue":"M"}},"color":{"attributeID":"color","displayName":"Colour","ID":"color","values":[{"ID":"J500121","displayValue":"Toffee","value":"J500121","description":null}]},"size":{"attributeID":"size","displayName":"Size","ID":"size","values":[{"ID":"7","displayValue":"6. For our favorite models, we continue wearing them for years to report back on their long-term durability.