The Best Hiking Boots for Men in 2024

As every avid hiker knows, your hiking boots are the most crucial piece of gear for any hiking trip. No amount of fancy equipment can make up for painful blisters on your heels or cramped, bruised toes. That’s why we’ve done the research for you and come up with a list of the ten best men’s hiking boots. 

Our Top Picks: Best Hiking Boots for Men

Here’s a quick look at our favorite hiking boots for men.

Salomon’s goal with the Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX Hiking Boots was to bring trail-running technology to a fully-functionally backpacking boot at an affordable cost. And boy, did they succeed!

These shoes combine an ergonomic tongue, an incredible lacing system, and a refreshing design, putting them among the best-looking and highest-quality hiking boots available. The “4D” part of the name refers to the four-layer chassis: two layers of cushioning, one layer of stabilizer, and a final layer of superb mountain traction. Variable tension laces distribute a level of tension along the foot in addition to the level of tension running up the ankle, and textile materials keep the boot super lightweight. Paired with the high-cut design, you truly have the best of both worlds.

Gore-Tex technology wicks away moisture from the inside while preventing liquid from entering from the outside, keeping your feet cool and dry. The boot is rounded out with a padded tongue, offering an extra layer of comfort by reducing lace pressure for those extra-brutal hikes.

These eco-friendly boots are made from water-resistant, premium-action leather that is ethically sourced and responsibly processed. The sealed inner hydrophobic membrane keeps outside water out, but it’s also breathable to help wick away moisture. This keeps your feet cool and dry no matter how long you wear them.

3mm lugs ensure traction on any terrain, and the mountain laces are non-slip to retain tension all day long. Plus, these boots come with a removable thermal insole, meaning you can wear them no matter the season!

The Vasque Breeze 2.0 fires on all cylinders by remastering and perfecting its predecessor’s ground-breaking technology — all at a price that won’t break the bank. Designed for breathability, these boots combine swaths of mesh along the tongue, sides, heels, and toes, with Ultra-Dry interior lining, making them perfect for intense hikes on hot summer days. Chronic sufferers of drenched-feet syndrome, rejoice!

In addition to the incredible breathability, these babies are also completely waterproof, keeping any liquid from getting in. So feel free to walk through the creek, rather than around it. The sleek design, made of 100% leather, doesn’t sacrifice style in the name of functionality, meaning you’ll look as cool as you feel. 

KEEN is one of the most popular outdoor footwear brands, and for good reason: their innovative inners feature dual-compression molding designed to cradle your sole and eliminate sore heels. They’re also all but guaranteed to prevent blisters and reduce heel slippage, no matter your terrain.

As for water-resistance? The KEEN DRY waterproof, breathable membrane is designed to keep your feet cool and dry by wicking away moisture from the inside, while simultaneously stopping any liquid from the outside. PFC-free water repellant is used on the exterior to offer the same level of protection without the use of harmful chemicals. 

On top of all that, the Targhee IIs are equipped with 4mm lugs for optimal traction on (and off) the beaten path. Super breathable eVent technology ensures your feet stay cool and dry despite the heat. Innovative lacing technology lets you tighten near the heel but keep the toe box relaxed, creating the perfect balance of comfort and traction for even the fastest of fast-pace hikers.

If you’re an off-road sort of hiker, look no further than the Salewa Mountain Trainers. These ergonomic shoes are built for “the summit and back.” They feature Bilight technology designed to cradle your foot, cushion your heel, and promote natural ankle movement to keep your stride strong, all over every type of terrain you encounter. The durable leather and nylon construction will last for years to come, while the rubber sole offers the traction you need over rocky, slippery, and uneven surfaces. And don’t forget the Gore-Tex breathable interior mesh that helps ensure your feet stay dry even on hotter days.

Lightweight doesn’t have to mean flimsy, and no one proves that better than the North Face’s Ultra Fastpack II.

These incredibly light boots still offer enough support for all-day comfort and fast pursuits. The combination of fabric and mesh materials, in addition to the Gore-Tex surround membrane, provides plenty of ventilation to keep everything cool and dry. Overall, they’re some of the best summer hiking boots for men.

If you’re from a colder climate, like to hike up in the snowy peaks of high mountains, or prefer your outdoor adventures in the depths of winter, then the Oboz Bridger Insulated Boot has you covered!

These rubber-soled boots are designed for optimal traction through rain, snow, and icy mush. In other words, you van trudge confidently, no matter the weather. Oboz’s BDry membranes are waterproof and breathable to wick away moisture and keep your foot dry, while their patented 400g 3M wool-topped Thinsulate insulation keeps you warm in colder temperatures. Plus, the thermoplastic urethane chassis, in addition to the nylon shank, grants plenty of torsional stability to keep your gait natural and comfortable.

Unlike other popular hiking boots, the Lowa Renegades are comfortable right out of the box. We know all hiking boot manufacturers make this claim, but they’re rarely actually right — the Renegade is the exception!

The combination of leather and textiles offers breathability for hotter hikes without sacrificing the durability you need for rougher terrains and all-day abuse. Gold-standard Gore-Tex material keeps your feet dry on the inside by wicking away moisture, and your shoes dry on the outside by repelling liquid water. 

There are ten different color options to suit any man’s style, all of which are available in wide and narrow options — so men of all foot sizes, come forth! 

If you’re looking for a pair of classic, genuine leather hiking boots, look no further than the Asolo TPS 520 GV. These handsome, full-grain leather boots incorporate Gore-Tex waterproofing to wick away unwanted moisture from in between your toes while simultaneously preventing liquid water from getting inside. Asolo-patented Lite 2 Footbed technology ensures your feet are cradled and comfortable over even the roughest of terrains. Neither rain, mud, water, sand, nor rock will penetrate the gusseted tongues and ankle collars. 

The 520 GV Hiking Boots also boast Asolo’s shock-absorbent TPS (triple power structure) technology, also patented. This innovative tech incorporates three shock-absorbing focal points that correspond to the three main impact points of the foot. Additionally, these boots offer excellent torsional stability thanks to Asoflex thermoplastic supports. These, in addition to the Vibram sole, protect your feet from impact stress and bruising and reduce the chances of achy feet, even in the roughest of conditions. 

What to Look for in the Best Hiking Boots for Men

If you’re going to invest your money in a pair of hiking boots, you want to make sure you’re getting the best ones for you. The most important part of a hiking boot is the support it offers — and not just for your foot. A boot’s support also impacts your hips, spine, and neck. When looking for the best support, be sure to keep the following in mind:

• Fit. No matter how well the shoe is made, it won’t work if it doesn’t fit your foot. Ill-fitting boots can also do a lot of damage to your feet. A properly-fit shoe will not only follow your specific contours, leaving little to no space between the interior of the shoe and your foot, but will also feel comfortable. Even if you can’t pin down why you don’t like how the shoe feels, if it’s uncomfortable, it’s not right for you.
• Boot Cut. High- and mid-cut boots offer greater support at the ankle, which is vital if you’re interested in lengthier trips, or if you already have weak ankles. In contrast, low-cut boots provide more flexibility. Consider which you’re looking for, and which is most comfortable for you to wear. 
• Weight. The heaviness of your boots will impact your fatigue levels and can make longer-term hiking more strenuous. If you’re just interested in short trips, it might not matter so much. But if you’re thinking of spending a week out on the trails, you’ll definitely want to look at weight. 
• Sole. Midsole, shank, plate, and outsole materials are often overlooked, but they’re some of the most critical factors when shopping for supportive boots. Consider choosing durable, impact-absorbing materials like those from Vibram to boost protection and comfort.

Additional Considerations

Other things you’ll want to keep in mind as you search for the best pair of hiking boots for men include:

• Material. Hiking boots come in various materials, including full-grain and split-grain leather, synthetics, rubber, and waterproof materials. Some fabrics are more breathable, while some are more durable or longer-lasting. Each serves a purpose, so make sure the material you pick matches what you want to use them for.
• Toe Cap. Toe caps, or toe bumpers, do precisely what their name implies: they cap the toe of the boot to protect your toes. In the realm of hiking boots, toe caps are often made of rubber, which is ideal for uneven and rough terrains. 
• Extra Features. What else should you consider? One common feature is cushioning air units. These pad the sides of the feet and offer balance support on rocky or uneven terrain. Another is Gore-Tex, a breathable, waterproof fabric membrane that resists liquid water while simultaneously allowing water vapor to pass through, which means no sweat build-up. 

Our Process

For this guide on hiking boots for men, our team spent 2 hours researching the most popular options from over 25 brands and manufacturers big and small. We then read about one hundred user reviews (both positive and negative) to discover what shoppers thought about each pair of boots. After comparing this data, we narrowed our list down to the top 9 men’s hiking boots on the market. You can count on this research to guide you to a mindful purchasing decision.

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