Best German Hiking Boots in 2023

Lowa Zephyr Hiking Boots

Setting the bar high on our list of the best German hiking boots is the Lowa Zephyr Hiking Boots. The reason we like them so much is that they offer a fantastic blend of comfort, durability, affordability.

Don’t you hate it when you’re excited to don your new boots but it takes weeks to break them in? Well, fear not, these boots are good to go as soon as you pick them up, thanks to the flexibility of the leather/Cordura upper. We also love the gender-specific lasts that ensure a great fit (although we wish wide fits were available too), the supportive nylon shanks in the soles, and the padded tongue and collar for added comfort.

The climate-control footbed and small openings in the boot’s lining allow water vapor to escape and keep stop your feet from overheating – but don’t worry, it’s a one-way street and your feet will stay bone dry thanks to the Gor-Tex lining.

These boots offer medium tread and the lugs will stop you from sliding on various terrain, although they aren’t the best we’ve seen – these boots are better suited for casual rather than technical outings.

They certainly aren’t the cheapest option out there, but if you’re after a super comfortable pair of boots for causal hiking, then these are an absolute winner.

Jack Wolfskin Vojo 3 Low Boots

Internationally, Jack Wolfskin is probably the most widely recognized German outdoor gear company and, with products like the Vojo 3 Low Boots, it’s easy to see why.

These boots are the perfect companion for simple summer hikes. Although the low rise reduces protection from debris and ankle support, it keeps your feet well-ventilated, the weight of the boots down, and increases overall comfort. And speaking of comfort… the reflex foam midsole offers great support for the heel and great shock absorption.

The materials used for the upper are super light, yet they’ve been treated with a waterproof membrane to make sure you don’t get soggy toes. On top of that, the heel and toe caps are reinforced with rubber to protect you from any stumbles – although the sure-grip tread on the outsoles makes this unlikely.

With all these thoughtful touches, we just can’t believe they don’t come with a higher price tag. They certainly aren’t a pair of boots for winter or treacherous terrain, but their causal appearance and light weight makes them a great pair of boots to pop in your bag for various summer scenarios.

Meindl Vakuum Hiking Boots

Meindl has been producing boots in Kirchanschöring, Bavaria, for more than 300 years, so you can bet that they know what they’re doing.

This is evident in the Meindl Vakuum Hiking Boots, a pair of boots carefully crafted with high-end materials from top to bottom. The uppers are made from durable, waxed Nubuck leather and the high rise offers great ankle support as well as protection from debris and splashes. Plus, the Gor-Tex lining will stop you from getting soggy toes.

Moving downwards, the Meindl memory foam system, stretching from the heel to the toes, makes hiking up hills feel like you’re walking on clouds thanks to its superior cushioning (the foam will sculpt itself around your foot) and fantastic shock protection.

The outsoles are produced for Meindl by Vibram, so you know they’re high-quality. Plus, they’re grippy, self-cleaning, and, to top it off, there’s a PU wedge in the heel for added shock absorption.

Our main gripe with these boots is the breathability – the leather and high rise don’t make for the best ventilation. Plus, at around 800 g a boot, they’re a tad on the heavy side, so don’t make the best pair of backpacking shoes (if you’ll carrying them a lot).

Overall though, these boots are incredibly well-made from high-end materials and come at a surprisingly reasonable price – well done Meindl!

Haglöfs Skuta Eco Hiking Boots

Haglöfs is committed to quality, sustainability, function, and design, and the Haglöfs Skuta Eco Hiking Boots do very well in all of these departments.

Available in a range of colors, and for both males and females, these boots combine the traditional aesthetics of a walking boot with some modern touches, resulting in an attractive look overall.

The uppers are constructed of high-quality leather, which has been audited by the Leather Working Group to ensure it meets certain environmental standards. Although the leather repels water naturally, these boots have been treated with Haglöfs PROOF™ ECO membrane to make sure your toes stay dry. Unlike many other membranes used for waterproofing, this one contains no fluorocarbons (molecules associated with environmental issues) and the lining of the boots is made from recycled materials.

The sculpted EVA midsole provides great protection from shocks, and the heel features GEL™ cushioning for extra comfort. We love that these boots have enlarged front areas, so your toes won’t ever feel cramped.

The outsoles themselves are made of durable abrasion-resistant rubber to keep you stable, plus the reinforced toes and heels will protect you if you do happen to take a stumble.

They might not be the sturdiest boots you’ll ever find but they’re super comfy, eco-friendly, and have a reasonable price tag to boot (see what we did there?) – there really isn’t much we don’t like about these boots!

Jack Wolfskin Kids' Attack 3 Hiking Boots

You’ve got to be careful when choosing outdoor gear for your little ones. After all, the last thing you want to do is put them off the great outdoors because their boots gave them blisters…

The Jack Wolfskin Kids’ Attack 3 Hiking Boots are a great way to get your kids off their screens and into the wilderness. They’re super stylish and easy to get on and off thanks to the heel pull tab. The collar is super soft to stop any nasty rubbing, and the EVA midsole and rubber heel and toe caps will cushion against any tricky terrain.

The uppers are elevated to provide ankle support and are made of synthetic material to keep the weight down (which is great as you’ll undoubtedly end up carrying them from time to time). But don’t worry about water seeping through the synthetic material – the boots feature a TEXAPORE waterproof membrane to keep the water out.

The use of synthetic material might not make these the most durable boots on the market, but we doubt you’re taking you’re little one up Everest in these. We were a little surprised at the price tag (you could purchase an adult pair at the same price), but these are high-end hiking boots that could make all the difference between your kid turning into a couch potato or an avid explorer, and we guess you can’t put a price on that eh.

Meindl Ohio 2 Hiking Boots

Surprise surprise, another pair of boots by Meindl has made it on to our list (can you tell we’re Meindl fans?). The Meindl Ohio 2 Hiking Boots are lighter than the Meindl Vakuum Hiking Boots (which were a tad on the heavy side) and are designed for lighter hikes.

You’ll be pleased to know that they’ve retained the high-quality nubuck leather design, plus the Gor-Tex waterproof membrane, yet these boots offer improved breathability, making them better for warmer climates.

They aren’t quite as comfy as the Vakuums due to a lack of memory foam in the insole, but they’re by no means uncomfortable – the EVA insole provides more than enough cushion for casual hikes.

One thing to watch out for, especially those of you with broader feet, is that some people find the toe box a little on the small side, so it might be best to try before you buy if possible. However, it does come in a range of widths (another reason why we love Meindl), so we’re sure you’ll be able to find a pair that suits you.

Another big difference is the outsoles – these boots are built with Meindl’s MAgic Light Trail outsoles, which is partly how the weight has been reduced. But don’t let the lighter weight fool you – they still provide great grip. They definitely aren’t the cheapest option on our list, but they’re worth the investment.

Overall, if you like the sound of the Vakuums, but fancy something a little lighter and more breathable for causal day hikes, then could be the boots for you.

Hanwag Tatra II GTX Hiking Boots

If ever there were a pair of German hiking boots you could get away with wearing to a local bar and ordering a stein in, it’s the Hanwag Tatra II GTX Hiking Boots (we especially love the brown and grey versions).

Anyway, aesthetics aside, what is it that has earnt these boots a spot on our list of favorites? Well, they’re great allrounders. Feature high-end materials, such as Nubuck leather uppers, Vibram soles, and Gor-Tex waterproofing (also available without – although we’re not sure why anyone would go for that!), these are durable boots you can rely on.

The supportive Vibram soles, combined with a cozy footbed, make for a darn comfortable pair of boots – just don’t be put off by the long break-in period, it’s worth it!

On top of that, they’re full of extra features that we love, such as protective heel and toe caps, a cushioned leather cuff featuring breathable holes, and a lace hook to stop the tongue from shifting out of place.

They are a little bit heavier than we’d like but, overall, they ake for a great pair of all-round boots with no major issues.

HANAGAL Tangula Hiking Boots

Hanagal is a German brand that focuses on producing boots for outdoor, military, and police use – so you know the HANAGAL Tangula Hiking Boots are going to be a serious bit of gear.

The uppers are constructed from durable Nubuck leather which, combined with the SympaTex waterproof technology, will ensure that your feet stay dry. The outsoles are made of our favorite, Vibram rubber, so you’ll stay steady on your feet even on slippy surfaces.

As well as great grip, these boots offer plenty of support thanks to the high shaft, nylon shanks, and ergonomically designed insoles – we just wish it was a little easier to tie the laces nice and tight, they tend to slip slightly. Oh, and you can say goodbye to rubble in your boots thanks to the gusseted tongue, yay.

One thing to bear in mind is that the sizes run slightly large, so you might need to go down half a size, especially if you’re small for your size.

For a reasonable price, these boots offer great grip, comfort, and durable materials – what’s not to love?