Best Hiking Boots For Men (Range of Options)

Merrell Moab 2 Mid

The Merrell Moab 2 Mid hiking boots are ideal for casual hikers who love day and weekend hiking trips on pre-existing trails. They’re well priced, comfy, and fit great.

The boots feature a Vibram TC5+ sole for excellent grip, air cushioning for shock absorption, great cushioning, and a waterproof membrane to keep your feet dry. The M Select DRY not only keeps water out but also allows moisture to escape to stop any sweat build-up.

Together with the protective toe cap, these boots are going to keep your feet comfortable and safe from damage. They’re also pretty good-looking as far as hiking boots go thanks to the suede leather upper mesh.

Being less expensive, the materials will wear out a bit quicker than more expensive hiking boots, so if you hike a lot, especially off-trail, these might not be for you. Also, they haven’t got enough support to handle heavy loads, and if you hike with a 60lb backpack, you’ll want some hiking boots with better arch support.

Overall, a great pair of comfortable, light, protective, and inexpensive hiking boots for casual day and weekend hikes.

Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX

If off-trail is your game then the Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX hiking boots might be right up your street. They’re about as tough as hiking boots can get and will support you through any terrain, even with a heavy pack on.

They feature what Salomon calls a 4D Advanced Chassis design which provides more foot flexion to give you a smoother ride and helps reduce tiredness on long days. Ideal if you love multi-day camping hikes.

The cushioning and fit are all excellent and you’ll have all the support you need to carry a heavy load off-trail. The outsole has been upgraded with some serious lugs that give great traction on pretty much all surfaces too. You won’t need to worry about tripping when crossing slippery streambeds and the Gore-Tex lining will keep your feet dry too.

The only disadvantages are they’re expensive, heavy and, stiff but they need to be for such tough work.

Overall an awesome pair of boots for serious hikers but they’re a bit too much for your average day hiker.

Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX

For the avid day hiker who likes to take it a bit further, the Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX are the hiking boots to check out.

They are designed like trail-running shoes but with all the protection and support of a boot. This makes them extremely light on your feet and gives you the feeling of flexibility and freedom to get a quick march on.

They’re extremely well-made and durable thanks to the Salomon build quality and will last you a while. They squeezed all the features that you need in a boot into the lightweight design, including; protective toe caps, foam cushioning, super grippy rubber soles, a protective heel cap, and a breathable waterproof membrane.

Being so light, they had to reduce some weight and this reduction is mainly in the padding which is a bit thinner than other boots. The ankle supports are also a bit lower than others.

Overall, if you’re looking for some all-around lightweight hiking boots, these are some of the best around.

Lowa Renegade GTX Mid

The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid hiking boots are surprisingly light for such a robust pair of boots. They are an ideal choice for backpacking, especially on rocky terrain thanks to the great underfoot protection.

They’re made from synthetic leather with a padded tongue, Gore-Tex waterproofing, a Polyurethane Monowrap frame midsole, a climate control footbed, and a Vibram Evo outsole. Together these features make them tough, comfortable, dry, and very supportive.

They’re also pretty good-looking and come in a large range of colors and sizes to ensure a great fit. They do have one downside, they aren’t as durable as others in the same price class and this is due to the materials used for the weight reduction. This won’t affect you though unless you put some serious miles on your boots.

All in all, an awesome pair of hiking boots for long backpacking trips, with the padding and support you need for tough surfaces.

Note: Another great option is the Lowa Camino GTX which I personally use.

Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX

The Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX hiking boots for men are pretty awesome. Not only do they look cool as hell but they’re also going to take you through the harshest terrains comfortably and confidently, even if you’re carrying a heavy backpack.

Made from 100% suede on the outside with a Gore-tex waterproof breathable membrane and a triple-density midsole, it sounds like your feet might be in heaven. Add the sock-fit DV construction and the super-grippy sole and you have a pair of hiking boots that’ll take you anywhere.

The range of sizes and sock-fit DV construction give you the snuggest fit and the stiff suede, thick bottoms, and high ankles give you premium support. Even on steep descents and loose rocky climbs.

They are a bit expensive and certainly too much for on-trail hiking but if you’re going into the unknown these will get you there.

Vasque Talus AT UltraDry

The Vasque Talus AT UltraDry hiking boots are ideal for day hiking and come in at an affordable price too. They are stylish, waterproof, supportive, and keep your feet comfy and dry.

These boots are designed for use on wet and rocky terrain thanks to the impressive cushioning and excellent outsole grip. Vasque used a Vibram Nuasi outsole with XSTrek Compound to give incredible traction to keep you stable no matter how slippy the trail.

They are pretty light but somehow Vasque managed not to compromise on anything. The ankles are high, the collar and tongue padded, the mid-soles are thick and there are protective toe guards.

There are some downsides, but only minor ones. The toe guards can be a bit tight, and the breathability is ok and could be better.

All in all, a great value pair of hiking boots, especially if you find yourself on wet and rocky trails often.

Vasque Breeze AT Mid GTX

The Vasque Breeze AT Mid GTX hiking boots for men are a step up from the Talus. These are for tough hiking on rough off-trail terrain, and therefore a little more expensive but when compared to others in their class, are actually awesome value.

The combination of waterproof leather and Gore-Tex keeps your feet dry from wet weather and allows your feet to breathe, stopping any sweat build-up and overheating. The soles are ultra-grippy thanks to the Vibram Contact Grip that is designed for all terrains. And the EVA midsole, footbeds, and cushion ensure your feet stay comfy under a heavy load.

The boots fit well and give great stability, support, and protection for off-trail hiking. they’re also designed to handle it and their durability will last for many miles. The only negative is that they are a bit stiff, reducing your flexibility a little.

Danner Mountain 600

If you’re looking for some day-hiking boots with a lot of styles, the Danner Mountain 600 will be right up your street. The suede outer gives a classic look and you can use these for relaxed day hiking and for wandering around town in winter.

They are comfy, provide great over ankle support, and are both waterproof and breathable. Your feet will stay dry walking through mud and wet grass, plus they will be warm and toasty when wandering around town in the winter.

There are a few negatives to these, despite their attractive design. The extra waterproofing that also keeps your feet warm reduces the breathability quite a bit. And, these boots aren’t for serious hikers, they’ll take a beating if you put a lot of miles on them and are best used for casual hiking.