Best Hiking Shoes for Men of 2025

The Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX is a lightweight hiking shoe. It strikes a good balance between a burly hiking shoe with a beefy toecap and great waterproofing and the comfort of a trail runner. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has put these shoes through the gauntlet over 300 miles – from sopping wet spring conditions in northern New Mexico to icy canyons in Utah’s San Rafael Swell to 12,000’ ridge scrambles in the Colorado Rockies – where they kept him feeling steady, dry, and agile every step of the way.

Even though the X Ultra 4 is almost 14 ounces per shoe, it feels more spry and flexible than other models with a similar weight, like the HOKA Anacapa. This pair also doesn’t require a long break-in period. You can take these babies right out of the box and within 5-10 miles, they’ll feel great on your feet on steep ascents and technical terrain. Plus, the large heel tab, snug fit, and cinching quicklace system make them a breeze to put on.

The X Ultra 4s have an aggressive and technical lug pattern that gives stellar traction in most conditions. Their intense, grippy outsoles feature two types of rubber that help them bite and hold onto the ground, which works well on sandy and gravelly routes. The X Ultra 4s feel secure and strong on almost any terrain, making them a great choice for huge backpacking days with steep descents and ascents or local hikes in wet or stormy conditions.

Our team has tested and loved every version of the X Ultras since they first arrived on the scene – although, these do have a few downsides. The fit is a bit narrow for wider feet, and the high heel-to-toe drop might not work for everyone’s gait. We also found the lace pocket, located in the tongue of the shoe, is awkwardly placed and small for the long laces. And, Salomon’s unique quicklace system can take some getting used to, so you’ll need to be patient the first few times you’re tightening the pull-tab system. 

That said, all feet are different, and these are impressively waterproof, supportive, and comfortable shoes. Once the laces are tensioned and you’ve got some miles on these shoes, we think you’ll fall in love with them. We recommend giving them a try for a shoe that fits like a trail runner but lasts as long as a more traditional hiking shoe.

More: Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX Full Review

The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 is the perfect shoe for people who want a wide toe box, plenty of cushioning, and extremely light footwear. At just over 10 ounces per shoe, the Ultraventures are one of the lightest shoes we tested. They are super breathable with excellent cushioning through the heel and midsole and feel soft and snug right out of the box. Thanks to ventilated mesh uppers, airflow keeps your feet cooler in hotter weather. Plus, they dry quickly – usually in a couple of hours – in case you do dunk your feet. 

This shoe also has a roomy, wide toe box like the Lone Peak 8, so your toes can spread out and your forefoot can flex naturally. However, the Ultraventure has a 5mm drop – not a zero-drop heel.

Despite the generous cushioning, the Ultraventure 3 feels sure-footed on most terrain. The slightly rockered outsole gives the shoe a spry feeling. Though the tread pattern on the shoes is a bit shallow compared to other shoes on this list, the wide, rectangular lugs offer plenty of traction when you need it. 

Though the Ultraventure 3s stand out for their low weight, they fall a bit short when it comes to durability. The all-mesh uppers and thinner soles make for a smooth hiking experience, but that means the lightweight construction doesn’t last quite as long as burlier hiking shoes. The shoes are also a bit soft at the heel, so they’re more prone to fold and squish while putting on and taking off, breaking the material down over time.

Having said that, the Ultraventure 3 is an excellent choice for folks who want cushioning and plenty of room for their toes to spread out from day hikes to thru-hikes.

More: Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 Full Review

The HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX is a unique blend of comfort and durability, making these shoes an excellent choice for both day hikes and extensive backpacking trips. With a sole just stiff enough for steep ascents and a wider toe box to let your forefoot spread out, they feel comfortable and supportive on most terrain and trail conditions.

The uppers are decently durable – and stronger than other models we tested – thanks to a combination of leather and mesh, and the TPU toe cap adds a bit of extra protection. 

HOKA offers solid traction on this model, with a chunky lug pattern that bites the ground for excellent grip on rocks and roots. The Gore-Tex liner gives reliable waterproofing in wet conditions, and a rockered heel makes them outstanding for daily use in a variety of trail conditions, whether you’re on the third day of a muddy route or tackling a local trail in wet conditions.

But, for the price, the Anacapa 2 is one of the most spendy pairs of shoes on this list. Because of its wider fit, HOKA’s extended heel, and unique aesthetic, we found the Anacapa’s might take a bit of time to get used to.

Though they are a bit more expensive, the HOKA Anacapa 2s offers top-tier comfort and durability. If you need a new go-to waterproof hiker with great support and protection for 3-season hiking, these are worth a closer look.

More: HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX Full Review

From long treks through Nepal’s Himalayas to Patagonia’s famous Torres del Paine, our team at CleverHiker has hiked thousands of miles in Saucony Peregrines over many years. These shoes are grippy and lightweight. 

The Peregrine 14s are nearly identical to the prior version of this shoe except for the lacing harness. Saucony swapped out round laces for flat ones and added more cushioning through the tongue. The result is a shoe that feels nearly as spry, flexible, and responsive as before. Although, this change is very small, so most hikers won’t notice much of a difference.

These shoes’ mesh uppers breathe exceptionally well and dry quickly, so they’re a solid all-around option for almost any summer conditions, rain or shine, desert or mountains. The sizing and fit are true-to-size and consistent. We like that the lacing and tongue allow the shoe to fully tighten around the foot from heel to toe, feeling secure and locked down underfoot.

This shoe also stands out for its knobby, triangular lug pattern. The chunky grip provides reliable traction from sandy coastal trails to rocky alpine routes. We like the bit of extra cushioning that allows the Peregrine 14 to walk a fine line between agility and support.

The Peregrine 14 is a trail runner designed for fast, lightweight movement over long periods of time, so they don’t have hiking-specific features like a toe cap, dovetail heel, or reinforced uppers. The combination of mesh, TPU, and ultralight foams and rubbers means they won’t last as long as beefier shoes on this list like the La Sportiva Spire or the HOKA Anacapas.

That said, for $140 and weighing only 10.5 ounces per shoe, these classic Saucony trail runners are a great option. If you’re looking for lightweight, comfortable shoes for your next weekend backpacking trip or footwear that can carry you across the continent, the Peregrine 14  is up to the task.

More: Saucony Peregrine 14 Full Review

The HOKA Speedgoat 6 offers an excellent combination of comfort, support, and weight savings. The Speedgoats have ranked on our list for years thanks to thick, soft midsoles, which make for a comfortable ride. Though stiffer than the 5s, they still provide ample impact absorption, so you won’t feel those branches, rocks, or roots while moving down the trail.

Weighing in at only 9.8 ounces each, these are some of the lightest shoes in our lineup, but they don’t skimp on important features. There’s sufficient room in the toe box (they also come in wide), and the outsoles have a lug pattern that provides outstanding traction, especially on the ups. The Speedgoat’s laces stay put once tied, the uppers are impressively fast-drying and breathable, and these shoes are pleasant and snug right out of the box.

Like many trail runners, the Speedgoats are not built for durability. Although the uppers last longer than many other trail runners, the foam soles are prone to damage and tend to wear out faster than burlier trail shoes. That said, we hiked 200 miles in the Speedgoats before they began to show wear and tear.

The Speedgoats also have a reduced heel flare from the back of the shoe, which contributes to the shoe’s slightly rockered soles our team likes so much. Plus, the Speedgoats come in cheerful, kaleidoscopic colorways, so they are a great choice for hikers and runners who don’t shy away from bold colors.

The Speedgoat 6 leads the pack as a cushioned, extremely lightweight trail runner. If a supportive build, über-cushy feel, and great traction are your top priorities in a hiking shoe, these are a superb option for most feet.

More: HOKA Speedgoat 6 Full Review

The wildly popular Merrell Moab 3 has been our top budget shoe pick for years. These shoes are comfortable, versatile, and an outstanding value. These fan favorites offer similar protection to a hiking boot in a breathable, low-profile shoe with next to no break-in period necessary.

These shoes are a rare combination of comfort and ventilation, thanks to their non-waterproof construction. They also come in a waterproof version, although we prefer the non-waterproof shoes because they offer better ventilation for wet or sweaty feet and on warm days. That said, we are big fans of the waterproof boot for soggy and muddy hikes, and we named them the best budget hiking boots in our Best Hiking Boots for Men Guide. 

Aesthetically, the Moab 3s are about as traditional-looking as hiking shoes come: all the colorways are earth tones, the profile is burly, and the leather and mesh combination is reminiscent of old-school boots. 

Though the Moabs aren’t the sleekest or lightest shoes on the market, they are comfortable. The insoles are contoured with thick heel cushioning, the midsole is soft but firm, and the outsoles offer decent traction on most surfaces, while still feeling durable. The thick toe and heel guards protect your feet from the trail, so you’ll barely notice brambles and sharp rocks. We also like the Moab’s long laces because they’re easy to tie, cinch the shoe tightly around our feet, and don’t need constant adjustments.

Compared to many other shoes on this list, these are on the bulkier and heavier side, so we tend to leave them at home for long backpacking trips and huge hiking days. However, we highly recommend the Moab 3s for just about any other hiking adventure. For weekend warriors, summer hikers, and folks who prioritize comfort on short overnight trips and day hikes, the Moab 3 might just be your glass slipper.

More: Merrell Moab 3 Full Review