The Best Hiking Footwear

fall/winter

Hiking Boots, Shoes, and Trail Runners

for Everyone in the family

While the ever colder and shorter days that come with fall and winter may scare some folks out of the wilderness, off the trails, and back into their warm, cozy, but non-adventure-filled homes, we think that cold weather hikes can be some of the very best. That is, as long as you have the right hiking footwear for the chilly seasons. And the right base layers. And a headlamp. And more, but for now, let’s talk fall and winter hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail runners.

In order to ensure your autumn and winter hikes are as safe and enjoyable as possible, you and everyone else in your family needs to have the best hiking footwear on your feet. When you dress for the occasion, as it were, you’ll be ready to stay upright and on the go no matter where your treks take you and what terrain conditions you find there, from snow to ice to mud to rock.

We’ve broken down our choices for the best hiking boots, trail shoes, and trail runners for everyone in the family below — note that there’s no wrong choice, per say, but there is usually a best choice for hiking footwear based on conditions, comfort, and preference.


Men’s Hiking Footwear

  • Brooks Cascadia 17 GTX

    trail runner: Brooks Cascadia 17 GTX

    A trail shoe with an aggressive enough tread pattern to keep you moving over ice, slush, mud, or even packed snow, this waterproof shoe is a great choice for running in the colder seasons, not the least because the extra cushioning in the midsole will keep your feet feeling fine even as you stomp your way across hard, frozen ground.

  • Merrell Moab 3 shoe

    Hiking Shoe: Merrell Moab 3

    Merrell’s Moab 3 hiking shoe will keep your feet dry and warm even in wet conditions on cold days. But this celebrated hiking shoe won’t have your feet overheating, as it releases excess heat and moisture via one-way membranes. Five millimeter lugs give you plenty of grip and the hearty Vibram outsole protects your feet well.

  • Hiking Boot: Asolo TPS 520 GV Evo

    Whether you’re headed out for a long winter’s hike across snowy fields and forests or you’re making the push toward a glaciated summit, these are the boots to have on your feet in the cold. Warm, supportive for mile after mile, thoroughly waterproof, and more comfortable with each wear, https://www.dadgearreview.com/asolo-hiking-bootsAsolo’s TPS 520 GV Evos are hard to match.


Women’s Hiking Footwear

  • Mint green Hoka trail runner

    Trail Runner: HOKA Challenger 7

    If you spend much time watching a professional trail race, you’re going to see a lot of elite runners go by with HOKAs on their feet. Stop one to ask her which pair she’s wearing, and she’ll likely be very upset, so don’t. Also we can just tell you, they’ll be Challenger 7s, a superb trail runner in all regards. With cloud-like cushioning, a sturdy but flexible fabric upper that keep the shoe snug, and a rugged and grippy outsole, this is the trail runner you want on your feet this summer and well beyond.

  • lavender mid rise hiking shoe with a white sole

    Hiking Shoe: Columbia Facet 75

    Columbia pulled off a difficult balancing act with this hiking shoe: the Facet 75 manages to offer all the stability, support, traction, and comfort you need during long hikes while also actually looking pretty great, too. Available in four colorways, this shoe is, mind you, first and foremost a high-performance piece of hardware, as evidenced by the thick, impact-absorbing sole and the deep five millimeter lugs. The high rise of the collar can help keep you warmer in cold weather conditions.

  • HIKING BOOT: Merrell Thermo Chill

    Designed for cold weather romping, these hiking boots are a great choice for winter mountaineering, for use with crampons or snowshoes, or for shoveling the driveway, too. The collar rises well above your ankle, adding stability and warmth, and the thick treading adds support. Bellows tongues help keep ice, snow, and debris out of your boots, while the waterproof upper helps keep out rain or snow. And protective rubber toecaps keep you from a chilly stubbing, too.


Kids’ Hiking Footwear

  • Salewa hiking shoe with pull toggle shoe laces. Black  teal and orange color way

    Hiking Shoe: Salewa Juniors Wildfire WP

    The kids version of the Wildfire hiking shoe is every bit as high-quality as hiking shoes Salewa offers adults. The treads pattern is so aggressive and the material so grippy that young hikers will stay upright even when trekking over slush, packed snow, icy ground, or loose rock, while the upper is protective and waterproof. And the shoe stays in place thanks to laces secured in place via a sliding toggle that can be operated by little hands wearing gloves.

  • green, gray and black mid-rise kids hiking boot shown with orange accents

    Mid-rise boot: Northside Benton Waterproof

    A light but rugged boot, this is a great choice for use on longer hikes where the family is likely to encounter anything (and everything) from streams to meadows to mud patches to snowy fields. The upper is reliably water resistant and tall enough to offer decent ankle support and stability, while the outsole is ready for all sorts of conditions.

  • Vasque St. Elias UltraDry boot

    Hiking Boot: Vasque St. Elias UltraDry

    The Vasque St. Elias UltraDry kids’ hiking boot is ready for the feet of genuine junior mountaineers. A warm, dry, and supportive upper sits atop a rugged outsole with a multidirectional lug pattern that helps keep young hikers on their feet. The boots feature a molded EVA midsole that cushions against impacts and adds comfort and stability even during long, chilly hikes.