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The Best Hiking Footwear
summer 2024
Hiking Boots, Shoes, and Trail Runners
for Everyone in the family
Summer is peak hiking season, and not the least because it’s the season in which many of us have the most time off. While summer means hot weather, with the right gear and proper attention to hydration, there’s no reason not to hit the trails. And hey, you can always hike on those cooler summer nights, too — it’s always fun to keep on trekking by the glow of the moon. And the headlamp.
Summertime hiking can be a bit tricky for the outdoor-oriented family, to be sure, as conditions can vary widely from one place to another, from day-to-day, and even from hour to hour. The weather can go from hot and dry to downpour in no time, and the trails can be rocky and rough, muddy and slick, or anything in between. You may even find some snow out there if you go high enough.
In order to ensure your summer hikes are as safe and enjoyable as possible, you and everyone in the 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.
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, too.
Men’s Hiking Footwear
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Trail Runner: Merrell Nova 3
Ready for speed and stability thanks to its light weight, waterproof show has broadly spaced aggressive treading, this trail shoe is will let you log the miles at speed. Muddy summer landscapes are nothing to fear here, and neither are rocks or roots, what wit a protective toecap and plenty of padding underfoot.
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Hiking Shoe: Salewa Dropline
This lightweight but supportive hiking shoe has an aggressive tread pattern that keeps you moving and safe even on varied summer terrain, while its breathable mesh upper keeps your foot cooler in hot weather, releasing excess heat and moisture.
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Hiking Boot: Columbia Crestwood Waterproof
A great boot at a great price point, the Crestwood is a smart choice for summer because it offers thermal regulation, a waterproof upper, and of course plenty of support and hikes needed for those long hikes. The thick soles absorb impact after impact, while the midsoles keep your foot padded and in place.
Women’s Hiking Footwear
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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.
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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 three 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.
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Hiking Boot: Vasque Breeze
Sturdy and supportive yet impressively lightweight, Vasque’s celebrated Breeze boots are a perfect choice for summer hikes with varied terrain. These boots will keep your feet dry thanks to a waterproof upper yet they release excess heat and moisture, too. No wonder outdoorswomen have been trusting these boots for decades.
Kids’ Hiking Footwear
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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 mud, roots, wet grass, 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.
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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 lingering snow. 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.
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Hiking Boot: Vasque Kid's Breeze Ultradry
A tall boot meant for use in truly rugged conditions, the kids’ version of the classic Breeze boot is manufactured to the same high standards that mom or dad hikers expect. A tall upper supports the ankle and helps keep out snow, mud, and brambles, while a thick outsole and plenty of padding in the footbed keep feet comfortable even after miles logged on trying terrain.