Footwear is important. No matter what terrain you are walking on, the quality of your footwear is going to affect the comfort of your feet and, more importantly, the potential damage your feet can be protected from. When hiking, owning quality shoes is even more important – there are plenty of hazards that low quality shoes may not be able to protect your feet against. This is why owning the best hiking shoes is a smart choice. In this article we take a look at the top 10 men’s hiking shoes readily available on the market.
Top 10 Men’s Hiking Shoes
1) Adidas AX2 Hiking Shoes
Starting at just below $80, the Adidas AX2 hiking shoes offer a decent level of protection and a great sense of style. Another focus for the Adidas AX2 is comfort so that they can double up as everyday shoes if particularly suited for your current local environment or weather. Taking insight from the original Adidas AX1, the AX2’s have a much more durable design but they’re still just as comfortable. Despite having a design that could sit well with a set of trainers, the AX2 hiking shoes clearly have enough support for your feet even in the worst of conditions.
Click here to get the Adidas AX2 Hiking Shoes
2) KEEN Men’s Koven WP Hiking Shoes
The KEEN Men’s Koven WP hiking shoes are one of the options on this list that forego street style and flashy colors for a focus on pure design and functionality. Most sizes for the KEEN Koven sit at around $100. All variants for these shoes feature very earthy colors. They may not make much of a fashion statement but at the same time, mud and dirt isn’t going to have too much of an impact on their appearance so if you plan to head out into the countryside with a pair of these, you won’t have to be too conscious about getting them covered in dirt. What makes these shoes great is that they have a high level of waterproofing against rain, puddles and wet terrain. Despite the sturdy build, these hiking shoes are also very comfortable.
Click here to get the KEEN Men’s Koven WP Hiking Shoes
3) Merrell Men’s Chameleon Prime Stretch Hiking Shoes
If you are looking for something that is convenient and easy to slip on at a moment’s notice then the Merrell Men’s Chameleon Prime Stretch hiking shoes could be a superb option for you. Despite the comfortable slip on style lacing, the Chameleon Prime Stretch shoes will sit on your feet sturdily and will protect your feet in all types of terrain. This particular pair of hiking shoes also has a very tactile grip that outperforms the other shoes mentioned so far. The Chameleon Prime Stretch shoes do come in at roughly $110, although exact pricing does depend on shoe size. For only $10 more than the KEEN shoe listed above, we’d consider this a very worthwhile purchase if you’re happy to go a little over $100.
Click here to get the Merrell Men’s Chameleon Prime Stretch Hiking Shoes
4) KEEN Men’s Clearwater KNX Sandal
Wearing full size hiking shoes can be great for plenty of different scenarios, but most hiking shoes have a huge problem with ventilation. When you plan to spend the day out in the blistering heat, the KEEN men’s Clearwater KNX sandal offers the best of both worlds. Whilst the Clearwater KNX sandals from KEEN are lightweight and open, they still offer a lot of durability and protection for your feet. If you plan to be active and want to use a pair of sandals out across a variety of different environments in the heat then this is definitely one of the best options out there. Obviously most casual sandals don’t offer nearly the same kind of structure and protection as standard shoe do, but these sandals have been made specifically for hiking. Price range for this shoe highly depends on the size but it starts at $69.99 for most color variants.
Click here to get the KEEN Men’s Clearwater KNX Sandal
5) Merrell Men’s Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoe
If you don’t quite want the same exposure offered to you by a pair of sandals but you aren’t happy with the lack of ventilation from some of the other options on this list then the Moab Ventilator hiking shoe from Merrell may appeal to you. As the name suggests, these shoes have been created with ventilation in mind so that your feet do not become too humid in high temperatures. A lot of support is available for your feet to keep them safe and insulated and whilst these shoes have been made for the summer, the materials used make this shoe considerably more waterproof than you might have previously expected.
Click here to get the Merrell Men’s Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoe
6) Columbia Men’s North Plains Waterproof Trail Shoe
At just under $90, the Columbia Men’s North Plains Waterproof Trail shoe offers a great option for those looking to get into hiking and trail walking. With trail walkers in mind, this shoe has been designed to go the long distance and it has plenty of protection against the elements too. Whilst the shoe description does state that it is waterproof, it is important to note that the level of waterproofing isn’t quite as high as other shoes on this list – you’ll get through light rain with these shoes but if you abuse them by going through puddles, streams and heavy downfall, you’ll have trouble with water soaking through eventually. However, if you need something for the summer season, these offer a lot of comfort, protection and breathability.
Click here to get the Columbia Men’s North Plains Waterproof Trail Shoe
7) KEEN Men’s Targhee II Hiking Shoe
For between $110 and $125, the KEEN Men’s Targhee II hiking shoe is one of the most expensive options on this list. Fortunately the additional price tag is for good reason. This shoe offers an overall positive experience in every aspect you’d need from a hiking shoe. The shoe offers a very rugged style that gives wearers a solid grip on all kinds of surfaces – the design also offers a lot of padding and protection for your feet to keep them safe and the moisture protection and waterproofing offered by the Targhee II is a highly sought after feature for many hikers. For those who take to more dangerous routes, you’ll be happy to know that the padding really does go a long way to keep your feet away from injury and the Targhee II uses patented KEEN.protect technology to keep your toes safe at all times.
Click here to get the KEEN Men’s Targhee II Hiking Shoe
8) Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Hiking Shoe
As seen above, Merrell does have a lot for those looking to get the very best hiking shoe for outdoor walking, but the All Out Blaze from Merrell offers a more mixed experience. Whilst the All Out Blaze can be a great shoe for hiking, it’s flashy colors and sleeker design make it perfect for an all-around shoe, even in urban environments. Whether you want to use this shoe in the rain, in the hot summer sun or around the city center, there isn’t much you’ll find issue with. With that being said, this shoe doesn’t quite offer the same kind of outdoor protection that the KEEN Targhee II does for example, but when comparing against specialist hiking shoes it’s to be expected. For a comfortable fit, stylish design and a sturdy build that will still protect your feet in 90% of scenarios, the All Out Blaze is definitely worth watching. The pricing for this shoe depends on color variant and foot size and it can range from $80 to $125.
Click here to get the Merrell Men’s All Out Blaze Hiking Shoe
9) Vasque Men’s St Elias GTX Backpacking Boot
Perhaps the most durable and hardcore hiking shoe in this article, the Vasque men’s ST Elias GTX Backpacking boot has been designed for the most absolute extreme conditions. Firstly, it should be obvious to mention that this shoe offers a huge amount in terms of protection. With this shoe you’ll also be getting a lot more comfort than you may have first expected. The only environment this shoe doesn’t fair well is on a hot summer’s day – with little ventilation, your feet will start to sweat up a lot inside, but in other conditions this isn’t a problem. This shoe comes in at roughly $180.
Click here to get the Vasque Men’s St Elias GTX Backpacking Boot
10) KEEN Men’s Arroyo II Hiking Shoe
For the last shoe on this list we have a bit of a hybrid design. The KEEN Arroyo II offers something that is a little between the Woven hiking shoes and the Clearwater hiking sandals. The Arroyo II offers a similar design to the Woven WP hiking shoes but it has an open design so that there is plenty of ventilation for your feet. If you’re looking for something with a bit more durability and protection than a sandal but you don’t want to forego the potential benefits that extra ventilation will provide to you on a hot day, then the Arroyo II hiking shoe could be a great option. This shoe can be picked up for around $90, although some of the less popular shoe sizes go for as low as $48.
Click Here to get the KEEN Men’s Arroyo II Hiking Shoe
Hiking Shoe Reviews
Hopefully you can find a hiking shoe on this list that appeals to you. Which of the top 10 hiking shoes are you currently most interested in?