SectionHiker.com Backpacking Gear Reviews and FAQs 
Hiking shoes and trail runners have become increasingly popular with hikers and backpackers. The biggest difference between the two is that hiking shoes, which tend to be heavier and more durable, can only be used for walking while trail runners can be used for walking and running. Given their popularity among hikers, it makes sense to list them together, so you can weigh their pros and cons.
Preferences vary widely, however, and some hikers like waterproof footwear, ones with thick cushioning, more durable hiking shoes, or ultralight mesh trail runners that dry rapidly when they get wet. Regardless of your preferences, it’s important to choose footwear that fits well and is appropriate for the conditions you plan to hike in, especially in terms of temperature, terrain difficulty, and the weight of the loads you expect to carry.
Here are the 10 best hiking shoes and trail runners that we recommend.
1. Danner Trail 2650 GTX Hiking Shoes
- Type: Hiking Shoe
- Cushion: Medium
- Drop: 8 mm
- Wide Sizes: Yes
- Durability: Excellent
| View at REI | View at Amazon |
2. Altra Lone Peak 7 Trail Runners
- Type: Trail Runner
- Cushion: Medium
- Drop: 0 mm
- Wide Sizes: Yes
- Durability: Average
| View at REI | View at Amazon |
3. HOKA Anacapa Low GTX Hiking Shoe
- Type: Hiking Shoe
- Cushion: High
- Drop: 6 mm
- Wide Sizes: Available
- Durability: Excellent
| View at REI | View at Amazon |
4. La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Trail Runner
- Type: Trail Runner
- Cushion: Medium
- Drop: 9 mm
- Wide Sizes: Available
- Durability: Average
| View at REI | View at Amazon |
5. Merrell Moab 3 Hiking Shoes
- Type: Hiking Shoe
- Cushion: Medium
- Drop: 11 mm
- Wide Sizes: Available
- Durability: Excellent
| View at REI | View at Amazon |
6. Hoka Speedgoat 5 Trail Runner
- Type: Trail Runner
- Cushion: Maximum
- Drop: 4 mm
- Wide Sizes: Available
- Durability: Average
| View at REI | View at Amazon |
7. Salomon X Ultra 4 GORE-TEX Hiking Shoes
- Type: Hiking Shoe
- Cushion: Moderate
- Drop: 11 mm
- Wide Sizes: Available
- Durability: Excellent
| View at REI | View at Amazon |
8. Brooks Cascadia 16 Trail Runner
- Type: Trail Runner
- Cushion: Medium
- Drop: 8 mm
- Wide Sizes: Available
- Durability: Very Good
| View at REI | View at Amazon |
9. KEEN Targhee III Waterproof Low Hiking Shoes
- Type: Hiking Shoes
- Cushion: Medium
- Drop: 8-10 mm
- Wide Sizes: Yes (Amazon)
- Durability: Excellent
| View at REI | View at Amazon |
10. Topo Athletic Terraventure 3 Trail Runners
- Type: Trail Runner
- Cushion: Medium
- Drop: 3 mm
- Wide Sizes: No
- Durability: Average
| View at REI | View at Amazon |
How To Choose Hiking Shoes and Trail Runners
There’s a lot of variety available when it comes to hiking footwear and ad people have a wide range of personal preferences. This is why we highly recommend that you try lots of different options if you’re making a new selection, so you can discover what your preferences are. Here are some guidelines about things you should consider when choosing between different hiking boots, trail shoes, and trail runners. For example, some thru-hikers can get an entire hike out of a pair of hiking shoes but will go through three or more pairs of trail runners to travel the same distance. That can get kind of expensive, as you can imagine.
Hiking Shoes vs Trail Runners: What’s the Difference?
Hiking shoes are really just meant for walking, while trail runners can be used for walking or running. That’s probably the simplest definition. The truth is there is a lot of overlap between the categories. In general however, you’ll find that hiking shoes are heavier and more durable, while trail runners wear out much more quickly because they’re lighter weight and made with less durable materials.
Sweat can lead to blisters
The buildup of sweat inside of hiking footwear and your socks can lead to blisters. When your socks stick to your skin, they can cause friction, and a friction burn, which is how blisters form. Breathability is key to preventing sweat build-up, which is why so many hikers prefer mesh hiking footwear since it dries while you wear it.
Black toenails indicate a poor fit
If your toenails turn black when you hike, it’s because your toes do not have enough room in the front of your footwear. Size up or select footwear that has a larger toe box by design. Altra and KEEN shoes and boots have an exaggerated-size toe box, which is why they’re so popular with hikers and backpackers.
After-Market Insoles
One-third of hikers and backpackers buy after-market insoles, such as Superfeet, to replace the insoles that come with their hiking boots, mids, trail shoes, and trail runners. These provide more protection, more arch support, and cup your heel to help prevent the lateral movement that can cause plantar fasciitis. They also last longer than factory insoles.
Waterproof/breathable footwear dries slowly
Waterproof/breathable footwear tends to dry much more slowly than non-waterproof footwear. While waterproof hiking boots and shoes are good for hiking in cold weather, it’s often more desirable to have a well-vented mesh shoe that dries quickly than one that stays wet for days and can lead to blisters and other discomforts.
Ankle Rolling
Many hikers opt for boots/mids because think they’re necessary for carrying heavier-weight backpacks and provide more ankle support than low hiking shoes or trail runners. While that was probably true when all hiking boots were made with heavy leather, modern hiking boots and mids are much softer and less supportive and are really just one step up from being trail or running shoes. While they can provide more assurance, you can still twist an ankle when wearing one. On the flip side, many hikers and backpackers are able to carry heavy packs and walk on rugged mountainous terrain in trail shoes and trail runners. In other words, there’s no right answer and you should decide for yourself, rather than follow anyone’s gospel truth.
Traction
Boot and shoe manufacturers make a big deal about traction and while it is important, it’s very difficult to prove that different sole compositions, lug angles, lug depth, Vibram or non-Vibram soles, blah, blah, blah, etc. make that big of an impact on traction. When push comes to shove, the only hiking traction that really matters is when you’re scrambling on wet rock or walking along a cliff edge. Even then, good footwork is probably more important, so develop that rather than relying on your shoes.
Toe and Foot protection
Hiking and backpacking can be tough on the feet, particularly around the toes and under the arch. It doesn’t affect everyone, but it can lead to injuries that take a long time to heal. Built-up areas around the toes, sometimes called toe kicks, are good if you hike in rocky terrain. A shank is usually a hard strip of nylon or plastic that runs under the arch and helps stiffen a shoe or boot. Rock plates and stone guards in the forefoot of the shoe provide additional protection from sharp stones that can bruise your feet, particularly when trail running.
Gaiters
Hikers wear gaiters to block sticks, stones, and other debris from getting into their shoes while they hike. But some shoes are more gaiter compatible than others. For example, if your gaiters have a strap that loops under your shoe, you’re going to want to have footwear that has an arch, so the gaiter strap doesn’t get destroyed by rubbing on the ground. Gaiters designed for trail shoes or trail runners may require gluing a velcro strip to the back of your heel to hold the gaiter in place. If this is the case, make sure there is a flat surface on the back of the heel so you can glue the velcro strip to it.
Wide Shoe Sizes
About 1/3 of all hikers require footwear in wide widths. Companies such as Merrell, KEEN, Brooks, and Vasque have the best selection of wide-width hiking footwear.
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I really like the Keen Targhee III’s. Strange that REI doesn’t sell them in wide widths but Amazon does.
That’s KEEN selling on Amazon. They also sell them direct from KEEN’s European websites,but not from their US one. I try to do the leg work for my readers to make sure I link to stores that actually have the products. It’s more difficult than you realize! :-)
Hey, Chief Hiking Officer, I’m sure I speak for more than myself when I say thanks for taking that extra care. It’s appreciated.
I really love the Merrell MQM 3 hking shoes. Very lightweight and comfortable once you toss the insole out and get a better one.
“Hiking shoes and trail runners are the most popular footwear used by hikers and backpackers today.”
Is this statement based on a source of US data? My observations in the mountain ranges of Europe would indicate that this is very much not true.
Obviously :-)
What type of shoes are popular in Europe (which part of Europe)?
From my time hiking the AT, PCT and Long Trail only a very small percentage of thru hikers, perhaps less than 5% use something burlier than Trail runners. I see more weekend hikers/campers with mid height leather boots. I was one of them before I started hiking longer distances.
Please don’t confuse thru-hikers with all hikers. They’re somewhat different types of hiking. Different trail conditions and ages can also require different footwear.
I knew my understanding of backpacking was old n
Manish when I watched a half dozen 20 somethings, with full packs, descending
cascade canyon in the tons wearing flip flops
Hey Philip, Howard Aronson here. I use the Topo Runventure, ever since Altra got rid of the King MT. It’s a Zero Drop, with a very grippy Vibram sole. You should check it out.
I surprised no Oboz shoes made the list. They are highly regarded by many. I like them better than the Merrell and Keens you listed.
Highly regarded or not, I’ve tried a number of the newer models in the past year and they’re simply not as good as in previous years. That said, I swear by the bridger 10 400gram boots for winter hiking (on my second pair) but that’s a different list.
My NF Ultra 110’s were comfortable out of the box, never even a hot spot… I’ve beaten the crap out of them for years and now I have to start thinking about some new shoes… thanks for the leg work on the list, very helpful as always!
Strange to me that you do not include Oboz such as the Sawtooth II or it’s successors. Great shoe for comfort, support stability and traction yet still light at 2# per pair.
The Sawtooth X, which I reviewed last spring is really nowhere as good as the sawtooth II of which I own two pairs. That’s why it’s not on this list. If you like the II, buy it before it vanishes completely.
Please consider a similar list for hiking BOOTS.
Preferably, boots that DON’T have a waterproof/breathable membrane (Gore-Tex).
All 4 of them.
Philip, if you’re going to include 2 HOKA ONE’S in the grouping, then where is the Altra Olympus? Probably one of the most comfortable and versatile trail shoes available.
https://www.rei.com/product/209551/altra-olympus-5-trail-running-shoes-mens
Opinion on the Altra Olympus shoe w/o Gore Tex liner?
Perhaps this will be helpful to ppl with very narrow feet, preferring a 0 drop shoe. I’ve found the Merrell Trail Glove a perfect fit. All other 0 drop shoes I’ve tried are waaay too wide; even if I wear heavy socks. The traction is excellent on rocks of the Whites. Hope that’s helpful.
This article on the 10 best men’s hiking shoes and trail runners of 2023 is incredibly informative and helpful for outdoor enthusiasts like myself. I appreciate the clear distinction between hiking shoes and trail runners and the emphasis on choosing footwear that fits well and suits the specific hiking conditions. It’s great to see a variety of preferences catered to, whether it’s waterproof options, cushioning, durability, or lightweight mesh trail runners.
I found the review of the Danner Trail 2650 GTX hiking shoes to be particularly intriguing. The combination of being lightweight, durable, and suitable for moderately challenging terrain makes them a compelling choice. The reinforced heel counters, TPU shank, and Vibram Megagrip outsoles sound like they offer excellent support and traction. Additionally, the fact that they can be worn casually or to work without looking like hiking shoes is a definite plus.
I’m also interested in learning more about the Altra Lone Peak 7 Trail Runners. Since they are listed as the second recommendation, I assume they must have some standout features as well. I’m curious about their cushioning, durability, and overall performance on the trails. It would be helpful to know more about their specific design and any unique advantages they offer.
Overall, I’m grateful for this article as it provides valuable insights into the best hiking shoes and trail runners available in 2023. It has given me a better understanding of the options out there, and I’m looking forward to making an informed decision for my next hiking adventure. Thank you for sharing this informative piece!