First impressions

The Skychaser AX5 hiking shoes are the latest release from Adidas Terrex, designed to compete with established names in the hiking world like Merrell, Keen, and Salomon.

Unlike other Skychaser models, the AX5 hiking shoes aren't built for extreme conditions. Instead, their ripstop uppers prioritize comfort and breathability, so you can take on hot summer treks without overheating.

Inside, your feet are greeted by soft and supportive OrthoLite foam sockliners and bouncy EVA foam midsoles. This extra cushioning felt great right out of the box, and really came into its own on long, sweaty hikes, when my feet may have otherwise been aching.

Like most Adidas Terrex models, the AX5s feature Continental rubber outsoles. Although they don't have the same pedigree as Vibram, I've been consistently impressed by Continental rubber. These outsoles prove just as effective as their big-name competitors, digging into uneven ground to provide ample support on the trails.

Adidas Terrex Skychaser: on the trails

I got a hold of the latest Adidas Terrex hiking shoes a couple of months ago, and have been putting them to the test ever since.

I've worn the AX5s over plenty of short- and long-distance treks through the English countryside, in all manner of weather conditions.

Here's how they got on:

Fit and comfort

The Skychaser AX5 hiking shoes are superbly comfortable, on par with some of the best hiking shoes I've ever tested and noticeably cosier than similar Terrex models like the Gore-Tex Skychasers.

The OrthoLite sockliners wrap your feet in a chunky layer of cushioning, which felt great on the trails, and provided some much-appreciated support around my heels. The EVA foam midsoles are also excellent and felt bouncy as I navigated hikes of all distances.

The unrestrictive ripstop mesh uppers were noticeably breathable on hot days, when I would usually be troubled by overheating feet.

One of my few gripes with previous Terrex shoes is their slightly narrow toe boxes, which got a little restrictive as I racked up the miles. I'm pleased to report that this isn't an issue with the Skychaser AX5s, which feature a wide and accommodating toe-box that allows for plenty of movement.

They also fit true to size, cushioning my feet without ever feeling too tight as I trudged through the countryside.

Weight

At 4.5oz (411g) per shoe (Men's US size 9.5 / UK size 8.5), the Skychaser AX5 hiking shoes are a fairly lightweight option for summer hiking.

They're lighter than most models with more protection and heavier waterproof uppers, but not breezy enough to be considered superlight weight.

The Skychaser AX5s didn't weigh me down at all on the trails, and did a great job of minimizing bulk without sacrificing comfort.

Grip

The aggressive Continental Rubber outsoles are a great for dusty trails and uneven surfaces, and served me very well on the steep hills and rocky pathways of the English countryside. Their aggressive lug formations dug into all manner of trails and successfully kept me from falling over many miles of long-distance hiking.

I was also surprised by their excellent performance in wet weather. Due to the lack of waterproofing, I had expected the outsoles to perform worse when the heavens opened, but this wasn't the case. Instead, they seemed at home over muddy, waterlogged trails and maintained excellent grip throughout.

This pair's flexibility also stood out. While they're not the bendiest hiking shoes I've ever worn, the Skychaser AX5s offer a good deal of flex and proved their mettle on steep sections.

Protection from the elements

These hiking shoes are designed for heavy use in dry climates and lack the protection of other models, with different uppers.

They're not waterproof, and when the heavens open, the chassis gets very wet, very quickly. The ripstop uppers offer little resistance against rainfall, and the OrthoLite sockliners, which provide excellent support in the sun, soak up moisture when it's raining.

Put simply, you don't want to get caught in the rain wearing the Skychaser AX5s. If it's light, they'll dry off in a few minutes, but heavy rainfall can stick in the sockliners, weighing you down and making for a damp, unpleasant trekking experience.

If you're after a waterproof pair, it's worth checking out the Gore-Tex Skychaser hiking shoes. They're not as comfy, but provide great protection from the elements and scored highly in my review for Advnture.

This shoe doesn't offer much to protect your feet from trail debris. The ripstop mesh uppers are pretty thin, and the heels were designed with comfort, rather than protection, in mind.

That said, the firm rubber toe caps are a nice touch, and could come in handy if you're traversing unpredictable terrain.

Price

At $100 (£85), the Skychaser AX5 hiking shoes provide great value for your money and are far cheaper than similar models on the market. If you're hiking in a dry climate or after some shoes for the summer, the AX5s are an absolute bargain.

For comparison, the Danner N45 hiking shoes, which are a tough and similarly non-waterproof pair built for dry trails and summer hiking, will set you back $200 (£158.83). They also received a far worse review when I put them to the test for Advnture.

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Are you ready for autumn rain? After a long, hot summer, the rainy days and challenging trails of winter are on their way, but that doesn't mean you can't still enjoy the outdoors!

If you're eager to hit the trails this autumn, you'll need a dependable pair of waterproof hiking boots, like the Terradora Explorer boots from Keen. These trail-ready women's boots combine tried-and-tested materials with typically effective waterproofing, and they're now available for just $122.73 at REI.

The Terradora Explorer boots' uppers are made from environmentally preferred premium leather and textile mesh, designed to protect your feet in the wilderness without limiting breathability.

When the rain falls, Keen.Dry waterproof membranes aim to seal out moisture and keep your feet dry. Although I haven't worn the Terradora Explorer boots myself, I've been consistently impressed by the performance of these membranes in other models, like the Hightrail EXP hiking shoes.

Inside the boots, you'll find removable air-injected Luftcell midsoles for added support, and underneath, there are 4mm multi-directional lugs designed to maximize traction on the trails.

Not in the US? You can look below for today's best Keen hiking boots deals where you are!

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With the rainy weather of autumn fast approaching, now is the perfect time to invest in a new pair of weather-proof hiking shoes to help you take on the elements. The best combine tough outer materials and great grip with enough waterproofing to keep your socks from getting soggy in a downpour.

Keen's Men's Headout hiking shoes feature leather and mesh outers with typically reliable waterproof membranes and plenty of underfoot traction, and they're now available for just $100.73 at REI.

These hiking shoes were designed to help you navigate wet and uneven trails all year round.

I haven't worn the Headout shoes myself, but I can attest to the reliability of Keen's Keen.Dry waterproof membranes, which have kept my feet bone dry in other pairs like the Hightrail EXPs. The All.Terrain rubber outsoles are also typically effective, utilizing an aggressive formation of 4mm lugs to keep you upright over slippery and uneven terrain.

Inside the shoes, removable foam midsoles are designed to cushion your feet and maintain a comfortable fit over many miles of intensive trekking, while Keen's Eco Anti Odor technology aims to eliminate unwanted smells.

If you're not in the US, you can look below for today's best Keen hiking shoes deals where you are.

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Are you on the hunt for a tough and comfortable new pair of hiking shoes to combat the September showers? Then check out this epic deal on one of our favorite pairs.

The Men's Helly Hansen Switchback Trail HT hiking shoes combine recycled waterproof uppers with plenty of grip and inner cushioning and are now available for just $105 on the Helly Hansen website.

Hiking expert Pat Kinsella was very impressed with the Switchback Trail HT hiking shoes when he put them to the test over the high hills of the Brecon Beacons National Park, describing the shoes as "functional and fashionable footwear for day hiking and hill walking for much of the year."

He was particularly keen on their effective HellyTech waterproofing and breathable leather and polyester mesh uppers.

"The rain was only intermittent, but there was plenty of water on the ground from the day before, when it had been torrential, and the Switchbacks kept my socks dry all day."

"The shoes allowed my feet to breathe too, which was very much appreciated as we worked up a sweat."

Along with protection from the elements, these Helly Hansen hiking shoes feature springy EVA foam midsoles, designed to cushion your feet and provide all the support you need as you navigate tricky trails.

Not in the US? Look below for today's best Helly Hansen Switchback Trail HT hiking shoes deals where you are.

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In the market for a reliable new pair of hiking shoes to help you through the summer and into the wetter months? Check out this awesome deal on one of our favorite pairs, which is now $80 off in women's sizes.

The Danner Trail 2650 Campo hiking shoes hold a spot on our expert guide to the best hiking shoes as our favorite shoes for stability, and are now available for just $120 at Danner.

This pair features sock-like leather and textile uppers, which protect you from the elements using dependable Gore-Tex membranes.

Outdoors expert Julia Clarke stood in bogs and streams to test the Trail 2650 Campo's waterproofing and found it to be watertight. Julia was also impressed by the comfy interiors and grippy Vibram outsoles.

"They have a nice, snug fit, loads of flex and good cushioning underfoot," reads her four-star review for Advnture.

"I’ve worn these a lot on rocky and muddy trails and in fairly torrential downpours and they perform really well with loads of grips and stability on slick and uneven surfaces."

These stylish hiking shoes are only reduced in Gore-Tex women's sizes. You can find the non-waterproof Trail 2650 Campo hiking shoes in men's sizes for their list price of $170 on the Danner website.

Not in the US? You can look below for today's best Danner Trail 2650 Campo GTX hiking shoes deals where you are.

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Great lightweight hiking shoes aren't usually cheap. The best hiking shoes combine a minimal exterior with plenty of cushioning and protection from the elements, but will usually cost a pretty penny. So, I was surprised to find that one of my favorite pairs is now available for over $45 off at REI.

The Keen Hightrail EXP hiking shoes will keep you dry and comfortable over many miles of long-distance trekking, and are now available in men's and women's sizes for just $104.43.

I put mine to the test in all manner of weather conditions, over a variety of unforgiving trails for my review for Advnture, and was thoroughly impressed throughout. Their snug performance ripstop mesh and TPU uppers remained dry as a bone when I was caught in torrential rain, thanks to this pair's Keen.Dry waterproof membranes.

I was also a fan of the underfoot comfort available with these hiking shoes. Lightweight pairs often sacrifice cushioning to save weight, but the Hightrail EXPs feature high-rebound foam midsoles, which felt supportive and cushioned as I navigated uneven trails.

I ultimately gave them a four-and-a-half-star rating, reflective of their excellent quality, lightweight build, and great trail feel.

Not in the US? You can look below for today's best Keen Hightrail EXP hiking shoes deals where you are.

• The best budget hiking boots: quality pairs at low prices
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Are you in the market for some tough new hiking shoes to help you trek for the rest of summer and beyond? Then take a look at this dependable pair from Helly Hansen, which received a rare 4.5-star rating in our review, and has now been reduced by 25%.

The men's Switchback Trail hiking shoes are a comfy and protective pair fit for use well beyond the summer, and they're now available for just $105 on the Helly Hansen website.

Their comfortable uppers are made from a sturdy combination of suede leather and polyester, and protected from the elements by Helly Hansen's own HellyTech waterproof membranes. Once inside the shoes, your feet are greeted by bouncy EVA midsoles, designed to cushion them and minimize aching on the trails.

Outdoors expert Pat Kinsella put his pair to the test on the jagged peaks of Wales' Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons National Park), and was very impressed by their performance, describing the Switchback Trail shoes as "good looking and comfortable straight out of the box."

Pat was particularly keen on the HellyGrip outsoles, which feature multiple grippy lugs and "provided really good grip on the rocks and boulders," and instilled "confidence during technical descents."

If you're not in the US, you can look below for today's best Helly Hansen Switchback Trail hiking shoes deals where you are.

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After a Prime Day bargain but don't want to shop at Amazon? Don't worry, you don't have to!

We're mid-way through the huge Prime Day sales event, but some of the best bargains are actually elsewhere, so there's no need to shop at the US retailer if you don't fancy it. In fact, one of the best deals we've seen in the past week is on Backcountry, which is also holding a huge sale to keep up with Amazon.

Along with plenty of big bargains, you can save 40% off one of my favorite pairs of hiking shoes, the Adidas Terrex GTX Skychasers, which are now available for just $95.97 in women's sizes at Backcountry.

These sturdy trekking shoes are a solid option for year-round hiking, combining a tough, dependable exterior with plenty of inner comfort. Their weatherproof textile and synthetic uppers use Gore-Tex membranes to keep your feet dry in heavy rain and over boggy trails. I tested the Skychasers in all sorts of unforgiving weather for my review for Advnture, and can happily report that my feet stayed bone-dry throughout.

Comfort is another stand-out feature. The Lightstrike lightweight cushioning and snug Ortholight sockliner absorbed plenty of blows in testing and kept my feet feeling fresh over many miles of trekking.

Along with the Gore-Tex version, you can also save 40% off the standard Terrex Skychasers, which are now available for $83.97, in women's sizes at Backcountry.

Adidas have recently brought out a waterproof version of this shoe - the Terrex Skychaser AX5 GTX, which is currently full price, but at $120, is still a great buy. It's available in men's and women's sizes, direct from Adidas, and you can read more about it here.

Don't worry if you're not in the US, you can look below for today's best Adidas Terrex Skychaser hiking shoes where you are.

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When I visited Aku’s Montebelluna HQ in the plains to the south of the Dolomites, one of the presentations we were given detailed the ways the Italian footwear brand was striving to be more sustainable. This is a brand that makes high-quality outdoor footwear, often at a premium price. It’s also a brand that’s well aware that the continued use of virgin materials and animal products is not the future. From the design of the shoe to the distance components have to travel in the supply chain, Aku was in the process of putting every step of its operations under the microscope to pave the way for a more environmentally friendly future.

As part of the trip, we ventured into the Dolomites to test the Aku Slope V-light GTX, a more sustainable reimagining of one of the brand’s classic hiking boots. The V in the name stands for vegan, referring to the use of recycled synthetics over leather in the construction of the upper. This particular boot contained varying levels of recycled materials throughout.

That was then, this is now. Enter the Omnia V-light GTX, the next stage in Aku’s mission. It has ‘designed to reduce’ printed proudly on its upper, along with a little leaf icon. It's a shoe that comes in various colorways, but always with at least a splash of green. We’ll get into exactly why this is in a moment.

The Omnia sits in Aku’s Fast Hiking category. It's a hiking shoe produced with versatility in mind, with design features that give a nod towards the growing e-biking trend on the European continent too.

The Omnia isn’t currently available in the US, though Aku’s award-winning Rocket DFS GTX is a superb fast hiking alternative that we also rate highly.

First impressions

I’ve had the pleasure of sampling several pairs of Aku shoes, from the Tengu GTX, a mountaineering boot; to the Rock DFS GTX, an innovative approach shoe; and the excellent Trekker Lite II GTX, a standard 3-season hiking boot. What sets the Omnia apart from all of these is its more casual look and feel. The shoes mentioned above are tools for specific purposes, and I wouldn’t necessarily want to wear them for everyday walks or to the bar, despite their technical qualities.

The Omnia is more relaxed, more easy-going, happy to go with the flow. It’s attractive and comfortable – I’d wear it to the pub, I’d wear it on the trails and I'd wear it in the mountains, up to a point. Its name is an unsubtle hint towards these qualities: omnia is Latin for ‘everything’. Aku goes as far as suggesting a few use cases in embossed writing on the sole: e-bike, fast-hike, commute. We get the picture. This is a versatile shoe for everyday adventures.

I immediately liked the lacing, which bears a resemblance to Salomon’s Quicklace system. Here, it’s ingeniously threaded through a pouch in the tongue, making it easy to hide away once tightened up. It’s a smart look. I also liked the overall aesthetic – it looks like a hiking shoe but it’s not flashy. It’s got that understated Italian class that’s hard to define or replicate.

The fit is spacious, probably more so than I’d like. Even when I ramped up the laces as tight as I could get them, I didn’t feel particularly locked in. I was interested to see what this would mean once I hit the more demanding trails.

Playing the percentages

Plenty of recycled content has gone into the construction of the Omnia, with different component parts featuring different amounts. Starting with the polyester upper, around 50% of the main fabric is recycled. The face fabric and backing fabric contain 70% recycled polyester and polyamide respectively. Meanwhile, they’re also 100% PFAS-free, meaning they don’t contain perfluorocarbons, a ‘forever chemical’ that studies suggest can have harmful effects on overall health.

In the laces, yarns and webbings, Aku does even better, boasting 100% recycled cotton in the laces, and 100% recycled polyester elsewhere. Bored of percentages yet? Strap in, we’re just getting started. Or you could just skip to the performance features, it’s up to you.

Moving down the shoe, we first come to the Ortholite HybridPlus insole, which contains 50% recycled polyurethane. Then there’s the midsole, with its 10% biobased sugarcane EVA and, finally, the 10% recycled synthetic rubber in the proprietary Tenuta outsole. Yes, Aku have developed their own compound here, rather than relying on their usual collab with Vibram. The compound used is designed for a mix of technical off-road surfaces and urban use.

Another design feature that makes the Omnia’s that little bit greener is the way that the midsole and outsole are co-moulded together, reducing the use of adhesives in the construction.

Performance features

Unless you hike in predominantly dry environments, waterproof qualities are more than desirable in your hiking footwear. Aku has called upon its American friends at Gore-Tex to supply the breathable, waterproof membrane. In this case, it’s Gore-Tex’s Most Breathable Reycled Lining that’s put to use which, as its name suggests, is a particularly breathable membrane. It’ll also keep water at bay, stopping it from invading the inner sanctum of the shoe. However, the low cut of the Omnia’s means that they’re not great for tramping through boggy ground, where water is liable to get in over the top.

The lacing system is pretty much the same as Salomon’s Quicklace, utilizing a sliding buckle to achieve the desired tightness. The elasticated lacing pouch on top of the tongue is a superb design feature. Once I’d tightened everything up, I could simply stash the system into the pouch. It’s convenient and looks rather tidy too.

As I’ve come to expect from Aku’s shoes, the Omnia features the Elica natural stride system, which follows the anatomy of the foot to distribute the load, thus reducing the impact and strain felt with each step. It all starts with the Aku’s last, which is oppositely inclined from the forefoot to the heel and works with the biomechanics of a trekker’s stride. The bio-based EVA midsole works with this to cushioning and propulsion. To cut through the jargon, I’ve always found that Aku’s shoes were comfortable to walk in, providing appropriate stability on rugged terrain.

As mentioned, Aku uses its proprietary Tenuta compound for the outsole. There are a few subtle design features going on in the design of the lug pattern. The 6mm lugs provide the tread needed for a variety of trail surfaces, from dry rock to soggy, soft moorland. However, they’re spaced closer together in the inner forefoot area to provide the ideal grip on e-bike pedals. I’m admittedly not a cycling expert, so I can’t attest as to why Aku names e-biking specifically here over just general cycling – but this is a thoughtful touch that underlines the versatility of the shoe.

The lugs are also spaced closer together at the toes and the heel in much the same way as an approach shoe's would be. This is to provide traction when scrambling on rock, using techniques such as edging and smearing. It’s not quite as comprehensive a climbing zone as you get on dedicated mountaineering footwear, but it’s there nonetheless.

The Omnia is also fairly protective when it comes to rock abrasion. There’s a reinforced toe cap with a rand around the forefoot, as well as reinforcement towards the heel. It’s about the right balance between weight, style and shielding for a shoe like this. Too much protection and you risk the shoe becoming too heavy and less stylish for more casual use.

On the trails

I’ve been testing the Omnia through the spring and early summer seasons on my local trails around Bristol and in the hills of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park in South Wales. A pleasure to wear for the everyday, I got on very well with them. The Omnia is a shoe that will see plenty of general use thanks to its versatility.

I’m a big fan of the lacing system. Not only does it look smart, it’s convenient to use and also allowed me to simply slip my foot in and out of the shoe when loosened. I also liked that there’s a fabric loop at the heel for attaching to carabiners and the like.

The Omnia’s upper isn’t particularly cushioned, though its materials are relatively soft and flexible. So, while it’s not a shoe that gives your feet a warm cuddle, neither is it as rough and ready as something like Scarpa’s Rapid XT approach shoe. I found it was comfortable to wear for long periods, though there are both warmer options for sub-zero temps and more breathable options for faster endeavors.

And so, to the slightly relaxed fit that I mentioned earlier. In general, I found that this wasn’t an issue, and the shoes remained comfortable and nimble on the trails, providing a nice degree of stability. It was only during sustained descents in the hills that I noticed my toes nudging against the toe box. It might be worth going half a size down from your usual to combat this.

Other than this, it’s low weight and great design made it well suited to hiking in the hills and I could well imagine wearing it for hut-to-hut treks in alpine environments too. As I’ve alluded to already, more technical adventures call for more specialized footwear, while they’re not ideally suited to boggy, moorland terrain due to their low cut. Nevertheless, if you’re after a thoughtfully designed, eco-friendly and versatile hiking shoe, you can’t go far wrong with the Omnia.

Also consider

Comparison table

Seeking a new pair of nimble-but-waterproof hikers for the summer, but on a budget? The new Skychaser from Adidas Terrex might be just what you're looking for.

The Adidas Terrex Skychaser AX5 GTX hiking shoe is out now, sporting a few notable differences from its predecessor, including a significantly lower price.

We loved the original Adidas Terrex Skychaser Gore-Tex in our field tests, with Advnture writer Will Symon noting they offer lots of cushioning for all-day comfort, speed lacing that makes things simple and lots of protection. So, how does the AX5 hold up?

Adidas Terrex Skychaser AX5 GTX hiking shoe

Terrex, the outdoor arm of Adidas, says the new model is designed for moving quickly in technical terrain. Though it describes the shoe as lightweight, we'd place it more in the medium weight category, and with an average weight of 15.2oz, it's virtually the same weight as the previous model. There are differences, though.

Instead of the textile and synthetic upper, the AX5 sports a ripstop upper, which may be tougher for rough hikes and long use, and it's still endowed with a rubber outsole with chevron lugs that hopefully offer the same good grip as before. In place of the Lightmotion foam midsole, this model is built with a Lightmotion EVA midsole, and there's more of it too – 32mm under heel compared to 26mm.

The drop is higher too, up to 12mm, which may not be good news for everyone's toes on a downhill, and the speed lacing system has been replaced with traditional laces, which do take a bit longer but can also be more durable and easier to replace.

The real drop we noticed, however, is in price. Compared to the original Skychaser, which retailed for $160, the AX5 has hit the market at just $120 / £85, which is a significant discount and places it well within the same price range as the shoes in our list of the best cheap hiking boots and shoes.

The Adidas Terrex Skychaser AX5 GTX is available now in both men's and women's sizing in multiple colorways from Adidas.

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Founded in 2009, Altra is an American brand that has long been championing zero- or low-drop trail running shoes. These kinds of shoes place the foot in a more natural position, leading to a more natural gait on the trails. On its website, it wryly asks: “Why run in heels?”

The brand has grown into a giant in the trail running world and is today owned by VF Corporation, the same umbrella that counts The North Face, Napapjiri, Icebreaker, Vans and Timberland among its subsidiaries.

The brand has also been an advocate of a roomy toe box, allowing toes to splay upon impact. These ideals were devised by founder Golden Harper and they still form part of Altra’s Natural Fit ethos today. Both the wide toe box and a zero-drop are present in the Timp 5 BOA.

We reviewed the standard Timp 5 back in spring 2024 and there was a lot we liked, though reviewer Julia Clarke pointed to the lacing potentially causing some discomfort. So, we were intrigued to get our hands on the BOA version and give them a run out to see if BOA’s innovative system would elevate the overall running experience.

First impressions

When I look at the Altra logo, I’m somehow put in mind of the advent of computer gaming and the early motorsport games. If you’re of a certain age, you’ll know the ones I mean, when the car was fixed at the bottom of the screen as the road and the scenery moved towards you. It might be that the logo bears a bit of a resemblance to Atari’s Fuji logo, or it might be that it has a whiff of Formula One about it. The Ferrari red swish disappearing into the distance like a bend in the track at Monza.

Well, the Timp 5 BOA looks like what would happen if you took the 1995 McLaren F1 car and melted it down to create a running shoe. And why not? La Sportiva and Scarpa have been designing trail running shoes that have a definite racing car vibe for years. If you’re gonna be entering trail races, you might as well wear something that looks race worthy. I was testing the White/Coral colorway, but the Timp 5 BOA is also available in an understated yet cool Black/Black version. Though, why Altra felt the need to name Black twice, I don’t know. It’s just Black.

Anyway, that’s enough about how they look. How do they feel to wear? The design of the BOA fit system means the upper is virtually all one piece, a bit like a sock liner, with an elasticated top, over which the lacing system sits. This means they're comfortable for casual wear, but you can dial in the fit around the midfoot as tight as you like when it comes to tackling the trails. To begin with, I noticed a little discomfort around the ankle at the padded part, where the BOA dial sits. However, once I’d worn the shoes in a little, this disappeared. As you’d expect from Altra, there was plenty of wiggle room for the toes.

The BOA system

The obvious feature that sets the Timp 5 BOA apart from the standard Timp 5 is the BOA fit system, in this case the PerformFit Wrap Configuration system, which wraps over and conforms to the shape of the midfoot. For the uninitiated, the BOA system replaces traditional lacing with a system of thin but durable cords. These cords are threaded through the upper and are tightened using a dial.

This has a few advantages. First, it makes putting on and taking off your shoes really quick and easy. To loosen the cords, all you have to do is pull the dial outwards. This is particularly handy for winter pursuits when you may be wearing gloves. I very much appreciated the ability to tighten and loosen the BOA fit on the La Sportiva Cyklon Cross GTX and the Scarpa Ribelle Run Kalibra G without exposing my digits to the chill.

Secondly, the system allows for a fine-tuned fit that can be further tightened very quickly while you're running. Plus, unlike standard laces, there’s next to no chance of the system coming undone. The downside is that it doesn’t provide the opportunity to tighten a specific region, as with standard laces. And, just as shoes with a Gore-Tex membrane are more expensive than those without, a shoe with a BOA fit system tends to be more pricey than the same shoe without it. The list price of the standard Timp 5 at time of writing is $155 (£135), as opposed to $175 (£155) with the BOA fit. I'd assert it's worth the markup though.

Other features

The mesh upper provides a little protection while delivering excellent breathability. Unlike with the standard Timp 5, there’s no Gore-Tex option with the BOA fit system. Instead, you get a super quick drying synthetic upper that won’t keep your socks dry if you gambol through puddles but will ensure there’s airflow to your feet. There are reinforced rands at the toes and the heel for additional protection against rock abrasion.

Much of the Timp 5 BOA’s 29mm stack height is to do with its EGO MAX midsole, which provides high levels of cushioning for a ride experience that Altra file under the Float category. If you’re after tonnes of trail feel, forget about it. If you want a propulsive, maximalist ride, you’ve come to the right place. This soft and stable platform provides comfort for those running long – think trail marathons and ultras.

Vibram provides the rubber for the outsole with its Megagrip, a compound found in many running shoes, hiking shoes, such as Aku’s Trekker Lite III and Danner’s Trail 2650 Campo GTX, and approach shoes, like Scarpa’s Crux. As well as being durable, Megagrip provides solid traction on both wet and dry rock, which is why it’s such a popular choice when footwear brands are designing shoes that can deal with the occasional bit of scrambling terrain.

Altra has opted for many little P-shaped lugs of 4mm depth, rather than big chunky ones. Fairly standard for summer trail running shoes, 4mm provides enough bite for the majority of trail conditions, though I’d need more aggressive, longer lugs for the soft ground of winter (in the UK at least). The lugs point backwards at the front of the shoe and forwards at the back of the shoe, providing decent braking power when lolloping downhill. Like the Salomon Speedcross, the lugs also curl up to the toe cap, like front points on crampons, providing additional traction when ascending steep ground.

At the heel there’s both a fabric loop and a Velcro tab. The fabric loop enables the wearer to clip the shoes into a carabiner or hang them up. The Velcro tab, Altra’s Gaiter Trap, makes the shoes compatible with Altra’s strapless Trail Gaiter – a nice touch. There are several reasons why you might want a gaiter for running, including keeping snow out or protection against the abrasive qualities of scrubland environments.

In the outdoor lab

I tested the Timp 5 BOAs on runs around my usual stomping ground, Bristol’s Henbury Gorge, as well as in Wales’ Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. Runs in the gorge allowed me to compare them directly to my usual summer choice, Inov8’s TrailFly G 275 V2, as well as many other pairs I’ve tested here. The gorge’s blend of ups, downs, soft ground, rooty forest paths, rocky limestone sections and hard-packed trails are a great laboratory for putting trail shoes through their paces.

What was immediately obvious was the lack of trail feel you get with a 29mm stack height. It’s not non-existent, but it’s not ideal if you’re the barefoot runner sort. I personally enjoy the running experience with a bit more trail feel, though I’m aware that not everyone loves this, so I’ll try not to hold it against the shoes.

However, with plusher cushioning comes greater bounce. I was able to coax some decent speed out of the Timp 5 BOAs, notably clocking my fastest ever time on a particular mile-long Strava segment. Not only was it my own PB for this stretch, but I also even scraped into the top 10 of all time. Whether this was down to the shoes or other factors – I have cut out ultra-processed food, you know! – is hard to tell. However, it’s clear that the Timp 5 BOAs can go fast.

Having tested plenty of footwear featuring Vibram Megagrip soles, both on running shoes and approach shoes, it came as no surprise to find the Timp 5 BOAs coped well on both wet and dry rock.

As for fit and comfort, I can’t fault them. The BOA system enabled me to achieve a desired fit and my heel always felt locked in. I suffered from none of the claustrophobia around the toe region that I’ve experienced in some shoes and nor were my toes banging against the front of the shoe during long, sustained descents.

The levels of protection are moderate, which is to be expected for a running shoe with a mesh upper. However, I did value the additional shielding provided by the subtle rands at both the toes and the heel.

All said, the Timp 5 BOA trail running shoe is a versatile and comfortable operator. If you like a plush level of cushioning and aren’t too bothered about feeling the trail beneath your feet, they’ll see plenty of use. They’re grippy, fast and a pleasure to wear, while the BOA system is easy to use and provides a great fit.

Also consider

Comparison table

Planning a long distance hike this summer? It's important to prepare with the right equipment, including a comfy pair of hiking shoes to support your feet, and keep you feeling fresh over many miles of wilderness walking.

If you're in need of new hiking shoes, check out this epic deal and save $30 off one of our favorite pairs. The Columbia Konos Outdry hiking shoes combine loads of underfoot cushioning with a snug and comfortable fit, and are now available for just $90 on the Columbia website.

These lightweight, bouncy shoes feature thick OmniMax midsoles, designed to absorb blows and eliminate aching as you hike. Their OutDry membrane and mesh uppers wrap your feet in soft, waterproof materials that can keep you dry in torrential rain or over boggy trails.

Hiking expert Julia Clarke was very impressed when she tested these comfort-first shoes over the unpredictable terrain and in the varied weather of the Scottish Highlands.

Julia, who rated the pair a rare four-and-a-half stars, was particularly keen on their snug fit and grippy AdaptTrax outsoles.

"These felt great from the moment I put them on, thanks to the cushioning, meaning I can walk for four hours without my feet feeling tired," reads her review for Advnture.

"I was impressed by the grip I got when hiking down an extremely steep, grassy and wet slope recently. It's a hike I do often and I nearly always slip and fall when I'm on it, but not this time."

You can also find the Konos Outdry hiking shoes in women's sizes for their list price of $120 on the Columbia website.

Not in the States? Don't worry, you can still pick up a great deal. Look below for today's best Columbia Konos Outdry bargains where you are.

• The best hiking boots: protect your feet on any trail with our top choices
• The best lightweight hiking boots and shoes: pick up speed on the trails and stay agile on your scrambles

We’re no strangers to Inov8’s excellent TrailFly family. Inov8 is a British outdoor brand that specializes in creating trail running shoes forged in the English Lake District, the spiritual home of fell running. The fells’ mixture of boggy terrain, rocky ridges and wet climate demands footwear that’ll claw at mud while still holding firm on wet rock. Down the years, the brand's sponsored athletes have included the likes of Barkley Marathons legend Jasmin Paris, Damian Hall, Nicky Spinks and occasional Advnture contributor James Forrest.

The TrailFly family of shoes are some of Inov8's faster offerings, with more of a slant towards speed than the grippier Trailtalon and MudTalon shoes. The latter two are great for damp days on soft terrain in the wild hills and mountains, whereas TrailFly shoes are suited to harder-packed surfaces. However, don’t let this fool you into thinking the TrailFlys don’t cut it in the higher places. I took on a more challenging variation of the UK’s National Three Peaks Challenge wearing the superb TrailFly G 270 V2s and loved every minute.

So, when the lovely Cumbrians at Inov8 landed a message in my inbox with news of a new TrailFly, I was stoked to get hold of a pair and test them out on the trails.

First impressions

The first thing I noticed is that the Zeros have a more generous fit than the snugger, foot-hugging G 270 V2s. The wider toe box is immediately apparent, and I’d say the more relaxed fit makes them a few iotas more comfortable. I didn’t notice any issues due to this on my initial runs. My heel was locked in place and the Zeros felt nicely responsive, with a decent amount of trail feel. They were immediately comfortable.

They're attractive too, featuring the redesigned Inov8 logo that replaced the old one in 2024. I was testing the Blue/Orange version, which makes for a vivid aesthetic, particularly when set against damp, grey hills.

A feature evolution

The TrailFly Zero is, as its name suggests, a zero-drop running shoe. This means that the drop between the height of the heel and the forefoot is 0mm. This isn’t new, the TrailFly G 275 V2 was also a zero-drop shoe.

‘Standard’ running shoes tend to have a drop in the region of 6mm to 12mm, while some maximalist shoes have an even higher drop. As for the high heels worn by Anna De Armas’ Paloma in James Bond film No Time To Die, they clock in with an impressive 105mm drop. Needless to say, while these shoes are clearly ideal for espionage and gut-toting shenanigans, you wouldn’t want to run the UTMB in them…

A zero-drop shoe, like the Trailfly Zero provides something akin to the natural feel of a barefoot shoe, working with your foot towards achieving a more natural gait. The debate around the best amount of drop has raged for many years but, generally speaking, a smaller drop is better for those who strike with the forefoot or midfoot, while a drop of around 6mm or more is better for heel strikers. I personally prefer a lower drop and it’s certainly what I’m used to having worn the G 275 V2s for over a year now. The stack height is 12mm, notably less than the previous shoe, which brings the foot closer to the ground, enhancing the amount of trail feel.

Inov8 says that the new TrailFly Zero has an ‘improved anatomical fit’ thanks to a protective MET-CRADLE that locks the heel and midfoot in place when laced up, keeping everything nice and secure. Unlike the G 275 V2s, the tongue isn’t fully gusseted, so debris can invade the inner sanctum of the shoe.

As mentioned, the toe region is roomier, allowing plenty of space for splayed digits. I’d say the Zero feels less restrictive than its predecessor on the whole. I was testing the Standard version, as I have relatively narrow feet. Those with wider feet or those who value loads of toe space can also opt for the Wide version.

The Zeros deploy Inov8’s Boomerang footbed, a cushioned insole that uses compressible TPU beads to retain energy, The idea is that the footbed releases the energy, propelling the runner forward. Inov8 say that the design has been 'rigorously tested' for long lasting performance. The midsole utilizes the brand’s Flyspeed Pro foam to cushion the ride. Working in tandem with the footbed, it’s designed to maximize energy return while absorbing shocks from the ground beneath your feet.

Inov8 have spent a long time hammering home the message that the Graphene it uses in its outsoles is 'the world’s strongest material' and they’re at it again here. In my experience, Inov8’s trail shoes do last longer than much of the competition. I’ve been through several pairs of Salomon Speedcross shoes in my time. I've watched as their lugs have ground to nothing but imprints of where a proud gripper once stood. This hasn’t been the case with my Inov8 pairs, which have stood the test of time admirably well. Maybe there's something in this Graphene business after all...

And so, to the design of the outsole, which is substantially different to the previous iteration. The lugs are still 4mm deep, which suggests a good amount of traction on soft terrain but not as much as with the deep mud-gripping claws you get on some. However, the previous array of T-shaped lugs has been usurped by a more numerous, aggressive array of chevron-shaped lugs, with a much more obvious braking zone towards the back of the shoe. There are also flat-topped lugs at the front and back, which provide more surface area when in contact with bare rock.

Unlike the G 275 V2s, the Zeros feature a heel loop. This allows you to clip them into a carabiner or hang them off a hook, should you wish.

The shoes weigh somewhere in the region of 9.7oz (274g) per shoe (US 9 / UK 8). I say in the region of, as I weighed my brand-new pair and the right shoe came out as 9.9oz (282g) and the left shoe was 9.5oz (269g). Curious weight differences aside, this makes them a fairly light option, though even lighter trail running hooves exist if you’re obsessed with every ounce when it comes to race day.

Taking to the trails

I’ve been testing the TrailFly Zeros on my local Bristol trails and in the hills of the Bannau Brycheniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park during the late spring and early summer months. Britain enjoyed a prolonged dry spell during the test period, though towards the backend I was able to enjoy a few wetter runs on soft ground, both in Bristol and on the pens of South Wales. They performed well regardless of whether I was pounding rooty woodland trails, packed gravel, grassy hillsides, or rocky ridges.

Broadly speaking, I found the Zeros just as capable and fun to run in as the G 270 V2s. Fit wise, as alluded to, they feel roomier, which makes for greater comfort. Despite not fitting quite as snugly, I had no issues with the heel slipping and the fit felt secure throughout. Neither did I didn’t notice any issues with breathability, even when running in temperatures of between 70 and 86°F (20 and 30°C).

The cushioning is about right for me – I like to be able to feel and respond to the trail and I’m not so much of a fan of maximalist shoes. Inov8 say the Zero is 'perfect for everything from trail intervals and fartleks, though to ultramarathons', but I think, for really long distances, some may prefer the additional cushioning of the new TrailFly Max.

When it comes to the really rocky stuff, the Zero’s new features bring both improvements and ‘even better ifs’. I have no doubt that the outsole is far better suited to scrambling terrain. Towards the front, there are 9 flat-topped lugs, which provide a good deal of surface area for techniques like smearing when negotiating angled slabs.

There’s noticeably more flat rubber at the very tip of the shoe too. It’s not quite the ‘climbing zone’ you see on approach shoes, but it’s a step in that direction. This provides a little more security when edging across rock. Likewise, the back of the outsole features four flatter platforms, ensuring a decent hold whenever I struck with my heel while hopping from boulder to boulder.

The ‘even better if’ – and I’m really nit picking here – is that their fit feels slightly less precise than the previous iteration. It’s only a minor thing but the roomier toe box makes them feel slightly less secure on technical rock sections – though this is compensated for by the improved design of the outsole.

Off the rock and back on the sloppy stuff, I felt more confident when bounding downhill in the Zeros than in the G 270 V2s. The back half of the outsole has a more aggressive braking region, with 13 angular, chevron shaped lugs as opposed to the previous iteration’s nine T-shaped offerings. Although I’m yet to test the Zeros in winter, I’d imagine they’d grip better than previous iterations based on all of this – but I’d still prefer the aggressive lugs on something like the TrailTalon for this kind of thing.

However, for your standard sort of trail runs on hard-packed ground, Inov8 have done it again with the TrailFly Zero – a super, minimalist shoe that you'll get plenty of use out of.

The best hiking shoes combine a minimal, breezy build with enough waterproofing to keep your feet dry when the clouds roll in. There's little worse than soggy socks on the trail, so do yourself a favour and invest in an effective waterproof pair that won't let you down as you're dashing through puddles or wet-weather trekking.

Keen's Hightrail EXP hiking shoes are among the best pairs I've ever tested; they're reasonably lightweight, waterproof, and earned a rare four-and-a-half-star rating in my review for Advnture. They're also 25% off in Keen's summer sale, and are now available for just $112.50 at the Keen website.

The best thing about this pair is its versatility. They are just as comfortable in hot weather as they are in torrential rain, and feature thin, but completely waterproof Gore-Tex uppers, which kept my feet completely dry in plenty of puddles and boggy sections.

Underneath the thick and bouncy foam insoles, you're kept upright by an aggressive all-terrain rubber outsole, which stopped me from slipping on all sorts of wet, muddy, and rocky trails.

The Hightrail EXP hiking shoes are also available in women's sizes for their list price of $150 on the Keen website.

Don't worry if you're not in the US, you can look below for today's best Keen Hightrail EXP hiking shoes deals where you are.

• The best hiking shoes: capable summit-baggers and fast-paced walkers
• The best lightweight hiking boots and shoes: pick up speed on the trails and stay agile on your scrambles

In the market for a new pair of high-quality hiking shoes to help you navigate the trails this summer? Then check out this awesome deal on one of my favorite pairs.

The Adidas Terrex Skychasers are among the best hiking shoes I've ever tested, and they're now available for just $64 on the Adidas website.

These high quality trekking shoes are built for comfortable, stable hiking excursions over varied terrain, in all weather conditions. They feature tough, synthetic and textile exteriors with plenty of protection from trail debris and dependable Gore-Tex waterproof exteriors.

Inside, your feet are cushioned by soft and responsive OrthoLite foam sockliners and Lightstrike midsoles, which offer support over many miles in the wilderness.

I tested this pair in all kinds of weather for my four-and-a-half-star review and had very few complaints. They were especially impressive over wet or uneven trails, thanks to the aggressive Continental rubber outsoles. Their 4.5mm lugs dug into slippery surfaces and kept me stable at all times.

The Adidas Terrex Skychaser hiking shoes are a great pair for all seasons, and their reduced price of $64 is frankly a steal. So be quick and take advantage of this epic offer while you still can.

This pair is also available in women's sizes for its list price of $120.

Don't worry if you're not in the US, you can look below for today's best Adidas Terrex Skychaser hiking shoes where you are.

• The best hiking boots: protect your feet on any trail with our top choices
• The best lightweight hiking boots and shoes: pick up speed on the trails and stay agile on your scrambles

First impressions

The Adidas Terrex Skychaser hiking shoes are built for comfortable, stable hiking excursions over varied terrain, in all weather conditions.

Their sturdy textile and synthetic uppers feature waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex membranes to prevent your feet from getting wet in the winter or overheating when the sun comes out.

Inside the shoes, your feet are greeted by bouncy and responsive OrthoLite foam sockliners and Lightstrike midsoles. These cushioning features support all parts of your feet and protect against any trail debris you might encounter in the wilderness.

Underneath the supportive inners, the Skychasers feature tough Continental rubber outsoles, designed to keep you upright as you trek through the wilderness. These dependable outsoles feature large, aggressive lugs, which dig into potentially hazardous terrain to maximize grip and minimize slips in the wilderness.

Adidas Terrex Skychaser: on the trails

For the past couple of months, I've been putting these new Adidas hiking shoes to the test in the varied underfoot conditions and unpredictable weather of the English spring.

I've worn the Skychasers over multiple long-distance treks through the valleys and hills of southern England and even taken them up the odd mountain in Cumbria's Lake District National Park.

Here's how they got on in the wilderness:

Fit and comfort

The Adidas Terrex Skychasers are an exceptionally comfortable pair of hiking shoes.

After a couple of hikes wearing them in, the Lightstrike lightweight cushioning felt snug and responsive, supporting my feet over miles of rugged country trails and wild sections.

The OrthoLite sockliner was another nice touch and successfully prevented any friction against the soles of my feet. Without friction, I didn't need to worry about any pesky blisters and enjoyed pain-free hiking throughout my time in the Skychasers.

They also fit true to size, wrapping my feet without ever feeling too tight. The comfortable fit was complemented by this pair's 'speed laces', which use a plastic mechanism to tighten and do away with the need to tie your laces in the traditional manner.

My first impression of these laces was skepticism, but after a couple of treks, I came to appreciate their speedy tying and the effective way they locked my feet in place. They're certainly not ground-breaking, but a handy additional to shave a few sections from tying your laces.

My sole gripe with these hiking shoes is their slightly narrow toe-box, which felt a little tight after many miles of trekking.

This wasn't noticeable at first, but became apparent on a couple of hikes at around the 15-mile mark, when my toes began to get a little claustrophobic, a feeling that increased the longer I hiked.

My toes were never in pain, but rather slightly uncomfortable for a few miles.

It's worth noting that I have especially wide feet, and this problem only became apparent after a few hours on the trails. However, it's worth considering if you've got wide feet and are planning a long-distance trek.

Weight

At 15.3oz (434g) per shoe in the smallest men's size these are very much in the middle of the weight range for a hiking shoe, but do boast a decent amount of protection for their heft.

Heavy hiking shoes can be a real chore, especially when the sun comes out, and the Skychasers definitely didn't weigh me down at all. They do an excellent job of minimizing bulk while still having enough features to help you enjoy the trails.

Grip

The aggressive Continental outsoles are perfect for varied weather conditions and underfoot surfaces. Each outsole has multiple large multidirectional lugs, well suited to uneven trails in dry and wet weather.

Over many miles of hiking, I found my pair to be equally grippy on slippery, muddy trails and dusty, dry hikes, keeping me upright wherever I walked.

They were also reliable over rocky pathways and steep mountain scrambles. On one occasion, I took the Skychasers up Hellvelyn, a 3,117ft (950m) mountain in the Lake District, well-known for its steep, rocky sections and scrambles.

The outsole performed excellently, providing plenty of grip as I climbed up and down the mountain without incident.

The Skychasers' flexibility was also noticeable here. While they're not especially bendy, they allowed for enough movement to help me up steep sections without ever feeling too rigid.

Protection from the elements

I put these sturdy Adidas hiking shoes to the test over multiple rainy days on the trails, and it's safe to say they passed with flying colors.

The waterproof Gore-Tex membranes do a terrific job of warding off the elements without sacrificing breathability. Despite several downpours and plenty of boggy sections on the trails, I never once felt water seep through the uppers, nor did I overheat when the sun came out.

On long, hot treks, the handy Gore-Tex membranes maximized airflow and breathability. This, combined with the pair's minimal bulk, helped my feet stay cool and prevented overheating.

As these are low-cut shoes, water occasionally snuck in near my ankles, but didn't travel far, thanks to their snug fit.

Price

At $160 (£140) a pair, these dependable Adidas hiking shoes are reasonably proced. There are certainly cheaper models available, but none that I've tested with the same level of comfort, waterproofing, and traction.

They certainly outperform similarly priced models like the Danner N45s, and are right up there with some of our favorite pairs, like the Merrell Moab 3s and Columbia Peakfreak 2s.

Also consider

Comparison table

• The best lightweight hiking boots and shoes: pick up speed on the trails and stay agile on your scrambles
• The best hiking boots and shoes for wide feet: stride out with confidence in well-fitting footwear
• How Advnture tests products

First impressions

Danner's latest low-cut hiking shoes are built for sunny, warm-weather hikes along tough trails and dusty desert paths. The N45s aim to balance breathability and protection with airy Perspair polyester uppers and plenty of exterior protection.

Inside, your feet are cushioned by removable OrthoLite footbeds and bouncy EnduroFoam midsoles. The dense footbeds are made from heat-dissipating open-cell polyurethane, while the midsoles feature nitrogen-infused supercritical foam. Both aim to support your feet and absorb any abrasion you might encounter on the trails.

Underneath, the N45s feature grippy Vibram outsoles, which dig into uneven paths with an aggressive array of rubber lugs.

As they're designed with the warmer months in mind, these hiking shoes don't boast the waterproofing you might expect from a sturdy four-season shoe, although they're effectively quick-drying.

Danner N45: on the trails

For the past two months, I've been testing the N45s in the pleasant, mostly sunny weather of the English spring, navigating all manner of dusty trails and unpredictable terrain to see if they stand up to Danner's lofty claims.

Here's how they performed:

Fit and comfort

The Danner N45s are a mixed bag when it comes to comfort.

On one hand, the OrthoLight footbeds and EnduroFoam midsoles are supremely supportive and effectively abrasion-resistant. I had no discomfort in the soles of my feet while trekking along rough, debris-laden trails, thanks to the bouncy footbeds and protective midsoles.

The Perspair polyester upper and FoamCore gusset are genuinely comfy and never felt too tight as they wrapped around the bridges of my feet. They're also breathable and kept my feet decidedly cool over many miles of hot weather hiking.

Frustratingly though, these supportive features are let down by two major comfort issues that all but ruin the N45 hiking experience - rigid, blister-inducing heels and a narrow, restrictive toe box.

I'll start with the heels, which were evidently uncomfortable from my first hike. Unlike most parts of these hiking shoes, the heels feature little support and fail to effectively lock your feet in place.

This resulted in constant rubbing, which left me with a small blister after my first couple of hikes. I initially put this down to the breaking-in process, however, the issue persisted and resulted in further blisters and discomfort with every trek.

The narrow toe-box was also a persistent issue, forcing my toes together and making for an uncomfortable hiking experience, especially over long distances.

It's worth noting that I have particularly wide feet – this tight toe box might not be as irking if you have narrow feet.

Weight

At 22oz (624g) per pair, the N45s don't quite qualify as lightweight hiking shoes, although they're certainly on the lighter side compared to other pairs.

True lightweight models like the Keen Hightrail EXPs typically weigh about 7oz (200g) less, but don't feature anywhere near the level of protection on offer with the N45s. They're also unlikely to have the same lelve of grip, favoring smaller lugs to cut weight.

Instead of going all-out in the pursuit of a minimal weight, these Danner hiking shoes provide excellent protection and grip without becoming too bulky.

They're not as unnoticeable as some lightweight models, but certainly won't weigh you down on the trails, and feel light as a feather in comparison to other, heavier models which offer a similar level of protection.

Traction

Vibram has been crafting grippy and reliable outsoles since its founding in 1937. Over the years, the Italian brand has earned a stellar reputation and is now used by multiple major hiking and trail running outfits like Merrell, Hoka, and The North Face.

True to form, the N45s' grippy Vibram outsoles proved faultless. Their aggressive lug patterns dug into uneven underfoot terrain and kept me consistently upright as I navigated the spring trails.

These outsoles were designed specifically for dusty, dry trails, but I found them to be equally as effective in the rain, providing ample traction when the heavens opened and the terrain turned to mud.

Waterproofing and protection

As they're designed for the summer months, the Danner N45 hiking shoes don't feature the same waterproofing that you'd expect from a decent four-season pair. This was apparent on the trails, as water quickly rushed through the Perspair uppers and into my socks after just a few minutes of rainfall. In heavy rain, my feet became very wet, very quickly.

But the N45s aren't built for wet conditions – their lack of waterproofing isn't a design flaw and it improves the the shoes' breathability. But it's worth considering if you're based in an often rainy country or looking to trek outside of summer. They do, however, dry out very quickly.

Price

At $200 (£158.83) per pair, these Danner hiking shoes are a little more expensive than other, better-rated pairs like the Adidas Terrex Sky-Chasers or Merrell Moab 3s, which cost around $60 (£45) to $100 (£74) less.

These models feature similar levels of breathability with added waterproofing and none of the troublesome comfort issues prevalent with the N45s.

While $200 (£158.83) certainly isn't a rip-off, and some comparable models cost a lot more, with cheaper, better options on the market, it's worth considering if they're worth the extra cash.

Also consider

Comparison table

• The best lightweight hiking boots and shoes: pick up speed on the trails and stay agile on your scrambles
• The best hiking boots and shoes for wide feet: stride out with confidence in well-fitting footwear
• How Advnture tests products

Most of us are packing our winter boots away for a few months, and you might be in the market for some more nimble footwear that's hardwearing but light for summer. Right now, you can snag yourself the comfortable Salewa Pedroc Powertex women's hiking shoes for just $125.73 at REI. That's a healthy savings of 30% off these versatile hiking shoes that we said were perfect for mountain day hikes when we took them to the trails.

"I've been wearing the Pedrocs more than I reasonably should have, mainly because they're so comfortable. The level of cushioning is just right – not too much that I lost sense of my feet on the trail but just enough that they felt welcome," says Advnture contributor Alex Foxfield.

These waterproof shoes feature a proprietary breathable membrane to keep your feet dry and hexagonal lugs that claw at boggy terrain to keep you stable. The upper, made from high-resistance ripstop PE mesh, is both robust and breathable.

This deal applies to women's sizing in Golden Brown, and this model has been discontinued, so we recommend you act fast to get the perfect fit.

Not in the US? Scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on Salewa Pedroc Powertex hiking shoes where you are.

You're likely to be wearing these in warmer conditions, and the upper is treated with Cleansport NXT to provide odor-resistance. For long distances, the Pedroc is nicely cushioned, especially in high wear areas around the tongue and ankle. The tongue is also gusseted to stop trail debris breaching the inner sanctum of the shoe.

Not in the US? Here are today's best deals on the Salewa Pedroc Powertex hiking shoes where you are:

• The best hiking shoes
• Best hiking boots: hit the trails

Crocs is taking another step into hiking-ready footwear this summer with an updated version of its Trailbreak hiking shoe that looks ready for coastal adventures.

Despite its reputation for making sandals, slippers, and clogs, the American brand wants to help you trek on rougher terrain with the latest Trailbreak. Designed in collaboration with fashion brands And Wander and End., these unique hiking shoes aim to combine Crocs' trademark comfort and ease-of-use with enough traction and protection for heavy use over rough terrain.

Crucially, they've got rugged thermoplastic outsoles with plenty of lugs to keep you on your feet while hiking.

The latest Trailbreak hiking shoes also feature unique neoprene sock-liners, which cover your ankles and aim to keep your socks dry as you traverse boggy marshland or beach sections.

These waterproof sock-liners are designed to save time, eliminating the need to strip off shoes and socks when you're passing through water. Once you're back on dry land, they zip off to keep your feet from overheating in the summer sun.

The previous Trailbreak models featured large, grippy outsoles but no ankle protection or waterproofing.

End. says the collaboration "blends wetsuit-inspired neoprene with a rugged outsole for unrivaled comfort and stability."

The Trailbreak hiking shoes will enjoy a limited release on the Ends. website. If you fancy a pair, you'll have to enter the raffle before paying $140 for yours.

Strange as it might seem, Crocs has released hiking and camping models in the past.

In addition to previous Trailbreak shoes, Crocs has previously collaborated with Marmot to release the lightweight Quicktrail hiking shoes, which incorporate a sturdy outsole and additional protection to Crocs' iconic design.

• The best hiking boots and shoes for wide feet: stride out with confidence in well-fitting footwear
• The best lightweight hiking boots and shoes: pick up speed on the trails and stay agile on your scrambles

Merrell's Moab hiking boots are a stalwart on rocky mountain trails and rough terrain all around the world.

They were first released in 2007, with the aim of combining the protection and stability of heavy-duty models with a comfortable, easy fit that wasn't common at the time. In the years since, Merrell has sold more than 25 million pairs, which the company claims makes the Moab the best-selling model of all time.

The latest version, the Moab 3, is just as dependable as its forefathers and features many of the same sturdy materials. It's also 24% off right now at REI, and available for just $97.73 in women's sizes.

On the hunt for men's Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoes? Scroll to the bottom of this article for today's best deals.

This pair is made from a breathable pigskin suede leather/mesh upper, which allows your feet to breathe while you stomp through the trails on hot summer days.

Comfort is also prioritized thanks to cushioned Super Rebound Compound midsoles, which hiking expert Matthew Jones described as "exceptionally comfortable" in his review for Advnture.

"The midsole delivers a good balance of stability and cushioning, with a bit more arch support than most mid boots," he added, before praising this pair's aggressive Vibram outsoles.

"All in all, it’s a solid and well-built package," summarised Matthew.

Not in the States? Look below for today's best Merrell Moab 3 deals where you are.

• The best lightweight hiking boots and shoes: pick up speed on the trails and stay agile on your scrambles
• The best hiking shoes: capable summit-baggers and fast-paced walkers

Preference is everything when it comes to picking the right hiking shoes to help you navigate the wilderness.

Some trekkers prefer a pair with minimal underfoot support and a close, barefoot feel on the trails. Others prioritize comfort, opting for lots of cushioning and a hefty underfoot stack, so they can bounce around the backcountry as if they were walking on pillows.

If you fall into the latter camp, these chunky Merrell hiking shoes may be the ones for you.

Right now, you can get your hands on the Merrell Hydro Next Gen hiking shoes in men's and women's sizes for only $76.73 at REI - a whopping 30% off their list price in the spring sales.

These unique hiking shoes feature sizable FloatMax foam midsoles, designed to provide a cushioned, pain-free hiking experience as you pass over rough terrain and unpredictable wilderness trails. They also utilize Bloom performance foam, a sustainable material sourced from algae biomass.

Alongside comfort, the Hydro Next Gen hiking shoes were crafted with breathability in mind. The thermoplastic polyurethane uppers feature mesh materials to optimize airflow and stop your feet from overheating when you hit the trails.

Not in the US? Look below for today's best Merrell deals where you are.

• The best lightweight hiking boots and shoes: pick up speed on the trails and stay agile on your scrambles
• The best hiking boots and shoes for wide feet: stride out with confidence in well-fitting footwear

Perhaps the most important feature of any hiking shoe is comfort. Your chosen pair can be as grippy, durable, and waterproof as you like, but if they don't feel snug and comfortable on your feet, chances are you won't be wearing them for long.

The best hiking shoes combine a precise fit with enough cushioning to support your feet as you wiz through the wilderness.

If you're in the market for a supportive pair this spring, check out the half-price Versacore Speed women's hiking shoes, now available for just $64.83 at REI.

These slick Keen hiking shoes have comfort at the forefront of their design. They feature high-rebound EVA foam midsoles to absorb impact on the trail, and removable polyurethane insoles so you can adjust the cushioning to your liking. There's also a generous, wide toe box so hikers with wide feet won't feel restricted.

The Versacore Speed hiking shoes feature Keen's aggressive all-terrain rubber outsoles, which dig into uneven terrain to keep you upright and help you hike with confidence.

These sleek Keen hiking shoes are also available in men's sizes for $97.73 on the REI website.

Not in the US? Don't fret, look below for great Keen hiking shoes and boots deals where you are.

• The best hiking boots: protect your feet on any trail with our top choices
• The best hiking boots and shoes for wide feet: stride out with confidence in well-fitting footwear

On the hunt for a dependable pair of hiking boots to tear up the trails this spring? Check out this lightweight pair from Merrell, they wowed our expert reviewer and are $45 off in time for the hiking season.

Right now, you can get your hands on the Merrell Moab Speed 2 hiking boots for just $134.73 at REI, a hefty 25% off their list price.

Built for all seasons, these top notch boots feature a waterproof Gore-Tex membrane which blocks out the rain and remains breathable over long distances.

Inside the boots, your feet are greeted with a cushioned FloatPro Foam midsole and ample ankle padding for optimal support. There's further protection around the toe and heel, where stiff, abrasion-resistant materials shield against unpredictable backcountry terrain.

The grippy outsole is covered in 4mm Vibram TC5+ lugs, which dig into muddy and uneven trails to maximise stability.

Outdoors expert Alex Foxfield was thoroughly impressed by his Moab Speed 2 hiking boots, and particularly keen on their comfortable fit.

In his review for Advnture, Alex said: "The key standout is comfort. I could hike in these all day long quite happily.

"The combination of cushioning, fit and the lack of weight make these easily one of the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn."

The Merrell Moab Speed 2 hiking boots are also available in women's sizes for their list price of $180.

If you're not in the US, here are today's best Merrell Moab Speed 2 hiking boots deals where you are:

• The best hiking shoes: trail-friendly shoes for all seasons
• The best hiking boots and shoes for wide feet: stride out with confidence in well-fitting footwear

Hikers face are facing strict new regulations in Italy's Cinque Terre National Park - including massive €2,500 (equivalent to $2,800) fines for wearing the wrong shoes.

The measures, which copver a stunning stretch of coastline on the Ligurian Sea, include penalties for inappropriate footwear, a one-way system and the need to purchase tickets for one of the most popular sections. The changes are designed to manage the ever-increasing number of tourists on the trails while simultaneously ensuring visitor safety.

It's a move that resembles some of the tougher regulations recently introduced in Tenerife's Teide National Park, on Madeira's more popular trails, Peru's spectacular Machu Picchu trek and Mt Fuji in Japan. Local authorities around the world continue to attempt to balance the demand to safeguard these beautiful places while allowing people to access them safely.

Fines, one way systems and tickets

While a quality pair of hiking shoes may set you back a little, it's nothing in comparison to the maximum fine of €2,500 (equivalent to $2,800) that you could be lumbered with if you're caught wearing unsuitable footwear on the Cinque Terre, according to a report by Travel and Tour World. This is the most extreme case, with the fines that can be handed out ranging upwards from €50 ($55).

In fact, open-toed shoes, flip-flops and smooth soled shoes have been banned from the trails here since 2019. The national park website states that 'on the trails it is compulsory to wear closed, waterproof and ankle covering shoes, with an anti-slip sole.'

As well as fines for the wrong footwear, a one-way system have also been introduced on the trail between Monterosso and Vernazza in order to manage numbers. During the peak season, this popular trail is only open between 9am and 2pm. According to a report by Travel and Tour World, about 70% of the visitors to the national park choose to walk this section.

Another popular stretch of the Cinque Terre is the Via dell'Amore (Path of Love), a short paved section between Riomaggiore and Manarola. As it's name suggests, it's the go-to for couples visiting the region. However, it only recently reopened in February 2025 after a 2012 landslide forced the national park to undertake extensive renovations to make it safe again.

Such is the demand for this 1-kilometer path that a ticketing system has been introduced, limiting the number of walkers to 400 per hour. Those wanting to stroll along the Via dell'Amore will have to pay €12.50 (approx $14) for the privilege and should book in advance to avoid disappointment.

What is the Cinque Terre?

The Cinque Terre coast is a National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site that's renowned for its spectacular scenery and the charming fishing settlements that cling to its cliffs. Historically, the five villages of Riomaggiore, Manorola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Montorosso could only be travelled between via the coastal trails, though today they're linked by the railway.

Nevertheless, it's a beautiful hiking destination, with more than 75 miles (120km) of ancient footpaths to explore and 48 named trails, with everything from romantic ambles to strenuous hill walks.

Hoka's highly popular shoes rarely get discounted, so we keep a close eye on the brand's sales to make sure we don't blink and miss anything extra special. Right now, you can pick up the popular Hoka Skyline-Float X hiking shoes for just $139.99 at Hoka. That's a healthy saving of 20% off these highly-rated hiking shoes that hikers call "excellent" and praise for their comfort.

This relatively new Hoka model boasts the responsive cushioning you've probably come to expect from the brand, thanks to a generous 31mm of foam under the heel. Despite that relatively high stack, customers say the wide SwallowTail heel geometry keeps you stable on rough and rocky paths so you can keep moving at your best pace with confidence.

"They fit perfectly, and even after an 8-mile hike with nearly 2 miles of steep climbing, my feet felt great," says one happy hiker.

This shoe has a 5mm drop and a slight rocker sole for a propulsive toe-off. It comes in unisex sizing and this deal applies to all colorways.

If you're not in the US and looking for a deal, scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on Hoka hiking boots and shoes where you are.

This adventure-ready shoe employs plant-based elements from upper to sole, including a soy-based sockliner, 30% sugarcane midsole, 89% bio-based Pebax rock plate, and Vibram XS Trek rubber outsole.

Not in the US? These are today's best deals on Hoka hiking boots and shoes where you are:

• The best hiking shoes: trail-friendly shoes for all seasons
• The best hiking boots: hit the trail

Want something comfy to wear while you trot around the trails this season? Take a look at these supportive hiking shoes from Merrell, reduced by 24% in REI's spring sales.

Right now at REI, you can get the men's Merrell Moab Edge 3 hiking shoes for just $82.73.

Merrell's Moab range has earned a stellar reputation for producing high-quality hiking shoes for all conditions. In our expert guide to the best hiking boots, we chose the flagship Moab 3 boots as our top pick.

The Moab Edge 3 hiking shoes take the grippy Vibram sole and sturdy construction of our favorite pair and provide additional underfoot support so you can enjoy pain-free hiking in the wilderness.

They feature shock-absorbent Super Rebound midsoles, Merrell Air cushioning in the heels, and contoured footbeds for flexible support while you trek.

In addition to comfort, this pair prioritises grip. Its aggressive Vibram outsoles have sizable 5mm lugs that dig into uneven surfaces to keep you upright on the trails.

The Merrell Moab Edge 3 hiking shoes are available in the Granite and Black colorways. They've been discontinued so this deal won't be around for long.

Look below for today's best Merrell Moab hiking shoes and boots deals where you are:

• The best hiking shoes: trail-friendly shoes for all seasons
• The best hiking boots and shoes for wide feet: stride out with confidence in well-fitting footwear

Danner is gearing up for summer, with the release of a new hiking shoe that's designed to help you beat the heat on long, hot treks – and hold up to years of wear thanks to recraftable soles.

The Danner N45 hiking shoes have that classic Danner style and are built for the warmer days on the horizon, thanks to Perspair fabric used in the uppers, which is made from woven polyester threads and designed to be light, tough and breathable. At just 11 ounces per shoe, the N45s are lighter than most of the hiking shoes we've tested, while recycled polyester linings also help your feet breathe on hot days.

Though these shoes have regular lace-up fastenings, Ariaprene foam gussets wrap the feet for a comfortable, snug fit that Danner tends to favor in its more recent low-cut shoes such as the Trail 2650 Campo. This isn't always ideal for cold weather hikes where thick socks are a must, but for the warmer months, it can mean a more secure fit for more confident walking and fewer blisters. They're also said to prevent hot spots on long walks.

For those longer days, your feet will thank you for the midsoles which utilize nitrogen-infused foam that's ultra-light and designed to increase energy return. Underfoot the brand has gone with Vibram Megagrip outsoles and Traction Lug technology to improve grip on slippery trails and smooth, dry slick rock if you've got some desert adventures in your plans. But it's the fact that these soles are recraftable that makes these shoes most interesting.

We've previously seen recraftable soles in the Danner Mountain 600 Leaf series, but those are pricey full-grain leather boots and something you'd want to last a lifetime. Summer shoes tend to need replacing with more regularity, and this is the first time we've seen the brand make a resoleable trainer-style shoe, perhaps because the upper is designed to be so tough.

If those abrasion-resistant uppers are as robust as advertised, it would mean you'd have to switch out your summer shoes far less often, save yourself some money and keep more shoes out of the landfill over a lifetime of hiking.

Once you've worn these shoes for a couple of seasons, if the soles are starting to look like they've seen better days, you can head to Danner's recrafting page and fill out a form, then send your boots in to be refreshed.

"Recrafting is like buying a brand-new pair of boots that are already broken in," says customer Brent Brown who had his boots resoled after a decade of use.

We took a look and the cost to resole the N45s is $100, which isn't cheap but it's about half of what you'll pay for a new pair of shoes, plus you won't have to break them in when they send them back. The brand says this process currently takes three to four weeks, so we'd recommend waiting until the off-season or winter when you're wearing warmer boots anyway.

Danner's N45 hiking shoes are available now in men's sizing in Cargo Green/Antique Bronze, Timberwolf and Jet Black and in women's sizing in Jet Black, Ghost and Coyote/Semolina for $199.95.

• The best hiking shoes: trail-friendly shoes for all seasons
• The best hiking boots: protect your feet on any trail with our top choices

Keen Hightrail EXP: first impressions

These hiking shoes, the latest low-cut offering from outdoor specialists Keen, aim to balance speed, stability and style in a versatile, lightweight package.

The all-new Hightrail EXP hiking shoes pack the features of a protective, heavy-duty hiking model into a shoe that could easily be mistaken for a trainer. They’re made from sturdy ripstop materials and breathable premium leather, which is kept dry by Keen’s own waterproof membrane.

Comfort-wise, the Hightail EXP features removable foam insoles and high-rebound foam cushioning, so you can enjoy a cozy, pain-free hike.

On the bottom of the shoes, all-terrain rubber outsoles aim to keep you upright with an aggressive lug pattern. The “Keen-traction” outsoles are both lightweight and flexible, so you can speed along on all manner of surfaces.

Keen Hightrail EXP: in the wilderness

For the past couple of months, I’ve been putting Keen’s all-new hiking shoes through their paces in Britain’s harsh winter weather. I’ve worn the Hightrail EXPs in the damp and boggy English hills and rocky pathways of Wales’s Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) national park.

Here’s how they performed:

Fit and comfort

From my first use, the Hightrail EXP stood out as remarkably comfortable. Upon stepping into these hiking shoes, your feet are greeted by the absorbent foam insoles. These thick, bouncy insoles pad the soles of your feet, cushioning them from any uneven terrain you may encounter.

The bridge and toes of your feet are supported by high-rebound foam cushioning, which wraps around them to provide a soft, slipper-like feeling on the trails.

The comfy cushioning was apparent whether I was ascending steep, rocky sections or negotiating thick mud, keeping my feet supported and pain-free over many miles of trekking.

These hiking shoes also fit very well. True to size, the Hightrail EXP slipped on with ease and hugged my heels to keep me firmly in place without ever feeling too tight.

The Hightrail experience was further improved by a generous, wide toe-box.

Crafting a narrow toe-box is one of the worst mistakes footwear manufacturers can make, and can often ruin a perfectly good trek. These flexible hiking shoes don’t suffer from such a problem and allowed my toes plenty of freedom.

Weight

Despite ample cushioning and several supportive features, the Hightrail EXP hiking shoes are a decent weight.

At just 13.8oz (390g) per shoe, they weigh in at a similar point to other lightweight hiking shoes. The Salomon Outpulse, for example, which we rated as our favorite lightweight hiking shoes, weigh 13oz (377g).

The Hightrail EXP's lack of bulk is noticeable in the backcountry, allowing you to trot along at speed without worrying about the weight.

Traction

Despite their minimal weight and casual design, the Hightrail EXP is more than capable of keeping you upright on harsh, uneven terrain.

The multi-directional lugs on the all-terrain rubber outsole dug into all manner of surfaces, stopping me from slipping in the mud and providing assured grip on steep, rocky pathways.

The outsole is also flexible, providing a feeling of freedom on the trails without sacrificing grip. For this reason, the Hightrail EXP can easily double as trail running shoes and don't feel out of place on a run.

Protection from the elements

To protect against the elements, these hybrid hiking shoes feature a PFAS-free waterproof membrane, which aims to allow vapor in while keeping your feet dry.

I put said membrane to the test on plenty of rainy days and even in the odd puddle.

The waterproofing passed with flying colors; my pair was submerged to the laces at several points during testing and kept my socks completely dry throughout.

As these are a low-cut pair, water occasionally snuck in near my ankles but didn't travel far, thanks to the Hightrail EXP's snug fit.

Breathability is perhaps the only area these hiking shoes don't ace. My feet felt fine for the most part but became a touch hot and bothered towards the ends of two long hikes.

While the breathability is passable, it doesn't quite reach the high standards that this pair sets itself.

A defensive rubber toe bumper also aims to fend off the elements, protecting the front of your feet from rocks and debris on the trail.

While it obviously doesn't offer the same protection as a steel cap, the rubber option is fine for most trails and successfully fends off annoying trail debris.

Price

At $150 / £125, the Hightrail EXP hiking shoes are comparable to other top-end lightweight hiking shoes like the Salewa Dropline and Salomon Pulse hiking shoes.

There are certainly cheaper models available, but for their excellent waterproofing, superb grip, and slipper-like comfort, I'd say the Hightrail EXPs are worth every cent.

• The best lightweight hiking boots and shoes: pick up speed on the trails and stay agile on your scrambles
• The best hiking boots and shoes for wide feet: stride out with confidence in well-fitting footwear
• How Advnture tests products

Hurry! These eco-friendly Merrell hiking boots have been discontinued, meaning that when they're gone, they're gone forever.

If you're quick, you can get your hands on the Merrell Speed Solo hiking shoes for just $54.83 in men's and women's sizes at REI.

This half-price pair is an eco-friendly option for taking on the trails, featuring 100% recycled laces, webbing, mesh lining, and polyurethane insoles. The 'Bloom' foam insoles include algea biomass, a renewable material sourced from lakes and ponds.

Alongside sustainability, this pair was designed with harsh hiking trails in mind. The Vibram ecostep outsoles feature aggressively shaped 4mm lugs, which dig into uneven terrain to provide stability in the wilderness, while the waterproof suede upper wards off the elements.

Meanwhile, sturdy, supportive rock plates aim to protect your feet from rocks and irritating debris in the wilderness.

The Merrell Speed Solo hiking shoes are available in the Black/Boulder colorway in men's sizes and Burlwood in women's.

The Merrell Speed Solo hiking shoes are also available in a mid-cut version, which is currently reduced to $104.93 in men's and women's sizes.

If you're not in the U.S, you can look below for today's best deals on dependable Merrell hiking shoes where you are:

• The best hiking boots and shoes for wide feet: stride out with confidence in well-fitting footwear
• The best hiking shoes: trail-friendly shoes for all seasons

If we're being honest with ourselves, the most common place to encounter a pair of Hoka shoes is in the city, and who can blame people for wanting to take advantage of all that plush foam when they're pounding pavement? That doesn't mean that shoes from the fastest-growing brand in trail running skimp on technical details, however, and the latest hiking shoe drop looks ready to take you from town to trail.

First, there's the Hoka Elite Terrain System Tor Summit which takes the rugged details of both classic hiking boots and work boots and melts them down into a sneaker style shoe. With its hairy suede upper and earth tone colorways, it looks a little bit like an old-school hiking shoe upper on top of a modern Hoka midsole, and we can't say that's the worst idea we've ever heard.

Metal hardware and a rubber mud guard reinforce this hiker for rough trails, and needless to say it's built with a Vibram Megagrip outsole for spring conditions, but it's still styled with Hoka's increasingly legendary cushioning making it functional for any long days on your feet, whether you're hiking or not.

The Hoka Elite Terrain System Tor Ultra Lo is also all-gender and looks a little more discreet (meaning, it doesn't scream "I'm a hiker!") but it doesn't lack in technical details, featuring the same rubber toe cap and outsole. A Gore-Tex bootie and non-wicking mesh are added for splash-proof performance on soggy adventures, and we think this particular style would make a more seamless transition from work to the wilderness once the days get longer.

The Hoka Elite Terrain System Tor Ultra Lo is available now in Forest Floor / Farro for $225 /£180 at Hoka, and the Tor Summit is available in Umber and Astral for $210 / £175.

Finally, if your Hoka slides have seen better days, this line also features a plush new recovery shoe, the Elite Terrain System Ora Primo. This shoe blends the brand's futuristic recovery slip-on with timeless materials like nubuck leather, hairy suede and metal rivets and is available in three different colorways for $130 / £105.

Still looking for the perfect pair of hiking shoes? Here are today's best deals on some of our favorite styles:

• The best hiking shoes: trail-friendly shoes for all seasons
• Best hiking boots: hit the trail

First impressions

Is it a shoe? Is it a sock? Skinners’ Comfort 2.0 hybrids blur the line, combining the lightweight, soft upper of a sock with a tough plastic outsole.

Liberating bulk while maintaining durability, Skinners claims its latest low-cut offering activates the muscles and tendons in your feet, providing a “natural and grounding feel and second skin sensation".

Skinners also boast that its lightweight sock shoe is suitable for all manner of adventures – a reliable choice for light hiking and traveling while assuming the role of a comfy pair of slippers around the camp.

Featuring a cotton and polyester mesh, the Comfort 2.0's upper is designed to maximize breathability and comfort, allowing for a greater feeling of freedom in the backcountry. A 3mm grippy polymer outsole is also designed to emphasize said freedom, highlighting all the bumps and inconsistencies below your feet.

The outsole’s surface consists of thousands of small, individual black rubber chunks glued together to provide a little extra protection without sacrificing a close, flexible barefoot feel.

Like most barefoot footwear, the Comfort 2.0 doesn't have a drop, meaning your feet hit the ground evenly as they would without shoes.

A shoe’s drop is the difference in height between the forefoot and the heel; the greater the drop, the steeper the angle between the two. Although opinions vary, shoes with a higher drop are usually preferred by runners and hikers who strike the ground with their heel first, while barefoot / zero-drop shoes are often worn by forefoot strikers.

In the wilderness

For the past few months, I've been putting the Comfort 2.0s to the test, wearing the barefoot sock shoes on the trails and even around town to see whether or not they truly live up to their bold claims.

Here's how they performed:

Barefoot feel and comfort

The best barefoot shoes strike a fine balance, offering a close barefoot feeling without sacrificing comfort. The Skinners Comfort 2.0s certainly succeed on the first metric.

The light, flexible polymer outsole provides a close, barefoot feeling when you're walking around the wilderness, painting a vivid picture of the terrain beneath your feet. This is especially true without the removable sole, which I found to slip around and impede the barefoot feeling.

The polymer outsole was comfortable enough for light walks in the wilderness and around the camp; however, issues quickly arose during more strenuous activity.

The Comfort 2.0s were decidedly uncomfortable during uphill and strenuous hiking, causing aches in the balls of my feet and even a blister on one occasion. With or without the removable insole, this pair felt harsh and confining compared to a proper pair of hiking shoes or trail runners. This was also the case on hard-paved streets.

It's important to note that the Comfort 2.0s are designed for walking around the camp and light hiking. However, I'd still expect the Skinners 2.0 to perform better on gentle uphill hikes.

Waterproofing

The Comfort 2.0s were disappointing in wet weather.

Although it's designed to be waterproof, the 3mm polymer outsole was disappointing in damp conditions as it only covered the bottom of my feet, meaning the uncovered sides would immediately become soggy in wet grass or rain.

In addition, its thousands of tiny plastic chunks would pick up mud and debris that would annoyingly cling to the outsole in wet conditions, adding weight and minimizing the coveted barefoot feel.

Sizing

The Comfort 2.0s did not fit true to size. Wearing UK size 11, I found the shoe-socks to be far too cramped, with a particularly narrow toe box.

Moving up a size reduced the cramped feeling and improved comfort, although the toe-box was still noticeably narrow.

Upper

Despite a few flaws, Skinners’ Comfort 2.0s have several redeeming qualities. As advertised, the adaptive-fit cotton mesh upper is indeed comfortable, providing a soft, sock-like feel around the bridge of your foot.

Said upper is also genuinely breathable. Its stretchy, adaptive fit kept the bridge and top of my feet from overheating when hiking.

I also found the Comfort 2.0s to come good on Skinners' odor-resistant claim. After several hours of use, my pair remains pong-free. For a proper wash, they can survive in the washing machine like any other pair of socks without any damage or shrinking.

Weight

Much of the Comfort 2.0's appeal comes from its light weight and ease of use. Weighing under 7oz / 200g, these shoe-socks can be rolled up and chucked in a backpack without taking up any significant space.

Final thoughts

With the Comfort 2.0s, Skinners was promising a lot. Balancing the comfort of a lightweight sock with enough support and waterproofing for easy use around the camp, and even the odd hike, was always going to be a tough ask.

This unusual hybrid succeeds in some areas and falls short in others. The Comfort 2.0s are adequately comfortable for walking around the camp and light hiking but fall short on more strenuous trails and in wet weather.

The Skinners Comfort 2.0s are available on the WildBounds website.

• How Advnture tests products

Hoka unveiled the new Hoka Kaha 3 at the end of last year, and that means the previous edition is selling out fast. Right now, you can pick up the robust Hoka Kaha 2 GTX Hiking Shoes for as little as $77.98 at Nordstrom Rack. That's a gigantic saving of 64% off these waterproof hiking shoes.

"Roomy fit, feel like clouds on my feet," writes one reviewer who says she wore her Kaha 2s to hike Machu Picchu.

The Kaha 2 prioritizes comfort with the cushy midsoles we've come to know and love from the burgeoning brand (there's about two inches under the heel) while a rocker design helps with toe-off and keeps you rolling forward.

That said, they don't compromise on technical details – aggressive lugs on the Vibram Megarip outsoles are built to handle crumbly and slick trails, while a wide heel that Hoka calls its HubbleTail geometry helps to stabilize you when the going gets rocky and rough. A Gore-Tex membrane keeps your feet dry if you have to cross a river or encounter soggy conditions on the trail.

You may notice that Nordstrom Rack has these shoes listed as trail runners, but while you could certainly move fast and light in them, they're a bit stiff and heavy for running and we'd recommend using them for hiking. This deal applies to women's sizing in the Summer Song / Harbor Mist colorway, but some of the smaller sizes have now sold out, so we recommend you act fast or try the Hot Sauce/Shifting Sand colorway which has more sizes remaining for $129.97 (that's 40% off).

If you're shopping for men's sizing don't despair as you can pick them up in all colorways at 40% off for $129.97.

Not in the US? Scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on the Kaha 2 GTX series where you are.

This style has been discontinued, meaning this is your last chance to get your hands on a pair and we can't see them getting much cheaper than this. With a remarkable weight-to-cushion ratio, the leather Kaha 2 GTXs are plush, tough and built to perform during your mountain adventures.

If you're not in the US, here are today's best deals on Hoka's Kaha 2 GTX series where you are:

• The best hiking shoes: trail-friendly shoes for all seasons

Adidas says it has launched a new chapter in its hiking footwear range with the drop of a redesigned shoe that combines a classic look with trail-tested technologies.

Released under the brand's hiking and trail running label, the Adidas Terrex Skychaser Gore-Tex hiking shoe joins the increasingly large lineup of hiking footwear that also includes models like the Free Hiker 2s. The shoe has been reimagined with a fresh silhouette that looks like it would be as at home on the high street as it is on a summit, and packed in plenty of modern technology for high performance on the trails.

The brand says the shoe is built for any hiker who wants to move fast and still enjoy protection, control and comfort, so let's take a look at the goods.

For protection, a ripstop Gore-Tex upper is designed to keep your feet dry on damp days on the trail, while a molded toe cap and abrasion-resistant overlays are there to protect your feet – and shoes – from damage by trail hazards.

Stability is key when you're moving fast over technical terrain, so a stiff plate sits between the upper and midsole which is said to act as a stabilizer in technical terrain. A reformulated Continental outsole is furnished with aggressive 5 mm lugs to chomp into muddy terrain. For those of you who just like to get moving, the new Skychaser is equipped with speed laces, which can be quickly adjusted and ensure a lockdown fit.

Comfort isn't something you want to sacrifice over long days, and with a decent stack of 26 mm of Lightstrike foam under the heel, you should be able to walk for hours before foot fatigue sets in. The brand says the midsole delivers the responsiveness of a running shoe, though we can't help but wonder how the towering 10 mm drop will feel on the downhills.

At just 13.7 oz for a size 7, these are up there with some of the lighter trainer-style hiking shoes we've tested, similar to the AKU Rocket DFS GTX, and the brand has tried to leave a lighter footprint on the planet too, saying it uses at least 20% recycled content in construction.

The recoded Adidas Terrex Skychaser Gore-Tex is available now in men's and women's sizing in multiple colorways for $160 / £140.

• The best hiking shoes: trail-friendly shoes for all seasons

Fancy some high-quality, low-cut hiking boots to see you through all seasons? Right now, you can get your hands on the Scarpa Rush Trail GTX hiking shoes for just $114.48 in women's sizes and $137.37 in men's, both way down from their list price of $228.95, at Backcountry.

These trusty hiking shoes combine a soft suede and mesh upper with a waterproof Gore-Tex membrane, which offers complete protection from the elements. The Presa outsole features aggressive, intelligently arranged lugs, which dig into uneven surfaces to keep you stable in the backcountry.

In our 2024 review, hiking expert Pat Kinsella rated the Scarpa Rush Trail GTX hiking shoes a rare five stars. He was particularly impressed with the comfy fit and protective body.

"The midsoles are cushioned to the extent that they alleviate the worst effects of repeated foot placement on a long day hike, without being so spongy that they soak up too much energy."

"The protective elements are excellent, from the Gore-Tex lined upper to the toe cap and heel buffer."

These sleek suede hiking shoes are available in the Taupe/Mango colorway in men's sizes and Smoke/Provence in women's.

If you're not in the U.S. you can check out today's best deals on the Scarpa Rush Trail GTX hiking shoes below.

• The best hiking shoes: trail-friendly shoes for all seasons
• The best hiking boots and shoes for wide feet: stride out with confidence in well-fitting footwear

In the market for a trusty pair of alpine hiking shoes? Right now, you can snag the Salewa Wildfire 2 hiking shoes for just $118.96 at Backcountry - way down from their list price of $169.95.

Well suited to warm weather hiking, this pair features breathable mesh linings, which help to keep your feet cool in sweltering conditions. They're also designed to optimize comfort, with EVA midsoles that absorb your steps and aim to offer consistent rebound.

The Wildfire 2s are the new, and arguably improved version of one of our favorite pairs of hiking shoes - the original Wildfires. Receiving an impressive four-and-a-half star review, this technical pair wowed our expert reviewer Jessie Leong.

Jessie was particularly impressed by the waterproof Gore-Tex outer, which she described as: "super breathable and protected against even the wettest submersion."

The Wildfire 2s attempt to improve on their predecessor's design, increasing cushioning in the midsole area and re-designing the soleplate.

The Salewa Wildfire 2 hiking boots are available in a wide range of men's sizes, and women's US size 11.

Don't panic if you're not in the U.S. See today's best deals on Salewa Wildfire hiking shoes in men's and women's sizes where you are.

• The best approach shoes: for alpine adventures, via ferrata, scrambling, and more
• The best budget hiking boots: quality pairs at low prices

After 60 years of making high-quality hiking gear, Vasque is officially closing its doors. The American outdoor brand has been a trustworthy source of tough leather hiking boots over the years, making popular models like the Breeze and St. Elias boots.

Vasque has now stopped production, meaning that once they're gone, they're gone for good.

Before they sell out forever, you can get 24% off the sleek and modern Vasque Re:connect Now hiking shoes, which are now just $127.73 at REI.

This lightweight pair features a wide heel and forefoot design to maximise stability and comfort on the trials. The Xlite rubber outsoles also enhance traction with aggressive multidirectional lugs.

The Re:connect Now hiking shoes are ready to take on the wilderness thanks to their sleek Gore-Tex upper, which blocks rain while remaining breathable.

Designed to look and feel like a comfortable trainer, these shoes are available in the Adriatic Blue, Stormy Fig and Canyon Brown colorways. But hurry, as Vasque won't be making any more!

Not in the US? Check out today's best offers on dependable Vasque hiking boots where you are.

• The best hiking boots: keep your feet warm, dry and protected on the trails with our top choices
• The best lightweight hiking boots and shoes: pick up speed on the trails and stay agile on your scrambles

Merrell’s ever-popular Moab series is an institution in itself. Said to be the world’s best-selling hiking boot, the series has sold something in the region of 25 million pairs worldwide since it debuted over 15 years ago.

These days the Moab comes in many shapes and sizes, with multiple spin offs among the brand's boots, hiking shoes and even its trail running shoes. I’m surprised that the brand haven’t yet unveiled a Moab hiking sandal, though its Choprock Sieve bares some similarities.

The Moab Speed 2 Vent 2K 1TRL is at the lightweight end of the Moab spectrum and, depending on where you look, is classified as both a fast-hiking shoe and a trail running shoe. There are contradictions even on Merrell’s own website, with the shoe described as both “the latest innovation in hiking” and as “a lightweight vegan-friendly trail runner”. At 352g, they’re not lightweight at all (for a trail runner) – certainly more akin to a hiking shoe. It seemed that I had my work cut out to get to the bottom of just what exactly these shoes are for…

First impressions

When I opened up the box and revealed the Speed 2 Vents for the first time, my immediate impression was that they bore more resemblance to a hiking shoe than a trail shoe. They’re certainly bulkier than something like Merrell’s Agility Peak 5 trail running shoes, which we rated very highly back in September 2023. At the same time, they're hardly as robust looking as many of Merrell's other hiking options.

With its chunky, protective outsole, toe box reinforcement and ample cushioning, the Speed 2 Vent suggests comfort rather than blistering speed. If the Agility Peak 5 is a Camaro, then the Speed 2 Vent puts me more in mind of a Jeep. It looks like it’d be capable on rough terrain and be relatively nifty too. Aesthetically, the hexagonal mesh really stands out, promising breathability and functionality. It’s a shoe that looks at home both on the streets and the trails but lacks some of the pub-ready classiness of footwear featuring Italian leather or similar.

Features

The synthetic materials used in the Speed 2 Vent make it a vegan-friendly option, while the mesh lining, laces, webbing and footbed cover are 100% recycled. Bravo! Breathability is the key here, it’s a shoe designed for dynamic activities and warm weather hiking.

There’s plenty of protection too. Hidden between the midsole and the outsole is a rock plate to shield against sharp objects underfoot, while there’s rubber reinforcement at both the heel and the toes. Again, this level of protection is more akin to a hiking shoe than a trail running shoe, though it’s not too dissimilar to some forms of mountain running footwear, such as the Salomon Speedcross 6. Nevertheless, the Speed 2 Vent is around 100g heavier per pair than something like the Speedcross.

Barefoot runners and hikers beware, the drop is substantial – at least 10mm. This makes it more suited to heel strikers and you can expect little by way of trail feel thanks to the ample amount of cushioning. Instead, what you get is a comfortable ride – the FloatPro midsole providing a nice amount of lightweight spring.

The Vibram TC5+ outsole features bean-shaped 3.7mm lugs through the center and trapezoid lugs around the edges. They’re admittedly not the most aggressive looking lineup – the same sole features in the Speed 2 Mid Gore-Tex hiking boot that I reviewed earlier in 2024. On the boot version, I found that the grip was found wanting on muddy terrain and the same was true here. This is even more of an issue where fast hiking or even running are concerned. Speed and the forces involved when exploring boggy environments demand lugs that will hold firm. The TC5+ simply doesn’t provide this.

After working up a sweat, you can usually expect these kinds of shoes to get a little pongy. Not so, the Speed 2 Vent! Cleansport NXT pro-biotic treatment means that the fabrics are odor resistant. It makes use of selected microbes and bonds them to the surface of the shoe. Merrell claim it’s environmentally friendly and it should avoid the worst of the post-adventure pong.

On the trails

I’ve been testing the Speed 2 Vent as both a hiker and a runner on the trails of England’s southwest throughout fall and early winter. For me, it’s not a great trail running shoe. It’s too heavy, the cushioning is too extreme and it doesn’t grip muddy trails well enough. There’s no doubt it’d fare better in summer, but not enough to have me reaching for it over more specialized trail shoes. On a personal note, I tend to run in shoes with little or no drop, so the 10mm+ here felt really extreme, like I was being tipped forward the whole time.

To my mind, the shoe is much better as a lightweight hiker, providing comfort and decent performance on easy trails. As mentioned, the TC5+ outsole isn’t ideal for boggier terrain and it struggles on steep, earthy inclines too. Not only this, the lugs towards the heel have a habit of collecting mud, compromising the grip further.

All of this means it's best suited to drier environments and firmer terrain, such as gravel paths. I enjoyed walks in my local park and country ambles over the festive period with family. On these kinds of easier hikes, the Speed 2 Vents were preferable to bulkier hiking shoes or boots, thanks to their comfort and breathability.

It's clear that breathability has been prioritized here over waterproof protection – hence the Vent in the name. There’s no Gore-Tex to keep the drink out but then the upper ventilates very well, better than it would if it had a waterproof membrane. This is the conundrum, the double-edged sword that all outdoor footwear designers must face. If you hike in wetter environments, it’s probably worth getting the Gore-Tex version, as the breathability payoff will be worth it, though I’d still be concerned about the outsole’s ability to grip the sloppier stuff.

Throughout the test period, I was impressed with the level of protection the Speed 2 Vents provide against rock abrasion and prickly undergrowth. The odor-resistant treatment also meant that they didn’t stink out the car after an outing too, always a bonus!

The Moab series is named after the Utah city on the edge of Arches National Park, a spectacular and, crucially, dry hiking environment. I’d much sooner wear the Speed 2 Vents for a speedy hike there then I would for a jaunt into the UK’s soggier uplands. The bottom line here is that these are nice hiking shoes that are best for dry adventures. For me, they're not trail running shoes but fast hikers that you can jog in should the mood take you while exploring the trails.

Inov8 TrailTalon: first impressions

One thing you can be sure about when you get a pair of Inov8 trail-running shoes is that they will last the distance – I’m notoriously hard on footwear, but I’ve had a pair of Inov8 TrailFly Ultra G 300 Max trail shoes that I’ve been running around in for more than three-and-a-half years, in which I’ve racked up well over 1,000km on the Strava clock now, and they’re still trail-ready.

This is largely down to the award-winning graphene rubber compound the British brand use in the soles of their running shoes, which is extremely tough. The upper, though, is starting to fail, so I do need an everyday running shoe, and I’m hoping the Inov8 TrailTalon could be it.

The TrailTalon is the brand-new shoe from Inov8. A product that has evolved from the brand’s Roclite range, it can be worn on any kind of terrain, but complete with a G-GRIP graphene rubber sole, which supplies excellent traction, it promises to really excel off-road, on the proper mucky stuff.

Of course, a really top-quality trail-running shoe requires more than just good grip – it needs to be comfortable while supplying serious support to the foot, and the midsole must strike a good balance between protective cushioning and feedback. I’ve been testing the Inov8 TrailTalon for the last month, to see how it compares to the best trail-running shoes on the market.

Inov8 TrailTalon: versions

The Inov8 TrailTalon comes in three iterations: the standard version; the GTX version ($160 / £140), which features a Gore-Tex membrane and is thus waterproof; and the Speed version ($160 / £140), which has less padding, and a more aggressive, lighter design, with a smaller (4mm) heel-to-toe drop – ideal for race day if you’re looking to lead the pack.

I’ve been testing the standard TrailTalon, which features more cushioning across the upper than its sleeker siblings, to provide cushioning during day-to-day training runs, as well as high performance when you need it. Personally I prefer non-waterproof trail-running shoes (because they breathe better), and I certainly don’t have any podium pretensions, so the standard version – which promises to be right up there with the most comfortable running shoes around – is the perfect model for me. There is also a wide fit option right across all three models, which I have selected, as my broad feet appreciate the extra space in the toe box.

Meet the reviewer

Inov8 TrailTalon: design and materials

The upper on the TrailTalons is constructed with a synthetic mesh material, reinforced with a very flexible TPU skeleton. The extra cushioning on the standard version is mainly around the heel and the tongue, which is integrated into the main chassis of the shoe, creating a semi sock. There is substantial heel cradle, which loops around the back of the shoe and connects to the lace system, so you can get a good secure locking fit. There is no rand to speak of, but there is a small toe bumper.

Inside each shoe is one of the brand’s Boomerang footbeds, made with hundreds of tiny TPU beads, which compress as your weight pushes down on them and then expand to supply 40% energy return with every stride you take (according to Inov8). Beneath this is the Powerflow Pro midsole – an EVO foam cushion that’s 18mm thick at the heel, tapering down to 12mm at the toe end, so the shoe has a 6mm drop – just about perfect for the average trail-runner like me.

The outsole is, of course, made with the brand’s signature tough graphene rubber compound, which promises to last for years. The 7mm cleats are arranged in a multidirectional pattern, to supply grip on all sorts of surfaces, plus braking control and traction on a wide range of terrain. These teeth are also quite widely spaced, so they don’t tend to collect too much mud.

Inov8 TrailTalon: on the trails

I’ve been running across a wide range of terrain in the Inov8 TrailTalons, from a gravelly (and very icy) disused railway track in the Midlands and the slippery chalky trails atop the North Downs, to the muddy fields, technical woodland paths and rocky coastal routes around the South West. The first thing to say is that this is a genuinely comfortable shoe to run in, even straight out of the box. I can only speak for the standard version that I’ve been testing, which does boast more padding around the collar than the Speed TrailTalon, but I have been very impressed with just how snug and comfy these shoes feel. Assisted by the cradling heel cup, which you can pull nice and tight as you do the laces up, the secure fit of the shoe stops your feet moving around in the chassis as you run (vastly reducing the chances of blisters and other discomfort-causing problems arising).

I found the mesh zones across the upper allowed my feet to breathe beautifully, and the shoes drained well after stream crossings – although the cushioning around my ankle area did absorb a lot of water and took ages to dry (a pay-off for the extra comfort, I guess). So far, the half-sock that extends from the tongue to the top of the toes has successfully managed to prevent any serious grit from getting into the chassis.

I’m not sure about the claim that the Boomerang footbed dishes up 40% energy return (I just don’t know how you measure such a thing), but having put in some serious clicks on lots of different kinds of trail, I can report that, between this footbed and the Powerflow Pro midsole, there is certainly a palpable degree of positive bounce in these shoes. At the same time, they cushion the impact of repeated footstrike (even on solid or hard-packed terrain) wonderfully well. And despite the substantial stack, you still get a little bit of feedback from the trail too, especially around the front of the foot where the midsole is thinner.

On the downside, the level of foot protection offered by the TrailTalons is pretty low – the toecap is tiny and the sidewalls of the shoe, especially towards the front, are really quite flimsy. The graphene outsole will, however, protect you from sharp objects underfoot.

And once again, the underside of this Inov8 hoof is probably the most impressive element of the entire shoe. The 7mm lugs are extremely grippy on all kinds of terrain, and the way they’re positioned provides traction when you’re accelerating and good levels of control during technical descents. The tread design lies somewhere between a good mud-running shoe and a standard trail running shoe.

There are substantial spaces between the lugs, so mud tends to peel off as you run, rather than accumulating in massive heavy lumps, but thanks to the meaty midsole it’s not uncomfortable to run on sealed or hard surfaces in the TrailTalons (you can’t feel the studs). The overall effect is superb grip combined with sumptuous comfort, which is pretty much everything a trail runner wants from life.

• How Advnture tests products

As an outdoors journalist, I get to test a lot of different hiking shoes and last year, there was one clear winner and to my surprise, it came from Columbia Sportswear. Right now, you can pick up the absurdly comfortable Columbia Konos TRS Outdry shoe for as low as $65.38 at Amazon. That's a massive 35% off the list price for these shoes, which I've been wearing for nearly a year and still love.

After kissing a lot of frogs when it came to testing Columbia hiking shoes, I found this pair to be practically perfect and they're now my first choice for any trail that can be tackled in a sneaker-style shoe. .

They might not look as impressive as a technical pair of hiking boots, but they've furnished me with excellent grip from the steep, loose trails of Switzerland to the sloppy winter hillsides of Scotland, which lets me move fast with confidence. They're so comfortable that I can even do a little unplanned running in them, if the notion takes me

They're built with Columbia's Omni-Max technology, which, if you don't kno,w basically means your feet are getting a gentle acupressure massage as you walk. I never get foot fatigue even after long days on the trail.

This deal applies to women's sizing and the exact price depends on sizing, but you'll find the best savings the Teal/Spring Yellow and Silver Grey/Eve colorways. If you're shopping for discounts on men's sizing, you can make similar savings on the Men's Konos TRS Outdry Mid version, which is currently going for $89 down from $130.

Not in the US? Scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on the Columbia Konos TRS Outdry shoe where you are.

They're fully waterproof thanks to the Outdry membrane, so they can handle rainy days and wet grass, but I've found them to be breathable enough to wear on planes for active vacations. I like them so much I gifted a pair to my cousin, and I also have the mid-height version for when I want a little more protection.

If you're not in the US, here are today's best deals on the Columbia Konos TRS hiking shoes where you are:

• The best hiking shoes

Salomon was born in Annecy, 1947, just a snowball’s throw from Mont Blanc in the French Alps. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the first products it created and sold were ski edges and the mountains have always played a huge role in the brand’s story. Founded by François Salomon, the brand rose to prominence on the global stage thanks to the drive and leadership of François’ son, Georges Salomon. Today, it’s owned by Amer Sports, the Finnish conglomerate that also lists Arc’teryx among its brands.

These days, Salomon creates gear for runners, hikers, skiers and snowboarders, specializing in kit aimed towards mountain exploration at speed, rather than slower-paced pursuits. The brand struck gold with once-in-a-generation endurance athlete Kilian Jornet, who it sponsored between 2003 and 2022, raising the brand’s profile and its association with fast-paced mountain pursuits across the world.

Salomon’s X Ultra hiking shoes bridge the gap between its trail running shoes and its hiking shoes – footwear tailored towards a more contemplative pace. Sharing many features with its running brethren, such as the patented Quicklace system and proprietary Contagrip rubber, Salomon’s hikers have a solid reputation in the trekking world. Of the X Ultra fleet, the Alpine version is the toughest and the priciest – a sleek yet protective, mountain-conquering cross between a standard hiker and an approach shoe.

The wonderful people at Trekitt, UK outdoor gear specialists, supplied me with the goods and I was lucky enough to put them through their paces in some of the UK's more mountainous national parks.

First impressions

There are plenty of times that I’ve opened up a box of hiking shoes and been greeted by a pair that closer resembles casual trainers than footwear fit for the fells, hills and mountains. This is certainly not the case with the X Ultra Alpine. Its rigid outsole and muscular reinforcements around the heel and toes have more in common with a winter mountaineering boot than a trail running shoe. If it wasn’t already apparent from the Alpine in the name – the is a shoe that means business.

However, this isn’t a mountaineering boot, and Salomon also stop short of calling it an approach shoe too, despite having many features in common with one. So, what is it exactly? Salomon developed the X Ultra Alpine to deliver in ‘all aspects of alpine adventuring, from mountain scrambling to high-stakes hiking’, in other words, this is a hiking shoe that should be in its element on the rocky stuff, but should also provide better stability, comfort and grip in sludgy mud and on the trails than the average approach shoe does.

It's undoubtedly an attractive piece of footwear, looking like the secret love child of the Speedcross 6 and La Sportiva’s Trango Tower GTX. I previously enjoyed testing the X Ultra 04, a very capable, lightweight hiker. With the 04, I found that the fit wasn’t quite right for my foot; my heel wasn’t as locked-in as I’d have liked. I was interested to see if this would also be the case in the much burlier Alpine version.

Meet the reviewer

Alpine features

Perhaps the most striking element of the X Ultra Alpine is its hybrid outsole, with its two distinctly different lug patterns. The first occupies the area around the heel and outside foot, featuring the kind of standard mug-gripping lugs you often see in hiking footwear. The other runs in an arc from the midfoot, around the instep to the toes and features rounded lugs clearly designed for grip on rock when scrambling. The space between the four lugs around the toes and instep is mostly filled in, creating a flat ‘climbing zone’ style area. This feature, seen universally in approach shoes, provides maximum traction on the rocky stuff, particularly when edging, a climbing term for stepping on a small hold and using the rubber of your shoe for grip.

Salomon uses its own Contagrip rubber to get the job done, rather than using third party rubber like Vibram. The compound, which Salomon say it’s its "stickiest ever", is designed for ironclad hold on alpine terrain and is durable too.

The sole curves up at the toes, providing a solid shield at the front of the shoe along with a protective rand. Meanwhile the heel is guarded by a bulky region of reinforcement that puts me in mind of a bumper car. This makes the X Ultra Alpine one of the most protective hiking shoes I’ve ever worn, underlining its suitability for technical, rocky terrain.

Moving up through the shoe, we come to the EnergyCell midsole, boasting an EVA foam designed to absorb some of the shock from each stride. Lateral stability combined with forefoot flexibility are achieved using Salomon’s Edging Chassis. This also, as its name suggests, provides high performance and precision when edging.

The upper deploys durable, nubuck leather and synthetics around the laces, all of which is enhanced by a Gore-Tex membrane. This makes the shoe nicely waterproof, though given its low cut, you’d want to pair it with gaiters if hiking in regions where boggy terrain is common, such as the Scottish Highlands.

Salomon’s classic Quicklace system brings everything in tight and there’s a little mesh lace pocket integrated into the tongue to keep everything tidy. To anyone unfamiliar with the patented Quicklace system, instead of traditional shoelaces it uses a cinch mechanism. You simply pull the lace-cord to the desired fit and slide the ‘S-Buckle’ down to secure it. When it’s time to loosen off, all you have to do is move the S-Buckle upwards. It makes taking the shoes on and off easy as pie. Beneath all of this, the tongue is gusseted to stop debris invading the inner sanctum.

High-stakes hiking

The choice of phrasing in Salomon’s description of the X Ultra Alpine made me smile: "high-stakes hiking". Does this mean I’d have to literally risk my neck to test these properly? Or perhaps I should wager a huge sum of money on reaching an objective. “I bet $1,000 that I can get to the summit. Any takers?”

I sought out scrambling terrain found in both the Lake District and Eryri (Snowdonia) National Parks for the test – hopefully Salomon will consider the stakes to have been high enough – as well as easier hikes closer to home in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. I encountered everything from dry rhyolite and amenable trails to committing icy slabs and boggy peat hags on my fall and winter adventures, really putting the Contagrip outsole through its paces. I was hugely impressed with its ability to hold on to the terrain throughout. This is a shoe that inspires confidence in the mountains.

Nevertheless, there’s a limit to its ability in cold climes. The X Ultra is a hiking shoe, not a mountaineering boot. It’s not crampon compatible, so isn’t suited to more ambitious winter mountaineering or alpinism. Of course, winter hikers always have the option of attaching alternative traction devices, like microspikes or Yaktrax, but these are only safe to use of relatively gentle gradients.

I found the X Ultras to be comfortable and warm throughout the test period. They’re a little heavier than most hiking shoes and more breathable options exist for the summer months – so if you’re after something for easy, warm weather walks, these mountain goats are probably overkill. As ever, the Quicklace system is a joy to use, bringing the shoe nicely snug around the midfoot for a precise fit. Unlike with the X Ultra 04, my heel felt nicely locked in with the Alpine version too.

During descents, I’d treat the shoes to the occasional run, which they coped with fairly well. I’m not suggesting you run an ultra in them but they’re fine for a short burst when you want the walk out back to the car to pass a little quicker.

The Gore-Tex inner kept water ingress at bay up to a point, though the low-cut nature of these shoes means that water can – and will – get in over the top when covering really boggy ground. I found that this was an issue in the UK’s hills and mountains during the colder months. Admittedly, I wasn’t wearing gaiters, which would have helped. If you often hike on waterlogged terrain, the mid-cut versions will suit better.

What all this adds up to is that the X Ultra is a great choice for technical trails, scrambling missions, via ferrata adventures and hut-to-hut hikes – basically it’s great for ambitious hiking. It’s a cut above the average hiking shoe in terms of protection and traction, though it isn’t a substitute for a mountaineering boot in winter.

Renowned footwear brand Merrell is kicking off the new year on the right foot – with a brand new hiking shoe drop.

Joining the ranks of the Moab 3 and Siren 4, the Merrell SpeedARC Surge BOA is a lightweight hiker inspired by the high clearance of a 4WD vehicle that lets you coast over bumpy trails.

“We’ve purposefully built the SpeedARC Surge BOA to return every ounce of energy you put in, taking each stride and propelling it forward,” says Merrell Senior Design Director Ian Cobb.

With this shoe, the Michigan-based company is introducing its new SpeedARC midsole system, which features "active response coils." These are crafted with the latest version of the brand's proprietary FloatPro nitrogen-injected foam and nylon Flexplate, which provides the shock-absorbing stability and energy return of a carbon plate with outsole lugs for grip on slick surfaces.

“With double the energy return found in our independent lab tests, it keeps your feet feeling cushioned and comfortable every step of the way so you can experience a motion that knows no bounds and zero limitations. This shoe will make your four miles feel like two," says Cobb.

According to the official release from Merrell, the Flexplate separates and stabilizes two foam midsoles. The foam midsole closest to the ground absorbs the shock of walking on hard surfaces, while the foam closest to your foot absorbs and rebounds the impact of your own gait, with the construction aimed at improving responsiveness as you hike.

The shoe also incorporates the BOA Fit System in place of traditional laces for a more dynamic lockdown fit and easy adjustment on the trail. Like the Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx, these shoes take advantage of the lightweight and durable Matryx fabric for a solid, breathable upper with a knit bootie collar construction.

“We’re transforming expectations and reimagining what hike can be, where it can take you and how a hiking shoe looks, to give you a sense of confidence on each hike,” says Cobb.

The SpeedARC Surge BOA was named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2024 for its adaptability and immediate cushioning. It is available now in men's and women's sizes at Merrell.com for £240 / €280 / $290.

Still looking? Here are today's best deals on our favorite Merrell shoes:

• The best hiking shoes: trail-friendly shoes for all seasons

Having the best hiking boots and shoes for wide feet can make an amazing difference to keep you comfy on long days exploring. Rubbing, numbness or excruciating joint ache from cramped toes are common upshots of squeezing feet into shoes or boots that are too narrow. Thankfully though, with the best hiking boots, an increasing number of brands are catering for people who need this extra room.

Whether you crave a wide toe box to allow your toes can flex and spread naturally, or a roomier chassis generally, brands such as Keen and Vivobarefoot are designing hiking boots and shoes that work brilliantly for wider foot shapes.

It's great to see women-specific boots and shoes available in wider fits too – previously we've been forced to buy men's versions, only to be scuppered by too-high a cuff or not enough arch support.

And if you want to hike long distances, when you'll be on your feet for longer periods of time or back-to-back days, a wider fit will give your feet chance to swell, especially on warm days.

You can always pad out a wide-fit boot or shoe with a pair of the best hiking socks. Start with a thick pair at the start of a hike, then swap to a thinner pair if you need to as your feet warm up.

Our expert hikers have tested everything in this guide on varied terrain, including rough, waterlogged trails in the Lake District National Park and spongy routes in the south of the UK, against claims made by the brands. Read on to see how they fared on factors such as comfort, waterproofing, breathability and value for money.

The quick list

This is our quick list, a brief overview of the best hiking boots and shoes for wide feet. To find out more about each product, see our more detailed write ups further down the page.

The best hiking boots and shoes we recommend in 2026

Best all-round hiking boots for wide feet

The brand Keen is loved by many for its wide-fit boots and shoes, and the Targhee IV doesn't disappoint with its roomy toe box that allows your feet to spread and flex.

Despite the extra space, your foot won't slide about thanks to the heel-lock system that keeps it in place, even on techy terrain. And the inner and midsoles use Keen’s Luftcell air-injected padding to create plenty of comfort and bounce.

There's good toe protection, however, our tester Rosee Woodland would have appreciated more protection for the ball of her foot than the Targhee IVs’ shank gives. As far as waterproofing goes, these stand up to the job as a solid three-season boot, with a waterproof inner membrane and a leather and mesh water-repellent outer, as well as a bellows tongue to keep things impenetrable around the front.

The Targhee IVs won't hold up in the most extreme conditions, but as long as you're happy to stick to more modest trails and avoid the worst weather, they should see you right.

Read our full Keen Targhee IV hiking boot review

Best wide hiking boots for easy trails

Keen has made a name for itself with lightweight hiking footwear that propels you along the trails without the heft of a regular hiking boot. These Zionics come in a mid and low cut; both help keep you agile on the trails and let you walk for longer without leg fatigue.

Our hiking expert Pat Kinsella put the mids to test in hot but wet conditions on trails at the lower end of the technical scale in the south of the UK. He loved the top-class cushioning and comfort levels and appreciated the fair amount of flex the boots had, despite a stability shank.

The PU insole with arch support and extra padding around the Achilles upped comfort levels further, while the heel “crash pad”, created by the outsole extending around the heel, helps absorb impact of repeated footfall.

Grippier soles that provide more control and braking would benefit these boots, and our tester did miss the toe protection found on other Keen models, which had presumably been sacrificed to save weight.

Read our full Keen Zionic waterproof hiking boots review

Best wide hiking boots for trail feel

When it comes to comfort, barefoot boots offer something different to other hiking boots and shoes on test here. The wide toe box for a start allows feet to spread with little restriction.

Then there are the minimalist uppers. The upper of the Magna Lite SGs is one unit, almost like a more substantial sock, says our expert hiker Julia Clarke, so there is no separate tongue. The stretch collar is tightened with two wing-like elements that you pull around your ankle giving a tight and secure fit.

The boots are super-flexible too, easily rolling up so you can pack them into small spaces to take on your travels. These good-looking boots don't have a midsole, but do use an insole and a 2.5mm sole base to give some protection from the ground.

Lacking rigidity and all-weather protection, you are limited when it comes to technical terrain or extreme weather conditions. And, they aren't substantial enough to support you while wearing a heavy backpack. However, when used in the type of terrain and conditions they’re designed for (the SG in the name stands for 'soft ground'), these are great, comfy rides.

Read our full Vivobarefoot Magna Lite SG hiking boots review

Best wide hiking boots for bunion relief

When it comes to comfort, not many brands go as far as Hanwag, creating special versions of its hiking boots and shoes for people who suffer with bunions. These Banks hiking boots (also available in a low-cut walking shoe) are available wider at the toe joint with a soft cover that doesn't press on the sensitive area, allowing more people to hike pain-free.

The uppers are made from super-soft nubuck leather with sensational out-of-the-box comfort levels. The plentiful padding offers extra warmth in all but the coldest of conditions.

Our tester was excited to find that all this heightened comfort doesn't come at the cost of performance. The innovative design of the chassis and the positioning of the lace hooks means unparalleled level of ankle support.

A Gore-Tex lining gives a great level of breathable protection and the Vibram sole is excellent on wet, gloopy surfaces.

If you don't mind a toecap that's a little minimalist and lugs that aren't suited for high mountain terrain, these boots will serve you well on lower-land trails for years to come.

Read our full Hanwag Banks hiking boots review

Best wide hiking boots for eco credentials

The Vivobarefoot Tracker Textile AT has been given a few upgrades since its last incarnation. It's now made from fully vegan and fully recycled materials, meaning it has a lighter impact on the planet than other boots in this guide.

It's still a heavyweight when it comes to performance though. The uppers give your feet and ankles plenty of protection on stony trails and the waterproof membrane keeps them dry through puddles and river crossings.

The removable thermal insole is a nice addition, meaning you can still wear these barefoot hikers on days when the mercury hits zero.

The 4mm lugs on the grippy outsoles give a nice bit of relief from uneven surfaces and served our expert tester Julia Clarke well on wet leaves, country paths and even steep slopes and wet bogs. However, she would have liked more traction on wet rocks and steep, muddy slopes.

As with the Magna Lites, these barefoot boots are comfy from the off, with a roomy fit and wide toe box. The soles are super-flexible, allowing you to walk effortlessly on all but the most slippery terrains.

They have a hefty price tag, but if you love barefoot hikers and want a bit more protection than the average style, you'll be glad you invested.

Read our full Vivobarefoot Tracker Textile AT review

Best hiking boots and shoes for wide feet comparison table

Meet the testers

FAQs on the best hiking boots and shoes for wide feet

Everyone loves the thought of heading out on a hike in the most comfortable pair of hiking boots or shoes, but when it comes to finding a great fit for wide feet that will let you walk for hours pain-free, it's a mission in itself.

There's loads advice in our feature on how to choose a pair of hiking boots, but sometimes you need to hone in on the qualities that make a pair of boots or shoes better for wide feet.

It goes without saying that, where possible, you should always try on boots before you buy. Thankfully, a great many online retailers offer generous returns policies, allowing you to order multiple pairs to try for size, then returning for free (check the small print before you order).

Use the info below to help focus your online browsing to help spot easily the best pairs of hiking boots and shoes for wide feet.

How should wide hiking boots fit?

Hiking boots and shoes are designed on specific lasts (an artificial model of a foot), and each brand will use a different foot shape to build their footwear around. It may take a fair bit of trying-on to work out which brand suits your foot shape best. Whenever you are trying on, remember to use a good pair of hiking socks to help get the perfect fit.

A lot of people with wide feet struggle with small toe boxes. A good-fitting boot will have a toe box that doesn't cramp your toes, but allows them to flex and splay as you walk. Your toes shouldn't move forward and hit the end of your shoe as you stride as this can cause bruising and blisters.

You should get good cradling and support from the mid-part of the shoe. It shouldn't feel overly roomy – foot can roll around and cause you instability. The heel area should cup the foot nicely, without pinching, and help hold your foot in the back of the boot or shoe, rather than letting it slip forward.

Don't forget, there are hiking insoles that can dramatically change the fit of a boot or shoe.

Do I need wide hiking boots or shoes?

Loose-fitting shoes can put you at risk when you're hiking as your foot can roll around and slip inside the shoe, decreasing your stability and putting you more at risk of slipping or tripping. Your toes will start working harder to grip inside the shoe, making them tired and causing you greater discomfort. Your legs will start overworking too, to counteract an unstable ankle. Hiking boots and shoes should fit just right – snug, without pinching – and keeping your foot nicely in place, even on ascents and descents.

Should I size up if my feet are wide?

Ideally, if the boots or shoes you've ordered aren't wide enough for your feet, you should return them and order the wide-fit versions, or keep looking for a different pair that do allow your feet to sit comfortably without being piched. However, generally going up a size or a half a size in a shoe or boot will give you some extra width, so if they are only very slightly too narrow, give it a go.

Are wide hiking boots and shoes more expensive?

Hiking boots that cater for the masses use lasts based on very average foot widths and lengths, so you might find that more-specialist wide-fit footwear isn't as cheap. However, whenever you pay more for your outdoor gear you can usually expect it to last longer. Investing in a pair of hiking boots and shoes that fit like a glove is a great choice and means you'll use them for longer and lessen your environmental impact.

In our guide we've chosen boots from brands that promise quality. You may find Gore-Tex waterproofing or Vibram soles, and other innovative materials that are flexible but durable. They may carry a higher price tag, but we always consider overall value for money when writing hiking boot and shoe reviews.

What materials are used in wide hiking boots and shoes?

A lot of hiking boots and shoes for wide feet have uppers that are made of innovative, synthetic materials that are known for being light and flexible to mold around the foot and not restrict feet. The materials can still offer great weather protection and durability, but they don't require a breaking-in period. Soft, nubuck leathers are sometimes used but expect to pay a higher price for this luxury.

If you've got plans to hit the trail more in the New Year, REI just added a pile of great Merrell hiking shoes to its winter sale. Right now, you can pick up the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Thermo Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots for just $142.73 at REI. That's a generous savings of $48 off the list price for these warm winter boots, which use the same thermal material as NASA does in their spacecraft.

This deal applies to men's sizing, and these boots have plenty of protective details for rough conditions, from abrasion-resistant coated leather heels and toe caps to ripstop nylon uppers.

If you're in the market for women's sizing, or something lighter, they've also discounted popular models like the Siren 4 and Moab Speed 2 in leather. We've rounded up all the best deals for you below and we suggest you act fast, since several of these models have been discontinued and once they're gone, they're gone.

Not in the US? Scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on the Merrell hiking shoes where you are.

If you're not in the US, here are today's best offers on the Merrell hiking shoes near you:

• The best hiking shoes: trail-friendly shoes for all seasons
• Best hiking boots: hit the trails

On the hunt for a great pair of hiking shoes this Christmas? Check out these reliable, lightweight shoes from Merrell, which are well reduced in the holiday sales.

Once listed for $130, you can now snag Merrell's Moab Speed Low Hiking Shoes for just $97.93, saving 25% of their original price thanks to REI's big 'Last Minute Gifts Sale'.

Designed to keep your feet cool throughout long hikes in the backcountry, the Moab Speed Hiking Shoes make use of a breathable mesh upper, which lets in air to keep you from overheating. They're also impressively light, weighing just 1lb 7 oz.

Protecting you from rough conditions, padded collars and toe caps battle back against hard underfoot terrain.

To ensure stability, this high-tech pair boasts a sturdy Vibram outsole with an aggressive lug pattern, which digs into uneven surfaces to keep you from slipping on wet and muddy winter trails.

REI's Last Minute Gift Sale ends on December 23, and orders placed after December 20 will not arrive before Christmas Day. So don't waste a second if you fancy adding the Merrell Moab Speed Hiking Boots to your Christmas shopping basket.

Don't fret if you're not in the US, you can still find great deals on the Merrell Moab Speed Hiking Shoes with our top picks from across the web.

• The best hiking shoes 2024 trail-friendly shoes for all seasons
• The best hiking boots 2024 keep your feet warm, dry and protected on the trails with our top choices

The awesome Scarpa Rush GTX hiking shoe has been updated with a more comfortable and durable upper, plus a smaller footprint on the planet.

The Scarpa Rush 2 Pro GTX hiking shoe comes in both low and mid cut styles and now features a Nubuck leather upper in place of the old suede material. Whereas suede is made using the inner layer or underside of the skin, giving it its soft feel and appearance, Nubuck leather is made using the outer layer, also called the top grain. Since the top grain is more likely to have visible imperfections, it is sanded to make nubuck leather, which buffs away those visible marks and gives it a more velvety texture.

Nubuck leather therefore has a softer look and feel, not unlike suede, but is naturally tougher and more durable, making it better for hiking shoes like the Rush 2s, that are bound to see some hard wearing on the trail.

Like its predecessor, this model features a waterproof membrane to keep your socks dry when you're splashing along soggy trails, but the Rush 2 utilizes Gore-Tex's new ePE membrane, which is made using a non-fluorinated process, and is entirely PFC-free. One of the key advantages of this membrane is its durability, but it’s also 50 percent thinner than the previous membrane, which means it uses less resources in production.

Underfoot, you'll find the same Presa outsole as the first edition, which on our hikes we found offers excellent grip and control, thanks to its interactive kinetic system and intelligently arranged lugs. Having loved the previous model which we gave a perfect five stars, we're pleased to see the same sole unit because we've walked for miles in this without so much as a groan or wince.

Our only complaint about the Scarpa Rush Trail GTX was the price, but this release means you can find some excellent deals on the older model, which you'll find below.

The Scarpa Rush 2 Pro GTX low hiking shoe is available now in Brown-Sulphur for $234.26 / £170.99 at SportsShoes and in mid cut in Brown-Sulphur and Titanium Ocean for $264.59 / £179.99.

• The best hiking shoes

I’ll be honest – for a long time, I never really got on all that well with Columbia hiking shoes. The Facet 75 Alphas were too sweaty and the Facet 60s didn’t have the grip I need for slick trails in the Scottish Highlands. But this spring, all that changed when I stepped out for the first time in the Konos TRS Outdry shoes – a pair of the most comfortable hiking shoes I've ever tried.

Suddenly, I was skipping up Munros and across the Alps in Columbia shoes. I took a lot of hiking trips this summer and fall, and for every one, these were the shoes I chose out of my mountain of many. I liked them so much that I gifted my cousin a pair and she’s as delighted by them as I am.

If you haven’t got your feet in a pair yet, these shoes definitely don’t look super technical or even that eye-catching. They just look like a pair of trainers. But they feel rather like walking on pillowy clouds and, in my experience, stick to trails both crumbly and slick like glue.

This fall, I went on a trip to the Swiss Alps with the brand, where among other things I got to test out the mid-cut version of the Konos. It turned out I loved it just as much as the trainer on steep alpine trails. The secret? Columbia’s new Omni-Max technology.

What is Columbia’s Omni-Max technology?

Most of us probably think of a shoe as having two components – an upper, made of either leather or synthetic fabric, and a sole. That sole, however, actually consists of three main components:

• The outsole, which is the part that comes into contact with the ground and provides traction.
• The midsole, which delivers much-needed cushion.
• The insole, which improves fit, adds comfort and may help with thermoregulation.

These days, each of these components might be produced in a different factory (or even country) by different brands, and then sandwiched together when your shoe is being manufactured.

With Omni-Max, however, Columbia has built an integrated bottom unit that combines the midsole and outsole components to improve both cushioning – meaning you can avoid foot fatigue on long treks – and traction for slippery trails.

“This is the most stable and most comfortable footwear system that Columbia has ever produced for the intended outdoor environment,” says Haskell Beckham Columbia’s vice president of innovation.

The result is a sole that’s really ideal for fast and light hiking, even over distance.

What’s so special about Columbia’s Omni-Max technology?

There are three things that make Columbia’s Omni-Max technology unique, and effective.

First, a bit like its distant Columbia cousin Omni-Heat Arctic insulation, Omni-Max is inspired by nature – only this time it takes its biomimicry cues from a pinecone instead of a polar bear. A pine cone may not sound like the most comfortable item from nature to walk on but don’t be fooled.

If you’ve ever picked a pine cone up off the forest floor, you’ve probably noticed that you can bend it easily without it breaking, and it’s that aspect that has inspired this sole.

“When you’re walking, your foot bends, right?” Beckham explains.

“But when you put your foot into a shoe, now you’re placing it on top of a platform that may or may not bend as easily.”

Instead of the stiff sole that many of us associate with more protection against a rough, rocky trail, Omni-Max is fitted with what the brand calls flex grooves, so it bends more naturally with your foot when you’re walking, like a pine cone only more comfortable.

“The deep flex grooves in the forefoot reduce stiffness, then offer enhanced motion allowing for a more efficient stride,” says Michaela Hirschle, a footwear merchandiser at Columbia.

Now, Columbia certainly isn’t the first brand to make a sole that bends when you walk. All you need to do is go hiking in a pair of barefoot shoes to know that. But in my experience of hiking in a pair of the Konos versus something more minimalist like the Vivobarefoot Trackers, it’s the shoes with Omni-Max that feel like they’re massaging my feet, and that very welcome sensation apparently comes down to a technology called Deflection Domes.

As Beckham explains, when you walk it’s the three points of your heel and the balls under your big and pinkie toe that meet the ground first. With an Omni-Max sole, there are little rubber cushions under each of those points.

“They are biomechanically consistent with the primary pressure points under the foot for more stability. This allows the cushioning to adapt to the pressure applied, enhancing what the foam alone delivers,” says Beckham.

As Hirschle explains, these domes “deflect and reduce load impact in the heel as well as in the forefoot where the wearer experiences the highest impact when hiking,” which reduces stress on your foot and explains why my feet are so happy even after putting in 20 km wearing these.

Finally, Omni-Max is a modular system, which means it can be combined with different (Columbia) technologies. That means that the brand can switch out different outsoles to improve grip and engineer shoes to be better suited to specific terrains and activities.

Does Columbia’s Omni Max technology work?

I think it’s clear that I’ve been impressed by Omni-Max this year, having tested it out on Alpine treks, Scottish peaks and on long, muddy country rambles. If I’m going anywhere that I don’t need a technical hiking boot, I can’t see any reason not wear my Konos which are lightweight and waterproof. Extra cushion often seems to come at the expense of stability but I haven’t found that to be the case at all with Omni-Max, having not one instance of a turned ankle to speak of.

Similarly, flexible soles often come at the expense of protection, but there’s plenty of loft between your foot and the ground in these shoes. And finally, traction doesn’t usually come at the expense of anything, but it’s not always guaranteed in hiking shoes and I’ve found it lacking in previous trainer-style models from Columbia. In Omni-Max, however, I’ve been able to move with a lot of confidence without skidding.

If you want to try it for yourself, I can speak the Konos models which are the first to employ the technology, but it’s starting to make its way into other models such as the Newton Wander boot, Novo Trail shoe, the women’s Bethany and men’s Benson. You can view the full line of Omni-Max shoes here.

• Best hiking boots: hit the trails

Early holiday sales on hiking gear are coming in thick and fast and right now, you can pick up the highly-rated North Face Vectic Taraval hiking shoes for just $48.57 at Dick's Sporting Goods. That's a massive discount of over 60% off the list price for these lightweight, breathable hikers that get an average of 4.5 stars from customers.

I took these shoes out on the trails of Scotland and loved how plush they felt right out of the box, with no breaking in period required before a long hike. With OrthoLite footbeds and a thick rocker sole they felt like they were propelling me forward with each step. Even though they're built for fair weather hikes and not technical terrain, the soles are surprisingly grippy and stable and if you wear them next summer, you'll be amazed at how breathable they are.

This deal applies to men's sizing in white/purple, while the women's version is also discounted to $55.97 - $61.97, depending on your size, which is still a generous chunk off the regular list price of $129.

Not in the US? Scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on The North Face Vectic Taraval hiking shoes where you are.

They’re best save for bluebird days when you just want to stride across the countryside in comfort, and despite their lightweight appeal, you’ll be impressed by how much toe protection you get when you bash into a rock on the trail.

If you're not in the US, here are today's best deals on The North Face Vectic Taraval hiking shoes where you are:

• The best hiking shoes 2024: trail-friendly shoes for all seasons

The new Bert shoe is designed to be a new kind of pre- and post-activity shoe – something that you can pull on before and after your time on the trail.

From what we’ve seen so far, the Bert looks like a close cousin of a wetsuit shoe. With a sock-like fit that follows the contour of the foot and a flatseam stitch along the cuff, I can imagine they would have come in handy that time my dog jumped out the canoe in the Wye Valley, UK, and I had to wade out to get him.

Closer inspection of the technical specifications confirms that they are indeed made of neoprene with a nylon-mesh front, EVA insole and rubber outsole. However, despite being described as ‘water-friendly’, they are not designated water shoes.

According to Bert, the neoprene upper is flexible, fast-drying and insulates against heat and cold, while the nylon mesh over the forefoot is there to allow air to circulate. The EVA insole is designed to absorb impact and distribute pressure evenly across the foot, something the manufacturer claims will improve posture and comfort. Bert also says the rubber outsoles are slip-resistant to keep you more stable on slidey surfaces.

They’re certainly light (weighing in at 9-11oz, depending on your size), meaning active travelers and bikepackers can throw them into a bag and barely notice the extra load. Bert also believes they’re flexible enough to squeeze into the tightest spaces.

They were initially designed as dog walking shoes – ones that had the comfort of slippers but that would fare well in wet weather. However, the designer’s husband – a competitive cyclist – found them invaluable for wearing to the start of events, and for pulling on after.

There’s been a lot of buzz of late about recovery shoes (shoes designed to be worn after an event to help your feet heal) and while the Bert shoes don’t offer the ergonomic cushioning associated with the most targeted designs, they have the potential to be a handy addition to your outdoor kit.

The shoes are made in Colombia, and a proportion of Bert's profits goes to dog sterilization projects to help reduce the number of strays. Bert also works with rubber-producing communities that have previously worked in illicit crops to give them second opportunities.

The shoes are on sale now for $74.99 (US) / £64 (UK). They come in men’s and women’s fits, in two colorways each.

If you've got your eye on a pair of new hiking boots for Christmas, you don't have to wait for Black Friday to pick up a bargain. The North Face has got your gift list sorted now, with a great deal on a trail-ready pair of hiking shoes.

Right now, you can snag the Men's Hedgehog Futurelight Hiking Shoes for just £84, that's a whopping 30% less than their list price of £120.

Well-suited to harsh winter conditions, the Hedgehog Futurelight Hiking Shoes boast an 'impenetrable' waterproof outer which wards off heavy rain and snow. Wearer's can also rest assured that their feet will be kept cool, with The North Face's breathable fabric allowing air access at all times.

Thanks to their grippy Vibram sole, these lightweight hiking shoes are best suited to tricky technical trails, with large lugs that dig into the ground and keep you stable and superfoam lining to maximise comfort.

Weighing 400g per shoe, the Men's Hedgehog Futurelight Hiking Shoes are available in the leafy New Taupe Green-TNF Black and sleek TNF Black-Zinc Grey colorways.

If you're not in the UK, here are today's best deals on men's hiking shoes from The North Face where you are.

• The best hiking shoes 2024 trail-friendly shoes for all seasons
• The best winter hiking boots 2024 for unbeatable performance in the cold

The 1990s were undeniably a time for experimentation in design, and while we're happy to house some of the styles from back then firmly in the archives, others might just be worth a second look. That's clearly what Adidas is thinking with the Badlander, a series of hiking shoes designed decades ago by the German footwear company that's been newly revived for frosty trails just in time for winter.

The new Radlander Moc looks as unusual now as its earliest ancestor did, reimagined for the trails as a technical camp shoe that basically operates like a tiny puffer jacket for your foot.

For the coldest of days, the puffy ripstop upper is packed with the same PrimaLoft insulation you'll find in jackets like the Adidas Terrex Xperior. PrimaLoft is well known for being warm, durable and water-resistant, keeping your toes toasty and dry when it gets sloppy out. If you're planning on super soggy adventures, the shoe company is taking no chances and is fortifying your foot with a Gore-Tex version to stave off intruding deluges.

Underfoot, the rubber outsole doesn't have that yellow Vibram octagon of approval, but the wavy lugs hint at more grip than your Adidas Campus OOs will give you. The sole is built with the brand's Torsion System which was developed for running shoes and is said to give more flexibility in your gait.

The result is that while this looks very much like a cozy slipper for winter hut trips, it might not be the worst choice for a snowy stroll to gather more firewood.

Similarly to the reinvented Vans OTW Old Skool 36 Trail Vibram, this shoe eschews a traditional lacing system, which can be tricky to manage with frozen fingers and can also cut off circulation if you don't lace up properly. Instead, the Radlander Moc features a bungee cord lacing system that you can easily operate even while wearing bulky hiking gloves.

So what is it exactly? Probably the most technical camp shoe you can think of for winter adventures, possibly the coziest fashion shoe for navigating slushy urban streets if you want to send a message that you prioritize comfort above all else.

The Adidas Radlander Moc shoes are available now at Adidas in Wonderland Beige for $120 / £90 and the Gore-Tex edition lands on November 1 in Black for $140 / £110.

• The best winter hiking boots: for unbeatable performance in the cold