10 Best Hiking Shoes For Men: Affordable All-terrain Outdoor Shoes
This buying guide isn’t only to tell you which are 10 Best Hiking Shoes For Men but also list other available options to you by narrowing down the field so you get a better sense of some of the best options on the market.
Every hiker knows that having the best hiking shoes goes a long in making any outdoor adventure more fun and enjoyable. This buying guide isn’t only to tell you which are 10 Best Hiking Shoes For Men but also list other available options to you by narrowing down the field so you get a better sense of some of the best options on the market.
This will help you find the best collection of qualities and characteristics to suit your style, preferences, challenges as well as your personal budget.
Do you have the gear you need for your next trek? If you’re here, you’ve already thought through the pros and cons of hiking boots vs hiking shoes vs trail running shoes.
That’s a topic ripe for debate in itself and, even after making that choice, there’s still a lot of room for discussion over the decision that comes next. What are the best hiking shoes for men? Let’s run down the basic criteria for answering this question for you. Then we’ll introduce you to our list of the 10 Best Hiking Shoes For Men are affordable and ideal for all-terrain outdoor hiking based on a wide variety of hikers’ preferences and hiking adventures.
What to look for in a hiking shoe?
Every trail is different with different terrain and varying levels of difficulty. The same is true for every hiker. And so too is every hiker’s set of preferences when it comes to their footwear.
As much as tastes and options will vary — and they vary widely from hiker to hiker and brand to brand — there is a common cluster of criteria that you should keep in mind if you are looking for the best hiking shoes for men that you will have for hiking trip. Whatever hiking shoes you choose, make your choice with the following checklist of criteria in mind.
These criteria are just in alphabetical order since the importance of one over another is also hiker-specific.
Here are the 11 key factors to consider if you are looking for the best hiking shoes for men:
Breathability
Comfort and Support
Durability
Insoles
Lacing System
Material
Price
Toe Protection
Traction
Waterproofing
Weight
10 Best Hiking Shoes for Men
Here is the list of the 10 Best Hiking Shoes For Men that we have reviewed that are both affordable and ideal for all-terrain outdoor adventure:
The Salomon X Ultra 3 GORE-TEX Men’s Hiking Shoes features what Salomon calls an Advanced Chassis that is surrounded by cushioning foam. This chassis/cushioning structure provides extra comfort and stability for the heel. That comfort and stability does not come at the expense of slip-resistance which, like Salomon’s products generally, is an asset in this shoe.
These shoes are best suited to hikers trekking steeper and more demanding routes.
They require minimal break-in time, and are out-of-the box ready.
Occasional downsides noted are the slightly narrow fit and a lacing system that could use some improvement.
2.
The are extremely comfortable, lightweight, and available at an appealing price point.
If you’re a lightweight backpacker or day hiker working largely established routes, they’re ideal.
These shoes are not waterproof, but Merrell does offers other hiking shoe versions of the Moab 2.
Merrell Moab hiking shoes are popular with hikers and would make a best hiking shoes for men list all on their own but even amongst that list this particular shoe seems to top the list.
If your priority is traction that will hold up to terrain even when wet, icy, and snowy, the Adidas Outdoor Mens Terrex Swift R2 GTX shoes are well-suited for you, and are waterproof in the bargain.
The sole offers the feeling of a hiking boot with all the advantages of a hiking shoe. That excellent traction comes along with good protection for the side of your feet and toes. They’re durable to the extent of roughly 200 miles and these really some of best hiking shoes for men featured on this list.
The traction, support, and protection does come with an occasionally noted downside — some initial stiffness that does loosen up over time.
Some people do criticize Adidas’ Lace Bungee system, especially compared to Salomon’s Quicklace.
4.
Next on our list of the 10 Best Hiking Shoes For Men is the KEEN Men’s Targhee Hiking Shoe.
For hikers with a taste for the more traditional KEEN Men’s Targhee II Hiking shoes offer excellent traction, a roomy toe box, and great support. It’s lacing system includes a band that wraps around your heel to really boost the sense of stability and being bound-in even on uneven terrain.
One criticism is that the Targhees offer less comfort underfoot than some options, but aftermarket insoles can be added if you’re a hiker who likes the cushioning beneath your foot.
Like Adidas’ Terrex, the Targhees can also feel a little stiff out of the box.
5.
If you are hiker whose taste and preference leans more toward the look of a running shoe, La Sportiva Spire GTX is an excellent pick.
It is inspired by that aesthetic without sacrificing the stiff and protective soles a hiking shoe needs.
The Spire GTX features a breathable upper mesh and secure lacing system, but is not as supportive as the most rugged of the hiking shoes here.
If you’re a multi-sport adventurer who includes hiking and trekking in your adventures, may be a good option to equip you on more than one front.
For day hikers who were disappointed with Merrell’s Moab FST shoes, the Moab 2 GTX will be a welcome upgrade.
The Merrell Men’s Moab 2 GTX Hiking Shoe is best suited for day hikes, even challenging ones, or short ultralight backpacking trips at the most.
The shoes offer good protection for the heel and toe, plenty of room in the toe box, and fit securely, but aren’t as well equipped for carrying even moderate weight as our higher-rated options.
7.
HOKA’s reputation is for offering excellent comfort and support. Hoka One One Mens Speedgoat 4 shoes deliver the same benefits in a shoe with a wide toe box and super-cushioned fit.
The Hoka One One Mens Speedgoat 4 features a tall stack height in the midsole that takes a bit of getting used to, and can even feel somewhat unstable.
Unlike the Salomon X Ultra 3 Low GTX which can fit narrow, the Speedgoat 4 fits wide which allows for comfort, but isn’t everyone’s preference and does mean the loss of some sense of stability.
They are not only some of the best hiking shoes for men but have been described as among the most supportive hiking shoes on the market.
If you’re someone who will hike on technical and particularly challenging terrain, the Oboz’ molded heel cup and arch, secure lacing system, and advanced traction are ideal.
Having said that, if you’re a day hiker or one who sticks to well-established trails, these shoes may be a bit of overkill.
If you opt for these, get them early and break them in for a week or two before your biggest and most challenging trek because they fit stiffly out of the box.
The Aerios are ideal for the fast-and-light day hiking crowd and even for lightweight backpackers.
Although a Gore-Tex shoe, they’re more breathable than you might expect and are well-built and durable as you’d come to expect from the Arc’teryx brand.
For those with a keen fashion sense, the Aerios are also stylish enough to wear off the trails as well.
The Arc’teryx Aerios FL GTX Men’s Shoe are an ideal option for hikers whose priority is a lightweight and waterproof hiking shoe that will allow them to move quickly along well-established trails as opposed to strenuous treks that require significant traction.
In fact, if you were to squint slightly and tilt your head just a little bit, you might imagine that Altra’s Lone Peak 4.5s were intended for track use, not trail use.
Altra shoes are not for steep or rugged (or even mixed) terrain.
There are other options on this list for people on those treks. But for those days when you find yourself on an intermediate mountain trail for a few miles, the ALTRA Men’s AL0A4PE5 Lone Peak 4.5 Trail Running Shoe will provide just what you need.
Conclusion:
Whatever your choice of terrain, load, and distance, there is a wide range of hiking shoe brands and models out there. This list of ten terrific options — for several different types of terrain, experiences, and hikers — was developed through keeping in mind the most significant 11 criteria choosing the ideal hiking shoes.
Just how those criteria will line up for any individual hiker’s needs will vary from person to person and season to season, but these are ten models and nine brands that will get you pointed in the right direction — trailward with confidence.
Related posts & buying guides that you may be interested in:
