You go to pack a bag for a weekend trip, where you plan to explore a new ‘hood, get in a few runs, and summit the local mountain — if you happen to have time. Your suitcase is organized with your packing cubes and everything fits seamlessly. You do one final sweep of the house before heading to the airport and realize you didn’t pack your hiking boots. If you hem and haw over whether you need them or if the sneakers you packed will suffice, there’s an easy solution to this. While hiking boots can be quite bulky (how often do they take up approximately 1/3 of your carry-on?) if you find a pair that you can wear on the hill and to your friend’s birthday dinner, you won’t have to re-pack. You’ll need a pair of boots that are high-performing enough for the trail, yet look sleek enough for you to wear all the time. Here are a few of our top picks.
Danner Mountain 600 EnduroWeave
A winner of our best hiking boots this year, these Danner boots are a classic example of powerful grip and a smooth style that works for all types of trips. The carbon wash provides extra breathability and strength to survive for years to come.
Vasque Skywalk GTX Boot
Vasque has been one of the top hiking boot producers since 1964. Originally designed to trek and climb in the Alps, the boots have come a long way from their humble, yet incredibly performance-driven origins. These heavy-duty boots feature Gore-Tex fabric so you can trust they are water- and windproof, yet still breathable. Normally those coatings clog up the small holes that would allow for breathability, but the Gore-Tex material solves those issues. If the navy and tan doesn’t appeal to you, check out the dark brown and green options.
Lems Shoes Boulder Boot
These travel-friendly boots are possibly the only ones on this list that you don’t have to wear on the plane en route to your trip. The shoes weigh 9.9-ounces, less than a paperback book, and can fold together so the heel and toe touch, taking up less space than your dopp kit. Don’t let that deter you from taking these out on the trail though — the stain- and moisture-resistant material withstands puddles and streams, and the grippy outsole is more flexible than traditional rubber so it moves more with your feet than typical hiking boots.
Ridgemont Outfitters Heritage Boot
This urban-inspired boot features a lightweight leather upper and an EVA foam footbed so you can wear it all day long. The lugged tread means the waterproof boots perform on trails or during walks around the block in the rain.
Viberg Hiker
While the Viberg hiker is the most expensive on this list, the 80-year history is rich and expansive in the Pacific Northwest. Viberg originally created boots for loggers and farmers, meaning they know how to make durable and tough boots. The Vibram traction grips in all conditions and the Thinsulate insulation will keep your feet warm as the weather changes. The materials that make up the boot are really the shining stars: insoles from Spain, Swiss hobnails, leathers from the U.S. and Italy and brass tacks from England.
Merrell Sugarbush Waterproof
While not explicitly hiking boots, these boots survived a hike in the White Mountains and another just north of Portland. Full grain waterproof leather looks great on the mountain, in the coffee shop and on your commute. A Vibram outsole is top notch and the EVA midsole provides all-day comfort.
