Considered by many hikers to be the best of the best, the Moab 3 Mid is built to handle the roughest of terrains. Unparalleled grip, a waterproof yet breathable upper, and stellar ankle support make it a consistent best seller among novice and advanced hikers alike. The mix of synthetic materials and natural suede uppers land the Moab smack in between the rugged heritage of an old-school alpine boot and the advanced modernism of a do-it-all trail shoe. That is to say: its looks are lovably granola.
And we love that they come in different versions for different climates, including non-waterproof breathable low-tops. They’re endearingly homely, hot stuff on the trails, and easy on the wallet. Basically, what more could you ask for?
Best Everyday Hiking Shoes: Hoka Tor Summit Shoes
Weight: 18 oz. Waterproof: No Best For: Light hikes, lifestyle
Even the coolest hiking boots can be a little intimidating to wear outside of its natural environment. For fear of being outed as a poser or failing to live up to the swag that big honkin’ hikers can demand, you might want a pair of hiking shoes that require less upfront knowledge of the trail and fashion wizardry. Hoka’s Tor Summit hiking shoes are that ideal in-between that can rock with light trails and your daily fits with nary a misstep.
In fact, some of our very own GQ staffers were surprised to find out that these joints actually possessed hiking bona fides given how much they fit into a streetwear aesthetic. Speaking anecdotally, I’ve even seen these shoes on some of the coolest people during Paris Fashion Week (a grueling hike of its own kind).
Best Retro Hiking Shoes: Danner Mountain Light Boots
Weight: 29 oz. Waterproof: Yes Best For: Rugged hiking
Danner’s classic Mountain boots made a serious impression when they first debuted in the 1970s and they’re still making a great impression to this day. They feature a single-piece full-grain leather upper, a supportive fiberglass shank, a waterproof Gore-tex lining, and a grippy Vibram kletterlift outsole. At a hefty 29 ounces per shoe, they’re more than double the weight of some of the other options on this list and come with an inherent break-in period, which will undoubtedly turn some people off.
But the classic old-school alpine looks will outlast any design trend so if you’re into the aesthetics now, you can bet you’ll still be into them years from now. Not only that, they’re also the only hiking shoe on this list that’s fully re-soleable. Thanks to the stitchdown construction, the Mountain Light can easily be recrafted by your local cobbler. They may be the heaviest. They may be the most expensive. But they’re also the most durable.
Best Old-Meets-New Hiking Shoes: Diemme Roccia Vet Boots
Waterproof: No | Best For: Alpine hiking and lifestyle
While we love the OG aesthetic of the Danner Mountain Light, the design can feel a bit stuck in the past both in terms of design and performance. Italian brand Diemme offers up its solution: a hiking boot that pays homage to the giants of the outdoor world while pushing toward modern materials and looks. The Roccia Vet is its most recognizable silhouette and takes after classic alpine boots with the lace-to-toe D-ring system and single-piece uppers. But instead of a hefty leather upper, these use a combination of lightweight polyester material that’s both water- and abrasion-resistant as well as a protective rubber guard to keep water and brush at bay.
