Best Hiking Shoes In 2020
As the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and then others come along, so for that step, you need something worthy enough and comfy to make your trip throughout with ease and without any obstacles. For the ones, for whom nature is not just a place to visit but a second home must go for a hike quite frequently, and that is when the best hiking shoes come into play where to go hiking whenever you desire without worrying about the durability and them being worn-out, making them pretty uncomfortable to carry on with and hence, having the best among rest is quite essential.
Into The Wild
Hiking is a ‘low-barrier to entry’ activity in which all you need is to head out into the nature or woods with paired up sturdy-enough shoes and a will to cover miles ahead. Unlike the one you use for concrete sidewalks and gravel paths, the trekking up calls for sturdy, hardened, and supportive ones and can go from dry, high alpine hikes to muddy-wet routes and also to combat jagged rocks, dirt, and mud. From bulky footwear to lighter weight ones, the momentum is not just hiking footwear, but also trail runners or regular use are inclined towards the light-to-carry shoes that are more comfortable and faster. So here we brought you some of the best trekking boots to make your journey into nature a pleasant one.
La Sportiva Spire GTX
The La Sportiva Spire GTX is quite light on the feet and weighs only 2.06 lbs; however, this can’t stop them boasting excellent waterproofing with the surrounded liner of Gore-Tex. It can’t be soaked no matter what. It is quite a versatile shoe for almost all kinds of trail surroundings seeing its traction in both wet as well as dry environmental conditions. Even in warm climate conditions, the spire proves to be quite comfy due to an innovative membrane present that enables the foot to pass moisture through more effectively as compared to traditional ones. However, it is not breathable enough due to the water-resistant liners engraved in them. It is sturdy, comfortable while hiking and super supportive. If you happen to have more weight on your back or going via a quite demanding terrain, you might want to resort to something that has all in all support and structure.
PROS
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- Waterproof
- Less in weight
- All-around performance
CONS
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- Quite expensive
- Average durability
Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX
It is one of the best footwear to go for while testing tough terrain, and also while traveling on and off the trail, this shoe is quite comfortable to snug up with the help of its quick lace system. And what makes them stable in unstable conditions is its firm grip around the foot, securely wrapping around it. Just like the previous comes, it comes with a perfect transaction that makes it excellent while in wet and dry conditions and an injected EVA midsole adds some support and structure to the shoe and hence making them go well in loose terrain. Some of its disadvantages include it being roomier as compared to the other models making it unfit for narrow feet. Also, it does not allow lacing adjustments that are not precise enough that some hikers prefer, and is challenging to replace the system. Other than these minor issues, it is perfect and most versatile trekking shoes.
PROS
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- Waterproof
- Great for all trails
- Has an excellent transaction
CONS
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- Comes with a lacing system which not everyone prefers
Arc ‘teryx Aerios FL GTX
It is unbelievably lightweight and provides excellent performance in the category of hiking shoes. They come with high quality waterproof Gore-Tex lining, and despite that, it is breathable, and you won’t come up with blisters. They fit securely into the line of ultralight category and don’t feature a lower cut angle, unlike the ones that resemble hiking shoes but proves to be quite unfit. It works perfectly on rocky and rough terrain and is quite durable. The disadvantage it brings is that it begins to soften and ends up causing more foot fatigue after covering long-distance trips in hiking.
PROS
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- Reliable waterproofing
- quite comfy on the trail
- Extremely lightweight
CONS
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- Long term durability issues
- It doesn’t prove to be impressive enough in off-trail traction.
HOKA ONE ONE Toa Gore-Tex
It is known to be super comfy since it is incredibly well-cushioned and has a supportive and soft mesh upper, making it easy to wear. You might be aware and familiar with some comfortable-traditional hiking shoes, but these carry to a whole different level. It also has a waterproof liner that keeps water out and allows a breathable act to your feet. The sole of the shoe feels wide and offers quite a lot surface area traction, making them pretty well-suited for using it on the trail; however, they seem to feel a bit out of place while in loose sediment. It has a plush midsole and EVA shank to help them deflect a lot of experienced impacts on the trail. They are excellent solutions for the pain caused due to long days on unforgiving and hard terrain.
PROS:
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- Extreme comfort
- Quite supportive
- Has breathable and lightweight leather
CONS
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- Average durability
- Quite expensive
- Modest traction
CONCLUSION
Hiking is one of the easiest ways to go outdoors and seek adventures for all ages and experience levels, and time and energy spent on hiking trails has its way with soothing souls, enlightening inner peace of mind and body. The above mentioned are some of the best to-go-for hiking shoes for all kinds of terrains and combat dust, mud, and rocky surfaces.
