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For this list, we picked hiking shoes based on actual customer reviews and ratings on Amazon and key features. For every category, we carefully chose parameters based on our research and determined products with the highest review score within those parameters.
Our pick for the best overall women's hiking shoes is the Merrell Women's Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoes. They have a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 4,000 reviews on Amazon.
The Moab 2 Vent hiking shoes have a Vibram sole, 5mm lug depth and moulded arch shank for stability. They also feature a suede leather and mesh upper and breathable mesh lining. According to the company, the shoes' M Select FIT.ECO+ blended EVA footbed offers improved heel support to protect from impact.
Customers gave positive feedback on the shoes' affordable price tag and breathability. These shoes help feet stay cool and dry while the contoured footbed enhances comfort. The mesh lining also ensures that your feet are well-ventilated, suitable if you're hiking on a summer day. However, their gripping ability pales in comparison to other more expensive options. But customers said that these remain a solid choice for hiking beginners.
For the best lightweight option for women, we recommend the Salomon Outbound GTX. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Salomon's Outbound GTX shoes are urban-inspired shoes designed for hiking, city walking and trails. These are waterproof and lightweight, featuring durable toe caps to protect feet from rocks and other debris. They also feature Gore-Tex membranes and breathable mesh to keep your feet cool, especially on long walks.
At over $220, the Salomon Outbound GTX is a pricey investment that most customers found worth it. These lightweight shoes allow you to move quickly without straining your feet. The multi-terrain lugs have superb grip, which reviewers found helpful when hiking rocky paths. Customers found the sizing large, recommending to size down if you're half in between sizes.
With a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, we selected KEEN's Women's Targhee II as the best waterproof women's hiking shoes.
The KEEN Women's Targhee II features a breathable mesh lining and a waterproof nubuck leather upper, keeping your feet cool and dry for extended periods. These shoes also have 44mm multi-directional lugs in the outsole, providing superb grip on rocky terrains. Apart from being lightweight, these include a compression-moulded EVA midsole.
Customers praised the product for being truly waterproof, lightweight and breathable. People with sweaty feet also loved the addition of Cleansport NXT, which helps control odour. The removable footbeds are also cushiony and protective. The lugs also offer fantastic grip, which is helpful if you're new to hiking rockier terrains. The shoes are wider than other options in the market, which may be a con if you have narrow feet.
If you have wide feet, we recommend the Columbia Women's Newton Ridge Plus Hiking Boots as the best hiking shoes. On Amazon, they have a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from more than 4,000 reviews.
These Columbia hiking boots are lightweight and waterproof. They feature a durable midsole with thick cushioning, advanced traction rubber soles and mesh tongues for breathability. The shoes also have a multi-terrain traction system formulated with compounds and treads for any environment.
Customers praised the product's breathable construction, non-slip soles and water resistance. They fit true to size and offer ankle support, thanks to their high cut design. According to several reviewers, they are lightweight and supportive. The midsole cushioning hugs your feet, avoiding hard impact from rocks and other debris. Some customers said this pair rubbed on their feet, resulting in painful cuts. However, this seems to be an isolated issue.
With a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon, we picked the JABASIC Women Breathable Knit Hiking Shoes as the best cheap women's hiking shoes.
These JABASIC hiking shoes feature a soft knit mesh upper design and a protective cap and heel stabiliser to keep feet dry and comfortable. These also have slip-resistant rubber outsoles with an anti-skid TPR patch design with added traction for hiking more difficult terrains.
These women's hiking shoes are a fantastic option for those new to hiking. They provide enough grip for stable movement in simple terrains, but customers said they are inadequate for rockier paths. They are also lightweight and breathable, keeping feet dry and cool for long periods. However, these hiking shoes aren't waterproof.
Our pick for the best overall men's hiking shoes is the Merrell Intercept Low Rise Hiking Shoes. On Amazon, they score a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.
The Intercept Low Rise Hiking Shoes feature full-grain leather upper, abrasion-resistant toe caps and breathable mesh lining. These shoes also have a compression EVA foot frame for extra cushioning and a 4.5mm lug depth. Apart from Vibram outsoles, they have a moulded arch shank and Ortholite footbed.
Customers gave positive feedback on the product's breathability, superb traction and lightweight feel. The mesh lining also helps keep feet dry and cool. Several reviewers added that these keep odours at bay, which is helpful if you have sweaty feet. The lugs offer ample traction for tackling harder and rockier paths, while the anatomical footbed is cushiony and protective. However, these shoes offer little to no water resistance, according to a few buyers.
If you're looking for the best lightweight option for men, we selected the Salomon Men's Outline Hiking Shoes. They score a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 2,000 Amazon reviews.
These Salomon shoes have welded uppers that are stitch-free, providing a glove-like fit and feel. They also have Gore-Tex membranes that keep feet dry from both the inside and outside. Apart from EnergyCell EVA, the shoes include anti-debris mesh and a textile lining for breathability.
These shoes are a solid choice for both beginners and pro hikers. The glove-like fit is comfortable and secure, offering ample ankle support. One customer loved its lace system, keeping the shoes secured and firm while hiking. The Contagrip MD lugs are suitable for smooth and hard surfaces, making the shoes ideal for any terrain. However, these shoes are extremely narrow, which may not suit people with wide feet.
With a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, we recommend Columbia's Men's Granite Ridge Mid Waterproof Hiking Shoes as the best waterproof choice.
These hiking shoes feature a Techlite midsole that is lightweight, cushiony and comfortable. They also have waterproof suede and textile upper and midsole ports for cooling and ventilation. According to the company, the shoes' Omni-Grip marking traction rubber is formulated with compounds and treads that ensure stability and the right grip for any environment.
Many customers loved the shoes' breathable midsole, non-slip rubber soles and waterproof upper. They are lightweight with cushiony interiors, protecting the feet from impact, rocks and debris. Reviewers also mentioned that these offer superb ankle support, suitable for long walks and hiking trails. However, they have a narrow toe cap which might not suit those with wide feet.
Columbia Men's Crestwood Wide is our pick for the best hiking shoes for men with wide feet. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
The Columbia Men's Crestwood Wide features Omni-Grip, a multi-terrain traction system to fit any hiking environment. These shoes also have a dual-zone winter tread pattern for stable and solid footing on surfaces like ice and snow. Apart from a lightweight midsole, the Crestwoods have a combination of leather, mesh and webbing in the upper.
The general sentiment is that these shoes fit true to size, especially for men with wide feet. They offer superb traction while being lightweight, making them the perfect hiking shoes for beginners. According to others, the footbed is quite thick and cushiony as well. However, these shoes aren't waterproof.
We selected the Salomon X Reveal Men's Trekking and Hiking Shoes as the best cheap men's hiking shoes. On Amazon, it has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 200 customer reviews.
These hiking shoes are lightweight at just 290g. They also provide extra cushioning on the heel and collar for better fit and comfort. These shoes feature Contagrip MD with a lug pattern that works on hard and smooth surfaces. The brand also offers this model in a Gore-Tex version for added water resistance.
According to reviewers, these hiking shoes are suitable for beginners and simple trails. They offer enough traction for stability and grip on rocky areas, but not for steep descends. Apart from being lightweight, customers also praised the shoes' breathable lining and durable rubber soles. There were complaints about them being slippery and unsuitable for wet surfaces, but this seems to be an isolated issue.
With a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, we picked the Merrell Trail Chaser as the best hiking shoes for kids.
Merrell's Trail Chaser is designed with an easy hook and loop closure for a firm and secure fit. The shoes have a comfortable EVA footbed and slip-resistant outsole with traction. The upper is made of suede and mesh for added breathability as well.
Customers gave positive feedback on the shoes' affordability, durable construction and secure fit. Parents loved the Velcro and hook system, which helps prevent tripping. The footbed is thick and cushiony for comfort and better heel support as well. However, the tongues are too narrow and tend to slide down when walking. Others also mentioned that the Velcro strap is flimsy, falling apart after just a couple of months.
Amazon prices last updated on 5 December, 2023 at 08:01 ameBay prices last updated on 5 December, 2023 at 09:13 am
How did we pick this list?
21 Brands considered
94 Products compared
11 Best products chosen
We compared over 90 shoes from 21 brands.
We then assessed hundreds of customer reviews and ratings on Amazon.
The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.
Why you can trust our picks
To find the best hiking shoes in Australia, we started by searching for the highest-rated products on Amazon. We then compared those products against other leading hiking shoes in the same category, considering factors such as customer review comments, materials, design and price to decide on our final picks.
We considered the following brands of hiking shoes:
adidas
Anta
ASICS
Champion
Columbia
ECCO
Fila
Hi-Tec
JABASIC
KEEN
Merrell
Nike
Puma
Reebok
Salomon
Skechers
Teva
Timberland
TSLA
Under Armour
Vibram
For this list, we carefully picked products with the highest customer ratings on Amazon. We ended up with a total of 94 hiking shoes for comparison.
We then researched each product and its features. We also considered ratings and customer reviews on Amazon. We came up with what we believe are the 11 best hiking shoes available online.
We value our editorial independence, basing our comparison results, content and reviews on objective analysis without bias. However, Finder may receive compensation when you click some links on our site. Learn more about how we make money from our partners and why you can trust our guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hiking boots are more durable than hiking shoes, but they're bulkier and require breaking in. They provide superb ankle support and are more suitable for wet terrain. Hiking shoes are flexible and softer. They're also more breathable and lightweight. These are best for dry weather and less rocky terrain.
Your hiking shoes should fit snug, but not tight. They should offer enough wiggle room for your toes. The heels should also feel supportive and comfortable.
Most hiking shoes don't need breaking in. If your hiking shoes don't feel comfortable out of the box, you can break them in by going for a short walk. Do this for a week or so until they become comfortable enough for a hike.
Ericka Pingol is a writer for Finder specialising in best guides. Using tested methodology, Ericka has been helping Australians choose the right product across hundreds of categories since 2020. Ericka has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of the East, Manila. As well as being passionate about helping people save money when shopping for their latest purchases, Ericka has a background in writing about property investment, personal finance and health. When not writing best guides, you can find her lost in the pages of a good book or experimenting with watercolour painting.
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