What is the most important piece of outdoor equipment for hikers, backpackers, hunters, photographers, or campers?
If you said great shoes, you’re thinking is in line with most of my outdoorsy buddies. The best hiking boot brands provide comfort, safety, and durability for all sorts of outdoors activities.
Below you will see some of the top hiking boot manufacturers in the world so you can exsplore knowing your feet are getting the best support they can!
Top 15 Best Hiking Boot Brands (For Outdoor Enthusiasts)
1. Lowa
One of the best hiking boot brands, Lowa makes much more than hiking boots and shoes. They also make fantastic boots for specialties such as mountaineering and tactical use. Their Renegade GTX mid-high hiking boots are so comfortable that you will be tempted to wear them everywhere, including while at the office or the mall.
Founded in 1923, Lowa makes all their products in Germany and other European factories. Lowa has supplied law enforcement and military units with specialty footwear for decades. Their commercially available equipment includes boots made specifically for cold weather climbing and hunting.
Lowa boots and shoes are simply some of the best examples of outdoor footwear on the market. They are generally rather pricey, but their quality and features speak for themselves to justify the high cost. Lowa hiking boots and shoes are made for outdoors sports enthusiasts who either need or want the best there is. If you make your living hiking around nature, as a guide or a nature photographer perhaps, Lowa should be on your list.
2. Tecnica
Tecnica has been making ski boots and equipment for all levels of skiing for many years, only fairly recently beginning to make other outdoor footwear. Boots like their Forge hiking boots benefit from their ski boot expertise. The Forge boots are custom fitted using the same methods Tecnica and others use to custom fit ski boots, ensuring one of the most perfect fits possible.
Established in 1960 in Italy, Tecnica began making footwear other than ski boots in the 1980s. Tecnica ski boots have been used by skiers of all levels of expertise from casual to professional and Olympic skiers. Their hiking boots and running shoes have been well received just like their ski equipment.
The custom fitting is what makes the higher end of their hiking boots lines stand out as special even when compared to other very high quality brands. Tecnica boots will be very useful to extreme sports aficionados and others who require perfect fit and high quality.
3. Merrell
Another hiking boot company with ties to skiing, Merrell makes great boots that don’t have the astronomical prices of some of the other brands. They’re not budget boots, but they are one of the more budget friendly of the best hiking boot brands. Boots such as the Phaserbound 2 Tall waterproof are a favorite of hikers slogging through all types of terrain.
Established in 1981 in Michigan in the USA, Merrell was formed by two former executives of Rossignol ski company. Running shoes, work shoes and boots, and tactical footwear for law enforcement or emergency crews are also made by Merrell.
Very well made, Merrell has a great reputation as a high quality boot with great features. They are also some of the most durable boots for outdoor use. Anyone needing a superior boot without wanting to pay more than is necessary will be very happy with Merrell hiking boots.
4. Salomon
The Quest Prime GTX from Salomon is one of the lightest weight heavy duty hiking boots on the market. Salomon also makes a wide variety of snow and winter weather sporting gear, including skis. I don’t know about you but I’m beginning to see a link between ski equipment makers and the best hiking boot brands.
Founded in 1947 in the French Alps, Salomon has been snow sports equipment for all levels of involvement. Their top line skis are regularly used in international alpine skiing contests.
Comfort and safety are top priorities for Salomon products. Their hiking boot lines, especially the ones specifically designed for winter weather, are among the finest made. Their concentration on saving weight makes these excellent choices for weekend warriors as well as those who make a living outdoors.
5. Zamberlan
One of the better hiking boots designed especially for women is the Zamberlan 320 Trail Lite Evo GTX boot. A long name for an awesome boot. Zamberlan also makes a full line of kids boots and shoes, as well as their top of the line men’s hiking boots and shoes.
Zamberlan is an Italian company and has been in existence since 1929. All of the European companies make excellent hiking boots. Zamberlan makes a wide variety of out sports footwear.
Combining old world craftsmanship with high tech research, Zamberlan is an easy choice for anyone needing outstanding outdoor boots and shoes. A little more expensive than some of the boots seen in sports stores, Zamberlan is right in line with other top manufactures. One other thing Zamberlan makes sure of is that their shoes and boots also look good.
6. Danner
A lot of attention is paid to winter weather use when shopping for great hiking boots. Hot weather can be just as hard on your feet when recreating or working outdoors. The Danner Scorch hiking boots are tailor made for providing traction and comfort outdoors and are some of the most comfortable boots for warmer weather.
Originally formed in an old logging town in 1932 in the USA, Danner soon moved production to the Pacific Northwest area. They began with work boots that loggers would be comfortable using and now make everything from military boots to fire jumper boots to boots and shoes for anyone spending lots of time outdoors.
Danner is a sought after outdoor work boot due to their manufacturing boots that combine foot comfort with extreme toughness and durability. Some of their work specific boots can cost quite a lot, but most of their product line is moderately priced. Great choices for people spending time in rougher outdoor terrains.
7. Hoka One One
Primarily known for running shoes, Hoka One One also makes one of the most cushioned lightweight hiking boots on the market. The design of their Kaha hiking boot also offers superior ankle support.
Originating in France in 2009, Hoka One One is now headquartered in California, USA. Despite the South Pacific names of the company and their products, Hoka One One shoes and boots are available and usable everywhere outdoor sports are popular.
Extremely well made, Hoka One One hiking boots are a top choice for those who need a high level of footfall padding and really good ankle support.
8. La Sportiva
You may have heard of La Sportiva rock climbing shoes, or maybe their extremely high tech mountaineering boots used on ascents of the world’s highest mountains. They also make shoes for mere mortals such as the moderately priced Nucleo High GTX which incorporate many excellent features from their extreme sports shoes and boots.
Founded in Italy in 1928, the company began with work boots for loggers and lumberjacks as well as military boots for mountaineering troops. Currently, they make some of the most used shoes for free climbing and boots for extreme mountain climbing.
Their overall brand quality is proven by many years of use on some of the most difficult climbs imaginable. That quality continues in their boots and shoes meant for casual users and for those who work in the great outdoors.
9. Salewa
If you are into the sport of speed hiking, the Salewa Ultra Flex is a mid height shoe (or very low boot, whatever) is something you should look at. Very lightweight, it also has great cushioning and a fair amount of ankle support.
Formed in 1935 in Germany, Salewa gained attention by making very high quality mountaineering equipment and clothing. The company even sponsored a very important early exploration of the Andes of South America. Currently, Salewa manufactures a wide range of shoes, boots, and equipment for various outdoor activities from the extreme to more common endeavors.
Most of their equipment is priced from moderate to high, placing the brand as one of the best hiking boot brands for sportsmen and workmen alike. Made from high quality materials, Salewa products are durable and comfortable.
10. Vasque
The Saga GTX from Vasque is a moderately priced hiking boot with waterproofing and insulation, making it great for all day snow hiking or for transitional weather conditions. Vasque makes several different lines of hiking boots, covering lower price needs as well as men’s women’s, and Kid’s shoes and boots.
Founded in the USA in 1964, many of their products are made in either mainland China or in US factories. Part of the Red Wing family of companies, Vasque is pretty much the outdoor recreation brand of the larger company.
As with all Red Wing brands of footwear, Vasque hiking boots are very well made and offering great comfort and durability. Vasque boots are a good choice for casual hikers who tend to tackle difficult terrain.
11. Keen
Keen makes sports shoes and work footwear as well as a wide variety of outdoor clothing. The Targhee III waterproof hiking boots are a great boot at a mid range moderate price.
Originally formed in 2003 in Oregon USA, Keen works hard to maintain sustainability in their manufacturing process. They are also very involved in researching newer and better ways to make footwear more comfortable and last longer.
Keen products are all very high quality and many things they make are manufactured with lowered impact to the environment. Keen hiking boots are good for casual to serious hikers and people wanting great outdoor footwear at reasonable prices.
12. Scarpa
Hiking boots such as the Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX are some of the most recommended by professional outdoorsmen for moderately to slightly higher priced boots. Scarpa is one of the favorite brands for mountain climbing and freestyle rock climbing.
Located in Italy, Scarpa has been in business since 1938. They began with specialty mountaineering gear and skiing equipment.
Scarpa boots are very high quality and have features that benefit professionals and serious amateurs in the extreme outdoors sports or work activities. Since they are fairly reasonably priced for extremely tough footwear, Scarpa boots are a good choice for the person enjoying strenuous hikes as recreation.
13. Adidas
One of the biggest sports footwear manufacturers, Adidas makes shoes and boots usable for professional sports as well as items like the Terrex AX3 hiking boot at the lower end of moderate prices.
The original company that became Adidas was founded in Germany in 1924, primarily making cleats and spiked shoes for sporting events. They became Adidas in 1949, currently making everything from headbands to sweatpants to shoes.
There is a wide variety of footwear made by Adidas. Some of their shoes are lower priced, some are in the higher end of moderate, it all depends on what you’re doing. If you want a good pair of usable hiking boots at reasonable prices, Adidas is hard to beat.
14. Nike
Almost everything I just said about Adidas could also apply to Nike shoes. While not specifically a hiking boot, a shoe like the women’s Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail shoe is a great choice for trail running and speed hiking.
Nike was originally formed as Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964 in Oregon USA. They became Nike in the 1970s, making sporting goods and footwear for virtually any sport.
Their brand is well known as a quality shoe maker. Nike shoes are a good choice for sports runners who prefer the great outdoors as their venue of choice.
15. Arc’teryx
With a name like Arc’teryx it has to be good. The Konseal FX is a great example of the user comfort and durability that they make. The Konseal has laces almost all the way down to the toe, making for an almost customized fit.
Formed in 1989 in Canada, Arc’teryx makes almost everything you could want for outdoor apparel.
Priced from moderate to somewhat high, their shoes and equipment are very high quality, comfortable, and long lasting. They are a good choice for those who engage in a lot of outdoor sports during colder seasons.
Shoes or Boots?
Just as the eyes are a window to your souls (or so I’ve heard), your feet are a window to how long you can last outdoors. A window to your soles, I guess. Seriously, if your feet get sore, the rest of your time outside can become pretty miserable.
Hiking shoes and boots are very useful in urban settings, too. What differentiates hiking boots from regular walking shoes is mostly in the heavier duty construction. Hiking boot soles are often thick and tough, though newer designs of soles also add flexibility and comfort to their features.
Another normal feature for hiking boots and shoes is adjustable support. Even in shoe style, hiking footwear has great ankle support. The adjustability comes from a variety of lacing and strapping styles, letting the entire shoe form to your feet.
Another essential part of hiking boots, as opposed to other footwear, is durable uppers. In the great outdoors, a lot of action is occurring around your feet, so good materials top and bottom are important for your comfort and safety.
The best hiking boot brands have all of these qualities and features, as well as often adding other features such as water proofing or water resistance or being lightweight.
Many hikers choose boots simply because that’s what they’re used to for hiking. However, many fine shoes also exist. The biggest reasons for choosing a shoe over boots are lighter weight and that shoes are easier to put on or take off than boots.
The biggest reasons for choosing boots will take a few more words to explain. Boots offer more ankle support. Even the best padded collar on a shoe just doesn’t match up to what you get with a boot. With more area to lace or strap, boots also conform more exactly to your feet than shoes. In my experience anyways. Boots also give more protection from underbrush and critters.
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