Tattered and torn hiking shoes are good indications of a summer well spent. But despite the trail cred you get for sporting timeworn kicks, there always comes a time when you’re due for some fresh rubber. Is the mesh tearing at the seams of your boots? Are the soles starting to peel away from the fabric, separating further from your toes with every mile? These are telltale signs that your hiking boots have reached their retirement age, but don’t panic — we found some very worthy contenders to take their place.
Right now, some of the best hiking shoes at REI, Amazon, and Zappos are on sale for up to 58 percent off, including Merrell’s fan-favorite Moabs, a pair of Timberland boots with a perfect user rating, and some classic Columbias. Happy trails to you, foot traveler.
Merrell Women’s Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoes
Merrell calls its beloved Moab style “the world’s #1 hiking boot,” and Travel + Leisure editors have also named it the best hiking boot for women. The newest version, the Moab 3, is 30 percent off at Zappos, where it has a perfect five-star rating. One reviewer said, “I own 11 pairs of Merrell hiking shoes and I can honestly say the Moab 3 and Unlikely Hikers” — another Merrell style — “are the best.” They offer “much more support than the old Moabs” and are “much beefier, comfortable right out of the box, [and have] better tread.” All in all, these are a solid pair of hiking shoes at a great price.
Keen Women’s Targhee 3 Mid-height Waterproof Hiking Boots
You can save almost $100 on one of Keen’s most popular styles right now. The Targhee waterproof boot has more than 2,800 five-star ratings on Amazon, where reviewers rave about their comfort, look, arch support, and weight. One reviewer said they would wear them every single day after testing them out in four national parks in a span of just three weeks. Another said they’ve “easily hiked 700 hummocky miles and some road walks in all kinds of weather” in them. People especially love that the wide fit leaves extra room for swelling in the summer and wearing thick socks in the winter.
Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped
Columbia’s classic suede Newton Ridge boot has a perfect rating on Zappos, with more than 1,500 ratings. Besides its cool old-school look, these boots hug the ankle for better stability and allow your feet to breathe while also preventing them from getting wet on waterlogged trails. “These got me through a week in Iceland and kept me warm, dry, and comfortable through hikes, wind, and cold,” one reviewer wrote. “It was between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit during the trip, some rain, a lot of mud, trekking through snow and a glacier hike (with crampons) and these shoes did the trick and barely got dirty.” Hurry and grab them while they’re half price.
Adidas Women’s Terrex Free Hiker Gore-Tex 2.0 Hiking Shoes
Like a hardcore version of high-tops, the Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 earns great marks for the soft, comfortable mesh upper and sticky soles. You get great traction on uneven surfaces, even though these look more like tennis shoes than hiking boots. On REI, where they’re 25 percent off, reviewers said they love the ankle support and how stable their feet feel while wearing them. They also noted the “excellent grip” and how well they could navigate wet, steep, and rocky terrain.
Keen Women’s Voyageur Low-height Hiking Shoes
The low-profile Keen Voyageurs are highly rated for their roomy toe box, arch support, and superior cushion. They’re even treated with pesticide-free odor protection because, hey, feet get smelly after extended use. One self-described avid hiker said they put them to the ultimate test — wearing them straight out of the box on a three-week hiking trip through various national parks. “At the end of the longest day even in non-broken-in shoes, I had no blisters, no foot pain whatsoever, not even that typical ‘I’ve been hiking way too long and my feet are tired’ feeling,” they said.
Hoka Women’s Kaha 2 Low Gore-Tex
Here’s your chance to get $220 Hoka hikers for a great steal with $100 off. They come in a cute berry color that disguises their serious Gore-Tex technology, making water slide right off instead of penetrating the recycled mesh upper. Zappos reviewers love how versatile they are, great for walks in nature or for wearing for day of different activities while traveling. One called them “the best fitting [and] most comfortable hiking shoes I have ever had.”
Teva Men’s Grandview GTX Mid Hiking Shoes
Teva might be known for its strappy adventure sandals, but don’t discount these Grandview hikers with a Gore-Tex layer and durable water repellent (DWR) finish, now 30 percent off at REI. For $122, you’ll get an impressive and durable pair of shoes that withstand uneven terrain and wet conditions, all while remaining lightweight. They are “comfortable and capable,” said a reviewer. “I’ve worn these shoes for the bulk of my hiking for the past year, including lots of training hikes, a thru-hike of The Enchantments, the Wonderland Trail at Rainier, and the Annapurna Base Camp trek in Nepal (it was an epic year). The Tevas were absolutely perfect for everything, and kept my feet comfy and dry even through lots of rain.”
Timberland Men’s Earthkeepers Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof
The famous brand behind those all-American golden leather work boots, Timberland has also amassed a perfect Zappos rating for these Earthkeepers Mt. Maddsen hikers with special Timber-Dry waterproof technology. They are comfortable enough not just for the trails but also for long days on your feet, whether through your job or travel. “UPS drivers are death on work shoes,” one wrote. “We routinely kill two pairs every year, [but] I’ve been wearing this particular shoe for over five years.”
Merrell Men’s Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoes
REI is offering $35 off one of its bestsellers, the men’s Merrell Moab 3 waterproof hiking shoes, which are an upgraded pair from the Moab 2, featuring more recycled materials and improved traction. One reviewer who called the shoe “a miracle” said they walked 15,000 steps a day for two weeks on vacation, and their feet never once got sore. Out of 50 hiking boots tested, they also ranked the best overall in men’s hiking boots by T+L.
Nortiv 8 Men’s Ankle-high Waterproof Armadillo Hiking Boots
On sale for 40 percent off at Amazon, these Nortiv 8 Armadillo boots are some of the best-value hiking shoes you’ll find. They have well over 10,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, with reviewers praising their cushioning and shock-absorbent insoles, and their lightweight and water-resistant design. “I am a mailman. I walk 10-plus miles a day carrying weights on all kinds of terrains going up and down steps,” one reviewer wrote. “My feet feel just fine at the end of the day. This is my third Nortiv 8 pair.”
Adidas Men’s Terrex Free Hiker Gore-Tex 2.0 Hiking Shoes
Not much different than the women’s version listed previously, these men’s Adidas Terrex Free Hikers are made with Gore-Tex and Continental rubber outsoles that cling to the ground beneath your feet, even when it’s wet and slick. Many reviewers even wear them daily in addition to hiking: “This is the best shoe that I have purchased for work,” one person wrote, noting that they work 10 hours a day. They’re currently on sale at REI for an amazing 50 percent off.
Merrell Men’s Chameleon 8 Stretch Hiking Shoe
Though undoubtedly sidelined by the ever-popular Moab collection, Merrell’s Chameleon style is great if you’re looking for a more lightweight trail shoe that’s easier to slip on and off and has a slimmer profile than chunky hiking boots. The material is stretchy, and the soles are super flexible. They feature elastic no-tie laces, so you don’t even have to bend over to put them on. “I’ve had three pairs of these. Been all over the world. Through water, snow, mud, shale, and rock, these can’t be stopped,” said one reviewer.
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