Merrell Men's Erie Mid Wp Hiking Boot

Product Information

The Hoka Trail Code boots are similarly flexible and light, but they are more pillowy underfoot; choose the Breeze boots if you prefer being able to feel the ground. Not only did our feet remain dry, but the membrane also kept our feet warm, which we appreciated during the winter, making this boot one of our favorites during some of the coldest weather conditions. These versatile boots offer trustworthy traction, top-notch cushioning, and the widest toe box of any boots we tested.

For our testers with narrower feet and higher arches, the Vasque Breeze boots appeared to be a winner almost every time.The Moab boots come in two widths, which isn’t the case for most of the boots we tested (including our top pick). Someone with a narrow foot might never get a good fit (and therefore feel discomfort) in a wider cut pair, like the Keen Targhee III Mid or the Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2. We tend to prefer lighter boots for most situations, though there is a use for the heavier durability and support of boots like the Lowa Renegade, Hoka Kaha 2, and Salomon Quest 4 that allow for extended travel through cross-country terrain. Support, cushioning and shock-absorption are tucked into the midsoles and footbeds, making these mens hiking boots the ones you don't want to miss out on.

Nearly all of the boots in this review come from reputable brands that generally make solid, durable goods. They also have a rigid build, so it took about 10 miles of walking for us to break them in, whereas most boots we tested felt broken-in after 5 miles. Keen Zionic Hiking Boots ( men’s and women’s): Keen’s newest hiking boots feel—and look—like running shoes with ankle support, but the light weight comes at the cost of underfoot support. We felt unstable hiking across rocks and roots because the laces tended to loosen; after a few miles, our feet ached.The old saying that weight on the feet translates five-fold on the back is pretty spot on, and who wants to feel dragged down by their feet when hiking? One of the highest performers in this metric is the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX, which features over two inches of thick and durable foam underfoot. New with box: A brand-new, unused, unworn and undamaged item in its original packaging (such as the . The La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX offers all the features and support of a traditional hiker but with a modern twist.

The Kaha 2 is a great choice for those who are after top-of-the-line performance and comfort for many burly adventures ahead.Durability: The footwear designers we interviewed said that a good pair of hiking boots should last from 300 to 500 miles (depending on the type of hiking, the weather conditions, the hiker’s gait, and the pack weight) before the cushioning becomes ineffective. After we completed a long, challenging hike, our feet felt far less sore wearing these boots than most of the other ones we tested. Differently, the 2+ inches of foam in the Kaha 2 design take some adjustment over time, teaching our testers to lift their foot higher when stepping over debris to avoid tripping.

Some manufacturers have started using a proprietary rubber or waterproofing material to cut down on these costs. We even wore the less comfortable boots for miles to report our findings, so you don't have to discover a boot's discomfort the hard way. Our team of ladies crushed out hundreds of miles for multiple months to parse out each boot's strengths and weaknesses. The waterproof upper is on par with other high performers in this review and is far more breathable than the leather options we tested.Merrell sticky rubber outsole tunes each outsole with durable traction that grips when and where you need it. If you struggle with aching feet or carry a heavy pack (or a child), this added support should allow you to go a few extra miles without experiencing foot pain.