Ditch those boots, instead use trail runners for hiking
If you’re researching which are the best trail runners for hiking, then you’ve come to the right place! This guide is informed by decades of experience ultralight backpacking in trail runners. We’ve worn them as hiking shoes on trails all around the world, and even off-trail through tundra in Alaska’s Brook Range, canyoneering in Grand Staircase-Escalante, and over class III terrain on the Sierra High Route. By now, we’re very confident that trail running shoes are superior to boots for an overwhelming majority of people on an overwhelming majority of hikes.
This buyer’s guide to the best trail running shoes for hiking is for just that – hiking and backpacking, on or off-trail! While every single trail runner we’ve included is renowned for its actual trail running prowess, we analyze each of them exclusively from the perspective of how they are built and how they perform while walking with a backpack, used as hiking shoes. For more info about why hiking in trail runners is superior to boots, jump ahead to the pro tips section after the reviews.
And while you’re here, don’t miss our buyers guides to trail super shoes, running socks, ultralight sandals, and z-poles.
Cover photo: Altra Lone Peaks in Alaska
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Defining Characteristics of The Best Trail Runners For Hiking
- Editor’s Choice, High Cushion, High Traction, Wide Toe Box: Altra Experience Wild 3+
- Highest Cushion, Moderate Traction: HOKA Challenger 8
- High Cushion, Moderate Traction: Brook’s Ghost Trail
- High Cushion, Bouncy Foam, Moderate Traction, Lightweight: Mount to Coast H1
- High Cushion, Moderate Traction, Wide Toe Box: Topo Ultraventure 4
- High Cushion, High Traction, Locked-in Fit: HOKA Speedgoat 7
- High Cushion, High Traction, Wide Toe Box: Keen Seek
- Moderate Cushion, High Traction, Zero Drop, Wide Toe Box: Altra Lone Peak 9+
- Moderate Cushion, High Traction, Wide Toe Box: Topo Terraventure 5
Top: HOKA Speedgoat 7 Bottom: HOKA Challenger 8
Trail Runners for Hiking Comparison Table
*Rotate mobile device for full width table view
**Below measurements based on men’s size 10
| Model | Price ($) | Weight (oz) (m’s M) | Heel Stack (mm) | Drop (mm) | Cushion | Traction |
| Altra Exp Wild 3+ | 165 | 11.4 | 32 | 4 | High | High |
| HOKA Challenger 8 | 155 | 10.2 | 42 | 8 | Highest | Moderate |
| Brooks Ghost Trail | 150 | 10.6 | 36 | 8 | High | Moderate |
| Topo Ultraventure 4 | 150 | 10.4 | 35 | 5 | High | Moderate |
| Mount to Coast H1 | 160 | 8.5 | 35 | 6 | High | Moderate |
| HOKA Speedgoat 7 | 165 | 9.7 | 37 | 5 | High | Max |
| Keen Seek 1 | 185 | 10.8 | 39 | 6 | Highest | High |
| Topo Terraventure 5 | 145 | 10.3 | 25 | 3 | Moderate | High |
| Altra Lone Peak 9+ | 155 | 11.6 | 25 | 0 | Moderate | High |
Editor’s Choice, High Cushion, High Traction, Wide Toe Box
Altra Experience Wild 3+
Altra Experience Wild 3+ stands out from its brand siblings because it isn’t zero drop. But you still get the wide toe box, breathable mesh, and excellent traction, all of which combine to make an incredibly comfortable, high performance trail runner for hiking long days in the mountains. This shoe is like if Altra Lone Peak and HOKA Speedgoat had a baby. Updates for 2026 include a much needed boost to heel structure, tongue gusseting, more toe bumper, and the addition of a “+” version that gets you best-in-class Vibram rubber outsoles. We do recommend that over saving $15 with the base model. Drawbacks are that the combination of tongue gusseting and toe capping add additional layers of material which decrease breathability. Read more in our Altra Experience Wild 3+ review.
Fit is true to size in length, trending wide throughout with a generous toe box.
- Price: $165
- M’s Weight: 10.4 oz | W’s Weight: 8.8 oz
- Heel-Forefoot-Drop: 32-28-4
- Lugs: ~5 mm | Rockplate: No
- Width: Average trending wide | Overall Fit: True to size
- Wide Sizes Available: no
- On Trail/Off trail/Pavement? Yes/Yes/No
- Pros: Extremely comfortable out of the box. Wide toe box. Moderate drop. Great traction. Breathable mesh. Well-cushioned midsole. Cushy tongue.
- Cons: No wide fit option. Wide toe box creates sloshing effect when traversing perpendicular to slope angle.
Max Cushion, Max Breathability, Moderate Traction
Reminder: Maximum traction isn’t always best or necessary
HOKA Challenger 8
HOKA Challenger 8s are our favorite trail runners for hiking because they’re the comfiest in our quiver with a 42mm stack height maximalist cushion, highly breathable mesh uppers, and all-surface traction that is surprisingly grippy. On top of that, you get lots of great features like the structured heel tab for easy on/off, rubberized toe bumper, and a padded tongue. I wore this shoe on a 300 mile section hike in 2025, brand new out of the box, and got zero blisters. One limitation (but not a drawback) is that its tread is designed for versatility, not maximum traction; good enough for the PCT, but we wouldn’t choose it for technical cross country terrain. Its biggest downside is that the lugs can come unglued from the outsole after the first 100 miles (mine lasted for 300 miles with only minor peeling).
Fit is comfortably average and true to size; also available in wide width.
Read more in our comprehensive HOKA Challenger 8 review.
- Price: $155
- M’s Weight: 10.1 oz | W’s Weight: 8.1 oz
- Heel-Forefoot-Drop: M’s 42-34-8 | W’s 39-32-7
- Lugs: 4 mm | Rockplate: No
- Width: Average | Overall Fit: True to size
- Wide Sizes Available: yes
- On Trail/Off trail/Pavement? Yes/No/Yes
- Pros: Exceptionally comfortable out of the box. Max cushion. Great mesh breathability. Structured heel tab. Outsole is great on nearly all surfaces. Laces never come undone.
- Cons: Potential glue issue on outsole lugs. Lost ground feel sense. Hybrid outsole (intentionally) reduces traction. Traditional-not-low drop height.
High Cushion, Moderate Traction, Great Fit
Reminder: Maximum traction isn’t always best or necessary
Brooks Ghost Trail
For a trail runner that fits and feels like a road runner with traction, we recommend the Brook Ghost Trail. This design is based on the brand’s best-selling and beloved Ghost series, now in its 17th edition, inheriting nearly two decades of refinement and optimization. Like its road sibling, Ghost Trail uses the same fit, DNA Loft V3 foam midsole, same engineered mesh upper, same laces, and is immediately comfortable out of the box. We’re particularly impressed by the “Light Trail” outsoles with 3mm lugs, which offer surprisingly great traction. This shoe was designed for running in local parks, but we’d have no problem taking it into the mountains or through desert canyons. One drawback is the way in which the mesh upper is double layered to add structure and durability, but in a way that unintentionally reduces breathability. Hold it up to the sun and you can’t see any light passing through. Over the course of an hour long run, I also noticed the tongue drifting towards the outside, but maybe that’s just how I had them laced.
Fit Standard through heel and midfoot, widens somewhat at forefoot
- Price: $150
- Weight: 10.6 oz (men’s) | 9.6 oz (women’s)
- Heel-Forefoot-Drop: 36-28-8
- Lugs: 3 mm | Rockplate: No
- Width: avg in heel and mid, slightly wide in toe box | Overall Fit: order your normal size, but note that they run a bit longer than avg
- Wide Sizes Available: Yes
- On Trail/Off trail/Pavement? Yes/No/Yes
- Pros: Extremely comfortable right out of the box. Great fit. Lightweight. Surprisingly good traction for a gravel shoe.
- Cons: Tongue drifts sideways. Double layer upper reduces breathability.
High Cushion, Moderate Traction, Bouncy Foam, Lightweight
Reminder: Maximum traction isn’t always best or necessary
Mount to Coast H1
The Mount to Coast H1s are a gravel-trail-pavement hybrid designed for versatility across all surfaces, and my current favorite shoe for hiking and running on cruisy routes. They are the lightest weight model in this buyer’s guide, and have the comfiest, bounciest, and most sustainable foam we’ve ever used. The H1s were immediately comfortable out of the box with no break in period required, and no pain points or pressure spots. The jacquard mesh upper is highly durable and highly breathable. Dial in your perfect fit with the independent upper half laces and lower half cinches. Theoretically, this allows wearers to loosen the lower half as their feet swell after so many miles, but in practice, the system may not get a ton of use and adds a bit of fussiness. While the 2mm M-shaped rubber lugs offer better than expected traction and are adequate for most hikers and trail runners most of the time, they lack sufficient bite for ultra steep, muddy, or technical terrain. Add 2mm of depth to those lugs and they might just be my favorite trail runners of all time.
Fit is wide at forefoot, true to size throughout the rest, and true to size in length
- Price: $160
- Weight: 8.5 oz (men’s 9)
- Heel-Forefoot-Drop: 35-29-6
- Lugs: 2 mm | Rockplate: No
- Width: avg in heel and mid, slightly wide in toe box | Overall Fit: True to Size
- Wide Sizes Available: Yes
- On Trail/Off trail/Pavement? Yes/No/Yes
- Pros: Extremely comfortable right out of the box. Very lightweight. Bounciest foam. Sustainable. Highly breathable upper. Durable upper. Customizable upper/lower cinching.
- Cons: Traction not adequate for technical terrain. Double lace system adds fussiness.
High Cushion, Moderate Traction, Wide Toe Box
Reminder: Maximum traction isn’t always best or necessary
Topo Ultraventure 4
Choose Topo Ultraventure 4s because they offer the rare combination of a wide toe box, non-zero drop, high cushion, and all-surface traction. The upper is quite breathable and protected by a rubberized toe bumper. Ultraventure 4’s outsole features relatively non-aggressive 3mm lugs, and this trail runner is best suited for moderate terrain, manmade surfaces, and maintained trails (for which it more effective than higher traction alternatives). Look elsewhere for shoes to use on slippery surfaces, or treacherously technical terrain.
Fit is wide at heel and forefoot, true to size in length
- Price: $150
- M’s Weight: 10.4 oz | W’s Weight: 8.4 oz
- Heel-Forefoot-Drop: M’s 35-30-5 | W’s 35-30-5
- Lugs: ~3 mm | Rockplate: No
- Width: Average + wide toe box | Overall Fit: True to size
- Wide Sizes Available: no
- On Trail/Off trail/Pavement? Yes/No/Yes
- Pros: Extremely comfortable right out of the box. Cushion and wide toe box combine to reduce fatigue and pressure points after a long day and with swollen feet.
- Cons: Moderate traction is not ideal for technical hiking and loose terrain.
High Cushion, High Traction
HOKA Speedgoat 7
For thick, bouncy midsoles, best-in-class traction, and a secure locked in fit, choose HOKA Speedgoat 7; our preferred trail runner for steep, slippery, or otherwise technical terrain. With Vibram Megagrip rubber outsoles and extremely aggressive 5mm lugs, these shoes can practically grip anything. The durable woven mesh is highly abrasion resistant, lightly water resistant, and won’t stretch out; thus ensuring your desired fit for the lifespan of the shoe. What few drawbacks exist are a direct result of design choices rather than oversights. The tightly woven mesh upper is not particularly breathable, and the narrower forefoot is not the most comfortable. But both of those are to be expected given the intended use case. Lastly, we’ll note that this shoe is a big improvement over the SG6, adding supercritical EVA foam midsoles, and fixing known issues like the short tongue and loose uppers.
Fit is true to size in length, trending narrow in the forefoot; also available in wide width.
Read more in our HOKA Speedgoat 7 Review.
- Price: $165
- M’s Weight: 9.7 oz | W’s Weight: 8.3 oz
- Heel-Forefoot-Drop: 37.3-33.3-4
- Lugs: ~5 mm | Rockplate: No
- Width: Average trending narrow | Length: True to size
- Wide Sizes Available: Yes
- On Trail/Off Trail/Pavement? Yes/Yes/No
- Pros: Excellent traction. Locked-in fit for technical terrain. Thick midsoles, good foam. Relatively lightweight. Durable, water resistant, non-stretchy upper. Resolved issues from last version.
- Cons: Less comfy in forefoot. Low breathability upper. Lost sense of trail feel.
Highest Cushion, High Traction, Wide Toe Box
Keen Seek
Keen Seek are the comfiest trail runners you’ve never heard of, and exhibit nearly all of our favorite characteristics in an unexpectedly good shoe, given it’s a first gen model from a non-traditional running brand. Seek is most similar to the aforementioned Altra Wild in the sense that it has high cushion, high traction (rated for 925 miles until bald), mid-drop, highly breathable mesh uppers, and a wide toe box. But the knit upper specifically is the differentiator. This material creates a slightly stretchy glove-like fit reminiscent of Allbirds sneakers. That’s great for the first few hundred miles, but will stretch out over time and degrade the fit. It has a continuous collar to block debris with padding under the knot zone; however this configuration reduces breathability and ventilation around the ankle. It’s also quite expensive, and has potential to chafe the lower Achilles skin with ankle high socks.
Fit is true to size throughout
- Price: $185
- M’s Weight: 10.8 oz | W’s Weight: 8.6
- Heel-Forefoot-Drop: 39-33-6
- Lugs: 4mm | Rockplate: No
- Wide Sizes Available: No
- On Trail/Off trail/Pavement? Yes/Yes/No
- Pros: Wide toe box. Highly breathable mesh. Comfy out of the boxTread rated for longevity. Collar helps block debris. Padding under laces. Universal mid-drop. Cushy. Secure heel.
- Cons: Expensive. Minimal forefoot protection. Knit will stretch over time. Aggressive collar has chafe potential, reduces ventilation.
Moderate Cushion, High Traction, Zero Drop, Wide Toe Box
Altra Lone Peak 9+
Altra Lone Peaks are the most popular shoe of the 2010s, and still effective and comfortable today. While moderate cushion and zero drop may have fallen somewhat out of favor, the Lone Peak 9+ are still a great choice, now with better traction than ever thanks to Vibram rubber (as indicated by its namesake +). The wide toe box is desirable after long days and with swollen feet. Biggest drawbacks are how the lack of cushioning can create discomfort on rough terrain, despite the rockplate, and under-built heels that easily crush and collapse. The woven upper could also use a breathability boost.
Fit is true to size length-wise, trending wide throughout, especially forefoot.
- Price: $140
- M’ Weight: 11.2 oz | W’s Weight: 9.5 oz
- Heel-Forefoot-Drop: 25-25-0 mm
- Lugs: ~4 mm | Rockplate: Yes
- Width: Standard with wide toe box | Overall Fit: True to size
- Wide Sizes Available: yes
- On Trail/Off trail/Pavement? Yes/Yes/No
- Pros: Wide toe box is very comfy on long hiking days trail as feet swell. Zero drop (if that’s what you’re into). Thru-hiker favorite.
- Cons: Wide toe box is sloppy for traversing across angled slopes. Wider heel cup may not provide secure fit for narrower heels. Moderate cushion. Heel caves in with slip in use.
Moderate Cushion, High Traction, Wide Toe Box
Topo Terraventure 5
Topo Terraventure was designed to be an Altra Lone Peak alternative with low-instead-of-zero drop, and thus a better choice for many people. As such, it shares the same lovely wide toe box for comfort on long days, but boasts a meshier and even more breathable top-half of the upper. It even has the same moderate 25mm stack height, and sticky Vibram rubber outsole with aggressive lugs. With it, you will be lower to the ground and enjoy excellent balance, grip, and trail feel, but may experience achy feet if traveling on rough terrain for 10+ miles, despite having a rock plate. It’s also worth calling out what seems like thoughtful durability. Unlike the breathable top half of the mesh upper, the lower half is focused on abrasion and water resistance, protected by the combination of a rubber bumper and tightly woven nylon ripstop for a full 360 rand effect. Lastly, this shoe, with the default insert, gives serious arch support. Before you buy, make sure that’s what you want! See more in our full length Topo Terraventure 5 Review.
Fit is wide in the heel and forefoot, true to size in length.
- Price: $145
- M’ Weight: 10.3 oz | W’s Weight: 8.4 oz
- Heel-Forefoot-Drop: 25-22-0 mm
- Lugs: ~4 mm | Rockplate: Yes
- Width: Standard with wide toe box | Overall Fit: True to size
- Wide Sizes Available: no
- On Trail/Off trail/Pavement? Yes/Yes/No
- Pros: Wide toe box significantly increases comfort. Low-not-zero drop. Great traction. Good balance, trail feel. Highly breathable mesh. Good value.
- Cons: Wide toe box is sloppy for traversing across angled slopes. Wide heel with poor heel lock. Moderate cushion may lead to sore feet. Arch support might be too aggressive. Long laces. Boring colorways.
Pro Tips for buying trail runners for hiking
Why trail runners for hiking better than boots?
Trail running shoes for hiking are better than boots for the following reasons:
- They are significantly lighter weight, which makes each stride less taxing, allowing the wearer to hike faster and more efficiently.
- Trail runners have grippier outsoles and lugs for better traction.
- They are comfier, more breathable, and far less likely to cause blisters.
- Used as hiking shoes, trail runners are less rigid and give better surface feedback, which increases the accuracy, mobility, stability, and balance of your footfalls, which reduces likelihood of sprain.
- Over time, wearing low top trail running shoes helps to increase the strength of your ankles, eliminating the need for high tops and reducing the likelihood of a future sprain.
- Lastly, they also provide everything you need to start trail running, if you so choose! It’s great training for hiking season!
Why do we prefer trail runners that are not waterproof?
In almost all hiking scenarios, even most wet, rainy, and cold ones, we prefer hiking in traditional mesh trail runners, rather than boots, waterproof hiking shoes, or even waterproof trail running shoes. This is because waterproof shoes are much warmer, and significantly less breathable than mesh, which causes heat build up and foot sweat.
This in turn leads to an increased likelihood to blister, especially in conditions that should be dry and pleasant.
Over the course of a backpacking trip, we would rather get wet and dry off, then stay damp the whole time. It is a marketing ploy from hiking shoe brands to convince people they need waterproof shoes to hike. There are some situations, usually involving snow where we will wear waterproof shoes, but they are few and far between.
Why do we like trail runners with wide toe boxes?
Over the course of a long day of hiking, through repeated footfall impacts, the forefoot will start to swell and the toes will expand and spread apart slightly. For this, it is immensely helpful and significantly more comfortable to have trail running shoes with a wide toe box, because it prevents discomfort at the end of the day when you need it most.
However, wide to boxes aren’t license for a sloppy midfoot or heal cup, so it’s important that you find a trail runner that fits and enhances in this way, and is not just a wide loose shoe.
What is heel/forefoot stack height and what does drop mean?
Let’s go over some of the basic stats for hiking shoes, which may be foreign to readers. Heel-to-toe drop and stack height, both of which are measured in millimeters. Heel-to-toe drop, or drop, refers to the difference between the height of your heel and the height of your toe.
Basically, a zero or low drop shoe encourages the use of more calf and Achilles engagement, taking pressure away from your knees.
On the other hand, higher drop hiking shoes encourage a rearfoot strike, which may alleviate any Achilles pain or strain. A trail running shoe’s stack height refers to the number of millimeters it elevates your feet from the ground.
Higher stack heights will provide more plush and comfort, while lower stack heights will help the user feel more secure and close to the ground. The other stats we’ve provided, such as comfort, off-trail use, traction, and more are all self-explanatory.
Should you wear gaiters with your trail runners for hiking?
Nobody on the Adventure Alan staff are super keen on gaiters. We tend to hike in pants, and find that based on decades of backpacking experience, debris rarely enters our shoes, and when it does, it’s trivially easy to get rid of it. For 95% of hiking we don’t wear gaiters.
But for some conditions, like snow, sand, or loose gravelly off-trial terrain (as scene in the cover photo), they can come in very handy. Shop gaiters for trail running shoes at REI.
More Reading on trail runners for hiking
How to Choose the Right Hiking Shoes | Everything You Need to Know Which covers, the Myth of Ankle Support, Wide vs Narrow Footbox, Zero Drop Shoes, High vs Low Stack…
Best Trail Runners for Hiking Conclusion
Stepping into the right shoe drastically changes life on the trail, whether you struggle with blisters, foot pain, or general fatigue. Here at Adventure Alan we are huge fans of efficient and lightweight shoes that still provide adequate comfort and traction for longer trips. However, we hope with this range of options you find the fit that best suits your needs.
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have you looked at the mount to coast t1?
Hi, wanted to Thank you for very insightful article and esp for Speedgoat. For many years I been buying Salomon X Ultra and always had pain in the feet and Achilles – apparently I needed a better cushion
I already did 6 hikes each about 8-10 km in rugged terrain and Speedgoat feels great. I bought Wide – it felt a bit lose – so I added thin sole and it made it perfect.
Thank you!
Love to hear it, and happy trails!
So what’s your pick for the brooks range in Alaska? I’ve heard your feet are just constantly wet, and since its all off trail the shoes need to durable and ideally stiff. I am going in June. I normally hike locally (Utah) in altra lone peaks (going thru my final stock of discounted LP 7’s) , but I haven’t tried the 9+. Also I wouldn’t call them LP 7’s stiff in any way.
I cannot tolerate any arch support built into shoes especially on my right foot, so all my shoes are usually those wide splay shoes like altras, or WHITIN’s from amazon.
Alan takes HOKA speedgoats to the Brooks range, and the cover photo of this gear guide is of Altras in the Brooks range. The Altra LP 9+ are similar to what you already know. They don’t have much arch support, but aren’t stif per se. Nonetheless, I’d stick with ’em if that’s what you’re used to given the scope of the trip. Altra Experience Wild 2 is a bit stiffer because more foam, and I like it even more than LP (also it’s low-not-zero drop), and with minimal arch support. Happy hiking!
Topo Athletic MTN Racer 3 has been discontinued and is difficult to find in my size. Have you had the chance to check out the 4 and if so thoughts? Thank you!
Hi! Yes, it’s on my radar. I’ll take the MTN Racer 3s out. Unfortunately, it seems like a disproportionate amount of users are reporting heel blister issues, to the point where I’m not even really considering them. Heel lockdown is a major issue with my low volume heels, so I don’t think these would have any chance for me. Long story short, I wouldn’t order them without trying on first to see how it does with your heel. Hope they correct this soon. I do still really really like the Ultraventure 4s though.
I’m disappointed that narrow options don’t really make the list. I have narrow, low-volume feet, and La Sportivas are the one consistent source for trail runners that will fit me. I’ve used 3 generations of the Bushidos and 2 generations of the Ultra Raptors with good success. By contrast, of your favs here there is one (the Salomon) that might work, and my last experience with Salomons (Speedcross 3) was not good.
I recognize that you two are in the more “normal” range of foot widths, but some of your faithful readers are not served in this article. We could use some perspective on shoes that might actually fit us.
Totally fair and thanks for your feedback. We’ve heard the same from folks with extra wide feet. I have also personally found Sportiva to run narrow, and most euro brands in general, Dynafit, Scott, etc. Though I suppose Salomon is European and runs more standard. I’ll keep this in mind going forward.
I’m surprised you haven’t listed the new trailfly on here by inov8. They adapted the shoe to have a wide toe-box and have both a 6mm drop version and a zero drop version.
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll have to check those out!
Try the Salomon Genesis (normal version). They hug medium to narrow feet like socks and are outstanding in all kinds of terrain. Matryx upper (with kevlar) is incredibly durable. Taking them to Gran Paradiso in Italy next week!
Thanks so much for this article — it was incredibly helpful! I’m on the hunt for lightweight trail runners that I can use for hiking and wanted to get your advice.
On my last two hikes (both ~8 miles with ~2000 feet elevation gain), I really struggled on the downhill sections — my toes were painfully jamming into the front of my shoes, and the descent was honestly excruciating. My knees also hurt a bit, but the toe pain was by far the worst. I’m now realizing how important the right shoes are.
By the end of the hike, my feet were aching all over, and I’m not sure if that’s due to a lack of cushioning, arch/midsole support, or the wrong toe box fit. I’m considering trying a wide toe box shoe like the Altra Lone Peak 9+, but I’m a bit unsure — wouldn’t more room mean my toes might slide more and hit the front again? I also read that midsole stability can help, but I’m new to all the technical shoe terms.
Would really appreciate your thoughts on:
– How to prevent my heels from slipping and toes from jamming on descents
– Whether a wider toe box would help or hurt in my case
– What features (cushioning, stability, drop, etc.) I should prioritize
– Any specific shoe recommendations you’d suggest for beginners dealing with similar issues
Thanks again — I’m hoping to make my next hike way more comfortable!
Hi Navya,
Thanks for the questions and sorry for the delay in responding and how badly your feet hurt – just got back from a 3 week long section on the PCT and am playing catch up. Based on what you’re saying, I would consider the following. (1) toes jamming into the front on downhill is a result of either too small of shoes (size up half a size for additional length), shoes that are tied too loosely allowing your feet to drift forward (tie them tighter), shoes that are too wide even when tied down max that cannot prevent your feet from drifting forward (choose narrower shoes). If your heels are coming out of the shoe as you step, that could also be an indicator that your heel is too narrow for the shoes your wearing, and overall it sounds like you might have narrow feet. In my experience, brands like Altra and Topo tend to run wider than average. Hoka is closer to average. Though every shoe is different, you might consider options from Saucony, Salomon, or On, all of which have been narrower in my experience. Drop is another factor, where the higher the drop, the more it will encourage your foot to slide forward with gravity, potentially jamming your toes, so less drop is likely better. I doubt a wider toe box would help or hurt you here, as the issue seems to be length and tightness throughout the shoe, so that maybe isn’t the right question to be asking. I don’t have a specific shoe rec for you, but I hope you’re able to find what you’re looking for!
I’m curious why La Sportiva doesn’t have a presence on this list? I’ve really enjoyed reading Andrew Skurka’s take on shoes for desert hiking and think that he makes many excellent observations with regard to some of the shoes on this list.
Wouldn’t disagree with Andrew’s expertise on desert footwear; merely that desert footwear is its own niche and not the subject matter here. In his words, “Breathability and sand-resistance are somewhat mutually exclusive.” For all-purpose hiking shoe recommendations as is the focus of this list, the goal is to optimize for breathability, so what makes a shoe best for desert use is inherently worse elsewhere. Beyond that, Sportivas tend to be narrower, not have wide toe boxes, and haven’t been a go-to for me and Alan.
Hi, good list and very useful information for a beginner like me. I am 45 years old and have started hiking for pleasure. I like to venture in some rough terrain during my hikes. Your list only includes shoes which sit low at the ankle. Do you think there is any benefit from mid ankle support for a beginner like me and which shoes would you recommend?
Hi there! Thanks for the question. We have a very strong preference for low tops because they’re lighter, improve range of motion, allow for a more natural and energy efficient stride, and in the long term help to strengthen your ankles and reduce sprains/rolls/strains/injury. Within the bounds of hiking, no terrain is too rough for low ankle shoes, and we have not tested or tried enough mid-tops to give you a suitable recommendation, other than learning to love low tops. Happy hiking!
Good afternoon!
If you had to choose between HOKA Challenger ATR 7 with HOKA Speedgoat 5, which shoes would you choose for a backpacking road (Camino)?
Hi Ramona,
We’d definitely recommend the Challenger 7 over the Speedgoat 5 for the use case you’re describing. The Challenger is lighter, and has an airier mesh – good for warm weather and more efficient steps. But more importantly, it has the flat non-lugged outsoles under the exterior midfoot which creates a more effective rebound off hard flat surfaces. Speedgoat would have overkill traction and slightly decrease your efficiency. Hope that helps! Happy hiking!
Thank you so much for giving such a very exhaustive answer. A very valuable forum. Thank you for your professional research.
That’s a very helpful list thank you!
I recall from previous posts that you were a fan of the Brooks Cascadias. It would be interesting to learn your thoughts and why they no longer made the cut.
Hi Danny,
Great question – thanks! Two main reasons. 1. A new version, the 17s, just launched a few months back, and we haven’t gotten around to testing them yet. 2. The Cascadias have always had a fairly traditional running shoe design with 8mm drop and low cushion 20mm heel stack height. Over the years, we’ve come to prefer the HOKA Speedgoat archetype, which is a low-not-zero drop in the 4mm range, and high cushion with heel stack in the 30mm range. The Cascadias have always been a good shoe for what they are, but that chassis isn’t in line with our current preferences. Maybe they’ll prove us wrong when we get around to testing though. If you pick up a pair, let us know what you think!
Any thoughts about LaSportiva? I have been using Raptors for the last 7 years – seem to get 600 miles out of them, good grip and foot protection but breathable at the same time. Not sure where they are on the drop/cushion metric, but zero drop did not work for me.
Would you recommend the Speedboat 5 and its high heel stack for high routes (Sierra High Route, Wind River High Route, etc.)? When would you, if ever, recommend using a hiking shoe or boot?
Yes, the Speedgoat 5 would be excellent for high routes. It is very grippy for traversing scree fields and has a secure-yet-comfortable fit. We use traditional hiking shoes and boots almost never, but will make an exception for non-3-season conditions, snow, etc.
You’re doing a bit of a disservice to your audience by not including trail runners from Topo Athletic. The Ultraventure 2, Terraventure 3, & MTN Racer 2 should all be included.
Topo MTN Racer 2 shoes are in there. -alan
Alan, I realize every shoe on the markets can’t be tested due to time constraints if nothing else. Therefore I want to note the omission of some very worthy and popular long
trail shoes. Topo makes some excellent wide shoes with minimal drop that are durable, have near Salomon traction and are very comfortable. Topo does not have the consistent delamination problems that have plagued Altra for years, nor do they spend the bank on marketing as many popular brands.
The other brand is Enov-8, which basically was the first to cater to long distance hikers. They are now bigger in the Euro/UK hiker arenas than the US. Just because a shoe has great marketing does not make it a great hiking shoe. Only time can determine that. In the future, please consider the smaller brands for their qualities and not just the shoes pushed by big marketing.
Topo MTN Racer 2 shoes are in there. -alan
They must have fallen off again, or at least I don’t see them now…
Hey Alan,
Thanks for the great article. Wondering what your recommendation would be for on trail hiking for the mid-atlantic/northeast on some of the lesser traveled trails. Most of my hiking is in less traveled state forests and state land in PA, WV, VA, etc. Similar to your home base I think. While these are mostly “on trail” the footing is usually rocky, rooty, wet and muddy. Much more rugged that on trail hiking on the AT or some of the on trail hikes out west.
I’ve used more typical on trail shoes for these types of trails and I’ve found they get shredded too quickly because they’re not durable or don’t offer enough support/control for some of the more technical terrain, side hilling, etc.
Would you recommend something like the Speedgoat for this type of hiking? Would something else fit this type of hiking better?
I think the SpeedGoat would be a good fit. Great grip on the sole and more durable than a lot of trail runners. Best, -alan
Timely article for me as I’m currently looking for new shoes. Thanks.
You’re wrong about the Cascadias. They do come in wide (2E) since the 14 came out. Also, the Cascadia 15 is the current model, not the 14 as shown.
Edits made. Best, -alan
It’s a little misleading to label these “hi-tec”, as Hi-Tec is a specific shoe brand, that actually makes hiking shoes/boots – but the shoes you mention are not made by Hi-Tec.. A better general term for cutting edge shoes with new technical innovations might be “High Tech”
Duly noted, and all content revised as such. Best, -alan