Looking for the most comfortable hiking shoes and boots? This article has the exact information you are looking for.
List of best comfortable hiking shoes
Let’s take a look at the list of the best comfortable hiking shoes. It’s important to note that I will cover both hiking boots (high-top) and hiking shoes (low cut/lightweight).
Keep in mind that even though comfort is the primary factor that we have taken into account, a hiking shoe still needs certain other characteristics before it’s truly a solid option.
Let’s start with a quick overview before we dive into the details:
Overview
Salomon Quest Element Gore-Tex
The Salomon Quest Element Gore-Tex shoes are one of the most comfortable high top hiking boots I have ever worn.
They are made of softer material than many other hiking boots. This has 2 main advantages, it fits the feet better and the shoe doesn’t feel stiff at all. However, it also makes the boots a lot lighter than most high-top alternatives.
Both these factors help a lot in making these boots very comfortable.
On top of that, these shoes have a great grip and you will feel very protected.
All in all, these comfortable hiking shoes are ideal if you are looking for the most comfortable, a high-top hiking boot.
I even wrote an entire review about these boots, as I have been using these on my last few hiking trips.
So are there no downsides at all? Well, no product is perfect, so these boots have some minor caveats. However, my main regret is that the sole of these salomon boots are not very durable.
Normal wear and tear is to be expected. However, after 100 miles or so, pieces of the grip really started to come off. That said, the grip is still functioning fine and I still feel comfortable using them on technical terrain. However, I don’t know how many more miles these boots will survive.
Pros:
- Very good traction
- Very comfortable
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Mediocre outer sole durability
These shoes can usually be found for the best price here:
For men: Salomon Quest Element GTX Men
For women: Salomon Quest Element GTX Women
Salomon Quest 4 GTX
The next option would be the older brother of the Salomon Quest Element, the Salomon Quest 4 GTX.
These boots are one of the most praised hiking boots ever made.
There are a lot of similarities with the Quest Element, however, there are a few major differences.
First, these shoes are not as lightweight. This makes them less comfortable, but they are nevertheless still considered very comfy boots.
The fact that these shoes are heavier and a bit more stiff means that they are slightly less comfortable.
However, they are very durable. Also, the outer sole is very durable. So if you are fine with the added weight and the “stiffness”, these shoes might make a better pair for you.
Pros:
- Very good traction
- comfortable
- Durable
Cons:
- A bit heavy
These shoes can usually be found for the best price here:
For men: Salomon Quest 4 GTX Men
For women: Salomon Quest 4 GTX Women
Merrell Moab 3
One of the reasons they are so popular and praised is that they are considered very comfortable.
In short, these shoes have very few flaws, are budget-friendly and really comfortable… Of course I had to include these.
I feel like the Merrel Moabs are very good hiking shoes for almost everybody who is looking for a low-top all round hiking shoe.
Also, these shoes also come in a mid-version.
For those of you who don’t have time to break-in your shoes, these require far less breaking-in than most other shoes. It’s even often called a “zero break-in shoe”.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Very comfortable
- Breathable
- Budget
Cons:
- Less suitable for muddy conditions
These shoes can usually be found for the best price here:
For men: Merrel Moab 3 Men
For women: Merrel Moab 3 Women
Hoka Anacapa Low GTX
The Hoka Anacapa Low Gtx is the low hiking shoe to go for if your main concern is comfort. These shoes give you the feeling like you are walking on clouds.
However, one of the first things that you will notice: these shoes are not cheap and at the moment they are not as easy to find as most other shoes.
That said, if you do decide to purchase these shoes, you will get a lot in return, as these are very much praised by many hikers.
Not only do they provide excellent comfort, they also provide good support, decent traction and are pretty durable.
In terms of weight, these score mediocre to good. Considering that you do get a solid amount of cushioning, that’s actually pretty surprising.
These shoes are great for hiking, however, if you do end up doing off-trail hiking, or are planning to cover some really technical terrain, these shoes might not be the best option.
Pros:
- Excellent comfort
- Good support
Cons:
- Not the best for technical trails
- Expensive
You can purchase these shoes from rei: Hoka Anacapa or consult the official website.
Conclusion: Best comfortable hiking shoes
If you are looking for a great and comfortable hiking shoe, you can’t go wrong with any of these options.
Keep in mind that a lot of personal preference comes into play. However, I always compare my personal opinions with what other hikers think before I make any recommendations.
The Salomon Quest Element GTX is my overall recommendations when it comes to comfortable hiking boots. However, it does come with a small drawback, being the lesser durability on the outer sole.
For the more durable alternative, the Salomon Quest 4 GTX is absolutely great. However, you will have to settle with a heavier and stiffer boot.
When it comes to low cut shoes, both the Merrell and the Hoka are great options.
However, if you truly want the most comfortable experience possible, the Hoka Anacapa would be my main recommendation.
If you do have any questions, feel free to reach out!