Best low hiking shoes of 2024

In this article, we will talk about the best low hiking shoes (or the best low-top hiking shoes) of 2023.

We will take a deep dive and explain each option in a bit of detail. However, to make things as clear and scannable as possible, let’s start with a quick overview:

List of best low hiking shoes

Let’s take a more detailed look at each option. There should be a low cut option for every type of hiker.

Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX

The Salomon X Ultra series has been praised for many years by many hikers. The X Ultra 3 GTX is without a doubt one of the best low hiking shoes ever made.

The upgraded Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX is another great shoe, but there are some mixed opinions about whether or not these newer shoes are actually better. At least, the X Ultra 3’s are quite a bit more affordable.

It’s one of the best hiking shoes for almost every type of hiker, they are comfortable, have good support, great traction, are waterproof and they are not very heavy. It’s loved by both day hikers as long distance backpackers. They are suitable for hikers who travel on easy walkable roads, but they also have what it takes to tackle more technical terrain.

The only time when you might want to be careful is when you are crossing some smooth, wet rock. But let’s be honest, you won’t have a comfortable time crossing this type of terrain with any grip.

I wouldn’t call this a budget shoe, but they definitely aren’t expensive for what they bring to the table either.

Pros:

• High quality
• Good grip
• Good comfort
• Lightweight
• Great traction

Cons

• Breathability could be better

The best price for these shoes can usually be found here:

Men: Salomon Men’s X Ultra 3

Women: Salomon Women’s X Ultra 3 

 

Merrell Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe

When it comes to low hiking shoes, the Merrel Moab 2 remains one of the best options out there.

The overall quality is great, they have great traction and usually you can buy these at a pretty budget-friendly price. Making these one of the best value hiking shoes on the market today.

The Merrell Moabs 2 Vent’s are not waterproof, but they make up for it in breathability. Additionally, if these boots do get soaked, they will dry a lot faster than other heavier shoes or boots.

Note that this shoe also has a waterproof version, if you would be interested in that. However, I would personally stick to the lighter alternative.

That said, the Merrel Moab 2 is often not preferred by long distance hikers because they are still pretty heavy considering that they are not waterproof.

Also, they don’t feel as supportive as certain alternatives, which becomes even more important when hiking with a heavy backpack.

Overall, these are a great low-top budget option, but they might not be the best fit for the long distance hikers.

If you would be more interested in a GTX version, this is also an option.

Pros:

• Comfortable shoes
• Affordable
• Great traction
• Good overall quality
• Also for people with wide feet

Cons:

• Not always a perfect fit, which can lead to heel slippage
• Relatively heavy
• Mediocre support

The best price for these shoes can usually be found here:

Men: Merrell Moab Men’s 2 Vent Hiking Shoe

Women: Merrell Moab Women’s 2 Vent Hiking Shoe

 

Adidas outdoor Terrex Swift R3 GTX

When talking about the best low hiking shoes, we also have to cover Adidas Outdoor Terrex.

The one that seems to really take the number one spot as a low-top hiking shoe is the Terrex Swift R3.

The shoe has amazing traction, is pretty durable, waterproof and isn’t too heavy. It’s another very solid option.

One thing that has to be said, the shoe is not considered as comfortable as most alternatives because they feel a bit stiff.

In terms of weight, the Swift R3 performs pretty average, but there are definitely lighter options out there.

In conclusion, the Terrex Swift R3 is a very solid shoe that provides a decent amount of support, has a great grip and is pretty durable. These are great for off-trail and technical terrain. However, you do sacrifice a bit of comfort. Therefore, these might not be the most interesting shoes if you are mainly hiking “easy” trails – from a technical point of view.

Pros:

• Great traction
• Great for technical terrain
• Good support
• Good durability

Cons:

• Not as comfortable
• A bit stiff

The best price for these shoes can usually be found here:

Men & women (unisex): Adidas outdoor Terrex Men’s Swift R3 GTX

 

Altra Lone Peak 6

The Altra Lone Peak 6 is a trail running shoe that is very well appreciated by many hikers. This shoe actually belongs to the minimalist shoe category.

There is quite a big debate about whether you should be using trail running shoes or hiking shoes for hiking. Long story short, both are perfectly fine, it just depends on your style and preferences. You can learn more about the topic here:  Are trail running shoes good for hiking.

One of the first noticeable factors is how light these shoes are in comparison with most other shoes. This is typical for a minimalist trail running shoe. It’s also pretty defining for who should use these shoes: hikers who care about performance and want to be able to cover more distance.

These shoes have great grip, are lightweight, are pretty durable and very suitable for people with wide feet. They will also give you a bit of a “natural feel” because of the zero-drop sole.

However, some people will prefer a more cushioned shoe, it really comes down to preference and hiking style.

Obviously, you can also use these shoes for trail running.

If your main concern is weight and performance, without compromising too much comfort, choosing the Altra Lone Peak 6 makes a great option.

Pros:

• Great traction
• Very lightweight
• Natural feel

Cons:

• Not as comfortable
• A bit stiff

The best price for these shoes can usually be found here:

Men: Altra Lone Peak 6 Men

Women: Altra Lone Peak 6 Women

 

Hoka Anacapa Low GTX

Reasons to choose for a low hiking shoe

• Lightweight: one of the most important arguments without a doubt. Low-top hiking shoes are a lot lighter than their high-cut or mid-cut counterparts. The weight of your hiking shoes will have huge impact on your energy spent and your performance.
• Natural feel: Even though this is not true for all low hiking shoes, overall, low hiking shoes will provide a better feel for the terrain and a greater range of motion.
• Training: Ankle support is something that many hikers claim is not needed when you have enough training, as your feet will get stronger and you will not need as much ankle support. It is often believed that wearing low top shoes will train your feet. However, there are still some arguments about this topic.
• Ventilation: Once again, this is not always the case, but often, low hiking shoes will have more breathability than mid or high top shoes.
• Versatility: Low top shoes are often more versatile, simply think about trail running, running, other sports or everyday use.

Reasons not to choose for a low hiking shoe

• Protection: Low hiking shoes will provide less protection than higher cut shoes or boots.
• Limited support: In general, high-top shoes provide more support than the lighter low-cut alternatives.
• Less durability: It depends on shoe to shoe, but overall, it’s not a secret that hiking boots outlast low hiking shoes.
• Warmth: It’s pretty obvious that higher shoes provide more warmth.
• Stability: The lower profile and closer-to-the-ground design of low hiking shoes may not provide as much stability and support as high-cut hiking boots, which can be a concern for hikers who need more support or who will be carrying a heavy load.

Best low hiking shoes – conclusion

If you are looking for the best low hiking shoes, this post should be able to contain the right shoe for you.

We provided options for every type of hiker, whether you care about comfort, performance or going off-trail, there is a solution for everyone.

If you feel like you did not find the right fit for your needs, feel free to let us know.

There are many benefits of using low hiking shoes over their mid or high-cut alternatives like weight, ventilation and the natural feel. However, it’s also important to know the drawbacks, like less protection, less stability and less warmth.

If you are specifically interested in budget shoes, I wrote a very detailed article about the best cheap hiking shoes, these also contain plenty of low hiking shoes, feel free to check it out! For some of you it might also be interesting to take a look at our best cheap trail running shoes article.