If you truly have wide feet, the Nucleo High II GTXwill likely be too narrow, which is quite common in the footwear industry. While this one is wide for La Sportiva — and it welcomes more hikers than ever to wear the company’s classic European hiking boots — they’re more of a wide medium cut, limiting toe splay for those with a wide forefoot. Synthetic boots with flexible soles will be lighter and perform more like running shoes. Carrying heavy boots on your feet on long hikes can cause fatigue, but heavy boots also tend to offer more support. As we’ve previously stated, it’s important to know your personal needs and shop accordingly. These boots proved comfortable from the very first wear. The wider toebox gave us plenty of room for toes to wiggle and splay out naturally. One narrow-footed tester found them too roomy, so keep that in mind if your feet are on the narrow side. Compared to other Salomon shoes, the Quest 4 feels stiff, heavy, and robust. If you aren’t used to wearing burly, ankle-high hiking boots, these will require some getting used to and a substantial break-in period.

Adding to the many traction features of this shoe, the heel has aggressive braking lugs that helped us maintain control during descents — the dreaded downhill that can prove treacherous. The sole is also anatomically scored, which provides a fluid, natural feel through each footfall. Merrell's Moab 2 boots are distinctly American: They're big, they're boxy, and they give your feet plenty of room to move about in. Emulated by many other bootmakers over the years, Merrell's models are durable without being stodgy and are often sufficiently insulted to do double duty as winter boots for urban commuters. Our testers loved the fit and noticed the boot wasn’t too stiff upon breaking in. It’s also perfect for varied, multi-surface terrain and trails that involve more technical elements, like hiking through boulder fields, scrambling, or making small stream crossings. The HOKA Speedgoat 5 Mid can handle almost anything, making it one of the more versatile options on this list. A gusseted tongue kept water out when we misjudged the depth of a puddle. It also kept out fir needles, leafy debris, sand, shale, and the common off-trail annoyances that tried to creep in on various hikes.

You may log on to scarpa.com as a registered user, access your account, and change or update your information and manage newsletter preferences. The Asolo Fugitive GTX's have a roomy fit, second only to the Merrell Moab 2's we tested. The boots are structurally firm and offer extremely solid protection for your feet, the best in this regard that we tested. A hard toe box protects you up front, there's high ankle coverage, a gusseted tongue, and a suede and nylon upper with metal lacing loops to cosset your foot. A Gore-Tex liner keeps you dry. The HOKA TenNine running shoe takes a heel brake to the next level, but most hiking boots are much more subtle. These days, anything intended for heavy use on- and off-trail will have some sort of heel brake, but they’re integrated to varying degrees. Waterproofing Dry feet = enjoyable hiking; (photo/Emily Malone) Workout equipment Best treadmills | Best adjustable dumbbells | Best home gym equipment | Best resistance bands | Best foam rollers | Best yoga mats | Best weighted jump ropes | Best smart scales | Best shoes for Peloton and indoor cycling | Best water bottles The overall design of the RocFly is more similar to a trail running shoe than a boot. The mesh uppers are breathable but not waterproof, for example, which makes them light and cool enough for hot summer sojourns. The softer, cushier soles are also great for longer hikes and those of us with more sensitive knees.

My older brother is firmly in the Scarpa camp. He has a ten-year-old pair of SLs that he calls his ‘proper mountain boots’ and claims that they are the only boots that he trusts for really long walks or walks in bad weather.These hiking boots are made for folks with high arches, and they’re so comfy the first time you put them on,” said one tester who took the pair up gullies, through meadows, and across many streams to treeline. Scarpa also caters to those seeking everyday comfort and style. Scarpa walking shoes are designed to deliver both functionality and fashion. Whether you're strolling through the city streets or exploring local trails, these shoes offer unparalleled comfort, support, and versatility. The iconic Scarpa Mojito is a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts and urban explorers alike, providing a blend of casual style and performance-driven features.