outdoors
Summer hiking shoe essentials
A hiking-focused post that can be refreshed into an evergreen footwear guide.
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When it comes to hiking shoes, everybody has a slightly different checklist. Fit, breathability, waterproofing, ankle support, and terrain all matter. These are the core things I pay attention to after a lot of camping days and a lot of miles on trail.
Part 1 - Low cut hiking / general use outdoors
Call me a dork, but I wear some version of a low-cut hiking shoe most of the time. They are comfortable, versatile, and easy to live with both on and off trail.
Men’s
Women’s
Salomon XA Pro 3d (vent) ◀ Important!
Salomon XA Pro 3d (vent) ◀ Important!
Vasque Juxt
Nortiv 8 quick lace
Merrell moab 3
(
Moab 3 Waterproof option
)
Merrell moab 3
(
Moab 3 Waterproof option
) I would highly advise the vent version of all of these as linked above where available (not the juxt) The Salomon’s are an excellent choice for a lightweight rigid sole option that really makes you feel confident in your footing on uneven surfaces.
Quicklaces
At first I thought quick-lace systems were a gimmick, but now I get annoyed when shoes do not have them. The adjustability is great, and they make on-trail changes way easier.
The Vasque Juxt is another strong option I wear often, especially in cooler weather. They are not vented, but they are comfortable, supportive, and give you plenty of toe-box room.
On a similar note, the Nortiv 8 uses a comparable quick-lace setup and offers a lot for the price. It is a nice budget-friendly lightweight option.
Moabs have been around and highly popular for years and years now, and now on version 3.
I wore a pair of Moab 2s into the ground and learned a lot from them. My Gore-Tex pair handled rain, snow, and a few accidental creek adventures really well. Moabs can be a love-it-or-hate-it fit depending on your foot shape, but they have worked great for me and several friends.
Part 2 - Over-ankle options
I usually prefer over-ankle boots for three-season use, especially outside peak summer. If I expect rougher terrain, loose rock, or just want more ankle support, this is the direction I go.
Men’s
Women’s
Salomon X ultra waterproof
Salomon X ultra waterproof
Nortiv8 Armadillo waterproof
Nortiv8 women’s hiking boot waterproof
Moab 3 mid (vent)
(
Moab 3 Waterproof
)
Moab 3 mid (vent)
Moab 3 mid(Waterproof)
Thanks for checking this selection out and I hope you gained some insight into some boot / shoe related paths and reasons you may or may not take them. Follow us for more!