GearJunkie Picks the Best Hiking Shoes of 2024

GearJunkie, a leading U.S. outdoor gear review platform, has selected the Altra Lone Peak 8 as the Best Overall Hiking Shoe for 2024. 

Best Overall Hiking Shoe: Altra Lone Peak 8 
The Lone Peak 8 retains its roomy toebox and zero-drop experience, featuring Ghillie lacing for customizable fit and a redesigned ripstop mesh upper for comfort and reduced weight. The MaxTrac rubber outsole provides excellent grip, making it highly rated for a natural feel and effective drainage across various terrains. 

Best Budget Hiking Shoe: Merrell Moab 3 
Merrell Moab 3 is a popular choice, offering excellent ventilation, durability with pigskin leather and mesh upper, and stability similar to hiking boots but with low-top freedom. While a bit stiff, it performs well on standard trails and is available in a waterproof version. 

Best Water Hiking Shoe: Astral TR1 Water Hiking Shoe 
The Astral TR1 is ideal for water-based activities, featuring quick-drying materials, drainage holes, and a mesh upper for ventilation. The sticky rubber sole provides great grip even in wet conditions, while its wide toebox and odor-resistant insole make it comfortable for hiking and water sports alike. 

Best Summer Hiking Shoe: Salomon X Ultra 4 Low 
Salomon X Ultra 4 Low is a lightweight, breathable shoe with a flexible sole and excellent grip, designed for summer hikes. It features Quicklace technology and mudguards, and is available in a waterproof version. Women’s sizes run a bit large, so ordering a half-size down is recommended. 

Best Approach Hiking Shoe: La Sportiva TX4 EVO 
La Sportiva TX4 EVO is designed for rugged, rocky terrain. It features eco-friendly Nubuck leather and Vibram Megagrip outsole for superior traction and durability. Its lace-to-toe design helps prevent foot movement, making it perfect for technical approaches and scrambling. 

Other Top Picks: 
- Oboz Sawtooth X Low 
- HOKA Speedgoat 5 
- Adidas Terrex Free Hiker GTX 2.0 
- Brooks Cascadia 17 
- Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX 
- HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX 

For more details, visit the official GearJunkie website.