Finding the right pair of hiking boots can be a challenge. Everyone’s feet are different so what works well for one person may not for another. I’ve worn $400 boots that hurt my feet terribly and $30 outlet boots that I wore until there were literal holes.
I usually hike in the Altra Lone Peaks (this is their latest version) and I like them – they’ve been good to me – but I’ve been wanting to try a few more because this fall I’m hiking the Inca Trail. I need boots I’m going to love for four days straight of hiking. So I put out a very unofficial poll on my Instagram and there were a few standouts.
The Big Winners: Merrell and Oboz
Merrells came out on top – especially when it came to recommendations from other women. The one specifically named several times was the Merell Moab. Their price point comes in around $110-$120. I did receive feedback from a few avid hikers that they aren’t as durable as other brands – but sounds like they’re great for the casual hiker.
It didn’t surprise me to see Oboz at the top, I have friends who love theirs. Their prices are closer to $160 for most of their shoes.
The other big brands were Hoka, Danner, Keen, Solomon and Crispi. Obviously this doesn’t narrow things down much but does help give you a place to start.
At the end of the day there are a lot of great boots out there, you just have to find the one that works best for your price point and your foot.
I’m probably going to try a few and see which one works best for me. REI has an amazing return policy so I’ll probably get the boots there in case they really don’t work for my feet.
Do you have a favorite? Let me know!
