14 Best Hiking Boots and Shoes for Beginners (2024)

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LOOKING FOR THE BEST BEGINNER HIKING BOOTS/SHOES?

Are you new to hiking and wondering what the best hiking shoes or boots are on the market? Don’t worry – we’ve gone ahead and done all the research for you! We’ve chosen fourteen of the most cited (and personally tested a few) hiking shoes and boots that people consider to be the best!

14 Best Hiking Boots & Shoes for Beginners: An Overview

Before diving into all the features, specifications, pros, and cons of each boot or shoe, let’s check out the fourteen pairs we’ll discuss in this post! If you’re in a hurry, check out this list to find a few you might be interested in. They’re all great for their unique reasons, but here’s how these five qualify as the best:

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14 Best Hiking Boots & Shoes For Beginners

Now that you’re aware of our top five best hiking boots and shoes for beginners, we can dive deeper into what each of the fourteen pair we’ve selected have to offer. Always keep in mind that you know your body best, but this list can serve as a starting point for finding the pair that’s right for you. Let’s dive in!

Hiking Boots

Hiking boots are a trendy choice of footwear when it comes to hiking. Unlike hiking shoes, hiking boots provide extra ankle support and stability for the trail. They’re great for terrains that contain, dirt, mud, water, rocks, and steep slopes.

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Salomon X Ultra Pioneer – Womens | Mens

The Salomon X Ultra Pioneers (Womens | Mens) are always a great choice for someone starting with their hiking journey because there are far more pros than cons to these boots. They’re comfortable, durable, sturdy, waterproof, and lightweight… what more could you ask for!? Salomon is a brand known for their quality, but they tend to run small, so we’d size up with these!

Overall Impressions:

Overall, there’s not much to complain about the Salomon X Ultra Pioneers. They’ve got great traction, last a long time, and keep the water out while maintaining that comfortable fit. However, the waterproofing system can make them a little less breathable creating heat, and they can run a bit narrow. Other than that, this is one of the best hiking boots for beginners!

Buy the Salomon X Ultra Pioneers Here (Womens | Mens)

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Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Boot – Womens | Mens

The Columbia Newton Ridge (Womens | Mens) is a great beginner hiking boot because they’re comfortable, supportive, affordable, lightweight, and stylish! These fashionable brown boots with red laces give the classic hiker vibe while providing all the important features to make your hiking trip a good one. One reviewer even stated they were perfect for a beginner!

Overall Impressions:

These affordable boots are everything a beginner hiker is looking for –  comfort, style, and support. From the reviews we’ve read, we’d recommend sizing up! Additionally, the insole is nonremovable, so if you need extra arch support these boots may not be the perfect fit for you.

Buy the Columbia Newton Ridge Boots Here (Womens | Mens)

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Merrell Moab 3 Hiking Boot – Womens | Mens

You’re in the right place if you’re looking for a budget-friendly yet effective beginner hiking boot. Merrel’s Moab 3 Mid-Hiking Boots (Womens | Mens) are quality and affordable hiking boots that are perfect for beginners, but even as someone with experience, after reading the reviews I’ll be purchasing them for my next pair! We believe that they rank as the best hiking boots overall because of their comfortability, durability, and support.

Overall Impressions:

The Merrell Moab 3’s are one of the best overall hiking boots for beginners because they provide comfortability straight out of the box! Many love them for their versatile use, durability, and support. The downsides are that they aren’t extremely waterproof or breathable, and could use better insoles.

Buy the Merrell Moab 3’s Here – Womens | Mens

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Salomon X Ultra 4 (Mid) – Womens | Mens

If you’re going to be hiking in rocky, uneven, or desert terrain, consider checking out the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX boot (Womens | Mens). This boot was the most referenced best desert hiking boot online, but you don’t have to be an expert to reap the benefits these boots have to offer. This boot is great for its flexibility, support, traction, and water resistance on a variety of terrain.

Overall Impressions:

The Salomon X Ultra 4’s are great for their lightweight feel, water resistance, and fit. There have been complaints about the shoe laces being too long and awkward and the insole being flimsy, but luckily you can always purchase different ones. We recommend sizing down a half-size and trying them on beforehand to make sure the seams don’t bother your feet!

Buy the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX Boot Here – Womens | Mens

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Keen Targhee 3 Mid Hiking Boot – Womens | Mens

The Keen Targhee 3 Mids (Womens | Mens) are a great pair of hiking boots for beginners, and my mom can attest to that! When I tell you that it was difficult to find any “cons” in the reviews that people left, I’m not kidding! The Keen Targhee 3 Mid Hiking boots are comfortable out of the box, sturdy, reliable, and great for wide feet.

Overall Impressions:

I would say that this is a great beginner hiking boot for its comfort, toe room, water resistance, and traction support. There were only a few poor reviews left on Keen, REI, and Amazon combined, although the few that were left mentioned poor upper and outsole durability. Overall, this is a great choice, especially if you need a little extra wiggle room!

Buy Keen Targhee 3 Mid Hiking Boots Here – Womens | Mens

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Lowa Renegade GTX Mid-Hiking Boots – Womens | Mens

The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boots (Womens | Mens) are fantastic first-timers hiking boots because you’ll find them extremely comfortable and lightweight right out of the box. They also are extremely supportive and have excellent traction and water resistance. These generally run on the smaller, so use Amazon’s Try Before You Buy feature to make sure you get the perfect fit!

Overall Impressions:

The Lowa Renegades are a great option to get into hiking because when sized correctly, they’re comfortable with a great fit! They are supportive, have great traction, and are lightweight and water resistant. Some find them to be too expensive due to their low-quality insoles and laces, and from the sole and stitching proving defective. You can always buy new laces and an insole if this is something you’re worried about!

Buy the Lowa Renegades Here (Womens | Mens)

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Hoka Anacapa Hiking Boots – Womens | Mens

HOKA is known for its comfort, cushion, style, and lightweight feel. This makes their hiking boots (Womens | Mens) great for beginners, as they offer great stability, fit, and support, and they’re also sleek and stylish. The biggest complaint is their durability on rough terrain, but if you’re a beginner looking for easier trails with smoother terrain, these may be great for you!

Overall Impressions:

HOKA has a great reputation for having a lightweight, comfortable, walking-on-a-cloud feel in their footwear. Their hiking boots are most loved for their comfort, fit, support, weight, and style, but may not be the best for rocky, steep, or uneven terrain. Keep that in mind when navigating what type of hiking you’re going to be doing in the future!

Buy the HOKA Anacapa Hiking Boots Here (Womens | Mens)

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La Sportiva Nucleo High 2 GTX – Womens | Mens

Let’s discuss the pair that is near and dear to my heart – the La Sportiva Nucleo High 2’s (Womens | Mens). This was my first ever pair of hiking boots and can attest these are awesome as a beginner. La Sportiva is a mountaineering company, so they’re known for their comfort, fit, traction, support, and lightweight quality.

Overall Impressions:

La Sportiva’s are a great beginner hiking boot choice due to their comfortability, lightweight feel, fantastic traction, and support. I hike most in the desert, and if you’ll be hiking in rough or uneven terrain, these are perfect for just that. However, they do run pretty narrow, so if that’s something you’re concerned about, I’d buy their wide size.

Buy La Sportiva Nucleo High 2’s here (Womens | Mens)

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Altra Lone Peak Hiker 2 – Womens | Mens

The Altra Lone Peak Hikers (Womens | Mens) are lower on the list of best hiking boots, though they still may be a good option if you’re looking for lightweight, comfortable, pliable boots. Altra is known for its comfortable fit and durability, though these are probably best for dryer climates with even terrain. If you’re looking for a boot that is light and flexible, you might consider trying these!

Overall Impressions:

Overall, this wouldn’t be our first choice for a beginner hiking boot due to the mixed reviews. While some have found them to be great for their comfort, fit, ankle support, and durability, many have expressed how hard they are to take off, their lack of breathability, and extreme tightness. If you want to try these out, we recommend sizing up since they generally run small and narrow!

Buy the Altra Lone Peak Hikers Here – Womens | Mens

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Hiking Shoes & Trail Runners

Despite their popularity, hiking boots aren’t for everyone. You may prefer more ankle mobility or find that boots bother your ankles or Achilles tendon. If this is the case, hiking shoes or trail runners may be a more suitable option for you!

Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Hiking Shoe – Womens | Mens

Adidas isn’t typically known as a hiking brand, but these Free Hiker 2.0 hiking shoes (Womens | Mens) have done exceptionally well! Although they are considered hiking shoes, they do have a comfortable prime knit collar that hugs your ankles. These are perfect for beginning hikers who want the functionality of a hiking shoe that feels like a trail runner.

Overall Impressions:

I have to admit, when I saw these as one of the recommended beginner hiking shoes online, I was a bit skeptical. However, after reading all these reviews, I feel like I should buy a pair myself! These are highly comfortable, fit well, offer great support and traction, and are great in all terrain, with the minor inconvenience of them being a tad hard to put on.

Buy the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 here (Womens | Mens)

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La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 2 Gore-Tex Trail Runners – Womens | Mens

Dylan owns a pair of these La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 2’s (Womens | Mens) and is highly impressed with them. They’re a comfortable, sturdy, lightweight trail runner that provides great grip and traction. The only recommendation that we have is to size up at least one one size!

Overall Impressions:

No shock here that these La Sportiva’s rank high for one of the best beginner trail runners! This brand is known for its quality products, although they often run small and narrow, so factor that in before buying! These provide excellent traction, support, weight, and feel to your feet.

Buy the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 2’s Here (Womens | Mens)

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Altra Lone Peak 7 Trail Runners – Womens | Mens

If you like feeling close to the ground when you walk, the Altra Lone Peak 7s (Womens | Mens) is a good shoe for you! Giving a natural feel, they have great toe space, are extremely comfortable, fit well, and have good traction. These zero-drop trail runners are great for people who are looking for a little wiggle room!

Overall Impressions:

The Altra Lone Peak 7s are great for those looking for the close-to-the-ground feel, with great stability and a wide toe box. Those who had the previous edition often say the toe box isn’t as wide, and many complain that they aren’t extremely durable. However, if you’re looking for a nice pair for running, walking, and light hiking, these are a great option!

Buy the Altra Lone Peak 7s Here (Womens | Mens)

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Arc’teryx Aerios FL 2 Mid-GTX – Womens | Mens

Although the Arc’teryx Aerios FL (Womens | Mens) are considered mid-height, they are marketed as hiking shoes and are on the shorter side, so I’ve categorized them with hiking shoes! These boots are stylish, lightweight, and comfortable! They’re great for those looking for a water-resistant boot that provides a cozy feel on the trail.

Overall Impression:

Overall, these hiking shoes are a natural in-between option for shoes and boots suitable for a beginner on the trail. They are snug, lightweight, and stylish while keeping water away. However, the downside to this is that the breathability is limited and the sole tends to wear out rather quickly.

Buy the Arc’teryx Aerios FL Hiking Shoes Here (Womens | Mens)

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Salomon X Ultra 4 Low Hiking Shoes – Womens | Mens

These hiking shoes are the same brand and style as the Salomon X Ultra 4’s (Womens | Mens) but in the “low” category height. These are great if your ankles get irritated in hiking boots but you’re looking for something durable, pliable, and sturdy for your hike. With ankle mobility, these are a fantastic option for a beginner hiking shoe!

Overall Impressions:

The Salomon X Ultra 4 Lows are great hiking shoes for those looking for ankle mobility without compromising support and traction. They’re comfortable and stylish, though they can wear down easily and some have issues with awkward pressure points and the tongue. Keep in mind that these shoes aren’t waterproof!

Buy the Salomon X Ultra 4 Lows Here (Womens | Mens)

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How to Choose the Right Pair

Now that we’ve gone over fourteen fantastic hiking boots, shoes, and trail runners for beginners, let’s talk a bit about how to choose the right pair for you. Everybody’s feet are different, so the best way to decide on the right pair is to simply try them on! Here are a few things you can keep in mind when searching for new shoes for your new hobby.

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Type – Boot, Shoe, or Train Runner

Before you start your search, you’ll need to consider whether you want a pair of boots, shoes, or trail runners. Boots will be best for ankle support, hiking shoes will give you ankle flexibility and trail runners are great for runners or those wanting to feel close to the ground.

Ankle & Arch Support

This can help determine what type of footwear you’ll want, but consider if you’re looking for more or less ankle support and/or mobility. Additionally, you may consider looking into the types of insoles that each pair offers and make a decision based on that.

Shoe Size, Comfort & Fit

Does the brand you’re looking at come in your size? Many times you’ll need to adjust your size because brands run small. But most importantly, how they feel on your foot is what matters the most.

Traction & Durability

What kind of terrain will you be hiking on? If you’re on uneven, rocky, and steep terrain, you’ll probably want a shoe with good traction and durability. If you’ll be on smooth terrain, this might not be something you prioritize.

Waterproofness & Breathability

Do you plan on needing your shoes to be water-resistant? Even if this is the case, if a boot or shoe uses gore-tex, oftentimes this comes at the expense of breathability. Something to keep in mind!

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Weight & Height

Are you more concerned about a boot that feels light, or provides more support? There are so many options for you to find one that fits your personal needs.

Socks & Accessories

Last but certainly not least, do you have the proper hiking socks?! These are just as important as the shoes to make sure your feet stay dry and prevent blisters. Are the shoes you’re looking at compatible with any accessories you may want to add?

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FAQ’s: Best Hiking Shoes and Boots for Beginners

Now that you’ve got a better understanding of beginner hiking footwear and what to think about, let’s cover some of the most frequently asked questions on the subject.

What are the best shoes for beginner hiking?

In our opinion, the best hiking shoes are the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 20s due to their comfort, stability, tread, and water resistance.

Is there a difference between hiking shoes and hiking boots?

The difference between hiking boots and hiking shoes is that typically hiking boots have more height to them and cover your ankles, whereas hiking shoes are generally below your ankles.

Are hiking boots uncomfortable at first?

Hiking boots may need some time to break them in, but that’s certainly not the case for all. The  Merrell Moab 3s are notorious for their comfort straight out of the box.

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Wrapping Up: 14 Best Hiking Boots & Shoes for Beginners

There you have it! Fourteen of the best hiking boots, shoes, and trail runners for beginners. We hope that after this post you feel a bit more confident in finding the perfect pair for yourself. Don’t forget to grab a pair of good hiking socks to accompany your new footwear, and you’ll be set to hit the trail!

Happy hiking!