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Think of them asa trail running shoestougher, older sibling.
Courtesy of the brands / Laneen Wells
(Bonus: They can pull double-duty on rainy, puddle-y days wherever you live.)
Then we scoped out the best options, including expert-recommended models, Sneaker Award winners, and online bestsellers.
Our top picks
Are hiking shoes worth it if you already have hiking boots?
I find that my recovery is better overall when I wear lightweight footwear.
Trail running shoes or hiking shoes provide exactly that experience, Zebrowski says.
My feet can breathe much better, he adds.
[Theres] little to zero break in time, and they flex with my gait.
What should you look for in a good pair of hiking shoes?
We ask a lot of our hiking footwear.
Outsole
Walking on uneven ground calls for grippy shoes.
The lugs and tread pattern on your shoes outsole will also add to its grippiness.
Think of the lugs as teeth for your shoes to bite into and grab ahold of the ground.
This will help you stay comfortable longer and prevent foot and ankle pain from developing.
Dr. Daughtry recommends looking for pairs with good cushioning.
Shop the best hiking shoes
Ready to give your boots a break?
Several reviewers were surprised by how comfortable this shoe is, given its structure and protective features.
Don’t get us wrongthis is still a pretty darn heavy hiking shoe.
The arch support of Oboz is so good, one reviewer wrote.
These shoes are also not too clunky.
I wore them all over Florence for over eight hours a day and my feet were happy!
The structure and comfort in these is great, wrote one reviewer.
I was able to trust my feet as I navigated rugged terrain, one wrote.
It also functioned well in mud and over rocks.
The ankle support allowed me to feel comfortable going off trail.
The grip was unbelievable.
