Getting the right style of hiking shoes/boots can be tricky to nail down, but it's seriously rewarding once you do. Today I'm going to give you a sneak(er) peek at some of my well-worn favorite hiking boots and shoes for 2022. I'll also walk you through a few things to watch out for, so that you can successfully track down your best next kicks.
Hiking Boots Pick #1: Salewa Dropline Mid
Blisters are insidious nightmares for many outdoor adventurers. Sometimes the fancy creams and tape jobs just won't cut it. That's why Salewa's Dropline Mid hiking shoe caught my eye. Believe it or not, it's actually advertised as a “blisterless shoe.”
Shoes that won't give you blisters?
Now, this claim does come with a couple caveats. First, Salewa says that it has to be paired with the right sock (i.e. properly fitting, moisture wicking – all that standard goodness), and the removable sockliner needs to be molded to your foot. So assuming those are both checked off the question still remains: do they actually work?
Well, I took these on a long hike, with a ton of weight on my back, through canyon country. This is usually a good recipe for blisters, and I did not develop a single one.
Breathable and Agile
The strengths of Salewa's Midline Drop (both in terms of blister prevention and general comfort/performance) are that it's breathable, is nearly as agile as a running shoe (and one that extends up your ankle for extra support), it's highly shock-absorbant, has a nice rocker (i.e. curves at the heel and forefoot for enhanced forward momentum), and it has aggressive tread.
The drawbacks are that it's not waterproof (but there is a GORE-TEX version available) and it's pricey ($200 USD). All of this makes it a great choice for fast-packing connoisseurs who expect dry conditions and who really want to avoid blisters.
Hiking Boots Pick #2: Scarpa Rush Mid GTX
While I typically gravitate towards more minimalistic hikers, the one traditional hiking boot that I got a ton of miles out of this season is the Scarpa Rush Mid GTX ($200 USD).
The three main features that made me a happy camper on those burly treks are excellent grip, solid ankle support, and GORE-TEX waterproof protection.
Dust Gathers in the Shoe
Just one note of caution, and my sole critique of this boot: sometimes shoes designed for wet conditions are a drag in dry, dusty conditions. I rocked these through the fine sands of Utah and inadvertently brought half the desert home with me. It got stuck in between the multiple layers of the shoe's upper and I've been trying to shake it out for ages.
Put simply, there are no universally good features. What works in one environment, or for one person, will be different for the next. But other than this slight snag, I've been loving the Scarpa Rush.
Hiking Shoes Pick #3: Arc'teryx Aerios FL GTX Shoe
I frequently wear low-cut, lightweight trail runners for my hikes. They are more comfortable and nimble than hiking boots, but still have overlapping benefits.
Personally, I've been fond of the Arc'teryx Aerios FL GTX. Its waterproof upper and sturdy tread were exactly what I needed while hiking in the wet conditions of British Columbia, Canada. Plus, because there is less shoe, the price is a bit more accessible ($180 USD) than some full-blown hikers.
The only thing I'd like to see Arc'teryx improve upon in future iterations is how well the upper deflects water. My feet stayed dry, but the shoes themselves would get quite damp on the outside. But nitpicks aside, if you can manage without the extra ankle support, and are craving something more agile, definitely give trail running shoes a go for your next hike.
Hiking Shoes Pick # 4: Astral TR1 Mesh
I've been loving Astral's TR1 Mesh shoes for my wet and wild adventures. They're perfect for canyoneering, hikes with lots of creek/river crossings, or even just swimming in areas where I want to protect my feet. These shoes are grippy underneath, but paper-thin up top (and therefore wicked breathable).
Water freely passes in and out of these shoes, which can be the way to go (rather than a sturdy GTX boot), in areas where you know you're going to get saturated no matter what. The TR1 Mesh water shoes are also only ($130), which is far cheaper than most technical hiking shoes/boots. If you want to learn more, check out my full review here.
Hiking Boots Pick #5: AKU Selvatica
For those of you who aren't familiar with AKU, they're an Italian brand that doesn't currently have a huge presence in the U.S. I'm so glad I stumbled across them because they make what has become my all-time favorite hiking shoe: the Selvatica GTX (low cut). I've put them through the ringer over the last 2 years, with a ton of hikes across a range of conditions, as well as lots of bumming around during van-camping life, and throughout it all, they've been super comfy and dependable.
What I love about the Selvatica GTX is that the GORE-TEX/hard-shell upper sheds water beautifully, but they also let my feet breathe. As I've already mentioned, I often get way too hot in heavy-duty, high-cut boots.
Not only is this uncomfortable, but sweaty feet can lead to blisters. The Selvatica strikes a perfect balance. I also love that they come with speed laces. For those of you who aren't familiar, it's just a simple pull and lock system. This is what gives them that causal, slip-on appeal around camp. And unlike some speed laces, these ones have yet to snap on me. Oh, and the traction is clutch!
Low-Cut Hiking Shoe Discontinued
Now, AKU has unfortunately discontinued the low-cut style that stole my heart, but the Selvatica is still available in a mid or high-cut design. I'll have to give these a whirl in the near future and see if they're still top contenders.
Good-fitting footwear can be a bit of a subjective experience. Everyone's feet are a little different and will naturally prefer different sizes, widths, toe-box depths, materials, etc. One of the best strategies to compare length across different brands is to look at the European (EU) sizing. But even if things objectively match up, keep in mind that some people find their AKU shoes fit about a half size bigger, which means you might want to size down from your existing baseline.
A parting tip: Use your shoes for their intended purposes
Speaking of AKU, I used another pair called the Rock DFS while trekking the jungles of Peru. They certainly got the job done (though not anywhere near as good as the Selvatica), but I felt silly when I got home and realized that they are actually an approach shoe (hence the name). This means they should be used on easy to moderate trails, followed by rocky sections and light climbing – not the mucky conditions I was throwing at them. That's my bad and I'll take this into account for relevant outings in the future.
Hiking Shoe Mention: KEEN NXIS EVO Waterproof Boot
In terms of waterproof footwear, the standout for me this year was the KEEN NXIS EVO. It efficiently shed water whenever I encountered it, so the boots never became damp on the outside (nor heavy because of it). Unfortunately, as can often be the case, this came at the cost of breathability.
Because I'm often in hotter climates, my feet need some air. So even though I was impressed with the NXIS EVO in some regards (it also had great traction), I continue to find myself opting for something more breathable. It all comes down to trade-offs.
RECOMMENDED FOOTWEAR BUYER'S GUIDE
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| Brand | Product | Our Review | Price | BUY NOW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AKU | Selvatica Mid GTX – Men's | Best Hiking Boots and Shoes of 2022 | $151.97 | Buy |
| Darn Tough | Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Sock | $24.95 | Buy | |
| Scarpa | Rush Mid GTX | Best Hiking Boots and Shoes of 2022 | $238.95 | Buy |
| Arc’teryx | Aerios FL GTX Shoe | Best Hiking Boots and Shoes of 2022 | $180 | Buy |
| Astral | TR1 Mesh | Astral TR1 Water Shoes Backpacking Review | $130 | Buy |
| Salewa | Dropline Mid | Best Hiking Boots and Shoes of 2022 | $199.95 | Buy |
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Those are my footwear features to kick off your weekend! I think the right shoes can take you just about anywhere. So do a bit of research and try on a bunch of candidates and before you know it, you'll be hitting the trails with a newfound vigor. I hope you all get a chance to log some miles before Monday. Until next time, stay tuned for regular gear reviews and new backpacking/travel adventures by subscribing to the newsletter.
