With a name more typically associated with skis and bindings, Salomon's Cross Hike boots make the ideal footwear for an apres ski trek. Their design is reminiscent of high-tech alpine ski boots yet their light weight offers your feet relief after a day of downhill skiing. In terms of fit, while comfortable, the Vasque shoes have a narrower design than the other models we tested. And of course, being low-cut shoes they offer less protection than the boots we tested. However, if you're considering something less obtrusive and lighter that some of the big hiking boots here, the Vasque Breeze Lt Lows are a more affordable alternative. How to choose the best hiking boots for you

The TX Hike GTX are the alter ego to Sportiva's other entry in our top hiking boots list, the Ultra Raptor II. Whereas the Raptors are softer and tend to cosset your feet, the low-cut TX Hike GTX are big bruisers with solid but hard soles that emphasize protection over comfort. The shoes' Vibram soles feature more aggressive 5 mm lugs and a wider toe box than typical La Sportiva hikers. There's also more toe protection in the TX Hike GTX shoes than you'll find in light-weight, speed hiking designs. And while these shoes aren't heavy in the old-school Timberline sense, they are heavier than many other shoe-style hikers, which translates into improved durability.As expected, there were no problems in this department. The Gore-Tex lining will hold out for a long, long time, and the Crossover sole with SuperGum rubber provided plenty of grip in the mud and on the steep sections. The Salomon X Ultra 3 boots have been incredibly popular. Walk up a busy mountain route on any weekend and look down, and it won’t take you more than a few minutes to spot a pair. They’re lightweight, well-made, waterproof and instantly comfortable. Like a lot of the best Hoka running shoes, this boot came up a little narrow, so if you're between sizes, it's definitely worth sizing up. It's a shame there's no wider version of this boot, like there is in Hoka's running shoes. The shoe did give a little after 50 miles or so, but it definitely feels snugger than other boots on test. The lacing system didn't budge, and felt supportive around the ankle on unstable trails. The boot also comes in a low version, for hikers who prefer a shorter design.

Merrell's Moab 2 boots are distinctly American: They're big, they're boxy, and they give your feet plenty of room to move about in. Emulated by many other bootmakers over the years, Merrell's models are durable without being stodgy and are often sufficiently insulted to do double duty as winter boots for urban commuters. Hiking boots today can be as much of a fashion statement as they can be a technical tool that can make or break a serious mountain hike. Salewa manages to combine both in its Pedroc Pro Powertex Mid PTX, one of the most comfortable boots we tested. Using Gore-Tex for waterproofing and an Ortholite interior sole to keep your feet comfortable, La Sportiva deploys some unique elements to make everything just a little bit kinder to your feet. The boots use an elastic material around the counter lining, for example, with a folded over piece of material to help you pull the boots on. It's easy on your Achilles tendon and unlike the usual loops at the heel of most boots, it won't get caught on twigs and underbrush. With a classic Tyrolean design, the Asolo Fugitive GTX's are reminiscent of lace-up hiking and ski boots of the '50s and '60s. It's an attractive retro style for a pair of sturdy boots that will keep your feet solidly planted on terra firma.

Finally, consider the construction of the hiking boots. If you're a hot-weather, public trail day hiker, you'll want a boot that is light and breathable. On the other hand, if you often find yourself on more challenging hikes in cooler climes, you'd be better served choosing a heavier boot with more foot protection and greater warmth. More from Tom's Guide The Trail 2650 Campo's use a Gore-Tex Invisible Fit waterproof synthetic upper that is intended to be lightweight but still keep your feet dry. It uses a gasket design in which there's no tongue but rather a sleeve your foot slides into. This not only contributes to the waterproof aspect of the shoe but also keeps out irritating dirt and pebbles. In a variety of rainy conditions we never found reason to complain. My older brother is firmly in the Scarpa camp. He has a ten-year-old pair of SLs that he calls his ‘proper mountain boots’ and claims that they are the only boots that he trusts for really long walks or walks in bad weather. The first priority for any hiker should be comfort. The bad old days of having to break in stiff and uncomfortable boots before a trip are thankfully a thing of the past. We still recommend that you spend a couple of days in a new pair of boots before committing them to two weeks of wandering around the fjiords of Norway, but when you first put on new boots, they should feel comfortable from the start. With most of today's technical materials, they aren't going to get more comfortable the more miles you put in. Weather Scarpa says that this boot is purpose-built for fast and light adventures, so I put that to the test when I had a morning free for a wander around some local trails.

Workout equipment Best treadmills | Best adjustable dumbbells | Best home gym equipment | Best resistance bands | Best foam rollers | Best yoga mats | Best weighted jump ropes | Best smart scales | Best shoes for Peloton and indoor cycling | Best water bottlesWhy wouldn’t Scarpa want to challenge that and get in on the popularity of the fast, lightweight boot market? Dealing with weather is the second factor for hikers. If crossing the lava flows of Iceland is what you're after, you're going to have some days of rain, and you won't have time to waste drying out your boots along the way. So waterproof boots are a necessity, including gusseted tongues, which are attached to the shoe all along sides to keep out dirt and water. Most of the models we reviewed have both features. Terrain He’s spent many hours telling me how dry his feet are when we’ve been traipsing through boggy Peak District moorland or up mountain paths of Snowdonia in the pouring rain. For occasional hikes and everyday comfort, La Sportiva's Ultra Raptor II GTX are hard to beat. They are forgiving and light enough to be worn all day, grippy enough to handle slippery trails, and subtle enough to wear in most offices. First off, these aren't your grandfather's Timberlands. You no longer have to spend days breaking them in before your camping trip. The Mt. Maddsen's were supple and comfortable right out of the box. The mid-rise uppers are soft and while the boots are heavy compared to models like those from Scarpa and Salomon, the Timberlands can inspire confidence and make your feet feel like they are protected from the elements, even though they do not have the work-boot like heel and toe protections that the Asolo boots offer.

Of course, that’s not to say that this will be the same for everyone. Every foot is different. A couple of blister plasters and some extra tightening of the laces was all I needed to be on my way again. Salewa touts its boots as "blister-free" (at least for the first year) and in our many miles and weeks of testing we had no reason to doubt their claim. The Pedroc Pro Powertex are comfortable yet snug, employing a similar lacing system and net of Kevlar cables used on the ultra light Pedroc Air's. It makes for a nice snug fit without binding or pinching, and we found it even accommodates wide feet within its regular form factor. They look great – better than the Salomons in my opinion – and they’re fast, lightweight and agile. In theory, everything that I’m looking for in a boot for adventures both local and in the mountains. string(151) "Scopri tutta la serie di scarpe e scarponi da montagna prodotte da SCARPA: materiali e tecniche innovative, ideali per qualsiasi tipo di escursionismo!"For shorter walks that’s not a problem, but for longer walks that could result in rubbing or even blisters. Unfortunately, my first walk in the boots, at around ten miles, caused blisters on both heels.