6 Best Hiking Shoes For Beginners – An Ultimate Guide

Do you want to kick-start your hiking journey? Are you searching for the best hiking shoes for beginners that are super comfortable? If yes, you have landed at the right place.

But before discussing top-notch hiking shoes, it is important to mention the features you should look for in hiking shoes. So, your hiking shoes must be breathable, waterproof, lightweight, and stable. Plus, their midsole, outsole, and insole should be premium.

So, in this article, I’ll review the 6 best hiking shoes available on the market. They are all premium quality, and your feet will surely thank you for this treat.

Our Top 3 Hiking Shoe Picks

If you are in a hurry, check our top 3 picks on Amazon.

Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof

Columbia Newton Ridge Plus

Altra Lone Peak Hiker Trail

6 Best Hiking Shoes For Beginners

Now, let’s explore the 6 best hiking shoes for beginners!

1. Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Shoes

Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Shoes

If you are looking for the best hiking shoes for men, the Merrell Moab 3 is surely one of the best options. They provide you with the traction that is imperative for smooth tracking. Plus, they are also good shock absorbers.

Another perk of these hiking shoes is their great breathability. So, airflow will improve while hiking, and your feet will stay dry and cool. These hiking shoes also have Vibram TC5 + outsole and lightweight EVA foam midsoles. It is fantastic in providing you with stability.

And in this way, your hiking experience will surely get better. They are also waterproof, and it’s definitely one of the most important qualities you should look for in hiking shoes. Moreover, they can be worn in all types of climates. Therefore, you don’t have to specify shoes for each climate separately.

Apart from that, they are also suitable for all foot sizes. So, whether you have wide or narrow feet, you can easily wear them. And they are also durable. So they can work well for a long time.

Specifications

  • Weight: 1 pound 10 ounces
  • Drop: 11.5 mm
  • Lug: 5 mm
  • Vibram TC5 + outsole
  • Recycled webbing and laces

Pros

  • Highly durable
  • Super comfortable
  • Great for all foot sizes
  • Waterproof option

Cons

  • Quite heavy

2. Columbia Newton Ridge Plus For Women

Columbia Newton Ridge Plus For Women

If you are looking for the best hiking shoes for women, you can surely consider the Columbia Newton Ridge. Particularly if you want to get hiking shoes that are beginner-friendly and affordable, then Columbia Newton Ridge is incredible. 

When it comes to its upper surface, it’s made from top-quality suede and leather. It also has padded heels that can assist in making your hiking more comfortable. These hiking shoes also have an Omni-grip rubber outsole curated for ease in wet conditions.

Moreover, the techlite midsole is responsible for providing cushioning. Plus. It offers you great comfort and versatility. You can easily wear them in multiple terrains and get excellent traction at every track. So, we can say that they are hiking shoes suitable for all conditions.

Specifications

  • Weight: 1 pound 10 ounces
  • Drop: 10 mm
  • Waterproof metal hardware
  • Tech-lite midsole

Pros

  • Highly versatile
  • Pretty durable
  • Waterproof design
  • Great comfortability
  • Amazing traction

Cons

  • Not suitable for wide feet

3. Altra Lone Peak Hiker Trail Running Shoes

Altra Lone Peak Hiker Trail Running Shoes

Altra Lone Peak is worth picking if you are a beginner hiker hunting for a spectacular pair of shoes. These shoes are versatile, and you can wear them for different tasks. Whether you want to go walking or hiking, they will provide great comfort.

Additionally, they are lightweight, so if you want to cover long distances, they can provide you with great ease. Another advantage of these hiking shoes is that people with average or wide feet can wear them.

Plus, they provide great cushioning, crucial for an impeccable hiking journey. They are quite breathable, so your feet will remain cool and dry. Therefore, even in hot places, you don’t have to deal with discomfort caused by heavy sweating.

It is also imperative to mention that these hiking shoes have Maxtrac rubber outsoles. And they also have Altra EGO foam insoles. These features assist it in providing outstanding traction and cushioning.

Specifications

  • Weight: 1 pound 3 ounces
  • Drop: 0 mm
  • Maxtrac rubber outsole
  • Altra EGO foam insole

Pros

  • Quite breathable
  • Very lightweight
  • Zero drop
  • Great comfortability
  • Amazing traction

Cons

  • No ankle support
  • Not for narrow feet

4. Salomon Women X Ultra Hiking Boots For Women

Salomon Women X Ultra Hiking Boots For Women

Salomon Women X Ultra is one of the best hiking shoes for women. These hiking shoes are super lightweight, so you will not feel any burden on your feet after wearing them. Plus, they are great for all types of weather.

They have the ClimaSalomon waterproof technology that ensures your shoes stay secured from water. And in this way, you can indulge in a wonderful hiking experience with great comfort.

Moreover, they also come with deep chevron multi-directional lugs that are great for traction. So, you can walk easily on soft surfaces as well. 

Another benefit of these amazing shoes is their reinforced construction. They will keep your feet firmly in place even on steep downhills.

These shoes also have an advanced chassis feature that helps give lateral support while moving from rock to rock. Furthermore, they also provide cushioning, making your hiking even more comfortable and joyful. 

Specifications

  • Weight: 1 pound 12.2 ounces
  • Drop: 11 mm
  • Chevron lugs
  • Advanced chassis

Pros

  • Very lightweight
  • Pretty versatile
  • Waterproof design
  • Quite affordable

Cons

  • Uncomfortable ankle cuff

5. adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX Hiking Shoes

adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX Hiking Shoes

adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX shoes are also good options for hiking. The great thing about them is that they are unisex. So, men and women can both wear them. Moreover, they are not just suitable for hiking. Instead, you can use them for multiple purposes.

These shoes can be great for walking, going to an event, or other activities. Its aesthetic look makes it a perfect fit for various occasions. They come in different colors, so you can easily pick your desired color.

It is also worth mentioning here that they provide good traction that will assist you in hiking on slippery and muddy terrains. Another perk of these shoes is their gore-tex waterproofing technology. It ensures you keep your boots dry in wet conditions.

Some other striking features of adidas hiking shoes include continental rubber outsole and EVA midsole. It aids in making the boots powerful and provides them with excellent stability.

Specifications

  • Weight: Less than 2 pounds
  • Gore-tex waterproof system
  • Continental rubber outsole
  • EVA midsole
  • Speed lacing system

Pros

  • Quite breathable
  • Aesthetic looks
  • Highly versatile
  • Waterproof design

Cons

  • Bit uncomfortable
  • Little stiffness 

6. Timberland Men’s White Ledge Hiking Shoes

Timberland Men’s White Ledge Hiking Shoes

Timberland Men White Ledge is one of the best budget hiking shoes you can consider if you are searching for a fantastic pair of shoes. They are all-leather hiking boots; this leather upper makes these shoes top-notch.

Although they are made from leather, they are still quite lightweight, and that’s impressive. Moreover, their upper surface is waterproof as well. The leather upper, fully gusseted tongue, and full seam sealing make it waterproof.

So, you can easily hike wearing these shoes in every condition, whether wet or dry. Besides that, it also has rustproof speed lace along with hooks. So, it will keep your feet secure in shoes. Moreover, these shoes also have compression-molded EVA midsoles.

And they are great when it comes to providing cushioning. Plus, their outsole is solid rubber. They also have multifunctional lugs that provide traction on multiple terrains. So, if you are looking for one of the best hiking shoes for men, you should invest in it.

Specifications

  • Weight: 2 pounds 4 ounces
  • Compression-molded EVA midsoles
  • Fully gusseted tongues
  • Speed lace hardware
  • Full seam sealing feature

Pros

  • Waterproof design
  • Great traction
  • Pretty comfortable
  • Highly affordable

Cons

  • Sole is not durable

Conclusion

Well, that’s all about the best hiking shoes for beginners. Always do proper research and keep in consideration your comfort and ease. Moreover, you must know all the features you should look for in hiking shoes.

Additionally, it’s worth mentioning here that as a beginner, comfort and ease should be your utmost priority. So, rather than picking good-looking shoes and overlooking comfort. It’s better to choose hiking shoes that you can wear for a long duration without feeling discomfort.

So, if you are still wondering which hiking shoes are the best for you, stop contemplating. Pick one shoe from the hiking shoes reviewed in this article according to your choice.

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