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.

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. 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 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. 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.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 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. 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.

Not all hiking boots have to be boots. Witness the low-rise shoe-like option from Vasque, the Breeze Lt Low GTX hiking boots. The Breeze Lt Low is a lightweight hiking shoe inspired by trail runners. 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. 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. 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. The overall design of the RocFly is more similar to a trail running shoe than a boot. The mesh uppers are breathable but not waterproof, for example, which makes them light and cool enough for hot summer sojourns. The softer, cushier soles are also great for longer hikes and those of us with more sensitive knees.Why wouldn’t Scarpa want to challenge that and get in on the popularity of the fast, lightweight boot market? We were impressed with how comfortable this Hoka walking boot was. Founded by two French adventure athletes who clearly know a thing or two about mountains, the boot feels lightweight underfoot, with a protective, yet responsive midsole foam. We had no problem doing faster hikes in this shoe, and appreciated the extended heel geometry, which allowed for a stable feel on the 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 bottles