Durability: The footwear designers we interviewed said that a good pair of hiking boots should last from 300 to 500 miles (depending on the type of hiking, the weather conditions, the hiker’s gait, and the pack weight) before the cushioning becomes ineffective. Though the Trail Code design is less pillowy than the Hoka Anacapa 2, it’s still well cushioned, with thick EVA foam laid across the midsole.

In addition to their substantial underfoot support, the boots’ lighter weight (just over 2 pounds per pair) was especially noticeable after our longer hikes, when we found that our legs and feet were less sore than we expected. Though both boots have a Gore-Tex waterproof treatment combined with a Nubuck leather upper, the Anacapa 2 offers more breathability, thanks to the addition of a recycled polyester mesh that combines with the Nubuck leather upper and surrounds the ankle collar.

To be fair, every design has a few caveats, especially with the kind of extensive testing that we do. The Quest boots strike that ideal balance of being both breathable and waterproof—a combination that can be tough to find. Nearly all of the boots in this review come from reputable brands that generally make solid, durable goods. Boots with tall shaft heights, like the La Sportiva Nucleo High and the Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex, easily withstood deeper creek crossings.

The Quest 4 boots are the heaviest of our picks, with the men’s size-9 pair weighing over 2 pounds 13 ounces, so these boots may be too much for shorter hikes. The Nubuck leather upper and 3D Flex Ankle Hinge also provide excellent comfort as the leather is stiff enough to provide support and flexible enough to mold to the shape of your foot for a more customized fit. The recycled content found in the waterproof mesh upper not only kept our feet dry during every submersion test but actually breathed well enough to be worn in the alpine during the heat of summer.

Leather models provide a heavier feel than mesh and synthetic uppers commonly found on hiking shoes, thus offering less breathability.

We found this boot to be much more flexible and far less rigid than the Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX, so we recommend sticking to well-maintained trails rather than forging your own path through burly and aggressive off-trail terrain. We felt unstable hiking across rocks and roots because the laces tended to loosen; after a few miles, our feet ached. The TrailClaw feature allows for a sure-footed and very responsive shoe, meaning you can push hard in difficult terrain with peace of mind. The Lowa Renegade GTX Mid has an adjustable lacing system that can be tweaked to provide more support in the ankle than the foot. Most of these boots have a longer lifespan than, say, a standard running shoe, though the lightweight mesh options won't last as long as a full-blown leather boot.I found the boots very comfortable and lightweight great for trecking out in all weathers, the boots have a good grip and have kept my feet dry in all weathers, so i have found the boots to be great value. Though the name-brand components have proven very effective in our tests, we've also been thoroughly impressed with most brands' proprietary waterproof liners and outsoles. The Gore-Tex waterproof membranes used on the Lowa Renegade, and the Salomon X Ultra 4 are comparable in breathability to the eVent liners of the Altra Lone Peak Mid 2. We encourage you to read this whole guide—including our list of the other boots we liked—with your foot shape and terrain plans in mind.

Since 2017, we’ve considered over 200 pairs of boots, tested 55 pairs, and spoken with many experts about the most important qualities to look for. And because we’ve tried nearly everything, we can confidently make the following promise: Whether you’re scrambling, climbing, or walking down a paved sidewalk, these boots, with their stellar construction, can handle it. That said, the waterproof bootie fabric is rather thin and prone to durability issues if snagged on sharp rocks or downed trees, and it's not particularly breathable.

For the most part, this comes down to the type of terrain you plan on traveling most in your boots (i.