The 10 Best Pairs of Hiking Boots Money Can Buy

Hiking boots may not be something that everyone considers a necessity, but they certainly are if you enjoy being outdoors a lot. Anyone who has ever forgotten their hiking boots and tried to traverse a trail in normal trainers knows that it's not exactly the ideal type of footwear for that sort of thing. In fact, you need hiking boots anytime you plan on doing much walking on a trail or any other unpaved surface for a number of reasons. First and foremost, you want something that is capable of protecting your feet and it needs to be designed for walking in areas with uneven ground and even the brush. After all, the whole idea is to protect your feet so that you're both protected from the elements and you don't end up with sore feet that are full of blisters at the end of the day. Below are 10 of the best hiking boots that money can buy. If you're in the market for a new pair, there's little doubt that you'll be able to find something that suits your needs somewhere on this list. Even if you're not in the market for a new pair of hiking boots, you might end up deciding to buy a new pair anyway.

10. Vivobarefoot Forest Tracker ESC for Men ($220.00)

There's no doubt about it, these boots are some of the sturdiest that you're ever likely to find. They're made from some of the most durable material that any manufacturer uses, consisting largely of rubber and other waterproof materials. They're designed for hiking deep in the backcountry and they're more than capable of standing up to the test of time.

9. Mountain Warehouse Adventurer Men’s Waterproof Boots ($39.99)

Aside from being quite horrible, these boots have a lot going for them. They're made from waterproof rubber and mesh and they have reinforced toes and heels so that you won't feel it every time you bump against something while you're hiking. Despite the fact that they are made to be tough on the outside, they are quite supportive and comfortable on the inside. It's sort of like having the best of both worlds.

8. Jack Wolfskin Wilderness Xt Texapore Mid M ($199.95)

When you have a hiking boot that is both waterproof and comfortable, you know you’ve found the right combination. That's exactly what you'll get here. As is the case with a number of hiking boots, this one is also reinforced at both the toe and heel.

7. Vivobarefoot Tracker II FG Womens Boots ($240.00)

These boots are designed to be protective, yet lightweight. They still provide plenty of quality but they also give you an opportunity to feel the ground more than you would with a lot of your typical hiking boots, largely because they have a thinner sole. If you're looking for something that isn't as heavy and has loads of flexibility, this is a good option.

6. Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex ($230.00)

These shoes are designed for some of the most difficult surfaces that you'll ever walk over. They're specifically made to provide extra support in order to help keep your stride even and reduce pain, even when you've been walking for hours over some of the most difficult terrain you could ever imagine. At the same time, they provide plenty of cushion, a real benefit for tired feet that have been walking over uneven terrain all day long.

5. Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Women’s Waterproof Hiking Boots ($89.95)

There are three main points that you should associate with these stylish boots. They're waterproof, they provide plenty of support when going over extremely rugged terrain and they're designed to allow you to do so in comfort. The fact that you can purchase a pair for less than $100 is icing on the cake.

4. Under Armour Unisex UA HOVR Dawn WP Boots ($190.00)

There's something that genuinely sets this pair of boots apart from virtually everything else that's available these days. They are hiking boots in every way but they feel like trainers. That's because the manufacturer took the same cushioning material that they use in their running shoes and placed them into these boots. It's like having the protection that you need from high-quality hiking boots, yet it feels like you're wearing your most comfortable pair of athletic shoes.

3. Skechers relaxed Fit: Selmen - Relodge ($105.00)

Skechers shoes are well known for being some of the most comfortable brands of footwear out there. This one doesn't disappoint. It's made from waterproof leather, coupled with breathable mesh material and a memory foam insert to make sure that you stay comfortable all day long.

2. Merrell Men Moab 2 Prime Mid Waterproof Canteen ($62.90)

Aside from the quality that Merrell is known for, these shoes are also designed to reduce the amount of shock that you feel as you walk. That can go a long way toward helping you feel less fatigue and less pain, especially when you're on a strenuous trail and you've been hiking for hours.

1. Danner Men’s Vital Trail Hiking Boots, Soft Toe ($149.95)

Comfort that can't be beat is coupled with excellent traction, with the end result being a hiking boot that has virtually everything any hiker could ever want. Even if you tend to hike the trails that take 8 to 10 hours to complete over terrain that most people wouldn't even dream of going through, these boots can handle it and then come back for more.