Guest post by Rebecca Crawford

Are you planning a backpacking trip to enjoy the marvels of nature? You still have to stay safe on the trail, which entails getting the right equipment. Arguably, there are few things more important than getting the right shoes since these offer the much-needed ankle support. In turn, this prevents falls, sprains, and other foot-related injuries.

But what can you choose? You’re in the right place because we’ll discuss some of the best shoes on the market in terms of their characteristics, highlighting their pros and cons so you can make an informed decision.

These hiking shoes are found through the Amazon Affiliate program; I may make a few dollars if you purchase an item at Amazon. Don’t fear; it is at no further expense to you, the buyer. You can read more in this disclaimer.

Best shoes for backpacking.

The 5 Best Shoes for Backpacking Around the World

Backpacking is an adventure that takes you to some of the world’s most beautiful corners. But the wrong pair of shoes can quickly turn your dream trip into a nightmare. Comfort, support, and durability are essential in a shoe that will take you through varying terrains, climates, and activities. We’ve rounded up the five best shoes for backpacking worldwide that won’t let you down.

1. Salomon Men’s X Ultra 2 GTX Hiking Shoe

These shoes are fit for hiking, backpacking and trail running with some features you can’t beat at an all-around affordable price. For instance, the leather uppers are waterproof, so you can wear them even in inclement, rainy weather because they protect your feet from cold and water. But these uppers also sport some polyester mesh panels, which add to the overall ventilation.

We love the bootie liners because they are waterproof, too and made from Gore-Tex. These will protect your feet from the rain and the cold, but Gore-Tex is an excellent material for moisture-wicking and comfort. More than that, the fit is quite perfect, and the lacing system offers incredible stability.

Speaking of stability, the chassis keeps underfoot very secure while proving relatively light. That means you’ll move swiftly and comfortably, getting a motion control close to ideal. That way, your backpacking trip will become efficient, and you’ll cover much ground daily.

We love the lacing system that needs one pull to tighten them, which is excellent when time is of the essence. You can also tie or untie these shoes pretty fast, and you’ll get a kick out of the lace pockets in terms of storage.

The mudguards are one of the best features of these shoes because you can wear them even on muddy terrain. But the rubber toe caps are also quite a feat as they protect your toes from rocks and debris. The gussets contribute to keeping debris out of your shoes too, and that’s amazing.

We love the midsoles made from an injection-moulded EVA, renowned for its increased comfort and ergonomic cushioning of your feet. The OrthoLite® sock liners add to the cushiony feeling and provide some much-needed support. And we didn’t forget the Contagrip® outsoles made from a dependable rubber are great for added grip on rocky, slippery terrain so you can have excellent traction.

So after singing so many praises to these shoes, what can be their downsides? For instance, we noticed the fit might be slightly off, so you need to study that size chart before placing your order. Besides, they tend to slip on the heel and are not the most breathable shoes on the market. So while they’re excellent for colder weather, they’re not the best for hot and humid climates.

Purchase the Salomon Men’s X Ultra 2 GTX Hiking Shoe from Amazon!

2. Timberland Field Lace-Up Boot

If you’re hiking with your family, you also need the best hiking shoes for toddlers, kids or pre-teens, who still need the same ankle support and sturdy materials, but may also have some rather special requests.

Take the Timberland Field Boot, for instance. These can be bought in different colours, which is a plus. However, they have a lace-up system that might not be so great for a toddler who’s always fiddling around with their laces since they can easily slip and get lost. Remember that these are Taslan laces, though, which means they’re quite durable. But aside from that, the retail price brings a bang for your buck since these shoes are made from warm, waterproof leather.

We love the synthetic sole that’s great for a comfortable, cushiony feel, and it won’t hurt your kid’s feet either, but you need to use some moisture-wicking socks with this too. The shaft is 3.5 inches high, which is great for ankle support, and the padded collar adds some extra cushioning around the ankles for comfortable wear.

We also adore the T-toe, another essential feature regarding backpacking safety since a reinforced toe is always fantastic on rocky terrain. We feel the textile lining is breathable, while the rubber outsole is excellent regarding traction and durability.

The footbed is also made from EVA, which we think is amazing for absorbing impacts and shocks, so your kid’s feet will feel extremely comfortable for prolonged periods. So they won’t get any blisters or foot pain, meaning they can play and run around as much as they like.

Purchase the Timberland Field Lace-Up Boot from Amazon!

3. Adidas Terrex Swift R GTX Hiking Shoes

These shoes are another example of reliable equipment for colder, rainier weather sporting all the most important characteristics a backpacking shoe should have regarding comfort and safety.

So the shaft is ankle-high, meaning they’ll provide good support. We feel the lacing system also adds to this support, though it could be argued that the laces are pretty thin. Nevertheless, a clasp near the tongue secures these laces after you tie them so they won’t get undone during your trip.

These shoes are made from a synthetic material that’s not entirely waterproof, so you’d better not wear them during heavy rain, on snow or jumping into puddles with them. However, we love that the fabric is resistant to punctures and breathable and light, so you can enjoy wearing these shoes on your summer hiking trips.

The lining is high-quality, too, since it’s made from Gore-Tex, meaning you’ll get a durable and comfortable pair of shoes. We know this lining also helps with moisture-wicking, but you still need some excellent moisture-wicking socks.

And what’s not to love about the midsole? This adiPRENE insert is excellent for shock absorption, particularly if hiking on rocky, uneven terrain. It’s even an excellent addition if you must jump from one rock to another when crossing a river. The EVA material manufacturing this midsole adds to the comfortable, cushiony feeling. And don’t forget that EVA is a resistant, rigid material.

The moulded sock liner is another feature we love since it’s just what you need to ensure you get the right fit from the get-go. It will also get you comfortable wear, so you can probably go backpacking without first breaking into these shoes. And once you’re there, you can rely on the Traxion outsole made from quality rubber to offer fantastic traction and grip, particularly on wet, slippery ground.

Purchase the Adidas Terrex Swift R GTX Hiking Shoes from Amazon!

4. Vasque Men’s Juxt Multi-Sport Shoe

These terrific shoes win an honourable bronze medal in our review because they offer excellent characteristics. The first one is their versatility since they can be worn on medium-difficulty backpacking trips if you work on a construction site or at the office. Yes, they look that good, thanks to the leather design. This is more like suede so you can rely on its low weight, good looks, and resistance to cold and rain.

The Arc Tempo is probably their best feat from our perspective, but that also means these shoes are more appropriate for specific circumstances and feet. So this asymmetrical curve shows this is excellent footwear if you want to stay quick and balanced on tricky ground. But it’s not just for agility; it also fits people with higher arches, meaning you can keep your feet in a powerful position while climbing perilous, inclined terrain during the toe-off part.

However, that means the footbed is somewhat tight and quite complex, so it might feel challenging to wear them on specific terrain or if you don’t have a high arch. Conversely, you can rely on these shoes’ overall resistance and stability, even if they’re uncomfortable.

Besides the aggressive toe spring, a great helper for speed and obstacles, you’ll get a tapered toe box with enough room in your toe area. The synthetic sole is another point in their favour for cushioning and resistance, though it’s not the best for moisture-wicking.

We love the midsole that offers some fantastic stability as well, and it’s made from a great blend of materials, although these shoes are retailed at an affordable price. So you’ll get a mix of moulded EVA for comfort and TPU for ergonomic resistance. The rubber outsole is also comfortable, and a Vasque trademarked Off the Grid technology for enhanced traction.

However, all these materials might make these boots somewhat heavy, weighing about a pound. The lacing system is said to be quite tuneable, though the laces tend to get undone quite frequently, so you might need to re-tie them or do a more secure knot to start with, so we didn’t do much like that.

Purchase the Vasque Men’s Juxt Multi-Sport Shoe from Amazon!

5. Hi-Tec Women’s Altitude V I Waterproof Hiking Boot

You’ve found your winner if you want the perfect boots for backpacking through a marshland. This Hi-Tec footwear is manufactured from full-grain leather that not only proves durable and insulating but is light, breathable and waterproof at the same time. So even if the leather is a bit more high-maintenance than other materials, it’s an excellent insulator, so you can rely on it during cold weather and wet conditions.

And the hydrophobic technology used by Hi-Tec, called i-Shield, provides more protection against water since this coating repels moisture. The Dri-Tec construction is also meant to help, so the people at Hi-Tec brought out all their weapons to create a highly waterproof pair of boots for rainy weather.

However, ensure you don’t wear these boots in hot and humid climates because your feet will likely feel like fire. The rubber sole contributes to that, too, although it’s otherwise very comfortable and resistant for prolonged use.

The heel is pretty tall, 1.5 inches in height, so that you can have some cushioning around the heel area. This helps you navigate rugged terrain, as well as stay dry when you’re walking through puddles. And if we’re talking about comfort, don’t forget the padded collar around the ankle, which provides support and cushioning.

The speed-lace hooks are excellent when you need to tie your laces fast, and you can rest assured they won’t come undone on the trail. Thanks to its anti-microbial properties, the OrthoLite sock liner is another feature that made us love these boots. That means any odour-causing bacteria will be killed, so you won’t get smelly feet even if you’re hiking for a long time.

We like the shank that’s stable yet flexible at the same time, probably because that’s what leather does. The midsole is made from compression moulded EVA, and we love this for its cushioning properties, offering your soles much-needed protection against all impacts.

And the Multi-Direction Traction outsole is just great, in our opinion. Rubber generally provides an excellent grip and good traction on different terrain. Still, this technology adds something to the mix: it provides stability and durability on all terrain types, even for the more aggressive hiking styles.

Purchase the Hi-Tec Women’s Altitude V I Waterproof Hiking Boot fro Amazon!

What Will You Get?

We’ve taken you through a series of affordable, comfortable and supportive backpacking footwear, each with unique features. So now you have to think about where you’re planning to go. Do you want shoes for cold, rainy weather or warmer hikes? Will you tackle a challenging, rugged terrain or a low to medium-difficulty one? Tell us all about your plans and preferences in the comments below.

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Go hiking with these awesome shoes.

Author Bio

Rebecca lives in the USA but loves hiking all over the world. Her favourite is Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal. It usually takes 16 days, but she likes to slow down, enjoy the mountains, the company of other adventurers and take more pictures, so it took her 28 days last time. Another of her passion is the ocean, so all short and long hikes along the ocean shore bring a lot of joy. She also writes for hikingmastery.com.