From luxury fashion houses to streetwear labels, technical outdoorwear has been getting its flowers recently and the end result is (nine times out of ten) fire.
Dior's releasing collections that are a hiker's paradise while collaborations between Salomon and Comme des Garçons proved that luxury fashion is getting becoming more acquainted with hiking and trail-ready brands.
However, being able to decipher which pieces have the technical credentials to back up their outdoorsy look can be tricky. In particular, when searching for good hiking sneakers, different sneaker and shoe manufacturers often incorporate their own midsole technology into their products leaving one to wonder what makes good hiking shoes these days.
First off, durable outsoles are crucial to your expedition. Brands like Vibram and Continental are well-known icons for their advanced research when comes to applying grip. Depending on the weather conditions you'll want to have strong, durable protection to keep your feet free of rain or snow, or breathable mesh and ripstop uppers for the Summer months. All things considered, when searching for a sturdy hiking sneaker, the style must also be considered.
We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite brands that are prepared to handle wet or dry surfaces during your next hike while also being a flex in the city.
Check out our favorite hiking footwear options below.
Saucony Peregrine 13 ST
Made for tough conditions, this mid-cut sneaker features Saucony's signature PWRRUN foam midsole for cushioning and deep lugs in the sole for traction on wet ground. Combine that with a gaiter to keep out debris and you have shoes that can handle going off-road.
La Sportiva TX Hike GTX
Borrowing technology from La Sportiva's Mountain Running line, this hiking shoe is made for those wanting to zip through trails at speed. The shoe comes with a focus on recycled materials, including a Vibram® Eco Step Evo tread and a GORE-TEX Extended Comfort membrane made with end-of-life plastic.
The North Face Glenclyffe Low
The North Face's Glenclyffe model is every bit as rugged as it looks. The shoe features an abrasion-resistant recycled polyester upper and a non-marking Vibram XS Trek rubber outsole.
HOKA Mafate Speed 2
One of many outdoor-ready models in HOKA's sneaker arsenal, the Mafate Speed 2 is a lightweight model designed for tackling trails at speed (as the name suggests). It has the brand's signature Lightweight no-sew SpeedFrame construction, early stage Meta-Rocker geometry, and a 5mm Vibram Mega-Grip tread amongst its practical features.
Norse Projects Arktisk Lace-Up Runner Sneakers
The Arktisk sneaker sees Norse Projects bring its minimal style to the world of technical footwear. The shoe comes crafted from diamond-structured ripstop nylon that is backed with a Hydro Guard membrane for total water and wind protection alongside an OrthoLite insole for long-lasting cushioning.
Norda 001
Crafted using Bio-Dyneema®, a material it describes as being the world's lightest and strongest, Norda's 001 model is an expertly engineered running shoe featuring cutting-edge technology.
Salomon XT-Quest 2
This Salomon sneaker borrows its looks from early-2000s hiking footwear but, under the bonnet, it has the contemporary tech Salomon is known for. Functional features include a dual-density midsole, an articulated 4D advanced chassis, and a Contagrip rubber outsole which help to provide superior stability and traction.
Arc'teryx Acrux TR GTX Boots
An expert in outdoor wear, Arc'teryx's footwear is every bit as technically crafted as its popular outerwear. These boots come with a SuperFabric® upper that features a unique micro-plated technology to make it highly flexible, surprisingly lightweight, and abrasion-resistant.
Merrell Wilderness SE
When you see hairy, textured suede alongside metal lace hooks, you know you've got an old-school walking shoe on your hands. This shoe is inspired by Merrell's first-ever hiking boot and comes in an updated low-top silhouette.
Nike Air Humara QS Sneakers
Nike's outdoor-focused ACG subline adds the brand's signature Zoom Air technology to rugged hiking shoes, such as the Air Humara. Having recently been the subject of a Jacquemus collaboration, this shoe comes crafted from a mix of hard-wearing fabrics.
ROA Katharina Sneaker
Italian label ROA makes some of the best-looking outdoor footwear around and the Katharina is a staple shoe in its seasonal collections. Offered here in a simple, all-black colorway, the shoe features sturdy, technical nylon on the upper and a Vibram Megagrip tread sole.
Moncler x Salehe Bembury Trailgrip Grain Sneakers
Linking up with Moncler to create a full uniform for the great outdoors, Salehe Bembury upgraded the brand's Trailgrip shoe with colorful finishes and his signature fingerprint motif. Sat on top of a special Vibram MEGAGRIP rubber compound, the shoe's upper is crafted from embroidered ballistic nylon which has been made waterproof through a GORE-TEX membrane.
Teva Grandview GTX Sneakers
Teva's premium hiking shoe has everything you could need for a day in tough conditions: it's fully waterproof, comes with responsive cushioning, and sits on top of Vibram's Mega Grip outsole for heightened traction.
New Balance UALGSBB
New Balance’s iconic trail boot, the Rainier, is back in color schemes and material executions that draw from the brand’s 1980s archives. The shoe comes upgraded with contemporary tech such as a lightweight EVA bottom and Vibram outsole.
Keen x Hiking Patrol Jasper Rocks SP
A must-follow Instagram page for anyone interested in functional fashion design, Hiking Patrol linked up with Keen to put its spin on the Jasper sneaker on its 15th anniversary. An approach shoe for climbers, this model comes with a cushioned footbed, grippy rubber sole, and contoured fit to take on rocky ground.
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