TOP 5 hiking boots for men
Another update to the guide on top rated hiking boots for men that didn’t bring any significant changes. And, to be frank, from what we are seeing, we don’t expect any changes at the very top any time soon.
The Salomon Quest 4D has been reigning this category in the last 5 updates and it’s no different this time.
It’s both the Editor’s choice and has received best ratings by users and our featured reviewers. It is still to boot to “beat”, it’s a pair that obviously found that sweet spot between comfort of a trail shoe and the stability and sturdiness of a serious hiking shoe.
It’s the jack-of-all-trades and a master of most of them, but more on it’s fortes and the few things that could be better in the digest review further down the page.
Before we move on to list the winners in this update, for those of you who are new to the website, we would like to stress that this guide is updated on bi-monthly basis. We don’t get new shoes to test every two months, but we update the ratings with the changes in user review of the boots. With that said, let’s get straight to it and present the winners of the category.
TOP 5 rated hiking boots for men:
| Picture & Ratings | Model | |
|---|---|---|
 | Salomon Men's Quest 4D GTX |  |
 | Merrell Men's Moab Mid Waterproof | |
 | Danner 453 GTX | |
 | Lowa Men's Renegade GTX | |
 | Merrell Moab Mid Ventilator | |
Here’s what to expect in the rest of this guide as we try to determine how each of these deserved their place on the list:
- What the company is saying – the features of the boot
- The best things the users had to say about the boot – the PROs
- The not so good of the experiences – the CONs
Salomon Men’s Quest 4D GTX
specs:
- Leather combined with textile
- Rubber sole
- Gusseted tongue for locking out debris
- Rubber heel/toe rand
- Breathable and waterproof GT performance
- Waterproof
- Contragrip outsole (non-marking)
- This protective and stable hiker will help you reduce ankle strain and control the flex
PROS – parts of positive reviews:
- These are the best hiking boots for men ever! There’s NOTHING wrong about them. They’re very comfortable, provide more than enough support for my ankles, and the lacing system is just the way I like it. Superb pair of boots!
- They have a very high-quality feel to them, and I especially like the style. Who said that boots can’t be both super functional and easy on the eyes?! The break-in period seems to be a bit shorter than with my previous models too. Excellent product!
- I decided to roll the dice with these boots and it really paid off. I’ve read tons of men hiking boots reviews and was pleasantly surprised at the amount of positive ones this pair had. After endless stream and creek crossings, my feet are still perfectly dry, without being cooked inside the boots. Great job Salomon!
- I’m writing from Afghanistan. Breathable boots with good ankle support are a must in a mountain filled terrain such as this. The slopes over here are jagged, steep, and unforgiving, plus, I’m constantly carrying a decent load on me. These are the best men hiking boots I have ever worn, period. A+
- My ankles are pretty fragile, and I was in search for a good quality pair of boots with an ankle support to match. I settled for these, and they gave me a flawless performance during my family’s 17 miles trip. Super comfortable and no ankle problems whatsoever
Some less than pleasant experiences – the CONs:
- These really were a pricey pair. I hope the quality justifies such a budget impact
- My feet feel quite hot in these and often get pretty sweaty. I know that waterproof boots tend to be that way in warmer circumstances, but I think this is too much
- It’s a good quality pair, just not made for people with wider feet. I can’t see the logical reasoning behind the absence of D & A widths. Wide feeted people hike just as much as everyone!
Final Ratings of the Salomon 4D
Merrel men’s Moab mid Hiking Boot
The specs:
- Leather with addition of mesh
- Vibram rubber sole
- Breathable and waterproof GT performance lining
- Bellows tongue will keep the debris out
- Odor prevention with M select FRESH
- Air cushion heel will add stability and absorb shock
the positive reviews:
- I stand in them in wet grass for prolonged periods of time, even when it rains. Not once did I feel any moisture migrating into my socks
- These are the best men hiking boots in the lightweight category. Extremely comfortable and I have ZERO regrets getting them, despite the fact that I got them without a discount and saw a 40% off within a week
- These were ready for wearing right out of the box. I bought them for my Tanzania time and messing around Kilimanjaro. I’m the only one in my hiking group that didn’t get any blisters whatsoever. They are comfortable, very warm, and my feet felt perfect after a long day of mountain hiking
- Great boots! Still going strong after around 400 miles of hiking. I’ve used them in various conditions over a number of different trails, and they never disappointed. My feet were always dry, protected and comfortable. Highest recommendation
- I was about to start breaking them in after I first got them and then realized they were good to go right out of the box. They are very well made and more than comfortable. I’ve bought them to replace a pair that I had for a very long time. It didn’t even get worn out, just became a bit scruffy looking. Great boots that served me a long time
- This is a review written 6 months after purchasing these boots. With all honesty, I’ll say they are the best pair of hiking boots I’ve ever owned.
- They’re very durable, light and comfortable. Plus, I like the design, they offer a great deal of support, and all that at a very reasonable price
- Many pairs of boots have strolled through my hiking and hunting days, but these Moabs felt like I’ve been breaking them for a year right after I put them on for the first time. Size/width is completely as specified, so no problem there. They’re awesome boots, and I bought three pairs for me and my family. They’ll be the only hiking boots we’ll be using from now on
Issues users found with this Merrel:
- These boots are pretty lightweight, so their platform won’t be stable enough for carrying around large backpacks. They’re fine for day hikes and some light backpacking, but you’ll need something sturdier for a serious hike
- The sizes aren’t consistent with Moabs that don’t have the Gore-Tex. These were larger for about a half size, so I had to return them
- Not the best choice for longer hikes
It is one great representative of how lightweight hiking boots should look like. We’ve had the opportunity to hear both pros and cons, and the overall impression is more than favorable for the popular Moab.
Overall Quality Rating
The Merrell Moab is also one of the top-rated in the female version – you can read more about it in our guide on best hiking shoes for women.
Danner 453 GTX hiking boot
The fact sheet:
- Full-grain nubuck leather
- Rubber sole
- Toe cap offers excellent protection against abrasions and scuffs
- Athletic heel plus 5.5 inches of support
- Nubuck leather is well known as the best abrasion/scuff protection material
- Lightweight with durable traction ensured by the Terra Force X platform
- Excellent for side hill traction or downhill breaking
These appear to be quite a solid choice, especially on sharply inclined surfaces. Let us take a look if the user feedback will confirm what was just said, or put a break on these claims.
Pros from reviews:
- They are a perfect fit, and with a pair of thick socks on too. They are very comfortable right out of the box and don’t become torture devices after longer periods of hiking.
- They’re well made, offering padding where you really want it, and being extremely tough where they have to be
- Danner is the true way to go! Best men hiking boots for my current surroundings by far. I can’t reveal where I’m currently located, suffice to say I’m surrounded by deep sand, soft mud, and miles and miles of never-ending rocks. I wish there were a 6-star grade here so I can ask for a 7-star one
- My feet are very sensitive and yes, fragile. I’ve been doing a long research for as long as I can remember, reading countless me hiking boots reviews, and it only keeps on confirming what I knew all along, nothing even compares to Danner. They’re just so comfortable, require no break-in period, and are great for rocky terrain and gravel
- I’ve bought two pairs to rotate and no problems to report so far. They’re more than well made, quite durable, and extremely satisfying in the comfort department
- Unsurpassed quality shines through once again. I’ve been a faithful Danner customer for years now, and they ever disappoint. They feel amazing, and I’m considering ordering the darker ones as I write this review
- It’s officially my 3rd pair of these. They serve me perfectly in muddy and wet working conditions, keeping me warm and dry all winter long. That’s Oregon winter to be exact. I’m especially amazed that they fit my wide feet. I’m buying one more pair for every day, out of work use
the CONs:
- I’ve been using Danner boots for as long as I remember, but these arrived worn and even had some mud on them. It’s not that big of a deal, but still annoying. I bought them as new, not used
- Laces feel kind of wimpy and too thin…had to replace them with thicker ones…
Quality Ratings of the men hiking shoe:
LOWA Men’s Renegade Hiking Boots
The specifications as per the company:
- Leather with textile
- Vibram rubber sole
- Foot-bed with climate control function
- Midsole of PU Monowrap Frame variety
- Vibram EVO compound
- Breathable and waterproof GT membrane
Positive User reviews:
- I’ve been wearing my renegades every day since 2006. They are singlehandedly responsible for the curing of my painful plantar fasciitis. It’s an understatement to say I think greatly of these boots, but they really deserve it. Wholehearted recommendation
- Perfect boots for my needs. They’re lightweight, fully waterproof, and wearable right out of the box. Desert-alpine conditions are what I tested them against, and they felt great all the way
- Absolutely perfect fit!
- The Renegades are very light, very flexible, but with a solid support. I’ve been using ASOLO boots my entire life, and Renegades really changed my view of things. 3 14ers later in these bad boys and I’m never switching back
- My feet are pretty wide, and I have a whole alphabet of problem with them. These boots allow me to stay in touch with the love of mine that is hiking. The whole Ireland was my hiking trail with these super comfortable and supportive miracles. They feature a very wide foot-box, ad make me feel like I don’t have a single worry as far as my feet are concerned
- Excellent hikers. My feet are wide and have a massive instep, and these boots make them feel perfectly comfortable, without that golden lotus position feeling, I abuse my Renegades daily, and my last pair held up for around 2 years, which I consider to be quite an achievement
- They are somewhat pricey, but it’s LOWA, after all. They’re the best men hiking shoes in that price range for sure. It’s the only brand that combines the comfort of a tennis shoe with the toughness of a hiking boot
- My feet have forgotten all about blisters since I got these. No matter the length of my hikes or the terrain, my feet remain super comfortable, warm and dry. Not much more I could ask for really
Critical reviews:
- These boots are really good, but the sole started separating after about 3 years. Sewed on sole would be a much better solution than a glued one, they’re meant to be used in extreme conditions after all…
- Too narrow for me. I’ll have to return these and I was so looking forward to getting them…
Another great quality representative of hiking footwear that won’t fail you no matter the challenges you put in front of it. Serious hikers will know the quality right away, and the beginners will have to trust our word until they put them on for the first time.
Overall Quality Rating
Merrel MOAB VENTILATOR HIKING BOOT
Let’s take a look at the fact sheet so that we know what we’re dealing with here:
- Leather with mesh
- Vibram rubber sole
- Imported
- Mid-height cut
- Moisture wicking lining of M-Select dry mesh
- Bellows tongue will keep the debris out
- Odor prevention with M select FRESH
- Air cushion heel will add stability and absorb shock
What the customers liked about this boot:
- They feel like bedroom slippers for hopping on boulders. My last hiking boots were as cozy and comfortable as cast concrete. After reading what seemed to be an infinite amount of men hiking boots reviews, I finally zoned in on this pair, and that’s the moment my hiking became a whole different experience
- Very comfortable and offer a great cushion to every single step. Even the loose-rock and strewn trails started feeling much more tolerable
- These boots are amazing. They behave perfectly on turf, rock, and all sorts of dirt. They even show a good performance on underwater rocks that tend to be very slick as we know
- This is a serious piece of gear for some serious hiking. My hiking resume is no joke, having walked all across the Highlands of Scotland for instance, and all I can say is that Merrell makes some of the best hiking boots in the industry, these certainly being one of them. They’re comfortable, light, and exceptional breathers. They last forever also. I only pitch them after around 3k kilometers, when the bottoms are virtually nonexistent
- Outstanding product! From the streets to the trail, they’re worth their weight in gold! Mixed them up with Wigwam socks, heavy pack, and some rough terrain. All fun and no blisters to be found
Cons in reviews:
- Eyelets could benefit greatly from some re-enforced stitching
- They absorb water with sponge-like speed. Whatever you do, don’t get them wet
- These are too soft for my liking. In spite of rough rubber sole, I’d still never go hiking in these. I prefer harder boots, as I think I’d feel every single rock underfoot o the trail in the likes of these
ratings of the Moab Ventilator:
Keep in mind
Do remember that this list is a living, breathing thing as we update it as the circumstances on the market change, but right now, what’s in front of you is the best it has to offer in the men hiking boots section.
Choose smart and may your hikes remain blister-free.
SoleLabz team
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