The Best Hiking Shoes of 2022
Summer means long days, warm temps, and miles on the trail. And while we love a good pair of hiking boots, a hiking shoe is ideal for many trail adventures. They’re light and easy to move in, and they keep your feet cool. You’ll give up a bit of ankle support with a shoe, but many find the increased comfort and performance are worth the trade-off.
While we know many people use trail running shoes for hiking, we’ve focused this article on hiking shoes. If trail running shoes are what you’re after, check out the best trail running shoes. Or for more support, take a look at the best hiking boots.
Our included specs chart allows for quick and easy comparison, while our comprehensive buyer’s guide
and FAQ section will let you know exactly what to look for as you consider your options. Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys or jump to the category you’re looking for:
Best Overall Hiking Shoes: Salomon X Ultra 3 Low Aero — Men’s & Women’s

The Salomon X Ultra 3 Low Aero ($120) checks all the important boxes: breathable, grippy, and comfortable. If you’re looking for a warm-weather hiking shoe, this is it. The polyester mesh panels help keep feet cool, and at about 1.5 pounds for the pair, they won’t weigh you down.
With the mudguards and extended toecap, we never had any problems with rocks or sticks jabbing our feet. And the lugs proved plenty burly even for technical trails.
The sole of the X Ultra 3 is surprisingly flexible, which our testers enjoyed. But if you’re looking for something stiff, you may want to choose a different shoe.
Another feature you’ll either love or hate is the Quicklace system. Pull the lace, and it locks into the desired tightness. We’ve found it works well and doesn’t need retightening throughout the day. However, it can limit how specific you get on tightening your shoe.
All in all, these shoes offer traction and comfort while keeping feet cool. With this Salomon offering, you get a do-it-all shoe for $120. The women’s version seems to run a bit large, so we recommend going down a half-size. Read More...