While the popularity of using trail-running shoes or otherwise trail-appropriate low shoes for hiking and backpacking has only risen in recent years and continues on that track – my hiking included – there are times when only a proper boot will do.

Take a look at our footwear guide (by season) for help deciding between a low shoe or a high hiking boot. And while the trail-runners vs. boots debate (as with all trail gear) will surely only continue, if you’ve decided on a boot, in this article we’ll look at some of the best breathable, waterproof, and winter boots for your next hike.

Best Summer Hiking & Backpacking Boots

For summer conditions a mesh, breathable boot will be in order. Mid-height boots are of particular relevance to these hot and dry conditions, while keeping things lighter weight than a high hiking boot, and with breathability increasing foot comfort (and less chance of blisters). Unfortunately, boots meeting these criteria are few and far between.

With a trail-running shoe heritage, the Lone Altra Peak Hiker series (non-waterproof, $160) is a top choice in this category with plenty of room for your toes, and could be an especially suitable choice if you can’t decide between a boot and a trail-runner. This boot is mid-height and lightweight with zero heel-to-toe drop, but with a sufficient stack height for moderate cushioning as the miles go by. This is a proven shoe-based design and if you’re looking for a minimal hiking / backpacking boot (but not too minimal) for summer hikes look no further.

For something a little more traditional take a look at the Merrell Moab 3 Mid hiking boots (non-waterproof version, $150) in the men’s version or the women’s version. This in a more traditional hiking boot fashion has a significant leather overlay – not the best for dry times in my experience, but the added durability that leather offers over mesh cannot be questioned. However, rather than completely encapsulating your foot in thick leather like a traditional boot, this mid-height option has a nice mix of leather and mesh for breathability on those summer hikes. Vibram soles round out the package. However be aware that these boots have a higher 11.5mm drop from heel to toe; these will be more like a traditional boot in that regard. This boot is available in standard or wide sizes.

Although a winter scene is shown here, you can see how leather has a propensity to soak up water. Dry time is long. Leather will require more maintenance. See our gear maintenance & repair guide for details on waterproofing leather boots.

Summary: Best Summer Hiking & Backpacking Boots

Altra Lone Peak Hiker
Merrell Moab 3 Mid (Ventilated)

Best Shoulder Season / Mild Winter Boots

It seems like every manufacturer wants to throw in a Gore-Tex or otherwise waterproof lining to every boot that steps off the assembly line, and while this wouldn’t be my first choice for summer hikes as we’ve previously covered, these boots are perhaps the most versatile and are the bread and butter category of hiking boots. One of my favorite mainstream manufacturers – Vasque – typically had some of the most solid offerings in this category for as long as I can remember, with good fit options. Sadly and as they’ve ceased operations just recently, we need to turn to other options these days.

In this category you’ll find the boots that are perfect for dealing with light moisture or snow and possibly chilly conditions. Additionally, they can be used in summer (albeit with sweaty feet and slower-drying boots), and pushed into winter as well especially with hiking / backpacking gaiters and if you use a vapor barrier liner system and warm socks.

I’ve found just about all boots in this category seem to run a bit narrow and tight in the toebox, other than Altra, thus I have to either size up into a new size for width, or go for a shoe that comes in wide widths or is by default wider than average. Obviously, the wider shoe in the right size is the better choice than sizing up to gain width.

Gore-Tex liner in a waterproof / breathable hiking boot.

One perennial and popular choice can be found in the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX hiking boots ($190). Salomon in the past ran their metal eyelets all the way down the boot which I never found to be comfortable, but thankfully this has been updated on recent models. The X Ultra series can be found in both men’s and women’s versions and offers an all-around, middle of the road feature set. This boot has an 11mm heel-toe drop.

Merrell offers their very popular Moab series here in the Merrell Moab 3 Mid GORE-TEX ($190). While a leather boot – which I like as a natural material, but do not like due to long dry times and a propensity to soak up water – Merrell has luckily designed this one with plenty of ventilation boosting and weight saving cutouts (it has never made sense to me to make a Gore-Tex boot, and then completely encapsulate it in leather). This boot has an 11.5mm drop which as a zero-drop guy, I feel is high but this would be a choice if you like a traditional hiking boot type of feel, but are looking for something lightweight and more mobile.

If you perhaps already hike in the Altra Olympus trail running shoe in the summer, then a cushioned yet zero-drop boot would be a logical choice for wetter hikes. The Olympus 6 Hike Mid GTX adds the height, although Altra (back to leather) has covered most of the shoe with it. That said, if you are an Altra and especially an Olympus fan, the fit and ride might override this for you. We’ll keep fingers crossed on a GTX Lone Peak Mid, however Altra did just release the Timp 6 Mid GTX Boot. Stay tuned for updates.

Previous stated caveats aside, if you’re looking for a tough, traditional leather, Gore-Tex, higher backpacking type boot that comes in regular (even narrow!) or wide sizes, look no further than the Lowa Renegade EVO GTX series ($280) for a solid, classic example in this category.

And on to high stack height enthusiasts, Hoka has you covered with the HOKA Kaha 3 GTX hiking boots that have around an 8mm drop but all the way up to a 40mm stack height in the heel.

Summary: Best Shoulder Season / Mild Winter Boots

Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX
Merrell Moab 3 Mid GORE-TEX
Altra Olympus 6 Hike Mid GTX
Lowa Renegade EVO GTX
HOKA Kaha 3 GTX Hiking Boots

Best Deep Winter / Cold Weather Hiking & Backpacking Boots

When it comes to deep winter and extreme cold, you can only push a typical waterproof / breathable boot so far. At some point, insulation will be needed. This will vary person to person, and depends on conditions, but for me I find around 10F or colder to be about the point where I’ll reach for an insulated boot over one that’s not. This adds a bit of weight, but warmth is worth it.

In this category breathability is less critical – the outside of your boot will likely be frozen anyway. For warmer (less cold?) conditions in this category we can look to boots very similar to the section above but with a 200g insulation layer added as can be found in the Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid waterproof boots ($150). which gets you a boot pretty close to the bread and butter category of boots we’ve previously discussed, but with an insulation boost for cold weather.

Thick socks will only go so far; for very cold conditions a properly insulated boot will be needed.

However for more extreme conditions you will ideally want to go with more of a boot that has been designed from the ground up for winter and cold conditions. The Salomon Toundra Pro ($200), with Aerogel insulation and a -4F (stationary) comfort rating offers additional warmth and a higher cut along with an overall design more suited for deep winter conditions from the tread on up. This one can be hard to find as of late. You can try at the aforementioned link and also at REI: men's and women's.

If that’s not enough, a proper bunny boot may be in order. Take a look at Alaska Gear Company’s Bunny Boot VBX ($260-$390) – this one is insulated with waterproofed wool felt insulation and comes in several temperature ratings (rated to as cold as -79F!) depending on your exact needs. If you’ll be hiking through extreme cold and deep snow and also need your feet to be warm while stationary, a boot of this nature will be the best suited option, and frankly, the warmer the better when it gets this cold.

Summary: Best Deep Winter / Cold Weather Hiking & Backpacking Boots

Merrell Thermo Chill 2 Mid Waterproof Boots
Salomon Toundra Pro
Alaska Gear Company Bunny Boot VBX

Conclusion

The benefits that a mid or high boot can offer cannot be replicated by a low hiking shoe. However, choose carefully – extra weight on your feet weighs more than extra weight in your pack. That said, if you’re headed out on an expedition type trip with a heavy pack or hiking in deep snow there are indeed times when a boot can make all the difference.

As with all footwear, hiking or not, fit is the most important consideration here along with the features you need – nobody enjoys having to stop on a lunch break to fix hot spots or worse having to constantly battle blisters on a trip. Likely, the best hiking boot for you will be the one that simply fits the best (note that all boots detailed here are available in both men’s and women’s versions and many in various widths). After that, so long as the boot is sufficiently durable, warm enough and waterproof enough, and not overly expensive for the budget, all you have to worry about is where those boots will take you on your next trip.

For more on features to look for and selection strategy, see our article Choosing the Best Backpacking & Hiking Shoes or Boots. If you've decided to go with a shoe however, see our Best Hiking and Backpacking Shoes by Category article. For a full selection of hiking and backpacking boots, see this page at REI Co-op.