Best Backpacking Shoes for Beginners

Six backpacking shoes worth trying on

The prices below are approximate U.S. list prices checked in November 2026, not guaranteed sale prices. Availability and fit vary across men's, women's and width versions.

A good shortlist is not a shopping order. It is an efficient way to find out what your feet do and don't like.

The Merrell Moab 3 is the sensible place to start

If hiking shoes came with an instruction manual, the Moab would be the example in the diagram. Leather-and-mesh upper, protective toe, sturdy outsole and a platform that feels closer to a boot than a running shoe. The non-waterproof Moab 3 is a straightforward first fitting for someone who wants traction and structure without committing to a high cuff.

Its Vibram outsole and protective construction suit a wide variety of maintained and uneven trails. It comes in different widths and waterproof variations, though a specific version's fit can differ. What you give up is lightness. If you have been walking in soft running shoes, the Moab can initially feel like you've borrowed footwear from a more serious person.

Try it if you want one pair for day hikes and first backpacking weekends, especially if you prefer a shoe that doesn't bend easily around every rock. Pass if your feet like a very flexible, airy runner and you hate bulk.

The HOKA Speedgoat 7 is for hikers who like cushioning

Some shoes make you feel the trail. The Speedgoat would prefer to negotiate with it on your behalf.

The current Speedgoat 7 is a trail-running shoe with generous cushioning, a 5 mm heel-to-toe drop and a Vibram Megagrip outsole with substantial lugs. It's a good one to try if your first trips follow established dirt and rocky trails, you carry a relatively light pack and your feet tend to appreciate a softer ride over long distances.

The tradeoff is feel. Lots of foam separates you from the ground, and that can feel less precise on awkward steps. Fit matters especially here. The shape may feel snug to some feet, and an overly soft or tall shoe can feel unstable to someone who prefers a low, firm platform.

Do not assume a trail runner is fragile just because it isn't a boot. Do not assume cushioning is a substitute for a good fit either. If the shoe feels tippy on the store's ramp, a loose hillside won't improve the relationship.

The Altra Lone Peak 9 gives your toes more room to work

The Lone Peak is beloved by hikers who want their toes to spread out instead of lining up politely in the shape of a dress shoe. Its broad forefoot and flexible trail-runner construction are compelling if your toes feel cramped in conventional footwear.

But it comes with a feature worth understanding before checkout. The Lone Peak uses a zero-drop platform, meaning the heel isn't raised above the forefoot. If you're used to shoes with more heel lift, switching abruptly can change the work your calves and Achilles tendons do. Some people adapt happily. Others discover the change halfway through a hike and have less complimentary things to say.

Try the Lone Peak if you already enjoy low-drop footwear or are willing to transition gradually on short walks. Don't take a brand-new zero-drop pair on a multi-day trip just because the toe box feels wonderful in the store.

The Salomon X Ultra 5 GORE-TEX favors security over softness

The X Ultra 5 GORE-TEX is the pair to try when the trail is steep, rocky or damp and you want a shoe that feels planted. Its structured construction and waterproof membrane distinguish it from a soft, breathable trail runner. A wide version is also offered, but the fit still needs to work for your heel and midfoot.

Waterproofing is useful in wet grass, shallow puddles and persistent cold drizzle. It is less magical when you walk into a stream deeper than the collar. Water entering from above can stay trapped, and waterproof shoes often feel hotter and dry more slowly than mesh ones.

If you're backpacking in warm weather with frequent crossings, a non-waterproof shoe that drains and dries may make more sense. If you're walking muddy shoulder-season trails and dislike wet socks, the membrane may earn its keep. Match the shoe to the water you're likely to encounter, not the word printed on the box.

The Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof is the beginner boot pick

Boots have their place. The mid-height Moab 3 Waterproof gives you a familiar hiking-shoe platform with additional collar coverage and weather protection. It's worth trying if you prefer a more substantial feel, anticipate rougher trails or know your feet like structured footwear under a load.

The cuff can help keep out debris and add coverage. It is not a force field against ankle sprains. A high boot that fits poorly or leaves your heel sliding won't protect you from blisters, and extra weight on every step is a real tradeoff.

Before buying, lace it properly and walk downhill on a ramp with a loaded pack. Your toes should not hit the front. If they do, don't tell yourself the boot will change its mind after twenty miles.

The Columbia Crestwood makes a good budget audition

The Crestwood is a practical $80-ish entry to hiking-specific footwear, with a leather-and-mesh upper, cushioning and an all-terrain outsole. It's a sensible try-on for occasional trips on maintained paths when you aren't ready to spend twice as much.

It is not the first shoe we'd choose for unusually heavy packs, rough talus or wet technical terrain. And an inexpensive shoe that fits badly is still an expensive blister. But beginners don't need to purchase the most specialized footwear on the wall to discover whether they like backpacking.

Try it alongside a more expensive shoe. If both fit and perform well for the route you're planning, you've learned something useful about where not to spend money.

Boots, hiking shoes or trail runners for hiking?

Here's the distinction that matters when you're standing in a shop surrounded by words like rugged, technical and alpine.

None is a guarantee of injury prevention. Terrain, load, experience and foot shape matter more than the category name. For the fuller debate, read Hiking Boots or Trail Runners? Choosing Footwear for Your Trip.

How to fit backpacking shoes before you trust them

Go shoe shopping late in the day if possible, when your feet may be a little larger. Wear the hiking socks you plan to use. Try both shoes, lace them as you would for a hike and walk more than a few steps. If the store has a ramp or stairs, use them. If you can bring your packed backpack, even better.

On the downhill, your toes should have breathing room without crashing into the front. On the uphill, your heel shouldn't lift excessively. Across the forefoot, the shoe should feel secure without squeezing the toes together. Check for rubbing at the ankle collar and pressure on the top of the foot.

A shoe can loosen slightly with use. Your foot is not supposed to develop a new shape to accommodate it. Pain, numb toes and hot spots in the store are reasons to try another size or model, not signs of adventure beginning.

Then test the winning pair on an ordinary walk, a short hike and a longer hike with the pack you intend to carry. Increase distance gradually. The first time you try an unfamiliar pair should not be the morning of a three-day trip.

Waterproof or breathable is a real decision

For hot, dry conditions and repeated water crossings, breathable shoes often make life easier. They let sweat escape and tend to drain better when soaked. For cold mud, wet vegetation or persistent rain without deep crossings, waterproof versions can be worthwhile.

Neither option keeps feet permanently dry. Rain can run down your leg into the collar. A waterproof membrane can't remove the sweat you generate as quickly as an open mesh upper. Dry socks and attention to early hot spots are often more important than the logo on the waterproof lining.

If you can't decide, let your first destination decide. There is no universal shoe for every trail and every season.

Spend your money on fit, not on the promise of toughness

Before checkout, ask yourself three questions. Where will I walk? How heavy will my pack be? Which shoe lets my toes, heels and ankles move comfortably under that load?

Start with whichever model answers those questions best, then wear it on real walks close to home. A good pair disappears from your attention. A bad one becomes the most interesting and least enjoyable thing on the mountain.

Keep reading Hiking Boots or Trail Runners? Choosing Footwear for Your Trip, A Beginner's Backpacking Packing List and How to Read a Trail Description Before You Commit to the Hike.