If you’re going to be spending any considerable amount of time out on the hiking trail then you definitely need a good pair of hiking boots. Hiking boots for men and women do come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, however, with a few different options available. So before you go out and buy a new pair of boots for hiking it pays to do a little research. That way you know what you need from a pair of hiking boots, and also what you don’t need.
Hiking Boots for Men
Some features to look at when shopping for hiking boots for men.- Waterproofing – Most hiking boots come with some sort of waterproofing, but the kind of waterproofing matters. As far as liners go, Gore Tex is always a safe option. And a good, full leather exterior on the boot also helps to repel a good amount of water, provided that it is properly maintained.
- Weight – Just because you’re wearing hiking boots, doesn’t mean they have to weigh a lot. Every pound on your feet is equal to about five pounds on your back, in terms of energy expended, and so if you don’t to be exhausted and dragging your feet at the end of the day, it pays to get a pair of lightweight hiking boots.
Best Hiking Boots for Men
A few of the better hiking boots for men, based on the above criteria.- Scarpa Kailish GTX Boots - These boots are made to be lightweight. Even the sole, from Vibram, is called the Vibram Hi-Trail Lite sole. And it doesn't hurt, either that they won the 2008 Backpacker Magazine Editor's Choice award. Besides the Vibram sole these boots feature a Gore Tex liner, which in combination with the mostly suede outer will do a good job of keeping your feet dry. But the weight, which is 1 pound 6 ounces, or 623 grams, is definitely the main selling point of this boot.
- Asolo TPS 520 GV Hiking Boots - At the other end of the spectrum is the quite heavy TPS 520s, which weigh in at 3 pounds 13 ounces, or 1.72 kilograms. So almost three times as much as the Kailish boots above. But you do get a lot for that extra weight. The Gore Tex liner is almost redundant, as these come with full grain leather outers which will do a good job of keeping the outside world out of your boots. They also have a rugged Vibram sole, and are generally built to last through years and years of tough use. Not lightweight, but built like a tank.
- Kayland Zephyr Backpacking Boots - The lightest boots on this list are not the Kailish boots up above but these, from Kayland, which weigh an even more impressive 1 pound 3.4 ounces, or 550 grams. The sole is Vibram, but what really helps to make these lightweight is the eVent liner. eVent is a waterproof fabric similar to Gore Tex, though it's generally lighter, which is on full display with these boots. And it helps that they won the 2009 Backpacker Magazine Editor's Choice award. So another excellent pair of lightweight hiking boots for men.
