Shoes are fine for summer, but fall, winter and spring usually require a good pair of hiking boots to ensure that your feet are properly insulated from the world outside. Women’s and men’s hiking boots come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and there really is something for everyone. If you want big, heavy duty full grain leather hiking boots with a classic look then there is something for you. At the other end of the spectrum, there are some fantastic hiking boots that weigh as much, or less than many hiking shoes.
Men’s Hiking Boots
What to look for when reviewing men's hiking boots.- Waterproof – Any good pair of hiking boots should have at least one way of keeping water out. The most popular is a waterproof liner, often made of Gore Tex. If you’re particularly worried about wet feet, full grain leather outers will also keep moisture out, provided that you properly maintain them.
- Weight – A heavy pair of hiking boots can tire your legs out quickly, while a smaller, lighter pair will leave you with more energy to finish out the day strong. Sometimes you need the extra durability and features that come on those heavier hiking boots, but if you can, a pair of lightweight hiking boots is usually a better choice.
Best Men’s Hiking Boots
Of the many options, these are some of the best men's hiking boots.- Asolo TPS 520 GV - If you want a big, serious hiking boot, then you wont find much better than the 520 GV boots. They're a full grain leather upper, which will withstand water and damage very well. That's complimented by a Gore Tex liner, which will keep out whatever water the leather uppers don't stop. Underneath that, a very solid and durable Vibram sole that will provide plenty of traction, and absorb the blows from any rocks or other uneven terrain underfoot. At 3 pounds 13 ounces, or 1.73 kilograms they're certainly not light, but when you need something tough weight usually becomes secondary.
- Kayland Zephyr - The Zephyr boots, on the other hand, take weight very seriously. In fact at 19.4 ounces, or 550 grams they're lighter than most shoes, let alone boots. They won the 2009 Backpacker magazine Editor's Choice award, and despite being so lightweight, they're actually waterproof thanks to an eVent liner. That, combined with a lightweight and minimal Vibram sole makes these an excellent choices for hikers who don't want to walk around with weights on their feet.
- Salomon 3D Fastpacker - These are another relatively lightweight pair of hiking boots for men, at 31 ounces, or 878 grams. They're a lower cut, so you don't get much in the way of ankle support, and they're also not waterproof. Not being waterproof, however, means they're more breathable, and so if you don't plan on getting wet, and don't want sweaty feet, these are a great option for a men's hiking boot.
