13 best lightweight walking boots: an option for every hiker, tried and tested

Clearly what Scarpa has done with the Rush 2 Mid GTX is make a list of what would make the ideal high-performance lightweight boot, and has gone away and made it.

Sounds simple, but having tested countless pairs of lightweight walking boots, we've found it's harder than it appears because very few models hit the mark.

Scarpa hasn't been distracted by lightness at all costs with the Rush 2 Mid GTX. It tips the scales at just over 400g per boot, and there are some rivals that weigh well under 400g. But most of those options suffer from a lack of foot protection and durability.

The Rush 2 Mid GTX benefits from features such as a proper toecap and dual density midsole. You don't really notice the extra weight the Rush 2 Mid GTX has compared to some ultralight rivals, but you do notice those durability benefits.

Scarpa has used its own Presa sole on the Rush 2 Mid GTX and it's magnificent, excelling on dry surfaces while performing surprisingly well on wet and muddy terrain. The upper keeps water out thanks to a Gore-Tex Invisible Fit lining, which lighter and less restrictive than a regular Gore-Tex lining.

For all these plus points, the Rush 2 Mid GTX is quite pricey. The fit is also relatively narrow, meaning it won't suit everyone.

**Read our full Scarpa Rush 2 Mid GTX review
**
Check out the women's version here

There's a lot to like about the Peakfreak II Mid, hence its popularity, especially in the US with its love affair with lightweight hiking boots.

First, of course, is the price, being noticeably lower than the other rivals here. But it's not like it's a huge downgrade in performance. We found the Peakfreak II Mid OutDry has excellent comfort (with a slightly wider fit than many European rivals) and impressive traction even in the wet.

We liked the squidgy midsole for shorter and faster walks, although it's not great for longer hikes. Columbia's proprietary waterproof lining (OutDry) is also very reliable, and is bonded directly to the upper, which makes the boot more breathable than many waterproof rivals.

However, there are some downsides. One is durability. The Peakfreak II Mid OutDry doesn't offer much in terms of longevity, with the upper prone to faster wear than competitors like the Inov-8 Roclite G345 GTX V2 and Oboz Katabatic Mid Waterproof. Nor does it have much ankle support.

Check out the women's version here

The main aim of Hoka's Anacapa Mid is to be as lightweight and breathable as possible, and the Anacapa hits the nail on the head. Aeriated materials are used throughout to allow as much air permeability as possible. The upper is made from 100% rPET engineered mesh knit for maximum ventilation, giving a nod also to sustainability in the recycled yarns.

At 366g per shoe (women's UK5.5), the Anacapa feels as agile as a trail running shoe, making this a great pick for hot-weather hikes and fast-packing fans. Similarities with our favourite Hoka running shoes continue with the striking extended heel, which we surmise is to help with stability but also makes slipping the boots on and off a breeze.

The most obvious similarity is seen in the outsole though, the Vibram Megagrip rubber, the same lightweight and grippy design seen in some of the best trail running shoes. We felt as at home skipping across rocky trails as squelching through soft mud. If you're really a fan of the muddy stuff, then an extra few bob gets you the Gore-Tex version.

The uber-soft and comfortable hiking experience is largely thanks to the lateral Ariaprene collar, which wraps gently around the ankle, offering both support and cushioning. The EVA foam midsole set at a 6mm drop offers a standard level of arch support, which suited us to a T.

Check out the men's version here

La Sportiva has managed to keep footwear ingenuity constantly flowing from the northern Italian valley where it's based. We've seen it in its mountain boots and trail running shoes and now in this impressive pair of hillwalking boots.

The company calls the TX Hike Mid GTX a fast hiking boot, and it is, but that undersells its versatility a bit. It is indeed light (435g per boot), flexible and breathable enough for fast hiking. But it has the best ankle support and foot protection of all the contenders here.

Moreover, the relatively deep heel breast and widely-spaced lugs also make it the best at dealing with steep, soft ground and mud, should you encounter any. If you're after a lightweight hillwalking boot, you can wear basically year-round, this is it.

You'll also be pleased to know there are a lot of recycled materials used here. The upper, Gore-Tex membrane and laces are all recycled; the outsole uses some recycled content, as does the footbed.

Read our La Sportiva TX Hike Mid GTX First Look review

Check out the women's version here

While the lightweight hiking boot category has grown profusely over the last decade, the focus on gripping over harder surfaces has frustrated many British hikers who need something that can handle the almost perpetually moist terrain of the UK.

This is why Inov8 has become so popular. It pairs lightweight construction with aggressive traction to cope with mud and slippery surfaces. Its Roclite Mid GTX is more of the same, but it features a wider fit than its predecessors and we love it.

Comfort is fantastic, that wide fit lets the foot sit naturally; underfoot there is ample cushioning, likewise around the heel (although there isn't much structured support). And the 6mm lugs are at home on British hillsides. On test, the only other boot that was as capable as the Inov8 boot in this regard was the more expensive La Sportive TX Hike Mid GTX.

We were happy to see that Inov8 is making meaningful sustainability progress too with the launch of Renov8, a project that repairs, refurbishes, resells, and recycles Inov8s gear.

Read our full Inov8 Roclite Mid GTX review

Check out the women's version here

With an athletic fit and aggressive, low-profile lugs, this latest offering from Keen is all about hiking fast on hard packed ground. The comfy and nimble Zionic boot has thoroughly impressed us.

In keeping with Keen's design philosophy, these boots have a durable and spacious toe box, but the upper tightens right up around the midfoot, resulting in a precise and supportive fit. This, combined with the solid ankle locking, feels excellent on the trail.

According to Keen, the Zionic is designed to fit against the contours of your foot, and while this worked a charm for our tester, we suspect it won't be perfect for everyone. Be cautious if you have high arches, though wide-footed walkers should be fine.

The sleeker upper design is a departure from the more traditional mesh in the NXIS EVO boot, the Zionic's predecessor. Here, TPU overlays ensure less mud and gunk cling to the material, as well as protecting the shoe from rain or stream crossings.

That said, these aren't our first pick for very wet conditions. The short lugs provide great ground contact and speed when its dry, but their omnidirectional design means they can be slippy if they hit wet rock, and they won't climb through sloppy mud as well as other boots. But, for fast 'n' light 3-season hiking, Keen have smashed it with the Zionic.

Read our full Keen Zionic Waterproof Hiking Boot review

Check out the women's version here

To create the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX, Merrell has taken its much loved and best-selling midweight Moab walking boot and adapted it into a lightweight version. This means the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX features a lightweight synthetic upper but still retains a reliable, grippy Vibram sole.

We found it a very comfortable boot to wear and use straight out of the box. And although some competitors provide better cushioning around the ankle, the Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX does offer superior ankle support than many.

We had no qualms with the Vibram sole, it gripped well over rock, dirt, and the well-placed lugs at the heel gave it better downhill traction than many rivals.

However, it's not an especially tough boot, even for a lightweight model. The toe gets a piece of reinforcing but isn't stiffened, and there is no protection along the flanks, only sections of exposed mesh that we think are vulnerable to scrapes.

Overall, this is a grippy, comfortable, and reasonably supportive boot that performs best when sticking to the tracks. Those wanting an option for scrambling, mountain use, or long distance trekking will need something tougher.

Read our full Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX review

Check out the women's version here

Lightweight walking boots have many strengths but long term durability isn't one of them. The thin synthetic uppers often wear out much faster than leather or heavier, reinforced synthetic.

With its Katabatic line, Oboz wants to address the durability issue while keeping the low weight.
Has it worked? We think it has. The Oboz Katabatic Mid Waterproof still isn't as tough as its heavyweight counterparts, but it is a noticeable improvement. The upper feels stronger and has reinforced TPU overlays in high wear areas.

Overall comfort is excellent and immediate. The ankle cuff is well padded; Oboz's B.DRY lining is very reliable (the Katabatic range can be had with or without a waterproof liner); and the midsole offers decent underfoot protection, although isn't espeically plush.

Like other brands such as Scarpa, Oboz prefers to use its own outsole designs. The one used on the Katabatic Mid Waterproof has good bite thanks to an array of multi-directional lugs.

Additionally, lightweight boots don't have great eco credentials, but Oboz is better than many, being a certified B Corp and plants a tree for every pair of footwear it sells.

Read our full Oboz Katabatic Mid Waterproof review

Check out the women's version here

While these look like trendy trail shoes for wandering around city parks and easy trails, they are, in fact, incredibly capable lightweight hiking boots that can tackle Britain's highest peaks.

We've climbed Scafell Pike via the Brown Tongue and Hollow Stones route in the Terrex Skychaser Tech GTX. We found it coped with the rocky trails, loose scree, and stream crossings with ease. Whether wet or dry underfoot, the trail running-inspired lug pattern gripped very well.

The comfort of these boots is also very impressive. It feels spongy underfoot, plus nice padding around the ankle and, of course, the lightweight construction to keep you full of energy and agile.

For one of the world's largest clothing and apparel brands, Adidas does better than most of its large competitors regarding sustainability. In addition, the Terrex Skychaser Tech GTX uses recycled material in the upper, a bio-based midsole plate, and a PFC-free water-repellent treatment.

Read our full Adidas Terrex Skychaser Tech GTX review

If your primary demand in a lightweight walking boot is underfoot cushioning, look no further than Inov-8's RocFly G 390 GTX.

Weighing in at 390g per boot, this is a very lightweight model, pairing Inov-8's substantial G-FLY foam midsole to a featherweight upper with a Gore-Tex lining.

The lightness and spongy cushioning makes for a luxurious yet energetic ride. Predictably, however, there is a durability trade-off – the RocFly G 390 GTX is quite flimsy.

As with most lightweight walking boots, the outsole used on the RocFly G 390 GTX aims to provide traction over mixed terrain, rather than being a mudplugger or mountain scrambler like many heavier alternaitves. We certainly found the RocFly G 390 GTX grips well over any terrain that isn't too extreme.

Read our full Inov-8 RocFly G 390 GTX review

Check out the women's version here

There aren't many lightweight walking boots that offer a wide fit. Keen is one option and Altra is another.

Altra is a relative newcomer but has built up an enthusiastic following because of the brand's focus on zero drop shoes with a wide fit.

The wide fit is to let your feet sit more naturally and its one of the things we loved most about the Altra Timp Hiker. Not only is it supremely comfy, but helps with balance.

The Timp Hiker is also ultralightweight, coming in at less than 350g per boot. We therefore felt extremely nimble, and confident in the boot's grip thanks to its Vibram Megagrip sole. The spongy EGO MAX midsole soaked up the bumps too.

It's not a very durable boot, nor does it offer much in the way of ankle support. But given its low weight that's not too surprising.

Read our full Altra Timp Hiker review

Check out the women's version here

We found the Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge Mid Gore-Tex has a lot in common with the Oboz Katabatic Mid Waterproof. It offers good comfort, versatile performance, and relatively high durability.

Many of you may be familiar with Salomon's X Ultra hiking footwear range – it's been a popular option for hikers for several years now. The X Ultra 360 Edge continues the X Ultra focus on low weight and high protection.

Underfoot is Salomon's excellent Contragrip outsole. We found it provides plenty of traction over mixed terrain, including slippery descents thanks to a heel brake.

The midsole protects the foot better than many rivals, and is great for big day hikes. We also like that the X Ultra 360 Edge is a bit better for more challenging mountain tracks than many lightweight boots because the upper gets a generous dose of TPU overlays for reinforcing the upper, including on high wear areas.

If you want a boot that's ultralight, there are better options around. But we think the X Ultra 360 Edge occupies a safer middle ground between lightness and durability.

Read our full Salomon X Ultra 360 Edge Mid Gore-Tex review

Check out the women's version here

This boot is notable amongst its rivals for featuring a stretchy knitted collar in place of a traditional tongue. Critics have been quick to accuse the VC22 Mid GTX of being very hard or impossible to put on as a result.

We found that, although the VC22 Mid GTX isn't as easy to put on as a boot with a regular tongue, it's not that bad if you loosen the laces properly. And it's very comfy when you're wearing it. That knitted collar is very effective at keeping grit out too.

In terms of fit and performance, the VC22 Mid GTX is an impressive all-rounder, thanks to a roomy toebox, reliable Gore-Tex liner, and Vibram sole that delivers traction over mixed terrain.

Relative durability is a strong suit with the VC22 Mid GTX too. It's more hard-wearing than some thanks to a TPU strip around the base of the upper and stiffened toecap to fend of abrasion and scrapes.

Read our full Berghaus VC22 Mid GTX review

Check out the women's version here

Eco-friendly, PFC-free footwear and gear spray-on spot cleaner. It's versatile and can be used on almost all your gear for those smaller stains and marks.

Eco-friendly, PFC-free footwear spray-on reproofer. The Footwear Repel Plus from Grangers is our pick for a cleaning spray that can cover a wide range of fabrics and membranes, including Gore-Tex.

Leather and fabric footwear care kit including brush and dry bag. The sustainability credentials on this care kit are great, and the included dry bag becomes a big help on multi-day hikes or camping trips.