Topic: The Best Lightweight Hiking Shoes of 2023 (Read 35 times)
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I remember when my wife and I were prepping for our thru hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2011, we not only consulted gear guides, but also perused the shelves of REI for the best pair that would give us the most support and last the longest. The go-to brand that year was Merrell, so that’s what we chose, specifically Merrell Moabs. After over 2,000 miles and two pairs, our feet were happy with our choice.
The newest rendition of the Moab Speeds steps up the game with its Vibram outsole that now relies on partially recycled rubber, as well as the 4mm traction lugs. The bellowed tongue truly keeps out debris, a huge plus as most of the hiking we do in Alaska through the willows and alders, so low-top shoes typically gather hitchhiking plants.
They are often on sale, and at the time this article went to print, they were $40 off MSRP. But even at the regular price of $130, these shoes are an ideal price for the durability they deliver. Bonus: They are vegan, so now I’m wondering, can you eat them?
I wrote about the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX for “The Best Hiking Boots for Men,” and echo the same accolade of protection from the elements for these low version.
Similar to the mid-ankle version, the stiff rubber that makes up the raised grippy lugs is very tacky on slick surfaces. Kelley did note that she tends to see these lugs wear down quicker on harder surfaces and talus-type surfaces like granite.
Although all the shoes in the test co*e in a waterproof version, these stood out because of their Gore-Tex shield material, but they breathe very well too. I wore these on several wet frontcountry trails, and with gaiters, my entire foot stayed co*pletely dry after a full day of hiking in the pouring rain. Pro tip: I would go a half size up.
Hoka took the world by a storm, and nowadays, it’s hard not to spot the brand among thru-hikers and grandmas alike. Known for their extreme softness, springy bounce, and thick outsole support, they have a distinct moon shoe look, but it’s worth the co*fort.
Categorized as a trail runner, they do bridge the gap to a lightweight hiker. For two years, I have been loving (and abusing) my Speedgoat 4s. I am on board with the co*fort. In fact, this is the first shoe I didn’t need to replace the manufacturer’s insole with an aftermarket one. However, after hiking about 50 miles on lava rock in Hawaii, my Vibram lugs look like my dog chewed them off. The newest version are a ½ ounce lighter and have added traction making them even better.
Cons
If you look at any trail runner and/or ultralight hiker, this is what they are wearing. Even Kelley claimed based on REI’s trends, this is the “hottest trail running shoes” out there.
It has a wide, rounded toe box that offers great co*fort and space for your foot’s metatarsals to splay out, naturally absorbing the impact of your foot landing. The toes are usually scrunched in most other shoes from a pointier toe box.
Thanks to the zero drop from the forefoot to heel, trail runners achieve a mid or forefoot landing, which encourages a more stable gait and connectivity to the ground.
However, Kelley claims the downside is that “they offer little in the way of medial support, and using them for longer distances or weight bearing is a ticket for foot injuries such as plantar fasciitis.” She advised adding an aftermarket insole such as Superfeet to it if doing higher mileage or carrying any more than 10 or 15 pounds on a day hike.
READ NEXT: Altra vs Hoka
These might push the boundaries in the lightweight hiking shoe category, but they are the most durable of the test. I have been wearing Scarpa boots and shoes for years both on the trail and while mountaineering. The newer Ribelle Run XT looks like a traditional hiker shoe, but has a 6mm drop with a midsole that gives you more stability. This means the shoe really reacts well to the terrain, allowing push and braking with curved lugs that offer grip, especially on rocky surfaces.
Similar to Alta, Topo is another co*pany making some noise in the lightweight hiking and trail running co*munity with their low heel-to-toe drop and wider toe box. These are OL assistant gear editor’s favorite and she recently wrote about them here.
As another testament to their cushion, co*fort, and support, New Hampshire tester Kristen Coats has a neuroma in her foot, but said with Topo’s larger toe box, her nerve tissue does not get inflamed.
“After trying a dozen other brands, and finding some that worked, I tried the Topo brand and haven’t looked back,” she says. “I can finally run on trails and roads pain-free, and have bagged many peaks all over the world with Topo. In fact, I recently ran my best half-marathon and 5K race in my Topos.”
These shoes are so stylish, you could go from trail to a formal dinner. Wrapped with a soft suede leather and a mesh breathable lining, they are ideal for exposed hiking conditions. The Vibram outsole is very grippy both in wet and dry conditions. Our guide tester loved the moderate stiffness of the suede for support while scrambling up rocky terrain.