Topic: The Best Men’s Hiking Shoes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 29 times)
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Topic: The Best Men’s Hiking Shoes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 29 times)
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Slipping on the Moab, my most co*fortable hiking shoe pick, felt like a cloud co*pared to some other brands. I noticed immediate co*fort from the Moab’s cushioned design. I easily felt the difference between the Moab’s cushion and the others I tested.
I found the Moab 3 handily dealt with rocky trails and roots in the Rocky Mountains, and with a Vibram-designed sole, you can count on many miles and a rubber that’s sticky enough to handle slick terrain and rocks. Once I started pushing miles in these shoes, it eventually felt like a strain on my foot, so maybe these are best designed for the casual day hiker.
I also tried a few other Moab variations Merrell offers, including the waterproof version. It’s an excellent option for anyone who does a lot of creek crossing, casual fly fishing, or lives in a wet area. The sticky rubber also made it great for river crossing and overall kept my feet fairly dry as I crossed a few small creeks. You can also go with the Mid GTX (GORE-TEX) that takes the Moab design and makes it into a boot. Overall, I found it had the same co*fort and strong attributions as the shoe, with added ankle support.
If you’re looking to switch up your footwear, whether it be for hiking, trail running, or hunting, then it’s worth putting the Altra Lone Peaks onto your short list. Runners may discover that they naturally change their gait in footwear that promotes a mid-foot or forefoot strike, with subsequent benefits in their running form, knee pain, or both. One thing to note is that there is minimal support, particularly arch support in this shoe, so some runners may need to add in a custom insole, such as from Superfeet, to co*pensate.
These are some of the few true zero-drop shoes on the market that also provide a level of underfoot cushioning. The wide toebox helps to improve stability while hiking, especially over uneven terrain. Individuals looking to ease their way into true minimalist footwear should consider this as an in-between shoe that will allow their foot (particularly their arch) to strengthen after years of wearing more traditionally supportive shoes.
This shoe bridges the gap between a trail runner and scrambler. It’s ready for unexpected weather, but without added weight and bulk. The outsole has one set of raised oval-shaped lugs that grip dirt and rock, as well as another set of lugs for stability by biting into the terrain for push off. The center of the insole has a deep cup with two big lugs on the back end that act as a braking system for hard stops or descending a steep slope.
The shoe is wrapped in an abrasion-resistant breathable mesh that is tough against rocks and sticks and does not allow in small debris. The toe of the shoe is reinforced by a huge rubber cap that absorbs impact and tackles obstacles in the terrain. I do worry that because the rubber is not flush with the shoe it could peel back over time, but it has yet to happen.
As for weather protection, the whole shoe is wrapped in Gore-Tex to keep your feet dry at all times. A simple, but secure, lacing system with one eye hook keeps the shoe snug. The heel does not have a pull loop, but rather a fold in the material that allows you to get a finger in to pull the shoe on. —Justin La Vigne
The design of the sole of the Kaha GTX has a very slight arch, which creates a rocking motion to spring my steps forward. I feel a bounce in my steps along with the enhanced cushion. Released just last year, the GTX 2 has a more plush cushion and my feet never ached or fatigued. The newest GTX also utilizes more sustainable materials, like recycled Gore-Tex textiles. These are one of the few pairs of shoes that I don’t feel I need to replace the insole with aftermarket versions because of the ideal shock absorption.
I tramped through wet and muddy swamps and the Gore-Tex lining kept my feet co*pletely dry. co*prised of Vibram Megagrip, the multi-directional rubber lugs of the outsole gripped well and kept me moving forward. If there are any downsides, it’s been my experience that after extensive use—especially after hiking on sharp lava rock—the outsoles do wear down faster than other shoes I’ve tested. —Justin La Vigne
Out of the box, the Garmont Groove G-Dry lives up to its sturdy design. I took these on a fairly aggressive uphill trail in Roosevelt National Forest, and it took a bit of walking before I could feel my feet getting used to them. I prefer fairly flexible footwear, so it took a minute to get used to the Groove’s stiffness. However, the Groove may be a great option for anyone looking to get the extra support of a boot in a shoe.
This best men’s hiking shoe also does a great job of keeping things dry, as I found when I tested it around the Poudre River. One con is the all-black design does attract plenty of dirt, so you’ll have to rinse them off to keep them looking pristine.
The first thing I noticed with the Danner Trail 2650 is they look cool. I have a pair of blue ones, and they look like you can wear them just about anywhere.
Aside from looking the part, Danner also uses the Vibram sole for great grip. While the actual shoe is thin and breathable, I found it had extra reinforcement where you need it, like on the toe box, which is helpful on rocky trails. The GORE-TEX material also helped keep my feet dry from outside water while allowing for breathability and avoiding sweaty feet. I would reco*mend sizing down these men’s hiking shoes in some cases as I felt a little bit of wiggle room, especially around the heel.
Many hiking shoes use GORE-TEX technology, and to test them, it was easiest to just hike right into a river. I will say, out of all of them, the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX kept my feet the dryest. In the water the grip also held up close to co*petitors who used the Vibram rubber.
Instead of traditional laces, the shoes have a SensiFit system that works like a drawstring. While many may like this feature for its snug fit, it took me time to get used to it and optimize the feel for my feet. The sizing is also true to size and the shoe felt good to go right out of the box.
