Backpacking Boots

Recent Backpacking Boot Reviews

AKU Superalp GTX

Proper trekking boots handmade in Italy, suitable for long multiday treks with a heavy pack and in all terrains. Inspired by mountaineering boots, these boots do possess some technical abilities. After a great disappointment with my previous boots, the Meindl Softline due to durability issues, I opted for the Italian shoemakers thanks to their reputation and advice I got. Aku wasn’t a brand I knew before, and the name didn’t give away the location of the manufacturer, but they caught my eye… Full review

Hanwag Alaska GTX

You choose boots initially on the fit to your foot. Hanwag fit me, and the uppers are good quality. However, the soles only last seven year before they degrade: wear them well in that time, or they are fine if re-soled. Reading through the reviews below, some stuff is subjective. I bought these in 2018, to be clear. I find Han Wag fit *ME* well, so I have several different pairs. All different. This pair (Alaska GTX) are high-cuff, so give more support, and are cow leather so are stiffer (than Yak… Full review

Limmer Boots The Lightweight

If you are considering these boots, buy them. The reviews that I have seen do not do these boots justice. They are not manufactured; they are crafted and that is obvious in the aesthetics and in the way it feels to walk in them. It is critical to maintain what few artisanal commodities are left in what has become an industrial recreation industry. I believe that if these boots were available when Henry David Thoreau was alive, they would have received a shoutout in his "Economy" chapter of "Walden."… Full review

Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX

A tough companion for heavy terrain, less for casual trail walking. After this, I have thrown away my Hanwag boots (company messed around, resoled with extremely slippery soles, so I even had an accident—no warranty for their faulty work, of course). Sole grips well. Not sure about rubber compound of this one, maybe Vibram X-Trek. Vibram Megagrip compound is mildly better (Asolo Greenwood or Fandango) - that is designed for wet surfaces. Due to polyurethane midsole (this gives less weight and… Full review

Scarpa Asolo Attak Trionics

Comfortable from the very first use; very sturdy and brilliantly reliable. Still going strong after almost 30 years of heavy use. If you want to keep your feet dry and protect your feet and ankles even in harsh conditions, then these are the boots for you! Bought in the early 1990's while studying Geology, which saw me taking many protracted trips to the assorted mountains of Scotland. My friends mostly had trendy new lightweight Gortex boots (often expensive and all from reputable manufacturers)… Full review

Crispi Thor II GTX

A stiff, but relatively lightweight boot. Suitable for very rough terrain, off trail and with heavy loads. I have several hundred very tough miles on these boots, mostly big game hunting, but also a few multi-day snowshoe trips. These are NOT the shoes I'm going to grab for general backpacking; I wear trail runners almost exclusively for that. But for very rough terrain, generally off trail and normally with heavier loads (sometimes north of 100 lbs when successful big game hunting), these are the… Full review

Alico Summit

Great sturdy boot. They say it's heavy, but I don't mind. I like the rigidity. They say it's hot, but I wear it mostly in Southern California and haven't been uncomfortable. Biweekly, regular use for two years—still going strong, with insole replacement and patch of inner heel lining. Sturdy platform, good ankle support. Downside was the original insole was cheap and wore through at the ball of the foot within a year or so. Also, the soft glove-leather lining inside the heel area tore through… Full review

Zamberlan Vioz GTX 996

Very good boot in dry weather. Recently used these doing the Old Rag Loop in the Shenandoah National Forest. Very nice boot until the top of the hike. Boots lacked grip during the Rock Scramble and slippery (you think you're good and then nope!) on any rock that is wet. Very good support carrying heavy loads. Toe of boot gets pretty gouged because of a lack of toe cap. I have noticed the Vibram sole chunking off, but I don't think it is affecting performance yet.. Full review

Salomon Quest 4 GTX

I'm on my third pair of these Salomons and they are by far my favorite backpacking boot. On two thru hikes of the Appalachian Trail each pair lasted eighteen hundred miles. Most of the popular hiking shoes last between five hundred and eight hundred miles. Years ago I worked at REI and sold more of this shoe than any other. The price back then was also $230. I was first struck by their immediate comfort. They felt fairly lightweight for such a large shoe and as compared to comparably-sized shoes. Salomon… Full review