Backpacking Boots
The best backpacking boots, reviewed and curated by the Trailspace community. The latest review was added on November 23, 2022. Stores' prices and availability are updated daily.
(9)
(19)
(9)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(81)
(29)
(20)
(4)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(22)
(17)
(21)
(8)
(7)
(7)
(7)
(6)
(6)
(6)
(5)
(4)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(47)
(23)
(21)
(19)
(11)
(9)
(9)
(8)
(8)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
Recent Backpacking Boot Reviews
Esatto Classic Hiker
In November of 2019 (YES 2019) I paid this man over $1300 for custom boots and orthotics. It is now November of 2022. He sent me boots once last year that did not fit. I sent them back. It appears he has done nothing with them since. AVOID doing business with this man. That about says it. No boots. Full review
Alico Tahoe
Incredible bang for your buck. I'm not sure how I could rate these boots anything lower than 5 given their retail price, and certainly not what I paid on ebay ($89.05 in March of 2015). They were a "new without box" pair with no indication that they had been worn. They did give me some grief when breaking in. I wore them to a trip to Seattle later in 2015 and they were giving me some serious achilles pain after about 15 miles. Fortunately, I brought a second pair of shoes, so I shelved them for… Full review
Limmer Boots The Standard
The flogging of Limmer Standards will continue until the rest of you come around. I wore a pair of Limmer Standards for years as a SAR dog handler in New Hampshire. Prior to that I wore Pivetta 8s and Raichle Montagnas in Washington and Alaska, so now you know my disdain for lighter boots when it comes to rough terrain and heavy loads. Having moved back to Minnesota a few years ago, I haven’t had much use for the Standards. Yesterday I hauled a tree stand into terrain that I knew from prior scouting… Full review
L.L.Bean Gore-Tex Cresta Hikers, Fabric/Leather
Comfortable midweight waterproof boot right out of the box. I have owned several pairs of these. Hands down my favorite boot. LL Bean is now charging 300 dollars per pair, and that is the end of that. Full review
Limmer Boots The Standard
Fit is generous. There are some excellent reviews, no need to repeat. Just wanted to add one thing—the fit is generous. I have about 6 pair of hiking boots, from Italian to Chinese made, and my Limmer size 12 are by far the most generous fit. So I wear extra thick socks with them. For example, I have some Asolo size 12 hiking boots that only fit with a very thin sock. Full review
Altama Desert Mil Spec Combat Boot
Too heavy, other than that pretty good. Key here is fit. There are so many widths available that a custom fit is possible. Toe box is huge (standard width anyway). Ankle hold excellent. It is impossible to waterproof the desert boot, and they are heavy. Need to change laces and footbed. They are comfy with a different footbed. Full review
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
