Trail Shoes

Featured review by Andrew F.

A sturdy general purpose low hiking shoe. Surprisingly wearable considering their firmness. Great support, deep and durable treads, and reliable waterproofness make this a consistent favorite for all kinds of trails. Might be my all-time favorite low hiker.

INTRODUCTION The Bridger Low is the most sturdy and heavy low hiking shoe that Oboz sells. My size 12 pair weighs 2 pounds 6 ounces. They come in two muted color schemes—tan/brown that they call "walnut" and darker/lighter gray that they call "dark shadow." My pair is gray. The upper part is all leather—a soft, smooth, nubuck leather that doesn't need much if any time to break in; the tongue is a combination of leather and mesh/synthetic. The shoes have Oboz's standard and above-average insole, which I replace with custom orthotics.

Read more: Oboz Bridger Low Waterproof reviews (3)

Featured review by Maria

As a children how many of us did not need any shoes and were happy running around barefoot even if it meant to get some blisters here and there? Later on, when we had to put shoes on and go to school and then work and so on, things changed and it would be considered inappropriate to one day show up without any shoes on. I wonder how many of us feel happy with what they are wearing on day to day basis on their feet and how many of us is actually comfortable?The Vibram soles is revolutionary innovation as far as comfortable shoes can be, which is based on the age old methodology that being barefoot helps your balance and will make you feel aware of the nature around and ground beneath your feet.

Read more: Vibram FiveFingers KSO reviews (18)

Reviewed by Sean Van Cleve

The Lowa Innox Pro Lo is a high quality hiking shoe that has a padded upper that feels like a sneaker, yet still provides under-foot feel when hiking on unstable terrain. This highly breathable and lightweight low-top (GTX/waterproof version also available) is stylish enough for everyday use, and therefore is ideal for both trail as well as town use. This trail shoe suits the fast packer/speed hiker/trail runner, as well as a backpacker carrying a substantial load.

Photo Credit: D. Jankovic Lowa’s new Innox range of footwear is an exciting hybrid shoe that covers several categories. This shoe can suit as a quiver-of-one for day-in/day-out use as a street shoe, as a trail runner, or can be capable of off-trail duties while carrying a loaded backpack. Although best for lightweight/ultralight backpacking, the Innox Pro Lo comfortably handled a day hike with approximately 30 pounds. These Lowa sneakers could work well for the long distance hiker, as well as someone scrambling to the crag.

Read more: Lowa Innox Pro Lo review (1)

Reviewed by FromSagetoSnow

Did you detest the barefoot trend? Wish you could walk on super soft, clouds with built in springs? Seek no more, you have arrived! Merrell created a great trail shoe that challenges the competition for the title of most padded, plush and unconventional-looking trail shoes in the world.

I used to wear big, heavy hiking boots that required the sacrifice of several cattle and required a lengthy break-in process where my feet adapted to my boots, sometimes over years. I believed that, if I only encased my feet in enough leather, I'd never roll an ankle again.  I have since changed my mind. Today I see safety in being faster and more nimble. My legs, feet, and ankles have strengthened, and I spend less time stumbling over mixed terrain because wise foot placement is easier. I get to where I'm going faster and I have more time to enjoy my destination.

Read more: Merrell SpeedARC Surge BOA review (1)

Reviewed by Andrew F.

This is a review of the non-Gore-Tex version of Salomon’s X Ultra 5 low hiking shoe. These are low hiking shoes with grippy soles, breathable Kevlar-reinforced fabric, Kevlar speed laces, and a lot of support for low hikers. I wear them year-round, but the version without Gore-Tex are particularly good for hot summers. I have worn out X Ultra 3’s and 4’s, so I’m very familiar with this line of shoes (and have reviewed them on Trailspace). If there is a downside, it’s that shoes like this are use and replace—I wear them out in 18-24 months.

  This is my second pair of non-Gore Tex Salomon X Ultra low hikers; they replaced the X Ultra 4, which I wore for about 18 months. My men’s size 12 weigh 1.64 pounds on a digital hand scale—about one pound, ten ounces. Men's sizes for this shoe run 7-14; women's run 5-11. Note, unlike the X Ultra 5 Gore-Tex, these shoes do not have a wide sizing option. There is also an X Ultra 5 mid, only available in Gore-Tex. I haven’t worn or tried some "offshoot" models, the X Ultra Alpine (heavier-duty shoe) or X Ultra 360 (lighter grade shoe), but the fact Salomon is using the same name is a testament to the OG line of X Ultra low shoes—they’re a great overall low hiking shoe.  HOW THEY FIT AND FEEL These are close-fitting shoes.

Read more: Salomon X Ultra 5 review (1)

Reviewed by Andrew F.

This is a review of the non-Gore-Tex version of the X Ultra 4 low men's shoe. I’ve worn the Gore-Tex version and will review those too. They’re similar shoes—firm fit, supportive for a lighter, low shoe, great soles. These breathe better and have somewhat more forgiving fabric panels, fit-wise. A great shoe for day hikes and for longer hikes where you’re going light.

INTRODUCTION Top view Instep view I have worn at least three pair of Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX and X Ultra 4 GTX shoes; these are my first pair that aren’t Gore-Tex. The men’s version weighs (average) about 1 pound, 10 oz. per pair. Men’s sizes run 7-14, womens 5-11 in both GTX and non-GTX versions; the mens GTX low also has wide sizing.  Macro takeaways are that this offers a more firm, supportive fit than many low hiking shoes, and they are a nice all-around shoe for hiking with some scrambling thrown in.

Read more: Salomon X Ultra 4 review (1)

Reviewed by Elizabeth McCoy

Super cushion support, zero drop hiking shoe that is waterproof and has Gore-tex. These are super comfy and plenty of room in the toe box. A rugged hiker shoe with plush cushion!

            I bought these new hiking shoes after doing extensive research on them. I tried the Lone Peak 9's. They also felt amazing, but I wanted more all-around cushion. I have never worn a hiker shoe with a wide toe box and natural foot positioning. I hear so many people talking about Altra hiking shoes, giving them outstanding reviews; especially long distance hikers. I figured it was time to try them out for my upcoming hike in two weeks in Yosemite.  I ordered them from Altra Running's online store, because no one had them in stock near me.

Read more: Altra Olympus 6 Hike Low GTX review (1)

Reviewed by KiwiKlimber

The Danner Trail 2650s are a great all-purpose trail shoe that handles a variety of trails and terrain with ease, are comfortable enough to wear all day, and get plenty of positive comments for their good looks. With tons of options available in both men’s and women’s sizes, as well as different leather options, there is a color and configuration for just about everyone.

Conditions: For the past two months in the warm and wet spring and early summer, I’ve worn the Danner Trail 2650’s (named for the 2,650-mile-long Pacific Crest Trail) for a variety of activities, including hiking (day trips and overnight trips), casual bike riding, evening walks around the neighborhood, and scouting for hunting locations...roughly 75-100 miles so far, with the most at one time being 11 miles. The shoes have crossed streams, descended soggy trails, battled grassy fields, ran quickly away from upset rattlesnakes, and scrambled the rock-laden ridge-top trails that epitomize hiking in Pennsylvania.

Read more: Danner Trail 2650 review (1)

Reviewed by Shane

This updated version of the ever-popular zero drop Lone Peak in some ways is similar to the older Lone Peaks. The toebox is a bit wider than the Lone Peak 8. These 2025 Lone Peak 9's are also available with a Vibram outsole, which is a noticable upgrade.

(UPDATE 30 April 2026: I have over 300 miles on these shoes, and they are still going pretty strong aside from some normal wear and tear. The Vibram sole is legit!) I've been a big fan of zero-drop, wide toe box Altras since I first got the Lone Peak 5 a few years back. Those older Altras were some of my favorite shoes for trail running and long-distance hiking. I felt sad when I had to toss them after they gave out! I skipped the LP8s because the reviews kept saying the toebox was narrower than the earlier LPs.

Read more: Altra Lone Peak 9+ review (1)

Reviewed by Ianw

These shoes score well on most points including comfort and traction but the soles wore out fast.

Overall I walk a lot, typically 2,000 to 2,500 km a year so it is important to have shoes that work well in all sorts of conditions. After my fifth pair of North Face Hedgehog Fastpack GTX shoes failed to come up to the standard of the earlier ones I decided to look for a replacement and chose these Merrell Moab Speed GTX. For the most part I am very happy with the change. They are noticeably lighter than the North Face shoes and very comfortable to walk long distances with the original insoles (I had to replace the North Face insoles because they lost their cushioning effect.) Appearance It is a matter of taste but I like the generally subdued black with grey highlights.

Read more: Merrell Moab Speed GTX review (1)