These Boots Were Made for Walking – The Best Hiking Shoes of 2019

The best hiking shoes of 2019 have arrived and we are excited to share our favorites! The shoes we have curated both in store and on this list are durable, comfortable, and highly functional. They will propel you forward on the trail, be it a rocky scramble or grassy knoll, and provide long lasting, all day comfort.

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Men’s Hiking Shoes

You might be wondering – Should I choose a waterproof shoe or a more breathable one? Can I use it for backpacking, day hiking, or a mix of both? What kind of traction do I need? If so, stop by Tahoe Mountain Sports and our footwear experts will help you work through these questions and fit you into your new favorite hiking shoe! Can’t make it to the store? Read on to learn about the best hiking shoes of 2019!

Click here to jump to Women’s Hiking Shoes.

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Lightweight hiking shoes are becoming a popular choice among hikers and Salomon’s OUTline shines in this category. It looks and feels like a running shoe but has been thoughtfully designed to give you all the function of a typical hiking shoe without any extra weight.

The outsole uses Salomon’s signature Contragrip rubber which is made of a durable compound that sticks a variety of surface conditions. It has deep 5 mm lugs arranged in a way to provide optimal tread for uphill and downhill travel.

Hikers will appreciate the protective toe cap, mud guard (Tahoe hikers will need that this spring!) and superbly breathable mesh upper. You’re feet will be able to breath easily and stay dry and comfortable on the trail when you’re wearing the OUTline. The bottom line is this hiking shoe is comfortable, lightweight, and nimble on the trail.

The Bridger Mid Bdry hiking boot Oboz’s flagship mid hiking boot and a classic on our shoe wall. It’s a favorite style among backpackers and day hikers looking for a shoe with great ankle support. You’ll get all the great features of an Oboz shoe – rugged tread, supportive footbed, and durable construction.

It’s made with Nubuck leather and has a waterproof, yet breathable, B-DRY membrane. It has a molded rubber toe cap, TPU forefoot plate, and heel counter to protect your foot from whatever you encounter on the trail – sharp rocks, twigs, etc. Like most other Oboz’s it fits on the wider side with a generous forefoot and toe box to accommodate toe splay and foot swelling after a long day of hiking.

Oboz is known for their supportive insoles that rival aftermarket ones like Superfeet and Sole. This hiking shoe comes with Oboz’s O Fit Insole. You’ll love the performance and feel of this, especially after being on your feet all day! The Granite Peak outsole is supportive, protective, and feels akin to four wheel drive for your feet. The deep lugs provide great traction and grip to slippery surfaces. This outsole combined with the Granite Peak midsole work together to provide all day comfort. The midsole features a TPU chassis for stability and protection from stone bruising and EVA foam for cushion.

La Sportiva TX3 approach shoe is perfect for those looking for a shoe that can handle technical terrain with ease. It has incredible traction, thanks to a Vibram® Mega-Grip™ Traverse rubber outsole and “climbing zone” toe. If you have a rocky scramble to base of a crag or are hiking over rocky, technical terrain, you’ll want these hiking shoes on your feet. They’re perfect on scree, mud, or rock.

A polyester mesh upper provides all day comfort and lets your feet breathe on hot days. It dumps water and dries out quickly making creek crossings a breeze – especially helpful this year with high water in the Sierras! This shoe is constructed with an MEMlex midsole, lending cushion and comfort to the design.

The bottom line is that you can take this hiking shoe anywhere. It’s at home on rocky scrambles, a high ridge line traverse, or on the tops of the highest peaks. Durable, protective and rugged is the name of the game for La Sportiva’s TX3 approach shoe.

Salomon’s X Ultra 3 Mid GTX is a lightweight hiker with great ankle support and enhanced traction due to Descent Control technology. It’s lightweight, for a hiking boot, and is loaded with Salomon technologies to keep your feet comfortable during a long day on the trail.

This hiking shoe is designed to last. It’s outsole is made from Salomon’s most durable rubber compound, Contagrip® TD, and has deep multi-directional lugs to keep you planted on the trail whether you’re ascending, descending, side hilling… you name it. The upper is made with polyurethane coated leather to make it stronger and more durable.

You’ll be protected from the elements with the X Ultra 3 on your feet. That’s thanks to a breathable / waterproof GORE-TEX membrane to keep your feet dry, a mudguard that wraps along the base of the shoe, and a sturdy, protective toe cap. This hiking shoe fits on the narrower side but it is also available in a wide version.

The Oboz Firebrand II low is a favorite at Tahoe Mountain Sports. It’s a hiking shoe that has it all – waterproof, durable, comfortable, and rugged. It’s a best seller among folks looking for a waterproof low cut hiking shoe.

Oboz uses B-DRY, their proprietary waterproofing membrane, to keep your feet dry as you tromp through puddles and vent moisture away from your foot when your feet heat up and start to sweat. The upper is made from waterproof nubuck leather and highly abrasion resistant textiles to add protection and durability to the shoe.

This hiking shoes uses the Sawtooth midsole and outsole. The midsole uses dual density EVA foam to provide cushion and stability. The burly outsole can handle a variety of terrain while remaining flexible and supportive.

The Cirque Low is ideal for folks looking for a shoe to keep up with their summit dreams. It’s perfect for fast and light adventures, or technical scrambles. It’s made with a breathable synthetic micro suede and knit mesh which keeps the shoe lightweight and comfortable. Using their signature B-DRY waterproofing, Oboz makes the Cirque waterproof and breathable.

Inside of this hiking shoe, an A3 Chassis™ works to provide torsional flex and maintain a natural articulation. For underfoot comfort, Oboz has incorporated a single density EVA into the chassis. It also has an integrated shank and ESS plate which serve a couple important functions. The first is to provide support and flex points, the second is to prevent your foot from over flexing and protect from stone bruising.

The Cirque Low uses the Tempest outsole, a lightweight sole that doesn’t compromise on traction. It has multi-directional and perimeter lugs which work well in a variety of terrain – mud, snow, dirt, scree, etc. This lightweight hiking shoe is a great choice if you’re looking to save weight on footwear without making compromises to performance.

Hoka One One has been making running shoes for a long time. Now they are dipping their toes into the world of hiking shoes and we’re excited with what they have to offer. The Sky Toa is truly unique among the others on this list. With it, Hoka has given us a lightweight waterproof hiking shoe that incorporates the technologies we love and know from their running shoes.

When you think Hoka, plush cushioning is usually the first thing that comes to mind. The Sky Toa is no exception; it has a responsive rubberized foam midsole to absorb impact and shock as you hike. This Rangi™ Midsole is durable, made to last as you rack up the miles.

The Vibram® megagrip outsole provides great traction and uses multi-directional lugs to keep you firmly planted on the trail. The eVent waterproof bootie keeps your feet dry and like it’s name suggests, vents moisture out of your shoe, through the light, breathable synthetic upper. If you want a hiking boot that feels more like a running shoe: light, comfortable, and built for performance, than the Sky Toa might be the one for you.

On Running Cloudrock – Coming Soon!

Stay tuned for On Running’s latest creation, the Cloudrock hiking shoe! If you’ve been reading the blog for a while, you know that we are huge fans of On Running. Their running shoes are incredibly comfortable and supportive, blending performance with style effortlessly. We are so excited for the release of their new hiking shoes in July. Stay tuned for more information!

Women’s Hiking Shoes

The best women’s hiking shoes of 2019 are here! The shoes on our list all strike a great balance between weight, function, and style. There are lot of factors to consider when purchasing a new hiking shoe – Do you want something waterproof? Is ankle support important to you? Would you rather have a shoe that is light and agile? It can be a complicated process to wade through these questions and more. Let us help it make it easier! Stop by Tahoe Mountain Sports to try on boots and chat with our boot fitting experts or read on about the best hiking shoes for the 2019 season!

The Adrika Hiker is a comfortable hiking boot that is just at home on the trails as it is on an urban exploration. It’s designed to blend comfort, style, and function with a classic aesthetic that evokes the crunch of leaves underfoot and sitting around the campfire.

It’s made with a durable suede upper and uses the Danner Adrika outsole to provide lightweight traction. Danner Dry creates a waterproof barrier to keep your feet dry through stream crossings, hiking over snow, etc. It comes with a removable ortholite footbed which is made with three different density foams so that you can enjoy the maximum cushion and support.

Here is a hiking shoe that can move seamlessly between urban and outdoor environments. It’s stylish, comfortable, and designed to hold up to whatever the trails throw at you. We love the Adrika for everyday use and day hiking.

Oboz’s signature hiking shoe, the Bridger Mid, just got a whole lot more breathable. The Bridger Vent Mid combines everything you know and love about the Bridger in a lighter, more breathable package.

It integrates breathable synthetic mesh panels into the upper to let you feet breathe, a welcome feature on hot summer days here in the Sierras. Despite it’s high level of breathability, you don’t have to sacrifice protection from the elements thanks to a B-DRY waterprooof / breathable membrane.

It also has a TPU forefoot plate, a rubber toe cap, and a rubber heel counter to add to the durability of the shoe and protect your foot from stone bruising or rocks and roots in the trail.

One of our favorite things about Oboz footwear is that their hiking shoes and boots require virtually no break in period. That right, toss these on your feet and you’ll notice how comfortable they are straight out of the box. The Sawtooth II Low is popular for just that reason. It’s really comfortable and has amazing on trail performance. Year after year, it remains a best seller among those looking for a lightweight, breathable hiking shoe.

This hiking shoe uses the Sawtooth midsole and outsole. The midsole uses dual density EVA foam to provide cushion and stability. The burly outsole can handle a variety of terrain while remaining flexible and supportive.

It’s made with nubuck leather and highly abrasion resistant textile. The paneling on the upper allows the shoe to breathe even on the hottest days. This is a popular choice for folks who live in dry climates, who can forgo waterproofing in exchange for a more breathable, lightweight hiking shoe.

Style meets function with the Oboz Sapphire Mid. This women’s specific hiking shoe has been designed with careful attention to comfort and fit. It has a women’s specific last which provides a unique, sculpted fit and an asymmetrical collar to accommodate ankle movement. It, like all other Oboz hiking shoes, comes with their signature O-Fit Insole™: an anatomically designed footbed that lends support, stability, and comfort to each shoe. This insole matches the shape and construction of the Sapphire to provide all day comfort, arch support, and protection in high-strike zones where you need it.

The Sapphire is made with waterproof nubuck leather, a durable and protective material. It uses Oboz’s proprietary B-DRY waterproof / breathable membrane to keep your feet dry. The inner workings of this hiking shoe, namely the midsole, provide the foundation for support and stability. The women’s specific Swiftcurrent Midsole uses women specific EVA cushioning, a TPU chassis, and an ESS plate in the forefoot. The result is a hiking shoe that boasts durable cushion and protection from stone bruising while remaining light and flexible. The Swiftcurrent Outsole provides the tread and traction necessary for the trail without any extra bulk. This makes this shoe perfect for a hike or a stroll in the city.

Hoka One One has been making running shoes for a long time. Now they are dipping their toes into the world of hiking shoes and we’re excited with what they have to offer. The Sky Toa is truly unique among the others on this list. With it, Hoka has given us a lightweight waterproof hiking shoe that incorporates the technologies we love and know from their running shoes.

When you think Hoka, plush cushioning is usually the first thing that comes to mind. The Sky Toa is no exception; it has a responsive rubberized foam midsole to absorb impact and shock as you hike. This Rangi™ Midsole is durable, made to last as you rack up the miles.

The Vibram® megagrip outsole provides great traction and uses multi-directional lugs to keep you firmly planted on the trail. The eVent waterproof bootie keeps your feet dry and like it’s name suggests, vents moisture out of your shoe, through the light, breathable synthetic upper. If you want a hiking boot that feels more like a running shoe: light, comfortable, and built for performance, than the Sky Toa might be the one for you.

On Running Cloudrock – Coming Soon!

Stay tuned for On Running’s latest creation, the Cloudrock hiking shoe! If you’ve been reading the blog for a while, you know that we are huge fans of On Running. Their running shoes are incredibly comfortable and supportive, blending performance with style effortlessly. We are so excited for the release of their new hiking shoes in July. Stay tuned for more information!

Looking for something lighter? Try out one of our favorite Trail Running Shoes!

Ready to hit the trail? Here are the Best Places to go Hiking in Lake Tahoe.

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