The best lightweight hiking boots and shoes will keep you agile on the trails help you zip along quicker and more freely than you could in traditional walking footwear. They are flexible while still giving grip and offer support and protection without adding too much weight, letting you hike for longer without developing leg or foot fatigue.
While more traditional hiking boots use hardy materials for durable, tough finishes and a bulkier design for greater protection against rocky terrain, the appetite for fastpacking and micro adventures has been satiated by a wave of modern makes that use synthetic materials with plenty of cushioning and opportunity for your feet to flex.
The rise in gorpcore and the post-lockdown boost of hiker numbers have increased demand for accessible footwear that prioritizes comfort over durability. But while these lightweight hikers have greater appeal for newbies, it doesn’t mean they lack technical prowess.
How hiking boots are made is complex and intriguing. The most innovative lightweight boots and shoes use responsive foam for unparalleled cushioning and propulsion, light rubber compounds that offer great grip and breathable mesh fabrics, all combining to create less weight in a boot or shoe that still delivers on techy terrain. They will keep your feet cooler in summer and shoulder seasons and won’t weigh you down on low-level hiking missions and fastpacking escapades and day treks.
In this guide, our outdoors experts have found the best-value lightweight boots and shoes and put them to test on Italian via ferratas, snow-capped Scottish mountains and boggy Welsh trails to see if they live up to their marketing spiel. Read on to see how they fared.
The quick list
This is our quick list, a snapshot of the best lightweight hiking boots and shoes available. To delve deeper into the features and qualities of each piece of footwear, see our detailed reviews further down the page.
For long multi-day treks, where comfort and ankle support are essential, the Moab Speed 2 Mid is a great choice, and helps you attack the trails with speed
Lightweight walking boots designed for fast-paced footpath and trail trekking in drier conditions. Great heel support and ankle protection keep you stable; avoid boggy landscapes
Made almost entirely from recycled materials, these minimalist boots give a superb trail feel. Barefoot fans will love the grippy sole combined with comfy upper
A jack of all trades that doesn't compromise technical performance. They're hardy enough to see you through winter missions while keeping you comfortable on long days
Built to take you along the ground then up the rock, the reinforced uppers and a climbing zone on the rubber outsoles of these lightweight boots will help your your scrambling and climbing missions
You get a lot of features in one impressively lightweight package with these boots. They are breathable with good traction and comfortable enough for fastpacking missions in wet weather
The best lightweight hiking boots and shoes
You can trust Advnture Our expert reviewers spend days testing and comparing gear so you know how it will perform out in the real world. Find out more about how we test and compare products.
The best lightweight hiking boots for backpacking
This lightweight take on the well-loved Merrell Moab hiking boot have a trainer aesthetic which, while it may look at home on city streets, is technical enough to tackle the trails. Gore-Tex membrane, grippy Vibram sole, upper lace hooks... the Moab Speed 2 Mids have it all.
The fit is comfy from the outset, with a nice amount of cushioning and just enough toe room. The upper is made from nylon ripstop and TPU, while a Gore-Tex bootie gives good waterproofing, all promising a hoof with a long life. Elsewhere, recycled materials make up the mesh lining and mesh footbed, laces and webbing, while the foam footbed is also 50% recycled.
There's plenty of padding around the ankle and a nicely squishy tongue, gusseted to prevent trail debris from working its way in.
The boots are rated by Merrell for 'moderate' trail use, and the light protective rand and flexible outsole keeps them light. For more rugged trails you'll want a sturdier boot. On the trails the 4mm lugs give a good degree of traction, and our expert tester reckoned his feet were kept dry and toasty in wet and muddy conditions.
For drier landscapes we'd probably opt for a pair of grippy trail running shoes. However, for backpacking and hut-to-hut trekking on reasonable trails, the Moab Speed 2 Mids don't disappoint.
Read our full Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid Gore-Tex hiking boot review.
The best lightweight hiking boots for easy hikes
Aimed at adventurers who want to keep nimble on the trails and move fast across less-challenging landscapes, the Keen NXIS EVOs are a lightweight, mesh-covered mid boot designed for fair conditions.
They feature the KonnectFit heel-capture system, which loops around the back of your foot and works with the laces to provide grip across your heel and forefoot area keeping your foot stable in the boot. Cushioning from from a compression-molded midsole is decent and Keen’s signature oversize toe bumper has been reduced on this model to cut down weight.
Our outdoors expert put them to test on a four-day fastpacking trip along the West Highland Way in the north of Scotland. It was slightly ambitious for these boots, which although waterproof, are more at home in fairer conditions. The boots proved warm and comfy, but did become waterlogged after a while, with the outer mesh getting clogged with dirt. This affected performance and was a pain to clean.
However, in more benign conditions, the NXIS EVOs help you move along the trail at good pace, benefiting from their secure hold and ample feedback. For fair-weather hikes on fairly well-established trails and sub-alpine tracks, these are a solid choice.
The best lightweight hiking boots for trail feel
With zero drop between the heel and toes, the Vivobarefoot Magna Lite SGs give you a novel, tactile approach to hiking that might take some getting used to if you've not tried it before.
The SG in the name of these boots stands for 'soft ground', but they do have an insole and a 2.5mm sole base, which provide some protection from sharp debris on the trail.
With no tongue, the upper resembles a thick sock, and the toe box is wide allowing your feet to relax out. Two wing-like supports can be pulled tight to support your ankle, although the support isn't as firm as other Vivobarefoot lightweight hikers. Pull loops help you get the boots on and off with ease.
On hot days our outdoors expert trekked comfortably, his feet breathing easily. The chevron lugs propelled him over spongy ground and gave good traction and expelled mud. However, on compacted ground he could feel the lugs pushing up through the sole base, so best to steer clear of street walking if you can.
For travel, they're great, packing down small and shaving off luggage weight. But you'll need to be heading to a destination with mild climes as they don't offer the all-weather protection that other boots on test here do.
If you're a barefoot fan, you'll like these boots for day hikes and treks during travels.
Read our full Vivobarefoot Magna Lite SG review
The best winter lightweight hiking shoes
Merging the worlds of hiking and trail running, inov8 claims the ROCLITE G 315 GTX V2 is a lightweight waterproof shoe that you can pick up the pace in. What's more, it's designed to tackle winter conditions with Gore-Tex waterproofing, graphene-enhanced outsole and 6mm lugs.
A good amount of foam cushioning ups the shoe's comfort game and gives extra propulsion without sacrificing too much trail feel. A rock plate and a bumper up front give extra protection from abrasion
On test, the snug fit gave a secure, locked-in feel. The rubber soles gave good traction while scrambling on rock as well as during fast descents on compacted snow. Our expert experienced minor slipping on forest trails after substantial rainfall, but even the best brands in the business didn't fare much better on the same terrain.
When it comes to warm weather hikes and runs, you might want to switch to a lighter trail shoe. However, for day hikes in showers and drizzle, these ROCLITES will keep you comfy for mile after mile.
"It's the versatility that really makes these great shoes stand out," our expert says.
Read our full inov-8 ROCLITE G 315 GTX V2 review
The best lightweight hiking boots for rocky scrambles
The North Face Verto Gore-Tex Alpine Mid Boots really are full of surprises. They are lightweight for a start, which considering they are built for hiking and via ferratas with reinforced leather uppers and grippy Vibram soles, is pretty astonishing. There's a climbing zone at the toe for edging, too.
Despite their burly, rigid appearance, they are actually comfortable and breathable. On a hiking and via ferrata trip to Corsica, our outdoors expert got to put them to the test fresh from the box and had no complaints, despite the high cuff and narrow shoe box, which could have rubbed.
They are boots that perform on dry, rocky surfaces where you might encounter slippery areas, but a full Gore-Tex waterproof lining makes them an ideal choice for a boggy hike too. The top of the tongue and very top of the ankle cuff aren't waterproof, so you might get ingress on very wet schleps, but no different to most hiking boots.
They are nice and breathable, so even on warm days they are a good choice to protect your feet from getting a bashing from rock. The lacing system brings things in tight on technical ground. You'll be impressed with how much scrambling and climbing you can tackle in these mid boots, which are a solid choice for trekking through mud too.
Read our full The North Face Verto Gore-Tex Alpine Mid Boots review
The best fast lightweight hiking boots
"So light they must have helium in the heels." That’s what our mountain expert thought about the Salomon Cross Hike 2 Mid Gore-Tex hiking boots when he tested them on a trek in the Black Mountains in Wales.
High comfort levels were no surprise in a boot coming from a brand that specializes in trail-running gear. They have a low profile and minimalist upper, giving you a light feeling that will help you zoom along the trails.
The grippy outsole with aggressive lugs gives good traction uphill and enhanced braking ability on quick, technical descents, and there are lugs on the toe cap too, to keep you in control on steep terrain.
The quick-lace fastening system means you can have the boots on in a jiffy, and the laces are extra-strong. However, an extra lace loop on a slightly taller cuff would lock in your foot more securely.
If you’re not carrying a heavy pack and enjoy a free feel on the trails, the Cross Hike 2s are a great choice for summer treks, day hikes and fastpacking missions.
Read our full Salomon Cross Hike 2 Mid Gore-Tex review
Meet the testers
Alex is a qualified Mountain Leader and writer with an insatiable passion for the mountains. A Cumbrian born and bred, his native English Lake District has a special place in his heart, though he is at least equally happy in North Wales, the Scottish Highlands or the European Alps. Through his hiking, mountaineering, and other adventures, Alex aims to inspire others to get outdoors. He is a former President of the London Mountaineering Club, training to become a winter mountain leader, looking to finally finish bagging all the Wainwright fells of the Lake District and hoping to scale more Alpine 4000ers when circumstances allow.
Author of Caving, Canyoning, Coasteering…, a recently released book about all kinds of outdoor adventures around Britain, Pat has spent 20 years pursuing stories involving boots, bikes, boats, beers and bruises. En route he’s climbed Mont Blanc and Kilimanjaro, run an ultra across the roof of Mauritius, and set short-lived records for trail-running Australia’s highest peaks and New Zealand’s Great Walks. He’s authored walking guides to Devon and Dorset, and once wrote a whole book about Toilets for Lonely Planet. Follow Pat’s escapades on Strava and Instagram.
The author of the book Restorative Yoga for Beginners, Julia loves to explore mountains and then recover on the the yoga mat. Julia graduated with a degree in journalism in 2004 and spent eight years working as a radio presenter in Kansas City, Vermont, Boston and New York City before discovering the joys of the Rocky Mountains. She then detoured west to Colorado and enjoyed 11 years teaching yoga in Vail before returning to her hometown of Glasgow, Scotland in 2020 to focus on family and writing.
Best lightweight hiking boots and shoes comparison table
| Lightweight hiking shoe or boot | Price | Weight | Materials | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid Gore-Tex | $180 (US) / £155 (UK) | 400g / 14.1oz | Nylon ripstop and TPU upper, Gore-Tex membrane, Vibram TC5+ rubber outsole, 100% recycled mesh and laces, 50% recycled EVA foam footbed | Most forms of hiking throughout the year |
| Keen NXIS EVO | $180 (US) / £140 (UK) | Men’s 429g / 15.13oz; women’s 353g / 12.45oz | Performance mesh upper with TPU overlays, KEEN.DRY waterproof & breathable membrane, speed-lace webbing system, breathable textile lining, removable PU insole, compression-molded EVA midsole, KEEN.ALL-TERRAIN rubber outsole | Three-season hiking, trekking and fastpacking with or without packs on peaks and trails; good for hut-to-hut hikes, weekend adventures and day walks in non-muddy conditions |
| Vivobarefoot Magna Lite SG | $253 (US) / £170 (UK) / €200 (EU) | Men’s: 350g / 12.5oz; Women’s: 310g / 11oz | Vamp Engineered Mesh upper (62% Rcd Cationic Yarn, 38% RPET); Soft ground outsole (60% Polymer, 30% Silica, 10% Vulcanized Chemical); 100% RPET insole and laces | Low-level hiking, trekking and fastpacking on soft terrain in reasonably warm weather. Can also be worn scrambling |
| inov-8 ROCLITE G 315 GTX V2 | $175 (US) / £155 (UK) | 315g / 10.67oz | Graphene enhanced rubber outsole / POWERFLOW MAX foam midsole | Winter trail runs and hiking in summer and the shoulder seasons |
| The North Face Verto Gore-Tex Alpine Mid Boots | $230 (US) / £180 (UK) | (Women's UK 4): 14.8 oz / 420g | Majority leather upper, Vibram sole, recycled Gore-Tex lining | Hiking, via ferrata |
| Salomon Cross Hike 2 Mid Gore-Tex | $170 (US) / £165 (UK) | Men’s: 396g / 14oz; Women’s: 340g / 12oz | Synthetic textile Upper with Gore-Tex lining; EnergyCell high-rebound midsole; Contragrip rubber outsole | Brisk trail walking and fastpacking across three seasons on most trails below technical alpine, without a heavy load |
How to choose lightweight hiking boots and shoes
There’s an ever-growing selection of lightweight hiking boots and shoes on the market, and trying to identify a lightweight model from a regular hiking boot or an active trainer with a boot aesthetic can be a mission in itself. Of course, the type of boot or shoe that's best for you all depends on where and when you intend to hike and your personal preference when it comes to fit.
If you want to move fast over low-level ground without a heavy pack then you won’t need as much support and protection as the best hiking boots and the best women’s hiking boots can offer. Similarly, hiking in fair conditions calls for more breathable footwear. If you’re an active traveler, having a light pair of boots you can throw in a smaller-sized bag can be a real boon, and these lightweight hooves tend to dry quicker, meaning they won't honk out your case.
Maybe the best boon of these lightweight designs is that they mean a lot less breaking in, and are often good to hike in fresh from the box. Read on to find out more about what to look for in your next pair of lightweight hiking boots or shoes.
FAQs
What kind of protection and support do lightweight hiking boots and shoes give?
While made of more flexible materials, a lightweight boot or shoe can still give great support and protection. A lot of our boots on test are mid-height, with a padded cuff around the ankle to provide a barrier from sharp rocks or thorny branches and to keep you more stable on uneven terrain.
The higher the lacing system on a boot or shoe, the better the weather proofing and the more it will prevent annoying trail debris, such as grit and muck, getting into your boot.
Shoes can still feature bumpers and protective rands, which while not as substantial as in heavier designs, offer added shielding.
Outsoles tend to be thinner and softer. which means greater flex and a better trail feel, but you can expect to have to replace them more frequently. Some models also incorporate a lightweight TPU (or similar) rock plate – a protective layer between outer sole and the inner, designed to stop sharp trail objects jabbing the underside of your foot.
Are lightweight hiking boots and shoes waterproof?
One of the key features of the best winter hiking boots is the ability to keep your feet dry in wet conditions, mostly done with the addition of a Gore-Tex or equivalent membrane. However, this can be too much when hiking in warm climes as more often than not when waterproofing increases, breathability is compromised.
While lots of our best lightweight boots and shoes offer elements of waterproofing, they are not as unbreachable as our best winter hiking boots and hiking shoes. When you’re moving across mountains at a fast pace your feet will heat and it’s often better to go with something that incorporates fabrics that can air quicker, dry fast overnight and allow your foot to breathe as you hike.
How much grip do lightweight hiking boots and shoes offer?
Powerful grip for attacking technical terrain and slick rock is achieved through hardwearing soles made from tough rubber, such as Vibram.
Better grip on wet and muddy surafces is achieved with deeper ‘lugs’, the indentations on the bottom of the soles. However, with these thick soles comes extra weight, which is why lightweight models are designed to be more flexible to give you better trail feel and to aid the bounce produced by mid-sole cushioning.
Softer rubber sole can be more tacky for smooth rock, but it’s not as durable and can wear down quickly.
Are lightweight hiking shoes and boots durable?
Harder-wearing, heavier materials typically used in the design of outdoor boots and shoes, from the rubber in the soles to the leather or synthetic alternative in the upper, add weight.
Lighter materials have a shorter lifespan and will show signs of wear and tear quicker, but quality manufacturers take strides in creating robustness. Sturdy stitching and seam sealing prevent footwear failing at weak points, and strong laces that won't fray or break offer enhanced stability.
Integrated tongues create stability and protection for less movement in the shoe and greater longevity.
Are lightweight hiking shoes and boots good value?
Innovation and manufacture of lightweight but strong materials doesn't come cheap and we've spent a lot of time researching why outdoor gear is so expensive. Some lightweight boots and shoes have the same list price, or higher, of other footwear that will last you for decades.
However, there's a great deal to be said for the versatility of these boots and shoes. Some models are agile enough to run in and may double up as your tail runners; most are good for down days, post-trek meets or kicking back in the après bar. They look good with your civvies and you'll be as comfy in them strolling down the high street as you will clambering down a steep gully.
When you realize how convenient and comfortable they are, you'll find yourself reaching for them time and time again.
