The Best Summer Hiking Boots, Hiking Shoes, and Trail Runners for
Adults and Kids
SUMMER 2022
It’s nearly impossible to overemphasize the importance of choosing the best hiking boots, the right hiking shoes, or the ideal trail runners when you are headed out into the wilderness – and that’s all the more true when you’re picking the best hiking boots for kids (or kids’ hiking shoes, of course).
On a hike, your footwear is as important to your safety and comfort as are the wheels, shocks, brakes, and arguably even the seatbelts of your car; the hiking boots, trail running shoes, or hiking shoes you choose are what connect you to the ground, helping to keep you moving, to keep you upright, to help you avoid twisted ankles and aching knees and hips, and to maximize your overall comfort and safety, not to mention you efficiency and enjoyment out there.
Today, we’re looking at the best hiking boots for summer based on their weight, breathability, and other factors, because you can indeed wear hiking boots in the summer, and for a long enough hike in trying conditions, especially with weight on your back, you should. We’re looking at a few of our favorite hiking shoes for women, men, and kids, because hiking shoes tend to be lighter than boots yet still offer good support and cushioning for use on rougher terrain and under a moderate gear load. And we’re sharing our favorite trail running shoes that are perfect for use when you’re moving fast and carrying minimal weight.
The best Men’s Summer Hiking Footwear
The Best Summer Hiking Shoes for Men - Salomon OUTpulse Low Hiking Shoes
Lighter than most hiking boots but every bit as tough, these hiking shoes are ready for rough conditions. They have a full rubber toe cap which you’ll appreciate the first time you accidentally kick a rock, a thick foam insole cushions your foot on strikes while a TPU plate underfoot delivers an athletic response that propels you forward, and a highly aggressive tread pattern grips onto roots, gravel, dirt, and everything else, whether in wet or dry conditions. This is a brand we trust in trying conditions and turn to for moderate family hikes, because when you’re responsible for taking care of your kids, your gear had better take care of you.
The Best Summer Hiking Boots for Men - KEEN Targhee Vent Mid Hiking Boots
Can you wear waterproof hiking boots in the summer? Sure, if your feet aren’t prone to overheating or sweating. Or if you’re headed out into conditions that are guaranteed to be wet. But for folks like us, who do tend to run hot and work up a sweat, in hot conditions and with rain or streams only a maybe, we prefer to err on the side of, well, air. These highly breathable boots allow for superb heat release and breathability, keeping a dad’s foot (or any dude’s foot) cool and dry even when he’s huffing along on a hot day with plenty of gear in his pack. (And maybe a kid on his back, too.) The Targhees are full-sized boots, lacing up above the ankle and offering excellent support and cushioning, yet they still weigh just a hair over a pound apiece. When you need the best lightweight hiking boots that don’t make any sacrifices for safety, stability, or comfort, these are our recommendation for summer hiking boots for men.
The Best Summer Trail Running Shoes for Men - Columbia Montrail Trinity AG Trail Running Shoe
These trail runners were designed with serious athletes in mind – they are more than suitable for someone who is headed out to log 150+ KM during a UTMB run, for example, or headed for an ultra in Moab thanks to their safe and supportive dual-density insole, a carefully crafted tread pattern, a lacing system that keeps the shoe securely wrapped around the foot mile after mile, and a water-resistant yet breathable upper. So yes, they’re probably a bit over-designed for the casual trail runner or the hiker who will be traveling light, but that’s precisely why we’ve always thought Columbia’s Montrail trail shoes (which yes, we have worn while running dozens of kilometers in the Alps, by the way!) are a great choice – better to have better gear than you need, not worse.
The best WoMen’s Summer Hiking Footwear
The Best Summer Hiking Shoes for Women - Danner Trail 2650 GTX Hiking Shoes
These shoes get more trail use, from spring to fall, than any other pair of women’s hiking footwear in our house. And when a pair finally wears down, it’s replaced with yet another pair of Trail 2650s – they are that good. (For the record, that has only happened once so far, because they are also that durable!) Solid enough for use on rough roots and rocks, steady enough for use on slick slopes (thank you, Vibram MegaGrip sole), and comfortable enough for the longest hikes, these are a perfect low-rise, high-performance hiking shoe for summer, and frankly for any season until there’s snow on the ground or monsoon rains.
The Best Summer Hiking Boots for Women - Erem Xerocole Desert Hiking Boot
If you’re looking for one seriously tough hiking boot, you’re looking in the right place with this one. These boots were literally designed for the desert, so they’re ready for sharp and spiny things, for rocks, for sand, and of course for hot weather. A moisture-wicking and highly breathable upper allows for excellent heat release and reduces sweat build up and odor, while the thick outsole and six-millimeter deep lugs offer excellent stability and grip. The classic, dare we say timeless styling? That doesn’t hurt, either.
The Best Summer Trail Running Shoes for Women - AKU Rapida Air
If you’ll be moving fast on moderately challenging trails while carrying minimal gear weight on a hot day, these are the trail runners that should be on your feet. Why? Because that first sentence there is literally a use case profile that defined the design of these women’s trail runners. They are lightweight and with a soft, flexible upper that stays snug to your foot, the sole offers enough flex to let you feel the ground and run responsively yet remain supported and stable – an aggressive tread pattern helps there – and the shoes are amazingly breathable thanks to the knitted design of the fabric.
The best summer hiking footwear for kids
The Best Little Kids’ Summer Hiking Shoes - KEEN Targhee Sport Vent Hiking Shoe
These hiking shoes keep little feet safe, that’s the first thing to know. From a thick rubber toecap that rises all the way up and over the toes to a tread pattern that keeps kids upright even on rough terrain to the ankle-height collar that reduces the chance of a sprain, the Targhee Sport Vents are designed to keep little hikers safe. They are also designed to keep kids’ feet comfy, with a soft EVA footbed and a breathable mesh upper that reduces heat. And finally, they are easy for little hikers to put on and secure thanks to a sliding toggle lacing system and hook-and-loop closure strap.
The Best Big Kids Summer Hiking Shoe - Salewa Juniors Wildfire WP Shoe
Like all of our favorite pieces of outdoor gear for kids, these hiking shoes are every bit as well-made as a good pair of adult trail shoes, they just happen to be available in smaller sizes. The aggressive tread pattern is suitable for use on varied terrain and even for trail running, while the thick, sturdy sole can endure plenty of impacts on a long hike. A cushioned “Ortholite” footbed offers comfort and support even with a bit of gear weight (keep that low on those growing bodies, of course), while a toggle-operated lacing system is easy for kids to use. And while waterproof, these kids’ hiking shoes are also highly breathable, releasing heat and reducing moisture build-up, which makes them good for summertime use.
The Best Little Kids’ Summer Hiking Boot - Columbia Little Kids’ Newton Ridge Hiking Boot
Lightweight enough for little hikers but tough enough for difficult terrain, these are great hiking boots for the young outdoorsman or outdoorswoman who won’t let youth hold them back from adventure. The tall collar provides full ankle support while the rugged leather upper protects little feet from bumps and pokes. The upper is also fully waterproof yet still allows for breathability. Underfoot, a lightweight but soft midsole offers cushioning while a grippy set of treads keeps feet firmly planted with each step.
The Best Big Kids’ Summer Hiking Boot - Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots
Waterproof against rain, puddles, and streams? Check. Breathable enough upper to release excess heat and moisture building up within? Also check. These light but rugged boots are a great choice for bigger kids to use on warmer hikes thanks to that breathability, and because they have broadly-spaced lugs that will help keep a young hiker upright and moving on all the varied surfaces a summer hike can present, from mud to grass to rocks to dry, dusty trails.