Skip to content

Buying advice

Hiking shoe finder

The trail decides. So does your shoe.

Which hiking shoe suits your trail? Available models for women, men and children, explained honestly: how high the cuff is, what sole it has and what the shoe is made for. Five questions guide you to the right pair.

Find your shoe in 5 questions5 questions4 terrain check

Who is the shoe for?

Question 1 of 5

Our selection

The Shoes we took a close look at. Every answer narrows it down.

All shoes

Hiking shoes by use

Filter by use or sort by weight.

Columbia Redmond IV WaterproofColumbiaRedmond IV Waterprooflow (Low)Omni-Grip LiveOmni-Tech
from €64.95
Hanwag Makra Pro Lady GTXHanwagMakra Pro Lady GTXmid-height (Mid)Vibram MakraGORE-TEX
from €274.05
Lowa Innox EVO II GTXLowaInnox EVO II GTXLOWA ENDURO EVO IIGORE-TEX390 g
from €135.85
La Sportiva Aequilibrium ST GTXLa SportivaAequilibrium ST GTXVibram® MontGORE-TEX515 g
from €226.75
Hanwag Makra Pro Bunion Lady GTXHanwagMakra Pro Bunion Lady GTXmid-height (Mid)Vibram MakraGORE-TEX
from €279.35
La Sportiva Aequilibrium ST GTXLa SportivaAequilibrium ST GTXVibram® MontGORE-TEX
from €269.25
Salewa Condor Evo GTXSalewaCondor Evo GTXhigh (High)Vibram TetonGORE-TEX
from €262.35
Hanwag Makra Pro GTXHanwagMakra Pro GTXmid-height (Mid)Vibram MakraGORE-TEX
from €273.35
CMP Rigel Mid WPCMPRigel Mid WPmid-height (Mid)CMP FullOn GRIPClima Protect
from €57.85
CMP Rigel Low WPCMPRigel Low WPlow (Low)CMP FullOn GRIPClima Protect
from €68.35
Lowa Innox EVO II GTXLowaInnox EVO II GTXLOWA ENDURO EVO II WsGORE-TEX290 g
from €130.55
Lowa Renegade EVO GTX LOLowaRenegade EVO GTX LOlow (Low)VIBRAM RENVALE WsGORE-TEX
from €156.85
Lowa Maddox Pro GTX LOLowaMaddox Pro GTX LOlow (Low)LOWA FAST HIKING WsGORE-TEX
from €144.25
Dolomite NibeliaDolomiteNibeliaNew Hiker – XS-Trek
from €97.15
CMP Rigel Low FitGo Trek WP LeatherCMPRigel Low FitGo Trek WP Leatherlow (Low)CMP FullOn GRIPClima Protect
from €66.95
adidas Terrex Skychaser AX5 Mid GORE-TEXadidas TerrexSkychaser AX5 Mid GORE-TEXmid-height (Mid)ContinentalGORE-TEX
from €97.85
The North Face Verto Alpine Mid GORE-TEXThe North FaceVerto Alpine Mid GORE-TEXmid-height (Mid)Vibram XS TrekGORE-TEX
from €135.85
Garmont Hexagon GTXGarmontHexagon GTXmid-height (Mid)VIBRAM VERTEXGORE-TEX
from €182.95
Columbia GeoTerra Trek OutDry Leather Hiking BootColumbiaGeoTerra Trek OutDry Leather Hiking Bootmid-height (Mid)VibramOutDry
from €128.85
Lowa Maddox Pro GTX LOLowaMaddox Pro GTX LOlow (Low)LOWA PLAYVENTUREGORE-TEX
from €79.85
Lowa Maddox Pro GTX Mid VCLowaMaddox Pro GTX Mid VCmid-height (Mid)LOWA PLAYVENTUREGORE-TEX
from €90.05
CMP Kiruna Mid FitGo WPCMPKiruna Mid FitGo WPmid-height (Mid)CMP FullOn GRIPClima Protect
from €53.25
Merrell Moab Speed 2 GTXMerrellMoab Speed 2 GTXlow (Low)Vibram TC5+GORE-TEX
from €113.15
Scarpa Mojito GTXScarpaMojito GTXTC4+Gore-TexePTFE most
from €128.75
Lowa Zirrox II GTX LOLowaZirrox II GTX LOlow (Low)LOWA MULTI TRAC KIDSGORE-TEX
from €82.75
Lowa Renegade EVO GTX MidLowaRenegade EVO GTX Midmid-height (Mid)VIBRAM RENE TRAC WsGORE-TEX
from €176.05
Lowa Zirrox II GTX MidLowaZirrox II GTX Midmid-height (Mid)LOWA MULTI TRAC KIDSGORE-TEX
from €75.85
Lowa Renegade EVO GTX MidLowaRenegade EVO GTX Midmid-height (Mid)VIBRAM RENE TRACGORE-TEX
from €177.85
Salewa Puez 2 Mid PowertexSalewaPuez 2 Mid Powertexmid-height (Mid)POMOCA Alpine TrekkerPowertex
from €149.85
Salewa Alp Trainer 2 Mid GTXSalewaAlp Trainer 2 Mid GTXmid-height (Mid)VIBRAM Alpine HikingGORE-TEX
from €164.85
Salewa Alp Trainer 2SalewaAlp Trainer 2low (Low)VIBRAM Alpine Hiking450 g
from €134.85
Lowa Innox EVO GTX QCLowaInnox EVO GTX QCLOWA ENDURO EVO JUNIORGORE-TEX190 g
from €93.65
La Sportiva Nepal Trek Evo GTXLa SportivaNepal Trek Evo GTXhigh (High)Vibram® MatterhornGORE-TEX
from €327.55
Lowa Renegade EVO GTX LOLowaRenegade EVO GTX LOlow (Low)VIBRAM RENVALEGORE-TEX
from €159.85
CMP Kiruna Low FitGo WPCMPKiruna Low FitGo WPlow (Low)CMP FullOn GRIPClimaProtect
from €48.45
Hanwag TashiHanwagTashimid-height (Mid)Vibram Tessin760 g
from €354.45
Hanwag Banks GTXHanwagBanks GTXmid-height (Mid)Vibram Endurance ProGORE-TEX
from €209.95
CMP Rigel Mid WPCMPRigel Mid WPmid-height (Mid)CMP FullOn GRIPClima Protect
from €42.95
Lowa Maddox Pro GTX LO SLLowaMaddox Pro GTX LO SLlow (Low)LOWA FAST HIKINGGORE-TEX
from €143.85
Lowa Innovo GTX MidLowaInnovo GTX Midmid-height (Mid)LOWA TERRA TRAC WsGORE-TEX
from €159.85
Hanwag Alta Bunion II GTXHanwagAlta Bunion II GTXmid-height (Mid)Vibram Endurance ProGORE-TEX
from €217.85
Salewa Puez 2 Mid PowertexSalewaPuez 2 Mid Powertexmid-height (Mid)POMOCA Alpine TrekkerPowertex
from €149.85
adidas Terrex BOA Mid RAIN.RDYadidas TerrexBOA Mid RAIN.RDYmid-height (Mid)Traxion
from €63.95
Salewa MTN Trainer 2 Mid GTXSalewaMTN Trainer 2 Mid GTXmid-height (Mid)Vibram WTC 2GORE-TEX
from €202.35
Salewa Alp Trainer 2 GTXSalewaAlp Trainer 2 GTXlow (Low)VIBRAM Alpine HikingGORE-TEX
from €149.85
Merrell Moab Speed 2 GTXMerrellMoab Speed 2 GTXlow (Low)Vibram TC5+GORE-TEX
from €129.95
Hanwag Banks GTXHanwagBanks GTXmid-height (Mid)Vibram Endurance ProGORE-TEX
from €211.05
Salewa Alp Trainer 2 Mid GTXSalewaAlp Trainer 2 Mid GTXmid-height (Mid)VIBRAM Alpine HikingGORE-TEX
from €164.85

H Values marked H come from the manufacturers.

Terrain check

Which shoe for which trail?

What the cuff and sole need to do on different terrain, shown from the side with shoes that fit the conditions.

Schematic illustration, not measured data. Shaft and crampon compatibility according to the manufacturer or shop.

Good to know

Explained briefly

If you want to dig deeper

Advice

Low, mid or high – which cuff is right?

On wide, well-maintained paths, a low shoe is usually enough: it is lighter and lets the ankle move freely. A mid cuff surrounds the ankle and keeps dirt and wet conditions out better on trails with roots and rocks. High cuffs are mainly found on mountaineering and trekking shoes for scree and heavy loads.

What does crampon-compatible mean?

The shoe manufacturer decides whether and which crampons fit a shoe. Semi-automatic crampons need a heel welt, while automatic crampons need welts at the heel and toe. If the shoe does not say anything about this, do not plan to use it with crampons.

How much does a hiking shoe weigh?

Manufacturers sometimes give the weight for one shoe and sometimes for a pair, always in a specific size. So only compare figures with the same basis; the finder shows both.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a waterproof hiking shoe?

For wet grass, rain and snowfields, yes. A membrane such as GORE-TEX keeps water out; on hot days, it also makes the shoe warmer inside. For dry summer trails, a shoe without a membrane may feel more comfortable.

How do I find the right size?

Try them on in the afternoon, wearing the socks you hike in. There should be about a thumb's width of space at the front, so your toes do not hit the end downhill. The size chart is on every product page in the shop.

Is a higher cuff always better?

No. It surrounds the ankle and keeps stones out, but it is heavier and stiffer. On good trails, a low-cut shoe is often more comfortable.