Hiking boots today can be as much of a fashion statement as they can be a technical tool that can make or break a serious mountain hike. Salewa manages to combine both in its Pedroc Pro Powertex Mid PTX, one of the most comfortable boots we tested. Salewa touts its boots as "blister-free" (at least for the first year) and in our many miles and weeks of testing we had no reason to doubt their claim. The Pedroc Pro Powertex are comfortable yet snug, employing a similar lacing system and net of Kevlar cables used on the ultra light Pedroc Air's. It makes for a nice snug fit without binding or pinching, and we found it even accommodates wide feet within its regular form factor. As expected, there were no problems in this department. The Gore-Tex lining will hold out for a long, long time, and the Crossover sole with SuperGum rubber provided plenty of grip in the mud and on the steep sections. The Trail 2650 Campo's use a Gore-Tex Invisible Fit waterproof synthetic upper that is intended to be lightweight but still keep your feet dry. It uses a gasket design in which there's no tongue but rather a sleeve your foot slides into. This not only contributes to the waterproof aspect of the shoe but also keeps out irritating dirt and pebbles. In a variety of rainy conditions we never found reason to complain.

My older brother is firmly in the Scarpa camp. He has a ten-year-old pair of SLs that he calls his ‘proper mountain boots’ and claims that they are the only boots that he trusts for really long walks or walks in bad weather. Not all hiking boots have to be boots. Witness the low-rise shoe-like option from Vasque, the Breeze Lt Low GTX hiking boots. The Breeze Lt Low is a lightweight hiking shoe inspired by trail runners. For shorter walks that’s not a problem, but for longer walks that could result in rubbing or even blisters. Unfortunately, my first walk in the boots, at around ten miles, caused blisters on both heels.In terms of fit, while comfortable, the Vasque shoes have a narrower design than the other models we tested. And of course, being low-cut shoes they offer less protection than the boots we tested. However, if you're considering something less obtrusive and lighter that some of the big hiking boots here, the Vasque Breeze Lt Lows are a more affordable alternative. How to choose the best hiking boots for you First off, these aren't your grandfather's Timberlands. You no longer have to spend days breaking them in before your camping trip. The Mt. Maddsen's were supple and comfortable right out of the box. The mid-rise uppers are soft and while the boots are heavy compared to models like those from Scarpa and Salomon, the Timberlands can inspire confidence and make your feet feel like they are protected from the elements, even though they do not have the work-boot like heel and toe protections that the Asolo boots offer. Finally, consider the construction of the hiking boots. If you're a hot-weather, public trail day hiker, you'll want a boot that is light and breathable. On the other hand, if you often find yourself on more challenging hikes in cooler climes, you'd be better served choosing a heavier boot with more foot protection and greater warmth. More from Tom's Guide The TX Hike GTX are the alter ego to Sportiva's other entry in our top hiking boots list, the Ultra Raptor II. Whereas the Raptors are softer and tend to cosset your feet, the low-cut TX Hike GTX are big bruisers with solid but hard soles that emphasize protection over comfort. The shoes' Vibram soles feature more aggressive 5 mm lugs and a wider toe box than typical La Sportiva hikers. There's also more toe protection in the TX Hike GTX shoes than you'll find in light-weight, speed hiking designs. And while these shoes aren't heavy in the old-school Timberline sense, they are heavier than many other shoe-style hikers, which translates into improved durability.

Why wouldn’t Scarpa want to challenge that and get in on the popularity of the fast, lightweight boot market? The Salomon X Ultra 3 boots have been incredibly popular. Walk up a busy mountain route on any weekend and look down, and it won’t take you more than a few minutes to spot a pair. They’re lightweight, well-made, waterproof and instantly comfortable. For occasional hikes and everyday comfort, La Sportiva's Ultra Raptor II GTX are hard to beat. They are forgiving and light enough to be worn all day, grippy enough to handle slippery trails, and subtle enough to wear in most offices. Of course, that’s not to say that this will be the same for everyone. Every foot is different. A couple of blister plasters and some extra tightening of the laces was all I needed to be on my way again. We were impressed with how comfortable this Hoka walking boot was. Founded by two French adventure athletes who clearly know a thing or two about mountains, the boot feels lightweight underfoot, with a protective, yet responsive midsole foam. We had no problem doing faster hikes in this shoe, and appreciated the extended heel geometry, which allowed for a stable feel on the trails.

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With a name more typically associated with skis and bindings, Salomon's Cross Hike boots make the ideal footwear for an apres ski trek. Their design is reminiscent of high-tech alpine ski boots yet their light weight offers your feet relief after a day of downhill skiing. With a classic Tyrolean design, the Asolo Fugitive GTX's are reminiscent of lace-up hiking and ski boots of the '50s and '60s. It's an attractive retro style for a pair of sturdy boots that will keep your feet solidly planted on terra firma. Dealing with weather is the second factor for hikers. If crossing the lava flows of Iceland is what you're after, you're going to have some days of rain, and you won't have time to waste drying out your boots along the way. So waterproof boots are a necessity, including gusseted tongues, which are attached to the shoe all along sides to keep out dirt and water. Most of the models we reviewed have both features. Terrain