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We love a good pair of hiking boots, but the best hiking shoes are ideal for many trail adventures.<\/strong> They\u2019re light, easy to move in, and keep your feet cool. You\u2019ll give up a bit of ankle support with a shoe, but many find that the increased comfort and performance are well worth the trade-off.<\/p>\n This guide combines the perspectives of prolific thru-hiker Chris Carter, consummate woodsman Nick LeFort, and trail runner, hiker, and hunter Sean McCoy. Between them, they\u2019ve spent thousands of miles testing hiking shoes from the eastern forest of Appalachia to granite peaks in California. After all that rambling, the Hoka Speedgoat 6<\/a> emerges as this season\u2019s top pick, with the Merrell Moab 3<\/a><\/strong> retaining its spot as the best budget shoe for more casual hikers.<\/p>\n Shoes are often a great choice when hiking on trails, even for big distances with packs. With lighter gear becoming mainstream, even beginners can easily get their kit under 30 pounds and negate the need for heavy, all-leather high-top boots. The list below highlights our favorite hiking shoes, field-tested and compared side-by-side. You\u2019ll find many of our top choices are also excellent trail running shoes.<\/p>\n