What Are the Best Hiking Boots in 2026?

ShopBack US is a free app, website and browser extension. Start on ShopBack, then shop at the store as usual, and part of what you spend comes back as cash once the order is confirmed. Join ShopBack US for free, then open the DICK'S Sporting Goods page on ShopBack before your next order.

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What are the best hiking boots?

The best hiking boots are not one model: they are the pair that fits your foot and suits the terrain you hike most. Three questions narrow the field quickly:

1. Where do you hike? Smooth dirt paths and forest trails favor a low hiking shoe. Rocky, root-covered or steep routes favor a mid boot that rises above the ankle, according to Merrell's guide to low vs mid hiking shoes.
2. What do you carry? Merrell says the heavier your pack, the more stability matters, and a mid boot's sturdiness gives added ankle support with a heavy backpack.
3. What is the weather? If you hike in rain, snow, mud or stream crossings, a waterproof version keeps water out under normal conditions. In hot, dry weather a non-waterproof version usually breathes better.

Once you know the type, shortlist two or three long-running boot lines in that type, try them on with your hiking socks, and buy the one that fits best.

Low hiking shoes vs mid hiking boots

Low hiking shoes are lighter and more flexible; mid hiking boots trade a little weight for ankle support and protection. Merrell, which makes both, puts it this way:

	Low hiking shoes	Mid hiking boots
Height	Below the ankle	Above the ankle
Feel	Closer to a trail running shoe, lighter, more flexible	More structure and stability
Best on	Well-maintained trails, rolling hills, dry conditions	Rocky, root-covered or steep terrain
Pack weight	Day hikes without a heavy pack	Loaded packs and longer hauls
Trade-off	Less ankle support on uneven ground	Slightly more weight

Merrell adds that many hikers own both and pick by trip. If you only buy one pair and your hikes mix easy and rugged trails, a mid boot is the safer all-rounder; if you mostly walk groomed trails and travel, a low hiker is easier to live with.

Best hiking boots 2026: lines worth trying on

These are long-running hiking lines from established brands, listed by what they are known for, not ranked. Models change by season, so check the current version on each brand's or store's site.

• Merrell Moab 3: Merrell's best-known hiking line, sold in low and mid heights, in waterproof and non-waterproof versions, with Vibram outsoles on much of the Moab collection and some GORE-TEX versions. Merrell says the Moab 3 is available in wide width.
• Merrell Moab Speed 2: a lighter, faster-feeling hiker in the same family, also available in wide width according to Merrell.
• KEEN Targhee: KEEN says the Targhee line has been around for 20 years, with the Targhee IV as the current core model and the Targhee Apex as a lighter option with KEEN.ReGENX foam for a cushioned feel on rugged trails. KEEN says every KEEN shoe is made without PFAS and marks the commitment as dating from 2018.
• LOWA Renegade: a long-running boot line from LOWA, sold as its own collection on LOWA's US site.
• Oboz Bridger, Sawtooth and Katabatic: three of Oboz's boot collections, alongside hiking and backpacking boot categories on Oboz's site.

Do you need waterproof hiking boots?

You need waterproof hiking boots only if you regularly hike in wet conditions. Merrell describes its waterproof footwear as engineered to prevent water from entering under normal use conditions, and its GORE-TEX versions as using a GORE-TEX membrane engineered for waterproof protection and breathability. The trade-off is that a waterproof lining usually makes a boot warmer, and once water gets in over the top, it dries more slowly. For desert hiking or hot summer trails, a non-waterproof version is often more comfortable.

Best hiking boots for wide feet and for backpacking

For wide feet, look for a true wide width rather than sizing up, and for backpacking, look for a mid boot with more structure. Merrell says it offers both low and mid hiking shoes in wide width for a roomier toe box, including the Moab 3 and Moab Speed 2. Sizing up instead of buying a wide width can leave your heel loose, which causes blisters on descents.

For multi-day trips with a heavy pack, Merrell says a mid boot's added structure supports your ankles over longer hauls and adds protection from debris and changing weather. Try a LOWA Renegade or an Oboz Bridger alongside a mid Moab 3 or Targhee, ideally with your loaded pack on.

How to get the fit right

Fit matters more than brand, so treat these as general fitting tips.

• Try boots on with the socks you hike in, ideally later in the day when your feet are at their largest.
• Your heel should stay put when you walk, and your toes should have room to move.
• Walk downhill if the store has a ramp; your toes should not jam into the front.
• Break new boots in on short walks before a long hike.
• If you buy online, check the store's return policy for worn or outdoor-tested items before your first trail day.

Best hiking boots best deals in the US for 2026

The best hiking boot deals in 2026 usually come from buying last season's color or version, comparing the same model at two or three stores, and going through ShopBack before you pay. A few habits help:

• Match the exact version. A Moab 3 Mid Waterproof and a Moab 3 low non-waterproof are different boots with different prices. Compare like for like.
• Check older colors and versions. Brands release new colors each season, and earlier colors are often discounted.
• Use the brand's own codes. Codes from the brand's emails or account are the ones most likely to work. No code is needed for Cashback.
• Count shipping and returns. Compare totals, and check how each store handles returns of boots you have tried indoors.

DICK'S Sporting Goods vs Bass Pro Shops for hiking boots: price comparison for 2026

Neither DICK'S Sporting Goods nor Bass Pro Shops is cheaper on every hiking boot, so compare the same model, version and size at both by the total. Both are large US stores that carry hiking boots from several brands, and Cabela's is a third place many US hikers check.

What to compare	DICK'S Sporting Goods	Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's
What to match	Same model, version, width and size	Same model, version, width and size
Check	Total with shipping, return terms	Total with shipping, return terms
Last step	Start on ShopBack, then shop as usual	Check the ShopBack US store list before you buy

If the price is the same or close, DICK'S Sporting Goods through ShopBack usually works out lower once the cash comes back. Start from the ShopBack DICK'S Sporting Goods page.

How ShopBack lowers what you pay for hiking boots

ShopBack works like an automatic cash discount on your online order. Start on ShopBack, then shop at the store as usual, and part of what you paid comes back as cash after the order is confirmed.

Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.

Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash that comes back. Rates change, so check the live rate on the ShopBack DICK'S Sporting Goods page before you buy.

How to do it:

1. Pick your boot and size, and compare the price at two or three stores.
2. Open the ShopBack US app, website or browser extension and go to the store's page.
3. Tap through to the store, add the boots to your cart and pay.
4. Our guide to activating ShopBack before you buy explains each step.

Using a rewards credit card and ShopBack on the same order

You can usually earn your card's rewards and still go through ShopBack on the same boot order, because card rewards come from the card issuer and follow the issuer's rules. Check your card's terms for how it treats the purchase. Our guide to ShopBack and credit cards in the US has the details.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the best hiking boots?

The best hiking boots are the pair that matches your terrain, pack weight and foot shape. Merrell suggests low hiking shoes for well-kept trails and light packs, and mid boots for steep, rocky ground and heavy packs. Long-running lines such as the Merrell Moab 3 and KEEN Targhee are good places to start, and fit decides the final pick.

Should I buy low hiking shoes or mid hiking boots?

According to Merrell, low hiking shoes suit well-maintained trails, rolling hills, dry conditions and day hikes without a heavy pack, while mid hiking boots rise above the ankle for added support on rocky, root-covered or steep terrain and with a loaded pack. Mids weigh slightly more, which is the trade-off.

Do I need waterproof hiking boots?

Usually only if you hike in wet weather, cross streams, or walk through mud, snow or wet grass often. Waterproof boots keep water out under normal conditions, while non-waterproof boots usually breathe better and dry faster in hot, dry weather. Many popular lines, including the Merrell Moab, come in both versions.

What are good hiking boots for wide feet?

Look for lines sold in a true wide width rather than sizing up. Merrell says it offers both low and mid hiking shoes in wide width for a roomier toe box, including the Moab 3 and Moab Speed 2. Try wide versions on with your hiking socks before you buy.

Which hiking boots work best for backpacking with a heavy pack?

A mid or higher boot with a stiffer build usually works better under a heavy pack, because the extra structure supports your ankles over longer hauls, as Merrell explains. Lines such as the LOWA Renegade and Oboz Bridger are also worth trying on alongside a mid Merrell Moab 3 or KEEN Targhee.

How should hiking boots fit?

Hiking boots should hold your heel without slipping, leave room to wiggle your toes, and not pinch anywhere. Try them on with the socks you hike in, ideally later in the day, and walk on a slope if the store has one. Your toes should not hit the front on the way down.

Where can I buy hiking boots in the US?

Big outdoor and sporting goods stores such as DICK'S Sporting Goods, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's carry hiking boots from several brands, and brands like Merrell and KEEN sell on their own sites. DICK'S Sporting Goods is on ShopBack US, so start on ShopBack, then shop at the store as usual.

Is DICK'S Sporting Goods or Bass Pro Shops cheaper for hiking boots?

Neither is cheaper on every boot, and sale prices change often, so compare the same model, version and size at both by the total with shipping. At DICK'S, going through ShopBack lowers what you actually pay after the order confirms.

How does ShopBack lower the price of hiking boots?

ShopBack works like an automatic cash discount on your online order. Start on ShopBack, then shop at the store as usual, and part of what you paid comes back as cash once the order is confirmed. It works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.

Can I earn credit card rewards and use ShopBack on the same boot order?

Usually yes, because card rewards come from your card issuer and follow the issuer's rules. Check your card's terms for how it treats outdoor store purchases.

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Key takeaways

• The best hiking boot is the one that fits your foot and your trails, not a single model.
• Merrell suggests low hikers for well-kept trails and light packs, and mid boots for rocky terrain and heavy packs.
• Buy waterproof only if you hike wet; non-waterproof usually breathes better in heat.
• For wide feet, buy a true wide width; Merrell offers the Moab 3 and Moab Speed 2 in wide.
• Lines worth trying on include the Merrell Moab 3, KEEN Targhee, LOWA Renegade and Oboz Bridger.
• Compare the same version and size at two or three stores, then start on ShopBack US before you buy at DICK'S Sporting Goods.

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Related reads

Start on ShopBack before you buy at: DICK'S Sporting Goods

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About this guide

Boot types and fit guidance come from Merrell's guide to low vs mid hiking shoes and its Moab collection pages; Targhee details come from KEEN's Targhee collection page. Product versions and store prices change, so this guide points to the live rate on the store's ShopBack page instead of quoting one.

Disclaimer

The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Product lines, versions, materials, prices, return terms and ShopBack rates are set by brands and stores and can change. Check the brand's or store's site before you buy. This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice.