Best Value for Money Hiking Shoes

Updated October 17, 2026. Prices checked October 17, 2026.

Five shoes cost between $145 and $165, and none is waterproof. The HOKA Speedgoat 7 is a trail runner and scores highest by a clear margin, with strong traction and the most cushioning. The Merrell Moab 3 is the heavier leather-and-mesh classic, with 3,873 owner reviews on REI. The Merrell Moab Speed 2, the Saucony Peregrine 16 and the Altra Lone Peak 9 are lighter and less durable. CleverHiker calls the Lone Peak's traction the clearest caution among its strengths.

How these scores are built. Hiking shoes are judged mainly on traction, which counts for 45% of the score. Comfort and cushioning counts 25%, and the other two criteria count 15% each. Based on: Independent tests by CleverHiker, OutdoorGearLab, Switchback Travel and GearJunkie, manufacturer specifications and prices read on REI. Most tests cover general hiking use. We do not test products in person. 6 source pages are linked under the 5 products so you can check each finding. How we score.

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#	Product	Best for	Traction	Score
1	HOKA Speedgoat 7	Best cushioned and grippy	8.5	8.1
2	Saucony Peregrine 16	Lightest and fastest	8.5	7.5
3	Merrell Moab Speed 2	Best for warm weather	7.5	7
4	Merrell Moab 3	Most owner reviews	6.5	6.7
5	Altra Lone Peak 9	Roomiest toe box	5.5	6.2

HOKA Speedgoat 7

Best cushioned and grippy, $165.00

8.1/10

Standout strength. Trail runner used for hiking. GearJunkie names it its best trail runner for hiking, and CleverHiker rates it 4.5 of 5.

Traction 45%: 8.5/10
Comfort and cushioning 25%: 8.5/10
Weight 15%: 8.5/10
Durability 15%: 5.5/10

Pros

CleverHiker praises cushy soles, excellent traction, great arch support and a roomy toe box. OutdoorGearLab (77) calls it super lightweight with springy cushioning and a wide, stable base.
It weighs about 1 lb 3.4 oz a pair in CleverHiker's test.

Cons

CleverHiker says the uppers and midsoles are less durable and the midsole is stiffer than before. OutdoorGearLab found a short fit and less stability when sidehilling.
It is not waterproof.

Sources: REI, CleverHiker, OutdoorGearLab, GearJunkie

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Saucony Peregrine 16

Lightest and fastest, $150.00

7.5/10

Standout strength. Trail runner used for hiking. CleverHiker rates it 4.6 of 5 as its best lightweight trail runner for long distances.

Traction 45%: 8.5/10
Comfort and cushioning 25%: 6.5/10
Weight 15%: 8.5/10
Durability 15%: 5/10

Pros

CleverHiker praises very light weight, excellent traction, a more accommodating forefoot and breathability. Switchback Travel calls it lightweight and still supportive.
It weighs about 1 lb 3 oz a pair, and REI shows 87 owner reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5.

Cons

CleverHiker says it is less protective and less durable than hiking shoes, with moderate cushioning and laces that may wear faster.
Switchback Travel says it fits narrow. It is not waterproof.

Sources: REI, CleverHiker, Switchback Travel

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Merrell Moab Speed 2

Best for warm weather, $145.00

7/10

Standout strength. OutdoorGearLab names it its Top Pick for warm climate hiking.

Traction 45%: 7.5/10
Comfort and cushioning 25%: 7.5/10
Weight 15%: 6/10
Durability 15%: 5.5/10

Pros

Switchback Travel names it its runner-up and says it checks the right boxes for most hikers. OutdoorGearLab (70) found it sheds heat, is comfortable and has great traction.
REI shows 772 owner reviews averaging 4.5 out of 5.

Cons

Switchback Travel found a roomy toe box and an insecure heel on technical terrain, and OutdoorGearLab found a soft upper that lacks support on steep ground.
It is not waterproof.

Sources: REI, OutdoorGearLab, Switchback Travel, GearJunkie

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Merrell Moab 3

Most owner reviews, $145.00

6.7/10

Standout strength. REI shows 3,873 owner reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, the most of any shoe in this ranking.

Traction 45%: 6.5/10
Comfort and cushioning 25%: 8/10
Weight 15%: 4.5/10
Durability 15%: 7.5/10

Pros

CleverHiker (4.3 of 5) calls it excellent value, very comfortable, durable and breathable, with little break-in. GearJunkie names it its best budget hiking shoe.
OutdoorGearLab (69) praises comfort and quality construction.

Cons

CleverHiker finds it heavier and bulkier underfoot than trail runners, and OutdoorGearLab found average traction.
Switchback Travel says it is not built for technical terrain. The standard version is not waterproof.

Sources: REI, CleverHiker, OutdoorGearLab, Switchback Travel, GearJunkie

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Altra Lone Peak 9

Roomiest toe box, $145.00

6.2/10

Standout strength. Zero-drop trail runner used for thru-hiking. GearJunkie names it its best zero-drop hiking shoe.

Traction 45%: 5.5/10
Comfort and cushioning 25%: 7.5/10
Weight 15%: 8/10
Durability 15%: 4.5/10

Pros

CleverHiker praises a roomy toe box, light weight, flexible outsoles, a rock plate and no break-in. Switchback Travel calls it a thru-hiker favorite for its low weight and comfort-first design.
It weighs about 1 lb 6.3 oz a pair, and REI shows 199 owner reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5.

Cons

CleverHiker rates it 3.9 of 5, calls traction the clearest caution and says it is not as durable as some and not weather resistant.
Switchback Travel says the roomy fit and flexible build are not ideal for difficult terrain. Zero drop takes time to get used to.

Sources: REI, CleverHiker, Switchback Travel, GearJunkie

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How we picked

Each score comes from independent tests (CleverHiker, OutdoorGearLab, Switchback Travel and GearJunkie), manufacturer specifications and the price on REI. We do not test shoes in person. Ratings are our assessment from what the reviewers report, and fit varies by foot. Trail runners sit in this ranking because many hikers wear them, and each carries a standout line that says so.

The Moab 3 has four independent sources, and the Speedgoat, the Moab Speed 2 and the Lone Peak have three. The Peregrine has two.

What we left out

Brooks Cascadia 20 ($160): scored just below the five shoes here.
KEEN Hightrail Waterproof ($145 to $150) and adidas Terrex Free Hiker SL GTX ($150): one test or none.
Waterproof versions such as the Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof ($165) and the Altra Lone Peak 9 Waterproof ($165): the tests we read score the non-waterproof versions here.

What to look for

Cushioning versus ground feel: trail runners cushion more, leather-and-mesh shoes protect more
Fit: several of these run short or narrow, and the Lone Peak runs wide
Waterproofing, which none of these has, so the premium ranking covers waterproof shoes

Questions

Why is the Brooks Cascadia 20 not here?

It costs $160 and CleverHiker rates it 4.3 of 5, but it scored just below the five shoes here because reviewers say the mesh upper is less durable than a hiking shoe. Each ranking keeps its five best scores.

Why are the KEEN Hightrail and the adidas Terrex Free Hiker SL not here?

The KEEN Hightrail WP ($145 to $150) has one test and the Free Hiker SL GTX ($150) has none that we read. We rank only shoes with independent evidence.

Where do the prices come from?

The regular price on REI on October 17, 2026. Sale and outlet prices are ignored. The trail runners come from REI's trail running catalog.