Updated October 17, 2026. Prices checked October 17, 2026.
Five shoes cost $170 or more. The Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX and the La Sportiva Prodigio 2 score highest. The X Ultra 5 GTX is the pick of three guides, and the Prodigio 2 is a light trail runner. The On Cloudrock Low Waterproof is the most cushioned and OutdoorGearLab's Editors' Choice, but grip counts for 45 percent of the score and its traction rating is lower, so it comes last. The HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX is the most comfortable on flat trails, and the Merrell Moab 3 GTX rests on one lab test.
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, RunRepeat and GearJunkie, manufacturer specifications and prices read on REI. Most tests cover general hiking use. We do not test products in person. 7 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
Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX
Best all-round waterproof shoe
9
8.1
2
La Sportiva Prodigio 2
Best for fast and light days
9
8.1
3
Merrell Moab 3 GTX
Best known waterproof classic
8
7.3
4
HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX
Most comfortable on flat trails
7.5
7.2
5
On Cloudrock Low Waterproof
Most cushioned
6.5
7
01
Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX
Best all-round waterproof shoe, $175.00
8.1/10
Standout strength. CleverHiker, Switchback Travel and GearJunkie each name it their best hiking shoe overall.
Traction 45%
9/10
Comfort and cushioning 25%
7.5/10
Weight 15%
5.5/10
Durability 15%
9/10
Pros
CleverHiker (4.8 of 5) praises excellent stability, strong traction in mud and scree, reliable waterproofing and excellent long-term durability. OutdoorGearLab (78) names it its best technical hiking shoe.
Switchback Travel calls it a great balance of weight and trail performance. REI shows 297 owner reviews averaging 4.1 out of 5.
Cons
CleverHiker says it is heavier and stiffer than trail runners, runs warm and has a high-volume fit with an 11 mm drop. Switchback Travel calls the fit love-it-or-hate-it.
OutdoorGearLab says the Quicklace system is not exactly fast and the shoe fits a bit narrow and short.
Standout strength. Trail runner used for hiking. CleverHiker names it its best hiking shoe for fast and light missions.
Traction 45%
9/10
Comfort and cushioning 25%
7/10
Weight 15%
8.5/10
Durability 15%
7/10
Pros
CleverHiker (4.5 of 5) praises very light weight, excellent traction, a secure fit, good durability for a trail runner, improved cushioning and strong protection for its weight.
It weighs about 1 lb 2.3 oz a pair, and REI shows 24 owner reviews averaging 4.5 out of 5.
Cons
CleverHiker says it is not ideal for wide feet, has a stiff ankle collar and can be tricky to size.
CleverHiker is the only independent test we read, so the scores carry more doubt. It is not waterproof.
Readers in Germany, Canada, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Sweden are sent to their own Amazon store, where prices show in local currency. The prices on this page are US prices.
03
Merrell Moab 3 GTX
Best known waterproof classic, $185.00
7.3/10
Traction 45%
8/10
Comfort and cushioning 25%
7.5/10
Weight 15%
4/10
Durability 15%
8/10
Pros
RunRepeat (87) names it its best overall hiking shoe and found it comfortable from the start, with strong grip, a durable build, waterproofing and a protective toe box.
REI shows 619 owner reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5.
Cons
RunRepeat found it heavy for a low-top, at 15.9 oz for one shoe, with weak breathability, laces that loosen and little shock absorption.
RunRepeat is the only independent test we read, so the scores carry more doubt.
Readers in Germany, Canada, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Sweden are sent to their own Amazon store, where prices show in local currency. The prices on this page are US prices.
04
HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX
Most comfortable on flat trails, $180.00
7.2/10
Traction 45%
7.5/10
Comfort and cushioning 25%
8.5/10
Weight 15%
4.5/10
Durability 15%
6.5/10
Pros
CleverHiker (4.4 of 5) praises a comfortable midsole, strong traction, reliable waterproofing and a supportive rocker platform. OutdoorGearLab (78) calls the performance great all around with a plush feel.
REI shows 20 owner reviews averaging 3.6 out of 5.
Cons
CleverHiker finds it heavy compared with trail runners, at 1 lb 14.6 oz, with a wide fit and an extended heel that takes adjustment. OutdoorGearLab says it is not as stable in hard off-trail terrain.
Neither test rates durability in detail, so that score is an estimate.
Readers in Germany, Canada, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Sweden are sent to their own Amazon store, where prices show in local currency. The prices on this page are US prices.
05
On Cloudrock Low Waterproof
Most cushioned, $200.00
7/10
Traction 45%
6.5/10
Comfort and cushioning 25%
9/10
Weight 15%
4.5/10
Durability 15%
7.5/10
Pros
OutdoorGearLab (81) gives it its Editors' Choice for best overall, with excellent cushion and a waterproof build. CleverHiker (4.4 of 5) praises support, strong waterproofing, durability and a rubber rand.
REI shows 75 owner reviews averaging 4.5 out of 5.
Cons
CleverHiker finds it warm, expensive and heavy, at 1 lb 14.3 oz. OutdoorGearLab found laces that are hard to snug and a sole that is cumbersome on technical terrain.
Neither test rates traction in detail, so that score is an estimate.
Each score comes from independent tests (CleverHiker, OutdoorGearLab, Switchback Travel, RunRepeat and GearJunkie), manufacturer specifications and the price on REI. RunRepeat earns commissions on shoes it recommends. We do not test shoes in person. Ratings are our assessment from what the reviewers report, and fit varies by foot. When a test covers the older version of a shoe, we do not carry it over.
The X Ultra 5 GTX has four independent sources. The Cloudrock has two and the Anacapa has three, and the Prodigio 2 and the Moab 3 GTX have one each.
What we left out
La Sportiva Spire GTX ($219): scored lowest of the six. Each ranking keeps its five best scores.
Danner Trail 2650 ($189.95), Oboz Katabatic LT Low GTX ($190) and Merrell Moab Speed 2 GTX ($175): priced, but the tests are weak or cover other versions.
adidas Terrex Free Hiker 3 Low GTX ($180): the tests cover the Free Hiker 2.
What to look for
Waterproofing: it keeps water out but adds warmth and slows drying
Weight: the Prodigio 2 weighs about 12 oz less a pair than the Cloudrock
Fit: several of these fit narrow or short, and the Anacapa fits wide
Questions
Why is the La Sportiva Spire GTX not here?
It costs $219 and CleverHiker (4.0 of 5), Switchback Travel and OutdoorGearLab (77) rate it, but it had the lowest calculated score of the six shoes in this price range because it is heavy and stiff. Each ranking keeps its five best scores.
Why are the Danner Trail 2650 and the adidas Terrex Free Hiker 3 Low not here?
The Danner Trail 2650 ($189.95) scored 60 at OutdoorGearLab, and the tests of the Free Hiker cover the older Free Hiker 2, so they were not carried over to the Free Hiker 3 ($180).
Where do the prices come from?
The regular price on REI on October 17, 2026. Sale and outlet prices are ignored. A price exactly at $170 belongs to this ranking.