Lightweight hiking shoes are best for three-season hikes on established trails with a total pack weight of 35 pounds or less. If your pack weighs more than that, please don’t go out and buy a pair of heavy boots. Reduce your pack weight instead and your feet will thank you.

I have worn the same model of hiking shoes (Merrell Moabs) since 2006. But, I didn’t want to write an article entitled “The Single Best Hiking Shoe” (even though I think they may be). So I’ve included four other popular hiking shoes in this list to give you a few more options.

These shoes have been on the market for several years, receive consistently high ratings at online retailers like REI.com and Amazon.com and I see them a lot on the trails.

The Salomon XA PRO 3D is the shoe I see hikers wearing second most (behind the Merrell Moabs) out on the trails. These shoes have been around for years and are an excellent choice for lightweight backpacking.

Average Weight (Pair): 28 oz
Wide Sizes Available: Yes

Order Salomon XA Pro 3D Online

New Balance 510

New Balance shoes are a popular choice for ultralight backpackers and hikers on a budget. They are not as durable and long-lasting as the other shoes on this list, but they are lightweight, comfortable and inexpensive.

Average Weight (Pair): 24 oz
Wide Sizes Available: Yes

Order New Balance 501 Online

KEEN Targhee II

KEEN shoes have a unique shape (similar to a Dutch Clog) which cradles your feet and provides good arch support. This brand is known for comfort and has a cult following among day and section hikers (but some long-distance backpackers have reported durability issues).

Average Weight (Pair): 32 oz
Wide Sizes Available: No

Order Keen Targhee II Online

Merrell Moab Mid GTX

If you are looking for a shoe that is more like a boot, the Merrell Moab Mid GTX provides ankle support and a waterproof membrane while retaining the comfortable design and materials from the popular Moab Ventilator.

Average Weight (Pair): 34 oz
Wide Sizes Available: Yes

Order Merrell Moab Mid GTX Online

There are lots of other good hiking shoes, but these are some of the most popular choices.

Socks and Insoles

High quality socks and insoles are just as important for foot comfort as a good pair of lightweight hiking shoes. Here are some good options for hiking socks and insoles:

Hiking Socks

Smartwool Light Hiker (Thick)
Smartwool PHD Light (Medium)
Wrightsock Coolmesh (Thin)

Hiking Insoles

Superfeet Premium Insoles (Stiff)
Montrail Enduro Soles (Medium)
Spenco Polysorb Insoles (Soft)

Have a question about lightweight hiking shoes or a recommendation based on your own experiences? Please post your comments below…



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