Picking the Best Hiking Boot - 10 Hiking Boots Comparison!

Merrell, Keen, North Face, and Salomon: who makes the best hiking boot for warm climates? I ordered 10 pairs of boots to test on the treadmill, and I'm only keeping one. Well, maybe two.

Brief Notes:

- North Face Hedgehog Futurelight feels like nothing. Easily the lightest of the group, it fits well, has a smooth liner, and breathes better than any of the other waterproof membranes. Buy this one if you're looking for an around-town boot or if your trails don't get very rocky, because you will feel every pebble under the soft sole. Good luck finding it right now. I managed to find a pair at my local BassPro.

Kyle Broderick, The Social Regressive

00:00 Test Parameters
02:40 Salomon Quest 4 GTX
07:57 Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX
12:44 North Face Hedgehog Futurelight Mid
16:14 Merrell MOAB 2 Tactical WP 8"
20:18 Merrell MOAB 2 Mid GTX & Vent
24:32 Keen Targhee II Waterproof
27:23 Keen Targhee Vent
28:02 Keen Targhee III Waterproof
32:40 Darn Tough Socks
33:20 Conclusion

[okthenok]

I love how the dog is looking for the best place to start digging and escape! lol

[ericb.]

I'm on my 3rd pair of MERRILL MOAB Mid waterproof boots and NEVER felt a "bump" in any of these boots. They are excellent boots. I also use the MOAB low show for desert hiking and wading in streams when hiking requires it. Great for both purposes.

[Nanster-gvnf]

I only use Merrells and Salomons. I can tell you positively that Merrell moab mids are the exact same boot either in Med or wide widths. They just use a slightly larger insole insert to make the difference.

[translash]

I swear by the X Ultra 3's. I dayhike in them and I have backpacked in them with 15-25 lbs throughout Torres del Paine in Chile (80 miles). Could definitely light -medium backpack in them with replacement insoles like the superfeet hike for more stability and foot support. Ankle lock can be achieved with those insoles + heel lock lacing technique.

[Jarrow]

I'm now on my 2nd pair of Keen Kovens. Only boot in this class that can last a year of hiking without failing. But then again the rocky terrain of the Magalies Mountains in South Africa is considered by many some of the harshest rocky terrain and some of the harshest on hiking boots in the world. So getting 11 to 12 months out of a "PU style" boot that hikes every Sunday, is something very few boots are capable of doing. Salomons, you are lucky to get 6 months out of them in that terrain. Only other boots that outlasts the Keens are pretty much full grain leather boots that weigh allot more and the weight is significant and a huge compromise.

[damonschlott]

most my hiking is in Rocksavania. I need a high for ankle support and a hard sole to keep the rocks from destroying the bottom of my feet. I’ve owned Danners, which would not support my ankles, Merrill’s, which fell like it has no sole. I swear I could feel twigs through them. Nothing beats the Solomon’s I had and will be buying again.

[joshleal]

I own the salomon ones for about 2 years and to be honest I never have a problem with sweet or blister and for me have been one of best boots I own in a while. But like you said, no all the boots works for everyone. Nice review.

[kjsilver]

Keen Targhee III: I just took them out for an 8 mile hike over moderately rocky terrain - horrible. I felt every single rock through the balls of my feet - horrible. Returned them the following day for a pair of Oboz Bridger Mid BDry Hiking Boots (wide). Keen has been solid in the past, but increasingly disappointing with newer products. Will try the Oboz soon.

[kenkitching]

I too love keens. Here’s something to consider. You may have left out the best one. The KEEN VOYAGER. Which is basically a taller ventilated targhee 2. The targhee 3 looked good but have an inferior sole to the targhee 2 and voyager. Strange but true. Try it and see. You’ll agree.

[jonsonnenschein]

I wear, Keen, Oboz and Salomon. Look into the Oboz, you may like them.

[PeteZa]

I wear Merrill mid height boots daily to work and on most days off. Here in Upstate NY the waterproof ones do great for me.

Also, have tried Solomon and was hugely disappointed. They were narrow and didn't hold up to daily wear. My little toe poked through the mesh on the side.

[SubaruWRC]

I just bought the salomon quest 4 gtx today as I needed a boot for work and general use as for my job I'm stood between 8 to 11 hours straight so after something supportive and comfortable and I like a nice comfortable boot for general use too. I went to an outdoor shop and they measured my feet and it seemed to fit nicely to that one more than another one which I think was also salomon but will see how they do

[EugeneSan]

Great review. But I think you've tested the "wrong" Salomon Quest, you should've checked the Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX. They have the structure similar to the Quest you've tested but the materials are similar to your favorite Keen Targhee III Waterproof. I've hiked in those in Arizona mountains where the temperature starts at 40F and might end at 80F in full sun. No swamping and the reset is just about perfect.

[cwolf]

You should try Lock Laces. Although I think the aftermarket metal lace tips are better than their End of Lace piece.

[Hepta.Asteras]

Got the Targhee IIIs. Very nice, stable and comfortable. But only lasted one year with moderate weekend hikes. Seams on all 4 sides unglued and fell apart and rubber sole wore down to holes in some areas.

[gwandana]

What's the best boot? The one that fits your feet. For me it's Salomon and Merrill. Can't wear Keens because my heel lifts in them.

[MrNmnm]

I really like the fit of the merrells but i always get meta pain after a few wears. Cant go wrong with the keens, comfortable right out of the box but the waterproofing never lasts very long. I love the solomons but are way too narrow

[mz]

I have the Salomon Ultra 4, love them so far. Used to wear Altra Lone Peaks but my ankles aren’t doing so good anymore after sprains lol

[Holledel]

I liked the feel of the Moab2 but like a lot of low cut hiking boots they don’t have any ankle support. My favorite boots were rocky C4t but they were discontinued and they were slicker than greased owl sh*t in the mud or snow.

[daveaver]

I thought the 10.5’s I ordered felt walked in already. Great review. I’m a big Tecnica fan, wider in regular fit.