Zero drop trail shoes, max cushion backpacking shoes, low drop hybrids, waterproof Gore-Tex hikers: there are a lot of options fighting for a spot on your feet. So I lined up the five hiking shoes I've actually put real miles on, on trail, around town, and on concrete at work, to break down why I love each one, who it's for, and the honest cons nobody seems to mention.
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Best Hiking Shoes of 2026 at a Glance
Drop is the height difference between your heel and forefoot. Zero drop shoes are flat and give you a grounded feel, while most traditional shoes land between 6 and 12 mm. Stack heights are listed heel / forefoot, and weights are approximate per shoe in men's sizing.
Altra Lone Peak 9+
Price: $160 | Weight: 11.5 oz | Drop: 0 mm | Stack: 25 / 25 mm
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip | Waterproof: No
Topo Athletic Terraventure 5
Price: $145 | Weight: 10.3 oz | Drop: 3 mm | Stack: 25 / 22 mm
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip | Waterproof: No
Altra Olympus 275
Price: $195 | Weight: 11.9 oz | Drop: 0 mm | Stack: 33 / 33 mm
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip | Waterproof: No
Arc'teryx Norvan LD 4
Price: $170 | Weight: 9.5 oz | Drop: 6 mm | Stack: 25 / 19 mm
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip with Litebase | Waterproof: No
Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX
Price: $175 | Weight: 13 oz | Drop: 11 mm | Stack: 33 / 22 mm
Outsole: All-Terrain Contagrip | Waterproof: Yes (Gore-Tex)
1. Altra Lone Peak 9+: Best for Ground Feel
Best for: hikers and backpackers who want to feel the trail and move naturally.
What I Love
The Lone Peak is the shoe that made Altra's wide toe box famous. It fits normally through the heel and midfoot, then opens up so your toes can splay out. It's the softest, most flexible shoe in this lineup, and when I take a step, I feel what's under my foot. After decades of hiking, I've learned to react when a rock shifts or my ankle starts to roll, and that only works if I can feel the terrain.
Get the 9+ over the standard Lone Peak 9. The plus version swaps Altra's MaxTrac rubber for a Vibram Megagrip outsole that's tougher, stickier, and in my experience lasts about 20 percent longer. Outsole wear was the biggest complaint about the Lone Peak 6 and 7, and Altra listened. A teammate and I have worn the 9+ on concrete every day for the last year, and the lugs are holding up. It also has Altra's GaiterTrap for easy gaiter attachment.
The Cons
- Older Lone Peaks wore through outsoles fast. The 9+ fixes that, which is why I recommend it.
- If you want a plush barrier between you and the ground, look at the Olympus 275 instead.
2. Topo Athletic Terraventure 5: Best for Transitioning to Low Drop
Best for: everyday wear, rocky and scrambly hikes, and anyone easing into zero drop.
What I Love
This is my day to day shoe. Honestly, I mow my lawn in it more than anything else. It's the shoe in this lineup I've spent the least time in, but it's earned its spot. The fit is similar to the Lone Peak, with a snug heel and midfoot and a wide toe box that's just slightly less roomy.
It's noticeably stiffer than the Lone Peak, thanks in part to a forefoot rock plate, so it feels more supportive on scrambles, slab, and rocky sections. The 3 mm drop makes it a great stepping stone if you're coming from typical 6 to 10 mm running shoes and want to train your feet to get closer to the ground. Topo's FKT Insole has a tactile, slightly tacky feel with a lot of rebound, and it drains water quickly.
The Cons
- That tacky insole isn't for everyone.
- It runs narrow through the midfoot, so wider feet may feel squeezed. Try it on before you buy.
Shop the Topo Athletic Terraventure 5
3. Altra Olympus 275: Best Backpacking Shoe
Best for: long miles, multi-day trips, and zero drop fans who want more cushion.
What I Love
This is my favorite backpacking shoe, period. Think of it as the Lone Peak 9+ on steroids: still zero drop with the same wide toe box and Vibram Megagrip outsole, but with a 33 mm stack for way more cushion under your foot.
The MATRYX upper is a Kevlar-reinforced weave that's durable, light, abrasion resistant, and quick drying. It isn't waterproof, but it sheds dew and wet grass really well. MATRYX is showing up on more outdoor shoes because it helps prevent toe blowouts, which have always plagued backpacking shoes after hundreds of miles. A built-in scree sleeve hugs your ankle to keep debris out, and a natural rocker helps propel you forward.
Here's how I split my Altras: on a 10 mile hike, I'm in the Lone Peak. On a 30, 40, or 50 mile backpacking trip, I'm in the Olympus 275. It's been my backpacking shoe for the last year and it's not going anywhere.
The Cons
- The high stack feels like walking on a cloud, which means less ground feel. Some people hate that.
- The laces come untied all the time. Altra, please fix the laces on the next Olympus.
4. Arc'teryx Norvan LD 4: Best Everyday Trail Shoe
Best for: daily wear, fast day hikes, and one shoe that goes from trail to town.
What I Love
With a 6 mm drop, the Norvan LD 4 feels closer to a traditional shoe, and its rocker keeps you moving forward. It uses Vibram Megagrip with Litebase, a lighter version of the rubber, which makes it the lightest shoe in this lineup. The toe box is a traditional shape, but as someone who wears wide shoes, I find it very comfortable because the stretchy mesh upper has opened up over time.
This is the shoe I wear most, and my beat-up pair proves it. I've worn it for well over a year on concrete at work and all over town, and the lugs still look good. Lighter rubber, zero sloughing off.
The Cons
- Arc'teryx shoes run big, and the usual advice is to size down a half size. My feedback to their designers: just make the shoes the right size.
- The upper isn't the most durable. I tore mine up longboarding when the sticky Vibram grabbed the grip tape and I couldn't bail. Don't longboard in these.
Shop the Arc'teryx Norvan LD 4
5. Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX: Best Waterproof Hiking Shoe
Best for: rain, cold and wet shoulder seasons, and rugged mountain terrain.
What I Love
This is the only Gore-Tex shoe on the list, because I only reach for waterproof shoes when I know it's going to rain, like trips to the Pacific Northwest or Canada, or cold, wet fall days. I have hot, sweaty feet, and what doesn't let water in doesn't always let it out. On hot, dry days, skip the Gore-Tex. When the weather turns wet, this shoe is hardcore.
At 11 mm, it has the most traditional drop in the lineup, and it's by far the stiffest shoe here. It also uses a MATRYX upper for durability and toe protection. Salomon's All-Terrain Contagrip outsole holds up as well as Vibram in my experience: my old Salomon Quest boots have thousands of miles and the better part of a decade on them, and the lugs still look great. Quicklace lets you pull the cord tight and tuck it into the lace pocket on the tongue.
The Cons
- It needs a break-in. I recently told a couple heading to Alaska to get out on local trails three or four times before their trip. Once it's broken in, it'll last for years.
- It's narrow. If you have a wide foot, this probably isn't your shoe. Salomon does make a wide version, but it's still snug compared to an Altra or Topo.
Shop the Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX
Which Hiking Shoe Should You Buy?
I've owned Lone Peaks since around the second or third version, and most of these shoes have been in my rotation for two years or more. Here's how I'd break it down:
- You want to feel the trail: Altra Lone Peak 9+
- You're new to low drop or want an everyday shoe with rock protection: Topo Athletic Terraventure 5
- You're backpacking or putting in big miles: Altra Olympus 275
- You want one shoe for trail and town: Arc'teryx Norvan LD 4
- You're hiking in rain, mud, or rugged mountain terrain: Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX
Frequently Asked Questions
Are zero drop shoes good for hiking?
Yes, especially if you like feeling the terrain. If you're coming from traditional shoes, ease in with a low drop option like the 3 mm Topo Terraventure 5.
What's the difference between the Altra Lone Peak 9 and Lone Peak 9+?
The outsole. The 9+ uses Vibram Megagrip instead of MaxTrac, and it's tougher, stickier, and lasts noticeably longer.
Should I get waterproof Gore-Tex hiking shoes?
Only if you regularly hike in wet conditions. Gore-Tex traps heat and sweat, so a breathable shoe is more comfortable on warm, dry days.
Which of these hiking shoes is best for wide feet?
The Altra Lone Peak 9+ and Olympus 275 are the roomiest, followed by the Topo Terraventure 5. The Norvan LD 4 stretches over time, and the Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX is the narrowest.
Try Them On Before You Buy
Fit is personal, so if you're nearby, stop by our store and try these on in person, or shop the whole lineup online at Ridge and River. Which hiking shoe are you rocking right now? Let us know in the comments on the video over on YouTube.
