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If you are looking for the best hiking shoes for women and men in 2026, you are faced with a huge choice: lightweight hiking shoes for fast day hikes, high-cut hiking boots for extra stability, robust trekking boots for multi-day tours and crampon-compatible models for more demanding mountain routes. So which hiking shoes really suit your next adventure?
In this article, we show you what matters when choosing the right pair, which categories make sense for which type of use and which models impressed our mountain-loving Sport Conrad team most in our hiking shoe test.
Hiking shoe test at a glance
- Category A: Salewa Pedroc 2, Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 GTX
- Category A/B: Lowa Renegade Evo Gtx Mid, La Sportiva Aequilibrium Hike GTX
- Category B: Scarpa Ribelle TRK GTX, Meindl Litepeak GTX
- Category B/C: Hanwag Tatra II GTX, Meindl Island Active GTX
Choosing the right hiking shoe
The most important factor when choosing hiking shoes is always the intended use. On easy trails and shorter tours, you benefit from a lightweight, flexible shoe with good cushioning. As soon as the terrain becomes rockier, your backpack gets heavier or you are out for longer, you need more support, a grippier sole and a more stable upper. That is why we do not only compare the best hiking shoes 2026 by comfort and weight, but also clearly assign them to the right categories.
Hiking shoe categories
Hiking shoes are generally divided into categories A, A/B, B and B/C. This classification gives you a quick idea of how stable, flexible and terrain-ready a shoe is:
- Category A stands for lightweight, usually low-cut hiking shoes. They are well suited to easy trails and fast day hikes.
- Hiking shoes in category A/B offer a little more support. They often have a higher cut, a grippier sole and are a very good choice for classic hikes in low mountain ranges or in the foothills of the Alps.
- Category B stands for stable trekking boots. They are well suited to longer tours, rocky paths and hikes with more luggage.
- Hiking shoes in category B/C offer even more stability. They usually have a stiff sole, a robust upper and are a very good choice for demanding mountain tours. Depending on the model, they may also be suitable for use with crampons.
Features: What you should look for
Alongside the right category, several other features play an important role. When choosing the best hiking shoe, you should pay particular attention to fit, sole construction, cushioning, weight and weather protection. A good hiking shoe should sit securely on your foot without creating pressure points, offer enough space in the toe box and give you reliable grip on changing terrain. For easy trails, your shoe can be lighter and more flexible. For alpine terrain, longer hikes or heavier loads, you need more stability and a sole with greater torsional stiffness.
And if you are unsure which hiking shoe really suits your foot and your planned tours, our experts will be happy to advise you in person at our stores in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Penzberg and Wielenbach. We offer free 2D foot measurement and individual insoles to help make sure your next hiking shoe fits you perfectly.
The best hiking shoes by category
Category A: Lightweight hiking shoes with a low-cut upper
The best lightweight hiking shoes in category A are ideal if you are out on easy paths, forest roads or well-maintained hiking trails. They usually sit below the ankle, feel pleasantly flexible and roll very smoothly. This makes them a great choice for fast day hikes, travel, hut approaches or active everyday use. Lightweight hiking shoes for women and men stand out above all thanks to their low weight, precise fit and high walking comfort.
Features:
- Lightweight, usually low-cut below the ankle
- Flexible sole with a natural rolling motion
- Good cushioning for easy trails and longer walking sections
- Grippy tread for forest roads, gravel paths and dry hiking trails
- Often available with breathable upper materials or a waterproof membrane
Our highlights in category A are lightweight hiking shoes from Salewa and Scarpa. These shoes have a low-cut upper and are suitable for both women and men who are out on easy trails and fast day hikes.
Category A/B: Best hiking boots and high-cut hiking shoes
The best hiking shoes in category A/B are true all-rounders. They offer more support than low-cut models in category A, while still being comfortable enough for long days on the trail. The higher upper supports the foot around the ankle, while the grippier sole provides confidence on rooty trails, gravel and moderate mountain paths.
Features:
- Often provide more support around the ankle
- More stable sole construction than lightweight hiking shoes
- Grippy tread for forest trails, gravel, roots and moderate mountain paths
- Good balance of comfort, weight and support
- Suitable for day hikes and longer tours with light to medium luggage
- Often available with a waterproof membrane for changing weather conditions
Our highlights in category A/B are hiking boots and high-cut hiking shoes from Lowa and La Sportiva. They offer more support than low-cut models and are suitable for women and men who hike on classic trails or moderate mountain routes.
Category B: Trekking boots
The best trekking boots in category B are made for longer tours, rocky trails and more luggage. They are built more solidly than category A/B hiking boots, offer more support and reliably protect the foot on uneven terrain. This makes them a particularly good choice for multi-day hikes, more demanding mountain paths and tours where you need a robust boot with dependable support.
Features:
- Stable upper for secure support on uneven terrain
- Firm sole construction with good grip on rock, gravel and rooty trails
- More protection around the toe and heel
- Suitable for longer tours with medium to heavier luggage
- Robust materials for regular use in the mountains
- Often available with a waterproof membrane or leather lining
The Sport Conrad highlights in category B are trekking boots from Scarpa and Meindl. They offer plenty of stability, reliable support and are suitable for women and men heading out on longer tours, rocky trails or hikes with more luggage.
Category B/C: Heavy-duty trekking boots
Trekking boots in category B/C are made for demanding mountain tours. They are particularly stable, have a stiff sole and give you a high level of confidence on scree, rocky trails and alpine sections. Depending on the model, they are crampon-compatible and therefore also suitable for tours involving snowfields or light crampon use.
Features:
- Very stable upper for demanding terrain
- Stiff, torsion-resistant sole for secure footing
- Robust materials with a high level of protection
- Good support on tours with heavy luggage
- Grippy tread for scree, rock and alpine trails
- Depending on the model, suitable for limited crampon use
Our highlights in category B/C are heavy-duty trekking boots from Hanwag and Meindl. They offer a high level of stability, a stiff sole and are suitable for women and men who are heading into demanding mountain terrain, scree or alpine sections.
Conclusion: Best hiking shoes 2026 tested
The best hiking shoes 2026 are not automatically the lightest, stiffest or most expensive models. Above all, they need to suit you and the tours you have planned. For easy trails and fast day hikes, lightweight category A hiking shoes are ideal. If you want more support, go for high-cut hiking shoes in category A/B. For longer tours, rocky trails and more luggage, category B trekking boots provide the right level of support. When the terrain becomes more alpine, stable B/C boots with a stiff sole and limited crampon compatibility are the right choice.
For us, brands such as Salewa, Scarpa, Meindl, Lowa, La Sportiva and Hanwag came out on top. Based on the experience of our mountain-loving team, they offer some of the best hiking shoes when it comes to fit, stability, comfort and reliable performance in the mountains.