20 Best Hiking Shoes For Arizona (2023 Updated)

I’ve had 3 pairs of Salomon walking walking shoes over the last 10 years. The first pair were awesome and lasted me 6 years (I still actually use them for gardening). The next pair lasted about a year before they developed a split in the upper.

They were replaced under warranty but the replacement pair split at the heel and caused blisters after 14 months. The fundamental problem (and this to some extent was true of the second pair) was that the cinch laces are just way too short causing excess pressure on the heel when getting your foot in.

I looked on the website and found that this was a common complaint in the reviews. I then bought a really cheap pair to tide me over which actually lasted twice as long as my previous Saloman shoes. As Salomon’s response to poor reviews has always been that they take feedback seriously and improve their products accordingly so I thought that given this was a relatively new model they may well have taken the difficult decision to invest the extra 2 cents in longer laces so took the plunge and bought these.

How they have actually managed to make them worse is a mystery. The laces are certainly no longer than in the previous version, however, the addition of the pointless soft projection at the back does (as other reviewers have mentioned) make it far more difficult to get your feet in.

Needless to say they are going back. Clearly Salomon don’t listen to feedback so I doubt that this will have any imact.

I purchased this shoe for a hiking and zip-lining trip. I am very impressed by how comfortable this shoe is and would definitely recommend it. Traditionally I wear a 10. 5 to 11, but I ended up going with a size 10 in this shoe and it fit perfectly.

My wife has the women’s pair of this shoe and also went a half size down from her TTS. Another great thing about this shoe is that it is very easy to clean after usage. This shoe was definitely worth the price!.

I bought these four months ago when I was looking for footwear for a 100km stretch of the Camino in Northern Spain during August. These shoes are very comfortable. My feet were well supported during the daily 20km walks and I got no blisters.

The shoes are breathable. Both the meshing and the thick sole gave extra comfort on hot days.

Fits well for a narrow long foot (12A). I sized down half a size to an 11 regular because Columbia tends to make their shoes a bit on the wide and larger side compared to other makes of shoes. I needed a really lightweight hiking shoe because I have been having mobility issues, but the tread on these is not too great for rough terrain.

It’s more of a trail running shoe.

I wanted to love these shoes. They were recommended by a friend who is an avid thru hiker. While they are extremely comfortable for wide feet (go an entire size up as many reviews say this brand runs small in general), I was disappointed in the shoe for several reasons.

First off, the shoes are not waterproof. They don’t let water in immediately, which makes you think that they are. But a half hour or so after a water crossing, the water soaks through and your shoes are wet and the insulation keeps them that way.

Secondly, the sole on the shoe is extremely slippery on both wet and gravel-covered surfaces. I have never felt scared of rock hopping across water or going down steep surfaces covered in scree in other hiking boots.

These shoes had me in fear of a serious injury in both cases. And lastly, the zero drop break-in period is much too long for me. I wore the shoes on progressive 3-mile, 5-mile, and 10-mile hikes over the course of a few weeks before taking them on a low-grade 20-mile backpacking trip.

The day after the trip, I did another 10-mile day hike and felt like the bones in one of my feet were bruised or broken. I was limping around Big Sur and in pain for months afterward. At one point I was worried that my foot wouldn’t heal in time to be able to go on any of the serious summer backpacking trips I had booked (thankfully the pain subsided after three months).

I would not recommend these shoes for anything other than low-impact, dry hikes fewer than 10 miles–and only if you have extremely wide feet and can’t find another comfortable fit.

In my usual hiking boots I began to notice aching feet as I hiked beyond 4-5 miles, but not when I wore my Lone Peak 3 trail running shoes. So, when this boot popped up I ordered a pair in the same size as the LP3 (I typically wear a 9.

5, but 10. 5 in Altra) which worked perfectly and achieved the goal of happy feet. I’ve put a couple of hundred miles on them (asphalt, groomed trails and rocky horror Arizona) as day hikes with a light day pack.

Because of their lightness, I was (and remain) somewhat skeptical of their long term durability, but they have held up very well and don’t have that “beat up” appearance. I’m impressed with how the sticky grip and the lightness allow for “quick feet” moving from rock to rock.

Looking through many of the other reviews, I am in general agreement with most of the points made except sizing. I lucked out choosing the size I did, but there’s nothing better than going into REI with your own socks and sizing rationally for you.

The other points about waterproofing (not), maybe wanting a stiffer sole under heavier loads, the clunky lacing are true, but unimportant to me. What is important to me is that I can take a moment to lace these up, go on a 10 mile day hike with my little pack, stop at the grocery store on the way home and then proceed with the rest of the day not thinking of my feet or even changing into other shoes.

I have loved all the Altras I’ve purchased. Maybe these the most.

I admit I prefer the look of the previous version of the Sawtooth, but otherwise this is my favorite hiking shoe. I compared this to the Merrell Ventilator and Keen Targhee Vent that I also wear: The Oboz have a significantly stiffer sole, and so are more comfortable hiking on gravel and trail.

The squishy feel of the Merrell and Keen soles are ok for casual, and pavement, but for heavy hiking I really prefer the sole on the Oboz. It feels much more sure-footed, and I feel in more control of my stride.

The stiffer sole is really a great advantage for much of the hiking I do. After 50 miles of gravel and trail, I have no complaints about the quality or fit of this shoe. The toe box is comfortable. Not as obviously roomy as the Keen, but nothing matches Keen for this.

But a big improvement over the Merrell. I’ve worn the Merrells for many years, and have bought many pairs. The Merrell Ventilator is the coolest shoe for my hot feet, but for some reason the toe box is feeling more cramped now then before, and the sole uneven under my foot.

These Oboz have no problem at all. In general, I’d rate the 3 shoes this way: Oboz: allround best for hiking, having the surest footing, comfortable sole that shields sharp gravel, and good fit. The build quality seems fine so far (50+ mi of hiking).

I’m 220lbs, and really appreciate the stiff sole. The only drawback I can tell with the redesigned Oboz is the look; the previous design looked more rugged, and I wasn’t shy about treading through harsh environments.

The redesign is prettier to look at, but maybe when they look more worn I’ll get over the change in design. Keen: great fit, looks good for wearing around the office. The softest, squishiest sole of the 3.

Probably great for working and walking on hard, paved surfaces. Generally good for trail, but I prefer the sure-feel of the trail underfoot that the Oboz give, compared to the much bouncier feel of the Keens.

Merrell Ventilators: a long-time classic for many reasons. They are the coolest to wear for warm feet. The sole is closer to the squishy feel of the Keen than the stiff Oboz, I can feel the gravel poking through the soles.

In recent years I’ve noticed the fit just is no longer as good as the Keen and Oboz. My toes are cramped, and my feet feel like I’m always pushing against one side of the shoe or the other. I’ve tried going up a size, but it still just doesn’t have the secure feeling of the other two shoes.

I might be wearing my last pair of Ventilators. For all shoes, I wear the factory supplied insoles for a short time, then switch to Superfeet Green insoles. I often just take the Superfeet out of an old, worn out pair of shoes and put them in the new pair.

For each shoe, even an old pair of Superfeet are significantly cooler and more comfortable to wear than the factory insoles after breaking them in.

I have worn almost nothing but Oboz Sawtooth low shoes since the early days of the first model. This includes walking about 10 miles per day and hiking trips with some pretty serious terrain (Alps, Rockies).

The original performed exceptionally. The change to the II was imperceptible, but unfortunately that is not the same with the X. 1-loss of toebox size and ventilation resulting in a hotter shoe and less room.

Less ventilation in general on the shoe. 2-heel cup has changed in some way. I have narrow heels and still remember all the tricks to get heels not to slip. I cannot tie this shoe in a way that the heel does not slip.

I never had this problem with the Sawtooth or Sawtooth II. 3-upper is not as sturdy. I pronate and one of the miracles of the former Sawtooth models is that they were sturdy enough that I could not break the shoe.

After just one week of wear, the uppers no longer align over the soles, they are canted over to one side. This is an indication that my foot is fighting this new shoe and that it will not hold up. I’m expecting the crack near the sole to appear in a couple weeks.

4-break in. Putting on new Oboz has always been like butter. No rubs, nothing. While this shoe isn’t as sturdy, it also is oddly more stiff and less yielding, I have blisters for the first time in years.

I’ve seen this in other reviews as well. 5-sole-the jury is still out on whether the wear time will be longer. While this would be welcome, I would take the old sole back to get the old shoe back. Oboz has been a stellar company and responsive to constructive criticism.

I am hopeful they will take a look at the reviews this new model is getting and respond with an update. To all those who wear a women’s 9. 5, apologies as I’ve bought every available pair I could find, including used, to wait this out.

Probably the most durable shoe I have every owned. I have over 500 miles on my Oboz through some of the rockiest and gnarliest trails I could find in Colorado and New Mexico. My Oboz worked flawlessly as far as durability.

No stitching had come apart, no tread separation. I do have a couple of issues I need to mention. Oboz seem to run a little narrow. it was time to replace them due to worn down tread, so I tried a WIDE pair in the same size.

fit much better for my feet (probably spreading with old age)!!! The other thing you should know is that Oboz do not have very much cushion. They have a very responsive, positive-contact-with-the-ground feel.

I never experienced blisters while wearing these shoes and I love the fact that my foot does not slide forward and jamb my toes during steep descents. You WILL NOT feel rocks through the sole of these shoes, but your feet will be tired of the hard pounding from the ground and rocks at the end of the day.

It feels good to take them off after several miles of rough terrane. I love the durability and will use my Oboz for rougher, more challenging terrane.

Wearing Merrells’ for decades. This shoe is “sloppy” with no lateral ankle support, no matter how tight you lace them. Anterior/posterior is also unstable. Your heel will POP OUT of these on steep vertical terrain and climbing over rocks.

Why? Because the design has been compromised. They cut away vertical material height at the heel, changed the rake/slope by elevating the rear bed so all the weight is on the ball of your foot and eliminated an eyelet! This shoe is an accident waiting to happen.

You will roll right out of them with aggressive lateral movement. (Does anybody change left to right direction while running?). AND THEY”RE NOT WATERPROOF!! In the words of the Pythons, RUNAWAY!! RUNAWAY!! Not in them, from them.

This is the third pair of Merrell Moabs and the second pari of the waterproof version I have purchased. (The first was not waterproof. ) My wife and I are section hiking the AT. As school teachers, we are unable to thru hike it.

Each spring since getting my first pair of Merrell Moab hike shoes, I purchase a new pair for the next section. The last section was Waynesboro, VA to Wawayanda State Park, NJ (500 miles), much of it in wet, rainy conditions.

The Moab held up, kept my feet as dry as possible, given my socks would get rained on (no rain pants). No blisters, no cramped toes from insufficient toe room. I absolutely love how the Merrell Moab performs and definitely recommend them.

Shopping for light trail shoes (running), ended up buying these Moab 2 hiking shoes (in addition to trail running shoes) because they fit so well, felt great and still do (after moderate, short break-in).

Normally with China and Vietnam mfg, I require wide (EE or even wider), however, not with these Merrill Moab 2s. Again, considering the ongoing strife (coup d’etats, quasi-civilian gov’t, coup d’etat) these tough Burmans have experienced over the decades, the quality workmanship and outstanding fit with these Merrills amazes me.

Note to Merrill: if mfg costs are too prohibitive in the West (West Europe, UK, USA, North/South America, etc. ) stay with Myanmar. They get it (large, wide western feet. gunboats!). Highly recommended for wide, hard to fit feet.

I’m in the military, currently deployed to a very hot desert climate, and I have one of those jobs where I get to wear civilian tactical equivalent clothing. I had a different pair of Merrell hiking shoes, and while they were definitely rugged, they weren’t that comfortable to be in all day long.

I came across these and got a really good discount from Merrell by using the I. D. Me Authenticator, so I figured why not. Once I got them, the first thing I noticed was that it wasn’t the color scheme I ordered, or they just didn’t look like the picture.

However, that didn’t bother me because they looked way better than I had anticipated. Right out of the box these are hands down the most comfortable work shoes I’ve ever owned. They’re light and responsive, so it doesn’t feel like you’re dragging a heavy boot around all day.

They’re solid and and after inspection, it doesn’t look like I have to worry about the sole coming unglued. To be honest, I didn’t realize they were waterproof until I got them. Had I been paying attention, I probably wouldn’t have ordered them.

I figured they wouldn’t be breathable and my feet would sweat too much. But it’s been over 100 degrees already and I still love them. I highly recommend these shoes. They’ve been worth every penny, and I will be buying these again.

I am a park ranger and cover 5-10 miles and 500 to 1500 vertical feet over the course of a typical workday and more on days off. I’ve struggled for several years with pain in the balls of my feet, and these have been a dream from a comfort standpoint.

I have a only been wearing daily for 6 weeks so can’t speak to durability. The vibram sole is extremely grippy on varied terrain including snow. As for waterproofing, they leave a lot to be desired (otherwise 5 stars).

With some mink oil on the leather portions, I can stay dry a little longer. However, if you’re walking in rain or wet snow, you will ultimately get some soak through. That said, my feet generally stay fairly warm, due in part to the “waterproof, breathable” liner.

I would not recommend for summer use. I typically wear size 11. 5 and the 11. 5 is perfect with a lightweight wool sock. You may want to size up if you wear thick socks.

We’ve only had these 24 hours and she has said they are a little tight on her little pinky toe and at the top of her foot where they lace up but Im hoping that’s because we haven’t broken them in yet.

We do need longer shoe laces since it’s difficult to get a double knot from the lace. Any recommendations on where to buy longer gray laces for these? Otherwise super cute shoes and I like the dark colors since my little girl plays hard and is rough on shoes!.

I bought these three weeks ago at REI and went on a 20-mile day hike over rocky, muddy, and up and down steep terrain. They kept my feet relatively dry but do appear to trap some moisture around in the footbed as it was necessary for me to change out my wool socks after 15 miles due to the slight dampness of the wool socks and heat spots below and around my toes.

However, the shoe was comfortably dry and cool during the last 5 miles of the hike. The shoe was comfortable out of the box, required no break-in period, and provided decent arch support. I will be trying them again on a hike with prescribed orthidic for pronation.

I don’t think I could have hiked such a distance in my Moab’s 2 vent boots, as they feel much heavier, less comfortable, and wider than the Moab Speeds. While I always finish my hikes in some degree of foot pain/soreness, I could go further and longer before feeling that.

I am not sure about the breathability of the gor-tex, but it did keep water out when walking over rocks on streams with a few inches of water over them, and they had excellent grip and traction. My ankles felt braced and protected as I have frequently rolled my ankles and these shoes prevented excessive movement around the ankle, providing excellent support.

I liked the styling of the shoe, particularly the black shoes, as they weren’t some radical design or attention-seeking color and styling. As far as durability goes, time will tell, but I suspect that the outer sole will wear prematurely compared to my Moab 2 Vents as the Speed is much softer, which contributes to the comfort of the shoe.

This shoe was not available in a wide size, but it fit well on my feet as I am at the edge of the wide measurement, any wider, and they would not fit comfortably. I recommend the shoe if you are looking for a light trail runner hiker or occasional day hiker.

They are also very comfortable on a warehouse concrete floor. I wouldn’t try to hike the PCT and expect them to last, though. Overall I was impressed and satisfied with my purchase.

This is my 9th pair of Merrells – all are still in service though some are 15+ years old. I bought these wanting a back up for my PERFECT Chameleon 7’s, which are wearing and I can’t bear to think of life w/o them.

When these arrived, I didn’t want to like them because they look like a tennis shoe. HOWEVER, I was unable to not love them. Let’s start w/this, my feet have peripheral neuropathy, are narrow, bony and sensitive, I have severe chronic lumbar issues and I need a LOAD of cushion in the soles of my shoes (thus all the Merrell footwear).

While the sole and heel are well cushioned, when I walk, the sole flexes comfortably, though when I try to ‘bend’ the sole w/my hands, it’s actually quite stiff, which surprised me because it feels so soft when I walk.

I added my own insoles for extra cushioning (that most feet won’t need) and these are heavenly. I’m an avid city and park walker, not hiking over rough terrain, and these are SO COMFY! They’re surprisingly light and seem very durable at the same time.

I spilled a latte on them and it wiped right off w/no marks afterwards or dampness inside the shoe. The soles are absolutely the stickiest I’ve had. I inadvertently walked over my yoga mat and it stick to them, and on the wet northwest sidewalks/pavement, they stick like crazy.

When you have physical issues as I do, you have to invest in quality well made shoes. However, I don’t mind paying what a shoe is worth when they hold up for YEARS and make my feet SO HAPPY!! Gone are the days I can walk into a one stop shopping store and expect to pick up a cheap pair of shoes that I can wear.

I’m very grateful Merrell makes quality, durable and best of all comfortable shoes. Thank you Merrell!!!.

I ordered them Jan. 2022 and think they’re groovy looking in person (got the map print insole). But I have found them too short in the toe (I should have sized up) so I have not worn them as much as anticipated.

I could never run in them due to this but they are quite comfortable all day if not for being short. The lugs provide great traction for any off road surface, even ice, given their depth and gum rubber.

They have a nice protective toe – more than just mesh, and padded tongue. So not only eco conscious (78% recycled materials) but also very light weight and competent. I love how the heel feels where most running shoes this can be a tad tight.

In most boots I wear 9. 5 but sneakers are a 10, so I just should have ordered in the larger size. They have also held up well and are easy to spot/wipe clean. And in frigid temperatures they have kept my feet mostly warm and content.

Just wish they had been longer in the toe in the size 9. 5 I ordered. But that’s my bad. Other than toes, they fit great everywhere else.

I like the way this hiking shoe looks and fits on my feet but the insert does not support my arch well and the sole is thin enough that my feet were really aching after a rather easy Appalachian Trail hike with only a few rocky climbs.

Also not waterproof at all. Would not buy again but the shoe is decently comfortable and I may buy a new more comfortable insert with a higher arch.

They are comfy and well made. But they run really small. I wear size 10. 5 usually, so that is what I originally bought. I couldn’t even fit my feet in them. So I exchanged them for 11s. They were still super tight, so I returned them.

I then found them on Moose Jaw for $20 less than the site that shall not be named. So I bought 11. 5s. They fit perfectly. I’ve worn them twice so far for 2 3-mile trail runs. They are very comfortable and seem like they are well made.

Once I got the ones that fit, I have been very happy with these.

Recommend going atleast 1/2 size up. They run small. Once I had a pair that fit, I loved them. Great for hiking and looking tacticool! All around great shoe.

I’ve worn and loved the old version of the Sawtooths for years, so I was excited (but also a bit nervous) to try the new Sawtooth X. I’ve worn them about 30-40 miles so far on a mix of pavement and trail, and so far I really like them.

A few other reviewers said that they experienced their heel slipping, and when I first put these shoes on, I also experienced that. However, I quickly noticed that there is an additional hole to run the laces through at the very top.

Once I did that and tied the laces, my heel stayed securely in place. So make sure you do that if you’re heel doesn’t feel locked into the heel pocket. I really like the cushion around the ankle. It gives them a more cushy feel.

The traction on these shoes seems excellent. I’ve hiked up a few hills with loose rock, as well as an area with lots of boulder hopping, and the shoes did a great job at gripping the terrain. I typically wear a 9.

5 or a 10, and with these the 10 is the right choice. I’m excited to put in some more miles with these!.

Great shoes. The soles are much more solid than the speed cross. More durable. The toe cap is separating after about 50 miles of use. Gore Tex seams to work well.

I am very satisfied with this purchase. They were comfortable out of the box. I would buy these again.

Comfy shoes but the laces are too slick and don’t stay tied very well at all during the days activities

For starters, Salomon has finally figured out how to make boots that fit as expected. I wear a size 10. 5 shoe and unfortunately didn’t think to add the half size up for your typical hiking boot for the extra room.

So, it fits to size and I have no issues wearing it walking around. That said, I do have to put a bit more effort getting my foot in and getting the lacing just right so its not too tight. Basically get the half size up for that tiny bit of extra comfort and convenience.

Again not strictly necessary but something to consider. These boots are significantly lighter than expected. I usually wear a pair of Salomon Quest 4 goretex boots and in comparison these feel light as a feather.

After wearing them for hours walking I forget I’m wearing them. The laces are definitely different than your standard paracord style on boots but they tie up well and in my experience stayed tied and secure all day without double knotting.

Only reason I’m knocking off a star is the lack of a back loop to assist in putting on the boots. In its place is this little piece of leather that provides some leverage but not much. Handles terrain well and doesn’t sacrifice on grip.

The upper is very soft as well and on fairly established trails could support the extra weight of a backpack. Its also low cut enough you could get away wearing ankle socks with it on a hot sunny day.

They breathe ok for goretex but I can’t comment on how they handle heat as it hasn’t gotten warm enough. As for cold, well they’re not insulated boots but for mildly cold temps like early spring and late fall your feet won’t freeze.

TLDR Lightweight, good fit – but consider half size up. Great on feet for walking different terrain and worth wearing. Maybe not for backpacking overgrown trails. Too early to say for longevity.

I’ve come to these from a 5 pair run of X Ultra 3 mids, wide fit. I loved those boots. Averaging 500-650 sport hike miles per year over the various terrains and all weathers of the Western Pennines and West Yorkshire, UK.

I’m not yet many miles into my first pair of OutPulse mids, but I’m very impressed so far. Grip, mud shedding, and temperature control is on par with the X Ultra 3’s (very very good). The wear rate of the tread appears on par with the Ultra 3’s (very good).

The cushioning of the sole is wonderful. It’s not running shoe soft, but is a good improvement in comfort over the Ultra 3’s, which I already found excellent. There’s a little welcome pop of rebound with every step, particularly from the heel area as you roll onto the ball of your foot.

The sole is cushioned/protective enough to prevent jagged/pointed rocks, cobbles and stones from digging into the sole of your foot. It’s a very comfortable ride. Regarding the width of the toe box, it seems a little wider than the regular Ultra 3’s, and marginally narrower than the Ultra 3 wide fits.

I’ve fallen lucky as they’re just where I’d want them in terms of width by the time my feet have swollen during a hike. I’m a size 11UK and Ultra 3 mid wide fits weighed 506g per boot. The OutPulse in a size 11UK weigh 443g per boot.

Minor annoyances, the laces are a little too long, so without a hodge-podge of knots, run the risk of catching the hook of the opposite boot. Also, being a flat profile lace and flat profile loops, making the fit snug towards the toe end is awkward and difficult to achieve.

Entry and egress is quite a squeeze too, again because the flat profile laces don’t slide when you try to widen the tongue aperture. Hopefully they’re durable and last as well as the Ultra 3’s. I was averaging between 650 and 750 miles per pair with those.

These are made with a completely different construction, and materials I’m not familiar with. I’ll stay hopeful they’ll do the mileage and certainly have no cause for concern this far. Mine are the blue, orange and tan colourway.

I bought these shoes just over a week before a 3-day, 61km hiking trip through Algonquin park in Ontario, Canada (mixed terrain). This boot performed so well! The boots are comfortable and have a wide-toe box, which I really like.

I didn’t have a lot of time to break them in before I left, so I was worried about my feet. I did use Ininji toe sock liners and wool socks inside them and am happy to report that I didn’t get any blisters.

There were lots of muddy patches on the hike and a few very shallow stream/beaver dam crossings. My feet stayed dry in these shoes. The toe protection also worked really well on any pesky rocks or roots that I tripped slightly on.

My toes were happy and not damaged. There was a lot of elevation on this trip (approx 1900 metres up) and a lot of the hills were very steep (no switchbacks). I found I could trust the grip on these boots on those climbs and across slippery rocks and logs.

The only reason I have given this shoe 4 starts instead of 5 is that I did feel like it could have used slightly more padding inside the sole of the shoe. I could really feel the terrain under my feet, which was helpful for proprioception and balance, but I think contributed to very tired feet at the end of my hiking days.

All in all, a really great, lightweight boot, and worth the purchase. I’m looking forward to wearing them on the Tour du Mont Blanc in the fall!.