Vegan hiking boots are now gaining popularity around the world. This is not only because these products are animal-friendly but because they are also lightweight and more flexible than leather boots. As such, vegan hiking boots can prevent foot fatigue during long hikes. Plus, they have other features that will help you hike challenging terrains with ease. However, not all vegan shoes are high-quality. So, what features should you consider when buying a vegan hiking boot?
A premium vegan boot should have a synthetic upper paired with mesh or textile fabric for optimum comfort and breathability. Aside from that, it should also be equipped with a waterproof liner, like a Gore-Tex membrane, that can protect your feet against moisture and other outdoor elements. Moreover, the best vegan hiking boots can take a beating, meaning they have protective features, such as rubber toe cap and heel guards. Of course, the outsole is also vital. As much as possible, opt for a product with a rugged outsole, like one made of Vibram, that can provide excellent grip and traction.
With all these features in mind, we have compiled a list of the best vegan hiking boots available on the market.
Arc’teryx Bora GTX Hiking Boots
Based in Canada, Arc’teryx is a company that makes high-performance outdoor clothing and sporting goods. Throughout the years, this brand has manufactured products with timeless quality and intuitive design, resulting in unrivaled performance.
The Arc’teryx Bora is an elegant combination of an approach shoe and a hiking boot. As such, it can provide agility, stability, support, and comfort. To be specific, it has a Vibram outsole with lug patterns that provides exceptional grip, traction, and stability. For comfort and support, it has a removable Ortholite footbed that provides cushioning and arch support. Plus, it also has an EVA foam midsole that helps absorb impacting shock.
Another great feature of this hiking boot is its Gore-Tex lining that can keep moisture and debris out. Best of all, the synthetic upper of this footwear features a thermolaminated construction, which is lightweight, hydrophobic, and abrasion-resistant.
Lowa Innox Hiking Boots
Lowa was founded in 1923 in Jetzendorf, Germany. All products from this well-recognized brand are made in Europe. Additionally, this company uses premium materials, so it is not surprising that its products have high ratings.
The Lowa Innox is suitable for trekkers and backpackers who like to move fast. Plus, this footwear can take you through mountain passes and challenging trails without difficulty, thanks to its great features. One, in particular, is its dual-density PU midsole, which provides long-lasting comfort and support. Aside from that, it also has an NXT outsole that delivers reliable traction. Moreover, it features a PU Monowrap® Frame that can guide your foot through the natural roll-through motion. Also, your ankles will be protected due to its mid-cut design. Lastly, it has a synthetic upper, which is not only vegan-friendly, but this material is also lightweight and durable.
La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX Hiking Boots
In 1928, Narciso Delladio founded La Sportiva in Italy. Today, this company is popular for manufacturing high-end footwear for skiing, mountaineering, and climbing. Aside from that, this brand has a wide selection of high-quality vegan hiking boots.
The award-winning La Sportiva Trango Cube is a mountaineering boot designed for rough terrain, including ice and snow. For its features, this footwear has a revolutionary lacing system that uses thermoplastic covered loops and hooks to eliminate the need for stitching. As a result, the boot’s overall weight is kept to a minimum, and comfort is improved. For more comfort, an internal padding and a stretch tongue are integrated into the synthetic uppers.
This ultralight boot also has a 3-D Flex System and Vibram outsole that provides a firm grip on the ground. Finally, it has an EVA shock-absorbing footbed and anti-compression polyurethane in the heel and toes.
Merrell Moab 2 Gtx Hiking Boot
Merrell is an American company founded by Randy Merrell, John Schweizer, and Clark Matis in 1981. Today, this brand is well-known for manufacturing hiking boots that are comfortable, durable, versatile, and well-designed.
Made in the USA, the Merrell Moab 2 is a popular choice among hikers. The reason is due to its advanced features. For one, it has Vibram TC5+ outsole with 5mm multidirectional lugs that provide exceptional grip and traction on all kinds of terrain. Aside from that, it also has a Gore-Tex lining, a waterproof membrane that protects your feet from outdoor elements.
This hiking boot can also provide comfort, support, and stability because it has a molded nylon arch shank and an EVA footbed that offer heel and arch support. Moreover, its EVA midsole provides optimal comfort. Lastly, it features a Merrell air cushioning in the heel, which helps stabilize your feet and absorbs shock.
Astral TR1 Merge Minimalist Hiking Boots
Based in the USA, Astral is a company known for manufacturing vegan footwear. All Astral products are versatile, durable, and stylish, making them an excellent choice for your next outdoor adventure.
The Astral TR1 Merge has a lot of great features that will allow you to tackle challenging terrains with ease. First, it has a Top Shank midsole that can help reduce foot fatigue. Furthermore, its EVA heel cup offers a ton of stability and support. Additionally, it has a rugged Trail Grip outsole with 5 mm lugs that can provide excellent grip and traction.
Another great feature of this hiking boot is its Polygiene treated insoles, which helps eliminate unwanted odor and keeps your feet fresh even after hours of trekking. Plus, it has a mesh tongue that lets out hot air, keeping your feet cool and dry at all times.
Although a great product, this is not a waterproof hiking boot. However, it features Water Ready holes that can drain water quickly.
Altra Lone Peak 3.5 Athletic Shooes
Altra is an American company known for producing high-quality running shoes. The brand’s Lone Peak hiking boots are not only vegan-friendly but comfortable for running and hiking as well.
The Altra Lone Peak 3.5 is one of the best-selling products of Altra. This is not surprising because this footwear establishes a balance between style and functionality. Plus, you can take it to jagged and rocky terrains without any fear that it will break, thanks to its DuraTread rubber with TrailClaw outsole. Also, its dual-layer EVA midsole can provide enough support and comfort.
The Altra Lone Peak 3.5 is designed to accommodate your feet’s proper positioning, so it can help prevent strains and injuries. Moreover, it features a FootShape toe box that allows your toes to spread out naturally as you move. Lastly, its upper is made with synthetic and abrasion-resistant mesh, which is breathable and provides enough defense against moisture, dust, and debris.
adidas Terrex Swift R2 Gore-TEX Hiking Boot
Founded by Adolf Dassler, adidas has its roots in Germany. Today, it is a global company that is well-known for manufacturing high-quality athletic shoes, apparel, and sporting goods.
The adidas Terrex Swift R2 is a lightweight boot designed so you can move fast on the mountain. It has a mesh upper with TPU overlays that is not only durable but can provide optimum support and breathability as well. Plus, it has a Gore-Tex lining that can keep water and debris out. Also, its mid-cut design can help protect your ankles.
For comfort and extra support, this hiking boot has cushioned textile footbed and EVA midsole. Moreover, it also features a TRAXION® rubber outsole that delivers excellent traction on wet terrains. However, its outsole is not too rugged. As such, this Gore-tex hiking boot is not ideal for steep and rocky terrains.
XPETI Thermator Hiking Boots
The XPETI brand is created by a group of outdoor enthusiasts. All XPETI products are inspired by nature, and they encourage people to go on a journey and enjoy the sun, air, and mountain. All products from this brand are also high-quality and well-designed.
The XPETI Thermator is designed with functionality and fashion in mind. So, this hiking boot doesn’t only look stylish, but it also offers several advanced features. First, it has a waterproof Hydroshield Membrane and a mesh upper that can keep your feet warm and dry as you walk through snow and mud. Aside from that, it also has an aggressive rubber outsole that provides optimal grip and good traction. Also, it features an EVA midsole that is not only durable but comfortable as well. Other notable features include a molded TPU ankle support and rubber toe cap.
Inov-8 Roclite GTX Hiking Boots
In 2003, Wayne Edy founded Inov-8 in Staveley, United Kingdom. It is a company that manufactures high-quality and innovative footwear, clothing, and equipment for fitness athletes, runners, and adventure-seeking hikers.
Aside from a Gore-Tex membrane, the Inov-8 Roclite also has a synthetic and mesh upper. All these features can keep your feet dry and cool at all times. Aside from that, it also has a graphene outsole that is stronger, more elastic, and harder than standard outsoles. Plus, its outsole has 6mm deep lugs, so it can provide excellent grip and traction on all surfaces. Moreover, it is equipped with Powerflow midsole, which is designed with better shock absorption compared to regular midsoles. Finally, its mid-cut design can help protect and support your ankles.
You may also like some of the best hiking boots and shoes for hot weather from our list. Check them out.
La Sportiva Blade GTX Hiking Boots
Based in Italy, La Sportiva has been manufacturing high-end footwear in a traditional manner, which is by hand. Today, La Sportiva products are popular for their style, durability, and functionality.
The LA Sportiva Blade GTX Hiking Boots is a multi-sport shoe designed for hiking, trekking, and mountain running. For its features, it has an air mesh upper with TPU Microlite Skeleton, providing a great balance between breathability and durability. Aside from that, it also has a Gore-Tex lining, which provides comfort and protects your feet from outside elements.
This hiking boot also has an EVA foam midsole that absorbs impacting shock. Furthermore, it has an outsole with multi-directional lugs that delivers amazing grip and traction. The outsole also utilizes a Frixion AT 2.0 rubber compound, which is reliable on a variety of terrains. Plus, its outsole has an Impact Brake System that increases the boot’s braking ability.
Merrell Capra Gore-Tex Hiking Boots
Merrell is an American company that manufactures high-performance footwear. As you know, a lot of Merrell products are popular and highly rated because of their versatility, durability, and innovative design.
The Merrell Capra Gore-Tex Hiking boot can withstand climbs and scrambles, thanks to its lightweight design and superior construction. It features a synthetic upper that can resist harmful elements. It also has a Gore-Tex lining, which can keep moisture out without sacrificing breathability. Plus, its mid-cut design can help protect your ankles.
Another great feature of this product is its UniFly midsole that can absorb a strong impact. Furthermore, its Merrell air cushioning in the heel can absorb shock and provide stability. It also features an M Select™ FRESH technology that helps reduce unwanted odor, keeping your feet fresh. Lastly, its Vibram outsole with 3.5mm lug depth delivers excellent grip and traction.
For more quality footwear for outdoor adventures, be sure to browse our list of the top water shoes for hiking.
XPETI Dimo Hiking Boots
Founded by a group of outdoor enthusiasts, XPETI is a company that manufactures footwear that is inspired by nature. Most of its products are top-rated due to its ingenious design and high quality.
Made with vegan-friendly materials, the XPETI Dimo is lightweight, comfortable, and flexible – perfect for hiking, trekking, backpacking, and other outdoor activities. It features a Hydroshield Membrane and a mesh upper that is waterproof and breathable. Aside from that, this product is very supportive. It has an EVA midsole that provides arch support and stability. Plus, it also features a molded TPU around the ankle, which delivers optimum ankle support. For its outsole, this hiking boot has an aggressive rubber sole that can provide excellent traction and grip on different kinds of terrain. Lastly, it has a rubber toe cap that can protect your toes.
Baffin Zone Snow Boots
Founded in 1979, Baffin is a company based in Stoney Creek, Canada. It manufactures advanced and high-quality apparel and footwear. Throughout the years, this company has been producing some of the world’s best-performing footwear and apparel for cold-weather and full-season hiking activities.
Aside from being rated for sub-20 degrees Celsius temperatures, the Baffin Zone Snow Boots is also lightweight and lightly insulated. As such, it is an excellent choice for cold-weather trekking or when you’re walking on snowy or icy trails.
For its features, this versatile hiking boot has a breathable synthetic upper. It also has a waterproof membrane that ensures your feet will stay dry and protected from outdoor elements. For extra protection and added comfort, it has an extended toe rand and plush collar. Finally, it features a high-traction rubber outsole that provides excellent traction over multi-surfaces.
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Xero Shoes DayLite Hiker Hiking Boots
Based in the USA, Xero Shoes is a company known for its lightweight barefoot shoes designed for running, walking, and various athletic activities, including hiking.
Made with vegan-friendly materials, the Xero Shoes Daylite Hiker hiking boots will let your feet bend, flex, move freely, and feel the ground as you hike through mountain passes. It features a wide toe box that allows your toes to spread and relax. Furthermore, it has a zero-drop, non-elevated sole that promotes proper posture.
Aside from those features, this hiking boot also offers great protection due to its water-resistant mesh upper with ToughTech toe bumper. It also has a 6 mm outsole with dual-chevron treads that provides great grip. Plus, it has a huarache-inspired heel strap that can hold your feet securely and an adjustable instep strap for perfect tension.
Vivobarefoot Hiking Boots
Launched in 2012, Vivobarefoot is a company based in London, England. Its mission is to create shoes that allow your feet to move naturally. Most of their products are designed for people who like barefoot running or walking barefoot.
The Vivobarefoot Hiking Boots has a minimalist design. It is breathable and lightweight, thanks to its textile and synthetic upper. The insole of this footwear also offers thermal protection, so it can provide warmth when the temperature is low. Furthermore, its rubber outsole can provide excellent grip on slippery grounds or slopes. Finally, its mid-cut design can protect your ankles.