Lightweight, flexible hiking boots offer comfort and support on formed trails when your pack weight is relatively light.

Upper

Boots will be leather, or a combination of leather or suede with a synthetic material providing abrasion resistance. The boots are soft and supple, and they can usually be worn straight from the box without needing a break-in period.

Midsole

The midsole absorbs the shock and impact of walking over uneven ground. Most midsoles are EVA, a polymer that provides either firm or soft support depending on its density. Soft-flex boots are more comfortable on soft, even ground and when moving fast. Some midsoles are PU (polyurethane), which is firmer and more durable than EVA, and these are better for rocky terrain and with a heavy load.

Lacing and hardware

Fabric or metal eyelets with metal lugs at the ankle enable the laces to be pulled tight.

Midsole

The midsole absorbs the shock and impact of walking over uneven ground. Most midsoles are EVA, a polymer that provides either firm or soft support depending on its density. Soft-flex boots are more comfortable on soft, even ground and when moving fast. Some midsoles are PU (polyurethane), which is firmer and more durable than EVA, and these are better for rocky terrain and with a heavy load.

Outsole

Sticky rubber compounds with mud-shedding lugs offer grip on most track surfaces.

Weight

The heavier a boot, the more durable it is. It’s also more likely that it can be used on rougher terrain and while carrying heavier loads. The weights shown in this feature are for a pair and are averaged over the size range.

Waterproofing

Boots in this range will have a waterproof and breathable membrane (or lining) to draw moisture (i.e. sweat) away from the foot while preventing water from getting in. 

Toe box

This should have a rubber cap to protect toes. Allow a finger’s width between the end of the boot and your longest toe to ensure toes do not get cramped and bruised.

Ankle cuff

Above-the-ankle cuffs reduce the chance of trail debris entering the boot. Higher cuffs offer better ankle support and are softened for comfort. A bellows tongue keeps trail debris out. 

Featured boot: Dolomite Croda Nera Hi GTX $479.99

A lightweight minimal-design boot for fast and light trips and thru-hiking. The upper is mesh and stretch fabric with seamless construction, and there’s an instep and ankle-wrapping stretch collar and tongue, shock-absorbing midsole, Gore-Tex lining and Vibram outsole. 1000g (m/w). www.colorado-traders.co.nz

LOWA Randir GTX Mid $649

A leather and fabric boot with moulded comfort cuff that conforms to the contours of the ankle. It has an aggressive heel brake, minimal seams, Gore-Tex lining, two-zone lacing for custom fit and comfort on ascent/descent, rubber toe and heel rand, high-rebound DynaPU midsole and it’s resoleable. Vibram Cornerstone outsole. 1350g. www.lowa.co.nz

Topo Athletic Trailventure 2 WP $349.99

A lightweight boot designed for speed hiking and formed trails. It has a roomy toe box, full eVent breathable/waterproof lining, an external TPU heel counter, ZipFoam cushioned midsole, a full-length stabilising rock plate and a Vibram Megagrip outsole. 900g (m), 742g (w). www.topoathletic.co.nz

Zamberlan Marie GTX Women’s $499.99

Made with a soft Tuscan leather and inspired by Marie Paradis, the first woman to climb Mont Blanc. There’s a Gore-Tex Performance Comfort lining, a nylon insole, supportive and stabilising double-density PU midsole and protective rubber toe, heel and side patches. 1040g. www.huntingandfishing.co.nz

The North Face VECTIV Fastpack Mid FUTURELIGHT $340

A lightweight fastpacking boot with a breathable/waterproof FUTURELIGHT membrane, rocker midsole geometry and high-rebound midsole (for forward propulsion), TPU toe cap, Lycra collar, gusseted tongue, TPU plate for stability and double-punched eye row for fine-tuned lacing. 592g (m), 692g (w). www.thenorthface.co.nz

Keen Targhee IV $369.99

A waterproof/breathable boot with a glue-free, fused construction guaranteed not to delaminate. It has a roomy footbox, padded tongue, durable air-injected midsole, nubuck leather upper, stabilising ESS shank and heel-capture system, and a KEEN.RUGGED outsole. 1154g (m), 980g (w). www.keenfootwear.co.nz

Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof $329

This 15-year staple of the Merrell range is now partly constructed from recycled materials. There’s a suede leather and breathable mesh upper, bellows tongue, rubber heel and toe cap, removable contoured footbed with reinforced heel cushioning, nylon arch shank, ‘Super Rebound Compound’ for shock absorption and a Vibram TC5+ outsole. 1000g (m), 820g (w). www.merrell.co.nz

Anatom Q3 Braeriach $429.99

These boots are made of 2.6mm full-grain leather and have an asymmetrical heel for natural rolling stride, a proprietary waterproof tri.aria membrane backed with a hydrophobic lining, a PU midsole for torsional stability, toe bumper, an undercut heel (for downhill braking) and a Vibram Sorapis outsole. 1280g (m/w). www.bivouac.co.nz

The North Face Hedgehog 3 Mid Waterproof $330

A hiking boot with a mixed-material upper of leather, synthetic leather, ripstop mesh and spacer mesh. There’s a waterproof DryVent membrane, multilayered overlays at toe and forefoot, outdoor-inspired webbing and laces, EVA midsole and Surface CTRL rubber outsole. 928g (m), 828g (w). www.thenorthface.co.nz