La Sportiva
Aequilibrium ST Gore-Tex M
Have you taken up hiking and started to enjoy it? You need a walking shoe suited to your next outdoor adventures. For walks on forest trails or treks in the mountains, hiking shoes provide comfort and safety. Here is a complete guide to help you equip yourself properly and make your walks even more enjoyable!
Before buying any hiking equipment, it is important to think carefully about the type of hiking you want to do. Are you planning short walks or short treks without major terrain difficulties? Or are you going to take on long hikes, difficult terrain or multi-day treks with around twenty kilos on your back? Depending on what you plan to do, the model of men's hiking shoes to target will vary. Thanks to them, you enjoy perfect comfort during all your outings.
Even during a short walk, your foot sweats. Your skin is then weakened. During prolonged effort, shoes do not always provide sufficient support. Your feet rub, and blisters appear. In addition, even with trainers, stones on your route, unstable terrain and mud can make you fall or injure yourself.
Also pay attention to the weather. Indeed, if you plan to go Nordic walking in temperatures below -20 °C, you will need to choose winter mountaineering shoes rather than classic men's walking shoes
To find the ideal pair of men's hiking shoes on sale, browse our special offers.
The upper is the part of the shoe that structures the entire foot. It can be low, mid or high:
If you are planning short outings or light trekking for just a few days on easy terrain, we recommend a walking shoe with a low or mid-cut upper. On plains, in forests or on routes with little elevation gain, these lightweight and flexible models guarantee your comfort. However, the ankle is less supported: if you go through a few challenging trails, choose a hiking shoe with a mid-cut upper. This may be necessary for covering coastal trails, for example.
Are you planning long hikes or crossings through difficult areas? To tackle steep terrain, streams and small climbing sections, we recommend a high-cut upper on your hiking shoes. These high-cut trekking shoes wrap around the entire ankle. They provide better support, as well as greater protection. You are also better protected against bad weather.
If you plan to go mountaineering, choose a mountain shoe with a high, warm upper and a waterproof upper. They are equipped with insulating soles. This allows you to face the freezing temperatures of the peaks, while also being protected from snow. These men's mountain shoes also maintain good breathability to prevent excessive perspiration.
You need a flexible walking shoe with good cushioning. For outings on dry, sometimes stony routes, we recommend walking shoes with a lugged outsole. On soft or wet terrain, they may have a more discreet tread pattern. Nordic walking shoes designed for the city do not need lugs. A waterproof-breathable model allows you to go out in all weather conditions.
Support, grip and robustness must all be present in this technical mountain shoe. It is used to approach difficult sections, tackle areas requiring a little climbing or via ferrata passages. Its design, slimmer than a classic hiking shoe, features a very grippy rubber outsole.
Discover all hiking shoes for men and women on our website.
The sole of a walking shoe is wide enough to offer good ground contact. This optimizes your stability on flat terrain.
The grip of hiking shoe soles is important because it helps prevent unwanted slips. Soft soles are ideal for flat terrain, where they offer good traction. They provide good propulsion. However, as they tend to wear out more easily, it is advisable to use them on accessible trails. In contrast, for mountaineering shoes or high-mountain hiking shoes, it is preferable to choose harder soles.
The soles of hiking shoes are also equipped with lugs. They are deep for unstable terrain such as snow or mud. On dry routes with rock or stones, the lugs are wider and shorter. Different rubber compounds are available:
Contagrip hiking shoes : these soles were invented by Salomon. They combine different types of rubber. The density of the material used on the outer sides is higher for a robust walking shoe . In the center, the rubber has a lower density. More flexible, it offers better traction.
Vibram hiking shoes: they are equipped with a vulcanized rubber sole. It is highly resistant to wear, insulates against the cold and also offers good anti-slip properties.
Continental soles : they equip adidas hiking shoes . They provide a 30% gain in traction.
Michelin soles : the French tire giant uses its expertise to combine rubber compounds and provide soles for all types of terrain.
Choosing between hiking shoes in leather or synthetic material mainly depends on individual needs and preferences.
Leather walking shoes are more durable. This material is naturally waterproof. However, in heavy rain, the mountain shoe absorbs moisture and becomes heavier. They are well suited to long, difficult or winter hikes.
On the other hand, shoes made from synthetic materials are lighter, more breathable and adapt more quickly to the shape of the foot. They are often preferred for shorter hikes or warm weather. However, they may not be as resistant or waterproof as leather shoes.
Taking into account the environment in which you plan to hike, your comfort preferences and the type of hike planned is essential to make an informed choice.
Too large, and you float inside your hiking shoes and lose them with every step. Too small, and you feel discomfort and risk injury. Pay close attention to the size of your men's hiking shoes.
Choosing the right size of hiking shoes is essential to guarantee optimal comfort and avoid injuries. In general, it is advisable to choose one size above your usual size. With effort, your feet tend to swell. This allows you to maintain your comfort, even when wearing thick socks in winter.
When trying on hiking shoes, make sure you have enough room to move your toes without them touching the front of the shoe, but without your foot slipping inside either. It is best to try them on at the end of the day, when your feet are naturally more swollen.
Test your hiking shoes, walk, tilt your foot, hop, and do not hesitate to simulate as many situations as possible to make sure they are comfortable. If you have support insoles, put them in when trying them on!
A good men's hiking or trekking shoe must provide the best possible comfort. To achieve this, it is important to take into account the conditions in which you move. Unless you only go out in dry weather, the question of moisture resistance in your men's walking shoe is crucial.
There are no 100% waterproof mountain shoes. Indeed, even if leather offers very good insulation against rain, it eventually gets wet. However, it allows you to cross streams or face showers without fear of getting your feet wet, especially if the pair has a high-cut upper.
Ideally, it is preferable to choose hiking shoes made from waterproof materials such as Gore-Tex.
The waterproofing and breathability of a Gore-Tex walking shoe vary depending on the type of membrane used. To know its ability to resist water, check its Schmerber rating. A measurement of 10,000 Schmerber allows you to face a few showers or water crossings without concern. To assess the breathability of your hiking shoe, look at its moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR). It is expressed in g/m2/24 h. A fabric is considered breathable from 10,000 g/m2/24 h.
The weight of men's hiking shoes is an important criterion to take into account. Indeed, some shoes can weigh up to 2 kilos each: this means lifting a total of 4 kilos with every step.
Combine this with heavy hiking gear to carry on your back, and fatigue can set in very quickly. During treks, choose lightweight men's hiking shoes and enjoy optimal comfort.
The level of support is an important criterion to take into account when choosing your hiking shoes. Indeed, shoes must offer adequate ankle and foot support to avoid injuries, especially on difficult and rugged terrain.
The level of support required depends on your body type, your hiking experience and the types of terrain you plan to cover.
Low-cut hiking shoes are generally suitable for light hikes, while high-cut hiking shoes offer better ankle support for mountain hikes or rugged terrain.
The lacing should be as adjustable as possible. Good hiking shoes systematically feature self-locking hooks to hold the lace securely and allow more precise tightening.
The lacing of your walking shoe must be simple and quick, and must of course last over time. A shoe that moves during a hike is not only uncomfortable, but also increases the risk of ankle twists and injury.
Quality is an essential criterion to take into account when buying men's hiking shoes. Indeed, shoes must be resistant and durable to withstand the difficult conditions of hiking.
It is preferable to choose high-quality materials that provide good protection and great longevity, such as full-grain leather, Gore-Tex or other premium synthetic materials.
The quality of hiking shoes can considerably affect the hiking experience, especially in hard-to-reach places. Poor-quality walking shoes can deteriorate quickly, causing foot injuries or forcing you to end a hiking route prematurely.
It is crucial to choose high-quality hiking shoes that offer good grip and good ankle and foot support. The brands featured on our website, renowned for the quality of their hiking shoes, are often the best choices to guarantee a comfortable and safe hiking experience.
Hiking shoes will accompany you for many years, so you might as well choose them according to your taste too! There is nothing like feeling good and enjoying wearing them, both in terms of comfort and from an aesthetic point of view.
Today, you can discover many quality men's models in a wide range of styles. You will therefore have plenty of choice on our website to find the ideal pair of hiking shoes.
The budget for a good pair of hiking shoes can be considerable. Depending on the brand, the model and specific features (for example mountaineering in very low temperatures), prices can quickly rise.
However, we recommend considering this purchase as a long-term investment. Quality hiking shoes last longer against wear, so you do not have to replace them every year.
On our i-Run website, discover a selection of the biggest men's hiking shoe brands.
Merrell offers hiking shoes designed for outdoor adventures, from everyday walks to more demanding trails. Comfortable and reliable, they provide excellent support, stability and grip to help you enjoy every hike with confidence.
Hoka, a specialist in trail running and running, is also a hiking brand recognized for the comfort offered by its shoes. Men's Hoka hiking shoes stand out for their very good cushioning and thick sole. All of this helps reduce fatigue and increase your endurance.
Men's Salomon hiking or walking shoes
Salomon men's hiking shoes are renowned for their combination of comfort, durability and style. The French brand is recognized for the wide choice in its range and its commitment to innovation.
Among our selection for hikes on easy terrain, we recommend:
The Inov-8 Roclite G 315 Gore-Tex V2 walking shoe : this versatile model is made for light hiking on trails, but can also give you complete satisfaction in trail running. Its graphene rubber lugs guarantee optimal traction. Thanks to its POWERFLOW+ sole, you benefit from high-performance cushioning. Its Gore-Tex membrane allows you to face all weather conditions.
The adidas Terrex AX4 hiking shoe : maintain your comfort on every outing with this model equipped with a dual-density EVA midsole. Its lightweight cushioning enhances your stability. The upper with mesh insert ensures perfect ventilation as well as good support. Special protection is integrated at the toe area. The Continental rubber outsole features multidirectional lugs. You benefit from perfect grip and very good traction on dry or wet terrain.
The men's Salomon Elixir Activ hiking shoe : we recommend this model for your day outings on moderately difficult routes. Fuze Foam cushioning absorbs shocks well while offering enjoyable energy return. By combining Active Chassis with a SensiFIT foot wrap, these walking shoes offer very good foot support. The Contagrip outsole with deep lugs and braking blocks allows you to tackle a wide variety of terrain.
For your more demanding outings, choose a slightly higher-cut walking shoe such as:
The Altra Lone Peak Mid ALL-WTHR: suited to all terrains and waterproof, it is perfect for a relaxed approach to hiking. Its Foot-Shaped Toe Box design was created to give the toes plenty of space and keep your big toe straight. This makes you more stable and optimizes your propulsion power. With its MaxTrac outsole, you benefit from good grip combined with good efficiency.
The Hoka One One Trail Code Gore-Tex walking shoe : enjoy a compression-molded EVA foam midsole that guarantees protective cushioning. It is reinforced at the heel thanks to Swallowtail technology. The Meta-Rocker midsole limits the height difference between the heel and the toes. It is combined with a curved sole profile under the metatarsals. The Gore-Tex membrane protects you from bad weather. Traction and grip are both present thanks to the Vibram Mega-grip outsole with 5 mm lugs.
The men's Merrell MOAB 3 Mid Gore-Tex hiking shoe : this robust model features an upper combining leather and mesh. The Gore-Tex treatment allows the whole shoe to maintain breathability while protecting you from rain. For its midsole, Merrell has chosen Air Cushion technology combined with the Super Rebound Compound system. Shock waves are perfectly absorbed across the entire foot. The contoured Kinetic Fit Advanced insole enhances support. In terms of traction, this hiking shoe also delivers strong performance thanks to the Vibram TC5+ outsole developed exclusively for the American brand.
Reach new heights with men's mountain shoes designed for performance, such as:
The La Sportiva TxS Gore-Tex trekking shoe: we recommend this model for experienced hikers taking on demanding excursions. This model is a true concentration of technology. Powerful cushioning is provided by an injected EVA sole. STB Control guarantees your stability by preventing foot torsion, as does the 3D Flex System. Integrated into the upper structure, it secures the ankle without restricting its mobility. On the Vibram Megagrip outsole, the lugs are positioned according to the Impact Brake System. Each contact with the ground provides traction uphill or grip downhill. These waterproof hiking shoes are suitable for all terrain.
The men's Millet G Trek 4 Gore-Tex mountain shoe: its secure upper is made from water-repellent suede split leather. It also features a Gore-Tex membrane for optimal water resistance. The self-locking laces enhance ankle support. Thanks to the Vibram Nanga Litebase lugged outsole, this model combines traction and lightness. The heel reinforcement, as well as the rubber stone guard, protects your feet from obstacles.
The Lowa Camino Evo Gore-Tex hiking shoe : enjoy a protective model with very good flexibility. This is ensured by the individually attached Lowa Flex eyelets for greater mobility, as well as the FlexFit upper. Your foot rolls through more smoothly, helping you save energy. Its Vibram Apptrail II outsole with multidirectional lugs excels both uphill and downhill. This waterproof nubuck trekking shoe allows you to move with ease even on technical routes or in the rain.
--> Also remember to equip yourself with a headlamp, such as the Petzl headlamp, so you can fully enjoy your hikes, treks and walks, even at night. With a connected watch, make your outdoor outings even safer, day or night, thanks to GPS tracking and other advanced features.