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Design and function are in harmony in this versatile hiker, which has the chops to take on trails—Merrell’s SpeedARC midsole provides propulsion with each step, and a Vibram Megagrip outsole keeps your steps stable on any terrain—while also looking flat-out cool with its urban streetstyle aesthetic. They’ve become one of our go-to pairs for everything from dog walks and park days to throwing a big fit.

Comfort might not be your first concern on the trail—support and grippy outsoles are key off-road—but this update to Nike’s stable has those features plus a plush ride, thanks to the healthy stack of ReactX foam. We’ve enjoyed our trail runs and hikes wearing the shoes, but we’ve worn them casually almost as much since they’re so cushy.

These slip-ons shouldn’t be your go-to hiking shoes, but they’re not meant to be; they’re designed for climbers’ quick approaches, since they’re so easy to slip on and off. But they’re seriously comfortable and surprisingly rugged, with a Vibram Megagrip outsole. We like them for casual hikes and as the all-important camp sneaker, easy to step into straight out of your tent.

These have a pedigree—the brand was cofounded by champion ultrarunner Kilian Jornet as a certified B corp—that’s backed up by performance and a genuinely unique look and feel. The TPE upper provides a good fit and lockdown, while the midsole’s super-critical foam (dubbed EExpure) delivers a responsive ride. That, and they look damn cool on and off the trail.

Hoka went all out to make this trail runner, stuffing it full of performance tech (a carbon fiber plate, Peba foam, super-thick treads)—but the real story here is the 49 mm midsole stack height. That handled the conditions we ran in shockingly well, cushioning joints over the long haul. There‘s a bit of a learning curve with this much foam on tough terrain, but once you get acclimated, the miles roll by.

Danner has long been a name for rugged, hard-wearing hiking boots. But the N45 is one of the comfiest and lightest (13.5 ounces per shoe) hiking shoes we’ve tested in the past few years. The energy-absorbing EnduroFoam midsole combined with the ultra-breezy Perspair upper make this the we’ve worn this year. on gravel, mountain, and boulder terrain and it's excelled everywhere. The one thing it isn’t great at is water, as it lacks waterproofing. So while you won’t be able to wear it for every hike, you’ll certainly want to for all its other incredible features.

While it is far from the most technical trail-running shoe, the Terrex Agravic 3 is a great option for those just getting into the pursuit or more casual trail enthusiasts. The user-friendly design still delivers on comfort thanks to the Lightstrike cushioning and grip from the combination of a 4 mm lug system and a Continental Rubber outsole. A TPU stabilization plate also helps deliver steadiness on most terrains, along with some responsiveness. We’ve pushed it a bit this year, and while it does have previously mentioned limits, it’s a great entry point into the sport.