What are the best hiking shoes?

The pair that suits your terrain and the weight of your pack. On easy trails, low-cut shoes weighing around 370 g each are enough; in the mountains with a heavy pack, choose high-cut boots. Our guide compares the models in the range: what are the best hiking shoes?

What is the difference between a hiking shoe and a trail shoe?

The hiking shoe is designed for stable progression with the option to carry a load. The trail shoe is optimised for running on trails: lighter, less protective, and unsuitable for carrying a heavy pack. If you're walking, even at pace, go for a hiking shoe.

Should I size up by half a size?

Yes, generally. Feet swell during exercise, particularly on descents. Leaving 0.5 to 1 cm between your longest toe and the end of the shoe helps prevent black toenails. Always try them on with the hiking socks you’ll wear. In the Cimalp range, the 365 X-HIKING and 365 X-TREK run small (go up a size), while the TOUET runs large (go down a size).

How do I care for my hiking shoes?

After every outing: brush the sole and upper, leave to dry in the open air — never near a direct heat source. Every 5 to 10 outings: apply a waterproofing treatment suited to the material to reactivate the DWR.

Hiking shoes

Explore our selection of walking shoes suited to all your hikes and treks, whatever the terrain. Choose from Cimalp's range of waterproof and breathable footwear or from recognised brands such as Meindl, Scarpa, Aku, Asolo and Lowa.

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The best Hiking shoes for enjoying the mountains

Hiking Shoes

Low-cut hiking shoes

Mountaineering shoes

Hiking Socks

Which hiking shoes should you choose: low-, mid- or high-cut?

On a scree descent, your ankle can roll sideways as soon as a stone shifts underfoot. Choose the upper height according to the terrain and the weight of your pack. For moving quickly on trails, a low-cut shoe is enough: the 365 X-HIKING weighs 370 g in size 42. On varied terrain, a mid-cut shoe gives the ankle more support; the 365 X-TREK weighs 420 g. For steep trails with a heavy pack, the high-cut BERARDE weighs 580 g per boot, or 1,160 g per pair.

You’ll find the low-cut models among our low-cut hiking shoes.

Walking shoes or hiking shoes: what’s the difference?

The two terms often refer to the same type of shoe; the terrain is what determines your choice. For an easy trail or a brisk walk, choose a flexible, low-cut shoe. The 365 X-HIKING also works for Nordic walking. Made from leather, the low-cut TOUET is designed for forest paths and mid-altitude mountain trails. When the trail gets rocky or your pack gets heavier, switch to a mid- or high-cut shoe.

Each selection has its own page: our men’s hiking shoes and our women’s hiking shoes.

Trekking boots: leather, high-cut uppers and heavy packs

Over several days, the weight of your pack bears down with every step, and your shoes may not always dry overnight. For a trek, choose an upper made from leather and textile, with a sole featuring deep lugs. The BALME (530 g in size 42) handles a pack of up to 15 kg on technical trails; its Ultrashell membrane withstands a 20,000 mm water column. The BERARDE adds a high-cut upper. Their Vibram soles have lugs measuring 4 to 10 mm. Among our partner brands, Meindl and Scarpa offer Gore-Tex trekking models.

For longer journeys, browse our travel and trekking shoes. On glaciers, switch to mountaineering boots.

Membrane, sole, weight and shoe size: check these before ordering

Membrane: Ultrashell on waterproof Cimalp models, Gore-Tex on most models from our partner brands.
Sole: Vibram across the entire Cimalp range, with 4 to 10 mm lugs on the BALME and BERARDE.
Weight: 370–580 g per boot in size 42 across the Cimalp range.
Sizing: the 365 X-HIKING and 365 X-TREK run small; the TOUET runs large.

Choose your shoe size based on the model : go one size up for the 365 X-HIKING and 365 X-TREK, one size down for the TOUET, and choose your usual size for the BALME. The TOUET is available with or without a membrane. You’ll find models with a membrane in our waterproof hiking shoes.

Hiking shoes for men and women, or by brand

Every Cimalp model comes in men’s and women’s versions. Weights are given for a men’s size 42 and a women’s size 38: compare the models within the same selection.

Our partner brands have their own selections: Meindl shoes, Lowa shoes, Scarpa footwear, Asolo shoes and AKU footwear. Before your first outing, read our guide to care for your hiking shoes and pack some hiking socks.

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