How to Choose Hiking Boots, Plus the Most Searched Hiking Boots (2026)
Ranked by what people actually search
Wondering how to choose hiking boots? Start with the guide below, then see the hiking boot brands people in the US search for most every month, ranked by how many people search for each one, not by who pays us. Hiking boot searches add up to about 567,000 a month, and Danner leads the brands by total boot searches.
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Last updated: October 31, 2026
How to choose hiking boots
- Match the boot to the trail. Low-cut hiking shoes suit well-groomed day trails. Mid or high boots give more ankle coverage on rocky ground or with a heavy pack.
- Decide on waterproofing. Waterproof boots (often with a Gore-Tex lining) keep feet dry in wet weather but can run warmer. Non-waterproof boots breathe better in heat.
- Get the fit right. Try boots on with the socks you’ll hike in, ideally later in the day when feet are larger. Your toes shouldn’t hit the front on a downhill.
- Break them in. Wear new boots on short walks before a long hike.
Hiking boot brands, ranked by monthly searches
| Rank | Brand | Searches/mo |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Danner | 100,400 |
| 02 | Keen | 45,200 |
| 03 | Merrell | 32,900 |
| 04 | Crispi | 27,100 |
| 05 | Lowa | 12,100 |
| 06 | Salomon | 12,100 |
| 07 | Tecnica | 1,900 |
Searches/mo = each brand’s total monthly US boot searches (Semrush, October 2026), not hiking-boot searches only. Danner’s 100,400, for example, counts all Danner boot searches; “danner hiking boots” alone gets about 8,100.
The top 7, with where to buy
1.Danner
Danner is a Portland, Oregon, boot maker known for the Mountain Light and other hiking and work boots.
3.Merrell
Merrell is best known for the Moab, one of the most popular hiking shoes and boots.
6.Salomon
Salomon is a French outdoor brand known for trail running shoes and hiking boots.
7.Tecnica
Tecnica is an Italian outdoor brand, and its Argos GTX is a Gore-Tex hiking boot.
What people search for
By monthly volume: hiking boots waterproof (110,000), hiking boots (60,500), how to choose hiking boots (33,100), waterproof hiking boots (18,100), hiking boots for women (18,100), best hiking boots (14,800) and hiking boots for men (12,100).
Waterproof hiking boots Women’s hiking boots Men’s hiking boots
FAQ
How do I choose hiking boots?
Match the boot height to the trail, decide whether you need waterproofing, try them on with hiking socks later in the day, and break them in before a long hike.
What are the best hiking boots?
By each brand’s total boot searches (not hiking boots only), Danner leads, followed by Keen, Merrell and Crispi. The right boot depends on your trails, your pack weight and your fit.
Are waterproof hiking boots worth it?
They keep your feet dry in rain, mud and stream crossings. In hot, dry weather, a non-waterproof boot breathes better.
What are good hiking boots for women?
Keen, Merrell, Danner, Salomon and Lowa all sell women’s hiking boots.
How this list is ranked: estimated monthly US searches from Semrush keyword data (pulled October 2026), with name variants added together. Search interest is not sales, and it isn’t a review. Brands we can’t link to stay on the list.
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