The Best Budget Hiking Boots on the Market
Whether you are an amateur hiker who doesn’t want to spend a fortune on gear or you are hiking on a budget, there are excellent best hiking boots of all time out there that you can get without breaking the bank. In this article, we will be showcasing a few of our selections for affordable hiking boots that you should consider getting before your next hiking trip.
Merrell Moab 2
For a pair of hiking boots below the price point of $100, the Merrell Moab 2 packs a surprising amount of value. It is fairly lightweight, comfortable, durable, and available in various sizes and fits. This is the best hiking boots to opt for in the budget price range.
Notable features include Vibram outsoles, which provide great traction on rough, uneven roads. They are not excellent, mind you. However, for day hikers on moderately difficult hiking paths, they will be enough. The boots also have air-cushioned heels as well as wraparound stability bands to give your feet greater comfort while you’re on the move.
The boots (at least the Ventilator model we tested) are not water resistant. Even a puddle can soak up the boots and wet your socks. Fortunately, the mesh material allows vaporization to occur quickly and your boots will be dried again in no time at all.
The lack of a waterproofing layer is not all bad. Without it, the boots turn out to be very breathable, which makes it perfect for day hiking in warm weather conditions.
The rugged outsole, rubber toe cap, and an upper made from a mix of suede leather and mesh combined gives the Merrell Moab 2 great durability. With adequate maintenance, it will easily last you a year or two with moderate use.
Columbia Newton Ridge Plus
For the casual hiker, the Columbia Newton Ridge Plus is not only a pair of best Rated Hiking Boots that’s durable and comfortable. Its beautiful and stylish design will also make it excellent for wearing off of the track and in day-to-day settings. The excellent price point it’s at is also a huge plus in its favor on our review.
Our testers found the boots to be especially comfortable to wear. With the majority of the boots’ body made from out of leather, it looks like it’s going to give the wearer a hard time from out of the box with its stiffness. Surprisingly, our testers reported an incredibly short break in time. The seam-sealed, treated leather upper mellowed out in a matter of hours and became extremely comfortable.
The rubber soles have a bit of a flex in it and testers found that they could feel rocks and debris underfoot while hiking. Furthermore, the Omni-Grip rubber soles were reported to not perform very well on difficult or technical hikes. All in all, it is clear that these good quality hiking boots are made predominantly for the casual hiker who’s only ever going to tackle moderately-challenging hiking paths. If you’re going to take on more treacherous roads, it is not recommended that you wear the Columbia Newton Ridge Plus.
Although it doesn’t have a dedicated waterproofing bootie to be considered as full-fledged waterproof boots, the leather does a surprisingly great job at keeping out liquid. While wading in ankle-deep water, the tongue will be compromised and water will seep inside. But for small puddles and rain, these boots will do a fine job keeping your feet dry.
In terms of durability, the leather is very durable and even after hiking regularly for a long period, there were very little wears and tears. The sewing held on strong and the soles remained solid with no punctures.
Conclusion
So that is our good hiking boots reviews of the most affordable models on the market! In spite of their low price tag, as you can see, they will serve you well.
Want to see more options? We have several more articles for you to go through on our site if you’re still on the fence about purchasing.
Happy shopping!
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