06 Boots vs Trail Runners Best picks
Best Hiking Boots for Beginners
Your first pair doesn't need to be expensive or stiff. These are ranked by published fit, waterproofing and how much break-in they actually need.
- By
- Mike M.
- Updated
- Method
- How we choose
We earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never decides the ranking: the method is published. Affiliate disclosure
Quick picks
The short answer
| # | Product | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 |  Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped Columbia calls this a first waterproof boot for women: full-grain leather and suede, sold in Standard and Wide, at 13.8 oz per shoe. | Best women's first boot | 7.3 / 10 | Check price on Amazon |
| 02 | Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof An Omni-Tech waterproof mid Columbia sells in men's Standard and Wide, at 15.9 oz per shoe with 5 mm lugs. | Best men's first boot | 7.2 / 10 | Check price on Amazon |
| 03 | Merrell Accentor 4 Mid Waterproof Merrell's newest entry-level waterproof mid, with a suede-and-mesh upper, a rubber toe cap and a Merrell Air Cushion heel. | Best familiar first brand | 6.8 / 10 | Check price on Amazon |
| 04 | Columbia Crestwood Mid Waterproof A leather, mesh and webbing mid at 14.5 oz per shoe, sold in men's Standard and Wide. | Best lighter budget option | 6.7 / 10 | Check price on Amazon |
| 05 | Columbia Transverse Hike Waterproof A leather-and-mesh waterproof mid at 13.1 oz per shoe with 4 mm lugs, sold in men's Standard and Wide. | Best for easy day hikes | 6.6 / 10 | Check price on Amazon |
| 06 | Skechers Waterproof Relaxed Fit: Trego - Trail Destination A seam-sealed waterproof boot with Skechers' Relaxed Fit and an Air-Cooled Memory Foam insole, in women's Medium. | Best women's easy-trail pick | 5.5 / 10 | Check price on Amazon |
| 07 | Northside Kaneko Mid Waterproof An engineered-knit waterproof mid with Titan Frame TPU welds and a cushioned Summit Lite midsole. | Best budget knit upper | 5.4 / 10 | Check price on Amazon |
| 08 | Northside Snohomish Mid Waterproof A budget suede waterproof mid with a breathable lining, an abrasion-resistant toe guard and a removable EVA insole. | Best for casual, easy trails | 5.2 / 10 | Check price on Amazon |
#ad · Prices are set by Amazon and change often, so we don't print them. Scores are ours, compiled from published specs, widths and warranty terms against this page's problem, not lab tests. Photos are stock. Tap a row for the full write-up.
What actually matters for a first boot
New hikers usually get hurt by two things: a boot that doesn't fit and a boot that hasn't been broken in. Neither is really about price. A budget boot with a published width option and a low break-in requirement beats an expensive one that's the wrong shape for your foot. All eight picks below are waterproof, which matters more for a beginner who doesn't yet own separate boots for separate conditions, and most publish a Standard/Wide choice rather than one-size-fits-all. For the fuller decision between a boot, a shoe and a trail runner before you buy anything, see how to choose hiking boots.
How we ranked these for a first pair
We used our default weighting: fit range at 25%, problem fit at 30%, support at 20%, weight at 10% and durability at 15%. Problem fit here rewards boots explicitly built or marketed as a first or entry boot, with a published width option, over boots that are simply cheaper.
In detail
Every pick, in full
01
Stock photoBest women's first boot
Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped
Built for
Columbia calls this a first waterproof boot for women: full-grain leather and suede, sold in Standard and Wide, at 13.8 oz per shoe.
Widths sold: Women's Standard, Wide
Published specs (tap for source)
- Problem fit (30%)
- 8.5
- Fit range (25%)
- 7
- Support & protection (20%)
- 6
- Durability & warranty (15%)
- 7
- Weight (10%)
- 7
What it gets right
- Sold in Standard and Wide for women
- Full grain leather and suede upper, seam-sealed
- Mid shaft with published weight (390 g per shoe, women's 7) and 5 mm lugs
What it doesn't
- Women's only; the men's Newton Ridge Plus II is a separate model
- No shank, drop or stack published
Skip it if…
…you carry a heavy pack over rocky ground: Columbia publishes no shank, drop or stack for it.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Affiliate disclosure for the link to Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped
02
Stock photoBest men's first boot
Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof
Built for
An Omni-Tech waterproof mid Columbia sells in men's Standard and Wide, at 15.9 oz per shoe with 5 mm lugs.
Widths sold: Men's Standard, Wide
Published specs (tap for source)
- Problem fit (30%)
- 9
- Fit range (25%)
- 7
- Support & protection (20%)
- 6
- Durability & warranty (15%)
- 6
- Weight (10%)
- 6
What it gets right
- Sold in Standard and Wide for men
- Omni-Tech waterproof-breathable membrane
- Mid shaft with hooked metal eyelets at the ankle
What it doesn't
- Check the Amazon listing: it may not stock every width
- No shank, drop or stack published
- Men's only; the women's boot is a different model (Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped)
Skip it if…
…you carry a heavy pack over rocky ground: the published build is PU-coated leather, suede and mesh on a Techlite midsole, with no shank listed.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Affiliate disclosure for the link to Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof
03
Stock photoBest familiar first brand
Merrell Accentor 4 Mid Waterproof
Built for
Merrell's newest entry-level waterproof mid, with a suede-and-mesh upper, a rubber toe cap and a Merrell Air Cushion heel.
Widths sold: Men's MW (Medium Width)
Published specs (tap for source)
- Problem fit (30%)
- 9
- Fit range (25%)
- 6
- Support & protection (20%)
- 6
- Durability & warranty (15%)
- 6
- Weight (10%)
- 5
What it gets right
- Rubber toe cap and bellows tongue
- Merrell Air Cushion in the heel
- At least 20% recycled content
What it doesn't
- Men's MW (Medium Width) only on Zappos: no Wide
- Weight not published
- Membrane is unnamed
Skip it if…
…you have wide feet: Zappos lists it in men's MW (Medium Width) only, while Columbia's Newton Ridge Plus II comes in Wide.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Affiliate disclosure for the link to Merrell Accentor 4 Mid Waterproof
04
Stock photoBest lighter budget option
Columbia Crestwood Mid Waterproof
Built for
A leather, mesh and webbing mid at 14.5 oz per shoe, sold in men's Standard and Wide.
Widths sold: Men's Standard, Wide
Published specs (tap for source)
- Problem fit (30%)
- 7
- Fit range (25%)
- 7
- Support & protection (20%)
- 6
- Durability & warranty (15%)
- 6
- Weight (10%)
- 7
What it gets right
- Sold in Standard and Wide for men
- Omni-Tech waterproofing in a mid shaft
- 412 g per shoe (men's 9), lighter than Columbia's Newton Ridge Plus II at 452 g
What it doesn't
- Lug depth not published
- No shank, drop or stack published
- Men's only
Skip it if…
…you need a women's boot: only the men's version was verified, and Columbia's Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped is the women's option in Standard and Wide.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Affiliate disclosure for the link to Columbia Crestwood Mid Waterproof
05
Stock photoBest for easy day hikes
Columbia Transverse Hike Waterproof
Built for
A leather-and-mesh waterproof mid at 13.1 oz per shoe with 4 mm lugs, sold in men's Standard and Wide.
Widths sold: Men's Standard, Wide
Published specs (tap for source)
- Problem fit (30%)
- 7
- Fit range (25%)
- 7
- Support & protection (20%)
- 5.5
- Durability & warranty (15%)
- 6
- Weight (10%)
- 7
What it gets right
- 371 g per shoe (men's 9), lighter than Columbia's Crestwood Mid (412 g) and Newton Ridge Plus II (452 g)
- Sold in Standard and Wide for men
- Omni-Tech, which Columbia tags "Waterproof. Breathable. Guaranteed."
What it doesn't
- Columbia sells it as a shoe, though the page lists the shaft as "Mid", so check the cut suits you
- 4 mm lugs, shallower than the 5 mm on Columbia's Newton Ridge boots
- Men's only
Skip it if…
…you want a true boot-height cuff for rolled ankles: Columbia sells it as a shoe, and the height is listed only as "Mid".
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Affiliate disclosure for the link to Columbia Transverse Hike Waterproof
06
Stock photoBest women's easy-trail pick
Skechers Waterproof Relaxed Fit: Trego - Trail Destination
Built for
A seam-sealed waterproof boot with Skechers' Relaxed Fit and an Air-Cooled Memory Foam insole, in women's Medium.
Widths sold: Women's Medium
Published specs (tap for source)
- Problem fit (30%)
- 6.5
- Fit range (25%)
- 5
- Support & protection (20%)
- 5
- Durability & warranty (15%)
- 5.5
- Weight (10%)
- 5
What it gets right
- Seam-sealed waterproof design
- Skechers' Relaxed Fit
- Air-Cooled Memory Foam insole
What it doesn't
- Women's Medium only; no wide width
- Weight, outsole and lug details not published
- Short 3 in shaft
Skip it if…
…you have wide feet: it's listed in women's Medium only, while Columbia's Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped comes in Wide.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Affiliate disclosure for the link to Skechers Waterproof Relaxed Fit: Trego - Trail Destination
07
Stock photoBest budget knit upper
Northside Kaneko Mid Waterproof
Built for
An engineered-knit waterproof mid with Titan Frame TPU welds and a cushioned Summit Lite midsole.
Published specs (tap for source)
- Problem fit (30%)
- 5.5
- Fit range (25%)
- 5
- Support & protection (20%)
- 6
- Durability & warranty (15%)
- 5.5
- Weight (10%)
- 5
What it gets right
- Waterproof construction in a mid cut
- Knit upper reinforced with "Titan Frame" TPU welds
- "Summit Lite" cushioned midsole
What it doesn't
- Widths and weight not published
- Membrane not named
- Men's only
Skip it if…
…you want a named membrane or a wide width: Northside lists neither for the Kaneko.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Affiliate disclosure for the link to Northside Kaneko Mid Waterproof
08
Stock photoBest for casual, easy trails
Northside Snohomish Mid Waterproof
Built for
A budget suede waterproof mid with a breathable lining, an abrasion-resistant toe guard and a removable EVA insole.
Published specs (tap for source)
- Problem fit (30%)
- 4.5
- Fit range (25%)
- 5
- Support & protection (20%)
- 6
- Durability & warranty (15%)
- 6
- Weight (10%)
- 5
What it gets right
- Suede upper with an abrasion-resistant toe guard
- Gusseted tongue on a mid cuff
- Removable, washable EVA insole
What it doesn't
- Widths and weight not published
- No lug depth, shank or drop published
- Men's only
Skip it if…
…you need a wide width or want to compare weights: Northside publishes neither for the Snohomish.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Affiliate disclosure for the link to Northside Snohomish Mid Waterproof
Fit notes for a first pair of hiking boots
Try boots on with the socks you'll actually hike in, later in the day when your feet have swollen slightly, and leave a thumb's width of room at the toe. See how hiking boots should fit for the full set of checks. If your feet spread wide at the forefoot, the Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II, Newton Ridge Plus Amped and Crestwood above are all sold in a published Wide, alongside other Merrell and Columbia lines (Merrell Wide Width).
Every new leather-and-mesh boot needs some break-in before a long hike, even the ones above built to need less of it. Wear them around the house and on short walks first; our guide to how to break in hiking boots covers the schedule and what to watch for.
Who should skip all of these
If you're not sure you'll stick with hiking regularly, a low-cut hiking shoe is a smaller first purchase and needs even less break-in than a mid boot. If you already know you have wide feet or a specific fit problem, our problem-specific roundups (linked from the fit guide) will get you a better match than a general beginner list.
How we chose
Units we claim to have tested: 0
Everyone in this category says they tested it. We didn't, and we say so. Every pick is scored from the brand's published specs, width and size charts, warranty terms and cited research, against the problem this page is about. The sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
Scores are editorial judgments from that published data, not lab results. Nobody pays for placement, and a missing spec is scored neutral, never guessed. The full rubric is on How We Choose.
- Problem fit
- 30%
- Fit range
- 25%
- Support & protection
- 20%
- Durability & warranty
- 15%
- Weight
- 10%
The weights this page used for its scores.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Should a beginner buy hiking boots or hiking shoes?
Do new hiking boots need to be broken in?
How should hiking boots fit for a first-time buyer?
What should I look for in my first pair of hiking boots?
Keep going
Related fixes and picks
Update log
What changed
- First published.
Receipts
Sources
- 01APMA: Choosing Shoes for Sports (accessed Sep 2026)
- 02Merrell: Wide Width Footwear (accessed Sep 2026)
We don't test boots, shoes or gear, and we don't pretend to. Specs, widths and materials come from the brand's own pages (or a named retailer's listing where the brand doesn't publish them); health information comes from the research and professional bodies linked above. Prices are set by Amazon and change often, so we don't print them. Where a figure isn't published, we say so. Read the full method.