Best Lightweight Hiking Boots for Men: 7 Light Picks, Weights and Who Should Skip Each

The 7 Best Lightweight Hiking Boots for Men at a Glance

Seven men’s boots that independent outlets list as light. Tap a photo or the button to see the boot on Amazon. For the general list, see our best hiking boots for men guide.

Price category reflects current US listings: budget is roughly under $150, mid-range roughly $150 to $200, premium above $200. Prices change, so confirm on the product page.

Published Weights Compared

Weights are the easiest way to compare light boots, but outlets use different bases, so treat the numbers as a guide.

Which Boot for Which Hiker (and Who Should Skip Each)

Who should skip each boot

The Lightest Men’s Hiking Boots

The lightest men’s boots our sources list, with the most weight saved.

Oboz Katabatic LT Mid GTX (men’s)

Best for: fastpacking and long light days

CleverHiker names it Best Boot for Fastpacking at 1 lb 9.6 oz per pair, the lightest boot on its men’s list, praising comfort, breathable waterproofing, stability and excellent traction.

What this means for you: the lightest waterproof boot our sources list for men. Only CleverHiker covers it among our sources, so it has less cross-checking.

Fit and sizing: CleverHiker says wide is available.

Men’s and women’s versions: See our best lightweight hiking boots for women guide for women’s weights.

Watch for: CleverHiker lists weaker scrambling performance, durability that is not the best and a high price.

Skip it if: you scramble a lot or want a boot that lasts for years.

Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX (men’s)

Best for: light, fast hiking and lightweight backpacking

REI gives it an Editors’ Choice Award and lists 1 lb 12.2 oz for men’s, praising durable nylon and TPU uppers and Vibram TC5+ lugs. RunRepeat names it Best Lightweight at 14.1 oz per boot, and OutdoorGearLab lists excellent traction and wide size options.

What this means for you: the lightest GORE-TEX option from a mainstream brand.

Fit and sizing: OutdoorGearLab says it fits long, with wide sizes offered.

Watch for: Durability is disputed: RunRepeat says fantastic while OutdoorGearLab says its lightweight materials are less durable. RunRepeat also lists a flat ride, poor breathability and slow drying, and REI notes big toe bruising on descents.

Skip it if: you hike in hot weather or want maximum durability.

La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX (men’s)

Best for: fast, technical ground in a light boot

Treeline Review lists 1 lb 14.2 oz in its men’s guide, calling it lightweight and agile but closer to a trail runner. Men’s Journal names it Best Overall, praising an unusually precise feel. OutdoorGearLab calls it the most confidence-inspiring lightweight hiker, and Trail and Kale names it best for technical terrain at 14.4 oz per US 9.

What this means for you: precise and light, but check the sizing.

Fit and sizing: Medium only per OutdoorGearLab.

Watch for: OutdoorGearLab says it runs about half a size small and has no wide sizing, and Trail and Kale says to size up half a size.

Skip it if: you want plush cushioning, wide sizing or strong ankle support.

Light All-Round Men’s Hiking Boots

Light boots with more all-round comfort.

Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX (men’s)

Best for: light day hiking and light backpacking

Treeline Review names it best lightweight at 1 lb 14.4 oz, calling it light and breathable, drying about twice as fast as the Quest 5. CleverHiker names it Best Hiking Boots Overall at 1 lb 15 oz, citing minimal break-in and excellent traction. GearJunkie names it Best Lightweight at 1 lb 15 oz, and RunRepeat names it best for stability at 15.4 oz per boot.

What this means for you: the most-named light boot, and a safe place to start.

Fit and sizing: Sizing reports differ. Treeline Review says true to size with a spacious toe box, while CleverHiker says the toe box runs narrow and sizing slightly small. Wide is available.

Watch for: GearJunkie says it is too pliable for steep side-hilling, CleverHiker lists less ankle support and a flimsy insert, and NBC Select finds it too warm above 65 degrees.

Skip it if: you carry heavy loads or want maximum ankle support.

KEEN Hightrail Mid Waterproof (men’s)

Best for: a light, plush boot with a sneaker-like feel

CleverHiker calls it a Light and Plush Hiking Boot at 1 lb 14.4 oz per pair, praising comfort, flexibility, grip and a sneaker-like feel.

What this means for you: a soft, light boot for easy trails. Only CleverHiker covers it among our sources.

Fit and sizing: CleverHiker says wide is available and that sizing seems slightly off.

Watch for: CleverHiker lists a high heel-to-toe drop, less waterproofing than some boots and that it may not fit extra-wide feet.

Skip it if: you want strong waterproofing or have extra-wide feet.

Budget Light Hiking Boots for Men

Lower-cost boots that are light enough for most day hikes.

Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof (men’s)

Best for: light, low-cost boots for occasional hikers

CleverHiker lists the Newton Ridge Plus 2 WP at 2 lb per pair as its less expensive pick for occasional hikers and beginners, praising value, durability and traction, with sizes 7 to 17.

What this means for you: the cheapest way into a mid boot. At 2 lb it is not the lightest.

Fit and sizing: CleverHiker says wide is available.

Watch for: CleverHiker lists it as not fully waterproof, slow to break in, stiff and hot above 70 degrees.

Skip it if: you hike in warm weather.

Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof (men’s)

Best for: budget light-ish hiking with no break-in

Treeline Review names it best affordable at 2 lb 2.9 oz. CleverHiker lists 2 lb 4 oz and names it Best Budget, and GearJunkie lists 2 lb 2.9 oz.

What this means for you: not the lightest boot here, but the safe, budget choice if you want a mid-weight starter.

Fit and sizing: Regular and wide per Treeline Review.

Watch for: CleverHiker lists it as bulky with a thin insole, and GearJunkie says it is too bulky for technical terrain.

Skip it if: you want the lightest boot.

Also named

CleverHiker lists the HOKA Anacapa 2 Mid GTX at 2 lb 4 oz as a versatile lightweight boot with excellent traction, a springy feel and a narrow midfoot, and GearJunkie lists the HOKA Speedgoat 6 Mid GTX as a crossover option at 1 lb 6.8 oz. We have not matched a men’s Anacapa 2 on Amazon, and the Speedgoat 6 listings vary widely by color and price, so there are no buy buttons.

Our Lightweight Boot Evaluation Framework

We score each boot on five questions using only what the named outlets published.

1. Source agreement. How many outlets name it?
2. Published weight. How light.
3. Fit. Width and sizing.
4. Support. Ankle support and stability.
5. Recurring drawbacks. Complaints the outlets raise.

Source agreement counts outlets that name the boot in a ranking. The rest summarizes what those outlets wrote.

How to Choose Lightweight Hiking Boots

• Weigh the trade. The lightest boots list less ankle support. See our best hiking boots guide for heavier options.
• Check breathability. Waterproof light boots can run hot, per several outlets above.
• Know your width. The Ultra Raptor 3 is medium only, while the Hightrail, Katabatic LT and Newton Ridge Plus offer wide.
• Match the boot to the terrain. The Ultra Raptor 3 suits technical ground, the Moab 3 maintained trails.

Where the Expert Reviews Disagree

X Ultra 5 sizing. Treeline Review says true to size with a spacious toe box, while CleverHiker says the toe box runs narrow and sizing slightly small.

Moab Speed 2 durability. RunRepeat says fantastic, OutdoorGearLab says less durable.

X Ultra 5 weight. Treeline Review lists 1 lb 14.4 oz per pair, CleverHiker and GearJunkie 1 lb 15 oz, and RunRepeat 15.4 oz per boot.

Questions About Lightweight Hiking Boots, Answered

“What is the lightest men’s hiking boot?”

CleverHiker lists the Oboz Katabatic LT Mid GTX at 1 lb 9.6 oz per pair, the lightest on its list.

“What is the best lightweight men’s hiking boot?”

Treeline Review and GearJunkie name the Salomon X Ultra 5 Best Lightweight.

“Are light boots supportive enough?”

Several outlets list less ankle support on the lightest boots. Choose a stiffer boot for heavy loads.

“Which light boot is cheapest?”

The KEEN Hightrail, Columbia Newton Ridge Plus and Merrell Moab 3 are in our Budget category.

“How do I care for them?”

See our hiking boot cleaning guide.

Mistakes to Avoid When Buying

• Buying light for heavy loads. Several outlets list less ankle support on light boots.
• Comparing weights across outlets. Some list per pair and some per boot.
• Ignoring width. The Ultra Raptor 3 is medium only.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the lightest men’s hiking boot?

CleverHiker lists the Oboz Katabatic LT Mid GTX at 1 lb 9.6 oz per pair.

What is the best lightweight men’s hiking boot?

The Salomon X Ultra 5, named Best Lightweight by Treeline Review and GearJunkie.

Are light boots good for backpacking?

CleverHiker names the Katabatic LT for fastpacking, but lists weak scrambling performance.

Which light boot suits wide feet?

CleverHiker lists wide sizes for the Katabatic LT, Hightrail, X Ultra 5 and Newton Ridge Plus.

Which light boot is cheapest?

The KEEN Hightrail, Columbia Newton Ridge Plus and Merrell Moab 3 are in our Budget category.

Do light boots need break-in?

CleverHiker lists minimal break-in for the X Ultra 5.

Do these come for women?

Most do. See our best lightweight hiking boots for women guide.

How do I clean hiking boots?

Follow our hiking boot cleaning guide.

The Short Version

Pick the Salomon X Ultra 5 for the most-recommended light boot, the Oboz Katabatic LT for the lowest weight, the Merrell Moab Speed 2 for light GORE-TEX, or the Merrell Moab 3 on a budget, and check the width before you order.

Keep Reading

Sources

• CleverHiker: Best hiking boots for men
• Treeline Review: Best hiking boots
• GearJunkie: Best hiking boots
• REI: The best hiking boots
• OutdoorGearLab: Best hiking boots for men
• RunRepeat: Best hiking boots
• Men’s Journal: Best hiking boots
• Trail and Kale: Best hiking boots buyer’s guide