The future is here. It used to be hard to find vegan hiking boots and hiking shoes. Just a few select brands made them. But the world is truly changing because even brands like adidas and Merrell, which used to almost exclusively make leather shoes, have expanded to include more vegan-friendly synthetics in their lineups. As new innovations in materials take root, product makers will stop exploiting animals for their skin. And the new synthetics are more durable, breathable, and waterproof than leather. Here are the top-rated vegan hiking boots and hiking shoes from the best brands in the industry.
1. Arc’teryx Acrux TR GTX Vegan Hiking Boots
Women’s
Hailing from the Coast Mountains region of western Canada, Arc’teryx makes rugged outdoor apparel that will put you in good stead for wherever your adventures take you. Arc’teryx measures the carbon footprint of all of their products and hopes to eventually move all of them to cradle-to-cradle design.
The goal of cradle-to-cradle product design, also called regenerative design, is to create products that are essentially zero-waste. When they’ve outlived their use, all parts can be recycled into new products or will biodegrade naturally instead of sitting in land-fill. While Arc’teryx is not there yet with their products, it’s reassuring to see footwear companies that actually care about the entire lifecycle of their products, as far too many do not.
The Arc’teryx Acrux hiking boot is great for long treks in alpine conditions – or anytime you want to keep your feet warm, dry, and protected.
The upper is made with vegan-friendly, waterproof GORE-TEX. And the outsoles are made with Vibram “MegaGrip” rubber that offers stability, traction, and grip.
This boot is perfect for multi-day backpacking trips or serious day hikes.
Available colors: black
Men’s
2. Arc’teryx Aerios FL GTX Vegan Hiking Shoe
Women’s
The has a waterproof GORE-TEX upper that’s both breathable and vegan-friendly. This is a great lightweight shoe that has a lot of flexibility but will also provide plenty of support and protection on rugged terrain. This shoe is perfect for day hikes or technical approaches.
Available colors: blue, brown, and olive
Men’s
3. Astral TR1 Merge Minimalist Vegan Hiking Boots
Women’s
A socially- and environmentally-conscious footwear company, Astral was started in 2002 by farmer/entrepreneur Philip Curry. After he sold his first outdoor gear company to Patagonia in 1999, he did some traveling and then became a full-time biodynamic farmer.
Biodynamic farming is both a method and a philosophical approach to farming that views the entire farm an integrated and whole living organism. An aspect to this holistic approach to farming incorporates the spirit of the farm, with an understanding that there is metaphysical energy in the farm.
With his experience managing the farm, Philip again thought of the outdoor gear industry. He considered how he might create products that let wilderness athletes experience the great outdoors in a holistic way, which meant having a minimal environmental impact.
Astral shoes are designed and made with these considerations in mind. Philip set out to create beautifully designed footwear and other gear in the least toxic way possible. As a result, Astral has eliminated PVC foam from their supply chain, uses recycled polyester in their materials, and creates only 100% vegan shoes.
Astral’s Merge Minimalist hiking boots are one such example. Made with vegan-friendly breathable, quick-drying canvas, these boots are versatile enough for multi-season backpacking trips or kayaking expeditions.
The soles of these boots are made with “ultra-grippy” high-friction rubber that has 5 mm lugs and flex grooves. There’s also an EVA foam midsole and a heel designed for stability and comfort.
Men’s
4. Astral TR1 Junction Minimalist Vegan Hiking Shoes
Women’s
Astral’s lightweight vegan hiking shoes are designed for mixed terrain as well as walking on river and lake beds. They dry quickly and their heavy-duty 5 mm lug soles provide extra grip on both rugged and slippery surfaces.
The uppers of these hiking shoes are made with recycled polyester hydrophobic canvas that drains water. And the insoles are treated with Polygiene, a material that’s interwoven into the fabric and which has antimicrobial properties that prevent odors. Both bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® approved, Polygiene meets strict environmental and product life cycle standards.
Astral’s eco-friendly and vegan hiking shoes are perfect for kayaking and canoeing trips as well as day hikes on mixed terrain.
Men’s
To see more cool shoes by Astral, check out my post on hemp shoes.
5. La Sportiva Trango Cube GTX Vegan Hiking Boot
Women’s
Headquartered at the base of the Dolomites, La Sportiva has been making technical outdoor gear for nearly a century. La Sportiva’s goal it so create products “that let you go where you dream to go, do what you dream to do, and live how you want to live.” And their wide selection of vegan hiking boots and shoes do not disappoint.
La Sportiva owns and operates their own state-of-the-art factory in the small mountain village of Ziano di Fiemme, Italy, where their footwear is made the traditional way – by hand.
The award-winning Trango Cube GTX is a technically advanced mountaineering boot that’s made for rough terrain, including snow and ice. Waterproof and rugged, these boots are still lightweight and designed for extended use. A 100% vegan hiking boot, the Trango has no animal by products in the materials or adhesives.
Men’s
6. La Sportiva Synthesis Mid GTX Vegan Hiking Shoe
Women’s
If you love to move fast on rugged terrain, then the Synthesis Mid GTX may be the perfect vegan hiking shoe for you. Made with Gore-Tex, it’s breathable and waterproof while still being super lightweight. So, all your energy can be put into moving forward instead of lifting your feet!
These hiking shoes have a Vibram Nano sole with a built-in braking system, so you get traction and stability on steep descents. With a unified midsole and upper, these shoes provide extra ankle support and stability. Plus, they have a bungee pull cord lacing system to get the perfect fit.
These shoes are great for long day hikes in any kind of weather.
Men’s
7. La Sportiva Spire GTX Vegan Hiking Shoe
Women’s
With 360-degree breathability, La Sportiva’s Spire GTX low-cut hiking shoe is perfect for hiking or light-weight backpacking. Made with Gore-Tex, it’s waterproof, making it great for varied weather conditions, like hiking in the Rocky Mountains or wherever your adventures take you.
Men’s
8. Altra Lone Peak Vegan Hiking Boots
Women’s
Traditionally a running shoe company, Altra is known for their “FootShape” toe box, which allows your toes to relax and spread out naturally as you move, whether ascending steep terrain or running downhill. Altra has brought this technology to their Lone Peak vegan hiking boots, creating a lightweight boot that’s comfortable for running, hiking, and even snowshoeing.
With a breathable, 100% waterproof upper and a durable rubber outsole, these boots are great on the trail, whether it’s hot and sunny or cold and snowy.
Men’s
9. Altra Lone Peak Vegan Hiking Shoe
Women’s
Altra’s vegan-friendly Lone Peak hiking shoe is their original trail shoe but with some innovative updates. They’ve made the upper more breathable and at the same time more durable and stable. A webbing cinch strap at midfoot provides extra stability, and multi-directional, carved lugs have been added for increased traction on the trail. The all-new Lone Peak hiking shoe is also lighter weight than its predecessor.
The wide toe box lets your toes spread out naturally and your feet relax on the trail, whether you’re ascending a steep ridge or on the descent.
Men’s
10. Merrell Moab Mid GTX Faux Leather Hiking Boot
Women’s
Merrell’s vegan-friendly Moab Mid GTX hiking boot has a faux leather and mesh combo upper. Plus, there’s a Gore-Tex membrane that’s waterproof while providing excellent breathability. The Vibram soles have 5 mm lugs, and Merrell’s proprietary EVA-contoured footbed offers superb arch and heel support. These vegan hiking boots are great for lightweight backpacking and hiking on mixed terrain.
Men’s
11. Merrell All Out Blaze Aero Sport Hiking Water Shoe
Women’s
For those times you want to move fast on the trail, there’s Merrell’s All Out Blaze Aero Sport vegan hiking shoe. It has a ventilated mesh upper that’s ideal for hot days or running across streams. These trail shoes have a Vibram outsole with 5 mm lugs and there’s a molded TPU heel bed that provides extra stability. Even better, the omni lacing system makes it easy to get the perfect fit.
Men’s
12. inov8 Roclite 335 Insulated Hiking Boots
Women’s
innov-8 designs their footwear and outdoor gear with athletes in mind. Founded in 2003, they’re a newer player on the scene, but their recent acquisition by Descente, an 80-year old Japanese sportswear maker, has added a new level of expertise and craftsmanship to their lineup.
The Roclite 335 vegan hiking boot is lightweight, yet has 6 mm rubber cleat-like lugs, making this boot great on snow and ice. A mid-height shaft provides plenty of ankle support without sacrificing flexibility.
Men’s
13. Salewa Wildfire GTX Vegan Hiking Shoes
Women’s
Founded in Germany in 1935, Salewa started as a leather saddle company. Later, they made soccer balls, motorcycle bags, and backpacks. The backpacks led to creating technical mountaineering gear and collaborations with famous mountain climbers Reinhold Messner and Kurt Albert. A far cry from their leather saddles, Salewa now includes a vegan hiking shoe in the lineup – the Salewa Wildfire GTX.
The Wildfire GTX is designed to provide optimal control on mountainsides and steep terrain. Salewa’s climbing “Switchfit” lacing system extends from the toes to the base of the ankle to ensure a precise yet adjustable fit. You get a snug fit for controlled ascents, and then you can loosen the lacing via a rear eyelet on the descent. And a Gore-Tex upper allows for waterproof breathability.
Men’s
14. Vivobarefoot Magna Trail Hiking Shoe
Women’s
Vivobarefoot’s Magna Trail vegan hiking shoe is designed for high-performance running and hiking on mixed terrain. Equipped with a removable 3.5 mm Outlast™ thermal insole, the Magna Trail offers three-times the thermal protection of other insoles. This is a great hiking shoe for those times you want to be super light on your feet.
Price: ~$167.99 – $210.00
Men’s
Price: ~$120.00 – $210.00
15. Vivobarefoot Primus Trail Hiking Shoe
Women’s
For an even lighter hiking shoe, check out Vivobarefoot’s vegan Primus Trail Shoe. With a toe guard and 7 mm lug rubber soles, your feet are protected yet you have ultimate flexibility as you bound over mixed terrain.
Price: ~$145.00
Men’s
Price: ~$85.00 – $173.50
16. Xero Shoes DayLite Vegan Hiker
Women’s
Founded by husband-and-wife team Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix, Xero Shoes are designed for easy, natural movement. Steven is Masters All-American sprinter and one of the fastest men over the age of 50 in the U.S. And Lena is an avid hiker with the business smarts to take the couple’s footwear visions from dream to reality.
The vegan Xero DayLite Hiker is designed to let your foot bend, flex, and “feel the world” beneath your feet. As the names implies, this bootie is ideal for day hikes. One of the things that makes these animal-friendly hiking booties unique is the huarache-inspired heel strap, which provides stability and a perfect fit. And if you want even more of a barefoot feeling, you can remove the sock liner insole.
To see more Xero Shoes, check out my post on vegan sport sandals.
Men’s
17. Xero Shoes TerraFlex Vegan Hiking Shoe
Women’s
Another comfortable, lightweight hike from Xero Shoes, the TeraFlex vegan hiking shoe blends natural barefoot comfort with performance. The 6 mm rubber soles have 4 mm lugs for ample traction, whether you’re running uphill or downhill in dry or wet conditions.
Men’s
18. XPETI Thermator Waterproof Vegan Hiking Boot
Women’s
XPETI’s Thermator vegan hiking boot is designed to keep your feet warm and dry in snowy, wet conditions. With a waterproof upper and 200-gram Thinsulate insulation, these boots are rated for -30℃ temperatures. A rubber toe cap, molded TPU heel case, and rubber outsole offer plenty of protection and traction on rocks and other rough terrain. Plus, there’s a cushioned EVA midsole that provides comfort and enhanced stability.
Men’s
19. XPETI Oslo Waterproof Vegan Hiking Boots
Women’s
Xpeti’s Oslo is the perfect hiking boot for the snow. With a “one-pull” lacing system, it’s easy to get these boots on and off. Like Xpeti’s other boots, the Oslo has a rubber toe cap to protect your feet. With faux fur inside, these boots have a sub-30-degree Celsius rating in addition to being waterproof.
Men’s
20. adidas Outdoor Terrex Free Hiker
Women’s
For a super lightweight and flexible hiking bootie, you can’t go wrong with adidas’ Terrex Free Hiker. With the Terrex, adidas has designed a shoe that offers exceptional comfort with its stretch, sock-like construction. This shoe is ideal for fast action on the trails.
Men’s
21. Native Shoes Fitzsimmons Treklite Hiking Boot
Women’s
A 100% vegan footwear brand, Native uses a low-emission manufacturing process in the production of their shoes and boots. Plus, they use materials that are free of BPA, phthalates, formaldehyde, and other hazardous chemicals.
Native’s has designed their Fitzsimmons Treklite Hiking Boots for traveling, trekking, or just bumming around town. They’re lightweight and water-resistant. Lined with soft microfleece and an EVA midsole, these boots are as comfy as they are cruelty-free.
To see more shoes by Native, check out my post on vegan footwear brands.
Men’s
22. Baffin Vegan Hiking Boots
Women’s
Hailing from Stoney Creek, Canada, Baffin has been making footwear and outdoor apparel since 1979. Baffin designed these vegan hiking boots with a breathable, synthetic waterproof textile upper and they’re rated for sub-20°Celsius temperatures. This is a versatile boot that’s comfortable and lightweight but offers plenty of ankle support for rugged day hikes or backcountry backpacking trips.
Men’s
See you on the trail!
