Most Comfortable Hiking Boots Of 2024 | Hand Tested

If you are looking for the most comfortable hiking boots of 2024, don't worry; we have you covered today. We will be going over our top 3 picks for the most comfortable hiking boots of 2024, why they are the most comfortable, and our experience with the comfort of each hiking boot. 

Comfort is a highly subjective experience when evaluating hiking boots. Although there are ways to specifically measure comfort, such as plushness, shock absorption, and overall fit, we believe that ease is the most important aspect of a hiking boot, because if they aren't comfortable, you're not going to wear them!

While it's important to have a comfortable hiking boot, there are other aspects to consider, such as traction, water resistance, fit, and much more.

Sometimes, when you have a highly comfortable hiking boot, you must give up other aspects of the boot, such as traction, fit, or durability. However, this is not always the case. Please know that this article is about the most comfortable hiking boots for men in 2024. 

How We Rate Comfort

Starting off, when you slip on a hiking boot, you want to notice the plushness you feel at the bottom of your foot. This is the insole, which absorbs a lot of shock throughout your hike. If this insole is comfortable and plush, you're off to a positive start.

Next, we move to the sock liner, which covers the top of your foot. Many hiking boots, particularly those made of genuine leather, fall short in this area due to their lack of comfort. You want to feel the plushness and forgiveness of the sock liner. 

Moving on, you want to feel support and comfort around your ankle. A lot of high-top hiking boots do great with ankle stability, but they lack consolation at the ankle and heel.

You should take final impressions of the hiking boot while in motion. Are there any sore spots? Do you feel anything rubbing against your foot? And overall, how does the hiking boot feel? I've tested over 100 hiking boots over the past 15 years, and these are my go-to questions when assessing their comfort. 

Our Picks For Most Comfortable Hiking Boots of 2024

1. Hoka Kaha 2 GTX

2. Merrell Moab 3

3. Hoka Anacapa 2

The MOST Comfortable Hiking Boot 

Hoka Kaha 2 GTX: $175-240

What We Liked

• Excellent Plush Midsole

• Well-Padded Tongue

• Most Comfortable Stride

What We Didn’t

• Weight

• Price

To be completely honest, I was very surprised Hoka had come out with such a fantastic hiking boot line, as they are well-known for sneakers.

While testing the Hoka Kaha 2, I was very pleasantly surprised by how plush the hiking boot was. The Hoka Kaha 2 boasts a CMEVA and EVA insole, renowned for their maximum plushness.

The sock liner is equipped with well-padded inserts to prevent rubbing against the top of your foot while hiking. Nubuck leather hiking boots typically cause discomfort around the sock liner, but this is not the case with the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX, unlike the Salomon Quest 4. These sock liners are so well padded, you don't even realize you're hiking in heavy leather boots.

A lot of hikers experience discomfort around the toe box, but not with the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX. The Hoka Kaha 2 GTX's toe box provides ample space for all your toes to move comfortably without allowing them to slip out of the boot itself.

I wanted to mention the Vibram MegaGrip outsole because it does so well with shock absorption, which leads to better comfort. Also, Hoka Hiking boots make foot striking seem effortless. I believe this is due to the heel drop angle and swallowtail design, which make striking your foot effortless. Obviously, an easier foot strike leads to more comfort. 

Many hikers encounter discomfort in their knees and ankles due to the inability of their outsoles to absorb a significant amount of impact.

The Hoka Kaha 2 is excellent at absorbing shock; therefore, I did not experience any discomfort at my knees or ankles. The Hoka Kaha 2 provides unparalleled comfort around the ankle, featuring a second heel insert at the ankle for added protection and plush comfort.

The boot's tongue also has additional padding on the inside. We have no problem saying that the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX is definitely the most comfortable hiking boot in 2024.

Comfort: 5/5

See Hoka Kaha 2 GTX

Runner-up

Merrell Moab 3 ($160)

What We Liked

• Well Padded Tongue

• Most Comfortable Sock liner

What We Didn’t

• Narrow Toe Box

While looking at the Merrell Moab 3, you wouldn't think it was one of the most comfortable hiking boots in 2024. The rugged design makes this boot look stiff, but it is far from that once you actually get into these hiking boots.

I tested the Merrell Moab 3 over 6 months personally, and I must say, while it is not as plush as the Hoka Kaha 2, it definitely deserves a mention as the second most comfortable hiking boot.

It comes with a lightweight and plush Eva insole. The toe box has a moderate amount of space; however, some users experience some discomfort in the toe area because it can be quite narrow. Similar to the Hoka Hiking boots, the outsole features a vibram outsole that effectively absorbs shock. T

he tongue's synthetic material is unparalleled. It undoubtedly ranks among the most luxurious hiking boot interiors.

The heel also provides comfort. While hiking with the Merrell Moab 3, I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable these boots were, especially considering their rugged exterior. Therefore, we rated these as the runner-up to the most comfortable hiking boot.

Comfort: 4.8

See Merrell Moab 3

Third Place

Hoka Anacapa 2 ($190)

What We Liked

• Well Padded Heel

• Lightweight

What We Didn’t

• No CMEVA Midsole

The Hoka Anacapa 2 has many of the same features as the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX. One major difference is that it does not combine the CEMVA and EVA midsoles; it only has the EVA midsole.

I must say, there was a difference while hiking in terms of comfort and shock absorption with the single EVA midsole. As I was coming downhill, I noticed some discomfort around the arch of both of my feet. I believe this is due to the decreased plushness in the midsole area of these hiking boots.

The heel and tongue are very comforting, just like the previous hiking boots. I must say, the sockliner was not as plush as the Hoka Kaha 2 and the Merrell Moab 3. I did have some discomfort at the top of my foot, like I said, coming down the hill as well.

However, as we stated at the beginning of the article, the Hoka Anacapa boasts a light-weight design, unlike the Merrell Moab 3 and the Hoka Kaha. 

The Anacapa is a lighter hiking boot, so you experience less foot fatigue, which can lead to more comfortable hikes. Sometimes you have to choose between weight and comfort or other features of a hiking boot.

Do not get us wrong, the Hoka Anacapa 2 is still a very comfortable hiking boot. We are simply conducting a rigorous comparison to highlight the differences and comfort levels of the top hiking boots of 2024. This ranks third on our list. 

Comfort: 4.5

See Hoka Anacapa 2

How We Tested And Our Methodology

When it comes to reviewing hiking boots, experience, and expertise matter.MountaineerJourney.com is a 100% independent publisher with over 12+ years of experience testing and reviewing outdoor products especially hiking boots. 

We currently purchase the products we test with our own money, and are not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or decisions.

Adventure Awaits,

Tyler