If you’re bored of bland hiking shoes, you might be tempted to go for a brighter color. Read our guide to the best red hiking shoes for some excellent recommendations.
If you’re new to hiking, you might have some questions: how can you find the best hiking shoes? What are the different styles, and which type should I go for? How can I tell if they will be protective enough for tougher trails? We’ll answer all those questions and more.
Bottom Line Up Front: for men, we’d recommend the Foxelli Men's Hiking Boots. They’re waterproof, breathable, comfortable, and they have a money-back guarantee too.
For women, we’d recommend the Mishansha Warm Snow Boots – these are cozy, stylish boots, perfect for cold weather.
We’d also recommend:
- Mishansha Warm Snow Boots – these are cozy, stylish boots, perfect for cold weather
- Salomon Men's Cross Hiking Boots – best for super challenging terrain
We’ll be looking at:
- The best red hiking shoes compared
- What to look for in hiking shoes
- Our top 5 picks, including their key features, pros, and cons
- Some frequently asked questions about hiking shoes, including how to care for them
- Which ones we like best, and why
Table of Contents
- Best Red Hiking Shoes for Men Compared
- Best Red Hiking Shoes for Women Compared
- What to Look for in Red Hiking Shoes
- Top 4 Red Hiking Shoes For Men
- Top 4 Red Hiking Boots for Women
- Frequently Asked Questions
- To Sum Up …
Keep reading to find the best red hiking shoes out there.
Best Red Hiking Shoes for Men Compared
Best Red Hiking Shoes for Women Compared
What to Look for in Red Hiking Shoes
There are a few things to look for in hiking shoes:
Style
There are a few different types of hiking shoes to look out for:
- Sandals – these are ideal for hiking near water, or hiking in hot weather. They offer some protection and good grip, but they dry quickly, which means you won’t have to worry about them getting wet.
- Shoes – similar to sneakers, these are ideal if you don’t like the feeling of wearing boots. They’re protective and durable.
- Boots – these are super protective, and ideal for challenging terrain. They’ll keep your feet safe and warm.
Fit
Proper fit for hiking boots is vital. If you have boots that are too loose, you risk tripping over or slipping. If your shoes are too tight, you risk them pinching you or developing blisters.
Narrow Feet
You can get boots that are good for narrow feet. Look for shoes with a narrow toe area, and look for fastenings that you can pull tight.
Wide Feet
For wide feet, you can find wide-fit shoes that will suit you better, as they tend to have more wriggle room in the toe area.
Flat Feet
Finally, if you have flat feet, you’ll have extra challenges. There are hiking shoes for flat feet with extra arch support. These will make you feel much more comfortable on a long hike.
Protectiveness/Durability
Hiking boots or shoes can be expensive, so durability is key. You don’t want to waste money on a pair of shoes that is going to fall apart after a few hikes! Look for tough, thick rubber soles, and leather or synthetic uppers.
Hiking shoes should have deep ‘lugs’ (the grooves on the bottom of the sole), which will keep your feet safe and stable even on slippery, steep trails. This is important in terms of staying safe on the trail.
Weatherproofing
You may be able to get hiking boots with extra insulation. These are vital for keeping you safe and warm in cold weather, especially if you’re walking in the snow.
Waterproof vs Water-Resistant
There is a difference between waterproof shoes and water-resistant shoes. Waterproof means they should keep water out completely, while water-resistant means they’ll be able to withstand a bit of rain or a few puddles before water starts to seep through.
Your hiking boots should be breathable, too. This means you won’t have to worry about overheating on a long, warm hike.
Top 4 Red Hiking Shoes For Men
Now, here are our top 4 best red hiking shoes for men. We’ll give you the lowdown on each pair, including their key features, pros, and cons so that you can see if they are right for you.
1. Salomon Men’s Cross Hiking Boots – Best for Challenging Terrain
Key Features
- Water-resistant or waterproof: Waterproof
- Styles available: Regular
- Materials: Rubber, synthetic
The Salomon Men's Cross Hiking Boots are best for challenging terrain. They’re available in 4 colors, including a deep berry color, which looks great on the trail.
These boots are comfortable, with cushioning around the ankle area, and they need a little breaking in before you hit a longer trail. They come in a range of sizes including some half sizes. The downside is that they might make a mild squeaking sound when they get very wet.
In terms of protectiveness, these are excellent. They have a breathable membrane to keep your feet cool, but they also have multi-directional lugs and a deep, thick rubber sole to keep your feet stable no matter what surface you’re standing on.
These are pricier, so they’re more of an investment, but they’re ideal if you tend to hike in bad weather, or if you want to hit some difficult trails.
Pros
- Breathable lining
- Very strong rubber sole
- Cushioning in the ankle area
- 4 colors available
Cons
- Requires a little breaking in
- Might make a squeaking sound when wet
2. KEEN Men’s Venture Low Height Waterproof Hiking Shoes – Best Hiking Shoes for Men
Key Features
- Water-resistant or waterproof: Waterproof
- Styles available: Regular
- Materials: Rubber, leather
The KEEN Men's Venture Low Height Waterproof Hiking Shoes are a good choice if you prefer hiking shoes to hiking boots. They’re available in a decent range of colors, including two different shades of red.
They do have half-sizes, but no wide fit available. They have a padded tongue and collar, with a removable EVA footbed for extra arch support if required. The footbed is designed to fit the natural contours of the feet. They’re pretty accurate in terms of sizing but the toe area is narrow, so may not suit those with wider feet.
The traction is excellent on wet and dry surfaces, and it has non-marking rubber outsoles which leave no trace when walking indoors. It has a support shank to keep you steady on uneven surfaces, too. It’s waterproof, with a breathable membrane.
They’re decently durable and should last for a long time to come.
Pros
- Two shades of red to choose from
- Comfortable to wear
- Removable footbed offers extra arch support
- Excellent traction
- Waterproof
Cons
- No wide-fit option available
- Narrow toe area
3. CAYBARON Breathable Trail Running Shoes – Best Lightweight Hiking Shoes
Key Features
- Water-resistant or waterproof: Neither
- Styles available: Regular
- Materials: Rubber, synthetic
The CAYBARON Breathable Trail Running Shoes are super lightweight trail running shoes, ideal for lighter trails and general exercise. They come in a good range of colors, including a black/red option.
They’re super comfortable, with a memory foam insole, and it has good ventilation to keep your feet cool on hot days. They’re fairly accurate in terms of sizing and can be laced tighter if required. They don’t offer a wide-fit option.
The traction is pretty good, with an anti-collision design to stop you from slipping. They’re lightweight and flexible, moving with your feet without weighing them down, which is why we recommend them for trail running. The downside is they let water in pretty easily, so only go for these if you’re in no danger of encountering rain.
These shoes are priced a little lower, but they’re not as durable as some of the others on this list.
Pros
- Comfortable and lightweight
- Breathable
- Good traction
- Great for trail running
- Lower price point
Cons
- No wide-fit option available
- Not waterproof
- Not as durable as some of the others on this list
4. Foxelli Men’s Hiking Boots – Best Waterproof Boots for Men
Key Features
- Water-resistant or waterproof: Waterproof
- Styles available: Regular, wide fit
- Materials: Rubber, leather
The Foxelli Men's Hiking Boots are great for keeping your feet dry. They come in a brownish-red shade, which looks great on the trail.
These are comfortable boots, with a padded collar and tongue. They also have removable soft foam innersoles, which is great if you want some extra cushioning or arch support. The midsoles are designed to minimize the impact on your joints, which is great. The sizing is fairly accurate, and they’re easy to lace tight. The downside is that they take a little time to break-in.
These boots have excellent support and durability, with high-quality rubber soles to protect you from slipping over. They’re waterproof and designed to keep your feet dry even in heavy rain, but they’re still breathable with good air circulation, so you shouldn’t have to worry about getting overheated.
The price point is great given the high quality, and they also come with a 120-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Comfortable and breathable
- Padded areas for extra cushioning
- Excellent waterproofing
- Good support and durability
- Great price point and money-back guarantee
Cons
- Takes a while to break in
Top 4 Red Hiking Boots for Women
Now, let’s check out the best red hiking boots for women:
1. Mishansha Warm Snow Boots – Best for Cold Weather
Key Features
- Water-resistant or waterproof: Water-resistant
- Styles available: Regular, wide fit
- Materials: Artificial leather, rubber
The Mishansha Warm Snow Boots are super warm, cozy boots, available in a huge array of colors, including a deep wine red that looks excellent for both hiking and casual wear.
They’re very comfortable with a warm, faux-fur lining to keep your feet nice and toasty. The laces make it easy to adjust them to your feet, and there is a wide size range available, including half-sizes.
In terms of keeping your feet safe, there are pros and cons to these boots. On the plus side, they have excellent soles with a good tread, which means you won’t have to worry about slipping over. The downside is they’re described as water-resistant, not waterproof, which means they’re not the best boots out there to keep your feet dry.
The price point is pretty low, which is good, but this means they’re not as durable as some of the other boots on this list.
Pros
- Wide range of colors and sizes available
- Useful for different situations
- Warm and cozy
- Non-slip soles with a deep tread
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Not as durable as some of the others on this list
2. Lugz Women’s Grotto li Fashion Boot – Good All-Rounder
Key Features
- Water-resistant or waterproof: Water-resistant
- Styles available: Regular
- Materials: Synthetic
The Lugz Women's Grotto li Fashion Boot is a good all-rounder. They’re comfortable and stylish, ideal not just for hiking, but for walking and running errands. In a range of bright colors, they’ll stand out on the trail. They come in a bright red color, too.
The shoes feel nice to wear, with a breathable lining, so you won’t have to worry about your feet getting too hot. They can be adjusted to fit you, and they have a decent range of sizes available including half-sizes. The shoes do take a bit of breaking in, however.
They have a decent tread on the sole, so you won’t have to worry about slipping over. The downside is that they’re not waterproof, so you won’t be able to wade through water without some seeping through.
The price point is decent, but they won’t last as long as some other boots on this list.
Pros
- Bright colors and half-sizes available
- Breathable lining
- Non-slip synthetic soles
- Good price point
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Not as durable as other hiking boots
3. Danner Women’s Hiking Boots – Best Quality
Key Features
- Water-resistant or waterproof: Waterproof
- Styles available: Regular
- Materials: Rubber, leather
The Danner Women's Hiking Boots are high-quality boots, and a great investment to keep you going on many adventures to come. The ‘Saddle Tan’ color is reddish-brown, with bright red laces, and they look great.
They’re super comfortable, with a cushioning open-cell OrthoLite footbed. This means the soles of your feet will feel nice and comfortable. The fit is pretty accurate, and they can be easily laced tighter if you need to. The leather is very soft, but the boots will still require some breaking in.
The soles have ‘Megagrip technology’ to offer excellent grip on both wet and dry surfaces, so you shouldn’t have to worry about slipping over. They’re also waterproof up to the top 2 lacing points.
They’re a little on the pricier side, but they’re so durable that we think they’re worth the investment.
Pros
- High quality
- Very comfortable footbed
- Excellent grip
- Waterproof
Cons
- Boots will need some breaking in
- On the pricier side
4. KEEN Women’s Pyrenees Mid-Height Waterproof Hiking Boot – Best for Waterproofing
Key Features
- Water-resistant or waterproof: Waterproof
- Styles available: Regular
- Materials: Rubber, leather
The KEEN Women's Pyrenees Mid-Height Waterproof Hiking Boot are excellent if you’re hiking near water, and they look great in a deep wine red/burgundy color.
They have a decent range of sizes available, including half sizes. They’re comfortable, with some padding around the ankle, but they do require some breaking in. They’re wider in the toe area, ideal if you need a bit more space there, but those with narrow feet might need to look elsewhere.
They have a waterproof, breathable membrane, which means your feet won’t get overheated. Your feet will also stay dry, which makes them ideal for hiking near water or in unpredictable weather conditions. They have excellent traction with multi-direction lugs to give you a good grip even on steep, slippery trails.
They are more pricey compared to the others on this list, but they’re super durable, so they’re a good investment if you’re a keen hiker.
Pros
- Breathable lining
- Waterproof
- Very good traction
- Super durable
Cons
- Requires a little breaking in
- Not good for those with narrow feet
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you go, here are some commonly asked questions about hiking shoes:
How can I break in my hiking shoes?
You can break in your hiking shoes by wearing them in short bursts. Wearing them around the house at first is a good idea. Then you can progress to wearing them on short walks, and short trails.
Some hiking shoes are comfortable right out of the box, but hiking boots do tend to need a little breaking-in.
What socks should I wear?
Look for moisture-wicking socks. This means your feet will feel dry, even if you start to sweat. We’d recommend the MIRMARU Hiking Socks or something similar.
Can I wear hiking shoes every day?
Yes, you can! Hiking shoes are fine to wear every day. The downside is that you’ll wear them out more quickly, so it might be worth saving your pricey hiking boots for the trail to make them last longer.
How can I care for my hiking shoes?
If your hiking shoes need cleaning, you can:
- Dislodge any mud, stones, or dirt by walking through grass at the end of your trail
- Use a small brush to get into the smaller spaces, brushing away dirt
- Gently wash the uppers using mild soapy water
- Leave them to dry naturally. If they are very wet, you can stuff them with newspaper to help them to keep their shape
- If they are leather shoes, you can treat them with a leather conditioner to help to protect the leather parts
To Sum Up …
If we had to choose a favorite pair for men, we’d go for the Foxelli Men's Hiking Boots. They’re very waterproof but still breathable. They’re comfortable with extra padding, and they look great. We think they’re great value given how durable they are.
For women, we’d recommend the Mishansha Warm Snow Boots if you’re hiking in colder weather. They’re cozy but durable and tough, ideal for hiking on slippery terrain. They look great, too.
We hope this has helped you to find the best red hiking shoes for you!
