Last updated on April 14th, 2021 at 05:13 pm
If you love the outdoors, and want to see more of it on every hike, you’re probably a speed hiker whether you realize it or not.
To cover large distances of trail in shorter periods of time you’re going to need the proper footwear to make it possible. In this post, we compare 12 of the top speed hiking shoes and provide our picks for the best speed hiking shoes that can be used on any terrain.
What Makes a Pair of Shoes Great for Speed Hiking?
Speed hiking shoes are quickly becoming VERY popular among thru-hikers, camping enthusiasts, and light trail users. To be useful for such a variety of activities, it is important speed hiking shoes have some very important features.
Any hiker should make sure their shoes come with the following key attributes:
- Lightweight: Fast pace hiking requires moving more quickly. For this reason it is important not to have extra weight slowing you down, especially on your feet.
- Lower Cut Ankle: If hiking distances greater than a mile or two, a lower cut ankle is important (and helpful). After all, a free moving ankle will more freely and allow you to move faster.
- Quality Treads: Hiking trails are often unpredictable. Even if the start of the trail is easy to traverse, it could be a muddy mess three miles in. Aggressive treads are important to keep hold of the trail in muddy conditions.
- Toe Protection: Any shoe made for the trails should have some degree of toe protection. When your toe meets a root, rock, or stump you will be happy to have any amount of protection wrapping around your toes.
- Waterproof: While some hikers go the other route on this point (and seek shoes that dry quickly instead), to us a waterproof shoe is very valuable for any hiker looking to complete a given hike within the same day they start the hike. Waterproof hiking shoes are one way to keep your feet dry during a hike.
Our Favorite Speed Hiking Shoes Are...
Based on the features above, and through hours of research, we’ve put together a great list of speed hiking shoes. While all the shoes we cover in this post are great, we felt a few deserved special mention here:
Our favorite: The North Face Ultra 109 GTX
Our second favorite: The Salewa Mountain Trainer GTX Men’s Version or Women’s Version
While any of the shoes we mentioned above would be a great choice, we highly encourage you to check out all 12 of the speed hiking shoes we compare below.
Further down in this post we go into much more detail on our top speed hiking shoes; we cover their specs, pros and cons, and each shoes’ best attributes.
Comparison Table of the 12 Best Speed Hiking Shoes
The comparison table below provides a snapshot of how all the shoes we researched compare against each other, side-by-side. Weight, waterproofing, and a picture are provided for a quick view of each shoe against the others.
If you click on the shoe name (or image) you can view more specs and current pricing on Amazon.
| Picture | Name / Link | Weight Per Shoe (not pair) | Waterproof |
|---|---|---|---|
 
|
North Face Ultra 109 GTX | 17 oz. | Yes |
 
|
Salewa Mountain Trainer GTX | 19 oz. | Yes |
 
|
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor GTX | 14.45 oz. | Yes |
 
|
Salewa Ultra Flex Mid GTX | 13.6 oz. | Yes |
 
|
Salewa Speed Beat GTX | 12.5 oz. | Yes |
 
|
La Sportiva Synthesis Mid GTX | 13.5 oz. | Yes |
 
|
The North Face Hedgehog Fastpack Goretex GTX | 15 oz. | Yes |
 
|
The Inov-8 Roclite 345 GTX | 12.1 oz. | Yes |
 
|
Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX | 13.4 oz. | Yes |
 
|
Adidas Outdoor Terrex Swift R2 GTX | 13 oz. | Yes |
 
|
Vasque Breeze LT Low GTX | 11 oz. | Yes |
 
|
Oboz Sawtooth II Low B-Dry | 17.4 oz. | Yes |
The table above intends to provide you with a visual snapshot of what each of these shoes look like next to one another.
It is also a good way to compare their weights against each other. After all, remember that these shoes all intend to help you take on more distance at a faster pace…weight is IMPORTANT!
Our First Place Speed Hiking Shoe: The North Face Ultra 109 GTX
Weight: 17 oz per shoe (not pair)
Specs, pictures, and price on Amazon: The North Face Ultra 109 GTX
While slightly heavier than the sleekest options out there, the versatility of this shoe makes it worth the extra weight.
The North Face Ultra 109 GTX is the speed hiking shoe that met the most of our criteria. The shoe design has been so solid for North Face that it continues to be the preferred shoe even after The North Face Ultra 110’s were released. With breathable synthetic uppers and Gore-Tex waterproofing, these shoes are fantastic speed hiking shoes with a middle of the road price.
This Shoe Comes with Serious Support
Built to provide major support underfoot, this shoe actually comes with minor pronation correction as a part of its design. This feature provides more defenses against hiking on uneven rocky terrain.
The North Face Ultra 109 has a slightly thicker sole providing additional cushion to each step as well.
Between the thick synthetic sole and slight pronation correction these shoes provides support for your feet and ankles that you’ll appreciate on technical trails.
The North Face Ultra 109's Pros and Cons
The North Face Ultra 109 GTX Biggest PROS
- Waterproof uppers
- Extensive toe protection
- Extremely comfortable
- Aggressive treads
- Great stability
The North Face Ultra 109 GTX Biggest CONS
- Slightly Heavier Shoe
Who Are These Speed Hiking Shoes Perfect For?
The North Face Ultra 109 GTX is a bit heftier than the other shoes we compared, but we don’t perceive that as a huge issue in this case. The 1 lb 1 oz weight of each shoe can be slightly intimidating, but the weight is one major reason this shoe has so much support and overall foot protection built into it.
With waterproof uppers and thoughtful toe guards, these shoes are sleek enough to provide speed on your hikes and tough enough to provide function like a boot. Check out more specs, pictures, and current pricing on Amazon here: The North Face Ultra 109 GTX
Our Second Place Speed Hiking Shoe: The Salewa Mountain Trainer GTX Hiking Shoe
Weight: 19 oz per shoe (not pair)
Specs, pictures, and price on Amazon: Men’s Version
Specs, pictures, and price on Amazon: Women’s Version
A heavier speed hiking shoe to consider is the Salewa Mountain Trainer GTX. Its stiffer midsole and generally robust design provide the stability demanded on many rocky mountainous hikes. While lightweight speed hiking shoes have become more of the trend in recent years, the Salewa Mountain Trainer has become the shoe of choice for many hikers wanting firm stabilizing support.
Biggest PROS
- Stabilizing support
- Waterproof uppers
- Extremely tough outer material
Biggest CONS
- Heavier than other shoes we compared
While there are a lot of reasons to select a light speed hiking shoe, the Salewa Mountain Trainer GTX provides all the right reasons to select a slightly heavier more supportive shoe.
Fantastic treads, and extremely protective outer material and toe box protection go a long way in setting this speed hiking shoe apart from the competition.
The stabilizing support of this shoe is really where the Salewa Mountain Trainer GTX makes its mark compared to other speed hiking shoes. With best-in-its-class stabilization, the Salewa Mountain Trainer GTX is a worthy choice for those speed hikers planning to hike more difficult terrains.
If rocky mountainous environments are among those you plan to take on in your speed hiking efforts, the Salewa Mountain Trainer should be included in your consideration. Check out more of the pictures, specs, and pricing on Amazon here: Men’s Version or Women’s Version
Our Third Place Speed Hiking Shoe: The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor GTX
It is a testament to the La Sportiva brand that our third best-rated speed hiking shoe is actually a trail running shoe.
Don’t let this fool you though, the Ultra Raptor GTX trail running shoes provide a ton of support, can handle the toughest terrains, are waterproof, and feature hefty toe protection.
While providing a ton of support, the Ultra Raptors are also 2.5 oz lighter per shoe than our top-ranked North Face Ultra 109 GTX’s. If you are looking for a waterproof shoe that will allow you to cover a lot of miles with minimal fatigue, these shoes are for you.
Weight: 14.45 oz per shoe (not pair)
Specs, pictures, and price on Amazon: Ultra Raptor Men’s Version
Specs, pictures, and price on Amazon: Ultra Raptor Women’s Version
I personally own multiple pairs of the La Sportiva Ultra Raptors and can verify the shoes are great for fast hikes. Below are three pairs I currently have in my possession; the ones on the far left are the GTX pair. There is 1000+ miles between them.
If you like the look of this shoe but aren’t sold on it because their primary use is trail running, don’t worry, we cover some other awesome La Sportiva speed hiking shoes further down in this post.
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor Biggest PROS
- Bulky treads for any terrain
- Waterproof uppers
- Thick toe protection
- Extremely comfortable
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor Biggest CONS
- Runs a little smaller than the non-waterproof version
As with many hiking and trail shoes, there is a standard version of this shoe along with this featured waterproof version. The waterproof version of the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor seems to run a little tighter than the non-waterproof version of the shoe, so take that into consideration if looking to order these for speed hiking.
RELATED: Best GPS Watches That Play Music
This seems to generally be the case across the board though since more material is required to make a shoe waterproof. Just keep this additional material in mind, as it may take just a little longer to break the shoes in. I have owned the waterproof and non-waterproof La Sportiva Ultra Raptors and can confirm that the waterproof version took a little longer to break-in.
With the above being said, we think the additional time required to break the La Sportiva Ultra Raptors in is well worth it, as these must be among the most comfortable speed hiking shoes on the market. Check out more of the specs yourself on Amazon: Men’s Version or Women’s Version
Our Honorable Mention Speed Hiking Shoe: The Salewa Ultra Flex Mid GTX
The Salewa Ultra Flex Mid GTX is deserving of honorable mention when looking at our top rated speed hiking shoes.
In addition to massive overall foot protection, waterproof uppers, and higher ankle support, these shoes are extremely lightweight. For all of the attributes The Salewa Flex Mid GTX supply their 13.6 oz weight per shoe (not pair) makes this shoe among the lightest weight of the shoes we compared.
Weight: 13.6 oz per shoe (not pair)
Specs, pictures, and price on Amazon: Salewa Ultra Flex Mid GTX
The waterproof design and nearly complete foot protection of the Salewa Ultra Flex Mid GTX make this shoe a unique speed hiking shoe worth considering.
The Salewa Ultra Mid GTX Biggest PROS
- Extremely lightweight
- Waterproof uppers
- Tough outer material
The Salewa Ultra Flex Mid GTX Biggest CONS
- Slightly narrow fit
While most speed hiking shoes provide just a bit of protection around the front of the toes, the Salewa Ultra Flex Mid GTX extends the heavier duty protection along the sides of the shoes and up the back of the heel. The more rugged mesh material surrounding the laces adds a top layer of protection.
Between the high ankle material, and near wrap-around heavy-duty fabric protection, the Salewa Ultra Mid GTX is definitely worth considering for your speed hiking efforts. Take a look at some of the additional pictures and specs yourself on Amazon here: The Salewa Ultra Flex Mid GTX
Salewa Speed Beat GTX
The Salewa Speed Beat GTX is named the Spead Beat for a reason; its extremely lightweight design mirrors a trail running shoe built for speed while also providing the tread required for some of the most difficult terrains. If you plan on speed hiking or fastpacking, and you are concerned you may fatigue with heavier shoes, the Salewa Speed Beat GTX might be the perfect shoe for you.
Weight: 12.5 oz per shoe (not pair)
Specs, pictures, and price on Amazon: Men’s Version
Specs, pictures, and price on Amazon: Women’s Version
The Salewa Speed Beat GTX Biggest PROS
- Extremely lightweight
- Waterproof uppers
- Awesome bottom treads
The Salewa Speed Beat GTX Biggest CONS
- Lighter duty toe protection than other shoes
The extreme light-weight of this shoe, when coupled with its waterproof design, provides two of the major needs of any serious speed hiker. If covering as much ground as possible on a hike is your main concern the Salewa Speed Beat GTX should definitely be considered. Check out more of the pictures, specs, and price on Amazon here: Men’s Version or Women’s Version
La Sportiva Synthesis Mid GTX Hiking Shoe
The La Sportiva Synthesis Mid GTX Hiking Shoe is a relatively light-weight option, but more so than that the shoe provides superior protection and waterproofing that extends to above the ankle. Built like a trail running shoe, but with treads for near any terrain, the La Sportiva Synthesis Mid GTX Hiking Shoe deserve to be considered.
Weight: 13.5 oz per shoe (not pair)
Specs, pictures, and price on Amazon: Men’s Version
Specs, pictures, and price on Amazon: Women’s Version
A tough outer material provides additional protection against brambles or other difficult terrains.
La Sportiva Synthesis Mid GTX Biggest PROS
- Relatively lightweight
- Waterproof uppers
- Superior Up-To-Ankle Protection
La Sportiva Synthesis Mid GTX Biggest CONS
- Less robust toe box protection
When looking for a speed hiking or fastpacking shoe it is likely waterproofing is a major part of your criteria. As mentioned above, the La Sportiva Synthesis Mid GTX has waterproof attributes that extend a bit higher on the shoe than their competition.
While the shoe lacks some of the robust toe protection we see in other options, the overall lightweight of the La Sportiva Synthesis Mid GTX when coupled with the extensive waterproofing makes this shoe worth considering for your speed hiking adventures. Check out more of the pictures, specs, and price on Amazon here: Men’s Version or Women’s Version
The North Face Hedgehog Fastpack Gore-TEX Hiking Boot
The Hedgehog came in a little heavier than many of the speed hiking shoes we compared, but with the extra weight come a variety of benefits to be considered. Among them, extremely durable treads that prove to be perfect for use on any terrain. The Hedgehog also includes waterproofing, a PU-coated leather finish, and an abrasion-resistant textile mesh.
If you are planning to hike through various conditions where you feel the exterior of your shoe will be put to the test The North Face Hedgehog Fastpack GTX are worth considering.
Weight: 15 oz per shoe (not pair)
Specs, pictures, and price on Amazon: Men’s Version
Specs, pictures, and price on Amazon: Woman’s Version
PU-coated leather and an extremely abrasion-resistant textile mesh help make these among the best speed hiking shoes we compared when it comes to forefoot protection.
The North Face Hedgehog Fastpack GTX Biggest PROS
- Waterproof uppers
- Tough outer material
- PU-Coated Leather
The North Face Hedgehog Fastpack GTX Biggest CONS
- Slightly heavier than others compared
If forefoot protection is an important quality for you, The North Face Hedgehog Fastpack GTX need to be on the list of shoes you consider. While slightly bulkier, these shoes provide a level of protection and heavy-duty treading worthy of most any trail.
The treading is great for gripping the trail, but it also wraps up over the front of the toe-box to provide toe-stubbing protection that rivals any of the top speed hiking shoes on the market. Check out more of the pictures, specs, and price on Amazon here: Men’s Version or Women’s Version
The Inov-8 Roclite 345 GTX
The Inov-8 Roclite 345 GTX is among the lightest speed hiking shoes we compared in this post while still providing a waterproof design, an acceptable level of foot support, and good treads. If getting a lightweight speed hiking shoe is your primary goal this shoe is for you.
Weight: 12.1 oz per shoe (not pair)
Specs, pictures, and price on Amazon: Men’s Version
Spec’s, pictures, and price on Amazon: Women’s Version
The Inov-8 Roclite 345 GTX Biggest PROS
- Extremely lightweight
- Waterproof uppers
- Higher ankle protection
The Inov-8 Roclite 345 GTX Biggest CONS
- Toe protection could be better
- Could have better support
While the lightweight of the Inov-8 Roclite 345 GTX speed hiking shoe is a huge advantage, possibly an even larger reason to purchase this shoe is its general comfort. Since the high top shoe fits more like a sneaker than a boot these speed hiking shoes are among the most comfortable out-of-the-box shoes we compared. Check out more of the pictures, specs, and price on Amazon here: Men’s Version or Women’s Version
The Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX
The Salomon brand is well known for trail running and hiking alike. The Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX is possibly the perfect blend of both worlds. Combining the lightweight needs of trail runners, and the heavy-duty toe protection of speed hikers this is one of the most all-around well suited outdoor shoes we compared.
Weight: 13.4 oz per shoe (not pair)
Specs, pictures, and price on Amazon: Men’s Version
Specs, pictures, and price on Amazon: Women’s Version
Biggest PROS
- Extremely lightweight
- Waterproof uppers
- Descent Control technology
Biggest CONS
- Shoe laces are thinner than others we compared
Foot support is a primary concern for any outdoor enthusiasts, and the Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX comes with a lot of support. If you are a speed hiker, you are going to cover a lot of ground. Because of this, foot support should be one of the most basic pre-requisites for any speed hiking shoe worth its price. The Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX doesn’t disappoint in this category.
So, what else sets the Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX apart? It is extremely lightweight and comes with Salomon specific descent technology, which they call Descent Control. This technology allows for easier handling of steeper descents, which opens up the route possibilities when wearing this shoe.
With the lightweight design, waterproofing, descent control, and heavy-duty toe box protection the Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX should probably be on your short-list of potential speed hiking shoes. Check out more of the pictures, specs, and price on Amazon here: Men’s Version or Women’s Version
Adidas Outdoor Terrex Swift R2 GTX
When it comes to trail specific activities, Adidas has often been overshadowed by brands specializing in hiking and trail running. The Adidas Outdoor Terrex Swift R2 GTX is a fantastic shoe that helps solidify Adidas’s ability to compete in the high impact and highly intense world of speed hiking.
With tight gripping treads, and a wide protective toe box, these lightweight trail runners are just as worthy as the La Sportiva and Salomon brand shoes we compare in this post.
Weight: 13 oz per shoe (not pair)
More Specs and Pics on Amazon: Men’s Version
More Specs and Pics on Amazon: Women’s Version
Biggest PROS
- Extremely lightweight
- Waterproof uppers
- Sizable toe box protection
Biggest CONS
- Shoe laces are thinner than other shoes we compared and replacement laces may be difficult to come by
Solid toe protection, extreme comfort, and lightweight are the three pillars of these shoes. Add in that the Adidas Outdoor Terrex Swift R2 GTX has a very thick protective toe cover and these speed hikers become a high quality contender for anyone interested in a lightweight protective shoe for speedy hikes. Take a look at some more of the specs, pictures, and pricing on Amazon here: Men’s Version or Women’s Version.
Vasque Breeze LT Low GTX Hiking Shoe
These shoes, and the entire Vasque brand, are beginning to gain major traction in the speed hiking world. Part of the reason for the recent uptick in popularity of the Vasque brand is the street style design.
The Vasque Breeze LT GTX Hiking Shoe embodies the same stylish characteristics the brand has become known for, but includes a lot of function throughout. With Gore-Tex uppers for superior waterproofing, and an extremely lightweight finish, these shoes should definitely be considered by any hiker focused on lightweight speed hiking shoes.
Weight: 11 oz per shoe (not pair)
Specs, pictures, and pricing on Amazon: Men’s Version
Specs, pictures, and pricing on Amazon: Women’s Version
Biggest PROS
- Extremely lightweight
- Waterproof uppers
- Stylish design
Biggest CONS
- Runs a bit small
At its core, the Vasque Breeze LT Low GTX Hiking Shoe is an extremely lightweight comfort based speed hiker.
While other shoes focus on a stabilizing mid-sole, or more robust toe box protection, the Vasque Breeze LT Low GTX Hiking Shoe banks on the comfort of the hiker first and foremost.
If a lightweight hiking shoe is your primary concern for speed hiking this shoe needs to be considered right alongside the other lightweight shoes we compare in this post. For those interested in style these are also likely one of the top designs that can double as street shoes. Take a look through more of the color options, specs, and pictures at Amazon here: Men’s Version or Women’s Version
Oboz Sawtooth II Low B-Dry Hiking Shoe
The Oboz Sawtooth II Low B-Dry hiking shoe comes with some of the most durable uppers and outer fabric covering of all the shoes we compared.
With waterproof Nubuck Leather and an extremely abrasion resistant outer fabric, The Oboz Sawtooth II Low B-Dry provides heavy duty protection for your feet. The durable design prolongs the life of the shoe by protecting against deep trail abuse.
If you are seeking a low ankle hiking shoe, but the same type of protection provided by boots, these shoes are a perfect option.
Weight: 17.4 oz per shoe (not pair)
Specs, pictures, and pricing on Amazon: Men’s Version
Specs, pictures, and pricing on Amazon: Women’s Version
Biggest PROS
- Waterproof Uppers
- Extremely durable materail
- Heavy duty treads
Biggest CONS
- Heavier than most of the shoes we compared
Every speed hiker has their own specific preferences for the type of speed hiking shoe that will work best for them. Some want a lightweight shoe while others seek massive protection. The Oboz Sawtooth II Low B-Dry Hiking Shoe is the latter.
RELATED: GPS Watches With Best Battery Life – Don’t Run Out of Juice
A durable design and dependable tread are this shoes stand-out attributes, and while this shoe is not a flashy shoe it does everything you need to keep your feet protected from the elements.
If deep forest hikes are going to be a part of your speed hiking adventures The Oboz Sawtooth II Low B-Dry Hiking Shoe might be right for you. Take a look through more of the color options, specs, and pictures at Amazon here: Men’s Version or Women’s Version
How To Pick The Right Speed Hiking Shoe
Everyone’s footwear needs are different. With that in mind, only you can decide which speed hiking shoe is best for you. We do realize there are near limitless options in our world, so below are a few questions you can answer to determine how to approach selecting a speed hiking shoe the works best for you:
- Do you also like trail running?
If the answer is yes, you may find it helpful to look into speed hiking shoes that resemble the trail running shoes you have. We compared a ton of options that resemble popular trail running shoes. Scroll through this post to see which shoes resemble trail runners, and start there.
- Are you in good shape, currently?
If the answer is no, you may want to focus on the lighter weight shoes. These will prevent your legs from fatiguing during your hikes. We compare a number of shoes that are less than 14 oz per shoe (which is considered lightweight in the world of waterproof hiking footwear).
- Are you new to speed hiking?
If the answer is yes, you may want to consider the speed hiking shoes with heavy duty foot and toe box protection. Trails are often packed with rocks, jutting roots, and fallen trees. If you are new to the world of speed hiking, keeping your feet from getting hurt is priority number one.
Image credit: Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington’s Photo Stream (https://www.flickr.com/photos/blmoregon/) Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0); file size reduced