The Quest boots strike that ideal balance of being both breathable and waterproof—a combination that can be tough to find. Of all the lightweight hiking boots we tested, this boot stood out for its out-of-the-box comfort, excellent stability, solid traction, and breathable, waterproof performance. Speaking of wet and muddy conditions, we found the Duratread rubber (and water-resistant bootie) of the Altra Lone Peak Mid to aid in forward progress at the change of season when the snow melts and the mud gets thick.

We then took that data and real-world experience and crafted this detailed assessment of today's best options to help you find the right pair for your needs.For our favorite models, we continue wearing them for years to report back on their long-term durability. We’ve tested the Vasque Breeze Waterproof Hiking Boots many times over the past few years, and we’ve found the most recent iteration to be the best yet.

Updated in 2022, the newest Quest boots took slightly longer to break in than the previous model, but they also had the widest toe box of any of the boots we tested. The Scarpa Rush 2 Mid GTX offers the lightweight performance, agility, shock absorption, and all-day comfort you'd expect from your favorite trail running shoe combined with a substantial amount of support and padding surrounding the ankle.Somehow, the Trail Code boots maintain solid waterproofing as well, with a Gore-Tex bootie (instead of just a liner) that keeps water out while letting air in.