6 Hiking Shoes And Boots To Get You Ready For The ‘NC Year of the Trail’

Durham NC – 2023 has been declared NC Year of the Trail by the North Carolina General Assembly to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1973 NC Trails System Act. Spectacular Magazine is proud to work with the NC Tourism Dept., promoting walking and hiking trails. In honor of our collaboration and the unimaginable beauty of the NC Hiking and Walking Trails, below are 6 of our favorite hiking shoes to get you ready for the season.

Columbia Newton Ridge Waterproof Hiking Boot

The Columbia Newton Ridge Waterproof Hiking Boot is an amazing hiking boot that is extremely lightweight and durable. Built waterproof and stylish, this comfortable suede hiking boot is inspired by classic mountaineering boots. The lightweight midsole is cushioned yet supportive to keep up with your most ambitious day trips. This affordable hiking boot comes equipped with an advanced traction rubber sole for slip-free movement on uneven ground. Responsive, supportive cushioning and super-grippy rubber outsoles are geared for miles over rocks, grass, gravel, and roots. Buy this affordable hiking boot here.

Merrell Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe

Notable for being lightweight, the Merrell Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe is widely acclaimed. Experience out-of-the-box comfort with durable leathers, a supportive footbed, and Vibram traction, all in a versatile package, you won’t doubt why Moab stands for MOTHER OF ALL BOOTS. This shoe comes in a wealth of colors and its 100% pigskin leather design with a mesh upper ensures maximum breathability and comfort without being too clunky. Check out this shoe here.

 Columbia Hatana Max Outdry Hiking Shoe

The Columbia Hatana Max Outdry Hiking Shoe is a top-rated hiking shoe that is just as breathable as it is equipped for all terrain. It is entirely waterproof and features the brand’s Adapt Trax, an outsole that provides fantastic traction in wet and dry climates alike. Delivering hiking, running, or scrambling utility for the diverse outdoor adventures that are waiting for you. Ready to cross streams, run through puddles, and trek over muddy trails, the full-seam sealed OutDry upper construction will keep your feet dry when it counts. Designed for grippy performance over loose trail surfaces, these breathable sneakers are lightweight and comfortable.
 Columbia offers these women’s shoes in multiple colors, with a true-to-size fit. It utilizes a rather aggressive front and rear lug pattern that helps grip onto the ground, especially in looser terrain. Learn more about this shoe here.

Adidas Hyperturf Adventure Shoes

The Adidas Hyperturf Adventure Shoes is an outdoor-inspired shoe for roaming the city, made in part with recycled content generated from production waste, such as cutting scraps, and post-consumer household waste to avoid the larger environmental impact of producing virgin content. Freedom is a comfortable pair of shoes and an empty schedule waiting to be filled with adventure. Their durable design takes cues from their outdoor archives, with ripstop mesh, suede, and nubuck. Adiprene+ technology and FORMOTION keep feet feeling comfortable and fresh from morning until night. Get this shoe here.

The North Face VECTIV Taraval Shoes

The North Face VECTIV Taravel Shoe features an upper made of synthetic leather and breathable mesh to keep things light yet supported. Its patented OrthoLite X55 footbed, VECTIV technology, and 3D TRU plate underfoot all work together to help maximize energy on the trail and allow for multi-directional stability. Its 4mm lugs help provide a rugged grip to the ground, too, and you’ll also appreciate its lightweight EVA foam to nearly glide past rocks and other nature-led sightings. Perfect for all your city and trail explorations, the VECTIV Taraval shoe delivers stability, forward propulsion, and superior grip. Buy this shoe here.

Salomon X Ultra Pioneer Waterproof Hiking Boots

The Salomon X Ultra Pioneer Waterproof Hiking shoes are known for their no-frills, secure lace-up pattern that is flexible, lightweight, and fully waterproof. The X Ultra Pioneer Waterproof Hiking Shoes also have an advanced chassis to help optimize motion control. Inspired by the best-selling X Ultra Family, this mid-cut hiking shoe is the go-to option for outdoor enthusiasts. They are packed with all the technology you need including waterproof protection. Yet versatile enough to adapt to your daily life. Get more information about this shoe here.

North Carolina’s hiking trails are as epic as they are plentiful. Now that you know what hiking shoes are best for you, plan a hike on a storied route like the Appalachian Trail or Mountains-to-Sea Trail. In the mood for something shorter? Choose a day hike in a state park or national forest, or explore an urban landscape on a rail trail. VisitNC provides information on all the hiking trails in the state. Explore their website.