Shoe Reviews
We laced up in the top brands from Salomon, Nike, HOKA, La Sportiva, Scarpa, Merrell, Keen and Teva.
Trail shoes range from essentially no cushion (requiring you to strengthen your feet and lower leg muscles), to all the cushion (with the goal of going easy on your joints).
Credit: Ally Arcuri
To store all the shoes we've bought and tested over the years, we'd need a warehouse. Thankfully, we have one. Our dedicated team of testers has reviewed thousands of pairs of the best hiking shoes, best running shoes, and the top trail running shoes throughout the years, in all manners of environments and conditions. We buy all the products, just like you do, so we can publish 100% unbiased reviews. That we guarantee.
Most Popular
Best Picks in Shoe Reviews
Best Approach Shoes for Women of 2024
If you're on the hunt for a great pair of women's approach shoes, we've got the information you need. Whether you're...
Best Climbing Shoes of 2024
We pick the best rock climbing shoes for bouldering, sport, trad, gym, and beginners. No matter your experience or...
10 Best Road Running Shoes of 2024
If you want to find the best road running shoes today, we covered hundreds of miles and thoughtfully selected our...
Best Running Shoes for Men of 2024
We've tested hundreds of shoes over thousands of miles on the roads and scores of hours in the lab to find the best...
Best Running Shoes for Women of 2024
Seeking a women's running shoe to help you pick up the pace? Our comprehensive review of the most popular running...
Best Hiking Shoes for Men of 2024
We selected the top hiking shoes and put them to the test. After months of hiking on all types of trails, we wrote the...
Best Hiking Shoes for Women of 2024
We're here to help you sort through the options for the best women's hiking shoes. We tested the market's leading...
10 Best Walking Shoes of 2024
These award-winning walking shoes will keep you moving. Whether you plan on walking around town, running errands, or...
Best Water Shoes for Women of 2024
Our testers took these models rafting down the Grand Canyon, boating on the San Juan River in Colorado, canoeing...
10 Best Water Shoes of 2024
Sick of wrinkled toes or stubs on sharp rocks while playing in the water? We've tested the best water shoes that will...
Best Water Shoes for Men of 2024
After combing through 70 of the best water shoes on the market, we purchased and rigorously tested the top 15 to find...
10 Best Slippers of 2024
Our top loungers have found the best slippers to keep your feet warm and comfy, no matter if you're staying in to...
Best Trail Running Shoes for Men of 2024
Looking for a new pair of trail runners? We have tested over 130 of the most popular models since 2013. Our current...
Best Cycling Shoes of 2024
Our team rode hundreds of miles to analyze the features and flaws of today's best cycling shoes. Our in-depth review...
Best Sandals for Women of 2024
What are the best women's sandals for travel, hiking, and daily use? We put these top options through a bevy of...
10 Best Sandals of 2024
Trying to figure out what type of sandal the one you need is? We've spent years testing hundreds of pairs of flip...
Best Mountain Bike Shoes of 2024
Are you looking for a new pair of mountain bike shoes? We have purchased a whomping 20 pairs for this comparative...
Best Mountain Bike Flat Pedal Shoes of 2024
There are lots of mountain bike flat shoes on the market. We bought 14 of the most intriguing options to put through...
Best Approach Shoes of 2024
Looking for a new pair of approach shoes? We've got you covered. We scrambled, bouldered, sport climbed, and hiked in...
Best Flip Flops for Men of 2024
Searching for a new slippah? The selection can be daunting, with a multitude of options from the biggest names in the...
10 Best Flip Flops of 2024
Over the past 10 years, we've bought and tested over 100 pairs of flip flops to find the greatest on the market. From...
Best Flip Flops for Women of 2024
No matter what kind of warm weather adventure you're gearing up for, we'll help you find the perfect flip flop to...
Best Skate Shoes of 2024
To help you find the best skate shoes, we researched dozens of different models on the market and bought and tested 7...
Best Climbing Shoes for Women of 2024
We've weeded through dozens of climbing shoes to select to top contenders on the market. We have specifically selected...
Best Mountain Bike Shoes for Women of 2024
A great pair of mountain bike shoes can help you perform at your very best. We've put 11 of the top models on the...
Best Slippers for Men of 2024
You'll wear good slippers nearly every day. We carefully tested (researching 30 models and purchasing 12 for direct...
Best Mountain Bike Flat Pedal Shoes For Women
Deciding on a new pair of women's mountain bike flat pedal shoes can be difficult, with so many choices available. Our...
Best Slippers for Women of 2024
After researching the top options on the market, we chose 12 of the best slippers for women for hands-on testing...
Best Barefoot Shoes of 2024
Ready to make the switch to minimalist or barefoot shoes? Our comprehensive review compares 9 of this season's best...
Best Sandals for Men of 2024
There is no such thing as a wrong time to wear sandals. We've sifted through the market's top offerings, comparing...
Best Barefoot Shoes for Women
Barefoot shoes got a bad rap shortly after their introduction to the mainstream. In this review, we talk about ways to...Shoe Reviews Learning Center
Men's Rock Climbing Shoe Buying Guide
Finding the best shoe for various types of adventures can be an overwhelming task. We're here to help. From sport...
How to Choose Hiking Shoes
Want some help finding the right shoe for your feet and trail objectives? This article dissects the key considerations...
How to Choose Minimal and Barefoot Shoes
What could be complicated about a minimalist running shoe? If you want to learn about the design of barefoot running...
How to Choose Approach Shoes for Climbing
If your hikes involve steep scrambling and exposed slabs, you should be wearing a pair of sticky rubber approach...
How to Choose Hiking Shoes for Women
What do you do when the options for hiking shoes are overwhelming? This article will help you understand the different...
How to Choose the Right Men's Trail Running Shoes
We recommend making a basic self-assessment to help you determine what your specific needs are when it comes to a...Recent Gear Reviews in Shoe Reviews
Editors' Choice
La Sportiva TX2 Evo - Women's Review
We're not sure where to begin describing the La Sportiva TX2 Evo. Should we start with its impressively lightweight...
Top Pick
La Sportiva TX Guide - Women's Review
A stiff midsole and narrow profile make the La Sportiva TX Guide a climbing machine. These shoes are precise and...
Top Pick
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 - Women's Review
The Brooks Adrenaline GTS has long been a GearLab favorite for runners needing a supportive shoe. This traditional, 10...
Top Pick
Altra Vanish Tempo - Women's Review
The Altra Vanish Tempo is an anomaly that will appeal to a subset of runners. A lightweight, well-executed training...
Top Pick
Saucony Triumph 22 Review
The Saucony Triumph 22 is a big departure from the last version, but we still think it's a great option for plush...
Best Buy
Puma Velocity Nitro 3 Review
The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 is a comfortable shoe that has the ideal level of versatility to make a great all-around...
Best Buy
Columbia Crestwood Review
The Columbia Crestwood is living proof that you can find a good quality pair of hiking shoes for under a hundred...
Editors' Choice
Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX Review
The Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX is our favorite hiking shoe, without a doubt. Blending running shoe-inspired comfort with...
Editors' Choice
La Sportiva Spire GTX - Women's Review
The La Sportiva Spire GTX is a sporty yet incredibly stable hiking shoe with ample comfort for both wide and narrow...
Best Buy
Merrell Moab 3 - Women's Review
The Merrell Moab 3 is a comfortable hiking shoe with a ton of support for high arches. The bellow tongue and ankle...
Editors' Choice
Astral Loyak - Women's Review
With incredible traction and sensitivity, the women's Astral Loyak is a great choice for any aquatic adventurer. For...
Top Pick
Olukai Moku Pae Review
The Olukai Moku Pae is among our favorite options we've ever tested in the context of style. Water shoes have...
Editors' Choice
Astral Loyak AC Review
The Astral Loyak AC are top-performing water shoes that also offer the stylish aesthetics of a designer casual shoe...
Best Buy
DLGJPA Lightweight Quick Drying - Women's Review
The DLGJPA Women's Lightweight Quick Drying Aqua Water Shoes are a great option for those just getting into water...
Editors' Choice
Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 Review
The Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 is arguably the best running shoe on the market. We think the fit is primarily to thank for...
Top Pick
Nnormal Kjerag Review
Ultralight and durability don't blend often, but the unisex Nnormal Kjerag, created by Kilian Jornet, manages to pull...
Editors' Choice
Shimano S-Phyre SH-RC903 Review
The Shimano S-Phyre RC903 is our absolute favorite high-performance cycling shoe. Its stiff construction offers...
Top Pick
Quoc Escape Road Review
Quoc set out to create a shoe that would be a great companion on all-day adventures, and the Escape Road hits the...
Top Pick
Ecco Yucatan - Women's Review
The Ecco Yucatan is a sandal with a vibe. It offers excellent security and stability, and some of the best comfort...
Top Pick
Bedrock Cairn Evo - Women's Review
The Bedrock Cairn Evo sandals walk the line between a strap design minimalists will love and a traction-focused sole...
Top Pick
Arc'teryx Vertex Alpine Review
The Vertex Alpine is a comfortable running shoe that also excels in moderately technical terrain, earning our nod as...
Editors' Choice
La Sportiva TX Guide Review
The La Sportiva TX Guide is an all-around climbing and hiking machine, earning our approval as the top approach shoe...
Top Pick
Scarpa Booster Review
After a few year's hiatus, the fan-favorite Scarpa Booster is back in the game. The updated shoe is soft and nimble...
Editors' Choice
La Sportiva Skwama - Women's Review
The La Sportiva Skwama won us over with its consistent performance across disciplines, taking the top spot for the...
Editors' Choice
Bedrock Cairn Adventure Review
Yet again, the Bedrock Cairn Adventure secures the highest score among the best sandals. Simply put, no other model is...
Editors' Choice
La Sportiva Katana Lace Review
There are many reasons why the La Sportiva Katana Lace is a stalwart at crags across America. The subtly downturned...
Top Pick
La Sportiva Solution Comp Review
The La Sportiva Solution Comp is an aggressive shoe that really shines when precision is paramount. It edges just as...
Editors' Choice
Xero Shoes Speed Force - Women's Review
The Xero Speed Force is a performance racing flat that is fun on various terrain, winning our Editors' Choice Award...
Top Pick
Ride Concepts Wildcat - Women's Review
The Wildcat is built for gravity riding. It features a mid-top design and provides tons of protection but at the...
Top Pick
Merrell Vapor Glove 6 Review
Merrell has made some improvements with the Vapor Glove 6. Most notably, the updated tread design has 2mm of depth to...
Best Buy
Whitin Cross Trainer Review
The Whitin Cross Trainer checks all the boxes for a high-value product. The aggressive tread on the trail runner...
Top Pick
Earth Runners Alpha Review
The Earth Runners Alpha distinguishes itself as one of the lightest and most traction-efficient choices in our lineup...
Best Buy
Merrell Vapor Glove 5 - Women's Review
The Vapor Glove series from Merrell has been a long-standing favorite here at GearLab. This fifth version is no...
Best Buy
Specialized 2FO Roost Flat - Unisex Review
The Specialized 2FO Roost Flat is a flat pedal shoe that makes a big statement by balancing grip, comfort...
Top Pick
Fox Union BOA Review
The Fox Union BOA are an outstanding choice for enduro racers or aggressive riders. The Union BOA is Fox's first entry...
Top Pick
Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit Review
The Pearl Izumi X-Alp Summit shoes are versatile, all-around mountain bike shoes that work well in a number of...
Editors' Choice
Giro Latch Review
The Giro Latch is an excellent new flat pedal shoe that challenges the standard set for the contact point of your feet...
Top Pick
Ride Concepts Hellion Clip Women's Review
The Hellion Clip Women's is Ride Concepts clip-in version of the popular Hellion flat shoe and is purpose-built for...
Best Buy
Specialized 2FO Roost Clip - Unisex Review
The casual-looking Specialized 2FO Roost Clip performs incredibly well both on and off the bike. The Stiff Lollipop...
Best Buy