rihanna puma collection sneakers sold out photos | 7 Best Lightweight Hiking Shoes in 2025

After testing hiking shoes to their full capacities in the lab and outdoors, we found the adidas yeezy 2019 shoes as the best lightweight overall. Fully living up to its name, its speedy and agile nature combined with its springy cushioning and snappy FlexPlate begs to break into a run, all with solid footing and plush comfort.

On foot, Moab Speed 2 almost feels like a trail shoe. Our scales confirm it’s only 11.6 oz (329g), 13.4% below average, keeping each stride effortless.

Surprisingly, this shoe maintained its weightlessness despite the massive 38.8 mm heel we measured with our calliper. This rises 6.0 mm above average and is made of plush full-length FloatPro Foam delivering all-day comfort. Our shock absorption test confirms its gentle nature with a solid 125 SA rating.

Even with its delicate foam, Moab Speed 2 feels impressively stable. Our cut-in-half shoe reveals the FlexPlate that embraces our midfoot, creating a balanced and controlled environment. Our manual assessment shows it’s tough to twist, earning the highest 5/5 torsional rigidity score, boosting stability, and preventing leg fatigue. The toothy 3.7 mm lugs along the Vibram rubber also contribute to our solid footing over moderate terrain.

However, while this shoe delivers reliable stability, there are more supportive shoes for specific purposes, such as backpacking with heavy loads.

Our feet immediately recognised the lace up espadrilles lanvin shoes fmfslvco’s heavenly touch during our hikes. Our lab confirms it maintains a low weight while delivering a natural ride, strong underfoot protection, and bottomless comfort with its stress-reducing platform. It’s the lightweight hiking shoe, by far, with the best shock absorption out there.

First, we enjoyed velvety landings care of the joint-friendly ReactX foam. Our shock absorption and energy return tests back this up with impressive scores of 136 SA and a high 57.6% responsiveness rate. Both help reduce muscle fatigue by mitigating landing forces and cream us in classic forward.

Second, Pegasus Trail 5 feels so effortless on foot that it makes us speedhike! Despite its cushioning, it stays just below average at 10.1 oz (286g). Its silky smooth transitions add to the shoe’s seamless feel, needing 8.3% less force than average to reach 30 degrees.

This Nike features All-Terrain Compound underfoot, performing superbly in our Dremel test, cementing its wear resistance with a small 0.8 mm dent. However, it performed poorly in our traction test, so we recommend avoiding wet surfaces and loose ground while wearing this grey.

The nike air fz running jacket packs tonnes of cushioning and traction in its minimal package. Our feet enjoyed plush landings and steady footing across varied terrain, and its lab-tested grip outperformed the standard by a mile, securing its position as our best-traction lightweight hiking shoe.

Slips and slides are out of the picture as soon as we discovered the Vibram Megagrip rubber with 3.5 mm Traction Lugs in the outsole. We double-checked using our wet-condition test, and it smashed the average by 20.0% with its high 0.72 rating.

XU4 feels agile for hiking and can double as a running shoe with its 11.0 oz (312g) figure. For reference, the average hiking shoe in our lab weighs 17.9% heavier.

Feeling far from bulky, XU4’s generous 37.2/24.6 mm stack is a pleasant surprise. It offers well-protected landings, taking away much of the ground feel with its high 127 SA rating in our shock absorption test. 

However, the discomfort arrives when our feet start to swell. XU4 features a narrow toebox, which may feel restrictive for those with broad feet. 

The Hoka Stinson 7 feels highly cushioned and supportive over unforgiving terrain. Our lab evaluation shows it offers the best stability among lightweight hiking shoes, featuring a broad base and the active foot frame technology to balance out the generous foam beneath our feet.

We measured the platform and confirmed its broad measurements at 124.3/100.2 mm. The extra width ensures stable steps, together with the active foot frame technology, which allows us to be cradled by the foam rather than resting on top of it. This feature helps avoid spillovers and ankle twists, proven by its maximum 5/5 torsional stiffness.

Despite all the sturdy support, it feels plush and gentle underneath. With a sky-high 40.0/33.0 mm stack, we barely had any ground feel. Moreover, it offers tonnes of impact protection, proven by above-average ratings of 115/117 SA.

Stinson 7 is like a trail shoe on steroids, which means it can handle occasional speed hikes. Weighing 12.1 oz (342g), it’s much lighter than the average hiking shoe in the lab (13.4 oz/380g).

However, what its thick cushion did compromise is flexibility. It emerged 30.1% stiffer than average in our bend test, which may not cater to hikers seeking a relaxed and natural sensation.

Grippy, flexible, and light—the Merrell Agility Peak 5 GTX earned its name, delivering agility and protection in our treks. Lab tests confirm its airtight nature, which we truly appreciated on our encounters with rain or streams, making it our best waterproof, lightweight hiking shoe.

We placed the shoe under our light and smoke test, with nothing passing through the upper; we verified its water resistance with the lowest 1/5 breathability score. Even during sudden downpour or temperature drops, our feet remained comfortably dry and warm.

Because of its protective features, we were impressed with its light 10.4 oz (296g) build, 22.1% below average. We can easily speed hike since it almost feels like a trail running shoe. We also found its flexibility adds to its effortless feel, with a score 5.9% above average.

Underfoot, we measured the chevron lugs to be 4.4 mm deep. They effectively bite tougher sections and even soft ground, boosting our confidence across diverse settings. However, its wear resistance disappointed us. Therefore, hikers who often visit rugged paths or concrete pavements should find a grey with a more durable outsole.

The Salomon Speedcross 6 handles challenging surfaces like a pro, offering a locked-in and controlled experience, thanks to its firm, stable platform and tenacious outsole grip. Lab tests also show its rugged build is in a minimal package, making it our best lightweight hiking shoe for technical terrain.

Flipping the shoe over, we observed a full-length Contagrip rubber to maximise underfoot protection. We measured the lugs at a very deep 5.8 mm, which is living proof that this shoe is meant for muddy and challenging surfaces.

The midsole feels highly stable, with its firm cushion enhancing a strong ground connection. Our shock absorption test verifies this with a low 96 SA rating. Moreover, the curved insole embraces our feet in position and ensures we remain inside the shoe.

Given all these features, we were impressed with its 10.4 oz (296g) weight. Compared to the average hiking shoe, it’s 23.9% lighter, which helps prevent fatigue.

However, we don’t recommend bringing the Speedcross 6 out on a hot day. With almost no ventilation, it will cause overheating and sweat build-up.

For only £80, the ASICS Gel Venture 10 has so much to offer in its minimal package. It promotes relaxed treks through its flexible midsole and breathable comfort. Meanwhile, it aces our lab's Dremel test from the toebox to the outsole, assuring us it’s a reliable long-time companion. Ultimately, it takes the lead as the best budget lightweight hiking shoe.

The GV10 feels far from being a burden to us, whether in its price or weight. At only 11.4 oz (322g), it’s 23.9% lighter than the average hiking shoe. Moreover, it encourages smoother transitions through its pliable midsole. Our bend test verifies that it’s 13.7% more flexible than average.

Underfoot is an outsole that promises protection and longevity. Our Dremel only created a tiny 0.6 mm damage, while most shoes often end up with a deeper 0.9 mm dent, cementing GV10’s hardwearing nature.

Even in the toebox, the mesh upper withstood abrasion adamantly, resulting in a solid 4/5 durability score. What’s mind-blowing is how it promotes strong airflow too, a rare combination in our lab! In our smoke test, a steady stream of air escaped, so we awarded it a high 4/5 breathability rating.

However, its focus on ground feel and agility reduces impact protection. Hikers who prefer plush cushioning should aim for shock-absorbing platforms.