La Sportiva TX3

It’s easy to be dismissive of these shoes. They look funky with its aptly named spicy orange colorway and bizarre lacing system. But the same could be said for other hiking sneakers. The TX3 has a mesh upper, which is great for warmer months, thanks to its breathability. It also has an ortho-lite insole for comfort, a vibram outsole for traction, and a “climbing zone” toe for added grip if you decide to take these shoes on the trail. I also think these are incredibly easy to style; you can pair them with hiking pants, shorts or denim.

Salomon XT6

The Salomon XT6 is one of the first major shoes to break out of the outdoors gorpcore (short for “good ol’ raisins and peanuts”) trend. As people started zipping up Arcteryx jackets, they also started drifting towards the Salomon’s classic design and vibrant color options. I’ve owned a pair of XT6s for about two years. They are incredibly comfortable and easy to wear. They have even kept my feet dry during torrential downpours. The XT6 is also incredibly lightweight and has EVA cushioning for added cushioning and comfort. Salomon also updates the XT6 line every few months with new color options.

La Sportiva TX4 EVO

The TX4 EVO has a leather upper, Vibram outsole and a wide forefoot fit for more comfort around the toe box of the shoe. I also love the yellow and tropical blue laces, which can quickly add color to any outfit you decide to slap together with these on. You can also resole the TX4 EVO at La Sportiva-approved cobblers. La Sportiva has such interesting design elements that make the shoe stand out in a sea of more basic designs: it’s a bit rugged but also functional and unique.

Keen Jasper Sneaker

Don’t be surprised to see more of the Keen Jasper shoe over the next few months. It comes in six color options, but I like the simplicity of the Mink option, with its beige outer, black sole and red multi-colored laces. The Jasper has a contour fit that easily fits the shape of your foot for added comfort. Keen’s iconic toe bumper at the front of the shoe is meant to protect your feet from debris or rocks as you hit the trail.

Hoka Tor Summit

If you’re a fan of Hoka’s and want to dip your toe into the hiking sneaker trend, the Tor Summit is your best bet. It borrows from Hoka’s classic design language with the thick rubber sole but also nods to classic hiking boots. The Tor has a luxe nubuck leather upper, a rubber mudguard, zig-zag stitching, and metal eyelet hardware, according to the brand.

Merrell Moab 2 Mesa Luxe Eco 1TRL

Merrell’s Moab 2 Mesa Eco model has webbing, breathable mesh lining and a mesh footbed cover. It has classic Moab hiking boot elements but with a more sneaker-forward design. Merrell designed the Moab 2 Mesa for all terrains, and they still have hiking elements that offer grip, shock stability and durability. I was personally drawn to the classic alloy/ graphite color option but Merrell has four other colorways to choose from.

Tarvas Easy Hiker

The Tarvas Easy Hiker is a pricier model, but it has everything you would want in a hybrid hiking sneaker: a simplistic and stylish design with functional hiking elements. The Easy Hiker has a water-repellent full-grain leather upper, natural rubber Vibram sole and Tarvas’ signature mudguard, which wraps around the entire shoe for added weather protection, according to the brand.

Why trust NBC Select?

I am an editor at NBC Select who writes and edits stories on various topics including tech, fitness, home and more. I have covered major shopping holidays and other events for over five years. For this article, I rounded up my favorite hiking shoes and sneakers from NBC Select favorite brands.

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