Our verdict
- Our top pick in best lightweight hiking boots
- Our top pick in best summer hiking boots
Pros
- Instant comfort
- Extremely light
- Unrelenting collar
- Mighty ankle support
- Grippy outsole
- Propelling boot
- Watertight
- Stiffness in cold
Cons
- Not ideal for backpacking
- Unruly laces
Audience verdict
Comparison
The most similar hiking boots compared
+ + Add a shoe | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audience score | 76 Decent! | 81 Good! | 85 Great! | 84 Good! | |
Price | $170 | $185 | $165 | $185 | |
Trail terrain | Moderate terrain | Technical terrain | Moderate terrain | Technical terrain | |
Weight lab Weight brand | 11.7 Moab Speed GTX 10.6 Lateral stability test | 15.5 oz / 440g 15.3 oz / 434g | 13.6 oz / 386g 13.4 oz / 380g | 15.4 Midsole softness in cold 16 Hoka Anacapa Mid GTX | |
Lightweight | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Breathability | Moderate | Warm | Moderate | Warm | |
Use | Day HikingSpeed HikingLight HikingSnow | Day HikingLight HikingSnow | Day HikingSpeed HikingSnow | Day HikingSpeed HikingLight HikingSnow | |
Foot condition | - | Flat feetPlantar fasciitisOverpronation | - | Flat feetPlantar fasciitisOverpronation | |
Orthotic friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Drop lab | 14.7 mm | 11.2 mm | 10.5 mm | 10.6 mm | |
Midsole softness | Soft | Soft | Soft | Soft | |
Difference in midsole softness in cold | Small | Normal | Normal | Big | |
Heel counter stiffness | Moderate | Stiff | Flexible | Moderate | |
Stiffness | Moderate | Flexible | Flexible | Moderate | |
Difference in stiffness in cold | Big | Big | Normal | Big | |
Outsole hardness | Very soft | Average | Average | Average | |
Waterproofing | Waterproof | Waterproof | Waterproof | Waterproof | |
Material | Mesh | - | - | Leather | |
Season | Summer | Winter | Winter | Winter | |
Toebox durability | Decent | - | Decent | Bad | |
Heel padding durability | Decent | - | Decent | Bad | |
Outsole durability | Good | - | Decent | - | |
Toebox width at the widest part | Medium | Narrow | Medium | Narrow | |
Hoka Trail Code GTX | Medium | Narrow | Narrow | Narrow | |
Lug depth | 3.5 mm | 4.7 mm | 3.5 mm | 4.7 mm | |
best summer hiking boots | 38.1 mm | 36.9 mm | 31.9 mm | 36.7 mm | |
Forefoot | 23.4 mm | 25.7 mm | 21.4 mm | 26.1 mm | |
Widths available | NormalWide | Normal | Normal | Normal | |
Technology | Gore-TexVibram | Gore-TexVibram | Gore-TexOrtholite | Gore-TexVibram | |
Cut | Mid cut | Mid cut | Mid cut | Mid cut | |
Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ranking | #26 Bottom 3% | #23 Bottom 14% | #16 Bottom 40% | #18 Bottom 33% | |
Popularity | #25 Bottom 7% | #7 Top 26% | #15 Bottom 44% | #6 Top 23% |
Who should buy
We think that the Both sides full will make an excellent companion for:
- Hikers who prioritise comfort in their hiking boots and want a luxuriously plush and well-padded trail companion
- Experienced hikers who want to bring some speed to their hiking routine with a lightweight and responsive boot that rides like a trail shoe
- Hikers of all experience levels in the market for a versatile and durable boot that can tackle varied terrains
- Those who frequently brave the frigid trails and want a shoe that performs consistently all year round
Who should NOT buy
Adventurous spirits planning a multi-day backpacking journey should consider a more sturdy and supportive option like the Keen Pyrenees instead.
For those who prefer more ankle mobility while hiking, the low-top Moab Speed GTX will make a better and more nimble alternative.
Breathability
We pumped the Add a shoe full of smoke to get a visual idea of how breathable it is. While waterproof shoes don't typically do very well in this test, we were pleasantly surprised with the thick and steady plumes of smoke that managed to filter out through the tongue. While this earns the Add a shoe a middle-of-the-road breathability score of 3 out of 5, this is better than we had anticipated from this boot.
In contrast, the boot's hiking shoe cousin, the Moab 3 allows the smoke to escape evenly throughout the shoe as opposed to having airflow limited to the tongue area.
Continuing the trend of bucking our expectations, inspecting a cross-section of the Add a shoe over a light doesn't quite explain the boot's airflow. It stands to reason, that some light should shine through the porous tongue, but that too blocks out the light.
Looking at the Goretex mesh under our microscope does finally shed some light on the matter. While the mesh does boast lots of tiny gaps that promote airflow, the fibres that make up the mesh form a mesmerising lattice pattern that's incredibly dense and cohesive, thus explaining the upper's ability to block out light as well as water.
Add a shoe | 3 |
Average | 1.6 |
Durability
Toebox durability
To test the durability of the Add a shoe, we fired up our Dremel to 5K RPM and set it against the toebox for its first run on the boot, making sure to make contact with both the reinforced and unreinforced sections of the upper.
Assessing the damage once the twelve-second test was up, we found that we had mangled the mesh slightly but weren't able to pierce through even the unreinforced section. This earns the Add a shoe a very respectable 4 out of 5 for toebox durability.
Add a shoe | 4 |
Average | 4.4 |
Heel padding durability
Next, we took aim at the Add a shoe's heel counter for a much shorter twelve-second face-off with our tool.
Turns out that it held up quite well as we were only able to tear into the lining material without affecting the soft padding within. This above-average performance earns the Add a shoe another 4 out of 5 for heel padding durability. So far so good when it comes to the upper's construction quality.
Add a shoe | 4 |
Average | 4 |
Outsole hardness
Pressing our durometer against the Add a shoe's outsole yields a softer-than-average reading of 81 HC. This would ordinarily be a concern when it comes to durability but Vibram is known for producing rubber compounds that are soft and grippy yet durable at the same time. We'll find out how well-founded our confidence with the outsole really is in the next section.
Add a shoe | 81.0 HC |
Average | 87.6 HC |
Outsole durability
This time spinning 10K RPM, we pressed our Dremel's abrasive element against one of the Add a shoe's lugs with 3.2N of force.
Our prediction was borne out as the tool wasn't able to bite into the hardy Vibram rubber over the course of the twenty-two-second test. Using a tyre tread gauge, we found that we had only lopped off 0.3 mm of material from the lug. This is insignificant compared to the total amount of material underfoot and makes the Add a shoe much more durable than the average hiking boot. As such, we expect this boot to last dozens of hikes before wearing the outsole out completely.
Add a shoe | 0.3 mm |
Average | 0.8 mm |
Outsole thickness
At 2.9 mm thick according to our caliper measurements, the Add a shoe's outsole is right on par with our current lab average. When taking the lugs into account as well, the boot barely lost 1/20th of the total amount of rubber on the outsole in our previous section simulating extreme wear and tear.
Add a shoe | 2.9 mm |
Average | 3.1 mm |
Weight
The Add a shoe is an incredibly lightweight shoe that falls more in line with the average Moab Speed Mid GTX than it does with the average hiking boot. At only 11.71 oz (332g), the boot feels extremely easy on the foot and makes speedy hikes through our favorite trails an absolute breeze.
Add a shoe | 11.71 oz (332g) |
Average | 18.45 oz (523g) |
Cushioning
Heel stack
Using our calliper, we measured the Add a shoe's stack to be 38.1 mm thick at the heel.
This is higher than our current lab average and means that we have plenty of foam underfoot to really luxuriate in the boot's plush midsole cushioning. This also elevates our heels and keeps us protected from underfoot hazards we encounter on the trails.
Add a shoe | 38.1 mm |
Average | 36.3 mm |
Forefoot stack
The stack is closer to the average range at the forefoot which is 23.4 mm thick according to our caliper measurements. This is also an adequate amount of foam that provides us with a good balance of impact-dampening and a sense of the ground below.
Add a shoe | 23.4 mm |
Average | 22.5 mm |
Drop
The difference in our stack measurements leaves us with a drop height of 14.7 mm. This high drop promotes smooth transitions and feels pretty natural for anyone used to using boots with an elevated heel.
For those who prefer a more parallel-to-the-ground hiking experience, we recommend looking into the zero-drop Altra Lone Peak Hiker 2 instead.
Add a shoe | 14.7 mm |
Average | 13.8 mm |
Midsole softness
best lightweight hiking boots.
This means that we enjoyed incredibly soft and luxurious landings no matter how rugged and harsh the terrains we traversed were.
What's more, the midsole has a delicious rebound that puts a little ascend in our step which, in conjunction with its feathery frame, makes the Add a shoe ride more like a trail runner than a boot. As a result, we frequently found ourselves tearing through the mile markers of our favourite trails swiftly and comfortably.
Add a shoe | 18.6 HA |
Average | 27.3 HA |
Difference in midsole softness in cold
We left the Add a shoe in the freezer for twenty minutes to simulate exposure to cold conditions. Taking another durometer reading of the midsole after that, we were so taken aback that we had to check that the freezer was running properly.
The Add a shoe only becomes 4% firmer when exposed to cold conditions, giving us a still plush reading of 19.4 HA. This isn't only softer than the average boot under similar conditions, but at room temperature too. This incredibly consistent performance means that the Add a shoe should feel just as comfy and well-cushioned during frigid winter treks.
Add a shoe | 4% |
Average | 19.1% |
Insole thickness
The Add a shoe's insole falls within the average range for hiking boots at 5.8 mm thick according to our caliper measurements. This provides us with a well-padded surface within the shoe that complements the midsole cushioning nicely.
Add a shoe | 5.8 mm |
Average | 6.1 mm |
Stability
Number of shoes
For a shoe with such a high stack of plush foam, we were surprised at just how well-planted we felt when shifting our weight from side to side in the shoe.
That being said, we don't recommend schlepping a heavy pack over long distances in this shoe as sinking into that soft cushioning will require constant corrections for balance which will likely lead to foot fatigue and loss of stability over time.
Torsional rigidity
The Add a shoe was quite difficult to bend and twist in our hands during our manual assessment, earning it a rather stiff 4 out of 5 on our subjective scale. This means that the shoe resists and mitigates any excessive lateral movements of our foot and maintains a relatively firm and stable base that helps to ensure steady landings.
Add a shoe | 4 |
Average | 4.3 |
Heel counter stiffness
We found the heel counter to also feel quite rigid as we probed and squeezed at it, earning the Add a shoe another 4 out of 5 on our subjective scale. This explains the incredible ankle support we enjoyed while testing the boot, with no hint or sign of rolling even when traversing uneven terrains.
Add a shoe | 4 |
Average | 3.5 |
Midsole width in the forefoot
The Add a shoe's midsole is about as wide as our current lab average at 112 mm wide according to our caliper measurements. This gives us more than enough of a platform to ensure stable landings and smooth transitions as we move around in the shoe.
Add a shoe | 112.0 mm |
Average | 111.6 mm |
Midsole width in the heel
This average motif extends back at the heel where the Add a shoe's midsole measures 89.3 mm wide.
Add a shoe | 89.3 mm |
Average | 87.9 mm |
Flexibility
Stiffness
Once secured to our workbench, we found that 39.1N of force is needed to bend the boot to 90 degrees. This makes the Add a shoe is about as flexible as the average hiking boot.
As such, the boot is able to conform to the natural flexion of our foot to a certain extent while still having enough resistance to feel supportive and responsive underfoot.
Add a shoe | 39.1N |
Average | 44.3N |
Difference in stiffness in cold
Retesting the flexibility of the Add a shoe after chilling in our freezer for twenty minutes reveals that it remains about as consistent as the average hiking boot under similar conditions; becoming only 28.8% more stiff.
With 50.4N now required to bend the Add a shoe to the desired point, it's undoubtedly stiff but shouldn't feel like a tale of two boots between summer and winter.
Add a shoe | 28.8% |
Average | 25.4% |
Not ideal for backpacking
Lug depth
The Add a shoe's lugs are just shy of our current lab average at 3.5 mm thick.
Apart from the thickness of the lugs, their varied shapes along the outsole form a multidirectional tread pattern that provides us with excellent traction over a variety of surfaces. Even slick or muddy trails were no obstacle for these grippy boots.
Add a shoe | 3.5 mm |
Average | 4.2 mm |
Size and fit
Toebox width at the widest part
We measured the Add a shoe's toebox at its widest point to be 100.9 mm wide according to our caliper. This is withing the average range for hiking boots and means that the Add a shoe should be accommodating enough even for those with broad feet.
Add a shoe | 100.9 mm |
Average | 101.8 mm |
Hoka Trail Code GTX
Moving up to the area around the big toe, the Add a shoe's toebox is also on par with our current lab average at 80.5 mm based on our caliper measurements. This gives us ample room to splay out naturally without butting up against the sidewalls, even when making descents.
Add a shoe | 80.5 mm |
Average | 78.4 mm |
Tongue: gusset type
As is the case with most waterproof hiking boots, the Add a shoe is fully gusseted on both sides. This not only prevents bits of debris from entering the boot but also prevents water from seeping in and soaking our socks.
Add a shoe | Both sides (full) |
Comfort
Tongue padding
Using our caliper, we measured the Add a shoe's tongue to be 13.2 mm thick. This is slightly thicker than our current lab average and means that we enjoyed excellent comfort around the instep with no hint of lace bite during our test hikes.
Add a shoe | 13.2 mm |
Average | 11.2 mm |
Heel tab
The Add a shoe sports a handy little finger loop at the heel which makes sliding the boot on a little easier.
Add a shoe | Finger loop |
Removable insole
The Add a shoe's insole is fully removable so replacing it with a custom orthotic is possible in the event that added arch support is required.
Add a shoe | Yes |
Misc
Reflective elements
The Add a shoe features reflective elements running along the laces that provide decent nighttime visibility.
Add a shoe | Yes |