Hiking trips are only as good as the boots you wear during the trek. Show up with a new pair of boots that haven’t yet been broken in, and the most epic trip of your life could turn into one long, sad blister fest. This spring, I joined a guided 12-day hiking trip in Slovenia with Wilderness Travel (it included 10 full days of hiking and two for travel and sightseeing) which is the longest one I’d ever taken, so I knew I’d have to bring proper footwear to get me through it. So, I packed my trusty Vasque St. Elias Hiking Boots, which I’d been wearing for over a year and a half. 

Though I had already put in hundreds of miles in these hiking boots, one of the reasons I got them to begin with was because they’re advertised as not requiring a break-in period. Vasque delivered on this promise, as I never once had a blister with these boots, neither during the initial “break-in” period, nor during the 10 full days of hiking in Slovenia. I fell even more in love with these hiking boots on this trip — I highly recommend them for just about any hike, especially since you can get them now for 25 percent off at REI.

Vasque St. Elias Hiking Boots

These full-grain leather boots are completely waterproof thanks to a super breathable Gore-Tex membrane. Typically, the best waterproof hiking boots are heavier and less breathable than regular boots. However, because the premium Gore-Tex fabric is so lightweight, these Vasque hiking boots keep my feet dry without them overheating and getting sweaty. 

Although we got a few days of rain on my hiking trip, it didn’t bother me one bit while wearing these boots: I happily stomped through streams and walked along muddy riverfront trails as we wound our way through magical mountains, fairytale-like valleys, and vineyards. I could really appreciate how the misty mountain rain made the scenery even more dramatic. A few people on the trip had to sit out rainy days (or walk the entire way with wet feet), but I was perfectly comfortable, and grateful to not have to wake up early to dry my boots every morning.

Because these boots are made with very high-quality materials and are fully waterproof (which, by the way, is what you want, because water-resistant doesn’t cut it), these boots aren’t cheap. They normally run $220, but they were recently added to the REI outlet so you can now scoop them up for a great price at $164. And, despite being in the outlet, all sizes are in stock, including wide widths. 

If you’re interested in shopping even more stellar hiking boots at REI, I’ve rounded up some other hiker-loved pairs.

Shop More Hiking Boots at REI

La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTK Hiking Boots

Given how rough, rugged, and supportive these kicks are, it’s shocking that they’re also lightweight, clocking in at just 1 pound 6 ounces per pair. The La Sportiva Nucleo High GTX hiking boots have a Gore-Tex Surround membrane which is extra breathable. The GTX fabric wraps underneath the foot, which, when paired with nano-cell tech, helps to keep your feet dry. The extra deep Vibram lugs in the sole provide excellent traction on all types of surfaces — from sandy, dusty trails to slippery, muddy, and rocky mountain climbs. Note that while the boots do come in wide widths, the brand runs a bit narrow overall, so unless you have especially narrow feet, you may still want to opt for the wide width.

Altra Lone Peak Hiker 2 Hiking Boots

I’m a huge fan of Altra hiking boots, which have a thinner sole, are so light; they’re half-way between barefoot hikers and proper trekking boots. I’ve been wearing these hiking boots for years, and while I wouldn’t wear them for a super slippery, muddy mountain hike, I’ve worn them during hundreds of miles of other hikes all over the world. Though they have a rugged sole that’s made for hiking, they aren’t rigid and inflexible so they feel like super comfy high-top sneakers. Plus, they come with Altra’s signature wide toe box, which provides added comfort and stability. Altra makes a waterproof version, which is $30 more, and is worth it if you hike in the rain a lot. That said, I like the non-waterproof option since it’s a bit lighter. Besides, if I’m going to hike in a ton of rain, I’m wearing my Vasque boots; otherwise, I’ve got these bad boys on my feet.

Keen Targhee III Waterproof Mid Boots

These Keen Targhee III boots are pretty similar to the Vasque boots, in that they are super sturdy and fully waterproof high-top boots that are built for rugged adventures. Like the Vasque, they’re great on trails that are slippery, muddy, rocky, or full of branches and debris. I used to wear a previous version of this shoe, and they got me through hikes everywhere from upstate New York’s Adirondack mountains all the way to Machu Picchu, Peru. What I love about Keen is that not only do they make extremely high-quality footwear, but they also have great environmental practices. For instance, these boots are made with leather from a tannery that’s rated gold by the Leather Working Group (LWG) for environmental stewardship and traceability.

Xero Xcursion Fusion Hiking Boots

Xero is one of the leading barefoot brands out there, making all types of footwear like casual sandals, everyday walking shoes, and hiking boots, like these Xcursion Fusion boots. The appeal of barefoot or “minimalist” footwear is that because there is little to no cushion in them, you rely on tiny little muscles throughout your feet that don’t get used in a super-cushioned shoe. While it can take a while to build up your muscles to wear boots like this on a long hike, many hikers enjoy wearing these boots because you’re more connected with the ground and you can feel the variations in the terrain. (And, you’ll strengthen your feet over time, so they’ll feel much more comfortable.) One of my Wilderness Travel hiking guides in Slovenia, Nena, wore these shoes every day on the hike, and she told me they are her absolute favorite shoes. Personally, I prefer a little bit more cushion during super rocky hikes (though I wear Xero shoes for more casual hikes), but Nena swears by these — you might too.

Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots

Now is a great time to pick up deeply discounted hiking boots, and these Merrell Moab 3 Mid boots are a great example of that. Merrell is one of the most respected brands in the hiking scene and with good reason. The Moab 3 are rugged, durable mid-high boots that were built to stand up to muddy trails, rocky terrain, and all-around damp and dreary conditions. As the latest iteration of their iconic Moab boots, this version is even softer, more supportive, and grippier. Though they’re not advertised as “no break-in”, many hikers report not having any blisters despite jumping into seriously long hikes with these brand new boots. Even better — Merrell uses recycled fabrics to craft these kicks so you can feel good about your footwear, too.

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