5 Best hiking boots for under 100 dollars [2023]

Finding suitable footwear for hiking might appear to be a challenging and costly endeavor. With so many choices ranging from hiking boots to hiking shoes, encompassing low-, mid-, and high-cut boots, as well as waterproof and breathable variations. All these features may lead you to believe that finding a budget-friendly hiking boot, let alone the best hiking boots for under 100 dollars, is impossible.

However, you can get boots on a budget that are durable and able to handle any type of trail you want to trek. This article will give you five of the best hiking boots for under 100 dollars!

Need help knowing how to choose the best hiking boot for your style? Check out our blog, how to choose hiking boot and shoes. Additionally, if you have wide flat feet as I do, you may want to consider checking out our best hiking boots for flat feet – men’s guide, and best hiking boots for women with flat feet!

Quick Answer: Five Best Hiking Boots for under 100 Dollars

Option	Hiking Boot	Price	Category	Weight	Upper Material
4	Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof	USD $90	Midweight Hiking boot	1 lbs / 452g (Size 9, 1/2 pair)	Leather/Mesh
5	Hi-Tec Men’s Bandera Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot	USD $70	Midweight Hiking boot	3 lbs (men’s size 9)	Leather/Mesh

Best Hiking Boots for under 100:

I’ve compiled my five favorite boots under $100. Moreover, these five boots have received excellent reviews from trekkers. Further details about each of these hiking boots are provided below for a more comprehensive understanding.

1. Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot ($90 USD)

Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Main Features:

Pros and Cons of Merrell Men’s Moab 2:

The following are a list of pros and cons, things that we love and hate about the Merrell for under 100:

Whether you’re looking for rugged protection or lightweight comfort, the Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot has you covered. With a great entry price point of about USD $90, these hiking boots provide a durable, long-lasting, and comfortable boot.

Merrell is a solid brand when it comes to hiking equipment and clothing, and this boot doesn’t disappoint. It is a sturdy boot that protects the foot and comes equipped with a toe cap for extra toe protection. Moreover, the padding around the boot’s tongue, as well as the collar, is extremely thick, making it feel soft and comfortable even when tightened down.

The Moab 2 Mid is a hiking boot that feels great out of the box and can be worn immediately. It has a flexible feel to it and has great arch support making it trail-ready for almost any type of hiker. However, it is important to note that one con with this boot is that it is relatively heavy for having a lower collar. It also may feel a little bulky to some hikers because of the weight.

Even though the weight may be on the heavier side, the boot provides is my top choice for best hiking boots for under 100 dollars! It is comfortable and provides ample cushioning to protect the ankles as well as the foot altogether.

Why I like the Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot:

When I look to recommend a high-quality budget hiking boot, the Merrell Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot is one of my go-to. I have found that these boots are up to the task of keeping my feet comfortable on longer hikes and treks. These boots provide a great deal of support and cushion along the soles of my feet. 

The Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot provides a comfortable and athletic feel, as well as great traction and stability – all at a great price point of USD $90. I enjoy these boots for more moderate hikes that have more incline as they have an accommodating fit with ample length to avoid toe bang in the front of the boot, as well as sufficient room in the toe box to allow toe wiggle. Moreover, the collar also provides ample ankle support for a walking boot. The boot has a well-sculpted insole that helps prevent any heel slippage during longer descents.

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2. Merrall Men’s Bohemian ($81 USD)

Merrall Men’s Bohemian Main Features:

Pros and Cons of Merrall Men’s Bohemian:

The following are a list of pros and cons about the Bohemians for under 100:

The Merrall Men’s Bohemian is a great lightweight hiking shoe that allows the hiker to feel nimble and free. With their sports shoe design, with a durable and strong body, these hiking shoes allow you to bounce around the trail easily. Moreover, with the padded collar and body, as well as its protective toe cap, you can feel confident that you will be able to protect your feet from rocks and other debris that might be on the trail.

The Merrall Men’s Bohemian is an environmental show that utilizes recycled material, as well as is a vegan-friendly hiking shoe. The eco-friendly hiking shoe has 4mm Vibram Traction Lugs for advanced traction and grip while on or off the trail. Additionally, the hiking footwear has an EVA foam midsole as well as a built-in rock plate for underfoot protection and security.

If you are looking for a hiking shoe that allows you to traverse maintained trails, or even get into trail running, these will be a great choice for you. Moreover, even though these are lightweight trail runners like hiking shoes, they have a durable upper that allows you to go all out on the trail.

Why I like the Merrall Men’s Bohemian shoes:

If you are looking for a stylish, durable, and eco-friendly boot (features recycled laces, lining, and footbed), the Bohemian should be your go-to. It is a high-quality boot at a great price entry point. I have found these to be extremely comfortable and long-lasting. I love how lightweight these are and how they resemble a trail running shoe or a normal walking shoe. They allow you to feel athletic and free while trekking and hiking. 

The only thing I would be careful with is the waterproofing. Since they ride lower on the ankle, there is a chance they allow water to flow over the top collar of the boot. That being said they have proven to be quite water resistant and able to repel water with ease. These are my go-to hiking shoes for dry, summer medium difficulty hikes!

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3. Columbia Men’s Redmond III Mid Waterproof Hiking Shoe ($80 USD)

Columbia Men’s Redmond III Main Features:

Pros and Cons of Columbia Men’s Redmond III:

The following are a list of pros and cons about the Redmond III for under 100:

The Columbia Men’s Redmond III Mid Waterproof Hiking Shoe is a great budget hiking shoe that offers a durable and long-lasting hiking shoe. With Columbia’s Omni-Grip technology, these lightweight hiking shoes allow you to be explosive on the trail and move around freely. Moreover, Columbia goes a step further with the boot’s sole by wrapping it around the toe and heel for added protection.

As for the hiking boot’s cushioning, the heel section of the shoe is thicker and has the great shock-absorbing ability. Additionally, the hiking shoe has a removable footbed that allows you to use your own insoles and orthotics to customize the comfort and cushion to your liking. The customization ensures that every step you take is going to be comfortable! The added features to allow you to include your own orthotics is a nice touch as well, as it can allow you to include and wear extra foot support to protect your foot throughout your backpacking journeys.

In terms of breathability and waterproofing, the shoe does a good job standing up against rain and moisture – just make sure to not fully submerge the boot in water for a long period of time as they can become damp. That being said the breathability of the shoe does help to dry out the boot if it gets wet during your excursions 

Why I think the Redmond III Mid is one of the best budget boots:

The Columbia Men’s Redmond III Mid Waterproof Hiking Shoe is a great hiking boot for under 100 dollars as it gives an athletic look and feel to the hiker. With its slim body, it looks sleek and stylish while out on the trail. Moreover, while wearing these hiking shoes on my Day hike in Pokhara: Peace Pagoda and Shiva Statue hike, it felt solid and comfortable hiking both up and downhill. The hiking boot fit well while also having ample toe wiggle room in the toe box which meant for a comfortable downhill hike.

All those features are great and make for the Redmond III being one of the best shoes for under $100. However, one of the best things about these shoes is that they felt great and performed well with my flat feet. During my time wearing these, I have had fewer issues with my feet hurting or feeling cramped in the shoe. The durable and strong hiking shoe does a great job of protecting my feet. 

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4. Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof ($90 USD)

Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus II Main Features:

Pros and Cons of Newton Ridge Plus II:

The following are a list of pros and cons about the Redmond III for under 100:

The Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof makes the best boots for under $100 list as it is a lightweight boot that focuses on being comfortable and protective. With a great feel right out of the box, these boots are great for hikers that want to hit the trail immediately and feel confident on almost any trail type during their day hikes.

The mid-cut boot features Columbia’s Omni-Grip technology, which provides superior traction on the trail with its cross-patterned, multi-directional lugs. Moreover, the lugs and traction also provide pretty solid traction even on icy and snowy trails. The rubber sole wraps all the way around the shoe, and upward onto the front of the toe section for added protection.

The Newton Ridge Plus II is great for dry hikes with not as much moisture or water on them. Whereas, even though the hiking boots are stated to be waterproof, we, as well as other fellow hikers, have found that the waterproofing is ineffective a lot of the time. If you are going to be hiking in a place with more moisture, like Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, you may want to consider checking out one of the other four options!

Why the Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof is a great budget boot:

The Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus II is great for day hikes and lightweight backpacking hikes. The hiking shoe is a comfortable shoe that you can keep on your feet all day. Moreover, with its traction, you can feel confident traversing different elements along the trail as well as uneven terrain, while feeling good doing it. 

I do like this boot for day hikes and getting out on more groomed, dry trails. However, I do tend to shy away from it if I think there is going to be some moisture, or it will be a wet hike. That being said, overall I do enjoy this boot, and for its price point of USD $90, I am happy with its overall performance and durability! 

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5. Hi-Tec Men’s Bandera Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot ($70 USD)

Hi-Tec Men’s Bandera Mid Main Features:

Pros and Cons of Hi-Tec Men’s Bandera Mid:

The following are a list of pros and cons about the Redmond III for under 100:

The Hi-Tec Men’s Bandera Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot rounds up the list of five hiking boots for under 100 dollars. Due to their extremely low price point, these boots are a great cheap option for beginner hikers. The boot is all around pretty good, providing great traction, as well as comfort on well-groomed hiking trails. Moreover, they do include a durable shank along the boot that provides added stability while hiking some more rough terrain.

The hiking boot offers good protection against moisture and will do well to keep your feet dry during your backpacking trips. Moreover, with the breathable tongue, they also dry out relatively quickly, if you end up getting your feet wet while crossing a stream along the trail.

It is important to note that these boots do run on the heavier side (about 3 lbs) and can make longer hikes more tiring if you are not used to the weight. Additionally, hikers should be aware that these are not going to be very durable if they are hiking along more technical trails and paths. These boots should be used for more straightforward trails that are well maintained.

Why the Hi-Tec Men’s Bandera are amazing for under $100:

The Hi-Tec Men’s Bandera Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots are a great beginner hiking boot that allows you to get up and get on the trail pretty quickly. They are sturdy and provide good stability to hikers while not sacrificing comfort. Moreover, with the solid lugs on the bottom of the boot, there is plenty of traction and stability for new lightweight backpackers that find it difficult at times to stay on balance while traversing rocky terrain.

Personally, I like this boot as an introductory boot for friends and family, as it has a very low price point and allows people to get into hiking without needing to invest too much money from the start. Of course, with the lower entry point, you will run into some durability issues and that is no different with the Bandera Mid. Therefore, if you are looking to get more technical on the trail or do more off-trail hiking I would recommend one of the other four boots. These hiking boots are best for people looking to get out and enjoy a day hike on a well-groomed trail!

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Best Hiking Boots for under 100 Dollars:

Option	Hiking Boot	Price	Category	Weight	Upper Material
4	Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof	USD $90	Midweight Hiking boot	1 lbs / 452g (Size 9, 1/2 pair)	Leather/Mesh
5	Hi-Tec Men’s Bandera Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot	USD $70	Midweight Hiking boot	3 lbs (men’s size 9)	Leather/Mesh