New on OutdoorAdept

Hiking Boot and Shoe Comparison Tool

Pick any two hiking boots, hiking shoes, trail runners or sandals we field-tested and compare them feature by feature: our own measurements and test findings next to published figures from brands, retailers and other reviewers, each labelled with its source.

Feature	HOKA Speedgoat 7 Read the review	Altra Lone Peak 9 Read the review
Category	Trail Runner	Trail Runner
Release year	2026	2025
Weight	9.6 oz272 g per shoe, men's US 9 Running Warehouse	11.1 oz316 g per shoe, men's US 9 Altra Our test pair (men's US 9) weighed 4% less than listed for that size. Details
Stack Height	38 mm heel, women's US 8 HOKA 33 mm forefoot, women's US 8 HOKA	25 mm heel and forefoot Altra
Drop	5.5 mm heel to forefoot, women's US 9 Wide Measured by us	0 mm heel to forefoot Altra
Lug Depth	5 mm deepest heel lug, women's US 9 Wide Measured by us 5 mm outsole lugs HOKA	3.6 mm Measured by us
Water Resistance	Not waterproof; lightweight woven textile upper; GTX version available	Not waterproof; quick-drying ripstop mesh upper; no waterproof version
Traction	Secure on loose rock; wet rock needs deliberate footing; grip fades in deep mud	MaxTrac™ outsole with TrailClaw™ lugs; good grip on dirt, gravel, and uneven terrain
Comfort	Cushioned and springy from the first run; no notable hotspots	Altra EGO™ midsole; lightweight build; slightly firmer cushioning than previous models
Adjustability	Standard lacing; heel pull tab; gaiter integration	Traditional lacing system; heel lock may feel insufficient on steep descents
Breathability	Cool enough in mild weather; never uncomfortably sweaty; not tested in heat	Ripstop mesh upper; handles mud and humid conditions well
Durability	Early read: light forefoot lug wear and toe cap scuffs; no fraying or lifting	High-mileage durability; ripstop mesh holds up well; minimal scuffing on rocky ground
Arch Support	Neutral; no arch pressure even on tired feet	Neutral; Altra EGO foam keeps the arch supported and a wide platform steadies landings on rugged ground
Toe Protection	Rubber toe cap; no rock plate	StoneGuard rock plate; provides protection from underfoot rocks and debris
Price*	$165	$150

Every figure is tagged with its source: see how that works. Overall ratings and rankings live on the Footwear Leaderboard.

Every figure labelled with its source
Only models we field-tested
Never sponsored

Three steps

How to Use This Comparison Tool

Pick two models.Type a name, or open the list and browse by type.
Read down the table.Every row shows both shoes. Click a shoe name for the full review.
Share the matchup.Use ⇄ to flip sides, then send the link: it opens this exact comparison.

Want overall scores instead? A single score cannot tell you which shoe suits your feet, so this tool sticks to features. Scores and votes live on the Footwear Leaderboard.

The sources

Where This Data Comes From

We use every reliable source to give you the full picture: our own measurements, the brand's specs, and figures from retailers and other reviewers. Each number shows where it came from.

Measured by us Our scale and calipers Weight, stack height, drop, lug depth

HOKA Published figures From the brand, retailers or other reviewers: weight, stack height, drop, lug depth

Written rows Our testers' trail findings Traction, comfort, breathability, durability, arch support

One comparison table, every number labelled

How the weight row is filled

A published weight per shoe, in men's US 9 wherever a source lists it
Our own weight if no source publishes one
A small note if our test pair was 1% or more off the weight listed for the size we tested

Why the Labels Matter

Brands measure differently. One weighs a size 9, another a size 10.5; one quotes a single shoe, its rival the pair. So the weight row sticks to men's US 9 per shoe and names the size whenever a model is only listed in another one. "Waterproof" can mean a full membrane or a light coating that gives up in wet grass.

Missing figure? The cell says so; we never estimate a number or convert one between sizes.
No sponsored samples. We buy the gear anonymously.

Digital caliper resting on an outsole lug of an Altra trail running shoe to measure lug depth — We measure lug depth ourselves with a digital caliper. Photo: OutdoorAdept

Full method: How We Test and Review Our Gear.

The 12 rows

What Each Row Tells You

The Numbers

Weight: Lighter feels faster, but often gives up protection and durability.
Stack Height: Foam under your foot. Taller cushions more; lower feels steadier.
Drop: Heel-to-forefoot difference. Allow a few weeks to adjust when switching.
Lug Depth: Deep lugs bite mud; shallow lugs roll better and wear slower on hardpack.

The Trail Findings

Water Resistance: A membrane keeps rain out but runs hot; mesh drains and dries fast.
Traction: Grip on wet rock, gravel, mud, roots and hardpack.
Comfort: Underfoot feel out of the box, and how much break-in it needs.
Adjustability: How well the lacing locks your heel and frees your toes.
Breathability: Cooler in warm weather, less warm when it is cold and wet.
Durability: How it holds up to real miles. Rugged builds also weigh more.
Arch Support: Deeply individual: what saves one hiker's feet can bother another's.
Toe Protection: Shielding from rocks and roots, at a little extra weight up front.

The last row of every comparison is the price, so you read value against everything above it.

Making the call

How to Read a Head-to-Head

Store wall lined with rows of low and mid hiking shoes in grey, blue and black with price tags — Most models look alike on the wall; the differences show up in the numbers and on the trail. Photo: OutdoorAdept

Start from how you hike, not from the rating. A backpacker under a heavy load, a trail runner chasing pace, and a traveller wanting one do-everything shoe will each pick a different winner from the same two rows.

Match the shoe to your climate and terrain. Waterproof pays off in cold, wet country and works against you in dry heat, where breathability and fast drying win. Aggressive lugs are made for mud and feel clumsy on hardpack.

Know your own feet. If you have wide feet, a narrow last outscores nothing, whatever its overall rating. The same goes for arch support, toe box volume, and heel hold. Our Fit Matrix and Size Chart dig into fit brand by brand.

Weigh price against longevity. A pricier boot that lasts three seasons can cost less per mile than a cheap pair you replace twice. Read the durability row alongside the price row, not on its own.

Not sure which type you need? Our Ultimate Outdoor Footwear Guide explains them all.

Good places to start

Matchups Worth Starting With

Each pair below is two models competing for the same job, so the table settles a real choice. Compare loads the pair into the tool above; each name opens its review.

Hiking shoesSalomon X Ultra 5 GTX vs Merrell Moab 3 WaterproofGrip and precision vs all-day comfortCompare
Mid bootsLowa Renegade GTX Mid vs Salomon Quest 5 GTXClassic leather vs modern and lighterCompare
Mid bootsKEEN Targhee IV Mid vs Merrell Moab 3 Mid WPTwo roomy mids, decided on fitCompare
Trail runnersHOKA Speedgoat 6 vs Salomon Speedcross 6Max cushion vs deep mud gripCompare
Trail runnersAltra Lone Peak 9 vs HOKA Challenger 8Zero drop vs tall, soft cushionCompare
SandalsChaco Z/1 Classic vs Teva Terra Fi 5Rugged support vs light and quick-dryingCompare

The full list

Every Model in the Comparison

All 68 models currently in the comparison, each one bought and field-tested by our team. Every name opens its full review.

Approach Shoes (6)

Hiking Boots (16)

Hiking Sandals (12)

Hiking Shoes (4)

Find your pair

Footwear Guides by Need

Two shoes side by side settle a choice; these guides narrow the field first, to the pairs that suit your feet and your weather.

By Fit and Foot Type

By Weight and Weather

Where next

Scores, Method and the Bigger Picture

Next upFootwear LeaderboardEvery tested model ranked, with our score and the community rating. Or readHow We TestWhere the measurements and trail findings in this table come from.

The Ultimate Outdoor Footwear GuideEvery footwear type explained, so you know which models belong on your shortlist.

Read the guide

* A Note on Prices

Prices are approximate and reviewed annually. They are manufacturer's suggested retail in US dollars, and they move with sales, season, retailer, region and model changeovers. A dash means we have no current price. Confirm the live price before you buy, and do not treat the cheaper shoe as the "loser": value is what the rest of the table is for.

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