Best Hiking Boots Under $100: Comfort And Style For Every Hiking Expedition

The Columbia brand has been around for many years, and they are not only ideal for hiking but have specialized in working boots as well.

I have liked the Columbia Men's Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boot from the first minute I saw it. While the prices vary occasionally, it remains an affordable option.

Leather and suede make up the bulk of the outer materials, giving the shoe some durability, while also adding the waterproof feature.

Since ventilation is another essential part, Columbia has incorporated a little bit of mesh. The mesh does not counteract the waterproofing, but will still allow some wind to pass through on longer hikes.

Omni-Grip Technology has been introduced, and this means the outer sole is not a standard outer sole. The pattern design will ensure you don’t fall off slippery rocks, while still maintaining sufficient traction in dry conditions.

For the inner sole, you have to contend with PU cushioning, which is still efficient for those without foot problems.

The price on this boot is affordable enough for most people to consider choosing it. However, the prices might fluctuate. If you manage to pick it up for a bargain, you won’t be disappointed, and this boot has carried me through many trips. 

Should the inner sole bother you, replace it with something like EVA to conform to your feet?

Timberland is most certainly one of the brands that many people in the US generally consider as the best.

The boot itself has been constructed primarily from genuine leather. The leather has been sufficiently treated to ensure that it remains utterly waterproof under almost any type of conditions you face.

The mid-cut design is what I love about this boot. Not only does it have a nylon shank for added foot support, but it will protect your ankles from potentially tedious steps.

The shoe has a comfortable arch that will accommodate users with a large bridge. It makes it convenient for more extensive and smaller users altogether.

Not only will you have multidirectional patterns for additional grip, but on the inside, it features a compression molded EVA midsole. It molds to the shape of your feet and retains the form for even more comfort.

Overall, it contributes to making the break-in period a little less tedious and to give you more support.

It can be a little expensive, but when you find it for under $100, it is undoubtedly one of those boots that you should not pass on.

The durability level is unrivaled, and this is one of those boots that will keep you going for many years. I recommend it as a tremendous once-off investment for work and hiking outdoor experiences.

Nubuck leather is one of the most expensive and most durable materials that you can choose for your boot.

The KEEN Men's Targhee II Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot has been primarily constructed from this. Even more impressive, is the fact that the leather has been sufficiently treated to ensure that it remains almost entirely waterproof.

With an opening of around 12.5-inches, the boot is comfortable for anyone to slide their feet in with comfort. The sizing is on point, and this is precisely what you will be looking for in a boot of this magnitude.

However, it features a low-profile design, reducing the amount of pressure on your ankles. That also helps with more ventilation and airflow.

At only 17.4-ounces, it is lightweight for longer trips, and the outer sole has been designed with large multidirectional lugs. These tend to give you optimal grip in almost any situation.

A breathable inner lining might be compared to Gore-Tex, but does not have the same abilities to absorb some of the moisture.

Unfortunately, it is one of the more expensive boots on the list, but we need to include it for all the unique features that are presented.

KEEN is also one of those brands that will never let you down, and since I have used a couple of their work boots, I can claim that they will keep you going all the way to the end.

Since many of the females among us also love hiking, we had to include one of the best boots for female hikers.

The Merrell Women's Moab 2 Vent Mid Hiking Boot has been constructed from genuine leather and textile materials. The combination of these materials will not only add to the durability but also make the boot more flexible.

Merrel has included an EVA footbed and as we have already mentioned, the EVA footbed molds to the shape of your feet to give you the best possible comfort. Adding to this is the mesh overlays that have been introduced. It will still keep the boot waterproof in most moist conditions, but give you some additional ventilation to work with.

One of the downsides is the synthetic sole that has been used. While I prefer having rubber for the outer sole, the synthetic sole is a little lighter and more difficult.

However, it does not give me the same sort of traction that one would expect from a rubber sole. Nevertheless, the boot remains lightweight for female hikers.

Since style is essential, the boot can be found in a couple of different colors. These colors should blend in perfectly with your overall style. They will not range in price as much depending on the color, but the colors are mostly neutral to match hiking gear.

I recommend it to all female hikers at any current level.

Since we are looking at budget boot and trying to reduce the cost of the shoes as much as possible, we can’t throw away a brand like Hi-Tec.

The Hi-Tec Men's Altitude VI I Waterproof Hiking Boot is also constructed from durable leather. I might not have used them personally, but the claim is that they are waterproof.

The Michelin rubber outer sole is perfect for these small hiking trips.

However, I have seen that it does tend to wear rather thin, it is ideal for beginners. Once again, you have a PU inner sole added. The mid-cut design will comfortably protect most of your ankle to give you some of the best support possibly needed.

My biggest complain about Hi-Tec is the break in period that is associated with the boot. Having need to wear it for a couple of days before a hiking trip, it takes a little bit of effort on your side to ensure that it is comfortable.

One of the plus points is certainly the additional mesh and this gives it a little boost in terms of ventilation.

Since this is considered out budget pick, you can rest assured that it is one of the most affordable options on the market today. The boot might not be specifically designed for professional hikers, but most beginners will enjoy it.

I want to give it a try, and since it is so affordable, it is worth testing it out.