Arch support in a hiking boot saves you from unexpected injuries and brings in all-rounder protection, stability, and comfort. But looking for the best hiking boots for arch support is not easy. Every boot looks excellent on the shelf when you’re at the market. To help you out, I will review the top 7 hiking boots that are reliable for arch support, traction, foot comfort, and more.
Best Arch Support Hiking Boots Compared
| No. | Image | Name | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Merrell Moab 2 Arch Support Boot | Check for Men Check for Women |
| 2 |  | Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Boot | Check for Men Check for Women |
| 3 |  | KEEN Targhee 2 Hiking Boot | Check for Men Check for Women |
| 4 |  | Timberland White Ledge Ankle Boot | Check for Men Check for Women |
| 5 |  | Skechers Women’s Hiker Hiking Shoe | Check for Women |
| 6 |  | Salomon Men’s X Ultra 3 Boot | Check for Men |
| 7 |  | Vasque Men’s Breeze Gore-Tex Boot | Check for Men |
Details of Best Hiking Boots With Arch Support
1. Merrell Moab 2 Arch Support Boot
Best Hiking Boots for Wide Feet and High Arches
Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Mid Waterproof is a fantastic Merrell hiking boots for its best comfort and waterproofing factor.
Therefore, when I slid on my feet, its plush cushioning and plenty of support provided aid wherever I hiked.
What made me pick this boot is its excellent arch support and stability.
Therefore, wearing this boot day-long becomes a practical approach.
For comfort and durability, its 100% leather is excellent for appearance and flexibility in one go. Therefore, no wear-and-tear signs, no matter how often I hike or go on trails.
Since hiking involves lots of feet functionality, this is only 1.2 pounds in total weight feels alright while ascending, descending, running, and more.
Not to mention how Kinetic Fit ADVANCED removable contoured insole, molded nylon arch support, and softer padding provide even more reliability in arch support.
As for arch support and stability, Merrell Moab 2 mainly features air cushioning that is all about stability and shock-absorbing performance for a balanced walking trip.
For rugged hiking, its arch support is reliable.
- Supportive arch support with plenty of padding
- Rubber outsole for traction
- Excellent toe cap protection and air cushion in the heel
- Breathable and waterproof liners
- Lightweight and plenty of cushioning
- Only good for wide feet
Here is a video review of this boot to help you understand this boot better. This video is made after 2 years of usage of the Merrell Moab 2 boot to give you an honest opinion of what this boot has in the box for you:
2. Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Boot
Best Women’s Hiking Boots for High Arch
Columbia Newton for Women is here if you want compact women hiking boots. Its arch support and the waterproofing level are significant; therefore, many prop hikers prefer this boot.
The cushioning under the feet and the thick yet plus padding and insoles are great for stability and enhanced heel and arch support.
For fitting and size, the metal lace-up closure features premium quality and delivers even balance on the feet.
This boot is efficient for multiple terrains thanks to its outsole featuring rubber, whereas the soft leather full grain leather and waterproof and breathable technology further deliver quality.
Columbia Newton is a trail-ready boot with high-quality material and many features to complement hiking, including an anti-shock design for added foot safety.
Overall, Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge Plus has been designed with authentic metal hardware, which is durable.
Also, you get excellent outsole traction with powerful foot placement even on 70+ miles with lots of comfortable cushioning, making it the best-rated Columbia boot from my side.
- Wraparound arch support for all-terrain support
- Offers stability and a rugged outsole pattern
- Shock-absorbing design saves feet from impact
- Waterproof and breathable uppers
- Outsole traction is great for wear and dry ground
- Nothing to mention
You can also check this boot on other online stores as mentioned below:
3. KEEN Targhee 2 Hiking Boot
Best for Wearing Indoors With a Non-marking Outsole
If I had to choose the best KEEN boot for arch support, this Targhee 2 would be for sure.
This boot has offered me some of the best features that are reliable for feet protection. Its thick-set outsole and durability are excellent.
However, the fit and comfort remained a highlight.
Its secure fitting and the low profile design with padded tongue collar is something that delivers a significant amount of snug feel.
This is why I hiked nonstop for several miles, and the excellency of its arch support kept assisting me.
Talking about hiking, Keen Targhee is a great hiking boot for its KEEN Dry waterproof and breathable mesh that provides my feet with fresh air while keeping the interior dry.
For traction, its high-quality outsole with robust grip is appreciable.
With its 4mm multi-directional lugs and only 1.5 pounds total weight felt light and springy throughout hiking, ascending, and more.
- Best for wearing indoors with a non-marking outsole
- Keep sweat and moisture off feet with breathable mesh
- High-traction outsole and waterproof uppers
- Durable and neat manufacturing design
- Offers supportive cushioning and enough arch support for hiking
- May run small; not true to size
- Expensive
You can also check this boot on other online stores as mentioned below:
4. Timberland White Ledge Ankle Boot
Best Waterproof and Breathable Design
This Timberland boot felt easy on my feet.
I wore these boots quickly and took them off with a single hand movement which is a great way for hikers and people on foot.
These boots are waterproof and work perfectly reliably on puddle water, crossing water streams, and other slippery wet places.
Timberland White Ledge is a pretty good T-boot for its arch support, as it comes with a great traction outsole for hiking around. Plus, the durable material choice is there.
Its shaft measures about 4.75″ from the arch!
The flexibility of this boot due to soft padding doesn’t let you feel the impact, especially on the heel area. Therefore, the stability in footsteps remains around always.
I can also swiftly do a toe hop or other foot movement with zero strain for its supportive design.
In more design, its flexible full-grain leather and rustproof metal hardware worked well for all outdoor adventure activities.
- Rust-resistant metal hardware for durability
- The interior feels cozy and snug
- Waterproof and breathable design
- Lightweight and compact design
- No wear and tear protection
- Loud and annoying squeaky sound
You can also check this boot on other online stores as mentioned below:
5. Skechers Women’s Hiker Hiking Shoe
Best-Fitting Boot
This Skechers Women’s hiking boot is subtle and comfortable footwear for added arch support.
It’s great for outdoorsy and hiking due to its flexibility in speedy hiking and overall look that is pretty much feminine already.
Its memory foam is for moisture wicking, and the padding with insoles is excellent for support, whereas the 100% leather uppers and textured outsole offer secure fitting.
Its shaft measures from the ankle to the arch for ankle support, which is suitable for women who want a balanced hiking approach in a boot.
This boot is durable for its reinforced toe box due to the design because it usually gets wear and tear from the toe box or seams.
Talking about seams, the flexible thread choice and quality speak for themselves. Its suede leather is breathable even when you’re wearing socks!
This boot is alright for size and fit, but since you wear thick socks with a hiking boot, going one size up would not be a bad deal. Overall, it’s a good Skecher’s hiker.
- Perfect fitting with a comfortable interior
- Laces remain in place and the outsole offers grip on all-terrain
- Reinforced heel for protection
- Flexible and resilient insoles
- Not insulated interior
- Does not offer a non-marking outsole
You can also check this boot on other online stores as mentioned below:
6. Salomon Men’s X Ultra 3 Boot
Best Ventilation and Breathability
I have always preferred a speedy pace while hiking, for which only a lightweight hiking boot such as Salomon Men’s X Ultracan justifies the performance.
I picked this Salomon Men’s X Ultra hiking boot for its incredibly lightweight design and arch support for overall stability.
I never needed further inserts as their ankle support and arch support are enough in any way. The reinforced heel further added stability.
It’s true to size and has no significant problems with its design. For instance, its 100% synthetic uppers deliver flexibility for most outdoors.
Therefore, I nonstop ran, hiked, and the comfort level was a significant highlight of this boot.
Moreover, its rubber outsole for traction and toe protection maintained a balance in arch support, whereas a total of 1.23 Pounds weight is impressive for a hiking boot.
I hike more than 10 miles, and the Gore-Tex waterproofing membrane, along with the ultra-flexibility of this bot, combined to give my feet a great hiking experience.
- Mid GTX for dry feet and through airflow
- Rugged outsole for stability
- Comfortable on toes while ascending and descending
- Offers adequate cushioning and supportive collar design
- Expensive due to Gore-Tex
- The glue is poor; insoles keep falling apart
7. Vasque Men’s Breeze Gore-Tex Boot
Best Boot Having Gore-Tex Membrane
Vasque boots are a good choice among many. And among these, I choose the Vasque breeze model.
Vasque Breeze offers a very energizing interior for its bounce-back feel, and the impressive outdoors is excellent for hiking on abrasive to uneven terrain.
I picked this boot for technical hiking and climbing slippery rocks.
However, the outsole is a bit hard compared to Salomon X Ultra, so it is not that great for running.
Also, the outsole’s traction is gripping enough to hold footsteps in place and lock the sole.
For my hiking experience, Vasque Men’s Breeze at-mid GTX has been great for waterproofing, breathability, EVA cushioning, and soft Nubuck leather.
Its protective toe bumper, mesh liners, mid-ankle cut design, and cozy padding felt protective and secure on feet.
I felt the insoles were somewhat stiff for the first few wears, but it didn’t put pressure on feet as the ground was more abrasive than the boot!
For its comfort, the outsole plays a significant role. The rugged outsole pattern offers impact-free landing on slippery and rough roads.
In short, the design is well-balanced with support and wraparound from the ankle and overall.
- Durable, sturdy, and comfortable on all-terrain
- Impressive style and enhanced ankle support
- Cushioning and insoles are resilient with EVA foam
- Dry and cool interior with Gore-Tex membrane
- Little bit heavier
- Its laces are somewhat short
You can also check this boot on other online stores as mentioned below:
Buying Guide
When it comes to hiking, having proper footwear is essential for a comfortable and safe experience. If you have high arches, flat feet, or any other foot condition that requires additional arch support, investing in hiking boots designed explicitly for arch support is crucial. This buying guide will help you navigate the market and choose the best hiking boots for arch support, ensuring optimal comfort and stability during outdoor adventures.
Determine Your Arch Type
Before delving into the options available, it’s essential to identify your arch type. You can consult with a podiatrist or perform a simple wet feet test at home to determine if you have high arches, low arches, or neutral arches. This will help you choose hiking boots that provide the appropriate level of arch support.
Consider Boot Types
Hiking boots generally fall into three categories: hiking, mid-cut, and high-cut boots. The choice depends on the terrain and personal preference. Hiking shoes are lightweight and ideal for day hikes on well-maintained trails. Mid-cut boots provide ankle support and are suitable for moderate terrain. High-cut boots offer maximum ankle support and are recommended for challenging terrains and backpacking trips. Ensure that the boots you select are available in the style that suits your needs.
Arch Support Features
When looking for hiking boots with arch support, consider the following features:
- Arch Support Technology: Look for boots that incorporate advanced arch support technologies like EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) midsoles, which provide cushioning and contour to the shape of your arches. Brands like Merrell, Salomon, and Keen are known for arch support technologies.
- Removable Insoles: Check if the boots have removable insoles. This allows you to customize the arch support by replacing the factory insoles with specialized orthotic inserts or custom insoles prescribed by a podiatrist.
- Footbed Design: Look for boots with anatomically shaped footbeds that support the arches and provide cushioning. Molded footbeds made of memory foam or gel are often preferred for comfort and support.
Durability and Construction
Hiking boots need to withstand various terrains and weather conditions. Consider the following factors:
- Materials: Opt for boots made of high-quality, durable materials like full-grain leather, synthetic fabrics, or a combination. Leather provides excellent durability and support, while synthetic materials offer breathability and quick drying.
- Waterproofing: If you plan to hike in wet environments, choose boots with reliable waterproofing features such as Gore-Tex membranes. These keep your feet dry while allowing breathability.
- Reinforcements: Look for boots with reinforced toe caps and heel counters for added protection and stability
Fit and Comfort
Proper fit and overall comfort are paramount for any hiking boot. Consider the following aspects:
- Sizing: Ensure you get the right size by referring to the manufacturer’s sizing chart and measuring your feet accurately. Remember to consider any special considerations, such as wearing thicker socks or orthotic inserts.
- Break-in Period: Some hiking boots require a break-in period to mold to your feet. Read customer reviews or seek expert recommendations to find comfortable boots straight out of the box.
- Ankle Support: Pay attention to the boot’s ankle support, especially if you have weak ankles or need additional stability.
User Reviews and Recommendations
Reading user reviews and seeking recommendations from experienced hikers can provide valuable insights into the performance, durability, and arch support different hiking boot models offer. Consider reputable outdoor gear websites, forums, and social media groups for comprehensive feedback.
Conclusion
Investing in hiking boots with proper arch support is crucial for individuals with foot conditions or high arches. By considering your arch type, boot types, arch support features, durability, fit, and comfort, you can find the best hiking boots to keep your feet well-supported and comfortable throughout your hiking adventures. Remember to prioritize your personal preferences and consult with professionals if you have specific foot concerns. Happy hiking!
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How Do I Test the High Arches and Low Arches of the Hiking Boot?
TIP: The main thing I checked always is the thickness of the outsole and its shape. The more it is, the more the arch support will be and you will feel more comfortable and cussioned on your feet. Moreover, you should also test your arch correctly before you buy a good arch support boot.
I tested many hiking boots and wore them on different outdoor activities such as hiking, trailing, backpacking, and more to test the strain and pressure. After miles of hiking and running, I checked the boots for their comfort level, cushioning, and toe box.
The above-mentioned hiking boots excelled in supportive arch support with that soft insoles design that felt supreme under the feet. I also wore boots from different designs (mid, ankle, low-ankle, and high-ankle) and tested the stability on different abrasive terrains. So, you have reliability about how I tested these boots on site.
