Keen Voyageurs
Keen is probably best known for their line of durable, closed-toe hiking sandals, but the company also makes an excellent line of hiking shoes and boots. Recommended by the "Outdoor Magazine" buyer's guide in 2008, the Voyageurs are made for hot-weather hiking. The tops of the shoe are made mostly from nylon mesh. Therefore, they are not waterproof but are well-ventilated and both drain and dry out well when they get wet. Also, because the top is mostly nylon mesh, it is more prone to wear and tear than a heavier (but hotter) shoe would be. The sole is tough and offers plenty of traction, and the shoe does a good job of protecting your feet from both the trail and from hot, sweaty conditions. There is also a mid-cut version available that offers more ankle support.
Kayland Vertigo Light
Mid-cut hiking shoes offer more ankle support, which is important for day hikers tackling tougher trails, carrying heavy loads or with weak ankles. The Kayland Vertigo Light won Outdoor magazine's Gear of the Year for 2009 in the hiking shoe category, and you cannot do much better than that for a mid-cut shoe. At 20 oz., the shoe weighs less than many low-cut hiking shoes. However, it offers enough support that it is rated for 30 lbs. loads. Its liner is breathable and waterproof, so it is a sound three-season show, and could even be put to work in winter weather.
Tecnica Prima Mid GTX-XCR
A 2006 winner of "Outdoor Magazine's" Killer Value award, this hiking shoe earns high marks for giving the wearer a lot of bang for the buck. It is plain looking but light and sturdy. The gore-tex liner makes it a breathable, waterproof three-season shoe. An added plus is that the soles have widely spaced treads, so only the thickest mud will clog them up.
Lafuma XLight OT
This shoe was "Backpacker Magazine's" choice as the "best all-around" low-cut hiking shoe. Even with the low-cut designation, the shoe has a higher rim and actually sits somewhere between low-cut and mid-cut. That higher rim is good for keeping out dirt, pebbles and other debris, although it does not offer any extra ankle support. Instead of a waterproof liner, the shoe has a membrane on the tops, preventing it from becoming water-logged in the first place.
