Low cut
Low cut hiking shoes offer plenty of support and cushion the impact of the trail on your feet and legs. Hiking shoes are also a little lighter and cooler, a plus in the sometimes brutally hot temperatures. The Merrell Moab Ventilator, with plenty of exposed mesh to help keep your feet cool, is an excellent low cut shoe. The Merrell Moab Gore-Tex features a Gore-Tex liner boot for waterproofness, which can be helpful in a sudden summer storm. The La Sportiva Exum Pro, which melds a running shoe to a hiking shoe, is another great choice.
Boots
Mid and full-height (over the ankle) boots offer an extra degree of support when hiking rougher trails and heading off trail into rocky canyons. The Garmont Kiowa Vegan XCR offers a running shoe flex with the support of a boot in a well ventilated design. The Merrell Moab Mid Gore-Tex XCR also offers plenty of support in a lightweight boot. Vasque's Breeze XCR fits wider feet a little better.
Women's shoes and boots
Women's feet are usually lower volume and narrower in the heel, and several companies make women's specific hiking shoes. The Merrell Siren and Moab Ventilator are excellent shoes that can be bought in either low- or mid-cut versions. The La Sportiva Exum is available in a women's version, while the La Sportiva Wildcat GTX is a waterproof trail shoe with excellent cushioning. Women seeking a full boot should consider the Vasque Briza GTX, a lightweight boot with a Gore-Tex liner, and the Lowa Renegade GTX.
