Hiking shoes are the unsung heroes of any trail adventure, and from my experience as a lifelong hiker, the right pair can make or break a hike. Unlike heavy boots, well-chosen hiking shoes strike a balance between support, traction, and comfort, allowing you to move efficiently over varied terrain without feeling weighed down. I've hiked all over the world, from rugged trails in the Hajar Mountains of the UAE to the windswept paths of Patagonia.
The first pair hardly lasted a season; after several backpacking missions on soggy trails, the mesh on the uppers was practically shredded, and the outsoles had started to separate from the rest of the shoe. After that, I bought the cult-classic Merrell Moab hiking shoes. I spent the remainder of the decade testing the popular style on all kinds of terrain, from the dunes of Death Valley to the perpetually muddy trails of the Canadian Rockies.