Shoes
We laced up in the top brands from Salomon, Nike, HOKA, La Sportiva, Scarpa, Merrell, Keen and Teva.
The Balega Blister Resister Quarter features ample cushioning in the forefoot, heel, and across the Achilles as pictured here. This makes it one of the most comfortable socks tested.
Credit: Amber King
To store all the shoes we've bought and tested over the years, we'd need a warehouse. Thankfully, we have one. Our dedicated team of testers has reviewed thousands of pairs of hiking, running, climbing and trail running shoes throughout the years, in all manners of environments and conditions. We buy all the products, just like you do, so we can publish 100% unbiased reviews. That we guarantee.
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Best Picks in Shoes
Best Hiking Shoes of 2022
We selected the top hiking shoes and put them to the test. After months of hiking on all types of trails, we wrote the most comprehensive hiking shoe review, which will help you select the...
Best Hiking Shoes for Women of 2022
We're here to help you sort through the options for the best women's hiking shoes. We tested the market's leading pairs, then picked the 13 leaders for thorough side-by-side testing.
Best Climbing Shoes of 2022
We pick the best rock climbing shoes for bouldering, sport, trad, gym, kids, and beginners. No matter your budget, we have a pick for you.
Best Climbing Shoes for Women of 2022
We've weeded through dozens of climbing shoes to select to top contenders on the market. We have specifically selected only women's models for this review and have climbed countless...
Best Approach Shoes of 2022
Looking for a new pair of approach shoes? We've got you covered. We scrambled, bouldered, sport climbed, and hiked around the Eastern Sierras in 14 different pairs of sticky rubber...
Best Approach Shoes for Women of 2022
If you're on the hunt for a great pair of women's approach shoes, we've got the information you need. Whether you're gearing up for a long mission in the alpine or a casual day at the...
Best Trail Running Shoes of 2022
Looking for a new pair of trail runners? We researched over 100 of the most popular models before purchasing 19 of the best for extensive testing. After hundreds of hours on the trails, we...
Best Women's Trail Running Shoes of 2022
Searching for your next trail running shoe? With our expert advice and experience testing various models this season, we get down to the nitty-gritty of the different options out there...
Best Running Shoes of 2022
After many long runs and tempo miles, we've determined the best running shoes available in 2022 for any running style or budget
Best Running Shoes for Women of 2022
Seeking a women's running shoe to help you pick up the pace? Our comprehensive review of the most popular running shoes on the market is sure to give you all of the information you need to...
Best Sandals of 2022
In our opinion, every season is sandal season. We curated the industry's best selection of sandals to review head-to-head in search of the best products for your next adventure.
Best Sandals for Women of 2022
What are the best women's sandals for travel, hiking, and daily use? We put 14 great options through a bevy of toe-to-toe tests to find out.
Best Mountain Bike Shoes of 2022
Looking for the best clipless mountain bike shoes to suit your riding style and budget? We researched the top models on the market before selecting 18 to test and compare side by side...
Best Mountain Bike Shoes for Women
Poor performing mountain bike shoes can spoil your ride, just as an uncomfortable pair of shoes can leave you in pain. With this in mind, we researched over 40 models in search of the best...
Best Mountain Bike Flat Pedal Shoes of 2022
There are lots of mountain bike flat shoes on the market. We bought 11 of the most intriguing options to put through our rigorous testing process.
Best Mountain Bike Flat Pedal Shoes For Women of 2022
After researching the top-ranked and newest models of mountain bike flat pedal shoes on the market, we purchased 13 pairs to test side-by-side over the course of eight months. We spent...
Best Water Shoes of 2022
After combing through 60 of the best water shoes on the market, we purchased and rigorously tested the top 7 to find the best.
Best Water Shoes for Women of 2022
Our lady testers took these models on rafting trips down the Grand Canyon, Arkansas River, and muddy rivers of southeastern Minnesota to find out which ones stand out among the heap.
Best Road Bike Shoes
After months on the road and at the desk, we've pulled out and tested the best road bike shoes of 2021. In this article, we explain our hard-earned findings.
Best Flip Flops of 2022
With an unfathomable number of flip flop brands and models on the market, the process of finding the right pair can be daunting. We did the leg work for you and put a host of highly-rated...
Best Flip Flops for Women of 2022
No matter what kind of warm weather adventure you're gearing up for, we've got the perfect flip flop to bring along for the ride. From versatile and sporty to practical and stylish, your...
Best Barefoot Shoes of 2022
Ready to make the switch to minimalist or barefoot shoes? Our comprehensive review compares 10 of this season's best models side-by-side, so you can spend less time worrying about "proper"...
Best Barefoot Shoes for Women of 2022
Barefoot shoes got a bad rap shortly after their introduction to the mainstream. In this review, we talk about ways to approach this style of running, and how your footwear choice can help...
Best Skate Shoes
To help you find the best skate shoes, we researched dozens of different models on the market and bought and tested 8 of the top-selling pairs available today.
Best Slippers of 2022
You'll wear good slippers nearly every day. We carefully tested (researching 30 models and purchasing 9 for direct comparison) and summarize our findings for your benefit.
Best Slippers for Women of 2022
After researching over 50+ different options, we chose 8 of the best slippers for women to test hands-on and side-by-side. We've spent the last year in these options, wearing them while...Recent Gear Reviews in Shoes
Editors' Choice
La Sportiva TX2 Review
The TX2 takes our Editors' Choice and runs with it, making it by far our favorite approach shoe on the market. This shoe climbs and hikes equally well, all while being super lightweight.
Best Buy
Merrell Moab 2 WP - Women's Review
A high-performing hiking shoe that won't let you down. It's not the most comfortable, but it has excellent traction. And it is cheaper than most of the competition.
Editors' Choice
La Sportiva TX2 - Women's Review
This is an all-around awesome shoe, perfect for boulderers and alpine scramblers alike. With a great climbing ability, superior comfort, and an incredibly lightweight design, the TX2 is...
Best Buy
Ride Concepts Livewire - Women's Review
Ride Concepts is a mountain bike shoe specific company making some great shoes, and we were super excited to try their LiveWire women's edition. For the price point, this shoe checks all...
Best Buy
Merrell Siren Edge 3 - Women's Review
A lightweight and inexpensive shoe that provides in comfort what it lacks in waterproofing or durability. We recommend this shoe for...
Best Buy
Brooks Divide 2 Review
A crossover model that offers a great entry-level point for those new to trail running, this versatile shoe is high on performance and value.Shoes Learning Center
Men's Rock Climbing Shoe Buying Guide
Finding the best shoe for various types of adventures can be an overwhelming task. We're here to help. From sport climbing to trad climbing to bouldering,
How to Choose the Right Trail Running Shoes
We recommend making a basic self-assessment to help you determine what your specific needs are when it comes to a trail running shoe. With this in mind, we can guide you through the best...
How to Choose Hiking Shoes for Women
What do you do when the options for hiking shoes are overwhelming? This article will help you understand the different options available, and how to choose the right shoe for your terrain...
How to Choose Hiking Shoes
Want some help finding the right shoe for your feet and trail objectives? This article dissects the key considerations among hiking footwear options
How to Choose Minimal and Barefoot Shoes
What could be complicated about a minimalist running shoe? If you want to learn about the design of barefoot running shoes, and how to figure out which shoe is best for you,
How to Choose Approach Shoes for Climbing
If your hikes involve steep scrambling and exposed slabs, you should be wearing a pair of sticky rubber approach shoes. These special shoes are designed to "approach" rock climbs, but...Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by Testing.
GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.
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