7 Best Nike Hiking Shoes in 2024

An excellent all-rounder, this shoe is spectacularly grippy across all terrain, whilst being comfortable, agile, and displaying superb lockdown. The Nike Wildhorse 8 undoubtedly has an excellent pedigree, which is what makes it the best overall Nike hiking shoe in our lineup.

We were impressed with how easily the Wildhorse 8 tackles all types of terrain, and we decided to dive deeper to discover the reasons. Our durometer measurements showed a soft rubber on the outsole: 83.3 HC compared to the average 86.1 HC. The soft outsole offers more traction on hard or polished surfaces, such as rock and asphalt. On the other hand, our torsional rigidity tests showed this shoe is more flexible than average. We rated it 3/5, while the average is a stiffer 3.9/5. On uneven surfaces, such as rocks and roots, our feet can mold to the surface below, increasing our grip. The 3.5 mm lugs, while 1 mm shallower than average, are spaced in such a way that they shed mud and snow easily. All in all, we trust the adaptable Nike Wildhorse 8 to provide us with a firm foothold on whatever the trail throws at us.

The Wildhorse 8 almost gives us wings, and we feel comfortable and confident springing up and down rocky inclines. In the lab, we pushed the shoe to 90° with a force gauge. It showed 21.7N, proving this to be an almost unbelievably flexible shoe! It offers a very natural ride, allowing our foot to flex and move with the terrain.

We experienced unbeatable lockdown in this shoe, and even after long hikes, with plenty of ups and downs, our feet remained snugly locked in. We assessed the heel counter, rating it an average 3/5 - the perfect balance between comfort and rigidity while preventing our heels from slipping. The lacing over the padded tongue is reliable and we didn’t have to stop to adjust them.

We worry a bit about the durability of the Nike Wildhorse 8. With no toe bumper to protect our digits from bumps and scrapes, the upper doesn’t perform well in our durability tests either. The Dremel wore a large hole in the mesh upper after only 4 seconds. We don’t recommend the Nike Wildhorse 8 to hikers who need a more solid workhorse.

The latest edition of the Nike Terra Kiger range features numerous updates which make it a superb choice for hiking and trail running alike. The unbelievable plush midsole is offset by exceptional stability, all the while shaving off the extra grams. This is why the Nike Terra Kiger 9 can rightfully claim its spot as the best lightweight Nike hiking shoe.

The Nike Terra Kiger 9 has been on a strict diet when compared to the previous iterations! Our scales noted a superbly lightweight 10.2 oz (288g), 9% lighter than the Kiger 7. When compared to the average hiking shoe, which weighs 13 oz (374g), we see that this is indeed a lightweight shoe. The result for our feet is putting in more miles per day before they get tired.

The React foam cushioning offers a soft ride that is unrivaled in comfort, and it is always a delight to slip into these shoes. Our durometer measured the softness of the midsole at a stunning 17.3 HA! For reference, the average hiking shoe midsole is a significantly harder 30.7 HA. As a bonus, in our lab-simulated winter conditions (i.e. a freezer), the midsole only hardened up to 22.9 HA. This cushy ride keeps our feet comfortable all day on the trail, whether it’s warm or cold out.

With such a soft midsole, stability can be a cause for concern, but the Nike Terra Kiger 9 refuses to compromise. In the lab, we measured the width of the forefoot at 115.3 mm, a full 4.1 mm wider than average. The heel, too, is 2.2 mm wider than average, at 89.9 mm. Combined, they make for a wide landing surface which provides stability and prevents our feet from rolling, even when hiking over rocks and roots.

Although the 4.4 mm lugs are around average for hiking shoes, we found that the Nike Terra Kiger 9 doesn’t perform well on soft terrain such as mud or snow. We therefore don’t recommend them to hikers who need a shoe with reliable traction for wet, soft surfaces.

For a shoe that adapts well to the trail or around town, it doesn’t get much better than the Nike React Pegasus Trail 4. Its balanced cushioning works equally well on asphalt and off-road. It is as light as a feather and we almost forget we’re wearing shoes thanks to its incredible flexibility! Versatility is the name of the game, which is why we have chosen the Nike React Pegasus Trail 4 as the best Nike hiking shoe for trail and city.

Also used as a trail running shoe, the Pegasus Trail 4 packs in a lot of cushioning underfoot to protect our feet from rocks and roots at speed. In the lab, we measured the heel stack at 36 mm, 2.5 mm above average. Even the forefoot has an extra 1.3 mm of foam compared to the average. Pressing a durometer to the midsole, we found it is 11% firmer than average, measuring 34 HA. On hikes, it keeps our feet well-protected from sharp rocks and other objects without feeling too firm.

We feel like we could fly while wearing the Nike React Pegasus Trail 4! They offer a delightfully natural feel to our hikes in the wilds or in the city. Tipping our scales at an incredible 9.6 oz (272g), they are 4.3 oz ((123g) lighter than average hiking shoes. They also flex naturally with our feet. In the lab, we pushed them to 90° with a force gauge. They measured an impressive 26.8N, while most other hiking shoes measure 36.4N. There is no clunkiness to be found in these shoes, and we love them!

If only we could wear them all year round! They are not waterproof and we found them to be highly breathable on our hikes. We therefore don’t recommend the Nike React Pegasus Trail 4 for winter hiking.

Our splash adventures in the mountains and deep analysis in the lab led us to Nike’s best waterproof hiking shoe: Pegasus Trail 4 GTX. Its extremely protective nature, from top to bottom, kept us safe from all unwanted elements—wet feet, fatigue, and slips and injuries. 

Starting from the top, the Gore-Tex membrane’s waterproofing function is further supported by the several TPU layers we found upon dissecting the shoe. With its 2/5 breathability rating, we're shielded from cold and moisture, while the outsole's durability shines in our Dremel test, earning an impressive 4/5 score against premature wear.

Moving to the middle layer, a snappy yet silky React foam greets us. It feels pleasantly gentle and energetic underfoot. Our caliper reveals a 37.7 mm heel for maximum impact protection, with a composition that’s 29.3% lighter than average for comfort. Extending our hikes was a breeze with Peg’s supportive platform.

Underfoot, the outsole lined with 3.5 mm lugs does the tough job of keeping our strides controlled and stable. It displays unquestionable grip on mixed terrains, wet surfaces, and even steep descents, ensuring our safety on any path.

However, the Peg’s waterproofing is only effective up until a certain point: the ankles. Beyond that, water will creep in since the tongue isn’t fully gusseted.

There’s only one shoe in the Nike line that is best for water hiking and that’s the Nike ACG Watercat+. Highly breathable and quick-draining, it has incredible grip and is superbly comfortable, making it the perfect choice for waterside adventures.

Just one look at the Nike ACG Watercat + and we can see that it’s one of the most breathable shoes in the Nike lineup, not to mention to have passed through our lab. The extremely durable woven cord upper allows for maximum breathability and drainage. After splashing through streams on our test hikes, the water drains out through both the woven upper and the holes poked through the midsole. The cord dries rapidly, allowing our feet to remain dry and blister-free. This shoe is certainly an excellent choice for repeated soaking!

Our lab measurements of the ACG Watercat+ lugs show that they are smaller than average by 1.3 mm. However, their multi-directional, honeycomb design eliminated our concerns. They grip well on all surfaces, especially wet rock, where the hollow lugs act as suction cups.

Despite its minimalist design, the Nike ACG Watercat+ is an impressively comfortable shoe. The durable cord upper is soft and pliable, allowing for a range of foot shapes. We are particularly impressed with the insole, which cushions our steps with 8.6 mm of delicious padding, 3.1 mm thicker than average. Adapting well to wet and dry conditions, the ACG Watercat+ is the perfect companion for our adventures on water.

We don’t recommend the Nike ACG Watercat+ to hikers who require lots of ankle and arch support. It rated 1/5 in our manual tests for torsional flexibility, and while this makes it a seriously flexible shoe, hikers needing more support may prefer to look at other options.

Hikers searching for a quality hiking shoe that won’t break the bank, look this way! The versatile Nike Juniper Trail 2 is an incredibly lightweight and generously supportive road-to-trail hiking shoe with decent durability. At just $85, this shoe is $44 less than the average for hiking shoes, making it an excellent entry-level shoe for beginners. For this reason, we have chosen the Nike Juniper Trail 2 as the best budget Nike hiking shoe.

As soon as we slipped the shoe on, we were struck by how light it feels compared to the average hiker. Our scales in the lab told the full story - weighing 10.8 oz (306g), they shave a whole 3 oz (73g) off the hiking shoe average of 13.8 oz (379g)! We found we could hike further and faster and still have energy to burn at the end of the day in the Juniper Trail 2.

The midsole may feel on the firm side to trail runners, but at 27.1 HA our durometer confirms that the Nike Juniper Trail 2 is on a par with our hiking shoe average. Furthermore, after bending and twisting the shoe in the lab, we awarded it the stiffest rating of 5/5 for rigidity. This is a fantastic result for an entry-level shoe. Altogether, our feet feel supported and stable while hiking, even while carrying a medium-sized pack. 

Quality of materials can be a concern in budget shoes, so we rigorously assess the materials for durability using a series of tests with a Dremel. Applying the tool to the heel padding at 5K RPM and 3.2N, only a small scuff showed at the site after 4 seconds. It seems like the lining of the Nike Juniper Trail 2 is made of stern stuff, and we awarded it 4/5 for durability.

We don’t recommend the Nike Juniper Trail 2 to hikers who intend to hike technical trails. We measured the stubby lugs in the lab, finding them to be 3.1 mm. This is 22.5% less than the average lug depth on hiking shoes, and we found traction was an issue in deep gravel and rougher ground.

With the streets, trails, and lab as our witness, the Juniper Trail 2 GTX is the best budget waterproof shoe in the Nike hiking roster. It delivers all-around protection and stability through its robust upper and firm cushion while boosting comfort and agility through its loose build. Plus, it only costs $130 vs. the $153 average of waterproof hiking and running shoes in our lab.

As if passing through streams with dry feet isn’t enough proof, we confirmed its waterproofing abilities with a 2/5 breathability rating. Upon checking with our microscope, the mesh is tightly knit, leaving no entry points for water. The upper offers much padding that greatly resists our brutal Dremel, earning a well-deserved 5/5 score.

Our initial strides already show the firm cushioning, clocking in a durometer measurement that’s 27.8% firmer than average. This delivers a remarkably stable ride which is further enhanced by its wide midsole and high level of torsional rigidity. We found it hard to twist in our manual assessment, leaving no room for ankle rolls.

To retain a level of nimbleness, the outsole has cutouts for higher flexibility. Our bend test reveals just that: a measurement 20.3% more flexible than average.

However, the tough outsole lacks grip on tricky terrains. We recommend sticking to roads and easy trails with this shoe for safety.