Outdoor footwear Brands are exploring new terrain in the seasons ahead. Technology is impacting every category from top-tier hiking shoes to everyday lifestyle sandals. Perhaps nowhere is the innovation more apparent than in the light hike and trail run categories. Fast-hiking boots with running shoe-inspired technology from the likes of Hoka, On, Merrell and Topo are among the standouts for the seasons ahead. The designs of these new offerings are being influenced not only by a consumer demand for lighter and more cushioned trail footwear, but also by an influx of innovative new material options and construction techniques. “New materials are certainly trending right now,” Tony Post, CEO and founder of Topo Athletic says. “There’s a lot of experimentation happening with TPU or TPU/EVA blends in midsole foams to make them more light, resilient, cushy and responsive. Outsole rubber options have expanded significantly: blown rubber, different composition rubbers, or more focus on wet slip resistance. Upper meshes are now engineered to offer more options for optimizing breathability where you want it and security where you need it. It has reduced the need for overlays, and thus weight, and makes the shoe feel like a more natural extension of the body, especially when paired with new printing techniques.” These new offerings are enabling brands to build shoes that dial in just the right traits for consumers’ performance needs.

Scarpa Rush. Built for more-cushioned running or as a hike/run crossover shoe, the $130 Rush strikes a balance between agility and support.

Oboz Firebrand II Low B-Dry. The Firebrand II boot is expanding into a full collection, including this $130 waterproof leather low style for men.

Salewa Mountain Trainer GTX. Designed to handle the toughest trails. Salewa’s 3F system offers support and stability in rugged terrain.

Merrell MTL Long Sky. This $130 trail runner has lightweight, tear-resistant fabric, a medial post and an aggressive Vibram Megagrip rubber sole.

Forsake Meridian. A slip-on that crosses over from the street to the trail, the $100 Meridian combines breathability and style with a Peak-to-Pavement outsole.

Wolverine ShiftPlus Outdoor. This $100 outdoor shoe combines the toughness of a work boot and the comfort of a sneaker with cushioning and traction.

Hoka One One Challenger Gore-Tex. Designed for the city and the trails, this $150 waterproof style has an all-terrain outsole with 4mm sticky rubber lugs.

Forsake Cascade. This $110 everyday hiker delivers comfort and support. It has a grippy Vibram Megagrip outsole and a breathable, quick-dry mesh upper.

Craft Spartan RD Pro. Developed by Craft Sportswear and OCR leader Spartan, the $140 shoe is designed to address Drainage, Grip, Speed and Endurance.

Topo Athletic Runventure 3. Built for the trail, this $110 style has an aggressive Vibram XS Trek outsole, single density EVA midsole and an ESS forefoot rock plate.

inov-8 Trailroc 280. Featuring a graphene-enhanced rubber outsole, this $150 trail runner delivers tough grip over hard and rocky terrain.

Brooks Cascadia 14. The brand’s popular trail shoe, $130, gets an update, improving durability, cutting weight and adding TrailTack traction for better grip.

Salomon Supercross. This $110 trail runner has Chevron lugs with a Contagrip outsole for grip and stability in any terrain.

Topo Athletic Trailventure. A super lightweight trail boot, the $130 Trailventure  delivers traction, durability, protection and a secure midfoot fit.

Hoka One One Hopara. Made for wet or dry terrain, the $120 Hopara has a synthetic upper with drainage cutouts, a rubberized toe cap and sticky rubber outsole.

Garmont Bolt. This ultra light hiker, $140, has an athletic profile, a roomy toe box and a Michelin lugged outsole.

Merrell Altalight Knit Mid. The lightest pack hiker Merrell has ever built, the $190 Altalight has a tear-resistant athletic upper with lightweight Stratafuse protection.

Scarpa Maverick Mid GTX. This $165 fast-and-light trail hiker pairs a sole rocker for efficient walking with a lightweight, athletic design.

‍Dynafit Sky Pro. This lightweight running shoe uses Vibram Lite Base for a minimalist, protective outsole and has a waterproof Dynashell gaiter.

Ecco ExoHike. This $300 lightweight women’s trail style has a premium DYNEEMA Bonded Leather upper and uses BOA for uniform closure and secure fit.

‍Wolverine Trail Flex 6” Hiker LX. Featuring signature Wolverine technologies for all day comfort on the trail, the $130 boot is also waterproof and breathable.

Hoka One One Stinson Mid Gore-Tex. This versatile boot, $180, is ultra-cushioned and waterproof with an all-terrain outsole and a nubuck leather upper.

Propet Farrah. This walking sandal is available in both Wide and X-Wide widths. Has a cork and rubber compound midsole and a rubber outsole.

Propet Feya. Available in two colors, in both Wide and X-Wide widths, with a cork and rubber compound midsole and a rubber outsole.

Pendleton Baylands Wedge. Part of Pendleton’s line of OutLeisure footwear, with waterproof leathers, water-resistant wool, and lightweight, breathable canvases.

Merrell Juno. Comfortable and easily adjustable, the Juno sandal has a soft nubuck upper and an EVA midsole. Made for the trail or the city streets.

Pendleton Arcata Wedge. Stylish, comfortable and versatile, the Arcata is part of Pendleton’s OutLeisure line focusing on style and function.

Bogs Kicker Rain Chelsea. A $65 chelsea style boot featuring waterproof technology and rebound cushioning for long lasting comfort.

Bogs Vista Wedge. The on-trend $100 Vista Wedge has a rubber outsole and is 100 percent waterproof.

Naot Lodos. The $180 Lodos has a removable, anatomic cork and latex footbed. Also has a hand-sewn strobel construction.

Khombu Aqua Vent. This breathable, ventilated and quick drying women’s shoe is built to perform in comfort and style from the surf to the trail.

‍Oofos OOahh Sport Flex. A $79.95 recovery slide with a Velcro strap closure utilizing a stitched Velcro area that provides flexibility for fit.

Twisted X Chukka Driving Moc with CellStretch. Featuring a full grain leather upper and patented CellStretch comfort technology.

Sole Jasper Eco Flip. Has a carbon-negative ReCork footbed and a soft engineered-knit strap of natural, ethically-sourced merino wool and recycled PET.