Best Hiking Shoes for Hawaii (and Best Socks)

Hiking in Hawaii, no matter the island, is a great way to see experience Hawaii’s natural beauty. You’ll see sights unlike anywhere else in the world and for many of those beautiful, epic, more-than-Instagram-worthy views, you’ll need to work for them.

This post is meant to help you think intentionally about what to pack when planning your next trip to Hawaii … or anywhere you might want to hike and explore.

As someone who was born and raised in Hawaii, I’ve explored a wide range of hikes on Oahu (from pavement to trailblazing). I also worked at REI in the shoe department for a couple of years. So I feel kind of uniquely qualified to share some thoughts on the best hiking shoes.

Bored with the details? Here are our quick recommendations. More info and full reviews are below!

Best Overall – Mens Hiking Shoe: Brooks Cascadia 16 GTX Trail-Running Shoe 
Runner Up – Mens Hiking Shoe: Columbia Peak Freak II Outdry Shoe 
Best Hiking Shoe for Women: Saucony Peregrine 12 GTX Trail-Running Shoes 
Runner Up – Womens Hiking Shoe: HOKA Challenger ATR 6 GTX Trail-Running Shoes 
Best Hiking Boots: Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots | For Men | For Women 
Best Hiking Sandals: Chaco Z Cloud | For Men | For Women 
Best Hiking Socks: Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cushion Crew Socks | For Men | For Women  

Do you need Hiking Shoes in Hawaii?

The short answer is: yes.

Having been born and raised in Hawaii, I cannot tell you how often inexperienced or unprepared hikers need rescuing. Don’t be that person on the local news report.

Something you should know right away is that many of the trails in Hawaii are not as well kept as they could be. Don’t get me wrong, I think Hawaii’s BLM actually does a pretty good job, but there’s just a lot of challenging terrain to maintain with such few resources.

Additionally, Hawaii’s tropical climate (i.e. a lot of rain) makes it impossible to maintain all of the trails. Why do you think Hawaii is such a beautiful place? Harsh weather over time has transformed and sculpted the islands.

And since many of the hikes are free, there’s not a lot of financial support and resources.

All this to say: good hiking shoes are must have in your packing list if you want to go hiking in Hawaii.

Do not hike in flip flops (we call them slippers). More about that shortly…

I’m even wary to recommend sandals but I know some people swear by them, so I’ll mention my favorites later.

But please protect your feet and ankles. For some hikes, you could be protecting your life. No joke. A good pair of hiking shoes can give you the grip and stability you need to navigate challenging terrain.

What to Consider When Purchasing Shoes for Hiking in Hawaii

When planning your trip to Hawaii and thinking about the best shoes to pack, we recommend trail running shoes. Specifically waterproof trail running shoes.

This jack-of-all-trades shoe can pretty much cover most activities. AND some are good looking enough that with a quick rinse after a hike, you could wear them into a restaurant if needed.

One thing you need to be thinking about regarding activities in Hawaii is that you could wake up to a beautiful sunny morning. Then at some point, you can get caught in a downpour rain shower that soaks you within minutes. And then return to a sunny day.

Totally possible.

This also means that once dry trails can become thick mud traps and rocks and roots can become very slippery.

Don’t forget that Hawaii is generally warm, if not hot. So you don’t want heavy duty boots that weigh you down, make your feet sweat, etc.

Next are some important things to consider and why we think water proof trail running shoes are the best type of shoe for hiking and physical activity in Hawaii.

1. Prepare for Unpredictable Weather: Waterproof or Water Resistant Shoes

Keeping your feet and socks dry can often make the difference in a hiking experience.

Some might argue that waterproof shoes make your feet too hot and sweaty but I disagree. I’ve been hiking in waterproof shoes for almost a decade and have never had that issue, whether it was 100 degree weather or freezing cold.

The actual key to keeping your feet dry (and not just from rain) is the type of socks you use. See our bonus section below for recommendations on socks.

Wet feet can cause blisters, wrinkling, and can reduce your body temperature (if you’re hiking in cold weather).

Waterproof shoes work great with rain, puddles, and stream crossings. However, they should not be used of confused as full-on “water shoes.”

If you submerge your entire foot in water, these trail shoes will not keep your feet dry and thus, should not be used for walking in rivers or oceans. But for walking and hiking, waterproof shoes provide a great layer of protection.

Cons for waterproofing:

• Doesn’t protect 100% if you submerge your feet in water
• Some say their feet get too hot

Again: socks can help mitigate temperature control on your feet. Also, waterproofing technology has come a long way where it can both protect against water and also be breathable at the same time.

2. Prepare For Unpredictable Terrain: Trail Running or Hiking-Specific Shoes

I can’t tell you how often I see people hiking in footwear without solid traction.

Many trails in Hawaii have loose dirt or pebbles, which is like walking on slippery ice when wearing a shoe without traction.

Let’s compare the soles of running/tennis shoes with a hiking/trail running shoes.

You’ll notice that the running or tennis shoes on the left have flat surfaces. They are meant to be used on roads, tracks, or tennis courts that have some friction to it. The smooth surface of those shoes will grip to those specific surfaces.

But when you’re hiking, whether it be a smooth roots or loose dirt, you need some ridges and traction built into your shoe to provide grip. Notice those deep ridges and lots of contact points on the trail running shoes on the right of the image.

I do NOT recommend hiking in sandals in Hawaii.

First, parts of your feet are exposed in sandals. Your feet have air to breathe, however, you risk possible abrasions, cuts, and splinters, not to mention sunburn.

Additionally, chance of getting blisters increases from the friction between your bare skin and the sandal.

Flip flops are notoriously bad for stability, as your feet can slip around on the shoe itself and lead to injuries.

The only exception I will make for what I said above is if you do the PAVED hikes up Diamond Head Crater or visit the Makapu’u Lighthouse trail on Oahu (or any flat, paved trail for that matter).

On nice paved trails, hiking in sandals or even in slippers is fine. But for any other hike in Hawaii (or anywhere in the world), please, for the love of your feet and maybe your life, use hiking shoes.

Trail Running Shoes vs. Hiking Boots for Hawaii

This answer is based on personal preference. When I worked at REI in the shoe department, I met customers who wore hiking boots every day, for ALL occasions.

People like hiking boots because they protect the ankle better than a trail running shoe. True. No arguments there.

Most hiking boots are taller than normal shoes and provide better ankle stability. The added height actually provides better water protection as well.

Hiking boots are also good for long backpacking journeys because of that extra support for the weight you’re carrying. So I get it if someone tells me they would prefer only to use a hiking boot for hiking.

But for many people, I’ve found hiking boots tend to be overkill, especially for day hikes. And especially hiking in Hawaii.

I recommend and prefer trail running shoes because they give you stability in the form of traction and around the footbed area, but they also provide your ankle a little more mobility which is helpful with altering types of terrain.

Trail runners are also just lighter weight than boots and don’t require quite the break-in period that hiking boots do.

Trail running shoes also give you the added flexibility to use them as regular walking shoes or for exercise. You don’t have that varied functionality with hiking boots.

But again, this comes down to personal preference. If you’re planning on hiking in Hawaii, trail running shoes OR hiking boots are highly recommend compared to running shoes, sandals, or flip flops.

Final Note: All Feet Are NOT The Same

This might seem obvious but I cannot tell you how often people will read reviews for shoes (or anything for that matter) and either follow blindly someone’s recommendations OR dismiss an option blindly.

When I worked at REI, someone would often come in looking for a shoe brand they heard was amazing from someone else. They would try it on and it would be terrible. Ultimately, we’d work together to try on various models with similar features until we found a good fit for their unique feet.

This is the best practice: Find the shoe and fit that works for you.

I would suggest visiting your local REI or sports stores to try different models and brands for yourself. Combined with that knowledge AND online research, maybe order a couple of pairs to try on at home (or try in the store) and make your final decision.

With that, below are our recommendation for the best shoes for hiking in Hawaii.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of our links, we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Top Choice: Best Hiking Shoes for Hawaii

Our overall recommendation (as you might have guessed) is a waterproof trail-running shoe.

Brooks Cascadia 16 GTX Trail-Running Shoe 

Brooks is a great brand for running and walking shoes. It makes sense that their trail running shoe is a winner.

To me, this shoe represents the the balance of functionality and flexibility, the ability to be used in lots of different situations.

The soles and grip are strong with plenty of useful ridges. There’s even a stability plate for going over roots and rocks. But the uppers are somewhat flexible and not overly stiff, compared to hiking boots.

And as mentioned before, the best hiking shoes for Hawaii should have some weather protection. This model uses Gore-tex technology, a leader in the waterproofing world.

Pros:

• Overall great design
• Balance rigidness and grip (sole) with somewhat flexible upper
• Good waterproofing
• They look good

Cons:

• Somewhat expensive
• Not specifically a trail running shoe (only an issue if you’re a serious runner)
• No wider version available. Though the toe box is nicely shaped, it may not work for everyone.

Check out the Brooks Cascadia 16 GTX Trail-Running Shoe >

Columbia Peak Freak II Outdry Shoe 

As Columbia has grown as a clothing company, the’ve acquired shoe companies like Sorrel and Montrail and have started to integrate expertise and technologies from those companies into their shoes. The result? Surprisingly good shoes at decent prices.

The Columbia Peak Freak II is a great example of technology and design from Montrail, a company dedicated to trail running.

The Peak Freak has a more hiking-forward design, less geared for running, so it’s less multifaceted as the recommended Brooks. However, they have a similar feature set at almost half the price. This makes it a great value.

Finally, I can personally recommend Columbia/Montrail’s Outdry waterproofing technology. It works great. I have had several Outdry products and they’ve been both protective and breathable.

Pros:

• Decent design
• Better price for a similar feature set
• Good waterproofing
• Grip design is hardcore

Cons:

• Design is hiking-forward. Not the most comfortable for running.
• Not the jack of all trades it could be.

Check out the Columbia Peak Freak II Outdry Shoe >

Our Top Choices for Best Hiking Shoes for Hawaii for Women

Each of these recommended shoes will have a combination of flexible design, quality of materials and construction, waterproofing or water resistant, and all under $200.

Saucony Peregrine 12 GTX Trail-Running Shoes 

Saucony is one of those long-standing brands for good shoes. Our top pick womens shoe has a great feature set and functional design for a variety of situations.

Pros:

• Good design
• Great feature set
• Good waterproofing
• Good pricing (usually $150 or less)

Cons:

• Not a lot of styles to choose from

Check out the Saucony Peregrine 12 GTX Trail-Running Shoes >

HOKA Challenger ATR 6 GTX Trail-Running Shoes 

HOKA is a relatively new company but they are popular. They are different from a lot of their competitors because they focus on comfort and have a unique toe box and sole design.

This style isn’t for everyone though so definitely try these on before committing.

Pros:

• Geared for comfort
• Unique foot bed design
• Great feature set

Cons:

• Kind of a loud, outlandish design
• Grip on the soles may not be as effective as others

Check out the HOKA Challenger ATR 6 GTX Trail-Running Shoes >

On Cloudvista Waterproof Trail-Running Shoes 

This is an up and coming shoe company with great reviews. Right away, you’ll notice the sole design is incredibly unique if not controversial. I think they look awesome, but the style may not suit everyone.

Pros:

• Interesting and unique cushion design
• Great feature set
• Stylish, could be used for lots of different situations

Cons:

• Design may not appeal to some
• Expensive
• Grip on the soles may not be as effective as others

Check out the On Cloudvista Waterproof Trail-Running Shoes >

Our Top Choices for Best Hiking Shoes for Hawaii for Men

Each of these recommended mens hiking shoes have a combination of flexible design, quality of materials and construction, waterproofing or water resistant, and all under $200.

Salomon XA Pro 3D V8 GTX Trail-Running Shoes 

Salomon is a great outdoor gear brand and has been known to win awards for their trail running shoes. The issue for me is that they often run too narrow. That being said, customers whose feet fit well with this brand, LOVE their fit.

Pros:

• Trail running design
• Great feature set
• Good grip

Cons:

• Could be too narrow for some folks
• Design is not ideal for casual use

Check out the Salomon XA Pro 3D V8 GTX Trail-Running Shoes >

HOKA Challenger ATR 6 GTX Trail-Running Shoes 

HOKA is a relatively new company but they are popular. They are different from a lot of their competitors because they focus on comfort and have a unique toe box and sole design.

Interestingly reviews for these trail running shoes complain the they’re too narrow compared to previous generations, so consider sizing up.

Pros:

• Geared for comfort
• Unique foot bed design
• Great feature set

Cons:

• Kind of a loud, outlandish design
• Grip on the soles may not be as effective as others

Check out the HOKA Challenger ATR 6 GTX Trail-Running Shoes >

On Cloudvista Waterproof Trail-Running Shoes  

An up and coming shoe company with great reviews. Right away, you’ll notice the sole design is incredibly unique if not controversial. I think they look awesome, but the style may not suit everyone.

Pros:

• Interesting and unique cushion design
• Great feature set
• Stylish, could be used for lots of different situations

Cons:

• Design may not appeal to some
• Expensive
• Grip on the soles may not be as effective as others

Check out the On Cloudvista Waterproof Trail-Running Shoes >

Best Hiking Boots for Hiking in Hawaii

Hiking boots can be a decent choice, though only if they are your preferred hiking footwear already. Boots are not my favorite type of shoe for hiking, but I get it.

Below are our top hiking boot recommendations for Hawaii.

Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots (Men and Women)

This is a technical boot built around stability. Again, you’ll want to check that the toe box fit your feet well. If you feel you have weak ankles, this is the boot for you.

Pros:

• Interesting and supportive design
• Stability focused
• Lighter than competitors
• Good grip design

Cons:

• Expensive
• Design is robotic
• Reviewers question its waterproof abilities

Check out the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots For Men >

Check out the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots For Women >

HOKA Anacapa Mid GTX Hiking Boots (Men and Women)

HOKA has made their name with a unique foot bed and cushioning. If you need extra cushion for the bottom of your feet, give these boots a look.

Pros:

• Unique design
• Cushion focused

Cons:

• Expensive
• Design is controversial

Check out the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots For Men >

Check out the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots For Women >

Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots (Men and Women)

Merrell is like the Toyota or Honda of hiking boots. I swear these Moab boots are the same design that were around 15 years ago when I worked at REI. But why change what isn’t broken and people love?

There’s a good reason why Merrell shoes have been around for awhile with minimal changes.

Pros:

• Reliable design
• Decent feature set but not as expensive

Cons:

• Boring design
• Sole durability is good but grip design not as robust as other boots

Check out the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots For Men >

Check out the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots For Women >

Best Hiking Sandals for Hiking in Hawaii

DISCLAIMER: I truly believe that you should not do most hikes in Hawaii with sandals and DEFINITELY NOT with slippers or flip-flops. My reasoning is detailed above.

In the few cases where hiking sandals for Hawaii would be ok, these would be our top choices.

Chaco Z/Cloud Sandals (Men and Women)

Similar to Merrell shoes, Chacos have been around forever and some life-long fans do hard core hikes in them.

The overall design and straps keep these sandals close to your feet and won’t slip off like.. well, like slippers or flip-flops, that are designed to come off easily. Because they are open-air, they can dry quickly if they become wet.

Pros:

• Light weight and airy
• Good strap design keep your feet locked into them

Cons:

• Exposure to the elements, especially around the toe box. Stubbed toe anyone?

Check out the Chaco Z/Cloud Sandals For Men >

Check out the Chaco Z/Cloud Sandals For Women >

Keen Newport H2 Sandals (Men and Women)

20 years ago, Keen came up with a revolutionary design for a sandal: a protective toe box. Their strap system was also easier to work with than Chacos.

Think of it as a shoe with slits. Similar to most footwear products, this brand and sandal has devoted fans and I see people wearing them as their regular travel walking footwear in Hawaii, SE Asia, and other warm climate areas.

Pros:

• Actual toe protection
• Light and airy
• Made to get wet and dry easily

Cons:

• Feet are still exposed in some areas
• Grip design is too smooth and slick for serious hiking

Check out the Keen Newport H2 Sandals For Men >

Check out the Keen Newport H2 Sandals For Women >

Final Thoughts About Hiking in Hawaii

Hiking in Hawaii can be an incredible, epic, once-in-a-lifetime experience. There are some viewpoints that are simply magical.

It’s no wonder so many people want to try to get to these view points and get that picture (thanks/no-thanks, Instagram).

But in all seriousness, be prepared.

Many of the epic viewpoints are difficult to get to because of terrain and potentially bad weather. Some of the trails are impossible to maintain so some hikes, especially those along cliffs, ridges, etc. may have unstable footing.

Too often we hear on Hawaii news that visitors have fallen or gotten lost and needed to be rescued, often by helicopters. Tragically, way too many people have died hiking in Hawaii as well.

All this to say: hiking in Hawaii is still awesome, but please do your best to mitigate your risks. Your safety starts by making sure you have solid footwear.

Bonus Section: Best Socks for Travel and Hiking

One of the most underrated and overlooked travel clothing are socks.

When I was working at REI, this was one of the first important lessons I learned. Before you even consider what shoe to buy, think about your socks.

Why? Because socks provide an important layer between your feet and shoes.

When you walk, your feet rub against your footwear and that friction will cause heat and sweat. Wetness can cause all kinds of issues from drops in body temperature to blistering.

The solution? Get good socks that reduce friction, wick sweat, and keep your feet dry and comfortable in any shoe.

How to find the best socks: What to consider when buying socks

Step 1: Materials

Not all sock materials are the same. Many socks that people use are cotton. Cotton has a nice feel and is inexpensive, but it absorbs water and holds it too well. Not a good material for outdoor activities.

What about a cotton/polyester blend? These blends are pretty good, as they have wicking ability that pure cotton does not. They are also more durable than pure cotton.

But polyester is plastic-based and that has a host of issues as well.

The best material for socks? Wool.

Wool is a natural fiber that provides insulation, natural water protection and it’s moisture wicking. It sounds like the perfect material and it’s pretty darn close.

The issues? First wool is animal fiber, which means some folks might be allergic.

Also, some people complain they don’t like the feel of wool against the skin. I’ve personally never had this issue but I understand.

Finally, good wool socks are more expensive than conventional materials. In my opinion, though, it’s worth the cost. I only wear wool or wool-blend socks.

Most of the best socks will be a wool blend. These balance out the natural features from wool combined with the stretch, durability, and softer feel of a polyester material.

Step 2: Assess The Sock Fit and Thickness

Similar to shoes, not all socks fit the same. You kind of have to try a variety of brands and sizes to find a pattern that works for you.

What’s the difference between brands? What I’ve found is that for more expensive brands like Smartwool and Icebreaker, you’re paying for the materials and the refinement in the weave. The quality of the weave plays a role in the fit.

A good fitting sock should feel fitted around the foot and should not move while in a shoe. The foot and sock should feel as one. If you feel movement in your sock, it’s not a good fit.

Toe socks. Is that a thing? Yes. Having a wide toe box, I hate the feeling of my toes crunched together in a sock. I then found a company called Injinji that makes toes socks and have loved them, especially for physical activities. I like the feel of being able to spread my toes in my shoes and have not had any issues with blistering.

The last size consideration is sock thickness. Socks often come in light, mid, or heavy thickness. I often get mid or light, as thickness can change the fit and feel of whatever shoe you use.

There is a rare occasion that if you are in between sizes in a shoe, you can use a thicker sock to help fill in extra space.

Socks that are too thin may not have enough of a layer or protection between your feet and shoes.

Trust me, it’s worth finding the Goldilocks socks, the one that fits just right.

Hiking Socks Recommendations

Here are our recommendations for our favorite socks for travel and most physical activities.

Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cushion Crew Socks (Men and Women)

Smartwool is probably the most trusted name in wool socks for the outdoor industry. Though expensive per pair, these socks will last a couple of years for many uses.

They’ve done a great job with the weave and fit. Their socks overall have a nice refined quality to them.

We recommend the light cushion, as it’s thick enough to provide all the protection and features you need. Also, though they say these are “hiking” socks, you can easily use them for other activities. I even wear them to work functions.

Pros:

• Lightweight but still protective
• Refined design and fit
• Stylish

Cons:

• Expensive
• In-between sizing can be annoying. Always size up with socks in that scenario.

Check out the Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cushion Crew Socks for Men >

Check out the Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cushion Crew Socks for Women >

REI Co-op Merino Wool Lightweight Hiking Quarter Socks (Men and Women)

REI makes decent socks with good value. Are they as refined as Smartwool or Icebreaker? No. But you’ll pay half for a similar feature set.

Pros:

• Similar merino wool blend
• Less expensive than competitors

Cons:

• Not as stylish or as refined

Check out the REI Co-op Merino Wool Lightweight Hiking Quarter Socks for Men and Women >

Injinji Run Lightweight No-Show Wool Socks (Men and Women)

These are the socks I wear and use the most with my trail running shoes while hiking. I LOVE my toe socks, but they are not for everyone. 

I love being able to have mobility with my toes, unlike getting them bunched up in a conventional sock. These toe socks are designed in a way that understands each toe has a specific length and girth to them.

As we’ve said many times now, try these socks on first to see if you like the fit or not.

Pros:

• Lets your toes move freely within a shoe
• Refined design
• Comes in wool blends and non wool blends

Cons:

• Not everyone like the feel
• Expensive compared to conventional socks

Check out the Injinji Run Lightweight No-Show Wool Socks for Men and Women >

Final Thoughts About Socks for Hiking

You may wonder if it’s worth spending extra money on socks when so many cheap socks are out there. The answer is yes.

A good pair of socks not only protects and comforts your feet, but they can last many years. Often times when I worked at REI, feet issues like blisters, or in-between sizes of shoes, or just overall comfort in shoes could often be greatly improved by getting good socks.

Don’t overlook or underestimate a good quality pair of socks.

I hope this review of best hiking shoes for Hawaii has been helpful to you. Let us know if the comments if you have questions or suggestions.

Like this post? Pin it for later or share with a friend!