• steve
• February 14, 2026
• 9 Comments

Updated 2/14/26. Original publish date 1/20/26.

A few years ago if you’d asked me to write an article about hiking shoes not made in China, I probably couldn’t have done it. What a difference a few years makes.

As with most industries, China dominated shoe manufacturing for years as American and European companies shut down their domestic manufacturing operations and turned over all of their knowhow to China. By 2010, China was manufacturing 62% of all global footwear, more than all other countries combined.

Today, they’re still the leaders with about 54% of all footwear production—still by far the dominant exporter. But it’s nice to see that at least among the top brands there’s some diversification happening. Don’t think for a second that this was out of the goodness of their hearts: after giving away all of their secrets, China turned around and burned them with COVID, and now tariffs are finally forcing them to rethink the wisdom of their actions.

Don’t also think for a second that China still isn’t playing a role here; they’re still the middleman due to their stranglehold on the supply chain. But the fact that other countries are starting to get involved with “the means of production” as communists like to put it is a good thing.

How to buy hiking shoes

This is a topic I’ve obsessed over for years. Here are some tips on how to pick the best hiking shoes, and once you find one (especially one NMIC) stick to it.

The most important thing is fit. Try them on late in the day with your actual hiking socks. You want there to be about a thumb-width of room at the toes, a sturdy heel, and look out especially for “hot spots” (areas on your foot that get irritated).

If you’ll be hiking in the “urban jungle”, lightweight and breathable low-cuts or trail runners are great. I also prefer waterproof, but if you’re in a hot and dry area you’ll probably prefer something a little more airy.

For rocky trails or when you’re carrying a heavy pack, you need shoes (or boots) with a stiff midsole that doesn’t flex, solid toe protection, and deep, aggressive treads on the bottom that actually bite into loose dirt, mud, or gravel.

When you search online, you’ll see lists and lists from bloggers, outdoor enthusiasts, review sites, and retail sites all of which give you their version of the best (which is usually different from everyone else’s list). I reviewed a few dozen lists, and these are the models that continue to be mentioned over and over again in every list.

If you find a brand you like for shoes, chances are you’ll like that brand for boots and vice-versa, as the general design and features are usually similar across product lines.

China’s growing dominance in sportswear

I’d originally included Salomon as a top pick here because they were made in Vietnam. But thanks to JG in the comment for reminding me that Salomon (begun in France in 1947) was acquired by Adidas (German) in 1997, which was acquired by Amer Sports (Finnish) in 2005, which was aquired by Anta Sports (China) in 2019.

While most of this blog focuses on China’s dominance in manufacturing, the sporting goods industry serves as a warning. Brands that outsourced manufacturing to China in the 1990s and 2000s helped enrich the very companies that are now acquiring them (at least the ones that haven’t already been driven out of business). That may be great for the venture capitalists who profit from selling out to Chinese buyers, but it’s devastating for the Americans and Europeans who built and worked for these brands. And it’s not just factory workers who are affected: employees throughout these companies now find themselves at the mercy of owners and decision-makers in China.

The Best Hiking Shoes not Made in China

1. Merrell Moab 3 and Moab Speed 2

Like I said, this is the brand and line that I ended up going with. My all-time favorite walking shoes are the New Balance 990s, but for my daily commute I needed something a little more presentable in an office setting. The Merrell Moab (Mother Of All Boots) hit that nice balance of being something I could wear every day, but also slip on when I wanted to hit a hiking trail.

As you can see here, they’re primarily made in Vietnam, although you’ll find older pairs made in Bangladesh and Cambodia. I’ve gotten a pair of Moab 3’s made in all three, and they’re all great. Like I said, I used them for years, and their quality has vastly improved since the time China dominated manufacturing in the 1990s.

The Moab 3 is super comfortable out of the box. It has good cushioning, great traction (with a Vibram outsole), great support, and are super durable: I have a pair that’s decades old where the sole has literally worn out to the point of being flat, but the outside is still in great shape, so I basically wear them around as flats.

You can get them directly from the manufacturer or from Amazon or other retailers. Like I said, I personally prefer the waterproof version, which has kept my feet dry in many a storm. They’ve been cited on “best of” lists from Switchback Travel to Outdoor Gear Lab to Wirecutter.

The Speed 2 is its lighter, speedier sibling. It’s less protective than the Moab 3, but feels quicker, more breathable, and more modern.

2. Hoka Anacapa 2 and Hoka Kaha 3

The Hoka Anacapa 2 is a lightweight, maximum cushioned low- or mid- hiking shoe and boot hybrid. Reviewers rave about their all-day comfort, plush EVA midsole, good stability, and Vibram traction (they also have options for GTX waterproofing). It’s been cited as the most comfortable hiking shoe by multiple review sites.

Here’s an example of a label showing them to be made in Vietnam; they’re also made in Cambodia.

The Hoka Kaha 3 GTX is their maximum cushioned mid-cut backpacking boot that’s built more for long hikes and rough terrain. It’s got a thick, bouncy midsole, great shock absorption, great support, Gore-Tex waterproofing, and Vibram traction. Outdoor Gear Lab and Mountaineer Journey both named this their #1 hiking boot.

3. Altra Lone Peak 9

You’ve probably noticed by now that most hiking shoe manufacturers try to diversify their line to include a more traditional hiking boot-like shoe, a simpler low-top hiking shoe, and a running shoe-like model. These are the more popular sizes for hiking shoes.

Altra Lone Peak 9 excel in the latter department, and has been cited by Switchback Travel, Outdoor Gear Lab, and Treeline Review, among many others, as the best trail running shoe. It has plenty of room for your toes to breathe, moderate cushioning, no heel-to-toe drop for a natural stride, and good grip (Vibram upgrade for some models). You cal tell my looking at it it’s much more minimalist than other models, but still handles rugged terrain better than sneakers.

Buy them from the manufacturer or a retailer like Amazon.

4. KEEN Targhee IV

Similar to New Balance, KEEN does have models that they continue to make in the USA. The KEEN Durand 2 Mid Height Waterproof Hiking Boots is a good example; these are still made out of their Oregon factory. Let’s not kid ourselves; the components come from overseas, but at least American workers are putting them together with American quality control. At over $200 a pair, you do pay for the quality (as you do with New Balance, Wolverine, and other made-in-USA options), but if you can afford it, you get much more than you pay for.

Those of us who may be a little bit more on a budget may want to stick with the wildly popular Targhee IV boots, available from the manufacturer or from Amazon. It’s a rugged, mid-cut hiking boot with a durable upper made of nubuck leather, a wide toe box, a midsole that’s cushioned with Luftcell polyurethane, and super-strong durability. It’s another that’s on nearly every “best of” list, and was even recognized by Time Magazine in 2024 for the “fusion technology” that gives it its durability (KEEN.Fusion technology features glue-free sole bonding for three times stronger durability; if you’ve ever ripped the soles off your hikers, you’ll appreciate these.

The non-US made models are made in Vietnam.

6. Lowa Renegade

Lowa Renegade was named by Wirecutter as their top pick for those who hike in colder weather conditions, while Treeline Review recommended it for people with narrow feet, and praised its superior waterproofing. CleverHiker named the women’s version its best overall on its recommendations for women.

Unlike most companies that makes their shoes in Asia, it looks like Lowa is sourcing to Eastern Europe.

7. Decathalon Quecha

Thanks to Paul for mentioning Decathalon, a French brand I haven’t had experience with. Their hiking shoes, under the Quecha brand, are much more affordable than many of the other brands highlighted here, but they achieved this by manufacturing in key production hubs in Vietnam, Romania, and Indonesia. They do have production sites in China as well, so be careful—but I’m assuming that their China-made products are in service of the China market.

8. La Sportiva Karakorum

I’d hoped to feature La Sportiva’s Spire GTX, also named to many “best of” lists. as a nice light-to-midweight hiker. Sadly, this is the only label I could find.

The reason I put them on the list is because they’re one of the few brands that even attempt to be transparent about their country of origin. Most brands skip this question altogether (despite it being one of the most frequently asked questions). But La Sportiva’s FAQ on the subject is transparent, even if the answer isn’t ideal.

The “60%” is a bit dubious to me. Their best-selling models are clearly made in China or Vietnam, while higher-end premium hiking and technical models are made in Italy.

Of these made in Italy models, the La Sportiva Karakorum is probably the most popular, and yes, it’s made in Italy.

The Karakorum is a full leather boot (Italian leather, no less) that’s premium in many ways: excellent ankle support, Vibram outsole, Gore-Tex waterproofing, and handcrafted in Italy. It’s one of the last models with strong ties to Italian manufacturing. In many ways, once they stop making this boot, that’s the end of La Sportiva.

Conclusion

Do you know of other hiking shoes that have avoided the China trap? Let us know in the comments!