It’s fall and that doesn’t mean it’s time to put your sneakers away. It just means you can broaden your horizons and wear some shoes that might be more appropriate for the weather. We’ve seen an uptick in the popularity of outdoor shoes since the pandemic. Salomon is a household name now. People are starting to wear Merrells, and nearly every brand is catering to this once-niche market.
You’ll get grippier and thicker outsoles, uppers that are warmer and can handle inclement weather, and pretty cool colorways you don’t see on typical athletic shoes. The point is having a shoe you know can do anything in, even if you’re not going to use it for its built-in purposes. You have it just in case. No one’s gonna call you a prepper just for getting a pair of shoes that can survive an apocalypse but, hey, you might need them these days. And if you don’t, you’re still left with something cool. Here are the best outdoors sneakers to buy right now.
All products are independently selected by our editors. Complex may collect a share of sales from the links on this page if you decide to shop them.
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Merrell Moab Speed 2 Vent 2K 1TRL
The biggest sign that the sneaker world has been flipped upside down is that Merrell has become cool. The brand, known for its slip-ons and hiking shoes made famous by old white guys, has stepped into the lifestyle realm. And with a lot of success. Merrell hasn’t crossed over yet like Salomon, but it’s been trying. It’s launched its 1Trl division, which focuses on lifestyle product, and it’s really homed in on the ethos of Merrell. 1Trl is run by industry veteran Paul Ruffles, who made all the cool product at UK retailer Size? for years. These days, Merrell models like the Moah Speed 2 Vent 2K are popping up more and more in the feed. And we’re here for it.
Shop Merrell’s inventory of the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Vent 2K 1TRL.
Salomon XT-4 OG
At this point, who doesn’t have a pair of Salomons? The brand, which was founded in the French Alps for skiers, is now a household name in footwear. The re-release of product from the 2010s has had the sneaker scene in a chokehold over the past few years. The best option, in my opinion, is the XT-4 OG. Most people have the XT-6. But the XT-4 is better. The branding is a bit bigger. The shoe is a bit chunkier. And it looks better on foot.
Shop Salomon’s inventory of the XT-4 OG here.
Nike ACG Air Mada
I really thought there were going to be better outdoor options from Nike. Or at least cooler. But here we are. The Mada isn’t a bad shoe. Go out and get them if you want a Nike outdoor option. But I wish the brand would really open the ACG archive and give us something exciting.
Shop Nike’s inventory of the ACG Air Mada here.
Saucony Peregrine ST 13
People have been wearing a lot of Saucony lately. Maybe it’s because of the mesh running shoe trend. Maybe it’s because of collaborators like Jae Tips’. Maybe it’s because it’s always been a solid brand that’s finally getting its just due. Maybe all three. It’s time to start looking at the brand beyond a few silhouettes, though. Saucony’s Peregrine line has been a workhorse for trail runners. I wore a pair last summer and loved them. This pair is a bit more weatherized and comes in a great colorway. Not sure if I’m sold on the bootie upper for casual use, but some people love that.
Shop Saucony’s inventory of the Saucony Peregrine ST 13
Hoka Tor Summit
Hoka is the brand all the sneaker people whisper about right now, almost a little embarrassed to admit that they want to wear them or that they own a pair. But once people are in on the brand, there’s no turning back. Hoka’s known mostly for its maximalist running shoes worn across the suburbs, but it’s also stepped into the hiking and outdoors space, too. One of the popular shoes has been the Tor Summit. It’s a hiker with a leather upper and a rubber-reinforced toe and mudguard. There have been collaborations on the shoe with the likes of Hidden Characters, but the general release pairs are just as good, too. And it’s a shoe you’re gonna wear and beat around, so don’t worry about blowing all your cash on something limited.
Shop Hoka’s inventory of the Tor Summit here.
Altra Mont Blanc BOA
Altra might look like Hoka, but the brands are quite different. Founded in 2009, Altra was a brand of running shoes that sought to make running more natural but not get in on the barefoot running trend. The shoe is wider in the forefoot to mimic a natural foot shape, and there’s zero drop on a lot of the sneakers to give a natural feel but with cushioning. The Mont Blanc is the brand’s off-road running shoe. It has a built up but breathable upper and it comes with BOA laces, which will make it standout from other shoes in your lineup. They come in cool colors, too, with Vibram outsoles as well. In other words, they’re real outdoors shoes.
Shop StockX’s inventory of the Altra Mont Blanc BOA here
New Balance Fresh Foam X Trail More v3
The New Balance Fresh Foam More v3 was a surprise shoe of last year. It’s super chunky and just looks cool. They made a pair that looks like your classic grey 990s and they were awesome. New Balance also did the same model in a trail version. This version looks less like a classic New Balance shoe, as the N logo is replaced with the brand’s script logo, but it works. The two-tone midsole is a nice touch. I got my mom a pair and she said they’re not as comfortable as Hokas, but still good.
Shop New Balance’s inventory of the Fresh Foam X Trail More v3 here
Up There x ASICS Gel-Terrain
Image via Sneaker Politics
This shoe was a surprise to me. Not because I didn’t think Up There and ASICS wouldn’t have another shoe coming. Or that I didn’t think it would be good. But because it didn’t sell out immediately. For what it’s worth, this was the largest scale collaboration the Australian shop had done to date and on a newer silhouette in ASICS’ lifestyle range, the Gel Terrain. It’s not exactly an 1130 or 2160. But it’s close. It’s a more weatherized version of ASICS inline runners, but done up for trails. It’s a new silhouette, though. The brand hasn’t really pushed it too much yet, but this could be the right time to see it shine.
Shop Sneaker Politics’ inventory of the Up There x ASICS Gel-Terrain here.
Norda 001
Rarely is the concept of flexing attached to outdoors shoes, but such is the case with Norda. Retailing at $285, the Canadian footwear brand has become a niche insider brand in the midst of the outdoor trend boom. Truly a “if you know you know brand,” Nordas are the shoes that will get you a nod from insiders. They’re actually made for the outdoors and performance, but still sold at Cool Guy lifestyle boutiques. Runners World said the shoe is good, although not really worth the price on performance merits alone. But they have Vibram soles and the upper is nearly indestructible. Most people reading this won’t put a trail running shoe through the paces. They’re read for that if you are.
Shop Norda’s inventory of the 001 here.
Arc’Teryx Vertex Alpine GTX
Isn’t Arcteryx just a jacket company? Not totally. The brand has slowly been pushing into footwear, although the sneakers haven’t received a lot of attention yet. But for diehards of the company, or those looking for something different that sticks out, grabbing a pair might be a good choice. Retailing at $250, the Vertex Alpine shoe is expensive. But it has a Gore-Tex upper and Vibram outsole. And the design is chunky and smooth.
Shop StockX’s inventory of the Arc’Teryx Alpine Vertex GTX
Adidas Soul-Stride Flow GTX
The Adidas Terrex line has made some cool product over the years. Adidas running, as a whole, has seen an uptick lately. So it’s not surprising that there would be some nice trail shoes from the brand’s outdoor line, too. The Souldstride Flow is a Gore-Tex trail running shoe made from recycled materials. But that doesn’t mean they look like your typical hippie trail shoe. These are a bit sportier to get the job done.
Shop StockX’s inventory of the Adidas Soul-Stride Flow GTX.
Oakley Light Shield
Oakley is more than just rad sunglasses. They’ve been making shoes for years, but stepped into the footwear lane more since the pandemic. You might know them for their slip ons, but they make legit trail shoes, too. This pair has a Vibram outsole and a waterproof upper with reinforced toecaps. Goes a long way even if you’re doing just a little.
Shop StockX’s inventory of the Oakley Light Shield here
On Cloudwander Waterproof
Have you gotten your first pair of Ons yet? No? Well, don’t feel embarrassed. It’s OK to do it. Make the leap. If you want something that not everyone’s wearing, opt for the On trail shoes. There have been cool collabs on them so far, but the inline pairs are nice, too. And they’re waterproof. The Cloud cushioning system isn’t as flashy on this shoe, the Cloudwanderer, either, so it’s a good starting point for those new to the brand.
Shop On’s inventory of the Cloudwander Waterproof here
Diemme Movida Tanned Tomato Suede
Got some cash and want to spend? Go for these Diemmes. Made in Italy, they’re over $400, but man, they look so cool. The tomato red suede upper with the bright pink toe cap—amazing combo. Vibram outsole. I can’t imagine many people are getting these to actually hike in, but you could. And that’s all that matters.
Shop Diemme’s inventory of the Movida Tanned Tomato Suede here
Satisfy x Crocs Quick Cross
Image via Sneaker Politics
Need some Crocs to Satisfy you? Lol. Well here’s the Satisfy x Crocs collab. But they’re more sneaker-ish than Crocs. The Quick Cross is billed as a trail shoe. But it’s really not. But it still looks cool. Doesn’t even really look like Crocs. There’s nothing wrong with wearing Crocs by the way. But these are a nice switchup from the slip-ons.
Shop Sneaker Politics’ inventory of the Satisfy x Crocs Quick Cross here
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