4. Columbia hiking shoes because it’s leaf-peeping season, and you should take that hike in full comfort. The soles? They’re a high-traction rubber, so you can avoid treacherous tumbles. The uppers? They’re (waterproof!) leather and suede designed to last miles and miles. And the red laces? Well, they’re just the cute little cherry on top.
Prime members: You can try before you buy!
Here’s BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jenae Sitzes: Reviewers swear these don’t even have a break-in period, making them a great pickup for that last-minute outdoorsy trip where hiking and rough terrain are on the docket. Note that it’s recommended to go up a half size in these boots to accommodate thicker hiking socks, and I found that to be true when I picked up these shoes myself — I’m normally an 8 but found an 8.5 in these to be totally comfortable. I also found that they hold up well even on my first hike — though I did admittedly still have some soreness around my heel area, this was after a hard, 7+-mile hike with lots of rocks and climbing, so I don’t blame the shoes. They felt comfortable right out of the box and super supportive when I was clamoring over rocks and rough terrain. And though I only stepped in water a couple of times briefly, my socks stayed dry, too. I got the brown color with red laces as pictured above, and they’re even cuter in person, which is just another plus.
Promising review: “There’s a reason that these hiking boots are the #1 best hiking boots on Amazon. I am amazed that they are so comfortable. This is day four that I’ve worn them, and my feet feel fantastic! I hiked four miles on the second day, and my feet were not tired, achy, or sore. I have been hiking for 30 years and have had numerous boots, but not a single pair has been this comfortable. The price is so worth it for what you get.” —Granny B
Get them from Amazon for $48+ (available in sizes 5–12, including wide sizes, and 16 colors). You can find a similar men’s version here.
