Advice for choosing low hiking boots or sneakers?

I used to own Salomon Fury 3s and loved them, but their soles were slippery on wet asphalt with small rounded rocks. I’m looking for something similar but with a Vibram sole, preferably with Gore-Tex. I plan to use them mainly for walking on asphalt and occasionally on snow and ice. Any recommendations?

I’ve been using Salomon Speedcross 6. They’re solid shoes, comfortable, and offer good grip, though I feel their quality has decreased over the years. I mainly use them for jogging on gravel roads.

Bevin said:
I’ve been using Salomon Speedcross 6. They’re solid shoes, comfortable, and offer good grip, though I feel their quality has decreased over the years. I mainly use them for jogging on gravel roads.

My dad had a pair of Speedcross shoes but didn’t have a good experience with them.

Scarpa approach shoes are worth considering. They’re durable and have excellent grip.

I’ve had bad experiences with Salomon—5 out of 7 pairs failed me. I’d recommend checking out Asolo, La Sportiva, Hoka, Altra, Saucony, or Scarpa instead.

Chen said:
I’ve had bad experiences with Salomon—5 out of 7 pairs failed me. I’d recommend checking out Asolo, La Sportiva, Hoka, Altra, Saucony, or Scarpa instead.

+1 for Saucony. Their sneakers have lasted me years, and I’ve already bought a second pair. Do you know if Lomer is any good?

I love the Merrell Moab 3. I get the low-profile, waterproof version, which has Vibram soles and Gore-Tex. It’s been my go-to shoe for years.

Finian said:
I love the Merrell Moab 3. I get the low-profile, waterproof version, which has Vibram soles and Gore-Tex. It’s been my go-to shoe for years.

How do they handle temperatures between -5°C and +10°C?

@Phoenix
With warm socks, they work great in those temperatures. I use wool blend weatherproof socks from Costco or Darn Tough. The shoes aren’t heavily insulated but stay dry, which keeps your feet warmer overall.

@Phoenix
You can use synthetic shoes with waterproof membranes down to -5°C with the right socks. However, I don’t recommend low-tops with Gore-Tex for snow or ice. Water can easily enter through the collar, and then your shoes become ice blocks. Mid boots with GTX and gaiters are better for snowy conditions.

@Chen
Would low, non-Gore-Tex shoes be a better option for my use case?

Phoenix said:
@Chen
Would low, non-Gore-Tex shoes be a better option for my use case?

It depends on your activity:

  • For short hikes, low GTX shoes work if you won’t be out long enough for them to soak through.
  • For longer hikes, non-waterproof shoes can dry out faster as you walk, though your feet will be wet for part of the time.
  • In frigid conditions, stick to GTX mids (5” gusset or higher) to avoid hypothermia risks.

Your use case matters a lot. For wet and cold weather, GTX mids with gaiters are best. For hot and dry weather, non-waterproof low-tops or trail runners work well.

@Chen
I currently use GTX mids for winter walks in the city, around -10°C to -24°C, sometimes for distances up to 17 km. For -5°C to 0°C, I plan to switch to low shoes with warm socks. For 10-15°C, I’ll use regular sneakers like Saucony Ride 16. Does that sound like a good setup?