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Want to find the best desert hiking boots for moving over soft sand or hot dry surfaces? Then you’re in just the right spot. This guide to the best hiking boots for the desert will point you in the direction of all the most suitable products.
We have done a LOT of hiking in all sorts of conditions and through all kinds of terrain, including many hikes through the desert including Big Bend National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, several hikes in Arizona, & more! We know what to look for & what to consider when choosing the perfect pair!
Read on to discover your new favorite pair of boots for hiking in the desert!
Our Top Picks for Best Desert Hiking Boots:
🏆Our top overall pick is the Salomon X Ultra GTX for men and for women.
We think the Salomon X Ultra GTX comes out on top because we own, wear, and LOVE these boots ourselves. They are comfortable, the weatherproofing is really reliable, and they’re a great all-around boot to wear on all types of terrain and they last forever!
Covered here are all the best hiking boots for men and women for hiking in desert conditions. From military-style boots to footwear you can use on a daily basis, the top 10 products are all listed, reviewed, and recommended in this article.
Also covered is what to look for when choosing desert boots for your outdoor adventures. In addition to frequently asked questions, plus a quick reference comparison chart so you can see all the best options at a glance.
Prefer a great all-around hiking shoe? We've got that covered too – check out our top shoes for beginner hikers.
You can also click the links to find out more or check the latest prices. To make shopping easy & allow you to compare pricing, we've added both Amazon & Zappos links when available.
Whether you want the best desert boots for long hikes through some of the driest places on Earth or you want a pair to wear for short day hikes, this guide will help you find the perfect boots.
The Best Desert Hiking Boot Recommendations
🏆SALOMON X ULTRA GTX
Best all-rounder. Our top pick!
Any list of the best boots for desert hiking had to include the Salomon X Ultra GTX. I own a pair and love them, so I can personally recommend this footwear.
Made with Gore-Tex, these are long-lasting boots offering a high level of support and comfort. They look great too – whatever kind of desert hiking clothing you decide to wear them with.
The stability of this footwear is ideal when you’re walking on uneven surfaces, which helps to stop you from hurting your ankle when walking on sand. If you do come across the water – such as when walking along a coastal trail – these will also keep your feet dry.
I find the Salomon Ultra GTX to be more lightweight than I would have expected, so you can move freely and safely across the sand. This extremely comfortable footwear comes in half and full sizes, and the design cradles your foot while hiking.
Others who’ve worn these boots rate the level of comfort – even straight out of the box. The sole and ankle support, spacious toe box, waterproofing, reliable grip, and lightweight design also win lots of praise.
These also made our best wide toe box hiking boots list!
😍 We're obsessed with:
- Built to last
- Reliable grip
- Very lightweight
- Waterproof Gore-Tex
- Supportive, comfortable, and stable
👎 Not so hot:
- No wide-size options
- Cost more than some competitors
MERRELL MOAB
Best for breathability – Our #2 pick
Another contender for best desert boots for men and women has to be the Merrell Moab. The ventilation on these shoes makes them a great choice for hiking across the sand in hot places like the desert or the coastline in summer. They’re also a great all-around hiking favorite.
The Merrell Moab has a Vibram rubber outsole for reliable traction on all surfaces, and the waterproof membrane allows sweat out while keeping water at bay. The laces, webbing, and mesh lining are made from recycled materials too, making this an eco-conscious choice.
Whether you want beige desert boots or something more colorful, there are plenty of options to pick from in both a men’s and women’s fit. Comfort is taken care of here too, thanks to a contoured insole and a reinforced heel. The trademark Merrell Air Cushion also provides superior shock absorption.
The Merrell Moab range will take you on all kinds of adventures and is among the most popular hiking boots in the world. With an affordable price tag too, what’s not to love? These also made our top hiking boots for flat feet and top plantar fasciitis hiking boots lists!
😍 We’re obsessed with:
- Great ventilation
- Reasonably priced
- Vibram rubber outsole
- Some recycled materials
- Merrell Air Cushion heel
👎 Not so hot:
- Not the most waterproof choice
- Chunky build
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COLUMBIA NEWTON RIDGE
Best for a non-marking sole – Our #3 pick!
The Newton Ridge from Columbia is another option to consider when looking for men’s or women’s desert hiking boots. These come in a great range of colors and are fairly similar in style to the Danner Trail 2650. You can also order these boots in wide fittings.
These Columbia boots offer a high-energy return with every step, which helps when moving over soft surfaces like sand. They also have a waterproof finish and seam-sealed construction to keep them – and your feet – dry.
In terms of style, price, and practicality, these boots are spot-on and come from a brand that’s known for high-quality outdoor and desert hiking clothes and footwear. A great feature here is the non-marking Omni-GRIP rubber outsole, which provides the wearer with reliability outdoors while being an option you can also wear inside without marking your floors.
As desert hiking boots for women and men, these are ideal and are suited to other kinds of hiking too. A great all-rounder with an affordable price tag.
😍 We’re obsessed with:
- High energy return
- Wide and half sizes
- Good for all kinds of hikes
- Non-marking Omni-GRIP outsole
- Seam-sealed construction and waterproof finish
👎 Not so hot:
- Can feel too wide for narrow feet
- Not the most durable of all
🎁Need a gift for the hiking lover on your list? Check out our top hiking gift recommendations for him & for her!
DANNER TRAIL 2650 MID GTX
Best for sole comfort
The Danner Trail GTX is also a popular pick when you want to find the best desert hiking shoes with ankle support. While the lower-cut options are more like trail running shoes, the mid-height offers the added stability and protection you get when wearing a pair of boots.
Danner uses only leather from Leather Working Group tanneries with a Gold or Silver rating, and the Gore-Tex adds waterproofing. The supportive sole also adds extra comfort, even during longer hikes, while the Vibram grip of the outsole provides assurance when hiking over sand.
Ventilation is supplied by the breathable and waterproof lining plus the open-cell polyurethane in the sole. This features a triple-layer construction, which ensures these shoes are comfortable and absorb shock with every step.
There’s several colors available in both the men’s and women’s versions of the Danner Trail 2650 Mid GTX. They also come in half sizes, and are said to fit true to size. You can also order an extra wide EE fitting where available.
😍 We’re obsessed with:
- Vibram outsole
- Generously cut
- Half and wide sizes
- Supportive reinforced heel
- Triple layer Ortholite footbed
👎 Not so hot:
- Size availability varies
- Higher price range
THE NORTH FACE BACK-TO-BERKELEY
Best for casual style
If you want to stick with – or invest in – North Face footwear, then our pick as best desert boots for men and women is the Back-to-Berkeley. These are the kind of hiking boots that will take you pretty much anywhere, and the DryVent membrane is made to keep you feeling dry and cool.
As with the Merrell Moab, recycled and eco-conscious materials have been used here to help you do your bit for the future of the planet. This includes an EVA midsole made using 49% sugar cane and an outsole that uses 20% recycled rubber.
For comfort, North Face has added a stable, compression molded heel counter, a padded collar, and a molded EVA midsole. The fact that the hardware is rust-proof is also ideal when you’re hiking close to the coast, as the salt in the air and sand won’t cause corrosion.
This footwear is good for walking on soft sand, offers good ankle support and is ultra-lightweight. It’s also a good-looking choice for people who want to wear their hiking boots everywhere.
😍 We’re obsessed with:
- Go-anywhere looks
- Rustproof hardware
- Eco-conscious materials
- Comfortable molded EVA midsole
- DryVent membrane for waterproofing and breathability
👎 Not so hot:
- Not the most rugged choice
- Prices can vary
BATES GX-8 DESERT BOOT
Best for workwear
These Bates desert boots are perfect for anyone who loves the military look. They’re also ideal when you want more ankle support than that offered by the average mid-height hiking boot. Designed as combat and workwear, this is a pair of boots that are built to last – and stand up to the challenges posed by walking on sand.
Features placing these among the best shoes for desert hiking include an upper that’s resistant to abrasions, staining, and even oil. This footwear is thus suited to activities such as scrambling over coastal rocks.
There’s a removable insole so you can achieve the right fit for you, and the EVA midsole also provides comfortable cushioning and shock absorption. The outsole is also slip-resistant for a reliable grip on all kinds of terrain.
Despite a safety toe cap, these boots manage to stay fairly lightweight. They also have a breathable mesh lining to prevent overheated feet. We also love the inside zip making them far easier to put on and take off than you might expect.
😍 We’re obsessed with:
- Side zips
- Removable insole
- Protective toe cap
- Padded midsole, collar and tongue
- Stain, oil and abrasion resistant upper
👎 Not so hot:
- Bulkier than others
- Limited color choices
🥾Have you ever tried barefoot hiking shoes? Several of our top picks come in wide sizes – check them out!
LOWA ZEPHYR GTX MID
Best for hot weather
The Lowa Zephyr is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to desert hiking. If you want the sort of look supplied by the best desert military boots, these are a viable alternative to the rugged Bates boots featured above.
These lightweight boots have been specially made for hiking in hot conditions, and are specifically labeled as being suitable for desert wear. They come in a range of shades, including a classic sandy color plus black, gray, steel blue and sage green.
Speed-lacing hardware makes this footwear easier to put on and pull off, and the PU midsole provides superior cushioning and support. The footbed also wicks away moisture to ensure your feet don’t overheat.
If you want the best desert tactical boots for hiking over the sand in the heat, then this pair from Lowa is one of the most reliable options you’re going to find. The price tag makes these an investment piece, however.
😍 We’re obsessed with:
- Choice of colors
- Robust and rugged
- Ideal for hot weather
- Supportive PU midsole
- Speed-lacing hardware
👎 Not so hot:
- They’re not cheap
- Less options for a female fit
UNDER ARMOUR STELLAR G2
Best for a bargain buy
If you don’t want to pay too much for lightweight desert hiking boots yet still want a top brand, the Stellar G2 from Under Armour could be ideal. They’re affordably priced and are available in men’s and women’s fit.
This footwear is higher than the average hiking boot, so it’s better at keeping sand away from your feet. Better ankle support is also offered by footwear with this shape, which is ideal when walking over the soft sand of the desert.
The sole of the Stellar G2 features two different patterns to ensure a good grip in all conditions, and they are arguably the best desert hiking boots for men and women who don’t want to splash too much cash.
The classic black finish means these boots won’t show any marks or staining, unlike backpacking and hiking boots in lighter colors. If you like the military look, this pair looks the part for sure.
😍 We’re obsessed with:
- Military look
- Great value price
- Good for keeping out sand
- Male or female specific fit
- Higher for added ankle support
👎 Not so hot:
- Only available in black
- Functional appearance
🎒Ladies…if you are in the market for a new hiking backpack, check out our top recommendations for women's hiking backpacks!
KEEN TARGHEE CHELSEA BOOT
Best for keeping out sand
If despite your best endeavors you find that sand seeps through between the laces of your hiking boots, then you could try Chelsea boots instead of a lace-up pair. Tuck your hiking pants into the top of these, and you should have a pretty impressive barrier against sand getting in.
These make some of the best quality desert boots around. This is based on the classic Keen Targhee, but simply is a stretch pull-on style instead of having laces to fiddle with. Like the standard lace-up, this boot from Keen has all the features you need from great hiking footwear.
These include an all-terrain outsole with 4 millimeter lugs, and this is non-marking to protect the finish of your floors. As a brand, Keen is also concerned with sustainability and only uses leather from Leather Working Group certified tanneries.
Other great features with these boots include an Eco Anti Odor treatment to keep them fresh, a breathable mesh lining, and loops to the front and back to help you pull them on and off. In shades of brown or black, these are also some of the best color desert boots for now showing the dirt.
😍 We’re obsessed with:
- Pull on and off
- Removable insole
- Sustainable brand
- Eco Anti Odor treatment
- All-terrain outsole with 4mm lugs
👎 Not so hot:
- Less easy to adjust than lace-ups
- Relatively rigid shape
CLARKS CHUKKA DESERT BOOT
Best for everyday wear
Beeswax desert boots like these from Clarks might be the best choice if you want boots for light hikes on sand and everyday wear. The Chukka for men and women is a design classic, and you could literally wear this practically anywhere.
While they may not be the best hiking boots for the Arizona desert and prolonged hiking trips, they are ideal for taking shorter hikes across the sand. The design is a classic favored by off-duty soldiers and has practical features to ensure comfort during day hikes.
These include full grain leather or suede uppers, a spacious fit, a stable heel counter and a footbed coated in leather to help keep feet dry. A crepe outsole also provides grip as well as comfort.
You can pick between lots of colors, and even if you didn’t find these ideal for hiking they’re guaranteed to be a great addition to any footwear collection. While leather is the more practical choice, fans of fashion footwear may be unable to resist purple, orange, teal or mint suede.
😍 We’re obsessed with:
- Lots of colors
- Suede or leather finish
- Style to wear anywhere
- Heel counter for stability
- Leather coated footbed for waterproofing
👎 Not so hot:
- More style than substance
- Not suited to longer hikes
The Best Desert Hiking Boots Comparison Chart
Use this comparison table to find the best desert hiking boots at a glance. Listed here is what each pair is best for and the key features of each product.
| Picture of item | Name | Check Pricing & Availability | Best for | Key features |
  | 🏆Salomon X Ultra GTX | Men’s Amazon Men's Zappos Women’s Amazon Women’s Zappos | All-rounder | Longevity, good grip, lightweight, waterproof, stable & supportive |
    | Danner Trail 2650 Mid GTX | Men’s Amazon Men’s Zappos Women's Amazon Women’s Zappos | Sole comfort | Generous cut, Vibram grip, reinforced heel, triple layer footbed |
  | Columbia Newton Ridge | Men’s Amazon Men’s Zappos Women's Amazon Women’s Zappos | Non-marking sole | High energy return, non-marking outsole, waterproof with sealed seams |
  | Merrell Moab | Men’s Amazon Men’s Zappos Women's Amazon Women’s Zappos | Breathability | Good ventilation, partly recycled, Vibram outsole, Merrell Air Cushion heel |
  | North Face Back-to-Berkeley | Men’s Amazon Men’s Zappos Women's Amazon Women’s Zappos | Casual style | Go anywhere look, eco-conscious, rustproof, DryVent membrane |
  | Bates GX-8 | Men’s Amazon Men’s Zappos Women's Amazon | Workwear | Side zips, removable insole, toe cap, abrasion resistant upper |
  | Lowa Zephyr | Men’s Amazon Men’s Zappos Women's Amazon | Hot weather | Robust & rugged, supportive midsole, speed-lacing hardware |
  | Under Armour Stellar G2 | Men’s Amazon Women’s Amazon | Bargain buy | Great value, military look, higher top for support, male or female fit |
  | Keen Targhee Chelsea | Men’s Amazon Women’s Amazon Women’s Zappos | Keeping out sand | Pull on & off, sustainable, removable insole, Eco Anti Odor treatment |
  | Clarks Chukka | Men’s Amazon Men’s Zappos Women's Amazon Women’s Zappos | Everyday wear | Many colors, leather or suede, go-anywhere style, heel counter |
Choosing The Best Desert Boots
🥾 Shape
This post is all about finding the best desert hiking boots – so that’s exactly what is covered here. Options like trail running shoes are an alternative, but as they don’t provide as much ankle support as boots we’ve stuck to only the latter.
The boots featured range from a mid-top to those that lace up a little further up the leg. Which suits you best is really a matter of personal preference.
Factors to consider include ventilation support and putting the boots on and off. Also, sand – a pair with a higher top are likely to keep this out more effectively.
🥾 Grip
Shoes with a better grip make some of the best hiking boots for the desert. Don’t forget that you may be walking over surfaces other than sand, such as rocks. Boots with good grip are therefore essential and can make the difference between safety and injury.
🥾 Weatherproofing
Finding waterproof hiking footwear means you can head outside no matter what the weather has in store. Boots that are weatherproof will also be more likely to keep out sand. Some shoes are fully waterproof, while others are simply water-resistant.
A pair of hiking boots that can ward off wind and water may also be more effective at keeping sand at bay!
🥾 Breathability
Ventilation can be super important when hiking in the desert! Shoes that are breathable are essential for keeping your feet cool, so look out for this when choosing. Good hiking boots from top brands do usually make this a priority.
🥾 Other uses
If it’s a one-off trip to trek across the desert, then you might want to buy boots that can be worn for other purposes too. Such as for work, for casual wear when traveling or for hiking the trails.
Best Hiking Boots For The Desert FAQs
The best desert hiking boots will be durable, breathable and lightweight, with good grip. Hiking boots that offer good ankle support are also something to look out for. If you can tick all of these boxes, then you can find hiking boots that are ideal for the desert.
You can hike in desert boots if they’re designed for the type of terrain and conditions you’ll be tackling. For longer hikes, a more rugged pair of boots that will protect your feet while keeping them cool is essential.
A strong pair of hiking boots with good ventilation and grip is ideal for the desert. Lightweight boots are also ideal, as they can help stop you from getting bogged down in the sand. Hiking boots or military-style boots are among the best choices.
Boots offer improved ankle support as compared to hiking shoes or trail running shoes. This is why many people prefer to wear boots, as this lowers the risk of injury and pain in the ankle area.
Clarks desert boots are very popular and a very versatile footwear item. They look and feel good and are made from high quality materials. They’re not the most rugged kind of desert hiking footwear, however, so they’re not the best for longer or more challenging hikes. If you want to take one pair of shoes on your trip & will fit in some very light hiking, these are a great option.
Which Is The Best Desert Hiking Boot For You?
Whether you go for our recommended Salomon boots or are more interested in military-style footwear or desert boots that you can wear anywhere, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to finding the best desert hiking footwear.
From a pair purely for hiking across sand to all-purpose hiking boots that you can wear on all kinds of trails, we hope this post has helped you find just what you’re looking for!
If you are into desert hiking, I highly recommend checking out Big Bend National Park (see my favorite Big Bend hikes & places to stay nearby) and, if you are passing by, be sure to stop at Great Sand Dunes National Park as well. Arches National Park is another great desert location to stay & play for a while!
Until next time…
About The Author
Jody Phifer has been a travel blogger & travel planner since 2019. With her husband and son by her side, she takes on incredible adventures all over the world. She especially loves hiking through the mountains & soaking in breathtaking views. Jody is passionate about sharing her experiences and love of travel, by offering valuable information and inspiration! Learn more about Jody here.
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