3 Best Hiking Boots For Yellowstone

With unique geological and hydrothermal features, Yellowstone became the world’s first national park for everyone to enjoy on March 1, 1872. Moreover, its 2.2 million acres area has unparalleled opportunities for visitors to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem. People can explore geothermal areas, which contain about half the world’s active geysers, and view geologic wonders like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.

Yellowstone National Park is located in the western United States – mostly in the northwest corner of Wyoming extending into Idaho and Montana. Additionally, it spans an area of 3468 square miles or 8983 square kilometers. Yellowstone comprises canyons, lakes, rivers, and mountain ranges. Along with that, it has hundreds of species of birds, fishes, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians including either endangered or threatened ones. These vast forests and grasslands of Yellowstone National Park also include unique species of plants.

With grizzly bears, wolves, and free-ranging herds of elk and bison, Yellowstone is the largest and most famous megafauna location in the US. Moreover, forest fires happen in this park every year – nearly one-third of the park was burnt in the large forest fires of 1988. Furthermore, Yellowstone has many recreational activity options such as camping, boating, fishing, hiking, and sightseeing.

If you are planning to visit Yellowstone, you must know it is a seasonal place. You would have to learn about current conditions, seasons, road conditions, activities, services, and more. Every year, millions of people visit this park to make lifelong memories. You can watch roaming wildlife, erupting geysers, and the artistry of thermophiles. There are some important concerns you need to address to make your visit is successful.

1. Always be prepared for Yellowstone’s characteristic unpredictable weather changes like big temperature swings, rain, or snow during every month of the year.
2. No matter when you visit, bring a warm jacket, rain gear, and lots of layers.
3. Check the road statuses before you depart as most roads are sometimes closed to wheeled vehicles.
4. Follow the speed limits, drive responsibly and use pullouts if you have to stop.
5. Plan thoroughly and properly – know about the entrance fees, boat inspections and permits, current conditions, operating hours, places to go, and things to do.
6. Wildlife is dangerous and sometimes fatal as people have been injured or killed by bears, bison, and elk. So, keep your distance from all of the animals in the park.
7. Staying on boardwalks to avoid severe injuries or getting killed by breaking through the thin ground in thermal basins or falling into hot springs.
8. Limited cellular connectivity and travel with caution during winter, which still offers unique rewards and challenges in Yellowstone.

What To Look For In Hiking Boots If Your Going To Yellowstone?

In summer and during hot or warm weather, it is important to have sturdy footwear. So, pack hiking boots or good athletic shoes depending on what you plan to do during your trip to Yellowstone. You would have to bring shoes that provide stability, traction, and comfort.

In winter and during cool or moist weather, Boots are essential, especially if you plan to do much walking. Layers in the boots are just as important as on other body parts. Make sure your boots are waterproof and big enough to accommodate multiple layers of socks. For rainy days or potential heavy rains, pack a pair of tall rain boots for hiking, trekking, backpacking, and even fly-fishing.

Since you will be on your feet most of the time, it is best to pack lightweight hiking boots or hiking shoes. They are fairly all-purpose for a trip to Yellowstone, and you can wear them while hiking, biking, riding horses, and even while snowshoeing in winter. If you are planning to cast a line for fishing, you need to pack special pair of shoes for it. You could wear your hiking boots, but you would be risking them getting too wet.

Following are three of the best hiking boots if you are planning to go to Yellowstone:

Top 3 Best Hiking Boots For Yellowstone

1) Merrell Moab 2 Hiking Boots

Merrell provides a variety of Moab 2 Hiking Boots for different needs. For example, if you are planning to travel during moist weather or go near a body of water, you can opt for Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Men’s Hiking Boots and Moab 2 Mid Waterproof Women’s Hiking Boots. Along with that, you have an option for Men’s Moab 2 Vent Mid Hiking Boots and Women’s Moab 2 Vent Mid Hiking Boots. You can choose this if you need breathable leather/mesh lining for ventilation during summer/hot days.

Key Features:

• Vent Hiking Boots – 100% suede leather and breathable mesh, Vibram sole, Removable Insole
• Waterproof Hiking Boots – 100% Suede Leather/Mesh, Rubber sole, Removable insole, Merrell air cushion in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability

Pros:

• Great traction, Amazing looks, Easy break-in, Highly durable
• Super breathable, Glove-like fit, Good for everyday wear
• Super warm and waterproof for use during inclement weather
• More room in the toe box to avoid cramping, hurting, and swelling of feet
• Sticky soles that enhances the safety, made for both beginners and advanced hikers
• Flexible, and lightweight to use all day on the trails, good value for money

Cons:

• Underfoot support could be better for added stability, could be more water-resistant
• The lacing system is not durable enough and could break after regular use

Where to buy Merrell Moab 2 Hiking Boots?

You can purchase the Merrell Moab 2 Hiking Boots on Amazon here.

2) Salomon Men’s X Ultra 4 GTX Hiking Boots

Salomon Men’s X Ultra 4 GTX Hiking Boots are made in the USA and have rubber soles. These waterproof hiking boots power through uphill and descents. Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX can be good for all types of terrain and grips the land even when it’s wet or slippery. Suitable for a local day hike, or hitting the trails for a multi-day adventure, Salomon makes innovative backpacking and hiking shoes/boots for kids, men, and women.

Key Features:

• Has the agility of a trail running shoe, stability, grip, and waterproof protection you need for technical hikes
• Equipped with a new chassis, it protects sensitive articulations without compromising movement
• Suitable for trail running, hiking, backpacking, or mountaineering
• Helps you conquer a new distance, personal record, or event

Pros:

• Instant comfort, Good grip, Supportive, Light, Balance preserver
• Watertight, Antimicrobial insole, multi-faceted engineering, and modern design
• Good for demanding trails, bolstered surefootedness
• If mobility is a big deal then these boots can be good
• Suitable for soft-soiled or rocky descents of your hiking trail

Cons:

• Questionable lacing design, Towering collar, Pricey for some
• It may not be suitable if you want a lower heel collar and a more traditional lacing system

Where to buy Salomon Men’s X Ultra 4 GTX Hiking Boots?

You can purchase the Salomon Men’s X Ultra 4 GTX Hiking Boots on Amazon here.

3) La Sportiva Spire GTX Hiking Shoes

La Sportiva has great options for both men and women for its Spire GTX model – Men’s Spire GTX Hiking Shoes and Women’s Spire GTX Hiking Shoes.

Key Features:

• Imported, polyurethane sole and toe cap, abrasion-resistant mesh, Nano-Cell 2.0 mesh
• Waterproofing Gore-Tex surround lining with lace closure
• Footbed made of Ortholite insole
• Women’s shoes made with Ethylene Vinyl Acetate sole

Pros:

• Sturdiness and protection, a lighter, low-cut design
• Solid and reliable grip on the terrain of different types
• Accomodating and works for most shapes of feet
• Highly durable and well-made, Excellent comfort and traction, waterproof
• Well-ventilated in-shoe feel, Apt midsole stiffness

Cons:

• Almost 2 pounds – could be heavy for some people
• It is a low-slung design, but rides higher than other similar shoes
• A little wide at the heel, the thick midsole can feel tippy on especially rocky trails
• Expensive, not the most durable, Flimsy on technical terrain, Fragile lace sheath

Where to buy La Sportiva Spire GTX Hiking Shoes?

You can purchase the La Sportiva Spire GTX Hiking Shoes on Amazon here.

Final Thoughts

In short, think about buying or taking along waterproof hiking boots for your Yellowstone trip. Pour some water and see if the shoes or boots do not take in water. Nonetheless, you can apply a waterproofing treatment if the water does soak in. Yellowstone experiences rain year-round and you may need to wade through streams on hikes. New hiking boots generally do not require waterproofing but check the manufacturer’s instructions just to be safe. If you would like to cross-country ski in winter, take your skis or boots, or rent them from one of many vendors near the park.