I can't stop spotting these La Sportiva outdoor hiking sneakers everywhere
There is something inherently wrong about wearing hiking sneakers in the city. I'm not hiking through rugged marshlands, clogging up the soles of my sneakers with thick layers of mud and dirt. I'm more likely to commute to work via the subway and fire off emails and Slack messages. Wearing Salomons to walk your dog around the corner is like wearing ballet flats to do some construction work. Hiking sneakers are meant for hiking, but that hasn't stopped them from becoming incredibly popular in recent years.
I like it when a sneaker's original purpose completely folds onto itself, becoming something new and more interesting. The fun and frankly bizarre colors of the Salomon XT6 have propelled it from an obscure French hiking brand to an international sneaker sensation. But a new sneaker has caught my eye in recent months: the La Sportiva TX3. It's also been designed for hiking, but that hasn't stopped people from slowly lacing them up to hit the city streets, like they did with their Salomons.
Below, I've highlighted some of my favorite hiking shoes and the brands you need to look out for to upgrade your shoe collection.
Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.
How I picked my favorite hiking shoes
The La Sportiva has a slim profile, and the heel isn't quite as chunky as the Salomon XT6 sneakers, but they have that outdoorsy look that I have been drawn to. I've also seen other brands produce stylish and functional hiking sneakers: Keen has a similar low-profile sneaker called the Jasper and Hoka created the Tor Summit. This large shoe borrows design elements from classic hiking boots.
I spotted the La Sportiva in a small lookbook for the Aaron Levine brand. A model sits slouched on a chair with the La Sportiva TX3 unlaced. The shoes' vibrant color and low profile caught my eye. Sometimes you're drawn to a shoe's simplicity or design, and sometimes you just like how it's styled — this time, it was a bit of all three. I immediately had to do a deep dive to try and find the shoe. I scoured the internet and eventually landed on the La Sportiva site. But I also spotted other La Sportiva hiking sneakers in the streets and on Instagram in the last few months.
My favorite hiking sneakers of 2025
Sneaker culture is constantly shifting; the ebb and flow is impossible to predict, but when I notice a shoe style bubbling up, I can't ignore it. Here's a breakdown of all the brands making some of my favorite hiking sneakers, including the classic Salomon XT6 and the La Sportiva TX3.
It's easy to be dismissive of these shoes. They look funky with its aptly named spicy orange colorway and bizarre lacing system. But the same could be said for other hiking sneakers. The TX3 has a mesh upper, which is great for warmer months, thanks to its breathability. It also has an ortho-lite insole for comfort, a vibram outsole for traction, and a 'climbing zone' toe for added grip if you decide to take these shoes on the trail. I also think these are incredibly easy to style; you can pair them with hiking pants, shorts or denim.
Salomon XT6
The Salomon XT6 is one of the first major shoes to break out of the outdoors gorpcore (short for 'good ol' raisins and peanuts') trend. As people started zipping up Arcteryx jackets, they also started drifting towards the Salomon's classic design and vibrant color options. I've owned a pair of XT6s for about two years. They are incredibly comfortable and easy to wear. They have even kept my feet dry during torrential downpours. The XT6 is also incredibly lightweight and has EVA cushioning for added cushioning and comfort. Salomon also updates the XT6 line every few months with new color options.
The TX4 EVO has a leather upper, Vibram outsole and a wide forefoot fit for more comfort around the toe box of the shoe. I also love the yellow and tropical blue laces, which can quickly add color to any outfit you decide to slap together with these on. You can also resole the TX4 EVO at La Sportiva-approved cobblers. La Sportiva has such interesting design elements that make the shoe stand out in a sea of more basic designs: it's a bit rugged but also functional and unique.
Don't be surprised to see more of the Keen Jasper shoe over the next few months. It comes in six color options, but I like the simplicity of the Mink option, with its beige outer, black sole and red multi-colored laces. The Jasper has a contour fit that easily fits the shape of your foot for added comfort. Keen's iconic toe bumper at the front of the shoe is meant to protect your feet from debris or rocks as you hit the trail.
If you're a fan of Hoka's and want to dip your toe into the hiking sneaker trend, the Tor Summit is your best bet. It borrows from Hoka's classic design language with the thick rubber sole but also nods to classic hiking boots. The Tor has a luxe nubuck leather upper, a rubber mudguard, zig-zag stitching, and metal eyelet hardware, according to the brand.
Merrell's Moab 2 Mesa Eco model has webbing, breathable mesh lining and a mesh footbed cover. It has classic Moab hiking boot elements but with a more sneaker-forward design. Merrell designed the Moab 2 Mesa for all terrains, and they still have hiking elements that offer grip, shock stability and durability. I was personally drawn to the classic alloy/ graphite color option but Merrell has four other colorways to choose from.
Tarvas Easy Hiker
The Tarvas Easy Hiker is a pricier model, but it has everything you would want in a hybrid hiking sneaker: a simplistic and stylish design with functional hiking elements. The Easy Hiker has a water-repellent full-grain leather upper, natural rubber Vibram sole and Tarvas' signature mudguard, which wraps around the entire shoe for added weather protection, according to the brand.
Why trust NBC Select?
I am an editor at NBC Select who writes and edits stories on various topics including tech, fitness, home and more. I have covered major shopping holidays and other events for over five years. For this article, I rounded up my favorite hiking shoes and sneakers from NBC Select favorite brands.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC News
3 hours ago
- NBC News
J. Crew is having a huge sale on linen just in time to revamp your summer wardrobe
Sure, you want your warm-weather wardrobe to be fashionable, but it also needs to keep you cool. That's one of the reasons flip flops are such a vacation staple. So, whatever you put on your body, it can't be made from materials that feel hot and suffocating. That's where linen comes in — the go-to summer fabric is breathable and looks elegantly chic. Linen is made from the flax plant, making it a completely natural material known for its durability and lightweight properties. The material is so popular that has an entire section of its site dedicated to it, and right now several pieces in the brand's Linen Shop are on sale. To help you shop, I combed through the 155 items in Linen Shop to find the very best deals. Check them out below. Barrel leg jeans are having a moment, and now you can pick them up in a linen blend for summer. This pair has a roomier leg that tapers slightly at the ankle. They are made from a linen and lyocell blend and feature a button closure and belt loops. They're available in sizes 00 to 24 and come in three colors — black, hazy hydrangea and natural. A great staple for work, this long-sleeve top is made from 100% linen. It has a V-neckline and is gathered at the collar and sleeves. The top comes in five colors — including neutrals like black and brighter shades like red — and is available in sizes up to 3X. Throw on sneakers and wear this dress for weekend errands or pair it with heels for a dressier look. It has short sleeves that hit just above the elbow and two patch pockets for a military-inspired vibe. It also has a removable slip lining and comes in regular and petite sizing. This short is a popular style for and they make it in a variety of materials and patterns — including this red and white striped linen version. The waistband has belt loops and a flat front, but in the back, it has a bit of elastic for a comfortable fit. The shorts have a 3-inch inseam and have sleek slit pockets. They are available in sizes XXS through 3X. This breezy top has a loose fit to keep you cool and features stitch detailing around the neck for visual interest. It's made from 100% linen and the hem hits right at the waist. The square-neck top is available in four different shades — white, French blue, summer moss and red arroyo. Why trust NBC Select? I'm a writer at NBC Select who covers a variety of topics, including home, tech and beauty. I have been covering major shopping events like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday for over a decade.
NBC News
3 hours ago
- NBC News
These expert-recommended running shoes are on sale for under $100
Experts have previously advised that you should replace your running shoes every 300 to 500 miles. And if you run regularly, that can mean you're buying a new pair of sneakers a few times a year. A few years ago, I ran several races, including three half-marathons. Between training and the actual races, I logged enough miles to have to replace my sneakers three times, which was a hit on my budget. So, whenever I see a good pair of sneakers on sale, I take notice. While my go-to running shoes are from Hoka, I've completed several races in the Brooks Ghost 16 sneakers — and they are currently available at a great price on Amazon. Get all the details below. These sneakers were our best overall pick for running shoes, with both NBC Select editors and experts giving them kudos. They have moderate cushioning in the sole to absorb shock as your feet hit the ground, without feeling too bulky or heavy. They also have a breathable mesh upper, a soft midsole and a segmented heel pad for a smooth heel-to-toe transition, according to the brand. NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin finds them to be reliable for both road running and treadmill workouts. I have wider feet and appreciate that these shoes have a wide toe box that allows my toes to fully splay while running without any pinching or discomfort. The shoes are available in sizes 5 to 13, come in half sizes and are available in standard, narrow, wide and extra wide widths. These sneakers normally retail for $140 but are currently on sale for $100 on Amazon. Both the men's and women's versions of this shoe are on sale. Why trust NBC Select? I'm a writer at NBC Select who covers a variety of topics, including home, tech and beauty. I have been covering major shopping events like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday for over a decade.
NBC News
5 days ago
- NBC News
Sales for this anti-frizz hair product are skyrocketing on Amazon — here's why
As we head into summer, there are several things to look forward to, such as firing up the grill for a cookout and slathering on sunscreen for a trip to the beach. One of the few things that's not so great about this time of year in many locales? The humidity and how it can turn hair into a frizzy disaster. So, when I saw that sales for Amika's The Shield Anti-Humidity Spray had skyrocketed on Amazon, I was intrigued — could it really be the answer to my smooth summer hair prayers? To determine if it's worth 'adding to cart,' I looked closer at this anti-frizz hair product from Amika, learning about how it works and reading through the thousands of reviews. Below, find out more about this product that has seen sales increase by more than 1,000% in the last week on Amazon — and decide if you want to jump on the buying bandwagon, too. Amika The Shield Anti-Humidity Spray $26.00 $30.00 Amazon Now 13% off $30.00 amika $25.99 Walmart What to consider This multitasking spray acts as a protectant for heat styling up to 450 degrees, has UV filters to prevent the sun from damaging strands and keeps frizz at bay for up to 24 hours, according to the brand. It is intended for use on both damp and dry hair, prior to heat styling. It can also be applied to previously styled hair to extend the longevity of your look. In addition to protecting hair and combating frizz, the formula contains sea buckthorn, which is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants that nourish and strengthen both your hair and scalp, according to Amika. The spray, which has a 4.3-star average rating from 4,194 reviews on Amazon, comes in a 5.3-ounce aerosol can with continuous misting capabilities. It also has Amika's signature scent, which is a blend of vanilla, rose, sandalwood, orchid and grapefruit. Why trust NBC Select? I'm a writer at NBC Select who covers a variety of topics, including home, tech and beauty. I have been covering major shopping events like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday for over a decade.
