Men’s Hiking Shoes

Men’s Hiking Shoes at Arc’teryx

A good hiking shoe disappears on the track, light enough to forget and grippy enough to trust on wet rock and shifting scree. Our men’s hiking shoes and boots are built around the Kopec, made for day hikes and minimalist multi-day trips, with a low-collar shoe and mid-height versions alongside it. Here is how the range splits by height, grip and the load you carry.

Which men’s hiking shoes suit day hikes and multi-day treks?

The Kopec GTX Shoe is the low-collar option, with a roomy toe box that gives your forefoot room to splay and an extended U-throat that adds flex and breathability across the top of the foot. The Kopec Mid GTX steps up to a mid-height collar and is made for day hikes and minimalist multi-day treks, as an all-season hiker. Both are built for fast and light travel, so they suit walkers with a hiking backpack or a minimalist overnight kit rather than a heavy load.

Which men’s hiking shoes handle scrub, rock and mud?

Weather protection starts with PFAS-free GORE-TEX that helps seal out water and snow, paired with a CORDURA mesh upper that is durable, breathable and quick-drying. Underfoot, a Vibram Megagrip outsole with a custom lug pattern grips dirt, mud and rocky ground, and the lug geometry sheds mud so the tread keeps biting on wet tracks while promoting an easy stride.

Which men’s trekking shoes give support underfoot on longer days?

Longer days ask more of the sole and midfoot. The Kopec pairs a dual-density midsole, which combines cushioning with lasting shock absorption, with a TPU midfoot shank that adds torsional support for minimal weight. Lace webbing with metal eyelets at the top locks the fit in, and Arc’teryx’s footwear guide sizes to your measured foot length, or half a size up for the roomier Comfort Fit if you wear thicker socks.

Men’s Hiking Shoes FAQs

Do I need hiking boots or are hiking shoes enough for Australian trails?

For formed tracks and day hikes, a low-collar hiking shoe is usually enough and feels lighter on the foot. A mid-height boot earns its place on loose, rocky or off-track ground, where the Kopec Mid GTX adds a moulded ankle pad and a moulded collar and tongue for protection. For faster days on formed tracks, try our trail running shoes.

Are hiking shoes and trekking shoes the same thing?

Close. Arc’teryx lists the Kopec as a hiking and trekking shoe, so the difference is mostly load and distance rather than a different build. Both are made for day hikes and multi-day trips, so the choice between the low-collar Kopec GTX Shoe and the mid-height Kopec Mid GTX comes down to how much ankle protection you want. Arc’teryx describes the Mid as agile and light, supportive and comfortable.

What should I look for in men’s hiking shoes for Australian conditions?

Look at the contact points. Scrub and scree scrape the toe and heel, so the Kopec adds an asymmetric moulded TPU toe cap and an external moulded TPU heel counter. Creek crossings and warm days favour a mesh upper that dries quickly, which is how Arc’teryx describes the CORDURA mesh. A roomy toe box then protects the toes and leaves space for your forefoot to splay.

How do I keep my feet dry in men’s hiking shoes on wet tracks?

Start with a shoe made to seal out water and snow, like the Kopec, then stop rain running into the collar from above. A waterproof hiking jacket and waterproof hiking pants keep your torso and legs dry, and a spare pair of hiking socks in the pack gives you a dry change at lunch.