Best Hiking Boots & Trail Running Shoes Deals

Here is the thing most buyers do not realise: a good trail runner and a good hiking boot are solving the same problem with different trade-offs, and trail runners have quietly won on price. The reason is manufacturing scale. A hiking boot carries a waterproof membrane liner, a stiffer shank and often a heavier rand, all of which cost money to build. A trail runner drops the membrane for a faster-drying mesh upper and spends the savings on a better midsole. What you give up is a hard waterproof shell in sustained rain. What you keep is lighter weight, better breathability and a shoe that is far cheaper to replace when a rock finally finds the upper.

The second reason is supply. Trail running shoes are released in far more colourways than hiking boots and get discounted hard the moment the next season's model lands. That creates a deep, liquid market on eBay where identical sizes are constantly available. The at $29.75 and the at $33.65 are both recent-model shoes sitting at a third of typical retail, and both are brand new in the listing. A waterproof boot at those prices usually means an unknown brand, so the comparison is not quite fair, but for most three-season hiking the trail runner is the smarter purchase.

One more practical point before the picks: sizing is the single biggest source of disappointment in used and resale footwear. Sellers on eBay are often pulling single shoes from a size run, so always cross-check the box label, the interior size print and the outsole sticker against each other in the listing photos before you buy. If those three numbers disagree, message the seller first.

Brooks Catamount Speed — $29.75

This is the headline value of the roundup. Brooks is a genuinely respected trail brand, and the are a recent, lightweight racing-oriented trail shoe, which makes a brand-new example at $29.75 an unusual find rather than a clearance leftover. The seller notes offers are welcome and specifically advertises multi-pair bundles at a discount with a single shipping fee, which is worth acting on if you are replacing an old pair.

• Brand new in the listing, and the seller is open to offers
• Brooks is a real running brand, not a marketplace house label
• Lightweight speed-oriented build suits faster trail work
• Seller bundles multiple pairs and charges shipping once
• No size range is stated, so confirm your size before bidding

At $29.75, this is the best hiking boot deal logic applied to a trail shoe: you are buying a current-design shoe from a brand with real engineering behind it at a price that would have been impossible a few years ago. Buy it if you run trails or hike fast on dry, well-maintained terrain and want the lightest shoe in this list.

New Balance Nitrel V3 Speedride All Terrain — $33.65

The are listed as men's 8.5 D all-terrain trail shoes in good preowned condition, cleaned inside and out with no off odours. The seller is straight about the one flaw: a little light cosmetic scuffing on the toe area, with a note to inspect the pictures. That kind of disclosure is exactly what you want to see, because the all-terrain lug pattern is the part of the shoe that actually matters and toe scuffing does not touch it.

• All-terrain lug pattern for mixed ground
• Seller states cleaned inside and out, no off odours
• Honest disclosure of light toe scuffing
• Preowned, so inspect the outsole photos closely
• Only described in one size, so check availability first

The Nitrel V3 sits a full four dollars above the Brooks but is described as all-terrain, which is the more versatile choice if you move between gravel paths and loose ground. Buy it if toe scuffing does not bother you and you want a more aggressive outsole than a pure speed shoe.

Asics Gel Venture 9 — $40.00

The is the only preowned trail runner in the roundup with a warranty-like condition statement: the seller says it was worn maybe three or four times and that the tread is in stellar condition. That is close to the ideal used-trail-shoe description, because outsole wear is the only wear that matters. Midsole foam barely degrades in four uses, and a trail runner with 90 percent of its lug depth remaining has a very long life left.

• Used only three or four times per the seller
• Tread explicitly described as in stellar condition
• Gel cushioning line, a genuinely well-known running platform
• At $40.00 you still have money left for socks or a mid-layer
• Used means no return protection, so ask for extra photos

At $40.00 this is the best balance of condition confidence and remaining life in the budget group. Buy it if you want a cushioned, familiar-feeling trail shoe and the seller confirms the tread depth in additional photos.

New Balance 642 V2 Suede Hiking Trail Shoes — $40.00

The come in brown suede, men's size 11, low-top shaft, with a comfortable foam insole. This is the more understated option in the group and the one that transitions hardest from trail to pavement, because a suede upper and a low shaft both read as ordinary sneakers. If your hiking is short walks, fire roads and mixed urban mileage, that versatility is worth more than aggressive traction.

• Suede upper gives noticeably better cold-weather performance than mesh
• Low-top shaft works well with everyday trousers
• Foam insole described as comfortable by the seller
• Less traction than a dedicated trail outsole on steep ground
• Brown suede shows water staining more obviously than dark colours

At $40.00 it costs exactly what the used Asics does, but with a far lower risk profile because it is brand new. Buy it if your hiking is mixed-surface and you want one pair that works in town as well as on the trail.

HetheMo Snaxe 1.0 — $42.31

The is a white-and-black trail running shoe listed under the HetheMo name, with the description noting it is by Nike. Be careful here: the brand naming in this listing is inconsistent, and a marketplace house label is not the same thing as a factory Nike product. That does not make it a bad shoe, but it does mean the construction and warranty quality are less predictable than the Asics or Brooks above.

• Lowest risk price point in the budget group at $42.31
• White and black colourway hides trail dirt reasonably well
• Brand attribution in the listing is inconsistent, so treat specs cautiously
• Not a first choice if you need a known return policy
• Confirm the size before ordering, as the fit is unverified

It is listed as new, which is the main appeal, but the brand ambiguity is the reason this sits last in the group. Buy it if the price and the look are right and you are comfortable with an unverified brand story.

adidas Terrex AX4 GTX — $104.03

The most technically specified listing in the roundup. This is the in core black, grey three and mint ton, women's model HQ1051, made in Vietnam. Gore-Tex is named in the title, which is the detail that matters: a named membrane is a real waterproof liner, not a surface treatment. At just over $100 it is the most expensive shoe here, and it is still a fraction of the retail price on a current Terrex GTX.

• Gore-Tex membrane named in the listing, a genuine waterproof liner
• Full model number HQ1051 and colourway stated
• Trail-oriented build from adidas' outdoor line
• The women's sizing narrows your options, so verify your size early
• At $104.03 it is the priciest pick, so buy only if you need the membrane

This is the one to buy if your hiking involves mud, standing water or sustained rain and you are not willing to accept wet feet. Buy it if waterproofing is non-negotiable and you are shopping the women's size run.

REI Co-Op Swiftland MT BlueSky — $69.99

The come in men's size 8.5, undyed and lime, with the listing noting a $150 retail and that the original box is included. This is the single most interesting value in the roundup on paper, because a seventy-dollar discount against a stated retail with the box included is a textbook reseller playbook. What you are actually buying is an off-road-capable trail shoe with a mountain-leaning outsole at roughly half of the stated retail.

• Listing states a $150 retail for a $69.99 asking price
• Original box included, which helps with sizing confidence and resale
• Purchased from REI and described as guaranteed authentic
• Available only in men's 8.5 in this listing
• Undyed and lime colourway shows trail mud quickly

Because the box is included and the size is stated, this is one of the lowest-friction buys in the article. Buy it if you wear a men's 8.5 and want a mountain-style outsole with the original packaging.

Vans MTE Crestline Waterproof — $90.00

The is a high-top in solid brown, offered in a men's 5.5 and a women's 7. Vans MTE is their outdoor line and the Crestline is described specifically for hiking, with a lace-up closure and a high-top profile. The appeal is obvious: it is a fashion-forward high-top that will not look out of place in a town, and the waterproofing is a stated feature rather than something you are inferring.

• High-top shaft gives more ankle coverage than a trail runner
• Stated as waterproof for outdoor activities
• Neutral brown colour is the easiest to style in town
• Offered at an unusual split sizing, men's 5.5 and women's 7
• Not described with a named membrane, so ask whether it is a liner or a treatment

This is the pick for someone whose hiking is as much about looking the part as covering ground, and who wants one pair for both. Buy it if you want a high-top with a casual silhouette and you can confirm the membrane type with the seller.

Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof — $57.99

The deserve singling out, because Merrell is the strongest hiking-specialist brand in this roundup and the Moab 2 is its most popular hiking shoe platform. This listing is for a men's size 15 in brown and grey, described as hard to find, with a rugged Vibram-style outsole, breathable mesh panels and suede overlays. Size 15 is genuinely difficult to buy new, which is precisely why this listing is interesting rather than suspicious.

• Merrell is a dedicated hiking brand, not a general footwear label
• Vibram-style outsole described for grip
• Mesh panels and suede overlays combine breathability and durability
• Hard-to-find men's size 15, so availability will not last
• Only one size offered, and no women's equivalent in this listing

At $57.99 in a size that is nearly impossible to find new, this is the deal with the least obvious downside in the roundup. Buy it if you wear a large men's size and want a recognised hiking platform rather than a generic boot.

Timberland Aerocore Waterproof Hiker — $50.00

The is a black, rugged, all-terrain waterproof boot in a men's 13, from the Timberland 1978 Aerocore line, described with a gel sole and as travel-ready. Size 13 is another hard-to-find width, and the seller flags a slight cosmetic issue that is not detailed in the excerpt. At $50.00 for a full-height waterproof boot from a recognised brand, the price is the headline and the size is the real opportunity.

• Recognised brand at a sub-$60 price for a waterproof boot
• Men's size 13, a width that is hard to source new
• Gel sole and all-terrain positioning in the seller's description
• Unsold looks, so ask the seller to describe the flaw precisely
• Full-height boot is heavier than a trail runner for long days

The seller is upfront that there is a slight flaw, and at this price that is a reasonable trade for the size availability. Buy it if you wear a 13 and can live with a minor cosmetic mark.

Northwest Territory Waterproof Hiking Boots, Rae Model — $87.69

The , have a suede upper, textile lining, synthetic sole and a lace-up fastening. The construction description is honest and specific, and it is worth reading it carefully: a synthetic sole is the weakest link in this group, because synthetic outsoles wear faster and offer less grip on wet rock than the Vibram-style sole on the Merrell or the gel sole on the Timberland.

• Suede upper with a textile lining and lace-up fastening
• Synthetic sole, the main compromise in this listing
• Waterproof is stated, though no membrane is named
• Brand is less established than Merrell or Timberland
• At $87.69 it is close to the adidas price with less certainty behind it

Worth a look if the sizing works, but the synthetic sole and unnamed membrane make this a step down from the Merrell for technical terrain. Buy it if you walk maintained trails rather than anything steep, wet or loose.

Tamarack Men's Waterproof Hiking Boots — $21.84

The are the cheapest boot in the roundup by a wide margin, in a men's 10M. The seller describes round-toe construction, a lace-up closure, a mid-calf shaft and waterproofing, with fishing, camping and hiking named as the intended uses. At $21.84 you are not buying a brand, you are buying a spec sheet, and the honest question is whether a mid-calf waterproof boot can be built for that price. Sometimes, for a well-stamped steel toe and a simple sealed liner, the answer is yes.

• Lowest price in the entire roundup at $21.84
• Mid-calf shaft with a round toe and lace-up closure
• Waterproofing stated, though no membrane is named
• No brand pedigree to lean on, so expect generic construction
• Cheap enough that you can afford a second pair as a backup

This is the sensible beach-head purchase: a cheap pair of boots for the gear-shed walk, the short approach and the camp chores where a puncture is not a ruined trip. Buy it if you want a backup pair and your priority is price above everything else.

GUESS Brown Synthetic Combat Hiking Boot — $34.99

The is a fashion-derived combat boot rather than a purpose-built hiker, with a rugged lug outsole, a brown upper, contrasting red laces and a black sole. It is a men's US 10, which is EU 43 per both the interior size print and the outsole sticker, an unusually good sign that this seller documents sizes properly. The lug outsole is the detail that makes it worth considering.

• Rugged lug outsole is the one genuinely technical feature
• Seller documents size consistently across box, interior print and outsole sticker
• Contrasting red laces make it the most distinctive shoe in the roundup
• Synthetic upper means no break-in and no waterproofing
• Combat silhouette is not designed for long-distance foot support

It works as a light hiking and festival boot, and the sizing transparency is a genuine mark of a good seller. Buy it if you want a distinctive lug-soled boot and you are not covering serious distance in it.

New Balance Fresh Foam Kaymin Trail Shoes — $69.00

The come in black, with Fresh Foam cushioning, a breathable mesh upper and a rugged traction outsole, described as suited to trail running, walking, training and everyday wear. That last phrase is the important one. This is a cushioned all-rounder that is explicitly meant to be worn on pavement as well as dirt, which makes it the most versatile shoe in the roundup for someone who is not a dedicated runner.

• Fresh Foam cushioning aimed at comfort over speed
• Breathable mesh upper for warm-weather use
• Rugged traction outsole for trail use
• Seller explicitly says it suits everyday wear as well as training
• Mesh upper is not waterproof and dries slowly after rain

At $69.00 this is the most expensive general-purpose trail shoe in the list and the one least likely to be returned for feeling wrong on arrival. Buy it if you want a single pair that handles trail days and normal life without swapping footwear.

Nike ACG Trail Shoes — $74.99

The are men's size 6, black and grey, model FV2925-001, described as new with tags and unused, with uppers, insoles and outsoles clean and free of wear or flaws. The listing is explicit that the original box and extra accessories are not included. Nike's ACG line is their outdoor answer, and at just under $75 for a new pair of size 6 this is a solid, if size-limited, price.

• New with tags and described as unused, with clean outsoles
• ACG is a real Nike outdoor line, not a generic trail shoe
• Model number FV2925-001 lets you cross-reference the exact shoe
• Only offered in a men's size 6
• No box included, which slightly hurts resale value and sizing confidence

Clean, traceable, new and correctly described, which is rarer on eBay than it should be. Buy it if you wear a men's 6 and want a Nike trail shoe without paying retail.

Here is the short version. If you want to go lower still, the at $24.99 and the at $38.00 are both worth adding to a watchlist, though neither listing names a waterproof membrane. If your hiking is dry-weather and you care about weight, take the hiking boot buying guide approach and start with the Brooks Catamount Speed at $29.75 or the New Balance Nitrel V3 at $33.65. If you will get wet and stay wet, the adidas Terrex AX4 GTX at $104.03 is the only listing in this roundup with a named waterproof membrane, and that makes it worth its premium.

Pick	Best For	Waterproof	Price
Brooks Catamount Speed	Fast dry trails	No	$29.75
New Balance Nitrel V3	Mixed terrain	No	$33.65
Asics Gel Venture 9	Used, high confidence	No	$40.00
New Balance 642 V2 Suede	Trail-to-town versatility	No	$40.00
Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof	Men's size 15	Stated	$57.99
Timberland Aerocore Hiker	Men's size 13	Stated	$50.00
REI Co-Op Swiftland MT	Boxed, retail $150	No	$69.99
New Balance Fresh Foam Kaymin	Everyday all-rounders	No	$69.00
Nike ACG Trail	Men's size 6, new with tags	No	$74.99
Vans MTE Crestline	Casual high-top	Stated	$90.00
Northwest Territory Rae	Maintained trails	Stated	$87.69
adidas Terrex AX4 GTX	Wet, technical ground	Gore-Tex	$104.03

Two patterns are worth calling out. First, the running-brand names cluster at the cheap end and the leather-boot names cluster at the expensive end, which tells you the price is buying the upper, the shank and the waterproofing rather than the grip. Second, the genuinely rare sizes, 13 and 15, are the ones where the best prices are sitting, because sellers with a single shoe and no local buyer will eventually take a lower offer.

Three habits separate a good resale purchase from a disappointment. The first is reading the outsole. Ask the seller for a photograph of the sole from underneath, or check the existing photos carefully. A trail shoe with flattened lugs has lost the thing you paid for, and a boot with a cracked synthetic sole is finished. The second is checking all three size labels, because a mismatch between the box, the interior print and the outsole sticker is the most common listing error you will hit.

The third is treating single-shoe listings as pairs. Sellers of individual shoes from a size run are often selling one shoe, not a pair, and the price reflects that. Read the description rather than the title, because the title frequently omits the distinction. The at $49.99, for instance, are new without tag and described in a men's 13 narrow and wide, which is a different purchase from a pair. Where a listing describes a used pair that was cleaned, as the Asics and New Balance listings here do, that is a materially different purchase from a single shoe.

Finally, a word on price volatility. eBay prices change and vary by seller and condition, and the listings in this article are a snapshot confirmed on September 29, 2026 rather than a running price list. Several sellers here explicitly welcome offers, which means the listed number is a ceiling rather than a floor. Open the listing, add shipping to the total, and if the number still looks right, save the item so you can act on a price drop without rushing into a bad size.