One of the best walking shoes I’ve tested in 2025 has a whopping $50 discount in the REI 30th anniversary sale.
If you’re in the market for a new pair of hiking shoes suitable for summer, you can’t go wrong with the N45 from Danner.
It’s the grippiest shoe I've tested in a long time and will keep you upright on a scramble.
They’re also well ventilated, with a light mesh upper, which can be the difference between a sweaty foot in swampy socks and cool comfort in the hotter months.
Danner N45 deal
Why it’s worth buying
When I tested this shoe, I was pleased with how well it stayed on once the laces were done up. Usually, on a longer hike, I’ll expect to need to tighten my laces a few times, but this wasn’t something I had to worry about while wearing the Danner N45.
The superior grip is down to the Vibram outsole, which has V-shaped lugs that stop slippage in any direction. Multi-directional grip is a must if you're going off-road.
I found it took a few walks to break in and it chafed a little around my ankle on the first few outings. However, this is par for the course as the shoe molds to your foot.
It became comfortable very quickly compared with some of my heavier trail shoes, so I didn’t dock any points for this.
