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From the frozen winter to the sunny summer, Alaska is certainly a destination that will test your packing skills! There are so many different activities to enjoy in Alaska – plus the weather is a dynamic force that changes as often as you check the forecast –that it can be hard to know what to pack for Alaska… especially for your feet.
Choosing the right footwear for your Alaska trip is critical to having a good time. If you choose poorly, you’ll end up with cold and/or wet feet, which is exactly zero fun. If you choose well, your feet will be comfortable, you won’t risk slipping or tripping, and you actually won’t even think about your feet at all (the optimal outcome!).
In this post, I’m sharing my tips for the best shoes and best boots for Alaska. All of these products are the exact ones I reach for when I start packing for my next Alaska trip (or the more recent version, as many of them last for years and I haven’t had to upgrade as often as the company has released a new design). As you’ll see, I pulled photos of myself wearing these shoes and boots in Alaska whenever I could find a good picture.
If you want to tick the “get new shoes for Alaska” to-do off your checklist as you plan your Alaska itinerary, look no further. No matter the forecast or season you’re planning to visit, these are the best boots for Alaska and the best shoes for Alaska.
In this post, I promote travel to a destination that is the traditional lands of many Alaska Native groups, including the Aleut, Athabascan, Haida, Inupiat, Tlingit, and Yuit peoples. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to exploreNative Land.
Table of Contents
Best Sandals for Alaska
Okay, I’ll be honest: I didn’t originally include a section about sandals for Alaska when I first sat down to write this post… then I started looking at old photos and discovered that I wore sandals a lot growing up in Alaska during the summers. So it seemed like I should include a recommendation for those of you who love to have your toes in the fresh air and don’t mind if your feet get a little cool.
For Women or Men: Chacos Z/2 Classic
When I was growing up, there were two types of people I knew: Teva people and Chaco people. I started out as a Teva person, but when I tried on my first pair of Chacos, I became a convert.
The Chaco Z/2 Classic is my favorite style, and it’s available for men and for women.
These multi-strap sandals are perfect for Alaska because they offer solid foot support for a sandal. The sole is a specialized rubber that is great for gripping onto anything – even when walking through water. The straps are adjustable, allowing you to make them a perfect fit; be sure to choose a pair with the toestrap as that’s key for keeping them more secure as you’re walking or hiking around.
I still have my first pair of Chacos that I was wearing in Alaska 15+ years ago, so they also last –making them worth the investment.
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Best Walking Shoes for Alaska
Alaska is big, so while you won’t be walking from end to end – you will be walking a lot in Alaska. So, when it comes to the best shoes for Alaska, you should get a comfortable pair to avoid blisters and bruises on your hiking trips.There’s a joke in Alaska that you can always spot a tourist because they arrive in fresh white New Balance sneakers… Don’t be that tourist.
For walking around towns or easy, non-technical hikes, here are the best walking shoes I recommend.
For Women: TOMs Mesa Boot
You won’t have to compromise style for functionality with the TOMS Mesa Boots. I have a pair and love them– I’ve worn them everywhere from Alaska to Utah to Ohio. Like all TOMS, they’re ultra-comfortable, and the OrthoLite footbed cushions and supports your feet, providing the stability you’ll need during those long walks.
Featuring an ankle boot design, the Mesa Boot is great for walking in Alaska for those who prefer extra ankle support. Slippery surfaces won’t be a problem, thanks to their lugged rubber outsole. As we said before, their fashionable design doesn’t compromise functionality, with their leather and suede being both waterproof and stylish! (Seriously, I get stopped and asked every time I wear these.)
For Men: TOMS Ashland Boot
When it comes to the best boots for Alaska for men, you can’t go wrong with the TOMS Ashland Boot. They’re the equivalent of the Mesa boot for women, so it’s no surprise they make my list for the best walking shoes for Alaska –but for men instead.
This rugged boot with a sturdy design is ideal to endure those long walks. It features quality materials and waterproof construction. They have a cushioned insole and durable lug outsole that gives hikers superior traction.
The boots high-top padded collar design and gusset tongue prevent water, mud, and other debris from entering the interior. You can also find these boots in three different colors: black, peanut brown, and topaz brown.
Best Hiking Shoes & Hiking Boots for Alaska
When I first started visiting Alaska after moving away, I discovered a hack for those who like hiking but don’t want to invest in new hiking boots for Alaska travel: trail running shoes. In most cases, a great pair of trail running shoes will handle the trails as well as hiking boots but will be cheaper to purchase and lighter to pack. Here is my recommendation for the best hiking shoes for Alaska.
For Women or Men: Salomon XA PRO 3D v8 GORE-TEX
TheSalomon XA PRO 3D v8 GORE-TEX is a mouthful, but it’s a great option that is made for both men and women and is perfect for everything from a jog in Valdez (go you!) to hiking Flattop near Anchorage to exploring the Exit Glacier area near Seward. They feature a full premium wet traction grip and a fully waterproof Gore-Tex membrane to keep your feet dry and comfortable. The traction soles provide good support and grip well on the trail.
This model is an upgraded version of the iconic XA PRO 3D GORE-TEX, if you know Salomon trail running shoes already. This pair of shoes comes back with a lighter and softer design. Again, ideal for almost any trail in Alaska.
I wore a pair much like these for several years of Alaska trip; I still have them downstairs in my gear bag!
The only exception I want to comment on for these hiking boots in Alaska is that if you plan to do any backcountry hiking, you’ll want to invest in either a sturdier pair of hiking boots or – as I discovered on my recent trip to Denali –rain boots, which will protect you from super muddy or wet tundra you might be hiking across.
Best Rain Boots for Alaska
Rain in the forecast? First: I’m sorry (but I can’t do anything about it). Second, welcome to the club! Most people don’t realize that summer is the rainy season in Alaska (so the two seasons are the rainy season and the snowy season!)
When looking for the best rain boots for Alaska don’t compromise: you need waterproof footwear, not water-resistant. When it rains in Alaska, it goes big – just like everything else!
For Women or Men: XTRATUFs
XTRAUFs are the best rain boots for Alaska for both men and women. You’ll see these are a staple, with most Alaskans owning at least one pair. Alaska’s weather is often damp, and everything from sidewalks to trails has wet and muddy stretches, so you need a pair of shoes that are up to the task.
XTRAUFs is an Alaskan company that has been making shoes for fifty years; they started by creating shoes for fishing boats, which is why you might recognize them if you watch shows like Greatest Catch.
If you’re going to buy a pair of XTRATUF boots for your Alaska trip, I recommend going with the classic style: the 15″ Legacy Boot (here’s the link for men). These are the perfect length to protect you to the upper calf, and fold down when you don’t need that much waterproof coverage.
Best Winter Boots for Alaska
From October to April each year, Alaska turns into a winter wonderland. Getting the best boots for Alaska in winter ensures you’ll be able to enjoy Alaska’s breathtaking snow-filled landscape without losing your toes to frostbite. (Not a huge concern but still possible if you’re spending nights out in -35°F temperatures watching the northern lights in Fairbanks!)
For Women: Lobben Norwegian After-Ski Boots
As you might guess from the name, Norwegians know how to handle winter just like Alaskans, and these boots were my go-to growing up in Alaska (and for my mom too). Designed with felted wool inside and insole, the Norwegian boots feel like heaven on your feet. All materials are natural and keep your feet good and warm. They feature a lovely cotton polar fleece lining and boiled wool, which allows moisture to wick away. They also apply natural lanolin on the wool to repel water.
All that’s great for keeping your feet warm, but they also have a special rubberized sole that is excellent on ice – ensuring you won’t slip, fall, and bring a bruise home as a souvenir from your Alaska trip.
(There isn’t a great product image of these boots online, so I didn’t include one –but I am wearing them in the above photo!)
For Men: Salomon X Ultra Winter CLIMASALOMON™ Waterproof 2
Featuring a solid water-resistant design, the Salomon X Ultra Winter will be your best friend during the Alaska winter. From slush puddles to wet ground and deep powder snow, there’s nothing they can’t resist.
The Salomon X Ultra Winter comes with Thinsulate insulation technology, providing sufficient warmth during freezing cold days. Its full-grain leather upper sheds water and snow extremely well. They are also ultra-comfortable and suitable for a variety of terrains, being light enough to run on snow-packet trails and sturdy enough to hike.
(In our house, we actually have one pair of these that fit Mr. V but I also wear with two pairs of wool socks; they don’t come in women’s style/sizes, but women can wear the men’s boot.)
And there you have it – my personal recommendations for the best walking shoes, hiking boots, rain boots, and winter boots for Alaska. These are all shoes I’ve personally tried and tested in Alaska (or previous versions of them) and I can vouch for their effectiveness and comfort.
Have any questions about which shoes to pack for Alaska or the best boots for Alaska? Let me know in the comments!
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