When you’re hiking in Sedona, you need the best shoes for hiking.
Sedona is a beautiful place to hike, but it’s also a harsh environment. The desert is dry, hot, and rocky. It can be difficult to find good shoes that are comfortable enough for all-day hikes through this terrain without causing blisters or getting your feet dirty.
Luckily for you, we’ve done the research on what makes a good pair of hiking shoes and have found some great options.
Best Shoes For Hiking In Sedona
Do I Need Hiking Boots in Sedona?
Do I need hiking boots in Sedona? Hiking boots are not necessary for Sedona but are a very good idea. If you don’t wear hiking boots, you still need to wear shoes with good traction.
Sedona is very different from anywhere I have ever hiked. How is it different? Sedona has a very rocky terrain. When hiking in Sedona, you will traverse rocks, sometimes very steep rocks. I sometimes joke to my husband that hiking in Sedona felt more like rock climbing than hiking.
I purchased a good pair of hiking boots for myself for our Sedona trip and I was happy that I did. Hiking boots protect you from rolling your ankles. They provide the traction you need for traversing Sedona’s rocky terrain.
I purchased hiking shoes for my kids. My main concern with them hiking in regular tennis shoes was losing stability while hiking and falling. Hiking shoes enabled them to have a good pair of protective footwear with good traction.
Can you Hike Sedona in Sneakers?
Can you hike Sedona in sneakers? Yes you can, but I don’t advise it. If you must hike in sneakers, make sure your shoes have GOOD traction on them. If they don’t, it’s possible you could slip and fall easily on the rocks.
My husband hiked Sedona in sneakers and did just fine. I think he felt a little left out though because he was the only one that didn’t get new shoes for the trip!
I saw a young woman hiking down Cathedral Rock wearing open-toed dress sandals. I will tell you, DON’T do this. This is VERY dangerous.
Also, Sedona’s trails have red clay. I would advise not wearing your brand new sneakers or any sneaker that is white because they will get dirty!
If you are on the fence about buying new shoes just for Sedona, I have listed some very affordable options that won’t set you back too much.
Best Hiking Shoes for Sedona
Here are the best hiking shoes for Sedona for you and your whole family. I have included shoes myself and my kids wore while hiking in Sedona. I have also included other options of the most highly rated hiking shoes out there for women, men, and kids.
Best Womens Hiking Shoes
1. Columbia Newton Ridge Hiking Womens Waterproof Boot
The Columbia Newton Ridge Hiking Womens Waterproof Boot is amazing! I own these and purchased these specifically for our Sedona trip. They are extremely comfortable, offer a lot of support and traction, and are waterproof. They come in a wide variety of colors perfect for the fashionistas!
These boots make a great purchase for someone who plans on going hiking again after Sedona. We frequently go hiking on vacations, so this was definitely a good purchase for me. These boots will last a long time.
The only negative thing I will say about these boots is that your feet will get very hot after hiking in the summer. I wore these boots hiking in Grand Teton National Park during the summer and I couldn’t wait to take them off when I was done hiking.
However, I would still purchase these again because they are just that AMAZING!
2. Merrell Women’s Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe
The Merrell Women’s Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe is an excellent hiking shoe for those not wanting the full hiking boot. These would definitely be a cooler option in the summer than the hiking boot, but you will not get that extra ankle protection that the boot provides.
Comfortable and durable, these hiking shoes are going to last you many years! This is definitely one of the best hiking shoes for Sedona for women.
3. Joomra Women’s Minimalist Trail Running Barefoot Shoes
The Joomra Women’s Minimalist Trail Running Barefoot Shoes are a great budget-friendly option for hiking the Sedona trails.
I bought these for my 12-year-old daughter and she loves them! She said they were very comfortable hiking! The traction on those shoes is amazing, which is the most important thing to look for in hiking shoes for Sedona.
These shoes come in a wide variety of fun colors such as bright yellow, bright purple, pink, and basic colors like black and gray.
My daughter got the fun light blue and yellow ones. I bought these for my daughter because her foot is still growing and I didn’t want to buy her an expensive pair of hiking boots that she would outgrow quickly.
Best Mens Hiking Shoes
1. Merrell Men’s Moab 2 MID Waterproof Hiking Boot
The Merrell Men’s Moab 2 MID Waterproof Hiking Boot is an excellent hiking boot for men. This is one of the best Men’s hiking boots you can buy and it is at a great price!
Merrell Hiking Boots are known for their durability and comfort. If you plan on hiking again after your Sedona trip, these would make an excellent purchase.
2. Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe
The Merrell Men’s Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe is another great hiking shoe for Sedona. This is a great option for someone looking for everything the above hiking boot has but in a shoe.
3. Adidas Men’s Eq19 Trail Running Shoe
The Adidas Men’s Eq19 Trail Running Shoe is a great hiking shoe for Sedona. I purchased an Adidas trail running shoe for my 14-year-old son because I know he would get more use out of a trail sneaker versus a hiking boot with his foot still growing.
These shoes have great support and traction. After our Sedona trip, the Adidas Trail Running Shoe became his main shoe because he loved them so much.
Best Kids Hiking Shoes
1. Merrell Kid’s Trail Chaser Hiking Sneaker
The Merrell Kid’s Trail Chaser Hiking Sneaker is one of the best hiking shoes for Sedona for kids. It’s also a great price for such a durable, well-constructed sneaker. They come in a variety of colors for both boys and girls.
I bought my 7-year-old son a pair of these because they were affordable, durable, and had excellent traction. I went for the hiking sneaker instead of a hiking boot because I thought he could get more use out of them. It was a good purchase because he was able to use these to play outside at home.
2. Merrell Kid’s Chameleon 7 Mid Alternative Closure Waterproof Hiking Boot
The Merrell Kid’s Chameleon 7 Mid Alternative Closure Waterproof Hiking Boot is your best choice for a hiking boot for kids. This would make a great option for those who plan on taking their kids hiking a lot over the next year.
Just like the Merrell Kids sneakers, these are well constructed and durable. They will also provide that extra ankle support. They also come in a variety of colors for both boys and girls.
Other Must-Haves for Hiking the Sedona Trails
Being prepared before hiking the Sedona trails is important. Here I will list important items that are very useful to have for the most enjoyable experience!
1. Backpack
Venture Pal 40L Lightweight Packable Travel Hiking Backpack Daypack
I love the Venture Pal 40L Lightweight Packable Travel Hiking Backpack Daypack, which can be purchased from Amazon. This backpack is amazing! It’s lightweight and easily foldable, perfect for traveling. You could just throw it in your suitcase or even use it as a carry-on on the airplane.
It has a multi-compartment design including a waterproof wet pocket for protecting valuable items from water and an internal wet pocket for your wet items such as a swimsuit or sweaty shirt.
It comes in a variety of colors and patterns. I have the beautiful blue color!
You will be happy to know, this backpack is extremely affordable.
CamelBak Mini M.U.L.E. Kids Hydration Backpack
Another backpack I want to recommend is the CamelBak Mini M.U.L.E. Kids Hydration Backpack, 50 oz. I have thought about buying this backpack for my kids for a while, because I’ve heard so many great things about it.
What makes this backpack so great and fun for kids is the drinking tube for water. It holds 1.5 liters of water. Your child will be able to drink water so easily and without stopping to grab a water bottle out. It also has a safety whistle.
This backpack comes in a variety of colors! Pick your kid’s favorite color and they will for sure enjoy this backpack for a long time!
2. Hiking Socks
A good pair of hiking socks to wear with your hiking boots makes for the most comfortable hiking experience.
Dickies Womens Dritech Advanced Moisture Wicking Crew Sock
I own the Dickies Womens Dritech Advanced Moisture Wicking Crew Socks. I wear these with my hiking boots and they are amazing!
Very good quality, comfortable and I love the long length! They are also a great price!
Merrell Men’s Cushioned Performance Hiker Socks
You can’t go wrong with Merrell Men’s Cushioned Performance Hiker Socks. The Merrell brand is known for hiking and these socks have excellent reviews! They come in either crew or quarter length.
3. Athleisure Clothing
We went on a jeep tour in Sedona and our tour guide told us Sedona is “land of the yoga pants!” This is so true! I wore yoga pants/athletic leggings every day while in Sedona.
Athleisure clothing makes hiking much more comfortable!
4. Sunglasses
Most days in Sedona are sunny and beautiful! Don’t forget to pack those sunglasses.
5. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is important to bring. Apply before your hike and pack in your backpack if you need to reapply.
6. Hat
Wear a hat to protect your face from the sun.
7. Trekking/Hiking Poles
Trekking Poles would be a good idea for those needing extra stability or who suffer from knee and back pain. These will help in walking on Sedona’s uneven terrain, slick rocks, and up hills.
TrailBuddy Trekking Poles
The TrailBuddy Trekking Poles on Amazon have amazing reviews! They are collapsible and can even fit in luggage. These lightweight poles are easily adjustable to your height. Best of all, they are super affordable!
The Wrap-Up: Best Hiking Shoes for Sedona
Having hiking shoes whether a hiking boot or a hiking sneaker is a good, safe idea when hiking Sedona’s rocky trails.
