The Best On & Off Trail Hunting Shoe? Meet the Ascent Shoe

SITKA has unlocked a new category of hunting footwear with the Ascent line, designing and building it to be the best lightweight hunting shoes on the market. They combine the stability, support, and off-trail traction of a hunting or hiking boot with the lightweight, breathable comfort of a fast-moving trail runner.

The new SITKA Ascent shoes fill a long-standing gap in the hunter’s footwear arsenal. Combining all the benefits of running shoes, approach shoes, and hiking boots, they’re the perfect option for training, scouting, and early season use. Ascent is the multi-tool that can take you farther, faster.

Key takeaways:

• The SITKA Ascent shoe combines the lightweight comfort of a trail runner with the stability, support, and off-trail traction hunters typically expect from a boot.

• The Ascent GORE-TEX^® adds waterproof protection for wet, rainy conditions, while the standard Ascent is ideal for hot, dry environments.

• SITKA's proprietary Apex Tread System provides traction in every direction while minimizing mud buildup, helping hunters stay confident on and off trail.

• AXIS-FIT wraps the foot for secure, lightweight stability on sidehills, scrambles, and uneven terrain without the bulk of traditional hunting boots.

• Designed for scouting, training, travel, and early-season hunts, the SITKA Ascent shoes deliver lightweight comfort with added protection and support.

Introducing The SITKA Ascent Shoe

The Ascent Shoe: For Training, Scouting, Hunting & Everyday Wear

SITKA designed everything about the Ascent to make it the best hunting shoe for outdoor activities. Starting from the ground up, these shoes have SITKA’s signature Apex Tread System that gives you plenty of grip on or off trail while moving forward, backward, and side to side. The AXIS FIT system completely locks in your foot and provides a ton of support while keeping weight to a minimum. Finally, the lightweight EVA midsole makes for a cushy, responsive ride while TPU reinforcements add stability to every step.

SITKA believes that this set of features makes the Ascent not only the best outdoor shoe on the market but also the best hunting shoes that have ever been made.

“Our team is excited to deliver something that is purpose-built for the modern hunter,” says Mike Ekstrom, Footwear Product Specialist at SITKA Gear. “Each element of the shoe has been intentionally thought through with hunters in mind, and really, the two Ascent models are a first-of-their-kind execution that will help fuel our users for their pursuit and everyday lives.”

Ascent vs Ascent GORE-TEX^® Shoes

SITKA made two versions of these hunting shoes, the Ascent and the Ascent GORE-TEX^®. GORE-TEX® construction makes the Ascent GORE-TEX^® the best waterproof hunting shoes available for hunters in wet climates and in rainy and dewy off-trail scenarios. The Ascent shoe, on the other hand, is ideal for dry, hot climates.

What Makes The Ascent Different? 

GORE-TEX^®: Waterproof Protection Without The Weight

If you hunt and train in wet weather, cross creeks to get to your spots, or spend a lot of time hiking through dewy grass, the Ascent GORE-TEX^® shoes are the obvious choice for you. They keep your feet dry without weighing you down, while also allowing them to breathe. 

“We created both a GORE-TEX^® and non-GORE-TEX^® version to give hunters a choice,” Ekstrom says. “Here in the Pacific Northwest, I’ll use the Ascent for the dry season and the Ascent GORE-TEX^® when the wet season sets in.”

Apex Tread: Grip In Every Direction

Apex Tread is SITKA’s proprietary traction pattern, with the Ascent’s design fine-tuned specifically to provide excellent traction both on- and off-trail, forward, backward, and side to side.

“We know that hunters need great traction in a wide variety of conditions,” Ekstrom says, “so we designed the Ascent’s Apex Tread pattern to minimize mud pick-up while maximizing traction for ascent, descent, and going overland. Ultimately, it delivers confidence and security regardless of the conditions.”

AXIS Fit: Stability On Unstable Ground

Lightweight AXIS FIT design wraps completely around your foot for a stable feel on any kind of terrain.

“We know that SITKA customers spend an abundance of time off-trail,” Ekstrom says. “So AXIS FIT provides superior lockdown for movements in any direction on all types of terrain. Sidehills, scrambles, on-trail or off, one of our key goals was to ensure the wearer is confident and secure regardless of the conditions.”

EVA Midsoles: Comfort Off-Trail

In designing the Ascent shoes, SITKA wanted to make them as comfortable as your favorite pair of cross-country shoes or trail runners, but with more of the robust protection of a hiking or hunting boot. 

“To do that, we used a responsive EVA foam and added TPU reinforcers to create an optimum blend of comfort and protection,” Ekstrom says. “Basically, a super comfortable trail runner with four-wheel drive capability.”

A Multi-Tool For Your Feet: When To Wear

Here’s where the Ascent excels:

Scouting

For pre-season scouting, the Ascents are some of the best pre-season hunt shoes out there. They’re lightweight and supportive while you’re hiking trails and ridgelines, and they provide excellent traction in all four directions when you get off the beaten path to explore remote drainages or check your trail cams. 

Training

The Ascent shoe has all the benefits of a great trail runner but also has added boot-like stability and the unmatched traction of the Apex Tread System. These shoes are a great choice on trail or off, making them some of the best on and off trail training shoes you can find.

Travel

Lightweight, supportive, and comfortable, the Ascent shoes are a perfect choice for your travel days as well. They won’t weigh you down while hoofing it through the airport and are nice and breathable on the plane or while you’re driving.

Hunting

More and more hunters in recent years have switched from hunting boots to hunting shoes, especially during the warmer months of early season. For lightweight comfort and breathability, mixed with traction and support, the Ascents are some of the best hunting footwear on the market. If your hunt will take you into rainy weather or a wet climate, the Ascent GORE-TEX^® is an excellent choice.

How To Choose The Right Hunt Shoe

What are the best on and off trail shoes for hunting, scouting, training, and travel? The Ascent and Ascent GORE-TEX^® are ideal for these activities, but which one you choose depends on the conditions you expect to encounter.

The Ascent shoe is ideal for:

• Summer scouting in hot weather

• Early season archery in dry conditions

• Pre-season training on dusty trails

• Desert hiking and training sessions

• Road tripping and travel

The Ascent GORE-TEX^® shoe is ideal for:

• Archery hunts when rain is in the forecast

• Scouting trips that involve creek crossings

• Year-round versatility when you’re unsure of the weather you’ll face

• Training runs in the rain

• Going off trail in dewy, wet grass

SHOP THE ASCENT & ASCENT GORE-TEX® SHOES

Sources & Further Reading

• SITKA Footwear Collection

• GORE-TEX® Product Technology 

• SITKA Ascent Collection