As of Oct 21, 2026, the verdict: pick low-mountain trekking shoes by weight and price. #1 is the Caravan C1_DL MID (420 g, ¥18,920), and #2 the KEEN Targhee Apex Mid (375 g, ¥24,200), released in January 2026. Three things decide it: weight per shoe, cushioning and price. Only #1 of the four costs under ¥20,000.
The Gear Nerd's Pick
For low mountains, a pricier boot isn't automatically the right one. On a day hike in the low mountains, what you pay for is lightness and price.Caravan splits low mountains between mid-cuts and “medium” soles. So I put the C1_DL MID first: the cheapest of the four, and the only one under ¥20,000.
Key points
- The #1 Caravan C1_DL MID weighs 420 g and costs ¥18,920. It's the cheapest of the 4 pairs, ¥5,280 below #2, the KEEN
- The #2 KEEN Targhee Apex Mid weighs 375 g, the lightest of the four. Its heel is 38 mm thick, 8 mm more than the Merrell's 30 mm
- Even a 45 g difference per shoe means lifting 450 kg per foot over 10,000 steps (45 g × 10,000 steps)
You can find low-mountain trekking shoes under ¥20,000
Waterproof mid-cuts mostly cost more than ¥20,000. Line up 4 pairs, though, and the 420 g, ¥18,920 Caravan C1_DL MID makes the list.
This article compares shoes for snow-free day hikes and walks on low mountains. Numbers come from each official page, and prices include tax.
How I chose
First I looked at the weight per shoe. Low-mountain walks are long, so the weight you lift with every step adds up. Next came price, and last the heel thickness as a rough guide to cushioning.
What gave me pause was whether to rank the lightest, the 375 g KEEN, first. But it costs ¥24,200, ¥5,280 more than #1. For a low-mountain day hike, that's a big gap, so I put it second. The ranking is made among what you can buy on Rakuten.
Low-mountain trekking shoes: the 4 pairs at a glance
| Model | Weight per boot | Heel thickness | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Caravan C1_DL MID | About 420g | ― | ¥18,920 |
| #2 KEEN Targhee Apex Mid | 375g | 38mm | ¥24,200 |
| #3 Sirio P.F.156-3 | About 400g (26.0cm) | ― | ¥20,350 |
| #4 Merrell Moab 3 Synthetic Mid GORE-TEX | About 470g (27.0cm) | 30mm | ¥23,100 |
Measured sizes differ, so I didn't rank on gaps of 10 to 20 g.
Why this order
| Rank | Model | Why it's ranked here |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caravan C1_DL MID | The cheapest of the four; the only one under ¥20,000 |
| 2 | KEEN Targhee Apex Mid | The lightest, with a thick heel, but ¥5,280 more than #1 |
| 3 | Sirio P.F.156-3 | 20 g lighter than #1 and ¥1,430 more, but only 1 width: 3E+ |
| 4 | Merrell Moab 3 Synthetic Mid GORE-TEX | The heaviest of the 4 pairs, and ¥4,180 more than #1 |
#1 Caravan C1_DL MID
I'll say it with heat: about 420 g per shoe for ¥18,920. It's the only one of these 4 pairs under ¥20,000. Caravan places it as “ideal for getting into hiking,” which suits a low-mountain day hike.
The weak spot: its stated destinations don't include Mt. Fuji. If you're thinking of hut stays or Fuji, move to the Caravan C1_02S instead.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Caravan C1_DL MID
Lowest price on Rakuten: ¥13,244 (as of 10/20). Prices vary by shop, up to ¥18,920, and change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten Ichiba#2 KEEN Targhee Apex Mid
A new model released on Jan 16, 2026. It weighs 375 g, the lightest of the 4 pairs, with a 38 mm heel: a boot with extra cushioning.
The weak spot: it costs ¥24,200, and the waterproof membrane is KEEN's own KEEN.DRY, not GORE-TEX. Details are in my Targhee Apex Mid review.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
KEEN Targhee Apex Mid Waterproof (men's)
Lowest price on Rakuten: ¥24,200 (as of 10/20). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten#3 Sirio P.F.156-3
About 400 g per shoe with GORE-TEX, for ¥20,350, ¥1,430 more than #1. If your feet are on the wide side, it's the 1 pair you can choose for lightness.
The weak spot: it comes in a single width, 3E+, so it suits only a limited range of feet.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Sirio P.F.156-3
Lowest price on Rakuten: ¥18,200 (as of 10/20). Prices vary by shop, up to ¥20,350, and change daily. The surest way to try boots is in the evening, when feet swell, wearing your usual socks. Fit varies by brand, so check the shop's return and exchange terms before buying.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten Ichiba#4 Merrell Moab 3 Synthetic Mid GORE-TEX
Its strength is the choice of Standard and Wide widths. The Wide is about 480 g and ¥24,200, only 10 g and ¥1,100 more. The heel is 30 mm thick.
The weak spot: at 470 g it's the heaviest of the four, so it isn't for anyone choosing purely on low-mountain lightness. If width is your criterion, it takes #1 in the beginner's article it ranks first.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Merrell Moab 3 Synthetic Mid GORE-TEX
Lowest price on Rakuten: ¥17,954 (as of 10/20). Prices vary by shop, up to ¥23,100, and change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaFor low mountains, mid-cut or low-cut trekking shoes?
Caravan sorts mid-cuts for day hikes and low-mountain climbs, and low-cuts for groomed paths and hiking. It words the low-cut as “not very suited to mountain climbing.”
On mountains with rock or wet trails, a mid-cut fits. If you only walk groomed paths, low-cut trekking shoes is another way to go.
Which mountain, which jacket
If you want to start under ¥20,000, #1, the C1_DL MID. For lightness in a new model, #2, the KEEN. For wider feet and lightness, #3, the Sirio. For choosing a Wide width, #4, the Merrell.
If you're thinking of hut stays or Mt. Fuji, the Caravan C1_02S with its “medium” sole fits. For the ranking of six pairs, see the hiking boot ranking.
FAQ
How many grams is a good target for low-mountain trekking shoes?
The four pairs here run 375 to 470 g per shoe. Up to the low 400s is on the light side, and for day hikes on low mountains you can choose within that range.
Can you buy low-mountain trekking shoes for under ¥20,000?
Among waterproof mid-cuts, the Caravan C1_DL MID at ¥18,920 is the only one of the 4 pairs. The other 3 cost ¥20,350 to ¥24,200.
Do you need waterproof trekking shoes on low mountains?
On a day hike, wet shoes don't dry out along the way. If rain or puddles are possible, waterproof shoes are the safe choice.
Can you walk low mountains in low-cut trekking shoes?
On well-kept trails, yes. Caravan lists low-cuts for groomed paths and hiking. If you want ankle support, choose a mid-cut.
Gear in this article
Ad · Images: Rakuten IchibaSources
- Caravan official: how to choose hiking boots (cut height and sole stiffness)
- Caravan official online store: C1_DL MID
- KEEN official online store: men's Targhee Apex Mid Waterproof
- KEEN Japan press release: the new TARGHEE APEX (Jan 16, 2026)
- Merrell official online store: Moab 3 Synthetic Mid GORE-TEX (men's)
- Kojitusanso GsMALL: Sirio P.F.156-3 (the sales page opened from Sirio's official "purchase" link)
