Reliable walking footwear is an essential for any hike, providing you with underfoot cushioning and ankle support alongside protection against unfavourable weather conditions. However, with so many different styles available it can be hard to find the best type of walking boots for you. In this article, we’ll cover the differences between walking boots and walking shoe styles, as well as give you insight to some of the best walking boots available right now.

Whether you’re hiking off the beaten path and need durability and superior protection, or whether you like a long hike across easy paths, keep reading as we discuss which walking boots are best, and how they should fit in order to give you support that you need to complete your hike in comfort.

The key difference between these two types of walking footwear is style. Where walking boots have a higher collar and a thicker sole for functional support, walking shoes are more lightweight and suitable for non-specialist terrain. To help put this into perspective, walking boots are primarily used for hiking trails that are uneven, rocky and slippery whereas walking shoes offer a more flexible fit for well laid out trails that don’t have challenging terrain.

Which option you should choose depends on the types of hikes or walks you’ll be doing, what terrain they are on, and what the weather conditions are like. If you’ll be walking for just a few hours and wish to prioritise comfort, we’d recommend opting for a pair of walking shoes as they’re much lighter and more flexible whilst still offering a good level of support.

If you’re hiking in an area where the climate is subject to rain or can be unpredictable, you will benefit from choosing a waterproof pair of shoes made using Gore-Tex technology and with plenty of grip for improved traction on uneven terrain. The Salomon X Ultra Gore-Tex men’s walking shoes are an excellent example of functional design that doesn’t compromise on comfort or support. The All Terrain Contagrip® offers stable traction even when the ground is wet or slippery, which gives more control. Additionally the design draws on the brand’s trail-running expertise, which means this shoe is light and agile, allowing for more stability on uneven terrain.

For women, the Moab Speed 2 Gore-Tex walking shoes provide ample comfort and support as they feature a padded collar and a breathable Gore-Tex membrane which keeps water out of your shoes and the air flowing for ventilation. The additional feature of a Vibram® TC5+ outsole provides a high level of traction, making these perfect for trails that are hilly or may have rugged terrain at times.

Walking shoes are also an exceptional choice if you’ll be walking long distances on non-specialist terrain, as their lightweight nature will be less cumbersome and more agile than a boot style. If your hike contains more challenging terrain, or you require additional support, you can opt for a lightweight walking boot such as the Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GORE-TEX Men’s Walking Boot.

Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GORE-TEX Men’s Walking Boot

The Moab Speed boot amalgamates the Vibram technology for a rugged outsole with exceptional traction and the lightweight upper of the Speed shoes to create a lightweight boot that is suitable for most hikes. This is the ideal boot for any regular hikers who are tackling moderate terrains but need a supportive and agile fit.

For more experienced hikers who are tackling expert trails and need a higher level of support, walking boots are going to be more appropriate. Walking boots have several additional features that shoes do not, which can help to keep your feet and ankles protected - reducing the risk of injury. For example, the higher collar can stop you from coming into direct contact with jagged rocks, branches, or irritant plants such as nettles. It also helps to provide more stability to your ankle, which can help prevent strains if you are hiking off-trail and lose your footing.

Walking boots also usually have thicker soles with more reinforcement for added traction on slippery surfaces and extra cushioning when walking across sharp or jagged rock formations. This reinforced sole will be necessary for your descent, especially if there has been a recent downpour that has made the ground slippery.

To demonstrate some of these additional features that can provide you with exceptional performance on your hike, we’ll take a closer look at the Salomon Quest Element GTX women’s walking boots. Featuring innovative EnergyCell technology, the boot boasts a high-performance EVA foam that provides shock reduction for heavy impact steps, whilst the OrthoLite insole moulds to match the contours of your foot for custom cushioning and breathability. The outsole features Contagrip TD for enhanced traction on mixed terrains, whilst the front of the shoe remains flexible for a fluid stride throughout your hike, allowing you to nimbly navigate narrow footpaths and climb any stiles, hills, or rock formations with more ease.

For men, we’d suggest a durable walking boot such as the Merrell Moab 3 Mid GORE-TEX Men’s Walking Boots. The Moab 3 Mid GTX has been created with GORE-TEX technology to include a waterproof membrane which keeps your feet dry and caters for air circulation. Additionally these boots utilise the carefully engineered Vibram outsole for superior traction, and contain a toe cap for added protection against debris and uncertain surfaces. Like the Salomon boots above, these boots also boast a shock-absorbing feature in the form of a Merrell Air Cushion which is placed in the heel to absorb shock and increase stability.

To summarise the difference between these two types of footwear and help you make an informed decision, there are a few key things to look out for. Generally, hiking boots typically consist of an upper, liner, midsole and outsole. We can break these down into sections to see what each part of the boot does, so you’ll know what to look for when finding a pair that suits your hiking style.

• The upper - designed for ankle support and protection. Typically a blend of fabrics, but common popular materials include leather, pigskin, or mesh which has been blended with Gore-Tex or other synthetic materials for water resistance.
• The liner - look for boots that have a breathable liner which keeps water out and draws moisture away from the feet to ensure comfort.
• The midsole - offers support to the foot and protects against underfoot impact, many boots will feature technology that allows the midsole to conform to the shape of your foot for added comfort.
• The outsole - arguably the most important aspect of a walking boot, the outsole is made from durable and rugged materials such as vulcanised rubber. This is the part of the boot that will give you much needed traction and grip. By looking at the depth and pattern of the lugs you’ll be able to assess how well they can perform in wet or unstable conditions.
  

Walking shoes consist of the same parts as boots, but the requirements are slightly different as they are more catered towards comfort rather than support for specialist terrain.

• The upper - the upper in walking shoes is typically made with more lightweight and breathable materials, and the collar of the shoe will not go as high as a boot as extra ankle protection isn’t needed.
• The liner - many walking shoes will still contain a waterproof liner to stop any rain or water from shallow puddles seeping in but the level of protection won’t be the same as a boot.
• The midsole - in walking shoes this usually features a softer material for impact absorption and it is likely to be more flexible, which makes it unsuitable for rugged terrain.
• The outsole - walking shoes have enough traction for minimal slippery conditions but they likely won’t have as deep lugs as the sole will be thinner to reduce the overall weight of the shoe.

In both walking boots and walking shoes, stability and security is what is going to keep you protected from injury or debris entering your shoe, and provide you with the footing you need. As such, walking boots should have a snug fit with wiggle room for your toes and your heel locked in place. Your foot should not be sliding around inside of the shoe, and when fastened your laces should provide security, making the shoe feel a little tighter. There should be about a finger’s width between your toes and the end of the shoe, if you don’t have this space you’ll need to adjust the size accordingly.

It is important to break in your boots or shoes before your hike, especially if they have custom cushioning technology. To do this, you should wear the boots around your house with the socks you typically wear when walking. You can also walk around the pavement once they’re starting to feel more comfortable, as this will help you test the traction and ankle support. Don’t forget to break them in by standing on your toes and flexing your feet in all the ways that can be expected on a hike, as you’re not likely to remain flat-footed for the duration of your walk.

Having the right pair of shoes can make or break your experience when hiking. To avoid returning home with sore feet, blisters, damp socks, or lots of debris in your shoe, it’s important that you choose a high-quality shoe that offers unmatched performance. That’s why we stock a huge selection of leading hiking footwear brands with varied styles available from lightweight to full protection. To help you further on your journey, we also offer a selection of suitable hiking socks for added comfort alongside nutritional products to provide you with the energy you need to complete your route.