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The best men's walking boots

The best men's walking boots - Andrew Crowley
The best men's walking boots - Andrew Crowley

Hiking is a great way to exercise and spend time in nature, but having the right pair of walking boots is crucial – a few blisters and you'll be ruing the decision not to splash out on a more comfortable shoe, or not spending longer wearing them in. 

There are several aspects to consider when looking for a new pair of walking boots. Budget, fit, the right boot for the required conditions, material (leather or fabric), waterproofing, and sole units are all important elements. You'll also need to learn to keep the boots clean and, if made from leather, apply wax, in order to keep them in top condition for years to come. 

Good, durable walking boots aren't cheap. Most of the experts I spoke to believe that around £100-£160 is required to get you a reliable pair that should see you in good stead for years. You can pay silly money for boots (especially now that hiking boots are fashionable – see for example Moncler's £595 pair) but those featured in this review are all reasonably priced. 

Fit is, of course, important. "Nothing can spoil a holiday or even a day out more than poor or ill-fitting footwear," says Chris Nichols, buying manager for footwear and equipment at Cotswold Outdoors and Snow+Rock. Experts in specialist shops can help you here; or, if you're buying online, most retailers offer a grace period so you can try the boots around the house and still return them if they're not to your liking. 

Below, we take a look at some of the best walking boots currently on the market. All offer ankle protection and water resistance. While we haven't included boots to climb Everest with, these will all do a perfectly good job if you're hiking around the mountains of Britain in rain or shine.

Please note that prices regularly change as discounts are posted online. 

1. Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX 

The best fabric boot

From £123.95, Wiggle 

Salomon men's walking boot
Salomon men's walking boot

Salomon is a name that came up repeatedly when I spoke with hiking experts; the outdoor gear manufacturer has a reputation for making some of the best footwear in the business. According to Stuart Reid, outdoors product champion at Blacks and Millets, they're incredibly popular and "full of bells and whistles in regards to performance, waterproofing and protection." 

Firstly, it's worth noting this boot feels heavier than many others, though not offputtingly so; it gives it a sense of sturdiness, that it won't collapse midway through a boggy Welsh valley or a rocky Lake District peak. 

The sole is Contragrip, which is Salomon's own patented system. It's full of tech, but basically it's designed to provide stability, durability and traction to the soles, over myriad terrains, and it's held in very high esteem – "it's excellent", says Chris Nichols. Waterproofing comes via Gore-Tex, one of the most popular water-proofing membranes, which is effective and breathable. 

Fabric boots can be lighter than leather, and take less time to break in (the downside is they tend to be less durable in the long run). Customer feedback of this boot online focuses on how little breaking in time is required – if you're in need of last-minute boots, these are the ones for you. 

Safety-wise, the Quest 4D has a very high shaft (the bit that comes up to your ankles), which helps to protect your lower joints. The toes have a thick rubber cap to guard against stubbing and the grip, as mentioned, is second to none. 

Also worth considering is the Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX, which is currently available for a very reasonable £98, and has many of the same specs as the Quest, though with less ankle protection. 

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2. Brasher Men's Country Master 

The best leather boot

£119.99, Millets

Brasher men's walking boot
Brasher men's walking boot

Leather boots are heavier than fabric ones, and this one certainly has much more weight than the Salomon Quest. But leather is also more durable and feels very sturdy – especially around the ankles – so there's no reason to shy away from it. Just be prepared to put a bit of effort into breaking it in before it really starts to repay your investment.

I like the classic brown leather look, but it's in the comfort where I felt this boot excelled. The cuff and tongue are remarkably padded – they hug the ankle. The midsole, made of polyurethane, a type of foam that is known to last a long time, adds to the comfort. 

The waterproofing membrane is eVent, name-checked by both Nichols and Reid as the biggest challenger to Gore-Tex's position as the leader in that field. The difference is that eVent is a little more breathable, and can dry quicker. It's also often more affordable – although on the flip side, I'm told eVent tends to require a bit more care, through washing (it's worth noting, however, that the difference is minimal). 

This is a boot that'll feel sturdy when hiking up Snowdon, but you could equally wear wear it while strolling through a park on a wet autumn day. The soles are Vibram, which, according to Nichols, is the best sole manufacturer out there: "It's an indicator of a good quality sole unit." Vibrab soles are noted for their high resistance to abrasion and top traction on a range of surfaces, making the boot very versatile. In fact, the first summit of K2 was apparently made by an Italian with Vibram rubber soles (we're not saying you should rush up K2, mind). 

A sturdy, reliable classic, you can't go too far wrong with the Brasher.

A top leather alternative is the very aesthetically pleasing Meindl Bhutan MFS which, with an RRP over £200, is pricey but very good quality, too. 

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3. Merrell Moab FST 2 Mid GTX

The best lightweight boot

£135, Merrell 

Merrell walking boot
Merrell walking boot

Sometimes hiking boots seem a little too cumbersome. If you find leather boots or some of the chunkier fabric ones a mission to wear, the Merrell Moab FST 2 is an option worth considering.

It comes highly recommended by Reid: "It's a real bread and butter boot, and very popular. It's a mix of a suede/leather and mesh upper. A lot of the older generation choose to use these because they're a nice, wide, comfortable product. It's a really good performance shoe and you get a lot of life out of it." 

Indeed, if it weren't for the raised ankle protection, these might pass for trainers, in both comfort and performance. But they've got hiking credentials in the Gore-Tex membrane, which should remain breathable thanks to all the meshing. The Moab also uses Vibram soles, so though they're light (they don't feel as sturdy as the Brasher or Salomon), they can still be used on harsh terrains.

These would be ideal for frequent long-distance walkers; in the same breath, they're probably not for extreme conditions. 

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4. Hi-Tec Men's Bandera II waterproof mid boot

The best budget boots

£40, Millets

Hi-tec walking boot
Hi-tec walking boot

Not all of us have the inclination to shell out more than £100 on a pair of walking boots – particularly if you go on one hike a year, and don't want a pricey shoe developing mould in the attic. If you're after something cheaper, the Hi-Tec Bandera II has an RRP of £80, but it's often available at a discount – currently £40 at Millets – and comes recommended. 

Let's not beat around the bush: this product isn't as good as others in this list. There's no Gore-Tex or eVent membrane - or Vibram sole. It's pretty heavy. And it looks rather basic, too. 

But it's a very popular shoe, noted for its comfort – arguably the most important aspect of a walking boot. And while it's not Gore-Tex, it does have a waterproof suede leather and fabric upper, with a degree of breathability. The rubber soles and toe cap feel tough, which should protect you slipping or stubbing your toe, and the cuff is comfortable. 

This boot won't let you down if you're keen on light hiking, or an infrequent participant.

It's worth noting some users have reported that the sizing is slightly off, and that you should perhaps order half a size up. 

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How to choose the right walking boot

There are many aspects to finding the right boot, with comfort, budget, durability and safety all vital. Of course, you should also tailor your purchase to your goal. If you hike once in a blue moon, you won't need to spend over £100, unless that one time is attempting to scale Mont Blanc (where "ill-prepared thrillseekers" may soon be banned). However, if you regularly take on a peak in one of Britain's many national parks, a sturdy, durable boot should be your first port of call. 

For Chris Nichols of Cotswolds Outdoors and Snow+Rock, the right boot is the difference between the trip of a lifetime and a nightmare holiday. "Everyone's had experience with sore feet. If you're out for the day, even just in London, it can ruin your day, or your holiday. So it's important to get the right pair." 

Should I buy a leather or fabric walking boot?

There are two main types of walking boots, leather and fabric, and each have their merits and pitfalls. "Leather boots are considered to be more traditional," explains Nichols. "It's a fantastically durable and breathable material, but it does require a little more upkeep." 

What are the main benefits of leather? Aside from durability and breathability, there are many. Leather boots provide unrivalled comfort and fit (with a caveat that it takes a while for them to mould to your feet, like a pair of Dr Martens). They're remarkably weather resistant, especially when boosted by a Gore-Tex or eVent lining. They last longer than synthetic boots, partially because they're often made from one or two pieces of leather rather than several stitched together fabric layers. And, let's be honest, they look nicer than fabric boots – to my mind at least. 

"We still sell a lot of leather boots," says Nichols, "but they are probably about 50pc of our sales. They used to be about 75-80pc around 10 years ago." This could be down to one of the main downsides of leather boots: they're heavier, although this comes with the added benefit of increased support. Another negative is the extra care you'll have to take (more of which below). 

Fabric boots (and fabric-leather hybrids) are becoming more popular for a variety of reasons. They're lighter, require a little less maintenance, and come in a wider range of colours and styles. And there's another crucial factor as to why they're gaining the upper hand (or foot). "The fit will be more what people are accustomed to," Nichols explains. "It's almost a trainer-style fit. A leather boot will often be put on a last, so it's got a certain shape to it, whereas fabric boots have a little less shape." Consequently, fabric boots are often ready to wear straight from the box. 

Synthetic boots tend to have a shorter lifespan and cost less than their leather counterparts. 

How will walking boots protect me?

Wearing proper walking boots is vital when going on long hikes, particularly on undulating terrains with rocky or wet ground. If you're attempting to climb Scafell Pike in plimsolls, you're asking for trouble.  

One of the most obvious benefits of a proper walking boot is the ankle protection it offers. You can get some excellent trainer-style walking shoes, but if you're tackling rough terrains where you're likely to twist your ankle on a loose rock, the added protection from the ankle support can prevent a nasty sprain  or worse. 

"Ankle protection stops movement inside the boot, so there's less chance of twists and strains," says Reid. "You want to feel, regardless of your size, the cuff of the boot hugging your ankle, so it's not completely loose like a flip flop." The high shaft provides that added benefit of offering more protection against scuffs from rocks, or from bites from animals, by the very nature of it being higher up your leg. 

The soles are also crucial. You want good quality rubber, that's stiff and grippy, and tailored to the task at hand. "If it's very muddy [read: British conditions] you need a deeper lug in the sole, basically bigger grooves," says Nichols. "The best sole manufacturer is a company called Vibram, if you see that, it's an indicator of a good quality sole unit. Some brands have developed their own, like Salomon with their own rubber sole called Contagrip, which is excellent."

Additionally, boots should have a hardened toe cap or a rubber rand that fits around the boot, including the toe, which both protects the leather and your toes from a nasty stubbing. 

What type of waterproofing should I choose?

Realistically, you need to spend around £100 to get something with a reliable, durable waterproofing membrane. The main two you'll come across are Gore-Tex and eVent, which vary slightly on breathability and waterproofing. For example, eVent is a tiny bit more breathable, but it requires more care. Otherwise, boots will have own-brand technology, which can vary in quality. Essentially, the boot will include a waterproof membrane lining which, if the boot is maintained properly, should last a long time. 

How do I look after my boots?

Taking good care of your boots is the best way to get several years out of them, and especially ensuring the waterproofing remains functional. "Don't shove them straight into the cupboard when you get back home. You'll be amazed, so many people do," Reid warns. 

The first thing to do is ensure all debris, whether dust or thick mud, is wiped off. You can use a soft bristle brush for this. If it's hardcore mud, try rinsing off with some warm water, perhaps using a bootwear cleaning gel to help remove the mud. 

"To top it off and give it that really quick water-repellent factor, you have something called a proofer. You just give it a light spray, a light rub on, that'll put that original coating back on," is Reid's advice. Nikwax and Granger's come recommended.

With a leather boot, you follow the same process, but you need to apply a light, breathable wax in order to protect the waterproof membrane. The wax helps restore the natural oils, so it can wick away water, as well as giving it that nice, smooth, leathery look. So, with fabric you use a spray, while with leather you should go for a wax.

How often you should spray or wax your boot depends on how often you hike. "I think a minimum of once a month as a golden rule," says Reid, though, if you use them once a year, then obviously just clean and wax after use.

Read explains: "This is what really affects the longevity of a product. Back in the day you had a lifetime guarantee with some leather boots because they were so thick. Now we find with a pair of boots, the minimum they should last is three years for an athletic model, but on average you're looking at five to seven years, with good care."