Hiking Boots and Walking Boots Guide

Introduction To Boots For Hiking & Walking

Go to Contents

Hiking boots, walking boots, backpacking boots or mountaineering boots, or whatever you call them, are one of the most important items of hiking equipment. Your decision on hiking boots or walking boots is important because they protect your feet from harm and you will be wearing them throughout your hiking trip. Your choice could also make your trip into an enjoyable memory or an unpleasant recollection. For this reason, we strongly suggest that you never purchase hiking boots or walking boots that you have not tried on or had fitted properly. It is not worth the risk of pain and discomfort that could result. If you are replacing a pair of hiking boots you have already used or tried on then you could shop on-line and have them delivered. Finding the right walking or hiking boots, can be a daunting task as it is one of the most important items of hiking gear, especially for the beginner, and particularly if an over enthusiastic salesperson is looking over your shoulder. There are a wide range of walking and hiking boots from a wide range of walking equipment manufacturers and brands.

You usually get what you pay for and you do not need to pay for features that you will not really use. It is best to begin by considering the type of terrain in which you will be walking, your own weight and whether you will be carrying a heavy hiking backpack.

Return to Top

Contents On Boots For Hiking And Walking

With so many to select from how do you know what’s best for you? You can use this guide to help with your selection of hiking boots and walking boots and to aid you when selecting the features that are most suited to your situation:

• Introduction To Boots For Hiking & Walking
• Boots For Hiking And Walking Video Overview
• Amazon UK Hiking Boots
• Amazon US Bestselling Boots
• Boots Classified by Season
• Functional Features of Boots
• Cleaning, Materials and Your Boots
• How to Choose The Best Boots For You
• Some Brands of Boots For Hiking And Walking
• Get Your Boots From Amazon UK Search
• Get Your Boots From The US Amazon Search
• Summary on Boots For Hiking & Walking

Return to Top

Boots For Hiking And Walking Video Overview

Return to Top

Amazon UK Hiking Boots

Return to Top

Amazon US Bestselling Boots

Return to Top

Boots Classified by Season

Boots can be classified in different ways but the following season classification can help identify the type of boot you need when shopping:

• 1 to 2 Season - For low level rambling, walking or hiking in spring and/or summer conditions, on firm low level paths that are not particularly steep. These hiking boots provide relatively more flexibility and often come in a low-cut form.
• 3 Season - For hillwalking and backpacking on paths that are rockier and steeper than those you come across when low level walking. These hiking boots usually have a waterproof liner with a sole and ankle cuff designed to give sufficient good support when carrying a full backpack. Also for all year round walking and in most weathers except snow and ice, with an aggressively treaded sole which gives a good grip in rough terrain.



• 4 Season - For winter walking in snow and ice. These hiking boots are stiffer, both longitudinally and laterally, compared to 3 season walking boots and can accommodate crampons for short periods of time. The support provided is sufficient for use when carrying a heavier pack on longer backpacking trips. Although they may be a bit heavy on your feet they are comfortable enough for year round use. If you walk over rough or rocky terrain you may be better off with these than many lighter hiking boots, which do not last as long. They are expensive but should serve you all the year and you should only have to buy one pair.
• Mountaineering - More highly technical and designed for use in the high mountains where snow and ice exist all the year round, on glaciers or when climbing.

Return to Top

Functional Features of Boots

Men’s hiking boots tend to be larger and broader than women’s. However, if you are a man with small and narrow feet, please do not feel that you cannot go out and buy women’s hiking boots, and vice versa. Nobody will be able to tell the difference, unless of course the colour does not suit you. On the functional side, the factors to consider are:

• Material - Boots can be found in two general types of construction:
  • All Leather - A boot construction of all leather provides extra protection and also greater durability, especially in rugged terrain, at the same time as being breathable and resistant to water.
  • Fabric & Leather Mix - A combination of fabric with leather boot construction generally gives a lighter boot which is more flexible and more easy to break in.
• Ankle Support - They come in two types of ankle support: high cut which gives better support; and the more comfortable but less supportive low cut variety.



• Waterproof - Do they prevent water ingress in rain and snow, and on muddy or wet tracks? Also, do you need them to be waterproof, for example, if on a short dessert trip?
• Breathability - Are they breathable to prevent your feet from feeling hot and sweaty, and also to reduce moisture build up inside them which can cause rubbing and blisters?
• Underfoot protection - Do they offer underfoot protection to prevent bruising your feet when you step on rocks and other jagged things. A thicker sole will generally provide better protection.
• Grip - For any boot you need to have the maximum amount of grip. Many modern soles are also designed with anti-clog tread, so they shed snow and mud more easily. If you want to stay upright on snow and all the thick mud that collects in the valleys during winter, you’ll need a boot with a deep tread. A softer sole will give better grip on rocks but will wear out faster.



• Stiffness - A winter boot needs to be stiff to enable the wearer to kick steps in snow, traverse frozen slopes and wear crampons. A stiff sole is therefore very important and can be tested by grabbing the boot by the toe and heel with your hands and having a go at bending and twisting it. The greater difficult you have in bending it the more suitable it is for winter. A stiff upper is also needed to withstand winter and is ideally made from leather. It gives improved support, protection and will also keep your feet dry for longer.
• Anti-Microbial treatments - Are treatments incorporated that prevent the build up of unpleasant odours?
• Lacing - This should be easy to do even if your hands are cold. Look for hooks and D rings. Locking hooks hold the laces tight on the lower part of the boot whilst you adjust the upper section.

Return to Top

Cleaning, Materials and Your Boots

These days, in addition to traditional leather, you can obtain hiking boots made from different types of synthetic fabrics with waterproof protection (e.g. Gore-tex) which also provide high levels of breathability (i.e. let water vapour or sweat escape) and therefore enhance foot comfort significantly. Synthetic fabrics generally breathe better than leather, but are generally less durable, and offer less support and protection.

You may wish to consider cleaning before deciding between leather or fabric walking boots. When leather walking boots gets soaked it should be left to dry naturally, not in front of a heater as cracking may occur and your walking boots will be ruined. Then when they are dry, treat them with a hiking/walking boot conditioner, not ordinary polish. With fabric walking boots, just clean off any mud and leave to dry naturally, and occasionally treat them using a water-repellent spray. Waterproofing membrane-lined fabric walking boots will help prevent the material from being waterlogged and extend the life of the walking boots.

Return to Top

How to Choose The Best Boots For You

If you want to walk comfortably and safely in a variety of terrains, moorland, hills and mountains, you would need to protect your feet in purpose designed hiking boots for each terrain. In an ideal world, you would have a different pair of hiking boots to suit each terrain and the conditions encountered all year round. However, this would be too expensive for most people and you need to choose a pair that will have to perform in a range of circumstances. A compromise would therefore have to be made between the features associated with winter and high level walking boots such as crampon compatibility, ankle support, shock absorption, warmth and waterproofing; and those associated with summer and low level walking such as flexibility, lighter weight, breathability.

Once you know the type of terrain you intend to traverse and therefore the grade of boot you need, fit and comfort should be the most important factors you consider. Although we know the choices people make will be influenced by cost and looks, a comfortable fit is more essential. Try not to make your choice based on how they look or your usual shoe size but be guided by how they feel. Also, buy the best you can afford but that does not mean that a less expensive pair cannot provide you with the fit and comfort you need.

When trying on hiking boots or walking boots, always wear the socks you intend to use on your trip and make sure your feet do not slide inside them. Boots should be sufficiently wide so as not to feel too tight, particularly across the base of the toes. Don’t think that they’ll stretch to fit you over time as you’ll have blisters before that happens. Lace them properly and take a walk to check that your feet are held firmly without binding or pinching. Also ensure there is no foot movement and no heel lift. If possible, step on a downward incline to ensure the feet do not push forward and bump into the front of the boot and that the heels do not move from side to side.

It is better to have hiking boots or walking boots that are a half-size larger so that there is extra space past your longest toe. Also, if you have one foot a little bigger than the other, fit to your larger foot. Your hiking boots will probably need to a be size or two bigger than your normal everyday footwear to be able to accommodate your walking socks and because when you are walking for an long time feet tend to swell and need extra room. An additional tip is to try on hiking boots later in the day when you have done some walking around and your feet have expanded to their largest size.

Return to Top

Some Brands of Boots For Hiking And Walking

Some popular and famous boot brands are Columbia, Hi-Tec, Merrell, Scarpa and Timberland. Other manufacturing brands of hiking boots to note are: Berghaus, Brasher, Gelert, Hanwag, Helly Hansen, Karrimor, Lowa, Meindl, Montrail, Mammut, Patagonia, Rohan, Salomon, The North Face, Trespass, Vasque, Vaude and Zamberlan. If you know of a brand that I should have included in the above list then contact me. Most of the companies supplying hiking boots will have a variety from which you can choose. If you do some research you will be able to find a brand that provides the features you need within your budget. You could try searching with Google or start with our page of hiking links, in the hiking brands section.

Return to Top

Get Your Boots From Amazon UK Search

Return to Top

Get Your Boots From The US Amazon Search

Return to Top

Summary on Boots For Hiking & Walking

Selecting the right hiking or walking boots, like other types of walking gear, can be a tricky task. Decide on the type of hiking or walking you will be doing before buying your hiking or walking boots. Take your socks with you and talk to the staff when you are trying on the hiking or walking boots. The information contained within this article is not a comprehensive or definitive guide but it could help you to spot any sales banter and nonsense. We hope this article assists you in choosing hiking and walking boots that are right for you and which enable you to have comfortable, safe and hence enjoyable hiking holidays and hiking trips in the great outdoors.

PS – What is your experience of Hiking Boots?

Let us know in the comments box below!

Sign-up for our FREE Hiking Newsletter
and recieve hiking info, tips, guidance & more
PLUS our FREE Extensive 1-Page A4 View
Hiking & Backpacking Equipment Checklist
to help make sure you never forget anything again!
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR NEWSLETTER+CHECKLIST

About Richard Griffin

Richard owns Hiking Equipment Site and writes about hiking equipment and hiking activities.

Related posts:

1. Hiking Equipment Checklist Guide