Has Covid Lockdown made you yearn to get out in to nature more? Are you looking forward to spending time with family and friends? Why not do both by going for a hike and a picnic with family and friends (and get rid of any covid rolls at the same time!).
- Rustproof hardware for durability and authenticity
- Durable laces with Taslan fibers
- EVA footbed for lightweight cushioning
- Hiking Shoes
- Waterproof Gore-Tex lining
- Lightweight and breathable
- 100% Suede Leather/Mesh
- Imported
- Rubber sole
- Boys' Suede and Mesh Hiking Boots
- Karrimor Boys Walking Shoes Black/Red
- Karrimor Bodmin Mid
- Fear no forecast
- Go all out in all weather
- Tackle the tricky terrain and wet weather with ease in the Terrex Swift R2 GTX® trail shoe from adidas® Outdoor.
- GORE-TEX Performance Comfort Footwear:
- Durably waterproof and breathable
- Suitable for a wide range of outdoor activities
- Isotex waterproof footwear - seam sealed with internal membrane bootee liner
- Enclosed hardwear for reduced trip hazard
- Abrasion resistant toe and heel bumpers
- Generous fitting Original natural rubber Chelsea Dirt Boots.
- Additional Achilles reinforcement for added protection.
- Double over-layed toe and heel reinforcement resists scuffs and scratches.
To jump to our hiking boots review section click here.
The Best Hiking Boots - Whats on the market?
There is a huge choice of walking footwear on the market – from hiking boots of all shapes and sizes to walking shoes and even sandals. From leather to vegan walking boots and with all levels of price, comfort and grip. There are four main things to consider when buying a hiking boot –
- Material of the Hiker Boot/Shoe
- Flexability/Comfort
- Waterproofing
- Type/Cut of the boot
If you want to sort by material, you can choose from leather, fabric, and waterproof hiking boots. If you plan to go to rugged terrains or wetter climates, full-grain leather hiking boots are a great choice. They’re durable and tough with great breathability. They’re also resistant to water and abrasion. But they’re heavier, expensive, and take time to break-in.
Split-grain leather walking boots are a low-cost alternative. Though they offer excellent breathability, they’re less abrasion- and water-resistant.
Fabric Hiking boots are cheaper option to leather walking boots. In addition, they’re lightweight and need less breaking in. Looking to buy cheap walking boots? You can choose from canvas hiker boots or those made of synthetic materials like nylon, polyester, etc. But they don’t give as much protection against the elements as leather and need frequent reproofing.
Those looking for 100% eco-friendly options can check out vegan hiking boots. Some of these are made of recyclable EVA foams and recycled PET plastic. Wearing them will make your hike all the more fun and environment-friendly.
Want to choose your hiking boots on flexibility instead? You can go a step down from full-grain leather and choose nubuck leather boots. Made of buffed down full-grain leather, these hiking boots aren’t as tough. Yet, they offer good breathability and are water- and abrasion-resistant.
Leather hiking boots offer resistance to water to protect your feet against the elements. But they aren’t 100% waterproof. If you’re looking for waterproof hiking boots, you can select Gore Tex walking boots. They have Gore-Tex membranes that let moisture escape. This helps them ventilate from the inside out. As a result, these hiking boots work quite well in cold and mild temperatures.
Hiking boots typically have two types of cuts – mid and high. There’s nothing called a low-cut walking boot though. Instead, this would be a walking shoe, which is suitable for flat surfaces. Such shoes offer your feet more flexibility than boots. But they don’t give you the same level of protection and support especially around the ankles.
Mid-cut Hiking boots are ideal for shorter day walks and give good ankle support. For rougher terrains, you need higher cut hiking boots that provide you with more ankle support.
Guide to Buying the Best Hiking Boots
So now you know that when it comes to finding the right boots for hiking there is a bewildering amount of walking boots & shoes to choose from.
Think about these following questions and read our buyers guide to finding the best hiking boots before you buy. If you are still struggling then you cant go wrong with our top picks.
- What terrain will I be hiking in – easy, uneven or mountainous off trails? ?
- What distance will I be hiking – is it a short walk, day hike or several days on foot?
- Will it be wet during my hike?
- What are the top features to look for in a good hiking boot?
Things to Consider When Buying Your Hiking Boots
To find the most suitable hiking boots, you should consider the following factors:
Type of hiking terrain: Usually, you’ll come across three types of hiking terrains, namely easy trails, uneven trails, and mountainous off-trails.
- Easy trails have stable surfaces with a few small hills, such as those found in valley bottoms, or just walking round the local countryside etc. Hiking sandals or lightweight walking shoes that offer flexible feet movement/ reduce foot fatigue, are ideal choices for such terrains.
- Uneven trails have slanted and steep surfaces, where you have to look out for roots, rock, and mud. For these types of hike both a mid rise walking boot or high top waterproof hiking boot is recommended. Look for good grip with these.
- Mountainous Trials and Off-trails are more challenging as they aren’t typically marked on maps. They have uneven terrain with lots of obstacles and loose rocks that demand a lot of concentration. Here its a high top Waterproof Hiking boot you need. These walking boots should give you stability and grip while supporting and protecting your ankles. They should also be waterproof as it’s likely you will encounter snow at higher altitudes.
Grip, safety, and comfort: Your chosen hiker boots should have deep grooves to provide you with a good grip. Additionally, they should be comfortable to wear for your specific types of hiking and offer adequate safety.
Finding the right fit: You can use online sizing charts to find the right size. Since your boots should give you a snug fit, you need to ensure they fit your feet in length. Most people have different-sized feet. That’s why you should put the longer foot in your boot and stand up straight.
Slide your foot forward until your toes touch the end of the boot. Check if there’s room behind your heel. Since your feet will swell after a day of hiking, your hiking boots should have adequate room to accommodate them.
Durability: When your hike takes you to challenging terrains, the durability of your hiking boots will matter. You should choose shoes with thicker outsoles and use reinforcements like heel protector, rubber toe, insoles, etc., to enhance the durability. But remember that they’ll make your shoes heavier.
Breathability and waterproofing: Gore Tex walking boots are waterproof and protect your feet from dampness. But they make the shoes less breathable. This can be a serious issue when you hike in dry weather and high temperatures, which will make your feet too sweaty and hot. You can try leather hiking boots as an alternative. Despite being heavier, they’re breathable and offer good protection as well.
Companies to choose from: Need premium hiking boots? hiking boots by Salomon, Bergahaus Walking Boots. Scarpa hiking boots or the North Face are my ones to look for. For the best budget walking boots look for Adidas hiking shoes, Nike hiking boots or high tec hiking gear.
Before we go into the in-depth reviews of our best hiking boots, here are the quick links to our other picnic and hiking essentials on the site. If you have all these, you are sure to have the perfect time when you go outdoors!
- Best Electric Cool Boxes
- Top Cool Bag Rucksacks
- Soft Picnic Blankets
- Luxury Picnic Baskets
- Easiest Folding Picnic Tables
- Waterproof Picnic Blankets
- Best Beach Tents
- Top Picnic Flasks
Can you think of another essential outdoor or picnic items I need to include? If so, drop me a line in the comments.
In-depth Hiking Boots Reviews
Best Men's Hiking Boot (High Top/Waterproof)
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Versatile for use on different outdoor terrains
- Sole offers a reliable grip
- Great coverage and support for ankles
- Laces and eyelets offer an easily adjustable, snug fit
Cons
- Unusually stiff soles
- Upper mesh area can let water in when you pass through puddles, marshy land, or wet grass
Best Women's Hiking Boot (High Top)
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Strong and supportive
- Look smart
- Wide fitting walking boots suitable for women with wide feet
- Waterproof and have a thermal lining too
Cons
- For some customers, sizing is way too small
- Some reviewers complained the shoes being too tight
Best Kid's Hiking Boot (High Top)