Our Tried and Tested Pick of the Best Walking Boots (2024)

These great-value boots from good ol’ Decathlon take a bit of breaking in, but once we softened them up, they did the job nicely for all our outdoorsy endeavours, keeping us comfortable and blister-free. The sturdy sole kept us grounded on all types of surfaces, they successfully kept water at bay – even when the heavens opened – and they dried quickly when the sun finally made an appearance.

Our testers found them a little slippery on smooth surfaces indoors and not everyone was sold on the heavy-duty design, but you can’t win ‘em all. For under £80, they’re a reliable bargain.

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Offering plenty of substance to back up their sleek style, these lightweight hikers proved supportive and “supremely grippy” on all terrains, from muddy fields to rocky coastal paths. They felt pleasantly bouncy as we clocked up the miles and were nice and roomy around the toes – excellent news for our walkers with wider feet. We would have appreciated additional eyelets for superior support around the ankles but that was our only real gripe.

Whether you’re heading out for a stroll or tackling a hardcore hike, this trusty pair is a shoe-in for your next adventure. Just make sure to wear a good pair of socks to eliminate the risk of rubbing.

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If comfort is priority, this snazzy style from adidas should be on your radar. More like trainers than full-on boots, they were lightweight enough to make for effortless hiking, with zero rubbing or chafing, even on lengthier walks. They offered good traction on coastal paths and forest trails alike and those who wore them in the rain stayed dry, but they lost points for ankle stability due to the trainer-like design.

These babies are the dream for all your casual hikes, but testers said they would want something more supportive if they were taking on serious treks in challenging terrain. The fit is rather snug, so size up if plan on wearing thick hiking socks.

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With an outsole, footbed, upper, lining and laces made from recycled materials, Merrell claims the Speed Eco is its most sustainable shoe to date. Testers loved the subtle, trainer-esque design, which meant they were lightweight and comfy, particularly for those with wide feet. They required a teensy bit of breaking in but once well worn, they offered our hikers plenty of support and stability on all terrains, including grass, gravel, sand and rocks, and they kept everyone’s feet warm and dry in the rain.

If you’re after a more sustainable option that’s suitable for everyday wear as well as dedicated hikes, you’ve met your match. Testers’ feet did get a little hot and sweaty in warm weather, so we’d save them for the cooler months.

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Running crew, this trainer-like shoe by Danner is for you. Lightweight, waterproof and promising top-notch grip, they’re ideal for charging along rocky coastal paths and muddy fields alike. Impressed testers said they offered a good balance of protection, flexibility and comfort, with the tread delivering a steadfast grip on uneven surfaces.

They’re not the easiest to get on or off, and the low-cut style means there’s little ankle support. Still, these are a dependable pair of trail shoes that we reckon are worth the high price tag.

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Another pocket-friendly option from Decathlon. This lightweight pair kept our testers’ feet dry, provided a snug fit and left plenty of wiggle room for the toes, earning them lots of praise. The modest price tag definitely didn’t hurt either.

Our panel said they would have liked more support to protect their ankles from rolling on uneven ground, and found they lost confidence when walking on slippery surfaces as the boots’ grip wasn’t as good as many of its competitors. But a pair of waterproof boots at this price is still a steal.

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Squeezing into the high ankle of a walking boot can be a tedious affair. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case with this Salomon shoe, which slipped on like a trainer. Yet, somehow, the brand has made a boot that still offers a snug, comfortable fit around the heel — quite the achievement. They look great, too, and defied the odds with their versatility, proving equally adept at walking city streets as they were when traversing tricky trails.

Some testers said their feet ached slightly after particularly long treks due to the firm sole, but that black mark was outweighed by compliments from other wearers, who applauded the boot’s style, stability, flexibility and support.

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These boots are made for walking, and that’s just what they did — very well, in fact. The heel locked testers’ feet securely into place, leaving no chance of rubbing or blisters, and the firm upper provided support for the ankle and mid-foot. But they were never tight to the point of discomfort, and the toes still had plenty of room to spread for stability.

The sole proved comfortable for all distances, long and short, and provided great grip on almost all surfaces. A couple of our testers found they slipped slightly on wet rocks, and the combination of suede and mesh on the upper could be tricky to clean. But the surprisingly lightweight design and comfort was more than enough to make up for this.

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A clean, classy leather design and unrivalled durability — what more do you want from your walking boots? This hardy Zamberlan pair will handle whatever weather, terrain and challenges you throw at them, and they’ll look great doing it. Testers said their feet felt stable and supported throughout each hike, easing any worries about rolling their ankles.

Some of our panel felt the grip could have been better on gravel, and said their feet grew quite hot during lengthy warm-weather walks. But the waterproofing left all walkers impressed, keeping their feet bone dry throughout all obligatory British downpours.

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What Should You Look For in a Pair of Walking Boots?

As with any footwear, a lot of what you want from a walking boot will be down to personal preference and where you're going. For example, someone setting out for a short stroll will demand a lot less than a die-hard rambler conquering the Three Peaks Challenge.

Nevertheless, whatever your plans, you’ll want to consider these features before you buy.

Waterproofing and breathability: Most walking boots nowadays will have some degree of water resistance. This often comes courtesy of a Gore-Tex membrane, or similar, which has thousands of pores small enough to block water droplets but large enough to allow perspiration to escape. This gives them both waterproof and breathable properties.

Material: A classic leather upper is likely to be hardy and durable. However, they tend to be stiffer, need more care and take a longer time to break in. Synthetic materials, on the other hand, are usually cheaper and don’t take as long to mould to your feet.

It’s also worth considering whether you want a vegan shoe, such as the Lowa Mens Innox Pro GTX Mid Boot, which is made without animal products like leather.

How Should Your Walking Boots Fit?

Finding the right walking boots will require more than just popping them on and pacing backwards and forwards a couple of times.

First, wear your usual, thick walking socks and slip the boots on with the laces undone. It’s a major red flag if they’re already uncomfortable — they’re unlikely to support you while summiting Scafell Pike if they already pinch in your living room. Next, stretch your toes to make sure they have plenty of space and won’t bash against the end of your boots when you’re walking downhill.

After this, push your toe forward and try to fit a finger between your heel and the back of the boot. It should be snug, but not squashed. If there’s not enough room to do this, the boots are too small, and if your finger has space to spare, they're too big.

Finally, it’s time to tie the laces (as you would while walking), stand up and take a few paces. They should provide plenty of support to your ankle and forefoot without feeling uncomfortably tight, and the heel shouldn’t rise out of the heel cup when you step forward or they'll be prone to rubbing.

If your boots still feel comfortable at this stage, you’re onto a winner and it’s time to break them in.

How To Break in Walking Boots

Walking boots are sturdy shoes, and will usually take some time to mould to your feet. The best way to do this is to wear them around the house. You may feel like a bit of a wally washing up in your wet-weather footwear, but you’ll be the one laughing when your feet are pain-free halfway into a gruelling hike.

We recommend wearing them a few times, for about an hour, before you try some more challenging trails.

How We Test

The Men’s Health Lab left no path untrodden as they put a variety of market-leading walking boots to the test. A panel of over 100 serious hikers got involved, with each style worn by three different people.

Testers hit the hills in dry, wet and warm weather, covering a range of terrains and distances, to see how their boots fared. Waterproofing and breathability claims were checked, with further points awarded for comfort, stability, fit, design and performance.