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We covered a lot of ground to find the perfect walking companions
Have you hit your step count today? Whether your target is 10,000 daily or something a little more modest, there are many health benefits to walking, which is why the importance of having a good pair of shoes or boots at your disposal can’t be overstressed. With that in mind, we’ve been putting the best walking boots for men through their paces.
The upper, midsole and outsole should always combine to deliver the perfect walking companion, with the upper providing comfort and support; the midsole delivering protection and good energy return; while the outsole and its tread give plenty of traction and confidence over a range of terrains, in the wet and the dry.
Thankfully, the days of having to break in boots for days before you even set foot outside are long gone. Today, the range of materials and processes available means most boots are pretty much good to go right out of the box. When it came to testing the best walking boots and shoes, if we felt our feet starting to suffer, the footwear didn’t make our final list.
Obviously, how much emphasis you put on waterproofing, breathability, durability and protection will all depend on where you’re headed, but what all our boots have in common is the fact you can just lace them up and forget about them and just enjoy the walk.
We headed to Dartmoor in December and the slate trails of Snowdonia in February, as they are the perfect places for testing outdoor gear, especially walking boots and shoes.
Our testing weekend in Wales coincided with an amber weather warning of snow, ice and rain, so most of our boots and shoes couldn’t have gotten a more thorough examination of their credentials.
Each pair was worn for (at least) a day out on the trails and tracks, giving us plenty of opportunity to put them through their paces and take particular note of any rubs or hot spots that were developing by the day’s end.
When buying a new pair of walking boots, it’s important to make sure they fit you properly. If they’re too tight, you may encounter painful blisters, but if there’s too much room, you’ll lose out on ankle support and cushioning. Instead, the perfect pair should fit as well as your most comfortable trainers, not too snug, nor too loose.
Breaking in means wearing your new boots until they mould to your feet. Typically the heavier and more solid the boot, the longer it will take for this to happen.
To break in your new boots, wear them around the house to get used to walking in them, which will later ensure they don’t cause any discomfort when on a trail, hike or trek.
Lightweight boots will require less breaking in and are likely to be more flexible, thanks to softer, more supple materials.
If you’re walking across muddy, rocky and rough terrains in all weather conditions, you will encounter a build-up of dirt on your boots.
Look after them in between your hikes by lightly scrubbing them with a soft nylon brush, to get rid of any dry mud. You can also scrub them with a gel or spray to remove debris and then wipe off any residue with a damp cloth.
Avoid softening the uppers, as this will cause them to lose their shape and become less supportive. You shouldn’t soak them in warm water during washing either, or use leather-softening products. To help your boots maintain their shape after cleaning, try stuffing them with newspaper, which will also soak up any excess moisture.
As long as you’re not going to be forging raging rivers in them, the North Ridge Harlow mid-rise boot is perfectly adaptable to all kinds of walks, no matter how ambitious. You really will forget you’re wearing them after just a few steps, thanks to a combination of comfort and lightweight design, but they never compromise on protection and the ability to help you stay well-grounded in a range of weather conditions and different terrains. We were also impressed with the latest version of the The North Face men’s vectiv exploris, while those looking for a budget pair of walking shoes, that will see them through less technical terrain, won’t go far wrong with the Peter Storm Buxton.
Pair your new boots with the best men’s walking trousers that will see you through the toughest hikes