Best Walking Boots for UK Trails: How to Choose the Right Pair

We’re incredibly lucky to have a variety of walking available to us outdoor enthusiasts across the UK. 

If you love a challenge, you’ve plenty to put you to the test, like Ben Nevis or Snowdonia. Or maybe you're like us and live somewhere with amazing walks right on your doorstep, such as the Peak District. Or maybe you simply enjoy coastal walking, in which case we've got a whole island!

That mix of terrain, locations, and conditions is reflected in the range of walking boots available too. From simple options for casual hikers to high-tech, seriously specced footwear for the toughest mountains, there's a lot to consider. So if you've ever wondered how to pick the right pair for you, that's exactly what this guide is here to help with.

Quick Overview of Walking Footwear

Although we're going to focus on walking boots here, you do have a few options overall for your walking footwear:

• Walking boots: the usual go-to option for walkers across the UK
• Walking shoes: preferred by some due to the lower cut, and mainly worn for dry hikes in the warmer temperatures 
• Walking sandals: usually reserved for coastal walks in the summer

Should you wear trainers on a hike? Our recommendation would be to stick with walking-specific footwear for anything with a proper trail. Trainers are fine for a very short, flat stroll (for example, around the park), but once you start adding in variables like the weather, path conditions, and distance covered, there are features on a pair of walking boots that you’ll miss on a pair of trainers.

 

Features of Walking Boots for UK Trails

So when we talk about walking boot features, what are we referring to?

Well, usually it's based around these four:

• Waterproofing
• Outer soles
• Inner comfort
• Weight

The conditions of the walk will impact what features you need to prioritise, so let’s have a look at each in a bit more detail.

Waterproofing

It's easy to imagine waterproof walking boots as something you only need when rain is in the forecast. But UK trails serve up wet conditions in all sorts of ways:

• Damp or dewy grass may soak through non-waterproof uppers, particularly if you’re crossing large fields
• Woodland paths might stay boggy and shaded trails might still have puddles, even after any rain has cleared
• Streams might need crossing, sometimes unexpectedly if you're on a route you haven't done before

All of which means that walkers in the UK will usually go with waterproof boots just as a standard. It gives you peace of mind, and takes wet feet off a list of things to worry about!

When you’re shopping for your new boots, look out for features such as Gore-Tex, which is one of the most well-known waterproofing technologies in outdoor gear, used across walking footwear and clothing alike. Or you may also spot proprietary waterproof technologies from individual brands, like Regatta's Isotex.

 

Outer Soles

If we think logically about the outsole, it’s the part of the boot that’s in direct contact with the ground, so it makes sense that the tread pattern on it will have a cause and effect impact on how sure-footed you feel when walking.

Because those different types of trails all over the UK pose different hazards:

• Coastal paths might be rocky and uneven, plus you’re often doing battle with windy weather
• Hill walking brings grass and steep uphill movement into the mix
• Forest or moorland trails may have more muddy or boggy terrain to deal with

The lugs (the raised sections of the tread) need to be designed so that they dig into soft or slippery ground, and give you the grip to walk freely without losing your balance. This is one of the main reasons why we recommend proper walking footwear (instead of trainers) because they are constructed with a deep-tread outsole to combat this very issue. 

 

Inner Comfort

Footwear that’s comfortable for walking is different to footwear that’s comfy for general daily life, because walking puts a lot of pressure on your ankles and underfoot, especially on uneven ground or over distances. 

On a flat pavement, your foot strikes a predictable surface every time. On a trail, however, you're constantly adjusting to rocks, roots, slopes, and softer ground, and so your boots need to support that movement.

A good pair of walking boots addresses this in two key ways:

• Higher cut (than walking shoes or trainers): this, combined with padding around the ankle collar, helps support the joint, reducing the risk of twisting or spraining, particularly when you're tired towards the end of a long walk
• Well-cushioned insoles: these absorb impact that comes from underfoot, so great cushioning should equal less fatigue. It's worth noting that most boots can accommodate additional insoles also.

 

Boot Weight

Half a mile, five miles, fifteen miles… as the length of the walk stacks up, the more important it becomes to pay attention to how heavy the boot feels on your foot.

Lightweight walking boots are great for spring and summer hiking, when warmer temperatures mean your feet generate more heat inside the boot. Less bulk means better airflow and less strain on your legs over a long day out. 

However, if the terrain is likely to be a bit rougher or the conditions are less predictable, you might want to opt for a more substantial boot. Features like reinforced toe caps and mudguards may add a little weight, but they help to protect the uppers from the battering that rocky and peaty ground can deliver over time, preserving the boot across many seasons of use. 

Fortunately, most modern walking boots have focused on that balance of being lightweight and still with the features needed for UK trails. 

 

How to Choose the Best Walking Boots

So with all that in mind, how do you pick which boots are right for you?

You’ve seen the features you need to have a look for (waterproofing, outer soles, inner comfort, and weight), and the key is to consider how those would play out on real-life trails.

We've put together a few different scenarios below to help steer you in the right direction:

 

And to help you even more, we've rounded up a few bestselling options in our full walking boot collection, and sorted them into different categories to suit different styles.

So how did we pick them?

• Best overall: A boot that ticks the most boxes for the widest range of walkers. Strong waterproofing, reliable grip, a comfortable fit, and a brand with a proven track record on UK trails.
• Highly rated: This one is down to our customers. These are the boots that consistently earn top reviews across the range, and that feedback speaks for itself.
• Best lightweight (men + women only): Perfect for spring and summer hiking, these feel light on the foot without compromising on waterproofing and grip where it counts.
• Best budget (men + women only): A lower price point, with the waterproofing and grip you need for everyday UK walking. A great starting point for those new to hiking.
• Best leather (men + women only): Leather walking boots are known for their durability and the way they mould to your foot over time. These are some of the finest examples of that in our collection.

 

The Best Women's Walking Boots

 

 

The Best Men's Walking Boots

 

 

 

The Best Kids Walking Boots

 

 

 

FAQ: Choosing the Best Walking Boots

If you're still weighing a few things up, here are the questions we hear most from people choosing their first (or next) pair of walking boots.

 

Should you size up in walking boots?

It’s usually recommended to start with your usual boot size, and then have a walk around the house in them to see how they feel. Make sure you have your walking socks on (as the fit can feel quite different compared to everyday socks) plus any insoles you might wear.

And if you do find that you need to swap sizes, not to worry! We have an easy 60-day return policy here at Avenue 85.

How do you break in walking boots?

Start by wearing them around the house for short periods, then build up to short walks before taking them out on a full day's hike. This gives the materials time to soften and mould to the shape of your foot, reducing the risk of blisters on longer walks.

How do you clean walking boots?

Looking after your boots well helps keep them at their best. You don't always need to do a thorough clean after every use, but getting into good habits like giving them a wipe down to stop the mud from caking on will help you out in the long run. 

We’ve put together a full guide on how to clean your walking boots that talks through our top tips and an easy step-by-step process.

What brands make the best walking boots?

Brands such as Regatta, Trespass, Merrell, and Craghoppers are all well established in the UK walking market and between them cover a wide range of styles, budgets, and terrain types.

Regatta and Trespass are particularly popular for everyday UK hiking and offer brilliant value, while Merrell and Craghoppers tend to appeal to those after something a bit more technical. We stock all of these and more here at Avenue 85, so there's plenty to choose from!

Shop the Best Walking Boots at Avenue 85

We hope this guide has helped you work out what to prioritise for the kind of walking you love, and given you some great boots to pick from. And whichever pair you end up choosing for yourself, we hope they take you somewhere brilliant. Happy hiking!

 

 

About the Author

A dad to two energetic boys, James spends his weekends juggling football matches, skate parks, and Sunday afternoons at Disley’s very own Lyme Park. While he might not get to hit the golf course as often as he used to, he’s all in for family adventures in the great outdoors - coffee in hand and his favourite Ecco walking shoes on his feet. On the Avenue 85 blog, James loves to help other families make the most of their time outside by sharing his tried and tested tips, whether it’s finding the best waterproof jacket for a rainy day or discovering the best local walks that are perfect for little legs to explore!