Best Walking Boots for UK Trails: Merrell vs Regatta vs Trespass (Compared)

Merrell, Regatta, and Trespass are standouts in the world of walking footwear, and their boots take UK hikers up and down hills, all around the coast, and throughout every forest and field you can find. 

So if you’re looking for a new pair of walking boots, it doesn’t take long before those three brands begin to appear again and again in your search.

But is it a pair of Merrell or Regatta or Trespass walking boots that has your name on it? That's what we're going to help you decide by talking you through each of the brands and who their boots are best suited for. 

What to Look For in a Good Pair of Walking Boots

Before we get into looking at each of the brands in more detail, let's first consider what makes up the foundation of any good walking boot.

Usually, you'd expect to see the following features on most boots:

• Grippy outsoles: UK walking routes can be a bit of a mixed bag! So look for a walking boot with a well-defined tread pattern and a sole designed to provide good traction to help keep you steady on your feet 
• Waterproofing: If you’re walking in the UK, there’s a fairly good chance your boots are going to encounter some rain sooner or later. Waterproof walking boots will help keep your feet dry when you’re facing wet weather or general conditions like wet grass or puddles
• Breathability: Breathable materials can help moisture and heat escape from inside the boot, which help keep your feet cool during longer walks or warmer weather
• Cushioned or foam footbeds: These help support your feet inside, which gives you that comfy feeling as you walk

Then further features, such as protective material around the toes and heels, may vary from boot to boot. So often, the boots you eventually choose will come down to which extra details matter most for you as a walker, and this is where brands start to differ a little from one another.

With that in mind, here’s how Merrell, Regatta, and Trespass compare.

 

Merrell vs Regatta vs Trespass: Which Walking Boots Are Best?

Those three brand names are usually towards the top of the list when our customers are on the hunt for a new pair of walking boots: 

• Merrell: an American outdoor footwear brand with a technical heritage, known among outdoor enthusiasts for its hiking boots that are trusted by millions of walkers across the world
• Regatta: a British outdoor clothing brand that's been around since 1981, with a focus on good-value essentials for everyday folk
• Trespass: a British outdoor clothing brand, founded in 1984, that has built up a loyal following among UK walkers for practical, all-weather gear at accessible prices 

All three are proven performers on UK trails, but they do differ in their purpose and price points, so we've lined them up side by side to help you land on the right pair for you.

Merrell Walking Boots: Best for Performance & Trail Comfort

Best for: Frequent hikers who want a walking boot for some serious mileage 

 

Merrell Womens Moab 3 Mid GORE-TEX Walking Boots

Merrell Mens Moab 3 Mid GORE-TEX Walking Boots

Merrell Womens Thermo Snow Grip Waterproof Walking Boots

Any hiker will usually have Merrell on their radar when it comes to shopping for walking boots.

The brand has built its incredibly impressive reputation around outdoor footwear, with walking boots technically approached and intricately designed to give you a top level combination of comfort, grip, and support when you’re putting some miles under your feet. In fact, the Moab 3 (pictured above) has been given the title of #1 hiking boot in the world! That makes Merrell particularly appealing if your idea of a good walk tends to involve some big hills and epic views.

With their footwear, you get wet weather protection from the reliable GORE-TEX® waterproof membrane, with breathability part of the package too, so your feet won't overheat as you climb those hills. And waterproofing is a feature that’s difficult to overlook when you’re shopping for boots you’ll be wearing on UK trails, because mud, wet paths and puddles… they’re all part of the fun of British walking, after all.

Compared with Regatta and Trespass, Merrell does sit at a higher price point, which is something to bear in mind, but if hiking is a regular part of your routine, and you want boots that will go some long distances with you, Merrell walking boots are a great choice.

 

Regatta Walking Boots: Best for Value & Versatility

Best for: Walkers who want dependable waterproofing at a brilliant price

 

Regatta Womens Lady Vendeavour ISOTEX Waterproof Walking Boots

Regatta Mens Vendeavour ISOTEX Waterproof Walking Boots

 

Regatta Womens Edgepoint IV Mid Walking Boots

Regatta Mens Regen Breathable Waterproof Walking Boots

 

Regatta has been kitting out British walkers for more than 40 years now, and its reputation resides on dependable, well-priced outdoor gear that gets the essentials right. 

That’s really where Regatta stands out in this walking boot comparison, because not everyone needs footwear designed for the most demanding trails and terrain. You might simply want something good value that keeps your feet comfy and protected on the walks and loops you might do around your local area or on a weekend away. 

And it's hard to find walking boots doing more for the price than Regatta's! You’ve got the necessary waterproofing and breathability, sturdy outsoles, and, across individual styles, extra trail-ready features like abrasion-resistant, reinforced rubber toes for durable protection when you’re walking. These boots do exactly what a good waterproof walking boot should do, and that’s a big part of their appeal.

Compared with Merrell’s technical focus, Regatta offers a level of practicality similar to Trespass, at a price built around everyday value. So we'd recommend Regatta as the brand to pick if you’re perhaps newer to hiking or you’re on a budget. 

 

Trespass Walking Boots: Best for Practical, Reliable Footwear

Best for: Walkers looking for a practical alternative to Regatta, with different styles and features to choose from

 

Trespass Womens Amelie Waterproof Walking Boots

Trespass Mens Caelan Waterproof Breathable Walking Boots

Similar to Regatta, Trespass is the outdoor brand many UK families grow up with, and you’ll spot all over the countryside and the coast.

If you’re comparing Regatta and Trespass, you’ll probably notice quite a lot of overlap. Both offer dependable, affordable walking boots, rather than the highly technical boots Merrell designs for serious hiking. 

What Trespass walking boots do really well is being equipped for the outdoors, with functional features and detailing that reflect over 40 years of designing gear for UK conditions specifically. A lot of customers tend to lean towards Trespass for their smart, modern-looking approach to styling, as seen in the Amelie and Caelan above.

For walkers who are out a few times a month rather than multiple times a week, or simply want a reliable, comfy pair of walking boots for a reasonable price, Trespass delivers everything that’s needed.

 

Which Walking Boot Brand is Right for You?

So after looking at Merrell, Regatta, and Trespass individually, how do you decide between them?

There’s no straightforward “winner” here. All three brands offer walking boots designed to keep you comfy and protected outdoors, which means that the right choice will come down to factors such as:

• Where you walk (i.e. how challenging/uphill/muddy the trails you usually take are)
• How far you go (i.e. are you walking for hours on end or just short loops)
• How often you go (i.e. do you go hiking every weekend or is it more every so often)

The further, more often, and more varied your walks are, the more it’s worth investing in something like a pair of Merrell walking boots for that more advanced approach. But if your walks tend to be on everyday sort of trails, or you're on more of a budget, Regatta or Trespass will likely do the job very well for you. 

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you out a bit more:

 

Choose Merrell if:

• You’re walking regularly
• You tackle varied or more challenging trails 
• You’re happy to spend a little more for additional and/or more technical features

Choose Regatta if:

• You want plenty of choice across styles and sizes
• You want a practical boot that could double for everyday outdoor life
• You’re looking for something comfy and dependable, but on a budget

Choose Trespass if:

• You’re looking for a good walking boot, but don’t necessarily need the most technical boot available
• Most of your walking is on countryside paths and simple trails
• You’re looking for something comfortable and reliable, but on a budget

FAQ: Walking Boots Comparison

To round things off, we’ve answered a few common questions about walking boots, to help with any final decisions. 

 

What is the difference between a walking boot and a hiking boot?

In most cases, walking boots and hiking boots are the same thing, just with two different names.

Walking boots is generally the term used across the UK, and it covers a broad range of footwear, from something for a short countryside stroll to a full day out exploring. Hiking boots, on the other hand, tend to lean more towards longer walks and trails when the term is used on its own, but in practice, the two are used interchangeably by most brands and retailers. 

The best thing to do is to focus on the features of each individual boot itself (things like waterproofing, grip, and ankle support), as these are what will really determine how the boot performs on your walks (or hikes!).

 

What kind of boots are good for walking?

A good walking boot is one made specifically for the outdoors, bringing together grip, support, and weather protection in one design.

If you’re heading out for a short, easy walk, your usual trainers will likely see you through just fine. But once you start covering longer distances, tackling the more treacherous terrain, or facing UK weather at its wettest, a dedicated pair of walking boots becomes a worthwhile investment. 

We’ve compared Merrell, Regatta, and Trespass here as three of the most popular brand choices, but there’s plenty more to explore too, such as:

• Craghoppers
• Dare 2B
• Aztrek
• Karrimor

You’re never short of options at Avenue 85!

 

Is Merrell, Regatta, or Trespass better for walking boots?

The best footwear brand for you will largely come down to how often you walk and the type of terrain you usually cover.

Merrell tends to be the pick for regular hikers who want technical performance for longer distances and more demanding trails (such as multi-hour hikes and steep climbs). Alternatively, Regatta and Trespass are dependable, good-value choices if you’re walking a few times a month rather than every week.

 

Are walking boots better than walking shoes?

Walking boots give you added ankle support thanks to their higher cut, which makes them what hikers tend to go for if they’re facing more challenging trails. You also get slightly more weather protection around that lower part of your leg, again due to the height of the boot. 

Walking shoes are therefore, generally speaking, better suited to more well-maintained paths and hiking in the summer. They tend to be a lighter, more versatile option for walkers.

So it’s less a case of one being better than the other, but choosing the right footwear for your walks. For a closer look at how the two compare, we have a full walking boots vs walking shoes guide.

 

How should a walking boot fit?

A well-fitting walking boot should feel secure around your heel, with enough room for your toes to move freely.

Your heel should stay firmly in place as you walk, without slipping up and down inside the boot, while your toes need enough space to move, particularly when you’re heading downhill and your foot naturally shifts forward.

It’s a good idea to try your boots on wearing the walking socks you’d normally head out in, as this gives you a much more accurate feel for the fit. And if you’re ever torn between two sizes, going up is usually the safer bet, giving your feet the room they need to stay comfortable.

Find the Best Walking Boots at Avenue 85

There are great reasons to choose Merrell, there are great reasons to choose Regatta, and there are great reasons to choose Trespass! Each brand delivers on walking boots you can trust to see you through your outdoor adventures.

Whichever brand you decide has got your name written all over it, you can find them here at Avenue 85 (alongside everything else you could need for your hikes like waterproof jackets and trousers, walking socks and hats, backpacks, baselayers, and so much more). We've got free UK delivery on all orders over £65, so explore the range below and find your perfect pair!

 

 

About the Author

Tom, proud resident of Chapel-en-Le-Frith (aka the ‘Capital of the High Peak,’ as he loves to remind everyone), is a dad of two who spends his weekends ferrying the kids between football and dance class, occasionally sneaking in a peaceful walk around Fernilee Reservoir. When the family escapes to their coastal hideaway in Anglesey, he trades in the football boots for paddleboards and fishing rods, though his true passion lies in building the ultimate sandcastle. On the Avenue 85 blog, Tom shares his outdoor tips (and the occasional dad joke) with a down-to-earth approach that’ll make you feel like part of the family.