The Best Walking Boots for Every Adventure

Whether you’re looking to buy a new pair of walking boots for weekend walks, family adventures, or multi-day hikes, our selection has you covered! Modern walking boots contain innovative features that ensure they keep your feet comfortable and supported during any hike.

From traditional leather walking boots to lightweight trail shoes, we’ve got options to suit every need. Join us as we discuss the best boots on the market and highlight the leading brands out there.

What are the best walking boots?

Defining the best brands of walking boots is a matter of personal opinion. To help guide you through the dozens of choices, we’ve picked a few of the lead contenders to talk about.

Meindl

Meindl's reputation, rooted in a strong history of innovation, is world-renowned for top-quality technical walking boots. The German-based company were one of the first shoemakers to use Gore-Tex membrane, making their boots waterproof and breathable. They then developed terrain categories to ensure customers could match their boots to their needs. Meindl’s durable boots have since been trusted by explorers and mountaineers to take them to the highest heights.

The Meindl Dovre Extreme Gore-Tex Boots are one of their most popular styles. Designed for adventurous hiking and stalking, these fully waterproof boots with superior Vibram soles can tackle harsh terrain with ease.

Helly Hansen

Helly Hansen makes light boots for hiking and trekking, perfect for hillwalking and outdoor activities. They are a top brand in sailing and outdoor gear. During their long-established history, they have developed over 20 innovative technologies to ensure their footwear performs even in extreme conditions. Examples include the HellyTech membrane, which creates waterproof and breathable protection against the elements and the HH Max Grip rubber compound, which offers superior grip on multiple terrains.

In a lightweight yet robust design, the Helly Hansen Mens Traverse HT Boots incorporate Helly’s latest technologies, including the high-performance HellyTech waterproof membrane and a dry-feel lining that wicks away moisture. These excellent all-around boots are a reliable choice for a day’s walk in the hills.

Hoggs of Fife

This British country-wear brand is one of the leading suppliers of high-performance clothing and footwear to countryside professionals. Hoggs of Fife was established over 130 years ago, known for making quality leather footwear for the farming community. Designed to withstand the elements, their boots offer extreme comfort and budget-friendly options to make it easy to find great quality boots that won’t break the bank.

The Hoggs of Fife Munro Hiking Boots are a classic leather design, suited for long hikes in the Highlands or a daily dog walk. Offering excellent value, these no-nonsense boots are built with thick leather construction with an ULTRDY waterproof membrane, along with a Vibram outsole so you can explore any terrain with confidence.

Le Chameau

Le Chameau has over 90 years of experience in producing premium quality boots, so they know a thing or two about providing comfort and support for your feet. Their premium walking boots are excellent for all-terrain hiking. They use hardwearing and water-resistant Terracare combined with waterproof LCX 5-layer technology to produce boots that will keep your feet protected, no matter the conditions.

Perfect for more challenging walks and stalking over demanding terrain, the Le Chameau Unisex Lite Boots offer stability, comfort and support. These durable and technical all-rounder boots have hardwearing Michelin OC soles that can take on the most treacherous terrain and days spent outdoors.

Aigle

This traditional French brand has a wide range of boots suited to walking, hiking and casual strolls. With boots designed for comfort and protection, Aigle is uncompromising in technical performance. Their range of boots features GORE-TEX waterproof membranes and Vibram soles, which are packed with their patented anti-fatigue sole unit.

The men's Aigle Tenere Hike Boots are a stylish yet practical lightweight choice if you’re looking for a fashionable pair of boots for casual walking. With a padded collar at the ankle and a chunky rubber sole, they’re ideal for exploring cities or rambling on established trails during the summer months.

Barbour

With their iconic British heritage, Barbour is renowned for producing durable and classic country-inspired wear that is both functional and stylish. Barbour’s range of boots offers practical attributes combined with fashionable style, designed for both city life and countryside pursuits. Their walking boots are ideal for those wanting comfortable boots that offer performance whilst still looking good.

Here at Phillip Morris, we’re always adding new styles to our range of Barbour walking boots, take a look at the latest range of Barbour boots for both men and women.

Best styles of walking boots

Walking footwear comes in many different variations, selecting the right option for you depends on the terrain you plan to tackle, and what you personally find comfortable. In the next few paragraphs, we guide you through a few options to consider.

Walking Shoes

Ideal for casual walks on flatter terrains, walking shoes are particularly suited to warmer temperatures and dry weather. When you need something a little lighter on your feet, a walking shoe can offer more manoeuvrability than heavier walking boots.

The Helly Hansen Switchback Trail Low HT boots are an excellent choice of low-cut hiking shoes that are available for both men and women. Designed for everyday performance, they’re comfortable straight out of the box, highly breathable and have quick-drying waterproof uppers. They also offer superior traction on rough terrain so you can step out with confidence.

Hiking Boots

If you’re heading out on a more strenuous hike, it’s important that your feet and ankles are fully supported. A good quality pair of mid-height hiking boots will offer more ankle support and greater protection from wet conditions than walking shoes. They will also offer increased stability with stiffer soles and supported midsoles. Hiking boots are suited for uphill walking across uneven terrain and include technical features to keep you comfortable on longer walks.

The best hiking boots are stable, secure, grippy, durable, waterproof and lightweight. The Aigle Mens Muntagna GTX Boots are the ideal all-rounders. These ultra-technical leather walking boots are made in Europe and feature a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane, along with Vibram soles for superior traction, durability and abrasion resistance.

Stalking Hunting Boot

Long days hunting out on the hillside or in the woods are made much more comfortable with a pair of stalking boots. Like hiking boots, a good pair of stalking hunting boots will offer stability and durability whilst being waterproof, flexible and comfortable to wear.

A supportive boot is essential when out on rough and demanding terrain. If you’re off the beaten track, it can be wet and boggy, so boots that are waterproof are a must. Most stalking boots have technical waterproof features and a high lace-up design that offers superior ankle and lower leg support.

The Harkila Pro Hunter Ridge 2.0 GTX are the ultimate stalking boots. They are tall, high-quality leather boots that are surprisingly lightweight and easy to wear. They provide support on uneven terrain and superior protection when it’s wet underfoot.

TheLe Chameau Lite High Boots are high-leg boots that are perfect for use in wetlands and other challenging areas. Made from premium leather with a first-rate waterproof membrane, they’ll keep your feet dry and warm all day long.

What are the best walking boots for Ladies?

Walking is an activity that is always accessible and a great way to stay fit both physically and mentally. Whether you’re on a country stroll or hiking up the Brecon Beacons, choosing the right pair of walking boots is essential so you can comfortably walk for miles.

Walking boots don’t need to be heavy and restrictive, there are numerous options to suit any terrain and just as much choice available in women’s styles. We’ve selected below a couple of our favourite walking boots for women.

The women’s Ariat Skyline Mid Waterproof Boots are lightweight boots with sturdy soles and a supportive padded ankle collar. These are comfortable leather boots that feature waterproof construction and a Duratead outsole for excellent grip. The Skyline is one of Ariat’s best sellers that not only offers great technical features but looks good too.

If you would prefer a lighter-weight option for casual strolls on flatter trails, the Hoggs Of Fife Women's Cairn Pro Waterproof Hiking Shoes provide optimal all-day comfort. With technical features such as waterproof and breathable interlining, these low-cut walking shoes are the perfect everyday choice.