So you’ve decided it’s time to get yourself some good quality walking footwear.
The first step is to head to your favourite outdoor retailer (*cough* Winfields *cough*) to find the best walking footwear to suit your style. But, then you’re met with something you hadn’t accounted for – are walking shoes or boots better for your outdoor needs?
As always, the team at Winfields have got you covered. Read on to find out everything you need to know when choosing between walking boots or walking shoes…
For seasoned walkers, there’s a good chance you’ll know the difference between walking boots and walking shoes, but for others, it can be cause for some confusion. Of course, choosing the best walking footwear is incredibly important, so it’s essential you know which type you need.
Fortunately, the difference is pretty self-explanatory, and mostly comes down to the shape of each piece of footwear. Walking shoes are more like trainers or dress shoes in that they cover the foot up to just below the ankle bone, whereas walking boots finish above your ankle.
The stylistic difference has a big impact on the performance and functionality of your footwear – each type of walking footwear has its own pros and cons, meaning there are a range of factors to consider before you buy, including:
As you might expect, because of their smaller design, walking shoes are lighter than walking boots. In fact, walking shoes can sometimes be about half the weight of a pair of leather walking boots. Depending on the circumstances, having lighter footwear is seriously helpful.
For example, a lightweight walking shoe can be the preferred footwear when hiking or climbing a steep slope or mountain. This is due to there being less weight on your feet, making a hike or climb less tiring. Lighter walking shoes also give you a little extra manoeuvrability, so if you like to be a little more fleet of foot and don’t like the feeling of heavier boots, then shoes might be the best walking footwear for you.
Take Hi-Tec’s Men’s Quadra II Walking Shoes. Designed with suede and mesh uppers for exceptional breathability, and a ghillie lacing system to ensure your feet are snug and locked in, these are a relatively lightweight walking shoe with maximum stability and mobility on the trail.
The weight of your walking footwear can also be a deciding factor when the seasons change. Lightweight footwear is better in warm temperatures to help keep your feet cool on the trail; while, heavier, more insulated walking boots are usually preferable in the cold of winter.
However, you should be aware that lighter walking shoes tend to have a thinner sole. For normal walking, this shouldn’t be an issue as the design will still ensure your feet are comfortable during use. However, if you regularly walk on uneven or sharper ground, you may want the protection of the thicker sole of a walking boot.
This brings us nicely onto our next point…
Having adequate support is incredibly important when it comes to choosing the best walking footwear for you.
This is definitely where walking boots come into their own, offering superb support on uneven terrain. This is because their design means walking boots have much higher ankle support, often over-the-ankle, and are usually thicker, which can help guard against ankle twists and sprains, as well as cuts, scrapes, and bangs. If you’re planning on walking on rolling or uneven ground, or have weaker ankles even on the flat, having this extra support is a blessing.
The best walking boots also generally have stiffer soles to offer a bit more protection and support for the soles of your feet, which is particularly useful when the going gets rough and rocky. This will prevent bruising and strain to your feet, especially once your footwear starts to wear with time – perfect for rough and ready hiking trips.
For example, have you considered our Kesmere Women’s Rambler Mid Waterproof Walking Boots? They may be classically styled, but these leather walking boots have innovative breathable and waterproof technology to keep your feet protected from the elements. Plus, the padded collar and tongue, and secure lacing system, ensure your feet feel comfortable and secure wherever your outdoor adventure may take you.
As we mentioned above, walking shoes may have a thinner sole to help reduce the weight of your footwear. This has the consequence of offering less protection from stony or rugged terrain. However, if you choose wisely, you can counterbalance this potential disadvantage with a shoe that is an excellent all-rounder that provides reasonable protection and support.
Top tip: when your trail gets tough, slowing down and taking greater care with foot placement when wearing walking shoes is a small trade-off if you love walking and would prefer a lighter, more mobile outdoor footwear option.
With the UK experiencing the delight of such varied weather conditions, having outdoor footwear that can stand up to whatever’s thrown at it is an absolute must-have.
Most walking boots will have a waterproof, breathable liner that will keep your feet dry when it’s raining and even when crossing streams. As long as the water doesn’t go over the top of the boot, you should be able to keep your feet nice and dry wherever your adventure takes you. Plus, you could always add extra protection to your walking boots or shoes to help improve their level of waterproofing.
Top tip: explore our collection of Nikwax products, perfect for cleaning and proofing your outdoor gear!
If you have shoes or boots without a waterproof layer, you may want to stick to hikes in drier weather. There’s even an upside to having a non-waterproof pair of shoes – the lack of waterproof lining means they’ll tend to be more breathable, which is very useful to keep your feet cool during the summer months.
Top tip: walking shoes that do have a waterproof lining will consequently be less breathable – unless they feature a special membrane, such as GORE-TEX. Not sure what this is? Find out Everything You Need to Know About Gore-Tex® with Winfields.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that while walking shoes may make them less protective against wet weather, they do tend to dry much quicker than walking boots – particularly as they are made of synthetic materials. So, if you do get caught out, you should dry off relatively soon.
Of course, if you’re looking for complete protection from the elements, waterproof accessories are a hugely popular option for every lover of the great outdoors – and we have some iconic brands available here at Winfields.
Take SealSkinz for example. Renowned for its ground-breaking development of waterproof and windproof technology, their outdoor socks ensure that even if your shoes get wet, your feet will stay dry – all while maintaining high levels of breathability to stay cool when you get more active.
If you know you’re going to be out in the rain, or crossing streams on your hiking route, we also recommend picking up a pair of Gaiters. These are a total necessity for wet weather hiking, regardless of whether you’ve chosen walking boots or walking shoes. With strapping under your foot, gaiters cover your lower legs to protect from water ingress, keeping you warm and dry.
We’ve explored the practical aspects of the best walking footwear itself, but these qualities won’t mean anything if they don’t match up with the type of walking you do. So, when you’re choosing between walking shoes or walking boots, consider:
There’s not really a strict ‘one or the other’ answer here – neither walking shoes or walking boots are better per say, it’s more about which one is better for you and your style of walking.
As a general rule, if you’re doing more casual, lightweight walking, then a pair of walking shoes should do the trick. However, if you’re doing more intensive, long-distance walking over challenging terrain, then walking boots are certainly the choice we would recommend – especially for the colder months.
Of course, if you can, then our ultimate advice would be to buy both. That way, you can wear the appropriate footwear for whatever type of walking you’re doing. Being able to alternate between pairs will also make them last longer, and give you more freedom when it comes to styling them – after all, walking boots do look better with shorts!
Note: it’s worth being aware that one quality less directly related to style you’ll need to consider before you buy is cost. Even while accounting for brand, extra features, and material, walking boots tend to be more expensive, which may affect which is the best choice for you.
Hopefully you now know what you should be looking for when picking between walking boots and walking shoes, and can get ready to really put your new pair through their paces. But, if you’re still struggling to decide, why not explore some of our top picks of the best walking footwear right here at Winfields? We’ve picked out some of our favourite pairs of walking boots and shoes to make your life even easier…
A higher cut of their incredibly popular Everest walking shoes, the Men’s Everest Waterproof Trekking Boots from Grisport are a superb example of where form and function can complement each other.
The rugged Vibram sole protects your feet from rough terrain and offers excellent traction and stability, while the waterproof Dakar leather keeps your feet dry while looking great with whatever you wear! This pair of boots is designed with; a hook eyelet system to allow for secure lacing; padding around the collar; and a breathable (but waterproof) Spotex membrane to ensure your feet stay at a comfortable temperature – no matter how hard the trail gets.
Found here in a subtle but stylish taupe colour, these Women’s Goshawk Waterproof Walking Shoes by Karrimor allow you to step into any adventure with ease.
With a compressed EVA midsole for maximum comfort, and a waterproof, windproof, and breathable Weathertite membrane, these are a great all-round walking shoe made for comfort. Plus, the Dynagrip outsole is designed to offer superb traction and grip, no matter the terrain or weather conditions.
Whether you’re a casual summer hiker, or need a comfortable pair of walking boots for your dog walks, Hi-Tec’s Women’s Eurotrek Lite Waterproof Walking Boots could be the perfect ones for you.
Some of our favourite features include:
They’re even part of the Duke of Edinburgh approved kit list – so you know they’re a walking boot that means business!
Delivering the all-around excellence you’ve come to expect from the Kesmere collection in a compact frame, these Men’s Trekker Low Waterproof Walking Shoes are reliable, comfortable, and supportive.
For starters, these lightweight walking shoes are designed with additional protection at the toe and heel to improve the longevity of your footwear, while extra padding at the heel and tongue makes for a comfortable, all-day fit. You’ll also get excellent traction and stability on uneven terrain thanks to the EVA moulded midsole and durable rubber outsole – perfect for any outdoor adventure.
If you’re looking for the best walking footwear, this pair of tried and tested Men’s Mendip 3 Nubuck Waterproof Hiking Boots by Karrimor should definitely be on your radar. Part of Karrimor’s classic collection, these hiking boots have exceptional features to ensure you have a positive outdoor experience, including:
Planning a hike on rocky ground, or heading through the woods for an outdoor adventure? You should consider picking up a new pair of Grisport Women’s Lady Trident Waterproof Walking Shoes for a much more pleasurable walking experience.
But why choose this pair? Well, one reason is the deep cleated rubber ‘raptor’ soles, which provide you with exceptional grip across all terrains – so you can climb and clamber to your heart’s content. These walking shoes also have a cushioned insole and padded collar for maximum comfort during use, and will stay dry with the Spotex waterproof, breathable lining.
We couldn’t go through the whole walking boot or walking shoe debate without exploring some family options. If you’re constantly running after your kids on the trail, you might want to consider getting everyone some walking shoes for maximum mobility to play chase. Or, if your kids are a bunch of more sedate explorers wanting to watch the wildlife they encounter, walking boots will offer better protection from mud and plants, and increased stability to find animals in their natural habitats.
Whatever you choose, prevent arguments by getting everyone some boots or shoes from the same brand. At Winfields, we have a great collection of Regatta walking boots and shoes, including:
At Winfields, we’re with you every step of the way – so even once you’ve decided on the best walking footwear for you, we’ve got some handy tips and advice to make sure you get the most from each pair of shoes (or boots!)…
Put your new walking footwear to the test with some handy inspiration from the team here at Winfields. Explore some of the best walking routes and outdoor activities with help from the Winfields Outdoors blog…
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