A seasoned hiker knows that the difference between a great day on the trail and a miserable one often comes down to one thing: the right boots. It’s undeniable that a pair of quality boots are often one of the most important items in any hiker or walker’s arsenal, so picking the right pair can be quite a challenge if you don’t know what you’re searching for.Check out our tried and tested selection belowLuckily for you, our budding team of outdoor enthusiasts here at talkSPORT Shopping has hit the trails and reviewed a number of premium hiking and walking boots to give you the lowdown on what to look for.So, whether you’re looking for a new pair of boots for winter or a pair ready for the summer, keep reading to discover our recommendations.How we testedTo give each pair of boots a thorough test, we tackled a variety of terrains, including local trails, the rolling hills of Wales, and even the mountains of the Scottish Highlands.We tested on a number of surfaces, including paved paths, rocky trails, steep inclines and muddy and wet conditions to see just how each pair fared in different situations.During use, we paid specific attention to the comfort, ankle support, breathability, waterproofing and grip underfoot to determine how effective each pair was.We then awarded each pair a possible rating out of 5, with a full breakout of scores and performance below.Best hiking boots at a glanceBest hiking boots for comfort: Lowa Mens Renegade Evo GTX Mid BootsBest hiking boots for water-resistance: Helly Hansen Ascender Mid Helly Tech® Waterproof Hiking BootsBest hiking boots for winter: Hanwag Banks GTX Hiking BootsBest hiking boots for plantar fasciitis: The North Face Men’s Offtrail GORE-TEX® Hiking BootsBest hiking boots and shoes of 2025Lowa Mens Renegade Evo GTX Mid BootsThese Lowa boots were comfortable from the get-goLowa Mens Renegade Evo GTX Mid Boots, £219.95BUY HEREPros:Comfortable from the get-goGreat sole with support Exceptional build qualityHigh sides Cons:Short laces, so not ideal for wider feetLimited coloursRating: 4.7/5 Starting strong, we have the simply awesome Mens Renegade Evo GTX Mid Boots from Lowa.Founded and still produced in Germany, Lowa boots have become known for their build quality and hard-wearing designs.This particular model was a prime example of that, with the quality evident from the second I opened the box.Unlike many other walking boots, this pair required absolutely no breaking in, and I can honestly say they were comfortable from the get-go. With a GORE-TEX membrane, this pair are both waterproof and breathable, ideal for the woodland and coastline treks I took them on.I did find that the laces were a touch short, so if you’re someone with wider-than-average feet, you might want to steer clear of this particular pair.But with that said, it’s truly quite difficult to fault this pair otherwise.If you’re after for a truly outstanding boot you can put your trust in, look no further.Weight930gMaterialUpper: 100% Nubuck leatherInsole: 70% Memolatex / 30% PolyesterSole: Vibram Rene TracMidsole: 100% PolyurethaneFrame: PU MonowrapWaterproofYesFitTrue to size Mountain Warehouse Rapid Mens Waterproof Hiking BootsThese boots are a great budget optionMountain Warehouse Rapid Mens Waterproof Hiking Boots, £44.99 (was £73.99)BUY HEREPros: Very quick to break inGreat grip on both up and downhillAwesome waterproofingLightweightAffordableCons: Thin soleA little bit narrow Rating: 4.2/5Next up was the Rapid Mens Waterproof Hiking Boots from Mountain Warehouse.Even when they’re not in sale periods, this pair costs just £73.99, making it perfectly affordable for most walking boot budgets.While the shoe itself might not look like much, it more than makes up for it with its lightweight construction, great waterproofing and comfort straight out the box.I tackled several Munros in Scotland with this particular pair, and I was really impressed by the grip both up and downhill.Even on loose or wet rocks, I didn’t slip once while wearing these boots, which certainly wasn’t the case with some of the more expensive pairs.However, I did find there two be a few downsides.I found the shoes themselves to be a little bit narrow, and when I was stepping on sharper rocks, I did feel pain in the bottom of my feet.With that said, if you’re looking for a budget pair of boots that will safely carry you from A to B, you can’t go wrong with this pair.Weight1kg (estimated)MaterialUpper: Leather/textile 100%, Lining: Textile 100%, Outsole: Synthetic 100%WaterproofYesFitTrue to size Helly Hansen Men’s Ascender Mid Helly Tech® Waterproof Hiking BootsThese boots are extremely lightweight and breathableHelly Hansen Ascender Mid Helly Tech® Waterproof Hiking Boots, £180BUY HEREPros: Very lightweightFlexibleGreat on descentsVery quick to break-inCons:Ankle support isn’t ridgidNot great on mudRating: 4.5/5My next pair for testing was the sleek and stylish Helly Hansen Ascender Mid Helly Tech® Waterproof Hiking Boots.Very lightweight and flexible, these boots felt great on my feet from the very first wear.The quick break-in period was a huge plus, as I could get them straight onto the trail without any of the usual discomfort.For testing this particular pair, I tackled a boggy waterfall trail in the Scottish Highlands, and I was immediately impressed by how well the waterproofing held up in very wet conditions.Their grip was particularly noticeable on descents too, thanks to the deep lugs underfoot.With that said, there were a few areas where they didn’t quite measure up.The ankle support isn’t as rigid as some other hiking boots, which might be a concern for those who need maximum stability on uneven ground or those who take heavier packs.I also found they weren’t particularly great on muddy terrain, where the grip felt less secure than I would have liked.Despite these minor drawbacks, the immediate comfort, waterproofing and lightweight nature of these boots means the Ascender Mid Helly Tech® Waterproof Hiking Boots get a big thumbs up in my books.Weight490gMaterialUpper: 100% Polyester (Recycled) Upper 2: 95% Polyester (Recycled) 5% Elastane – Lining: 100% Polyester (Recycled) Insole: 100% Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Outsole: 100% RubberWaterproofYesFitOne size upThe North Face Men’s Offtrail GORE-TEX® Hiking BootsThis stylish boot is a great all-rounder for casual hikersThe North Face Men’s Offtrail GORE-TEX® Hiking Boots, £160BUY HEREPros: GORE-TEX membrane Unrestrictive LightweightGood grip uphillCons: Not great grip going downhillShort collar meant the inside did end up damp a few times Rating: 4.4/5Next up on our list: The North Face Men’s Offtrail GORE-TEX® Hiking Boots.After breaking them in, I decided to put them to the ultimate test on the UK’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis. Right away, I was impressed by how lightweight and unrestrictive they felt. Besides some minor rubbing underfoot, I found they struck the perfect balance between roomy and fitted. The sturdiness and grip were equally impressive, helping me tackle the steeper parts of the climb with confidence.Sadly, the descent was a different story. I was constantly slipping and falling, especially on loose surfaces.While I was very impressed by the GORE-TEX membrane waterproofing, the boots had one notable flaw. The rear collar wasn’t high enough, allowing moisture to seep in.Sliding my foot over the low collar made my socks wet, which, in turn, left the inside of the boot uncomfortably damp.With that said, the conditions on Ben Nevis couldn’t have been much worse, so I don’t feel like the boots are solely to blame.For less intensive climbs and conditions, I can wholeheartedly recommend this pair; you just might need something with a little more grip downhill for the bigger treks.Weight800g (estimated) MaterialUpper: 100% Cordura Ripstop Outsole: Integrated SKYCORE Rock Guard and SURFACE CTRL RubberWaterproofYesFitOne size upHanwag Banks GTX Hiking BootsThese Hanwag boots are made from a number of quality materialsHanwag Banks GTX Hiking Boots, £235 BUY HEREPros: Premium materialsVery roomyGood amount of breathabilityCons:Not comfortable immediatelyVery wide collar On the heavier sideRating: 4/5Next on the agenda was the Banks GTX Hiking Boots from reliable hiking and mountaineering company Hanwag.On first impressions, these boots both look and feel premium. They’re crafted from high-quality full-grain leather nubuck and feature a GORE-TEX lining for reliable waterproofing.Among the boots I’d tried in this list, I’d say this one might just be the roomiest.There was plenty of room inside around both the sides and the toebox, however, this did also extended to the collar.If anything, there was too much space around the collar, so I didn’t quite get the upper ankle support I needed.They were also a bit tough on my soles at first, but this was quickly remedied after a few solid hikes.Minor annoyances aside, the boots are extremely sturdy underfoot and quite effective on wet, slippery terrain.Thanks to the materials, there was also plenty of breathability meaning my feet didn’t feel hot or uncomfortable at any point.Overall, the Hanwag Banks GTX is a solid model that will certainly favour hikers with wider feet and ankles.Weight1250gMaterialUpper: 100% Polyester (Recycled)Upper: Nubuck leather, Suede, SyntheticOuter sole:Vibram Endurance ProMembrane: Gore-TexWaterproofYesFitRegularSalomon X Ultra 5 Mid Gore-Tex Hiking BootsThese Salomon boots offer fantastic value for moneySalomon X Ultra 5 Mid Gore-Tex Hiking Boots, £165BUY HEREPros: Comfortable on footGreat ankle supportImpressive waterproofingCons:Ankle material can rubLaces come undone easilyRating: 4.2/5Salomon are well known for combining style and functionality, and these X Ultra 5 boots definitely fit that bill.I was impressed by the support these shoes provided my ankles, and they were surprisingly comfortable after only a few hours of breaking in.Thanks to the Gore-Tex outer lining, these hiking shoes are also impressively water-proof.I even tested this by standing in puddles, and to my surprise, my feet remained bone dry.My only caveats with this shoe is that the design is quite thick and snug, so probably would be pretty uncomfortable on hotter trails, though for colder excursions, these shoes are ideal.I didn’t get to test in the snow, but I bet these would also be amazing thanks to the combination of comfort, material thickness, and impressive waterproofing.My final complaint, although I must stress it is small, is that the laces tended to untie themselves after a while.It’s not the end of the world, but just something to bear in mind as you’ll have to tie these extra tight.Overall, a great shoe for adventures in mild-to-cold climates, providing great support, comfort and protection from the elements – all at a competitive price point.Review by Maxim HancockWeight454g per bootMaterialUpper: PU coated leather/textileInsole: Molded OrthoLite® socklinerOutsole: All Terrain contaGRIP®Lining: Gore-tex membraneWaterproofYesFitOne size upScarpa Rush TRK LT Gore-Tex Hiking BootsThese boots are comfortable straight out of the boxScarpa Rush TRK LT Gore-Tex Hiking Boots, £200BUY HEREPros: Great grip provisionImpressive shock-absorptionDecent ankle support while not restrictive of movementCons:A little too lightweight for serious adventuringThis Scarpa boot is the lighter sibling to the Scarpa Rush TRK LT GTX, designed to be agile while maintaining the strength and protection offered by heavier boots on the market.The Scarpa Rush TRK LT boots were surprisingly comfy straight out of the box and required almost no breaking in, nearly wearing like a sneaker rather than a typical hiking boot.On first testing, I was most impressed by the grip offered by the Presa SuperGum outsole, which provided super-solid traction on wet rock and mud.Comparing to perhaps better-known Vibram soles, I’d actually say the Presa sole performed better.I also found that these shoes have some excellent shock absorption, thanks to Scarpa’s inbuilt Interactive Kinetic System (IKS).The waterproofing on these boots was pretty solid considering the upper material is mainly suede, though I must say it didn’t hold up too well with heavy wet conditions.The trade-off is that these boots are well ventilated, ideal for warmer, drier conditions.So, overall, the Scarpa Rush TRK LT boots definitely impressed in weight, comfort and versatility, though those looking to take on serious challenges may find their performance a little modest, particularly around waterproofing and ankle support.Review by Maxim HancockRating: 4/5Weight505g per bootMaterialUpper: Synthetic ripstop fabricLining: Gore-Tex extended comfortInsole: DST TPU FrameSole: Presa TRK-01WaterproofYesFitOne size upAKU Trekker Lite III GTX Hiking BootsJamie LewisWe found lots to like about AKU’s lightweight all-rounders[/caption]AKU Trekker Lite III GTX Hiking Boots, £208.88 (prices may vary based on sizing / colourway)BUY HEREPros:LightweightComfortable from first wearExcellent all-rounderCons:Lacks some features of AKU’s more expensive bootsLess suited to very tough terrain or weatherRating: 4.5/5These Trekker Lite boots from AKU are designed to be three-season boots that are good all-rounders, and I would say they certainly fit the bill.The boots look great in the green and black colourway I tested, and I found them to be pretty comfortable straight out of the box, although if you have wider feet you may want to try a pair on to make sure of the fit.I took these for an autumnal walk around Epping Forest, and they were well suited to the woodland and open terrain, with the grip dealing with occasional moderate hill climbs without trouble.My feet remained dry in the damp conditions, and after a few hours walking, I was impressed with the boots’ breathability and comfort, which compares well to other lightweight models.The main selling point of these boots is the well-balanced combination of durability, support, and comfort, while retaining a lightweight feel.If you’re heading out in the depths of winter or on a particularly tough mountain climb, you may need something more heavyweight and sturdy.Having said that, if you’re the type of walker who more often finds themselves on easy to moderate treks from early springtime to late autumn, I would say these will suit your needs the vast majority of the time.Reviewed by Jamie LewisWeight570g per bootMaterialUpper: Suede with AIR8000 fabricOuter sole: RubberInsole: EVA (medium stiffness)Outer: Gore-texWaterproofYesFitHalf size upFor more of the latest shopping deals and reviews of the latest products from top brands, visit the talkSPORT shopping homepage.