Walking boots are an essential piece of kit for exploring the great outdoors, offering extra protection and support over walking shoes. Walking boots and shoes are ideal for a variety of weather conditions and varying terrains, and come packed with technical features in durable yet comfortable constructions. Most walking boots feature supportive uppers with shanks for stability and underfoot protection to keep you safe during your hikes, as well as featuring cushioning midsoles; and most importantly in many terrains, feature essential grip and traction with grippy soles including those from Vibram.
Gear Guru concentrate on providing reviews of top 5 products in a variety of categories, with an aim of helping you choose the most suitable products for your journeys. Our favourite walking boots for 2018 feature five pairs of boots constructed with key performance, comfort, protection and durability in mind. The boots we’ve chosen are tried and tested, and perform as all-rounders to meet almost every walk.
Keen Targhee III WP Mens Hiking Boots
Keen’s Targhee III is one of the lower cut boots in our top 5 boots, but still provide key protection and support around your ankles. Keen have concentrated on creating these boots as a style that perform well in wet weather, with their KEEN.DRY waterproof breathable membrane and waterproof full-grain leather surrounding the foot. The metatomical footbed is designed to provide premium support and comfort by fitting around the shape of your foot with emphasis on your big toe, and the midsole features dual density compression-molded EVA for further comfort. Keen have concentrated firmly on providing premium comfort with the additional ESS stability shank for support, complete with a non-marking aggressive rubber sole for all-terrain stability.
Asolo Finder GV Mens Hiking Boot
Asolo’s entry to our top 5 is a highly technical boot ideal for both summer and winter walking. The Asolo/Vibram ‘Duo Radiant’ sole is crafted with a Megagrip compound, along with self-cleaning lugs made for high performance on all terrain types. The soft yet sturdy suede material is water-resistant and comes complete with a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex lining. The rubber toe cap and high ankle support keeps your feet supremely safe on any terrain, making these boots the perfect choice for difficult hikes.
Mammut Mercury III Mid GTX Mens Hiking Boots
Sustainably produced terracare nubuck leather provides a modern look as well as premium materials for sustained use. The 3D memo foam supplies all-day comfort along with shaped ankle support for protection without potential discomfort other high-collar boots could provide. Mammut have put a lot of education and innovation into the sole of these hiking boots, with Vibram Frog technology providing excellent grip on any terrain with the hexagonal studs in the sole tread, along with the patented Mammut rolling sole concept which encorages the foot’s natural rolling movement, both reducing fatigue and a danger of twisting your ankle. Complete with liquid rubber protection to reduce abrasion and damage, these hiking boots are a key choice if you’re looking for a pair of long lasting shoes.
Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX Mens Hiking Boots
The Salomon Quest hiking books have evolved over time, with the latest 4D 3 GORE-TEX bringing key pieces as well as fantastic improvements to the boot. Salomon have worked on technologies that reduce fatigue, making these boots an ideal choice if you’re looking for a pair of boots for long journeys. The EVA shaped footbed and Ortholite sockliner promote comfort while you walk to meet this key criteria, and the 3D mesh lining and GTX waterproof membrane provide reliable waterproofing, whilst still allowing breathability that allows internal moisture to escape. The 4D Advanced Chassis creates control over flex, whilst reducing ankle strain and stabilising the feet, whilst acting like a shank for premium protection. The uppers are crafted from durable nubuck leather and come complete with a protective rubber toe cap, mud guard, heel cap and breathable mesh. Finished with a high traction Contagrip sole, these boots are a premium choice for every hike.
Merrell Moab 2 Mid GTX Mens Hiking Boots
Standing for the Mother-Of-All-Boots, Merrell’s entry in our top 5 boots is an ideal choice for those looking for superb traction in any terrain. The Vibram TC5+ sole is extremely grippy, and performs well with steady traction and braking at the same time. The Merrell M Select FIT.ECO blended EVA contoured footbed features zonal arch and heel support, along with a Merrell air cushion in the heel that adds stability and the Ortholite anatomical footbed conforms to the natural shape of your foot. An arch shank adds to stability whilst protecting your feet, and the GORE-TEX waterproof membrane provides exceptional breathability whilst still staying completely waterproof.