Best 3-season walking boots reviewed (2023)

Whether you favour traditional all-leather pairs or ultra-light modern footwear, 3-season boots will provide the support, traction and protection you need for all your non-snowy hillwalking exploits.

Hiker wearing 3-season walking boots

by Matt Jones & Ellie Clewlow |

Finding your ideal walking boot can be tough, so we've tested and reviewed the best options for 3-season hikes.

Promising all-day comfort and sure-footed traction in wet or dry weather, as well as support and stability on broken or uneven ground, they offer both versatility and value for a range of different conditions and seasons.

Naturally, some hillwalkers prioritise certain boot attributes over others. Those who like to go ‘fast and light’ might consider low weight the most important quality. Others might want cushioning, stability or long-term durability above all else. But really, the ideal 3-season boot should be a consummate all-rounder. That’s why we’ve tried to pick out those that strike the best balance overall.

Our shortlist

Scarpa Rush Trk Pro GTX – Best in Test

Vasque Breeze – Best Value

Keen Circadia Waterproof Boot – Best beginner walking boot

Oboz Sawtooth X Mid Waterproof Best 3-season mid boot

Lowa Renegade GTX Mid – Best 3-season boot for hillwalking

AKU Trekker Lite III GTX – Best 3-season boot for technical terrain

Altberg Tethera  Best 'classic' 3-season boot

The best 3-season hiking boots in detail:

1. Scarpa Rush Trk Pro GTX

Best in Test
Scarpa Rush Trk Pro GTX best hiking boot 3-season reviewed tested
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Description

Ellie loved the new women’s Rush Trk Pro straight out of the box. Men’s and women’s versions are

Pros

  • Impressive performance for a relatively lightweight boot
  • Can be re-soled
  • Good cushioning
  • Excellent grip

Cons

  • Boot last won't suit everyone
Scarpa Rush Trk Pro GTX best hiking boot 3-season reviewed tested

2. <br>Vasque Breeze

Best Value
Vasque Breeze breathable hiking boot best 3-season shoe
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Description

The Vasque Breeze is a well proven design that’s been part of this US bootmaker’s range for the

Pros

  • Good value
  • Uses recycled material
  • Comfortable
  • Versatile outsole

Cons

  • Midsole too flexy for technical terrain
Vasque Breeze breathable hiking boot best 3-season shoe

3. Keen Circadia Waterproof Boot

Best beginner walking boot

Description

Being one of the most durable picks on this list, Keen's Circadia Waterproof boot makes up for its

Pros

  • Protective
  • Durable
  • Accommodating fit
  • Sustainable

Cons

  • Wide fit not for everyone
  • Relatively heavy
Keen Circadia Waterproof Boot best walking walkers 3-season shoe

4. Oboz Sawtooth X Mid Waterproof

Best 3-season mid boot
Oboz Sawtooth X Mid Waterproof
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Description

Oboz is another US footwear brand, and the Sawtooth Mid is one of its most popular models. It’s a

Pros

  • Excellent insole
  • Robust
  • Good midsole cushioning
  • Dependable lugs

Cons

  • Require some breaking in
Oboz Sawtooth X Mid Waterproof

5. Lowa Renegade GTX Mid 25th Anniversary Edition

Best 3-season boot for hillwalking
Best hillwalking boot Lowa Renegade GTX Mid
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Description

This a perennially popular model from the German bootmaker that has serious hiking heritage. It’s

Pros

  • Very good outsole
  • Time tested design
  • 3 widths available

Cons

  • Others have better midsole cushioning
  • Stitching around flex points a possible issue
Best hillwalking boot Lowa Renegade GTX Mid

6. AKU Trekker Lite III GTX Wide

AKU Trekker Lite III GTX Wide best boot for technical terrain
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Description

This is a well made hillwalking boot that is better equipped to tackle tougher and more technical

Pros

  • Stiffer midsole great for mountains
  • Still relatively lightweight
  • Versatile lug pattern
  • Good breathability

Cons

  • No rand or toe bumper
  • Not much midsole cushioning
AKU Trekker Lite III GTX Wide best boot for technical terrain

7. Altberg Tethera

Best 'classic' 3-season boot
Altberg Tethera best walking hiking leather boot 3-season
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Description

A classic 3-season boot with sturdy uppers and a firm midsole, the Tethera seems custom-built for

Pros

  • Robust
  • Can be re-soled
  • Available in 5 widths
  • Fully gusseted tongue

Cons

  • Outsole not great on wet rock
  • Heaviest boots on test
Altberg Tethera best walking hiking leather boot 3-season

What to look for in 3-season walking boots:

Hiker wearing La Sportiva Trango Tech Leather GTX
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Fit: Everyone’s feet are shaped differently. Your best bet is to try for size in a shop. Aim for a secure, comfy fit at the heel and space in the toe box for your toes to splay.

Upper: Traditional leather uppers have minimal stitching and are renowned for being long-lasting and bombproof. Synthetic uppers have no break-in time, are lighter with enhanced flex and breathability, and can be vegan-friendly.

Waterproofing: A waterproof-breathable membrane liner will help keep your feet dry. This is often Gore-Tex, or a brand’s proprietary technology.

Tongue: A padded tongue provides improved comfort. And a gusseted tongue fully attached to the uppers offers better protection from water and debris.

Lacing: A good lacing system runs smoothly and enables precise, bespoke adjustment to your foot shape.

Ankle cuff: A higher cuff helps fend off water and debris from entering the boot and provides ankle support. But it may feel heavy and restrictive. Lower cuffs make boots lighter with a more flexible feel.

Toe bumper and rand: A strong toe bumper will protect your toes from rocky ground, while a rand offers additional protection and durability.

Heel counter: This stiffened cup at the heel helps lock the foot in place and offers additional stability and support.

Insole: Bootmakers usually skimp on insoles. Getting a specialist insole is a great way to enhance comfort and stability.

Midsole: The midsole provides cushioning and stability. How much of each a boot has varies. Winter boots are stiffer for climbing. Lighter boots are more cushioned and have more flex for speed.

Outsole: The outsole provides traction via a tread pattern of rubber cleats and lugs. Deep and widely spaced lugs provide won’t get clogged with mud. A deep heel breast aids braking power in descents.

3-season boot care

If you expect your boots to take care of you, you have to take care of them in return. This is vital to boot performance and longevity. Some of our favourite gear care products come from Granger's. Its products are both effective and Bluesign approved.

For cleaning any fabric, including leather and suede, use Granger's Footwear + Gear Cleaner; for maintaining water repellency use Granger's Footwear Repel Plus- it works on all fabrics but for full-grain leather, its G-Wax is best for conditioning and waterproofing. An alternative is Nikwax's footwear cleaner and all-fabric proofer (also PFC-free).

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