The best walking boots reviewed (2023)

Walking boots are a key piece of outdoor gear for enjoying your time hiking and hillwalking. Your ankles will thank you for the extra protection, your endurance upped, and your grip enhanced, which means that you can spend more time embracing the great outdoors.

There are many different makes, models, and types of walking boots, from classic leather boots to modern hiking shoes. This can make picking the right pair appear daunting. But it isn't. It's simply a case of knowing what kind of hiker you like (fastpacking, alpinism, long-distance trekking, etc.) and choosing from the appropriate range of options. And that usually comes down to fit.

If you like fastpacking and alpinism, for example, it would be prudent to have a pair of lightweight boots or hiking shoes and mountain boots. These endeavours are very different from one another, and so too are the requirements for the suitable types of footwear.

The best walking boots at a glance:

Best walking boot 2023: Scarpa Rush Trk Pro GTX – View on Snow and Rock

Best lightweight walking boot: Inov-8 Roclite G345 GTX V2 GTX – View on Inov-8

Best budget walking boot: Keen Circadia Waterproof Boot – View on Keen Footwear

Best women's walking boot: AKU Trekker Lite III GTX – View on Alpine Trek

In this guide, we explain the different types of walking boots and what to look for when buying hiking boots. This will help you quickly hone in on exactly the right walking boots for you. We've also gone one further and recommended our best-tested walking boots from each category.

The best walking boots in detail:

Hiking shoes and sandals

Hiking boot categories

If you go into a footwear store or an outdoor retailer, walking boots and shoes only tend to be split into shoes and boots. But within hiking boots, there are grades that indicate what a walking boot is intended for, called B-ratings. This grading system goes from B0 to B3.

B0: These are your most typical walking boots. Lightweight synthetic hiking boots and general hillwalking boots fall into this category. They are relatively flexible and often have little break-in time. B0 boots aren't compatible with crampons and are intended for unchallenging terrain.

B1: These are noticeably stiffer than B0 boots and are compatible with basic strap-on-type C1 crampons. They are great for scrambling a bit higher up mountains and winter use. B1 boots offer more protection than B0 boots.

B2: These are a step into alpine footwear. B2 boots are stiff, with some flex for hillwalking. But these are intended for mountains. They're compatible with C2 crampons.

B3: These are for alpine use only. B3 boots are very stiff because they offer lots of lateral support for climbing. Mountaineers can use C3 crampons with B3 boots, but C2 crampons are also often used.

What to look for in walking boots

B-rating

Use the B-rating system to quickly identify the best type of walking boot for you. For most, this will be B0 or B1. B0 boots are often referred to as 3-season boots, and B1 boots 4-season or winter boots.

Features

Leading on from B-ratings, within each grade, boots still vary from one another. For example, you might think a B0 boot is best for you, but know they'll see some serious action. In this case, look for B0 boots with extra durability features such as a toe bumper and rand, deeper lugs, and perhaps a Gore-Tex waterproof liner.

It's all about your personal requirements. Don't worry about being too fussy because there will be several suitable options for you, whatever your requirements.

Fit

You want hiking boots to have about a thumb's width of room beyond your big toe and be quite snug at the heel. If you can get a finger down each side of your Achilles with your foot shoved as far forward as possible, you're about right. Walking boots need to hold your foot securely without being uncomfortably tight.

Everyone's feet are different; likewise, boots have different fits. Some brands like Keen are known for a wider fit, while others like Salomon are narrower. And while there is universal sizing, it still varies from brand to brand. Your best bet is to try things on. And don't forget about socks either - their thickness affects fit too.

Upper

The upper is the external material of a walking boot. Leather is very popular and used to be the only option. Leather is hard-wearing but can take some breaking in. Today, more hiking boots are being made from synthetic material, even alpine boots. They're often lighter than leather alternatives, which makes synthetic a great option for fast summer hiking. But predictably, they aren't usually as durable.

Sustainability

There are two parts to think about here: how the boot is made and how well it is made. Low-impact and sustainable production is key, but so too is longevity.

In terms of production, third-party certifications such as Leather Working Group or Bluesign are useful indications of footwear being produced in a responsible way. The use of recycled materials is important, too, especially with synthetic hiking boots.

High-quality boots not only last longer but are nicer to wear, perform better, and are cheaper over the longer term. Top-quality boots can last decades if you care for them properly. They can often be re-soled too.

Hiking boots care and cleaning

Crucial to the longevity and performance of hiking footwear is caring for and cleaning them properly (it's very easy).

Head to our dedicated guide on how to clean walking boots to learn the best way to keep your hiking footwear performing at its best for as long as possible.

Hiking boot glossary

Ankle cuff

The ankle cuff is the section of the boot that sits around your ankle. Higher cuffs offer additional ankle support, which helps you traverse uneven ground while also reducing the risk of sprains. The height of the ankle cuff can also help fend off water, mud and debris from entering the boot - which is always a nuisance. Some boots have a lower cuff. While this makes the boot lighter, it reduces the above benefits.

Often, the height of an ankle cuff is referenced in the title of a boot. For example, low, mid and high.

Upper

The upper of a hiking boot is the exterior material of a hiking boot above the sole. This will either be leather or a synthetic material.

Midsole flex

Midsole flex is a way of looking at the flexibility of a boot and the rigidity of its sole. This is important to note, as a flexible sole is preferred for even ground, while a rigid sole offers superior performance on inclines, scrambles and rough ground. You can test the longitudinal midsole flex by bending the boot from toe to ankle and twist the sole to check lateral flex.

Toe box

A toe box protects your toes from the peril of stary rocks and heavy items. The harder the toe box, the more protection offered.

Rand

Rand is a rubber layer that can wrap around the toe, sole or whole boot. It can sit between the sole and upper, and it offers additional protection and improved durability.

Outsole

Well-spaced deep lugs can bite into the soft ground without clogging. A deep heel breast – the step between the heel and midfoot area of the sole unit – is vital for providing braking power in descents.

How we test

The hiking footwear we test undergo thorough, real-world testing. As soon as they arrive with us, they get latched to one of our experienced gear testers and stomp off into the hills.

We consider myriad factors when testing and reviewing hiking footwear, from the obvious, such as comfort and performance, to the less obvious and intricate, such as sustainability.

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Chris Williams is a Digital Content Writer for Live For The Outdoors. He trained as a journalist in New Zealand and has been working on Live For The Outdoors since 2021.