These mid-reach boots boast a very chunky silhouette and beefy outsole which we really appreciated, especially when we were trudging across cold, hard frosty moorland paths. However, for a big, rugged boot they were lightweight and it’s easy to forget you’re wearing them after a few metres of setting off. We didn’t need to worry about waterproofing, which was excellent and even with big, thick, winter hiking socks on, breathability throughout the shoe was good.

The toe box was roomy enough to make the shoe comfortable, but not so roomy that you would need to double-layer socks and the heel fits nice and snug to avoid blisters. On the outside, there’s plenty of protection from the upper and that big bumper that surrounds the base of the shoe will mean you can stride out without worrying about ground-level collisions. These low-cut shoes are made for speed and comfort and performed really well on wet walks with their three layers of protection, including an effective membrane, seam sealing throughout the shoe and a water-repellent treatment on the upper. The beefy silhouette and thick midsole provided plenty of protection and raised each foot's stride so that you can minimise stumbles and collisions with boulders and rocks. The mesh ankle collar was comfortable and offered good protection and there’s a very complex lug pattern on the outsole that provided efficient traction and ensured we didn’t end up with lots of claggy mud underfoot lessening the efficiency of the pattern.

We absolutely loved the construction of this light, mid-height boot, with its tough Cordura upper which allows for plenty of movement, while also providing a glove-like fit and makes the boots one of the most comfortable for day hikes, with the GTX membrane ensuring that feet stay dry. The outsole is made up of a Vibram megagrip sole with 4mm lugs that provided great traction over the full range of wintry conditions.

There’s good ankle protection too from a moulded pad and a wide toe box adds to the overall comfort of the shoe with thick socks on. Well-constructed, low-cut boot that was comfortable to wear and boasts a rugged Vibram outsole that gave us plenty of confidence to travel quickly, even over loose rock. The Texapore Ecosphere Pro membrane offered up good waterproofing in soggy conditions and allowed feet to breathe, while the midsole was stiff enough to allow us to travel over the rough stuff without feeling it but also allowed good connection on looser trails.

A low-cut, durable shoe that’s very at home on the lower trails thanks to an outsole with deep lugs and a design that makes it easy for water to escape and not turn the bottom of the shoe into a muddy plate. The midsole offered good protection while remaining flexible as we stomped over more technical sections and the suede upper was supremely comfortable with Aquadry waterproofing to keep feet dry, although there’s no waterproof membrane so we wouldn’t go wading through any streams with these. Plenty of buffering at the toe with a rubberised cap and the solid ankle and heel support means you can feel confident that you’re not going to end up in any bother.

The Terrex outdoor brand from Adidas has offered up another shoe which is well suited to ambitious adventures when you’ve got plenty of miles planned, thanks to the brand’s usual combination of a reliable GORE-TEX membrane, comfortable EVA midsole and very grippy Continental outsole. The gusset tongue adds to the shoe being a good barrier to the elements and the lace closure was quick and easy. Adidas have managed to keep the weight to a minimum so you can really eat up the ground if you’ve got a mile-heavy hike ahead of you, while there’s lots of protection on rocky paths and boulder fields. They actually make a good approach shoe that you can switch out for some mid-height boots if you’re going higher.

This is a truly versatile boot for ambitious walkers and hikers, which will take you from the lower approach routes all the way to the via ferrata, if you’re feeling ambitious. The combination of a Hydrobloc treatment on the suede upper and Gore-Tex lining means that you can guarantee waterproofing and for a big boot we were particularly impressed with how tailored and snug it was, thanks to a lacing pattern that reaches almost all the way down to the toe of the boot.

The Vibram Pepe sole system with Megagrip compound ensures greater grip on different types of terrain, and finally, the dual density EVA wedge midsole guarantees cushioning and stability. Despite being heavy on features, the shoe keeps the weight down and protection is guaranteed from the high cut upper that secured the ankle. Also, the fact that the whole boot is surrounded with a rubber/PU band increases the durability and means that the boot will be with you for many seasons to come.