The best walking boots of 2025 for men and women, tested by hiking experts
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From traditional leather to lightweight waterproofs, our walks editor Richard Madden and wife Sarah put the best hiking boots to the test. Copy link. twitter. facebook. whatsapp. email. Over the years I’ve covered thousands of miles and worn holes in even the best walking boots, from Hoka to Scarpa, putting one foot in front of the other to write walking features for this paper. In fact, when we were filing this paper’s ‘Bush Telegraph’ column from safari camps all over Africa, my wife Sarah and I wore hiking boots almost every single day for 18 months, negotiating everything from giant thorns to ants, snakes and blister beetles.
So we were well placed to test this year’s best walking boots. You’ll find our full reviews further down this feature – first my reviews of the best men’s boots, then Sarah’s reviews of the best women’s boots – along with a guide to how to choose the best pair for you. If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at our top five:.
We approached Alastair Bramwell of Bramwell International – a walking shoe distributor – for technical advice which we found extremely useful when testing these boots. The top qualities people look for in a boot, Alastair told me, are that they are:.
Modern Gore-Tex membranes are key to this, making today’s boots waterproof while also allowing the foot to breathe. The sole should provide grip and durability and the enclosing ‘upper’ should be shaped to give the best possible fit, while also being lightweight. The insole should support the arches while the heel and toe area should have reinforced caps for the best foot protection.
