Which hiking boots review

The brand was founded near the Piccole Dolomiti Little Dolomites mountain range in northern Italy and, according to its customers, its boots would stand up to alpine terrain. You can normally buy them on the Zamberlan website, but the brand has temporarily suspended shipping to the UK. Meanwhile, you can find them via specialist retailers or Which?

Recommended Provider: Cotswold Outdoor. Verdict : Not cheap, but seemingly indestructible. Shop Zamberlan boots at Cotswold Outdoor. Browse Zamberlan walking boots on the Zamberlan website. Altberg is another top-scoring boot brand from our survey. Its roots were laid in Richmond, North Yorkshire, in and its factory is still there today — as well as a second in Italy.

The boots are handmade and the fit is something members seemed to like, awarding Altberg the full five stars in this category. Survey respondents loved that they could buy boots in half sizes, as well as various widths - suiting those with both wide and narrow feet. Altberg gained four or five stars in every category, from comfort to breathability and water resistance. Verdic t : Expensive boots that are worth every penny. You cannot buy these boots direct, but you can find stockists via Altberg's website.

Looking for a decent waterproof jacket for your next hike too? Take a look at the results from our best waterproof jackets survey to find a well-rated one. If your budget rules out Zamberlan and Altberg, Grisport is an excellent alternative.

Like Zamberlan, the brand is based at the foot of the Dolomites, where robust footwear is essential. It only gets three stars for shock absorption, however, so there are better options for hardcore mountaineering. Verdict : Another fine Italian choice. Shop Grisport walking boots direct. Several survey respondents commented on how comfortable Timberland boots are too. Shop Timberland walking boots direct. Shop Timberland walking boots at John Lewis.

Keen to read more unbiased news and advice? Sign up to Which? Martens or flip-flops for hiking. The question is: would your feet make it? Keep in mind though, that however strong you think your feet are, there are hiking adventures that will require you to wear non-slip hiking boots. Generally, when hiking, your footwear needs to be grippy, stable, supportive, and protective. NOTE: The ratings are based on how each type of footwear performs in general.

This does not, however, apply to each model that exists. The ratings will vary depending on the make and model of the shoes. Before you finally click on that buy button, have you considered checking the difficulty level of your upcoming hike? Hiking trails have levels of difficulties and include a variety of terrains. Knowing the elevation and distance of a hike plus the weather condition on that day will help you figure out the right footwear to wear.

When it comes to difficulty, trails can be rated from easy to very strenuous. As a bonus, we also added the types of boots that will work best for each difficulty level. NOTE: The weather condition or season will definitely affect your choice.

Hiking during the summer will require you to wear breathable kicks. On the one hand, insulated hiking shoes are recommended for winter hiking. Here are the major parts of a boot, common materials used, and their key benefits as well as their flaws.

Some of the things you will encounter when hiking or backpacking are rivers, streams, and muddy trails. Take note, however, that when a shoe is waterproof, its breathability decreases due to the added layers regardless if it's made with the popular Gore-Tex or other waterproofing membranes out there.

It would also feel heavier compared to water-resistant and water-repellent hikers. So, if you value breathability and weight and you plan to take an adventure in the hot tropics, consider non-waterproof boots that are quick-drying.

Yes, there are other things worth considering when out boot hunting. Here are just a few of them:. When fitting hiking boots, it is vital to ensure the fit is snug not too loose, not too tight.

Try these methods out. Go shoe shopping late in the day. Your feet tend to swell after a day full of activities. It happens too when you are hiking, so to get the best fit, try your boots in the afternoon.

Try it on, lace it up, feel your toes, and check for pressure points. Slide your foot inside and push it forward as far as it goes inside the boots. Once settled, feel your toes. Check as well if your feet move from side to side. If it does, then the boots are too wide. It should be comfortable, non-constricting, and snug.

Make sure to try the boots while wearing your hiking socks. Bring the socks that you intend to wear with the hiking boots you are going to purchase. Do not use cotton fabric as it does not offer any insulation and retains moisture. It can leave you with cold feet on the terrain. Wool or synthetic is a better choice of material for socks. Take your orthotics or preferred insoles with you. Consumers are often not satisfied with the default insole of the hiking boots.

Do not fret if the volume is too high or too low for you. If it did not work with your insoles, try another pair of hiking boots.

Walk up and down the ramp. This tests the snugness of the boots. When you go up the board, observe for any heel lift or constraint on the collar. When you go down, observe if your toes jam the front of the boots. If your heel rises more than a quarter of an inch or if your toes hit the front, try adjusting the laces or sizing up.

Before your trip, make sure to break your boots in. Every boot, especially the heavy, leather hikers, requires a different break-in time. Start small by wearing it inside your house with your preferred socks it might look awkward but your feet will surely thank you in the end.

From there, gradually increase your miles. As you can see above, most problems can be quickly fixed by adjusting the laces. Here are two lacing techniques that can help remedy blisters and toenail issues when out and about.

Over the past 20 years, Paul has climbed, hiked, and ran all over the world. He has summited peaks throughout the Americas, trekked through Africa, and tested his endurance in hour trail races as well as 6 marathons.

On average, he runs miles a week in the foothills of Northern Colorado. On top of this, Paul is leading the running shoe lab where he cuts shoes apart and analyses every detail of the shoes that you might buy.

Reviewed using methodology 1. Best overall. Best for backpacking. Best lightweight. Best comfort. But, as for the hiking boots, here are the ones that made our elite eight:. Salomon has been making big waves with boots like the X Ultra 3.

Our tester put this boot through its paces with a series of training hikes with a pound pack, and it performed well in terms of comfort, traction, and waterproofing. Our size 13 test boots weighed in at an impressive 2. Waterproofing comes from tried-and-true Gore-Tex. The downside of Gore-Tex is a dip in breathability, so expect a little more heat in this boot. Synthetic materials are light, but they do give up some torsional strength and durability to leather boots.

Overall, the X Ultra 3 is a high-value buy that does just about everything well. The advanced footbed was kind to knees that have taken a beating over the years. The MOAB 2 was also impressive during the waterproofing test. Half sizes are available up to size 12, and whole sizes go as high as size For most hiking, though, the MOAB 2 is tough to beat.

If you wonder what it feels like to wear the best hiking boots available, look no further than the Salomon Quest 4D 3 Gore-Tex. Advanced materials keep this boot light and flexible without sacrificing support.

Waterproofing is excellent up to depths of 6. Price will be a barrier for some people, but this boot is worth the cost.

Another potential problem is sizing. This is such a hot-ticket item that common sizes sell out quickly. Our reviewer logged miles of hiking and even sprinting in these boots with no hot spots or blisters. They even held up well in the waterproofing test. The synthetic materials used to build this boot keep costs and weight down. The tread is nothing fancy, but lugs on the bottom and side of the sole provide plenty of traction. Cost-cutting has its consequences. The lack of metal eyelets makes lacing a chore and raises questions about longevity.

Still, this boot is functional and gets the job done for a fraction of the price of most hiking boots. Our testing involved treks along perilous ridgelines. The multilayer sole and suede upper are durable and comfortable, even with a pack.

This boot is stiffer than most and excels in rugged terrain with challenging footing. Most hikers will be priced out. If you can get past those obstacles, this boot will get you past all the other obstacles. This boot is more flexible than most hiking boots, but definitely not flimsy. The mid-height upper provides a decent amount of support. Comfort comes from the Ortholite Mountain Running footbed. An optional Gore-Tex lining is a welcome addition and does a great job of keeping water at bay.

Being one of the fastest hiking boots out there comes at a cost. Sizing also runs a bit narrow. The Scarpa Rush blurs the line between hiking boots and trail running shoes. Keeping this boot light provides plenty of flexibility, and the high top is more supportive than trail running shoes. The same goes for terrain; keep your hikes light and fast to get the most out of this speedy hiking boot. Timberland has traditionalists covered with the Mt Maddsen hiking boot.

This old-school design is just as relevant today and scored high marks in our testing for traction, waterproofing, and comfort. Leather adds durability as long as you take care of it with occasional cleaning and conditioning. Hefty tread lugs provide plenty of grip. Plan on breaking in the Mt. Maddsen either by soaking it and going for a short walk or by easing into it with a series of short hikes. It does best with more leisurely hikes and light backpacking than technical ascents and extended camping trips.

Thanks to the wonders of the free market, we also know how good a quality pair of boots feels compared to worn-out combat boots.