In basic terms the one that fits, fit for purpose and that fit your foot. Simple, nothing else matters.
In not so basic terms;
As a simple guide, good walking boots should provide sufficient grip and support for the terrain you’re covering, and feel as comfortable at the end of the day as when you first put them on. The wrong walking boots, however, will leave you with sore, aching feet and possibly bruised toes and blisters too. They may even force you to shorten your day or route and will certainly make the going more difficult if not suited to the type of terrain and conditions encountered.
Outdoor Footwear is designed to protect the feet and ankles from rough ground, to support the foot when under load, and to provide improved grip on uneven, steep and wet ground. Outdoor footwear should also be comfortable, durable and suited to the activity being undertaken. Used with the right socks, footwear should keep the feet dry and at a comfortable temperature too. The process of selecting outdoor footwear will always be swayed by compromise and personal preference. But whatever the activity, the most important factor is always fit. The following section discusses footwear categories in more detail and should be read in conjunction with information found later on features and fitting.
To choose the most appropriate model it is important that you consider how you’ll use your outdoor footwear. This will define the characteristics your footwear will require, such as support, protection, shock absorption and sole grip. These guidelines are necessarily general in their nature and you should always consider other factors such as your height, build, weight and individual foot sizes.
This is essentially fell walking footwear suitable for multi-day, self-supported walks where a full rucksack (rather than a day sack) will be carried. The extra weight carried makes the characteristics of support and protection more important. Suitable boots will likely have styling similar to those recommended for fell walking but will incorporate stiffer, more stable soles, firmer uppers, and use more substantial materials to give greater all-round protection. A leather boot is more preferable for this type of end-use as it offers better support to foot and ankle.
Footwear perfectly matched to lowland walking and rambling but also suitable for day walks over slightly harsher terrain, including variable gradients and rougher paths. Some customers may consider using shoes over this type of terrain; we recommend boots because it is our view that your comfort and safety will be enhanced by the extra support and more substantial protection offered by this type of footwear.
The soles of such boots should be firm and include a tread pattern that provides satisfactory grip. Some soles use dual density rubber for improved shock absorption: boots that feature EVA sections or an injected PU construction offer even greater shock absorption and weigh less. The uppers should offer reasonable support but not be too stiff. For year-round use we recommend either leather boots, or fabric boots that include a waterproof membrane, because they offer greater comfort and protection in wet conditions. Leather boots are generally heavier than their fabric counterparts but prove far more durable. Comfort and fit may vary considerably but, generally speaking, a higher quality boot will be constructed around a more accurate last, giving a better fit. Standards of materials and comfort will also improve with price.
For single day use, the protection and support offered by backpacking footwear may be sufficient for winter walking and low grade scrambling. On multi-day or winter trips, however, the extra weight of a full rucksack will require the enhanced stability and support offered by a four season model. Furthermore, the midsole and sole combinations on four season boots will frequently offer C1 crampon compatibility, giving the option of extra security on snow and ice along with enhanced durability and abrasion resistance. Generally, fabric boots will not offer the support or protection necessary for these conditions. Neither are they suitable for fitting to crampons, as the bindings will restrict bloodflow to the toes, which can in more extreme weather lead to frost-nip injuries to the feet.
Footwear suitable for gentle terrain such as parkland and woodland, where level and well-prepared footpaths are the norm. Such footwear should be comfortable and lightweight, give modest support and have a cushioned sole unit that offers both shock absorbency and reasonable grip. Most shoes and low-cut boots will be perfect for such walking; lightweight boots offer a little extra support and greater protection. Note, however, that many of the lightest shoes and boots will not deliver the same durability as more substantial (and often heavier) products - an important consideration if you are likely to use the shoes or boots frequently or tend to wear your footwear out more quickly.
Terrain varies considerably in the high mountains. Your footwear of choice must be equal to whatever challenges you can reasonably expect to face. Mountaineering boots will commonly use very stiff (if not completely rigid) soles and feature stiff, supportive uppers with a high ankle cuff, giving greater protection and warmth than footwear from any other category. Contemporary designs will feature a plastic shell & inner boot construction, or use thicker, more durable leather, often backed by waterproof/breathable membranes and a degree of insulation. Leather boots commonly give a more precise fit and offer greater sensitivity and feel, making them better suited to mixed conditions (Scottish winter or Alpine summer use, for example). Leather models are less suited to extended use in very cold (high altitude) or wet (snow) conditions, as they are susceptible to freezing overnight, and under such circumstances plastic boots with removable inners are more appropriate.
Finally, achieving a precise and accurate fit is imperative when choosing mountaineering boots, as the stiffness and inflexibility of the uppers of these boots will result in considerable discomfort if the foot is either pinched or allowed to float within the boot.
Whilst not a recognised category, footwear for trekking should nevertheless match the expected conditions. Trekking terrain varies considerably, from that expected on a low-level ramble to ground more reminiscent of an arduous fell walk or easy scramble. In remote areas paths may be indistinct, terrain rough and uneven. Climatic conditions may also be variable. Commonly, treks will be warm and dry. Wet weather is not uncommon however, and during winter some regions (or throughout the year on high level treks), cooler conditions will be common and snow and ice may be encountered. Consider also whether you will be carrying a day sack or a large rucksack when making a judgement on the level of support and protection you require from your footwear. There are many important features that should be considered when choosing a boot. Be sure to check which are most relevant to the end use you wish your boot to fulfil.
A walking boot's front to back flexibility determines the ease with which the boot bends with the foot during each step, and the amount of flex required or desired is very much down to personal preference. It is certainly true that a softer boot allows a more natural walking action, though stiffer models often introduce some curvature to the sole to compensate for the rigidity and remove the flat-spot effect. The need for good lateral stiffness is greater on rough terrain (or when traversing a slope). A laterally stiff boot allows the foot to remain flat, leaving the ankle aligned correctly beneath the leg, so giving better support and reducing the stress on joints.
Overall, boots for hill walking and trekking should flex fairly easily toe to heel but remain stiff from side to side. For winter mountaineering or extended crampon use though, boots that are stiffer or rigid toe to heel are necessary. Our flexibility scale rates models from one to six, with six being a rigid sole.
Most boots are lined to create a smooth, comfortable inner to the boot. Cambrelle, a popular lining material, is a durable synthetic that provides a degree of cushioning and insulation. It is also air and moisture-permeable, fast drying, odour and mildew-resistant. Other similar synthetics are just as popular. Leather offers a heavy duty lining which is smooth and comfortable. Generally, linings are made with as few seams as possible to minimise rubbing and abrasion. Half-lined boots only use a lining around the heel and ankle where most rubbing occurs.
To make boots more water resistant or waterproof they may be lined with a waterproof/breathable membrane such as Sympatex, Gore-Tex, ClimaDry, or Air8. The membrane lining or bootie will be seam-sealed and positioned between the outer and an inner lining to protected it from scuffing and abrasion damage. Waterproof linings are frequently used on fabric boots to improve wet weather performance. However, waterproof/breathable linings work best in cold dry conditions. In continuously wet weather the boot’s outer and padding can become saturated, impairing the breathability of the lining and making condensation more likely. For really wet conditions, therefore, non membrane-lined models may be more suitable.
Improvements in the construction and quality of modern boots mean that the durability of uppers has been improved. However, without using very hard or very thick rubber (which would adversely affect flexibility) it is difficult to extend the durability of outsoles. The majority of modern boots are therefore designed to be resoleable, the outsole being split from the midsole and replaced with a new unit. For the resoleing of all major brands of footwear, together with other repair and replacement services.
The midsole is a thin section of material, sandwiched between the outer sole and its junction with the uppers, that gives the boot much of its stiffness. Nylon and PU midsoles are widely used in modern footwear. The insert's thickness and width varies along its length to define differing flex characteristics, and adjustments are made to ensure the any model's flex is appropriate for both smaller and larger foot sizes. Stiffer or rigid midsoles are used in mountaineering boots, more flexible midsoles in walking and multi-terrain models. Some stiffer models will also include a separate metal or carbon fibre shank, giving the boot sufficient rigidity for use with step-in crampons and for front pointing. The midsole should not be confused with the footbed, the removable foam bed the foot actually rests on.
Many boots and shoes have a second midsole or dual density outsole designed to absorb trail shock. This jarring can lead to fatigue, sore feet and, in extreme cases, tendonitis and joint injury. Dual density soles use a softer rubber for shock absorption and a hard, more durable rubber for the tread. Shock absorption in lighter models is often constructed from wedges of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyurethane (PU). Stiffer mountaineering and four season boots will often use a shock-absorbing insert located in the harder outer sole. To add extra protection, separate Sorbothane inserts or footbeds can be used in place of the existing footbed. Some footbed systems (e.g. Comform'able and Superfeet) will also position and hold the foot more accurately within the boot, allowing the foot's own natural absorption pads to work more effectively.
An effective tread is essential for safe, secure travel. Most serious slips occur when traversing or descending. As well as a deep tread, two features that improve downhill security are the heel breast (the step across the arch) and the rear heel block. Many high performance boots now feature a square cut heel with deep tread pattern, or rows of ‘teeth’ on the heel. Rounded heel designs without a deep tread design are dangerous on steep ground.
A bellows tongue, in which the sides of the tongue are joined to the body of the boot, prevents moisture and debris from entering around and behind the laces. For winter boots, the bellows should extend almost to the top of the tongue.
D-rings, hooks, tunnels, webbing and pulleys avoid the need for lace holes, removing another area of leakage in the boot's upper. Tunnels and pulleys are also used for easy-pull, or one-touch style lacing systems.
A rubber rand, passing completely or partially around the margin of the sole and upper, protects the boot from scuffing on rocky terrain or scree, though it can marginally reduce flexibility. Full rands, usually found on mountain boots, can also offer improved friction for jamming in cracks.
The toe box is a hard internal reinforcement around the toe that protects against stubbed toes.
Heel counters are rigid inserts between the outer and inner upper that cup the heels, holding them in place. They are essential for good ankle support, particularly over uneven ground or when traversing.
The footbed is the shaped, curved piece of material that the foot rests directly on within the boot. Most footbeds are removable and should be removed to help wet boots dry out. Footbeds are made from a variety of synthetic materials, may feature a laminated construction, and often include quick-drying upper surfaces with anti-bacterial treatments. Most standard footbeds are reasonably soft and flexible, offering little support to the foot. If greater support is needed, or an alignment problem needs addressing, then a more rigid or corrective footbed can be fitted instead.
The purpose of the boot upper is to support and position the foot over the sole, keep it dry and warm and protect it from abrasion. Softer uppers will mould to the foot more easily and flex more comfortably with each step. Stiffer uppers, however, offer greater protection and enhanced support. To improve comfort and fit, stiffer uppers often include padded linings, particularly around the heel and ankle. Virtually all footwear uppers are made from combinations of leather and fabric and all outdoor footwear needs suitable aftercare, for this we recommend Nikwax.
Generally, better-specified models will be heavier. Extra weight on the feet, however, is always more fatiguing than the same weight in your pack since it must be lifted with every step. There is little to be gained, therefore, from using heavier boots than your circumstances require.
Torsional Rigidity: What keeps you upright on steep ground? We know that boots flex across their width when we walk, but did you know that the midsole also flexs along its length? This is called torsional rigidity. To explain this: hold your boot at toe and heal and try to twist it. A B3 boot should twist very little or not at all, a B1 boot will twist a reasonable amount.
Now imagine that you want to traverse a steep ground or cross an angled frozen snow slope. In a B1 boot you have a far greater chance of going over on your ankle when standing with your body weight on the inner/outer edges of your boots, whereas a B3 boot will give a far greater feeling of security.
A B2 boot will have a measure of torsional rigidity; and in general terms, it is the ideal type of boot for most conditions encountered when walking in the British hills. This will include winter conditions where you may have to deal with gentle snow slopes.
The potential for a fatal injury when wearing crampons is magnified if you do not match the Boot Grade with the Crampon Grade: do not be mislead by what some Gear Review guru’s have to say in the walking magazines, our technical guide is based around what the manufacturers recommend. A B3 boot can be used with a C1, C2 and C3 crampon, a B2 boot is compatible with C1 and C2 crampons only and a B1 boot can only be used with C1 crampon.
B:0 (Walking Boots) These boots are unsuitable for use with crampons. To see crampons please click here.
B:1 (Hillwalking Boots) Suitable for the easiest winter conditions. Flexible walking crampons with a strap attachment (Crampon Grade C1) can be used for limited periods or in emergencies, for example when crossing a patch of snow or ice, rather than for a full day's walk using crampons.
B:2 (Mountaineering Boots) All boots within this range are compatible with articulated crampons with straps or a combination of strapped front and clip-on heel (Crampon Grade C2) for winter mountain walking or glacier traverses.
B:3 (Climbing & Mountaineering Boots) These boots have fully stiffened soles and are compatible with articulated or fully rigid crampons with strap or clip-on systems (Crampon Grade C3).