The best walking boots and shoes for UK hills
The right walking footwear depends more on the ground and the weather than on how far you’re going. A comfortable shoe that’s perfect for dry countryside paths can leave you slipping and soaked on a wet hillside. These picks are organised by the walking you’ll actually do.
Every model has a UK retailer page we’ve checked. For each one we say what it’s designed for and what to check when you try it on.
How we choose: each pick starts from our finder’s ranking for the brief shown, and we check it makes sense for the job. We haven’t tested these products ourselves. Some links are affiliate links, and commission never affects the picks. About affiliate links
Quick picks
| Best for | Model | Reference price | Sold by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for countryside walks and wider feet | Keen Targhee IV Waterproof Walking Boots | £155 | Millets |
| Best waterproof boot for muddy hills | Merrell Moab 3 Mid GORE-TEX | from £145 | Merrell, Millets |
| Best value boot for regular hill walking | Helly Hansen Cascade Mid HT Waterproof Walking Boots | from £85.31 | Hardloop |
| Best for long mountain days | Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX | £165 | Salomon |
| Best value walking boot | Mammut Sertig III Mid GTX Walking Boots | £144 | Facewest |
| Best for kids | Salomon X Ultra Mid GORE-TEX — Junior Walking Boots | £95 | Salomon |
Best for countryside walks and wider feet
Keen Targhee IV Waterproof Walking Boots
The brief: Paths and tracks, comfort over long days, often wider feet.
A roomy, comfortable waterproof walking boot that suits wider feet, recommended in Outdoors Magic’s 2026 boot test. It’s happiest on paths, tracks and hill trails rather than steep, rocky mountain ground.
Designed for: Roomy, comfortable waterproof walking boot that suits wider feet, for hill paths and long days
Keen's roomy toe box suits wide feet but can feel loose on narrow ones.
Best waterproof boot for muddy hills
Merrell Moab 3 Mid GORE-TEX
The brief: Hill walking in changeable weather, wet grass and mud.
A comfortable GORE-TEX mid boot that needs almost no breaking in, and an independent best-value pick for both men and women. It suits wet fields and muddy hill paths. Check heel hold and toe room on a slope.
Designed for: Waterproof mid-height walking boots with cushioned underfoot feel and Vibram outsole.
Heavier and more substantial than a minimal low-cut walking shoe.
Best value boot for regular hill walking
Helly Hansen Cascade Mid HT Waterproof Walking Boots
The brief: Walks most weekends, wants a comfortable, waterproof boot without paying mountain-boot prices.
A light, cushioned waterproof mid boot, and our finder’s pick for hill walking with a budget under about £140. It’s lighter and less supportive than a traditional leather trekking boot, so it suits paths and hill tracks more than rough, rocky scrambles. Only some sizes were in stock when we checked.
Designed for: Lightweight, cushioned waterproof mid boot for hill paths and day walks
Only some sizes were in stock when checked. Lighter and less supportive than a traditional leather trekking boot.
Best for long mountain days
Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GORE-TEX
The brief: Experienced walker on rocky, steep ground, all-day routes.
A premium waterproof mid boot with a stable, hiking-focused build for full days on rough ground. It comes in men’s, women’s and a men’s wide fit. It’s a significant step up in price, so make sure the fit is right before you pay for the performance.
Designed for: Technical waterproof mid-height hiking shoe with stable hiking-focused construction for full-day routes.
A premium option; verify that the fit, sole and upper style suit your feet and the ground.
Best value walking boot
Mammut Sertig III Mid GTX Walking Boots
The brief: Regular hill walking, wants a proper GORE-TEX boot without paying top prices.
Outdoors Magic’s best-value walking boot of 2026: comfortable, supportive and waterproof, with a grippy sole, for well under £150 when we checked. Only the men’s version was available to check.
Designed for: Comfortable, supportive GORE-TEX walking boot with a grippy sole, the best-value walking boot of 2026
Try them with your walking socks: fit varies between brands.
Best for kids
Salomon X Ultra Mid GORE-TEX — Junior Walking Boots
The brief: Family walks and hill days with children.
A waterproof junior walking boot with ankle support and a grippy sole, and a junior version of one of the best-rated adult hiking boots. Leave a thumb’s width at the toe for growing feet.
Designed for: Junior version of the top-rated X Ultra hiking boot: GORE-TEX waterproofing, ankle support and strong grip
Only a few sizes were left when checked. Leave a thumb's width at the toe.
Not quite your brief?
Answer a few questions and the finder will pick the best model for your exact sport, experience, priorities and budget, plus two alternatives.
How to choose
Boots or shoes?
Mid-height boots give more coverage against mud, water and scree, and many people feel more secure in them. They don’t guarantee you won’t turn an ankle, though. Low-cut shoes are lighter and more flexible, and many experienced walkers prefer them on good paths.
Waterproof membranes
Waterproof linings such as GORE-TEX keep your feet dry in wet grass and puddles, which matters in UK weather. The trade-off is that they’re warmer, and slower to dry if water gets in over the top.
Getting the fit right
Try boots later in the day with the socks you’ll walk in. Your heel shouldn’t lift, and your toes shouldn’t hit the front when you walk down a slope. Most outdoor shops have a small ramp for exactly this.
Grip
For muddy hills and wet rock, look for deep, well-spaced lugs and a sticky rubber compound. Smooth, shallow soles that are fine on gravel paths can be treacherous on wet grass.
Questions people ask
Do walking boots need breaking in?
Modern fabric and synthetic boots need very little. Wear them around the house and on a short walk first to check for rubbing. Full leather boots benefit from a longer breaking-in period.
Are trail running shoes OK for hiking?
Many walkers use them on good paths and in summer because they’re light and quick to dry. In the mountains, in winter or with a heavy pack, the extra protection and support of a walking boot is worth having.
How much should I spend on walking boots?
For occasional countryside walks, £30–£70 is plenty. For regular hill walking, £60–£120 buys better grip and waterproofing. Mountain boots costing £150 or more make sense for frequent days on rough ground.
How we pick
Every pick starts from the EVENT/READY finder’s ranking for the brief shown. Products only qualify if we’ve opened and checked a UK retailer page for that exact model. We only include products that independent testers rated highly, and the best-rated rank highest, but we don’t reproduce anyone’s reviews here. We then check each result makes sense for the job. Prices are dated reference prices, not live prices. Read our full approach.