Walking Footwear Buying Guide

Leather boot uppers

Leather boot uppers are sturdy, protective, and very supportive.

Synthetic boot uppers

Synthetic boot uppers tend to be lighter-weight and breathable, making them ideal for milder temperatures.

The liner

Most walking boots have a waterproof liner that allows the shoe to be breathable.

The midsole

Curved to support the natural shape of your foot, the midsole forms most of the impact protection and underfoot support. Midsoles can be made from a variety of materials. EVA (Ethylene vinyl acetate, more commonly known as expanded foam or foam rubber) is a popular choice as it is very lightweight and provides excellent cushioning. While some use PU (Polyurethane) for its perfect level of flex and support. Walking boot midsoles are usually made from a layering of both materials. A softer flex is great for easier trails and relaxed walking. A stiffer midsole is more suitable on more demanding routes involving tricky mountain terrain.

The outsole

The sole of a walking boot is usually made from vulcanised rubber for its grip and durability. Vibram is the most common brand of sole manufacturer, though there are alternatives, such as Salomon's Contagrip. The depth and pattern of the lugs (the gripping teeth on the sole) have a direct effect on the walking boot's ability to perform in certain conditions. Boots with a chunkier tread will be more at home in muddy, slippery conditions and they shed mud easily. Those with a thinner pattern will handle better on rocky terrain, with more surface area put in direct contact with the ground. Try and consider the terrain of your usual or upcoming routes and what you will encounter the most.

The upper

As they're intended for milder weather, walking shoes are often made with synthetic fabric uppers. This keeps lighter and more breathable than shoes made from leather. This does mean that they don't offer the same weather protection as walking boots, so if your walks regularly involve deep puddles, torrential rain or stream crossings, bear this in mind.

The liner

Like walking boots, most walking shoes will have a waterproof liner unless intended solely for dry, hot weather treks. It is worth noting that although the membranes are waterproof, the lower ankle height makes walking shoes more susceptible to water entering over the top of the cuff when compared to a walking boot.

The midsole

The midsole of a walking shoe is built to offer support, coupled with a comfortable flex and plenty of impact absorption.

The outsole

Walking shoe outsoles are built to handle a variety of terrain. Outsoles feature a finer patterned tread than walking boots, but deep enough to offer plenty of traction when the going underfoot gets a little slippy.

The upper

The uppers on approach shoes are usually made from synthetic materials or nubuck leather, with a synthetic tongue for comfort and ventilation. The lacing system of an approach shoe typically extends down the foot further than those found on walking boots and shoes, and this provides precise adjustability and the close fit needed for scrambling or edging.

The liner

Some approach shoes include a GORE-TEX liner for all-weather scrambles, but the majority are optimised for breathability on drier summer days.

The midsole

As the midsole of a shoe defines its stiffness, approach shoes have to strike a very fine balance between stiff support for handling uneven terrain, and flex for sensitivity and underfoot precision on the rock. For this reason, the majority of approach shoes will use PU (Polyurethane) as the main component in midsole construction as it provides this optimal rigid support and flex.

The outsole

Approach shoes have super sticky outsoles made from fairly soft but abrasion-resistant rubber compounds. They tend to have a much shallower patterned tread than walking boots or walking shoes so that more of the sole can come into contact with the surface of the rock face. While not designed to handle anything too technical, they often have a climbing zone at the front of the sole providing excellent precision when edging and scrambling en route to a climb, and many will have a varied pattern to handle muddier approaches as well. Like climbing shoes, approach shoes have a reinforced rand that offers solid protection against abrasion at the front of the shoe.