How to choose walking boots

There is no such thing as ‘the best boot’: there is the right boot for the terrain you walk on, the load you carry and the shape of your foot. Decide in this order: ankle height, sole, waterproofing and size.

Ankle height: how much support you need

• Low-cut (walking shoe): marked paths, little ascent or descent, a light rucksack. More comfortable and lighter, with less ankle protection.
• Mid-cut: the most versatile option for mid-altitude mountains, loose stones and a day rucksack.
• High-cut with a rigid sole: treks with a heavy rucksack, rocky terrain or hard snow and crampons.

A high-cut boot will not prevent a sprain on its own, but it does reduce ankle movement when carrying a load and on uneven ground. The trade-off is more weight and less breathability.

Sole: tread and stiffness

Look for deep, well-spaced lugs that shed mud, and a pronounced heel that provides braking grip on descents. Lengthwise stiffness is what stops the sole flexing out of shape over stones: the rockier the terrain, the more you will appreciate extra stiffness. Also check that the rubber compound grips wet rock; this is where most slips happen.

Waterproofing: not always better

A waterproof, breathable membrane is useful in wet weather, snow and mud. In dry summer weather or very hot areas, a boot without a membrane breathes much better and dries sooner if it gets wet. If your usual terrain is dry, do not pay for a membrane.

Size: where mistakes are most common

1. Try them on in the afternoon, when your feet are slightly swollen, wearing the socks you will use.
2. Leave around a centimetre of space in front of your longest toe: your foot slides forwards on descents.
3. With your foot pushed forwards in the unlaced boot, you should be able to fit a finger behind your heel.
4. With the boots laced and while standing, your heel should not lift as you walk. That movement is the main cause of blisters.
5. Walk up and down a ramp in the shop before deciding.

Many brands use different lasts for wide and narrow feet. If a model pinches across the ball of your foot, the problem is not the size but the last.

Breaking them in and caring for them

Wear them on short, flat walks before tackling a long route. After each outing, remove mud with water and a brush, take out the insoles and leave the boots to dry in the shade, away from radiators: direct heat hardens and cracks soles and adhesives.

When to replace them

When the heel tread has become rounded and you slip on descents, when the toe starts to come away or when the midsole remains permanently compressed. A smooth sole is a real fall risk, not a cosmetic detail.