Hi-Tec Men's Ravine Lite Wp Walking Shoe

Product Information

Even after our longest, most challenging walk (just under 8 hours across various different types of terrain), my feet still felt good in these boots. The boots coped excellently even when I was walking through streams, and across boggy land and I simply would not be without them.

The Hi-Tec Ravine Hiking Boots look like they are all about a protective and practical solution for hiking rather than any sort of fashion statement. The collar, the tongue, and the inner parts of the boot are comfy too, with extra padding for podiatry support. They kept my feet super dry, on the tough 14km trek of Kinder Scout that we did. They also did a super job of keeping my feet warm, as it had been raining the night before and the ground in parts was quite boggy, yet slipping ankle deep into mud proved no problem at all and I stayed warm and dry. But, most are confident that the walking boots will hold up well enough. Aside from some other comments about getting a size bigger for a wider fit, there doesn’t seem to be much to worry about. If you’re wanting to get into walking and fancy yourself as the next Arthur Wainwright, there’s only one way to find out if you’re cut from the tough stuff – by buying a cheap pair of walking boots and heading out into the hills.The ankle is cut quite high for a fast and light boot, measuring about 6 inches from the insole to the top of the collar, and this gives a decent amount of support without feeling too constricting. Made from tough full-grain leather, with a cushioned footbed and CMEVA midsole, gusseted tongue and metal lace eyelets, the Snowdon IIs are designed to ‘keep your feet dry and comfortable on all-day treks’, according to Hi-Gear. We found them surprisingly comfortable, with the leather build proving soft and supple where we wanted it to be, but reassuringly strong and sturdy at the toe and heel, while the rubber outsole had decent traction on some pretty wild mountain terrain.

One report from a user found the book lost its shape and some of its weatherproofing after a while. You could end up with a more relaxed fit and may benefit from adding a protective coating. This could sound like just what you need if you need to upgrade to a shoe with style over substance. There is a nylon midsole insert to provide better cushioning and just enough padding around the top of the boot. For once, let’s start with the downsides: with more of a trainer than boot feel, the Peakfreaks don’t offer especially firm protection or stability for the ankle, and the lightweight materials aren’t as tough or rugged as all-leather boots. But, with the Peakfreaks, the numerous positives far outweigh the negatives. Columbia’s Outdry technology is a one-piece membrane that seals the stitching and any other water ingress vulnerabilities. This ensures excellent waterproofing and breathability for these lightweight boots. Meanwhile the Omni Grip outsoles have multi-directional lugs for good grip out on the trail. All in all, we were pretty impressed for the price. We wouldn’t take them out on longer expeditions or in gnarly weather, but they have plenty to offer for such a small price-tag. BUY NOW: GOOUTDOORS.CO.UK

Tog24 Ingleborough Vibram Waterproof Boots

One of the interesting things about this women’s shoe is how rugged and smart it is. There is the look of a more high-end masculine boot here, but you still have the shape and sizes needed for women’s feet. For hot summer days, it might run a little hot, but still this is a real all-rounder of a boot. BUY NOW: SALOMON.COM So what do I like about these walking boots? Actually, that’s a pretty easy question to answer, because I haven’t really got anything at all negative to say about them. They provided a snug, but comfortable fit from the first time I wore them, and after months of wear, I am pleased to report not a single sore point or blister. The smooth lacing system provides volume adjustment flexibility, and the lacing eyelets are all made from a solid metal which are shaped to capture the laces securely – the middle eyelet even has little gripping teeth.

The Hi-Tec Ravine Hiking Boots have the simple specification and design that a lot of regular walkers are after. Because they are leather, they don’t look like your standard walking boots, which means they look good with more than just your normal walking gear. With my old walking boots, and even in my snowboarding boots, I find I get slight heel rise/rubbing, but with these boots, my feet stay in place, which means no rubbing and no painful blisters. Designed for people who are freaks for the peaks (see what they did there?), Columbia’s Peakfreak Mids – or, to use their full name, the Peakfreak XCRSN II Xcel Mid Outdry – are ultra-lightweight, waterproof and attractive-looking boots. They are primarily designed for fast and light mountain adventures. While this might be one of the more expensive pairs of boots in this round-up, they’re still incredibly good value considering everything they offer. We actually liked these so much that we chose them as the best boots for the whole of 2019. What do they offer? A lot. They’re comfortable over long distances, protective but still breathable, and they boast some impressive eco credentials. Overall, there is a lot to appreciate here if you require a boot that puts performance over style. The all-brown design and simple leather construction aren’t eye-catching but it is practical. You should be able to get out in bad weather for good walks in comfort.

Hi-Gear Snowdon II boots

There are also some great comments about the comfort provided, even with that little extra weight. Many find that they can walk for miles in these Hi-Tec hiking boots and that it didn’t take too long to break them in.