Lightweight autumn/winter walking boots

[dontlookdown]

Need a new pair of boots now the autumn is here, my old Brashers are pretty much worn out after 20 odd yrs.

Over the summer I've been walking in a fancy pair of very light North Face approach shoes, and it has made me realise that lightweight footwear is great! My boots weigh a ton by comparison, but I need boots for the winter weather.

So, any recommendations for lightweight, durable, waterproof boots with a decent cleat on the sole? I walk hills, mainly England and Wales, year round so they need to be up to that.

[Puggit]

Multiple daily dog walks here - I get Merrells from their outlet: https://www.merrell.com/UK/en_GB/outlet-shopping-o...

MUCH better and longer lasting than cheap £50 boots...

[SaulGoodman]

Merrells are certainly good. Have a look at Timberland too. I get everything from there pretty much as they always have the larger sizes. The walking boots are decent.

[Gren]

I swear by Inov-8s. I have had various pairs over the years, all very lightweight with soles and uppers that last for ages. My last pair of Roclites lasted 4 summers before the lugs started to wear down. These things are lighter than most running shoes. Replaced them like for like

Currently have 2 pairs of Roclite shoes (one gtx, one non-gtx) for lighter duties - meant to be for trail running but are perfect for walking. You feel a lot underfoot though so not great for longer walks or over rocks. For longer, more demanding walks I have a pair of (non-gtx) Rocfly shoes and a pair of goretex Rocfly boots. I can walk all day in these and my feet feel fresh

https://www.inov-8.com/rocfly-g-390-gtx-mens?colou...

Never needed anything more heavy duty in all my days of hiking around this country or abroad.

[dontlookdown]

SaulGoodman said:

Merrells are certainly good. Have a look at Timberland too. I get everything from there pretty much as they always have the larger sizes. The walking boots are decent.

I can't wear Merrells unfortunately. Used to be a big fan, but they changed their lasts a few years ago and my wide feet no longer fit in them!

[dontlookdown]

Gren said:

I swear by Inov-8s. I have had various pairs over the years, all very lightweight with soles and uppers that last for ages. My last pair of Roclites lasted 4 summers before the lugs started to wear down. These things are lighter than most running shoes. Replaced them like for like

Currently have 2 pairs of Roclite shoes (one gtx, one non-gtx) for lighter duties - meant to be for trail running but are perfect for walking. You feel a lot underfoot though so not great for longer walks or over rocks. For longer, more demanding walks I have a pair of (non-gtx) Rocfly shoes and a pair of goretex Rocfly boots. I can walk all day in these and my feet feel fresh

https://www.inov-8.com/rocfly-g-390-gtx-mens?colou...

Never needed anything more heavy duty in all my days of hiking around this country or abroad.

There look interesting, and I have never heard of them so thanks for the tip!

[TeaNoSugar]

Gren said:

I swear by Inov-8s. I have had various pairs over the years, all very lightweight with soles and uppers that last for ages. My last pair of Roclites lasted 4 summers before the lugs started to wear down. These things are lighter than most running shoes. Replaced them like for like

Currently have 2 pairs of Roclite shoes (one gtx, one non-gtx) for lighter duties - meant to be for trail running but are perfect for walking. You feel a lot underfoot though so not great for longer walks or over rocks. For longer, more demanding walks I have a pair of (non-gtx) Rocfly shoes and a pair of goretex Rocfly boots. I can walk all day in these and my feet feel fresh

https://www.inov-8.com/rocfly-g-390-gtx-mens?colou...

Never needed anything more heavy duty in all my days of hiking around this country or abroad.

Inov8 are pretty good, definitely will be lightweight, but most are really made for trail or fell running. And they’re pretty expensive.

I’ve gone through loads of running/walking shoes over the years and I reckon inov8 (mudclaw, x-talon etc) are about the best trail/fell shoes for UK terrain. For walking/hiking I use these:



They are incredibly comfortable right out of the box, great for a combination of waterproof and breathability, not terribly expensive in the overall scheme of things.

The one area that lets them down is durability. Do a lot of walking in these and you’ll go through a pair relatively quickly. Mine tend to be ready to relegate tk gardening duty in 12-18months. I’ve had 3 pairs of the lower ankle boots (which are light and flexible enough to run in if needed), and I’m on my 2nd pair of the Quest-4s. In my experience the sides of the uppers start to fail and let water in, and the soles - unless they’ve changed the compound - are brilliantly grippy on nearly all terrain, until they’re suddenly not, and you realise how quickly they’ve worn down.

I’d like to find something as comfy and supportive, that’ll last 3+years, but unfortunately I can’t, so I treat them like running shoes, wear them in rotation with other pairs, and expect to get 400-500 miles out of a pair.

[Rollin]

dontlookdown said:

SaulGoodman said:

Merrells are certainly good. Have a look at Timberland too. I get everything from there pretty much as they always have the larger sizes. The walking boots are decent.

I can't wear Merrells unfortunately. Used to be a big fan, but they changed their lasts a few years ago and my wide feet no longer fit in them!

I have wide feet and have standard fit Lowa Renegades. They do a wider one too if needed. They are immediately comfortable for me unlike Salomon which are too narrow. Price has crept up over the years though..

https://www.lowa.co.uk/products/renegade-gtx-mid

[Byker28i]

I swear by Scarpa's. On my third pair now over many years

[LRDefender]

Having tried nearly every brand I’ve found Salomon hard to beat.

I’ve had 4 pairs of Inov-8’s and whilst they’re super comfortable straight out of the box they just don’t last IME. All 4 pairs I’ve owned have split across the top of the toes within about 6 - 12 months. I believe the issue was quite well known, however having given up on Inov-8 around 5 years ago I don’t know if they’ve improved the product.

[Snoggledog]

Try Grisport. They've got some lovely stuff at sensible prices. If you've got bucket loads of cash I'd go for Zamberlan

[jpringle819]

Do more expensive boots generally last longer than cheap ones? I am limited to what I can buy due to being a size 13. I can normally find branded boots between £45 and £65 but they only last about 1000KM which is around 3 months of dog walking. Reluctant to spend 2 or 3 times that unless they last 2 or 3 times as long. just bought these for the winter as I am fed up of having wet feet, very impressed so far https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FS1RGMV?psc=1&r...

[Snoggledog]

jpringle819 said:

Do more expensive boots generally last longer than cheap ones? I am limited to what I can buy due to being a size 13. I can normally find branded boots between £45 and £65 but they only last about 1000KM which is around 3 months of dog walking. Reluctant to spend 2 or 3 times that unless they last 2 or 3 times as long. just bought these for the winter as I am fed up of having wet feet, very impressed so far https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FS1RGMV?psc=1&r...

It depends on whether you look after them or not.

Fabric (Gore Tex or similar) do tend to degrade more quickly than leather. However, if you have leather shoes / boots that you don't clean and wax then don't expect the life expectancy to be high. I had a pair of Zamberlan which lasted over 20 years but they were regularly cared for.

[jpringle819]

I usually wear through the soles in about 3 months

[Crumpet]

Byker28i said:

I swear by Scarpa's. On my third pair now over many years

I don’t even bother trying other brands now, I just go straight for the Scarpas. Brilliantly comfortable things, if a little pricey.

I also really liked a pair of Adidas Terrex mid-cut boots. They were also excellent and a great all round boot.

[Faust66]

jpringle819 said:

Do more expensive boots generally last longer than cheap ones? I am limited to what I can buy due to being a size 13. I can normally find branded boots between £45 and £65 but they only last about 1000KM which is around 3 months of dog walking. Reluctant to spend 2 or 3 times that unless they last 2 or 3 times as long. just bought these for the winter as I am fed up of having wet feet, very impressed so far https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FS1RGMV?psc=1&r...

I'm in a similar position... size 15 boots are not easy to find.

I normally wear Lowa Combat GTX all year round as I can't find a lighter boot that fits and doesn't trash my feet. I do a lot of walking - approx. 35-40 miles per week (everyday stuff and hiking most weekends) and I get about a year from a pair of Lowa boots.

[BlueJazz]

Crumpet said:

Byker28i said:

I swear by Scarpa's. On my third pair now over many years

I don’t even bother trying other brands now, I just go straight for the Scarpas. Brilliantly comfortable things, if a little pricey.

I also really liked a pair of Adidas Terrex mid-cut boots. They were also excellent and a great all round boot.

Couldn't agree more about the Scarpa's, only shoe or boot I've ever had that doesn't need breaking in.

[Tickle]

I've always had Meindl outdoor boots (not many pairs as they last!).

Depending where I'm walking the dog, sometimes switch to wellies. Aigle Parcours are very good for walking in, again, also last.

[Lotobear]

Byker28i said:

I swear by Scarpa's. On my third pair now over many years

I'm a big fan of Scarpa and have a pair of their Delta GTX for fell walking which are brilliant and have lasted really well

However I purchased a pair of their Cyrus GTX just over a year ago as a knock about dog walker (to do exactly what the OP is seeking) and they have been utter garbage. Seams on both boots split in less that 12 months and the soles 'which are hollow' have worn through, in addition to being lethal in the wet.

I bought from Go Outdoors and they were over £100 but unfortunately I lost the receipt so could not return them. Clue probably in the price as my others were over £200

I would certainly avoid that particular boot from Scarpa

[TikTak]

Leftfield option ... been using these for walking the dog, comfortable, water proof and lighter than my missus size 6 Vans too.

DC Torstein

https://www.snowleader.co.uk/en/torstein-m-boot-gr...