Has the advent of long, sun-soaked spring days got you itching to lace up your boots and head outdoors? Make sure you’ve got the right protection on your feet first, with our pick of the best men’s hiking boots on the market (we’ve found ones for women, too). First up, you’ll need to decide whether you want a leather or fabric design. Leather boots are heavier but will last for years if you care for them. They can feel stiff and unforgiving when new, but will mold to your feet over time. Fabric boots are a lot comfier straight out of the box, are usually lighter and feel more like wearing trainers on the trail. If you’re planning on hiking all year round, high-cut boots are your best bet – they’re warmer and offer better ankle support. If you’re after something to take on summer travels, lower cut hiking shoes (basically very rugged trainers) are a good option and easier to wear around town as well as in the hills. When it comes to fit, make sure there’s lots of room to wiggle your toes and no tightness around your heels, and always try boots on whilst wearing proper hiking socks.

The brand buzzwords to look for are Vibram soles, which are tough, bouncy and hard-wearing, and boots treated with Gore-Tex, sometimes written GTX, a reliable waterproofing agent. Companies often use their own versions of these technologies – make sure the pair you buy claim to be waterproof, and not just water resistant. There’s a lot of lovely stuff packed into the Renegade. A seamless lining and soft, cushioned insoles keep feet comfortable mile after mile, while the tough yet lightweight Vibram soles won’t weigh you down. The higher cut protects ankles and the Gore-Tex nubuck leather outer is as good-looking as it is waterproof. An outstanding all-rounder of a boot. This is a well-priced, comfortable and versatile hiking shoe. The Redmond is fully waterproof, using Columbia’s own Omni-Tech treatment to keep rain out. Well-designed midsoles offer cushiony support and the soles’ tough grip offers great traction, even on wet days. They’re ideal for warmer but changeable weather.

The new Alterra is a good-looking, waterproof addition to all-Italian brand AKU’s line-up of modern, comfortable boots with retro looks. If you’re prone to rolling your ankles, try this pair - an elasticated tongue and well-designed lacing system give great support on uneven terrain.top ten rarest nike shoes Climbers and ambitious hikers will love these. top 10 football shoes nikeThey’re designed to give great grip on via ferrata routes and steep rocky trails, a job they do excellently. nike basketball shoes greyAnd it’s a boot that means business, cramming in design features including memory foam insoles, liquid rubber waterproofing and climbing compatible soles. A classic for good reason, Brasher’s sturdy boot is surprisingly breathable for such a solid-looking boot.

Our tester loved the Country Master’s timeless looks and waterproof, buttery-soft leather uppers, as well as the pillowy foot beds. These are so light and comfortable you can just sling them on and forget about them. Jack Wolfskin’s Vojos are a no-fuss choice at a pocket-friendly price - ideal for summer hikes or Duke of Edinburgh challenges. The soft suede outer may need more careful cleaning than most, though. Danner’s coveted leather creations are the hipsters of the hiking boot world, but that doesn’t mean they put style over substance. These beautiful boots are carefully crafted in Portland using Vibram soles and Gore-Tex leather uppers, and are also a sustainable choice, as Danner will repair your boots for a reasonable fee if they get damaged. Pick them if you want to invest in something special. Available in four colours. If you’re hunting for a bargain, look no further than Karrimor’s cheap-as-chips Munros. These smart, simple leather boots offer fantastic support and comfortable insoles, and are so waterproof our tester reckoned sporting them was ‘like wearing wellingtons’.

An absolute steal for such a well-made boot. These are a great pick for cold-weather walking, as the fully waterproof uppers, higher cut ankles and soft, fleecy lining work together brilliantly to protect your feet from the elements. Merrell recommends this strong and sturdy boot for backpacking and they’re definitely comfortable enough to go long distances, although you might overheat on summer hikes. If you don’t like the feel of clunky hiking boots weighing you down then this lightweight Terrex pair will be right up your street. They look like running trainers but perform like hiking shoes, with Gore-Tex and exceptionally grippy soles, which don’t bat an eyelid at wet rock. Take them hiking or trail running – they can take the pace. It’s worth testing out as many boots as you can to find out what styles (and often which brands) suit your feet the best. You simply cannot get a great pair of hiking boots for a better price than Karrimor’s Munro, making them a smart choice for weekend hikes.

But if you can afford to invest in a well-designed all-rounder that can cope with more serious mileage, Lowa’s Renegade ticks all the boxes for waterproofing, sturdiness and comfort. Sian Anna Lewis is a travel and outdoors writer and editor of The Girl Outdoors blog. IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testingWalking shoes and boots come in handy if you're going fastpacking, peak bagging, hiking, or even just, y’know, walking. Clue’s in the name. The perfect walking shoe or boot should be luxuriously comfortable, unstintingly waterproof, heroically breathable, tank-like in its ruggedness, with grip like Spider-Man's socks. It also needs to as light as possible, so your calves aren't working overtime, yet without compromising stability and protection.

As with most outdoor clobber, the perfectionist's dream isn't yet a reality – compromises have to be made somewhere. But we're getting ever closer. Shoes are an item worth buying from a shop (remember them?) as a bad fit could cause you grief on the hills. Ask an assistant for advice on fitting. Anything that feels even slightly tight is too small, as feet expand during a long walk. That's why it's better to go shopping in the afternoon of a warm day, when your feet have already expanded. Treat your boots well – clean off muck and re-waterproof them sometimes – and they'll repay the favour. Chuck them, still dirty, in the bottom of the cupboard and they'll wreak their revenge on you. We are rather partial to Salomon's trekking footwear, and it scoops both titles. The best walking boot is Salomon Quest Prime GTX for its epic mix of comfort, reassuring protection and even a little bit of style too.That'll be the Salomon Evasion GTX, for much the same reasons.

Our man Damian is an outdoor journalist who's happiest when running or walking long distances in lumpy places. His next book, the self-explanatorily-titled Long Distance Walking in Britain is out now. He chose the best of the best, based on his experience in the fields of walking, yomping and peak-bagging. Walking shoes and boots vary considerably, as do the needs of their wearers, but after much consideration, we alighted on the Salomon X Ultra Trek Gtx as our favourite boot and AKU Bellamont FG GTX as our favourite shoe. The other options here will not let you down, however. Picking a winner was as agonising as a blister – not that those should be a concern if you shop wisely. French brand Salomon is the King of Outdoor Clobber. It has a reputation for combining cutting edge tech with irresistible desirability and newsworthy new releases. It’s also known for impressively lightweight kit and the new Salomon Quest Prime GTX continues all those trends. A weight of 570g for this athletic 'backpacking' (built-for-multi-day walking) boot makes it one of the lightest around.

Made from waterproof split-suede, Gore-tex and leather, their Sensifit system and bonus cushioning in all the right places helps make the Quest Prime GTX deliciously comfortable. Rubber toe caps add protection. More of Salomon's desirable, elite-level, lightweight clobber, the well-established Evasion GTX is a shoe rather than a boot, but it's still as rugged as a barrel-load of angry rocks. A suede leather and Gore-Tex mix make them durable and waterproof, while Contragrip is superbly effective underneath and rubber reinforcements at the toe mean that stubbing a pinkie isn't felt unduly… or even at all. The shoe is perfectly comfortable, breathable and can handle much more than its relatively subtle appearance suggests. Best all-leather walking boot British boot-maker Altberg serves up the impressively uncompromising, three-season Kisdon, which uses Altberg’s new G-Fit to provide more volume and width. Where most wider boots simply plonk a wider upper on a standard sole, the Kisdons have wider G-Fit midsoles and outer soles, for a properly proportioned forefoot area, for greater comfort and ground fidelity.

They’re super-comfy, but also super-rugged, with huge lugs powering over any terrain unperturbed, not to mention the huge slab of rubberised protection around the boot. But before they get mucky blasting peat bogs, they also look very swish too. Best boot for extreme conditions AKU's much-vaunted new Elica Natural Stride System comes in a new Alterra GTX boot and helps to disperse the pressure on your feet as you hike, so you don’t get achy points – such as heels and the balls of your feet – meaning you can walk in comfort for longer. An insole board and tread faithfully follow the anatomical shape of the sole of the foot and adapt to it for a natural heel and forefoot inclination, reducing impact and strain. The boot is designed for longer treks on more demanding terrain and a sock fit only adds to the comfort levels. These are also super rugged. Best lightweight walking shoe The newly updated Salomon X Ultra 2 GTX is sleek and athletic shoe, with superlative comfort and good protection with a reinforced heel and foot, and dependable grip for moderate to technical terrain.

The material is abrasion resistant with excellent breathability to help prevent pongy feet, and quick drying. Put these classy shoes on and you'll simply want to go eat some hills for breakfast, and thanks to Salomon’s unique Quicklace system, they should literally never come undone – now THAT is a feature. AKU's new Bellamont FG GTX are a lightweight option that'll have you happily gallivanting over mixed terrain but are equally comfortable when you're settling down in the beer garden afterwards. Reliable grip comes courtesy of a Vibram ECO STEP rubber, while full grain leather means comfort and durability, and a Gore-Tex liner adds extra waterproofing. The more conscientious will be pleased to know the double-density die-cut EVA midsole is made from recycled materials. This avant-garde trainer-shoe-boot hybrid is perfect for pub walks or days split over rural and urban activities. With the Capra, Merrell may just have designed the most comfortable but rugged shoe yet.

Aimed at fastpacker types but actually a very versatile shoe, it boasts a UniFly air cushion in the heel that absorbs shock and keeps you stable. Vibram MegaGrip keeps your feet on the ground, while a hoof-inspired (rather than inspired on the hoof) split-toe outsole helps you deal dextrously with steep and uneven terrain, and a leather Gore-Tex upper does everything you'd expect of it. They just look damn fine, and are suitable for scrambling and even trail running, especially in the low-cut option that's also available. There's very much a sense of the old-school being brought up to date with Teva's new Kimtah Mid Event Leather. They're more rugged and aggressive than their appearance suggests. As well as being waterproof – using eVent plus leather – the boot has stubborn Spider365 Rubber grip and big hungry lugs. Stabilising technology helps keep you in control on tricky terrain and if you do misjudge a step, shock absorption is thoughtfully provided by a soft Shoc Pad in the heel.

Designed specifically with Scotland's hefty granite Cairngorm mountains in mind, these are a Munro bagger's dream, and dripping with old-school charm. The downside of Gore-Tex is if water gets in over the top of a boot, it's likely to slosh around your toes for a good while. Leather, by contrast, isn't as waterproof, but will let the wet stuff out quicker. The Braeriachs are made with 2.6mm Anfibio Leather, with a Rubber Tow Bumper, so they should be fine for rock football. Underneath Vibram grip is like tractor tyres, but also offers good shock absorption, and there's surprising levels of comfort and stability. Billed as a snow boot, this doesn't struggle with mud underfoot. It's aimed primarily at backpackers or those who might carry heavy loads over challenging terrain (so not necessarily the Cotswolds). The North Face Men's Verbera Backpacker GTX boots are Gore-Tex so they're waterproof while being breathable and your little pinkies shouldn't get too sweaty – which can lead to blisters.