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quoteGood boots make for good walking, yes? No matter how far you go, and whatever the weather, the right footwear really can make all the difference.
Boots offer greater support, especially for ankles, than walking shoes.
Step right up!
Walking is listed as a favourite outdoor activity for caravan and motorhomers who read the Caravan Guard blog. So, it makes sense to have a pair of walking boots in your leisure vehicle on your travels – just for the chance for a bit of outdoor exercise, wherever you go.
Here’s our step-by-step round-up of products from some of the top names in walking boots.
Top tips for buying walking boots
- Get to a specialist walking boots retailer. That’s where you can try on a variety of products as well as get great advice. Take a pair of walking socks with you when you go. Top retailers will have sloped areas for walking up and down on as you try different boots, too.
- As with any product, the degree of use to which you want to put your walking boots will determine your ideal purchase. Terrain and weather conditions are key considerations here.
- Get to know some of the technical terms – outsole (sole), midsole, upper, inner etc, as well as any specialist makers for each, e.g. Gore-Tex for inners, Vibram for outsoles.
- A cleaning and caring regime will definitely help your walking boots last longer. Just follow the manufacturer’s guidance.
Star Player #1
Berghaus Deception Trail Gore-Tex walking boot
A relative newcomer to the Berghaus walking boot portfolio, Deceptions are made with 100% synthetic materials (i.e. no animal products) and are designed for all-season hiking.
Indeed, they’re built on a last designed specifically for hiking. The soles are Vibram Opti-Stud, unique to Berghaus.
Typical weight is 991g for a pair of size sixes.
Like all Berghaus gear, if your Deceptions get damaged any repair work is free.
Key features Gore-Tex lining, Ortholite footbed, women’s sizes 4-8/men’s 7-11.5 (including halves)
Expect to pay £180
Star Player #2
Oboz Katabatic Mid Waterproof hiking boots
Best for speedy hikes, says America’s Oboz about the new-for-2024 Katabatic range, adding it has “all the features of a true hiker: support, stability, protection, and performance.”
It’s available in Mid format as a boot and comes in waterproof and non-waterproof variants – the latter designed for drier climates. The waterproof version, however, is still highly breathable, benefitting from the company’s B-Dry lining that’s made from 25% post-industrial waste and is, in turn, fully recyclable.
All this, and a tree is planted for every pair of footwear it sells – some 3.5million and counting to date.
Key features O Fit insole with fully recycled moisture wicking top layer, B-Dry lining for increased waterproofness and breathability, sizes 7-13 men/4-8 women (including halves), four men’s/six women’s colour choices
Expect to pay £170
Star Player #3
Timberland Motion Scramble
A men’s boot from a new range introduced to the UK at the start of 2024, these boots are strong on sustainability. The dual-density midsole is EVA with at least 65% bio-based materials from recycled sugarcane and responsibly grown rubber, plus the fabric lining uses at least 50% recycled plastic. Timberland also says over half of the rubber in the outsole is from farms practising regenerative agriculture.
There’s also a waterproof membrane and a removable, contoured footbed.
Key features Sizes 6.5-12.5 including halves, yellow or black leather and cordura uppers, Leather Working Group member,
Expect to pay £155
Star Player #4
Hanwag Banks GTX/Banks Lady GTX
Another long-established manufacturer (Hanwag was founded in 1921). A great all-rounder boot in a full range of colours and fits, including different widths. There’s also a choice of leather or Gore-Tex lining.
These boots are made from Leather Working Group Gold-rated nubuck leather – a measure not just of quality but also eco-friendliness. If it does wear out, you can get it resoled.
Typical weight is 1,050g for a pair of size fives.
Key features European-made, women’s sizes 3.5-10 including halves, men’s sizes 6-14 including halves, Vibram Endurance Pro outsole, midsole with soft polyurethane, seven/six colour choices (men’s/women’s), metal lace hooks, price includes delivery
Expect to pay £235
Star Player #5
Vasque St Elias waterproof hikinh boot
There’s some 60 years of boot making behind American brand, Vasque. Its St Elis has been a star performer for decades now, too. Latest versions of this technical hiking boot are now available in a Nubuck leather.
That means it’s now available in Clay full-grain leather (Men’s and Women’s), Desert Taupe (Men’s and Women’s or Black (Men’s), as well as the latest finish. There’s a great choice of sixes, too – from 7 to 14 (men’s, medium or wide fitting), and 6 to 12 (women’s, medium fitting).
Features include an EVA midsole that uses 20% recycled sugarcane, and a Vibram® Megagrip sole with a multi-directional lug system for optimal grip and traction.
These boots are designed for heavier duty work, hence they’re not the lightest.
Key features Huge choice, 60 years’ pedigree, Gore-Tex waterproof membrane, dual-density EVA midsole, Vibram Megagrip outsole
Expect to pay £200
Star Player #6
Regatta Samaris II Mid
Normally priced at £125, at the time of writing Regatta was offering significant reductions on both the men’s and women’s versions of the Samaris II.
Fully waterproof, the upper mesh fabric is a blend of 65% polyurethane, 30% polyester, 5% rubber. There’s a moulded EVA footbed and Regatta says the sole has self-cleaning properties.
Men’s sizes are 6-12, with 6.5 and 9.5 halves, with six colour offerings; women’s are 38, including 6.5, in eight colour choices – all in standard widths.
Key features Seam-sealed with internal membrane, neoprene collar,
Expect to pay £37.45 (women’s)/£43.70 (men’s)
Are walking boots covered under my insurance?
Walking boots and general clothing would be considered as personal possessions under our insurance policies. It’s not uncommon for us to receive claims for stolen clothing after a break-ins or damaged clothes items after flooding or a fire. Motorhome and campervan owners insured with Caravan Guard get £5,000 of cover for the camping equipment and personal possessions they take on their ‘vanning holidays. Caravan owners have the option to include a sum for personal possessions when taking cover with us. *
Over to you…
Got any advice on walking boots you’d like to pass on to fellow Caravan Guard blog readers? Please feel free to add a comment below.
*Terms and conditions apply. Check out our touring caravan policy or motorhome policy wordings for full details.
Have had Berghaus and most recently Scarpa boots – GTX – which are a significant improvement on previous Berghaus ( last two pairs, very comfortable, did hundred of miles, had no issues with either at that time ). Very surprised that Scarpa do not figure, same with Meindl. However for us, Altberg are the best (British) manufacturers by a country mile – hand made, premium leather, properly fitted after extensive foot examination – expensive? Yes, but not for the foot examination and product quality – can be resoled and their after sales service is top drawer in our experience.
Thanks for sharing Ian