HOW TO BUY BOOTS

“ THERE IS A HIKING BOOT OUT THERE FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAIL”

There is an enormous range of walking and hiking boots available, with prices starting in the low foothills – sub £30 – before climbing steeply to top out north of £300. Obviously not all boots are born equal, but what makes one 10 times better, or at least 10 times more expensive, than another?

The intended use of the footwear is one very significant factor. Four-season hill walkers, highland hikers and serious peak baggers will demand – and happily pay for – a whole different level of performance in a boot than fair-weather coast and countryside amblers might expect.

The features, fabrics and technologies employed in the manufacture of walking boots vary wildly, of course, as do the manufacturing processes, practices and locations, all of which have a significant bearing on the quality of the final product,