WALKING: KIT ON TEST
Walking shoes
A good pair of walking shoes makes all the difference on the trail, keeping feet supported, comfortable and dry wherever you wander. We put six pairs to the test
DANNER PANORAMA LOW (M)
£150; danner.com
This shoe is clearly designed for hikes over challenging terrain. The waterproofing proved effective in our tests, keeping rain and puddle water out well, but the bellows on the tongue finish slightly lower than some other shoes, so beware of deepish puddles. The suede upper looks great, but suede does need more care than synthetic fibres.
Underfoot, the outsole proved adept on hard-packed ground, rock and dry mud, but the spaced-out pattern of the wide lugs meant they weren’t so great in wet, muddy conditions. The lacing system isn’t the best at helping you get a perfect, secure fit. It’s something I’ve also noticed with this American brand’s Mountain 600 boots (which I love otherwise). When tying them up, it’s a challenge to keep the laces taut throughout the lacing system, which can become frustrating.
The midsole is pretty stiff. That’s handy if you need support on particularly uneven terrain, but may be overkill if you’re hiking on well-maintained tracks. This men’s shoe is available in both wide and regular fits.
VERDICT: A robust and supportive good-looking shoe, but grip and lacing aren’t the best. ★★★★☆
LA SPORTIVA TX HIKE GTX (M/F)
£159.95; lasportiva.com
Aside from the low-cut ankle, this shoe feels very much like a hiking boot, but that’s not surprising given the expertise and heritage of Italian shoemaker La Sportiva. As you’d expect from a shoe using Gore-Tex, protection against the elements is no bother, with rain and puddle water failing to penetrate in our testing.
The lacing system is effective, securing the foot well, while there’s plenty of room in the toe box for toes to splay out. The Vibram outsole kept me upright in all manner of conditions, including mud. A levelled off section at the front is helpful for scrambling. There’s protection underfoot from sharp rocks, though this does reduce ground feel. The ride is a little firm and there’s not a huge amount of flexibility. That’s great if you want stability and support for uneven ground (or scrambling), but it may fatigue your foot faster than something more flexible.
If you want something for rough, mountainous terrain, the Hike GTX offers good support, traction and protection.
VERDICT: Mountain-ready performance in a shoe-shaped package. ★★★★☆
COTSWOLD WYCHWOOD LOW (M/F)
£79.99; cotswoldshoes.co.uk
The Wychwood Low is an affordable shoe that has echoes of classic country styling. An own-brand waterproof lining works well, but I did notice water ingress around the tongue, so it’s possible the lining doesn’t extend to this part of the shoe.
The grip doesn’t inspire a huge amount of confidence in wet, slippery mud, but is more than adequate on well-maintained trails and paths. One thing was immediately apparent – these shoes run small, so I’d say size up. I experienced some heel slippage when treading through thick mud, and the lacing system didn’t feel quite as secure as other options, so definitely try before you buy.
Sizing issues aside, the shoes felt good once on, with cushioning around the ankle and tongue, plus lots of flexibility in the midsole. While that’s comfortable, it does mean you don’t get quite so much support or protection underfoot, so they would not be my first choice for mountainous terrain. The mesh upper is breathable in warm weather and the toe bumper is malleable so unlikely to offer serious protection.
VERDICT: Comfy, good value. ★★★☆☆
COLUMBIA FACET 75 OUTDRY (M/F)
£125; columbiasportswear.co.uk
Underfoot, you will find an outsole of Columbia’s own making. It comes complete with deep 5mm lugs that perform admirably in a range of conditions, although they did slide around a little on particularly muddy surfaces. The own-brand waterproof liner worked well, but the tongue’s bellows finish slightly lower than some competitors, allowing water in if you step into a deep enough puddle.
The Facet 75 felt comfortable straight out of the box. That’s largely down to the plush cushioning around the ankle, tongue and underfoot, which works in partnership with the flexible midsole. The cushioned tongue contributes to a lacing system that offers a secure fit. That tongue helps with the shoe’s stability, too, which is appreciated, given the flexible midsole. That midsole also allows a decent amount of ground feel.
The toe bumper does a reasonable job, but it is more malleable than the likes of the Salomon X Ultra 4 or the La Sportiva Hike GTX. Best for hard-packed trails.
VERDICT: Ample cushioning and a lightweight, nimble feel. ★★★★☆
SALOMON X ULTRA 4 GTX (M/F)
£140; salomon.com
This striking shoe from Salomon has very effective protection for toes, and the Gore-Tex waterproof lining does its job well. The outsole’s chevron-styled lugs kept me upright and feeling confident in a range of conditions. Some say the fit is a little narrow, but my regular-width feet felt fine; I’d advise trying a pair on before buying.
Salomon’s quick lace system felt supportive and stable. Comfort was high with an adequate amount of cushioning around the ankle, collar and tongue. There’s also reasonable cushioning underfoot, which combines well with a flexible ride to ensure your feet don’t fatigue too quickly.
In online reviews, it appears some shoe owners have felt let down by the durability of the X Ultra. While I’ve not had any issues while testing, that is something to consider if you plan to cover a lot of miles in a short space of time.
The X Ultra 4 GTX will handle a range of scenarios, and it will largely keep your feet supported and protected.
VERDICT: A comfortable and versatile shoe for all terrains ★★★★☆
BBC Countryfile Magazine favourite
HOKA ONE ONE ANACAPA LOW GTX (M/F)
£140; hoka.com
This shoe doesn’t look too dissimilar to the brand’s running shoes, with a tall stack height and a pronounced heel. I found the all-black colourway a little underwhelming, but there are three other colourways to choose from. The toe bumper is not as solid as some heavier options, but still offers a reasonable amount of protection, while waterproofing is more than taken care of by the Gore-Tex membrane. The Vibram Megagrip outsole and its 5mm lugs gave impressive traction on a wide range of terrain, though may come unstuck when walking across boggy ground.
Once on, they feel similar to running shoes in many ways – nimble, relatively lightweight and with good flexibility for a flowing gait. Despite that, they provided a certain amount of lateral stiffness that translated well to underfoot support on uneven ground. There’s also a nice balance between ground-feel and protection against sharp rocks. If you like the style and plan walks rather than tough scrambling, the Anacapa Low might be for you.
VERDICT: Accomplished shoes that balance comfort, support and performance. ★★★★☆
Rob Slade is a content editor for 220 Triathlon and has extensive experience of hiking and camping in the UK and overseas. He has been reviewing outdoor gear for over eight years.
For more detailed boot reviews, go to countryfile.com/country-kit