Best walking shoes for men UK 2022: sturdy, comfy men’s shoes for hiking from Salomon, inov-8, and Merrell

Looking to head to the hills this summer? Purchase a new pair of walking shoes to help you walk around the wide variety of amazing terrain this country has to offer.

Best walking shoes for men 2022 at a glance

• Best long-lasting shoe: Berghaus Fellmaster Active
• Best for feet prone to injury: Craghoppers Kiwi Lite Low Shoes
• Best for comfort: Keen Tempo Flex Hiking Trainers
• Best for breathability: Giesswein Wool Knit
• Best for fast walkers: inov-ROCLITE G 315 GTX
• Best for wet weather: Merrell Men’s Moab Speed GORE-TEX Shoe

Why walking shoes, not hiking boots?

Walking shoes differ in a number of key ways from boots - they’re more lightweight, less clumpy, often more comfortable and easy to transport.

They also work better in terms of dual usage - we would be very comfortable putting on a pair of walking shoes to go into town or to the shops, for instance. They can be breathable, very comfortable and easy to walk in.

Walking boots however, not so much - everyday usage of more clumpy, higher boot options can be tiring, hot and blister-inducing. Summer’s a great time to invest in more breathable shoes like the ones we’ve listed here.

Why walking shoes and not running trainers?

They may look like trainers but make no mistake, these shoes mean business. If you’re frustrated by the poor performance of everyday trainers or sports shoes (and in some circumstances, taking these kinds of shoes out and about on certain terrain can be downright dangerous), then these options will make traipsing around in the muddy woods or trails a piece of cake.

What do I need in a good pair of hiking shoes?

Look for good ankle support, as these shoes are lower than standard hiking boots, so you’ll need some extra padding there to make sure you don’t injure yourself.

An easily cleanable upper material will work to your advantage too - leather or a wipe clean or easily machine washable material works the best here (if you use them right, you’ll definitely get them muddy!)

Look for good laces that do up well and nice and securely, and be sure to pay close attention to width - too narrow a shoe and your walking experience is likely to be rather less than optimum, indeed highly uncomfortable.

Get kitted out for your hiking and backpacking adventures.

We have detailed guides to the best backpacking tents for your adventures here. Want to steady your stride? These are the best walking poles for hiking.

Keep it comfy with the best camping folding chairs, and sleep on the best air beds around, as listed here. And keep things illuminated with a great camping head torch.

Here are our favourite hiking shoes for men on the market