The best walking shoes for peak outdoor style

Pros: Eco-friendly design | Some rain protection
Cons: May need to play around with sizing

• Best for: Sustainable hiking
• Weight: 281g
• Waterproofing? Water-repellent

Allbirds’ Mizzle does its best to keep the drizzle from soaking through its comfy merino wool upper by adding a water-repellent Puddle Guard coating on top to fend off a serious drenching. That wool upper also makes room for a set of recycled polyester laces while a castor bean insole provides comfort inside and helps to keep bad odours at bay.

Allbirds is not done there. A natural rubber outsole offers ample traction on rambles while a SweetFoam, sugarcane-based midsole brings the bounce courtesy of another planet-friendly material. All that’s left to do is to try and decide which of the twelve fetching colourways you’re going to pick to put to the sustainable option to the rainy walk test.

Pros: Roomy upper | Can handle some off-road walking
Cons: A bit heavier than the Pegasus 39

• Best for: Speedy walkers
• Weight: 283g
• Waterproofing? No

The Nike Pegasus 40 is a running shoe first and foremost…but it certainly doesn’t mind it when you want to slow things down to a walking pace. For this 40th birthday shoe, Nike matched mesh and suede in the upper and reworked the midfoot strap to make sure it can wrap around all foot sizes. Below that lies a generous helping of Nike’s React foam to give you that good feeling when you do need to go through the gears; two Zoom Air pods give it a bouncy, enjoyable ride at brisker speeds. A waffle-inspired outsole can handle heading off the pavement for some lighter trail action, while multiple logos from previous Pegs add a handsome nod to an illustrious past.

Pros: Great cushioning for long walks | Durable and comfortable
Cons: Not the lightest

• Best for: All-terrain action
• Weight: 306g
• Waterproofing: No

The running shoe that’s also something of a strong walking companion too, the Bondi 8 is the latest addition to one of Hoka’s most-loved lines that’s well-built to handle some more pedestrian-paced pavement time. An engineered mesh upper and recycled Ortholite hybrid sockliner is there to provide ample support and comfort, while a lighter, but still big stack of foam and tweaked heel design means it’s serving up plenty of protective cushioning and a stable ride to make it one for spending extended periods on your feet. There’s now extra protection focused at the ankle and has an outsole that should even hold up if you decide to take that walking away off the pavements and into the woods.

Pros: Supportive design | Protection for off-road walks
Cons: Just the two colourway options

• Best for: Styling it out
• Weight: 317g
• Waterproofing: No

A shoe that Palladium wants you to go truly off grid with, the French footwear brand serves the Lite up in your pick of dusky green and black shades with a breathable textile upper and knitted elements included to gently hug and support where you need it most. You’ll slip into a sockliner that boosts comfort and there’s an EVA-based midsole below that keeps the weight down and still protects with an outsole that places plenty of rubber underfoot to maximise traction. There’s extra defence at the toes for trickier off-road routes and a TPU heel counter is included to add support when you’re heading out to explore for hours as opposed to making a quick trip down to the shops.

Pros: Lightweight, solid grip
Cons: Not a slender shoe

• Best for: Supportive walking, wherever
• Weight: 295g
• Waterproofing? No

The heel counter of the Asics Gel-Contend SL makes it one of the most supportive walking shoes you can find, making it perfect for hopping from rock to rock on your closest woodland trail or sticking firmly to the pavement. It goes chunky with the upper look and keeps it simple in the colourway department with just all-black or white options available to lace up. As with any Gel-packing Asics shoe, it’s the tech that sits at the rear of the shoe and absorbs impact that makes these a joy to be up and on your feet. Combined with a tough, flexible Amplifoam midsole that can also handle some running time, they're cushioned and comfortable for the long road ahead.

Pros: Defence against the rain | Tough Vibram outsole | Good-looking
Cons: It’s not a light walking shoe

• Best for: Heading up into the mountains
• Weight: 510g
• Waterproof: Yes

Danner has been making footwear designed for the rugged outdoors since the 1930s, and the Mountain 600 Leaf wants to be the one you lace up for those more mountainous routes. It uses leather in the upper department to make sure it’s built for long, rugged use and also doesn’t look too shabby when you’re back on more predictable ground.

A removable footbed is there to boost things on the comfort front with a GoreTex liner and a waterproof lining offering a strong guard against the watery elements. Danner also uses both Vibram cushioning and outsole technology to make sure the Mountain 600 Leaf can handle regular, hilly walkouts and can grip strongly even on tougher, more challenging surfaces.

Pros: Light upper design | Sticky rubber outsole
Cons: Curious inclusion of carbon plate

• Best for: Handling running and walking
• Weight: 250g
• Waterproofing? No

Hoka adds a sleeker edition to its new Transport shoe series, borrowing features from its running range to make your walk to the office a brisker, more comfortable affair. Along with wrapping you up with a lightweight mesh upper, Hoka has planted in a super critical midsole foam to keep things light and stable in this one. It also adds a dual-forked carbon fibre plate — like the one included in its trail-focused Tecton X 2 shoe — to offer a more propulsive feeling, whether you’re steaming through other commuters to get the train or you’re picking things up on your lunchtime run.

Pros: Solid cushioning tech | Light and comfortable upper
Cons: The outsole is a debris trap

• Best for: All-day exploration
• Weight: 281g
• Waterproofing? Yes

On’s latest generation Cloud 5 takes a shoe that’s fit for exploring and gives it a waterproof membrane to keep your feet protected in a downpour. On’s signature Cloudtec technology along with a bolstered midsole is used to offer plenty of protective cushioning and stable foundations to soak up plenty of walking time.

There are reflected elements to keep you visible when you head out for an evening stroll or an early morning wander with speed lacing to make sure you get a precise fit. The upper is built from recycled materials to give it some planet-friendly cred and you can take your pick from six colourways and go bright or keep things stylish, yet understated on your daily stroll outs.

Pros: Protection against water | Rugged and durable upper
Cons: Heavy

• Best for: Leather toughness
• Weight: 437g
• Waterproofing? Yes

The Fellmaster is smarter looking than your average walking shoe, but don’t be fooled by its far more reserved look. They’re made from nubuck leather to give it a hardened exterior, topped by a Gore-Tex membrane offering some welcome extra protection against the elements. A Vibram outsole is just the type of outsole you want to see down below if you’re planning to take them seriously off-road. Berghaus packs it with a rubber heel to help absorb impact and ups things on the durability front with a toe cap ready to tackle debris and survive to tell the tale. If you thought Berghaus only knew how to make jackets built for the outdoors, the Fellmaster is a reminder that it’s the master of shoes built for joining you on those rambles too.

Pros: Waterproof | Rockered design | Vanilla ice colourway
Cons: Not the lightest

• Best for: Trail-focused walking outings
• Weight: 416g
• Waterproofing? Yes

The Salomon Elixir is ideal for long days of wandering on hillier, more mountainous terrain, rather than quick walks to the shop. The mid-cut hiker uses a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane to handle wetter walking conditions with a mix of textile and leather in the upper to give it a tough exterior. Salomon’s Energy foam in the midsole is equipped to handle long distances with an Active Chassis and SenseFit design, providing strong support on more uneven surfaces. Five milimeter lugs packed into a rubber outsole will keep you steady on more uneven terrain, too, making the Elixir the comfortable and protective cure to trickier walking conditions.

Pros: Can fend off rain and snow | Fit to grip wet and dry terrain | Big cushioning
Cons: Sole durability

• Best for: Long-distance hiking
• Weight: 373g
• Waterproofing? Yes

Think of The North Face’s Vectiv Exploris as something you’ll want to throw on when grabbing some walking poles and heading up into the hills to eat up some elevation as opposed to something you throw on for a wander down to the shops.

This built for hiking shoe features North Face’s Surface Control rubber outsole with good-sized 4mm lugs in place to hold firm particularly on slick off-road terrain. A toe cap and ripstop mesh upper can keep out trail debris and it’s wrapped up with a waterproof membrane to keep feet dry on those climbs. An OrthoLite footbed and its latest Vectiv midsole cushioning technology ensure the Exploris is primed to deliver big comfort over long distances.

Pros: Strong, sticky outsole grip | Light design | Wind and rain protection
Cons: More protective and breathable options out there

• Best for: Exploring in all conditions
• Weight: N/A
• Waterproof: Yes

The Adidas Terrex Swift R3 is a hiking shoe collaboration with National Geographic, so you could say this is one for more adventurous explorers. Leaning on its trail running shoe design expertise, the Swift R3 includes a mesh upper that’s made with a sizeable hit of recycled materials and is also designed to be resistant to scrapes and general wear and tear.

A speed lacing system makes it easier to tighten and loosen the fit and a Gore-Tex membrane is there to help block out the wind and rain. In typical Terrex style, there's a grippy Continental rubber outsole so you’ve also got something on your feet that can more than hold up on the traction front on both dry and wetter surfaces.

Pros: Waterproof design | Tough outsole
Cons: Not your typical Danner look

• Best for: More challenging and rainy strolls
• Weight: 312g
• Waterproofing? Yes

Danner says the Trail 2650 is inspired by Big Sky Country sunsets and is firmly built to tackle all-day jaunts in both country and town, even when conditions get treacherous. It uses Gore-Tex liners to keep water out while making sure sweat is ejected with ease. A Vibram 460 outsole gives it one of the toughest outsole materials around, perfect for handling dry and wet routes. A removable Ortholite footbed along with Danner’s EVA-packing PlyGo midsole ticks the cushioning and comfort boxes, with a Trailguard bringing some stability when you’re tackling rockier surfaces. If you prefer your walks in more technical terrain, Danner’s waterproof shoes will not disappoint.

Pros: Waterproof | Designed to keep in the warmth | Secure fit
Cons: Not for more technical terrain

• Best for: Rainy walks
• Weight: N/A
• Waterproof: Yes

The Apex Pac Alt will let you eat up a mixture of walking terrains thanks to a fleece lining to keep in the warmth and a fully waterproof design if you’re worried about your feet getting a soaking. An antimicrobial footbed insert wants to keep things fresh inside by keeping control of odours and moisture, while a double insole material keeps your feet nice and comfortable over longer walks.

The EVA midsole is there to absorb the impact of those extended treks with an outsole down below that’s best designed for lighter terrain. There’s a strap and laces combo to keep feet locked in with a reflective pull tab at the back to make sure you can quickly whip them off when you return back from your leisurely ramble.

Pros: Bold look | Lots of cushioning | Durable outsole
Cons: Just the two colourway options

• Best for: Comfortable strolls
• Weight: N/A
• Waterproofing? No

Nike made the Motiva for walking, but it’s also a solid option if you want something that can handle breaking into a jog or run. Comfort is the priority here: it features a full length form of its Cushion 3.0 foam to help give it that seriously plush feeling, with an exaggerated rocker design to ensure smooth movement. Nike’s Comfortgroove features on the outsole add to that overall softer feel as feet hit the pavement, too, with an upper that keeps it spacious up front for your toes to splay. A foam collar will hug your ankle alongside a half bootie inside, making them easy to slip off when you’re done with your short — or much longer — walking adventure.

Pros: Light hikers | String outsole | Some water protection
Cons: Light on protection for tougher hikes

• Best for: All-terrain wear
• Weight: 420g (approx)
• Waterproofing? Yes

The Terrex Free Hiker features Adidas’ comfy PrimeKnit upper to give you that snug feeling on short or long hiking sessions and is wrapped up in a Gore-Tex membrane to give it some much welcome extra protection when the rain comes calling. Providing the cushioned foundations is Adidas’ Boost midsole to give you a big boost of protection when you put in extended time on your feet. There’s a moulded toe cap to offer some protection and the welcome inclusion of a Continental rubber outsole to give you the kind of fine traction you’ll get from Adidas’ standout road and trail running shoes. It’s one to head off the beaten track and effortlessly step back on it with a shoe dripping in good looks.

Pros: Chino-friendly look | Cushioned feel
Cons: Lacks latest Fresh Foam X foam

• Best for: Lightweight cushioning
• Weight: 300g (approx)
• Waterproofing? No

In all honesty, most New Balance shoes fitted with its soft Fresh Foam midsole will set you up nicely for a long day on your toes, but its 1880 silhouette is especially suitable for those who like to go for a stroll as opposed to getting up to running speed. As well as the lightweight and ultra-cushioned base and coming in standard and wide fit options, an asymmetrical, anatomical collar is especially supportive of the ankles, while New Balance’s N GRIP tech keeps them from slipping and sliding around on less stable terrain. They're even constructed with a rubber outsole technology that's primed to guide your foot through the proper walking gait cycle, to protect your feet from any long-term walking carnage.

Pros: Great for rainy walks | Smart leather look
Cons: Not the lightest

• Best for: Classy strolling
• Weight: 550g
• Waterproofing: Yes

It has the look and aura of a shoe that’s made for gentle weekend strolls around large manor houses, but don’t be fooled, Brasher’s brown leather number does not neglect its duties to keep your feet well protected and dry in a downpour. It’s wrapping you up in a tough, high-grade leather upper with an ankle cuff also in place to prevent unwanted rubbing at the ankles and an outsole that’s fit to grip well on trickier terrain.

Crucially, Brasher also applies its eVent technology to give them added waterproofing powers when things start to get torrential out there. If a strong defence against the rain and rocky routes are your priorities, the Country Classic has got you covered.

Pros: Hi top look | Big cushioning for big walking | Sunshine walkouts
Cons: Not one for trekking through mud

• Best for: City walking
• Weight: 313g
• Waterproofing? Yes

A running shoe brand that’s also gathering a fair amount of attention from fashion crowds, On is increasingly making footwear that stands its own away from the treadmill and pavement pounding. Available in a Dulux chart of eye-catching yet wearable colourways, these hi top-style shoes feature a waterproof membrane to keep the rain at bay and plants a woven fabric collar and generously padded tongue to keep things comfortable. It grabbed the CloudTec outsole and Helion superfoam from On’s top-tier running shoes to provide the kind of cushioning and gripping foundations that make them built for exploration on mud-free walking routes. If jumping through puddles isn’t your thing, you can grab them without the added waterproofing skills as well.

Pros: Protective upper | Waterproof design | Grippy outsole
Cons: Not super light

• Best for: Mountain walks in the rain
• Weight: 320g
• Waterproofing: Yes

The MQM in the name stands for Move Quickly in the Mountains, which should be a big enough hint as to where these walking, hiking and scrambling shoes are most at home. Protection from that more challenging terrain comes in the form of a rock plate, a debris-blocking tongue and a mesh upper that’s been firmed up with TPU.

On the move, Merrell’s Air Cushion, Super Rebound Compound and a rugged Vibram TC5+ outsole with 6mm deep lugs helps tick the key stability, cushioning and traction boxes. They’re treated to deal better with bad odours, feature recycled elements in the laces, footbed and the lining and a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane provides a welcome guard when conditions get treacherous.

Pros: Stylish look | Sustainable design
Cons: Heavy | Lacks waterproof elements

• Best for: Urban rambles
• Weight: N/A
• Waterproof: No

Timberland knows better than most how to make boots that are built to last and, crucially, can put a firm tick in the style box too. That’s certainly the aim with the more sustainably made Greenstride Motion 6. This boot is wrapping you up in tough, premium leather that’s been treated to handle spillage incidents and matches that up with a rubber outsole and raised lugs to serve up plenty of strong grip and protection for your feet.

The Greenstride foam in the midsole contains 75 per cent more planet-friendly materials including sugar cane, with a sockliner sitting just above it that can be pulled out if you need to switch things up and make it better suited for those longer days spent on slightly more challenging, off-road paths.

Pros: Sustainable design | Some rain protection
Cons: Lacks some more protective design elements

• Best for: Planet-friendly chic
• Weight: 384g
• Waterproof: Only against light rain

Veja fully channels its sustainable heart into a hiking and big trekking shoe with the Fitz Roy. Named after a Patagonian mountain, it uses Amazonian rubber, sugar cane and recycled polyester to join you on tougher, more challenging walking trails. The recycled woven fabric up top gives you something that’s fit to handle some rough and tumble, with a water repellant treatment in place to give it some defence against light rain showers and when trudging through wetter terrain.

Add in a big rubber outsole with lots of multidirectional lugs to keep you on your feet on more uncertain ground and a rock plate to bring some welcome extra protection when the surface swiftly turns from lovely and flat to rocky and unpredictable.

Pros: Goes big on comfort | Can clean in the washing machine Cons: Just the two colourway options

• Best for: Machine washable freshness
• Weight: 261g (approx)
• Waterproofing? No

The GOwalk Hyperburst is a shoe with long walk comfort at its core, matching up Skechers’ latest lightweight midsole tech with a synthetic upper and laces that also plants breathable, supportive mesh strategically around your feet. There’s both a Goga Mat and an Ortholite insole to boost that cushioned and responsive feeling on the move and beef up breathability from the inside. Down below, Skechers places a dual-density traction outsole that’s fit to grip strong and handle whatever big road-based ambles you want to put them to good use on. When they start looking and smelling less than box fresh, whip off the laces and you’re free to chuck them into the washing machine and get them looking sharp again.

Pros: Lots of protection | Great outsole grip | Tough upper
Cons: Needs some bedding in time | Not a super spacious upper

• Best for: Rugged adventures
• Weight: N/A
• Waterproofing: No

The Swift Solo Approach is wasted on the flat and narrow and better prepared to tackle rocks and far more challenging walking terrain. Adidas uses a ripstop upper with synthetic overlays to make sure it can better handle more regular off-road expeditions with a Traxion outsole that’ll hold strong gripping from all directions. Adidas keeps things pleasingly light in the cushioning department with an EVA midsole that’s equipped to absorb the impact of tackling those more punishing routes. A moulded sockliner is there to provide accommodating and comfortable surroundings to make the Solo Approach one you’ll want to lace up for big adventures, whether it’s getting elevated or scrambling down big descents, it’s got you covered.

Pros: Spacious fit | Uses planet-friendly materials
Cons: Not one for cushion lovers

• Best for: Renewable minimalism
• Weight: 269g
• Waterproofing: No

The Primus Asana sees Vivobarefoot take its adopted minimalist approach and apply it to a nice wide walking shoe that’s more road than off-road compared to the rest of its collection. There’s your pick of three colourways including a very understated and undoubtedly more office-friendly Obsidian black look with all featuring a knitted upper and sock collar to provide snug surroundings and a recycled Ortholite insole for feet to rest on.

A thin, 4mm outsole will also keep you in close contact with the ground to help you reap those more natural movement benefits. From the upper to the insole, this wide-fitting shoe is built from all-natural, renewable materials, so you’ll be doing your bit for the planet as you closely connect with it.