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The best walking shoes for peak outdoor style
Shop GQ's edit of the best walking shoes for men, from perfectly practical to adventurer aesthetics
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
What the best walking shoes can do for your feet — and for you next trip to Snowdonia — cannot be overstated. Like their swifter siblings running shoes and gym trainers, the walking shoe is a piece of athletic equipment that brands from On Running to Danner give their utmost attention. The aim of the game? Making sure that you're comfortable, secure and dry for even the longest of ambles or hikes.
If you're here for a dose of gorpcore: welcome. You're about to discover a world of boots and shoes the comfort of which you have never known before. If it's athletic brilliance you're seeking, know that the models you are about to peruse are — thanks to the fashion world's interest in everything outdoors — more stylish than any you've ever owned. Either way, you'll find the walking shoes for you in this list of our favourites, as chosen by our resident expert.
What are the best men's walking shoes?
Whether you prefer to embrace the great British outdoors in all its temperamental glory or take the dog on long walks around your local cityscape, the On Cloud 5 Waterproof are a pair of shoes to see you through all seasons.
Of course, Allbirds' shoes are to be celebrated for their eco-friendly mindset but there's much more to the Wool Runner-up Mizzles than their carbon neutral status. Not least a supremely comfy and water-repellent design.
Although there's plenty to recommend about the New Balance Fresh Foam 1880 (£90), if you're looking for a truly affordable pair of walking shoes then these Sketchers are your best bet. Especially since they're machine washable for those most mud-soaked of occasions.
- Best all-round walking shoes: On Cloud 5 Waterproof, £150 at on-running.com
- Best sustainable walking shoes: Allbirds Wool Runner-up Mizzles,
£135£104 at allbirds.co.uk - Best cheap walking shoes: Skechers GOWalk Hyper Burst,
£99£37.50 at amazon.co.uk - Best walking shoes for style: Hoka Bondi 8, £150 at hoka.com
- Best walking shoes for cushioning: New Balance Fresh Foam 1880,
£85£51 at newbalance.co.uk - Best walking shoes for cities: On Cloud Hi Waterproof, £120 at on-running.com
SKIP TO: How we test the best walking shoes | What should men's walking shoes be made from? | Is cushioning good for walking? | Is it OK to wear running shoes for walking? | Are walking shoes good for everyday use? | Can't you just wear running shoes?
How we test the best walking shoes
It's very difficult to recommend a pair of shoes that we haven't tried ourselves, which is why we have one of our sports shoe experts (and running and walking nut) test out as many as we can. Where possible, our tester wears the shoes for several walks over a period of two months in order to get a proper feel for them. We test walking shoes from premium and affordable brands, looking in particular to weight, roominess, comfort, durability, and of course, looks, before deciding which should be added to our guide to the best. Elsewhere, we combine customer reviews, specification and, often, anecdotal recommendation in order to find the best of the rest.
What should men's walking shoes be made from?
"Men’s walking shoes can be made from a variety of materials, with different parts of the shoe often being made from different materials,” explains Neil Findlay, in-house product expert at outdoor brand Merrell. “Traditionally, leather has been used, however many brands have switched to synthetic materials instead which are lighter, more durable, and vegan friendly.
“They are typically made from leather, synthetic textile fabric, or a combination of the two, explains Andrei Stefan, mountain sports expert at Decathlon. “Leather is usually heavier than synthetic boots, so for long treks, you might be looking for the lightest possible boot and in that category, synthetic would come out on top. Still, you may also prefer the other rewards a heavier leather boot can offer, such as more solid ankle and foot support, or a longer lifespan.
“Water resistance is also vital when it comes to hiking boots. This will come down to a breathable waterproof fabric, and DWR (durable water repellency) treatment on the outer, and both types of boot are likely to come with these features. However, leather itself is water resistant even when the DWR wears off. It's also worth mentioning that leather boots require a bit of wearing in versus the out-of-box comfort provided by a synthetic boot.”
Is cushioning good for walking?
“Cushioning is good for comfort, so if that’s something you really value in your walking shoes then it’s important you get a pair that suits your needs,” says Findlay “Cushioning is also good in walking shoes as it can help provide stability as you navigate uneven and tricky terrain.”
“The level of cushioning in a walking shoe is very much a matter of personal preference, says Lepoutre. “Generally walking causes less impact to your feet than running, so you can feel comfortable with less cushioning. However, in specific cases, users might want the benefits of extra cushioning for long-distance walks, less technical trails for instance.”
Is it OK to wear running shoes for walking?
“Yes and no," according to Lepoutre. “A high-cuff hiking boot biomechanically supports the ankle, but if you are fit enough and not hiking very technical trails and want the reduced weight of a running shoe you can definitely hike in them. That’s provided they are grippy trail running shoes and not road running shoes as they will not be safe to walk off-road."
Are walking shoes good for everyday use?
“Definitely, I wear my waterproof hiking boots all the time - at work and out and about in town - especially now that we're experiencing rainy autumn weather,” says Lepoutre. “You must be aware, however, that since some walking shoes aren’t always designed for road/pavement use, the outsoles on some walking shoes can be made of a soft grippy rubber that will wear off quicker on road than it would on trail.”
Can't you just wear running shoes?
The running trainers you pound the pavement with will share many of the same qualities as a good walking boot, though a runner tends to be engineered to withstand the rigour of a faster pace. That said, they aren't often as generous with traction as a dedicated hiking shoe, so you'd be better off with something primed for trail running, which are designed for pace on more unpredictable ground with additional ankle support and weatherproofing. A good pair of walking shoes that fit well will also prevent blisters and bunions on long expeditions.
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