For generations British walkers have stomped the hills in sturdy leather boots, trusting in their rigid ankle support and in the traction promised by their heavy rubber soles. In recent years, however, many walkers have discovered the truth of the saying that “a pound on your foot is like five pounds on your back” and are turning to lighter walking shoes. British Olympic gold medallist Chris Brasher set the trend in the UK in the 70s, designing footwear that combined walking boot practicalities with running shoe weight and comfort. Later, American lightweight hiking guru Ray Jardine promoted the idea of walking long distances in running shoes in his groundbreaking 1992 book, The PCT Hiker’s Handbook. His theory was simple: by carrying less weight he could divert his energy to walking further or relaxing with a lighter load.

Outdoor stores today offer a wide range of shoe-style footwear – labelled variously as walking, approach or multi-activity shoes – some of which suit several activities while others are more specific. Some incorporate a waterproof/breathable membrane, while others feature little more than a cool, fast-drying fabric mesh upper. While sturdy soles similar to those of walking boots still feature, a few have stud-patterned soles like those found on running shoes.

The traditional boot is unlikely to disappear – they still offer physical and psychological security in the mountains – but, for many walkers, light is right!

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

JARGON BUSTERS

Heel support
A good shoe will cup your heel, holding it in place to prevent it from twisting. A heel cup consists of a piece of stiff material wrapped around the base of the heel.

Sole rigidity
Some stiffness in a shoe’s sole offers support to your feet while allowing your forefoot to flex as you walk. Such support can come from the mid-sole or even from a shank, a narrow, stiff, synthetic strip within the sole.

Torsional stability
The shoe’s ability to protect against twisting.

Lateral
The outer side of the shoe.

SO WHICH ONE IS FOR YOU?
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Male Group Test Round-Up
Female Group Test Round-Up

THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN ISSUE 25 OF COUNTRYFILE MAGAZINE. TO NEVER MISS AN ISSUE SUBSCRIBE TODAY!