Walking boots - 100km range

Forums › Health and fitness › Walking boots - 100km range - Recommendations

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eracode

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#3496032 28-May-2026 08:32

timmmay:

Merrell is my go-to brand for all footware, but particularly off road / tramping type shoes. I'm about to upgrade the pair I purchased 12 years ago, but this pair will live on for maybe another 10 years as my lawn mowing and outdoor shoes.

My current walking/tramping shoes are Merrell - these are the ones with Vibram soles I mentioned above. Very good quality, solid, waterproof shoes and I'm greatly pleased with them.

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blackjack17

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#3496042 28-May-2026 09:13

I run a school tramping club. I have taken over 100 students out on multiday hikes this year.

Trail runners are your friend. They are lighter, more comfortable and most importantly they don't cause blisters. Every single time we have had an issue with student's feet, they are wearing hiking boots.

I wear asics Trabuco 14s, I have also had the Trabuco max as well. Saucony, Hoka, Altra all have great reviews, try them on and see what feel right. Different brands have different toe boxes, some shoes just feel right.

Features to look for

I avoid Goretex as they take too long to dry.
A rock plate helps when on uneven terrain.
I personally don't like zero drop
Get a size / half size bigger as when hiking feet swell
Integrated gussets help keep stones out.

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#3496274 28-May-2026 17:59

blackjack17:

Every single time we have had an issue with student's feet, they are wearing hiking boots.

I joined the British Army in the late 1980s, they were going through a transition of how to introduce soldiers to wearing boots. This had not been an issue before because children were previously brought up wearing proper leather shoes and only used plimsolls for PE at school. The problems started when young soldiers started training who had never worn proper shoes in their lives, they had only worn some form of trainers. Running in boots while carrying load is part of the job.

pdh

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#3496287 28-May-2026 18:53

blackjack17:

I avoid Goretex as they take too long to dry.

Beg to differ...
Except for hiking in the desert (of which there is none in NZ or the OP's intended UK)...
I've never had a morning start where I haven't been walking through wet grass & vegitation.
So you'll have wet feet from the outset - unless you've got Goretex shoes/boots.

If you're wading streams (and don't want to take your shoes & socks off) then whatever you have on will be wet till drying them overnight.

roobarb

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#3496340 28-May-2026 20:49

There is the matter of the causeway... Fenwick to Holy Island

I use poles and sandals when wading.

Handsomedan

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#3496428 29-May-2026 14:01

pdh:

blackjack17:

I avoid Goretex as they take too long to dry.

Beg to differ...
Except for hiking in the desert (of which there is none in NZ or the OP's intended UK)...
I've never had a morning start where I haven't been walking through wet grass & vegitation.
So you'll have wet feet from the outset - unless you've got Goretex shoes/boots.

If you're wading streams (and don't want to take your shoes & socks off) then whatever you have on will be wet till drying them overnight.

Similarly, NGX works like Goretex but is often far cheaper.

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TwoSeven

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#3496613 29-May-2026 19:52

I tend to wear trail runners much of the time (Hoka Speedgoat), but also sometimes wear some approach shoes that have a Michelin rubber sole. Both are non-waterproof.

My boots (Salewa) are GTX (gore-tex) but are for mountain work, so have a harder sole and are a mid (boot style) - I wouldn't wear them on flat trails. I also like a roomy toebox (I think around 2E).

For the UK and depending on the weather, doing a quick search on Google (uk), I found the Solomon Ultra 360. They do them in both a shoe and mid. I’ve no idea what they are like - just chucking them out as an option.

i’d probably wait until I got to the UK before buying some boots and just telling them one is doing the cuthbert trail.

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roobarb

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#3498779 30-May-2026 15:47

TwoSeven:

i’d probably wait until I got to the UK before buying some boots and just telling them one is doing the cuthbert trail.

Good idea. The weather at the time might be the most important factor.

St Cuthbert’s Way Ultimate Guide

The terrain is mostly sand, fields, meadows, and firm moorland, all of which provide good footing and are often cushioned by grass. However, during and after heavy rain, some paths can become muddy or boggy. Additionally, sections with longer grass can quickly soak you when it rains, so we recommend wearing appropriate footwear.

The Pennine Way finishes at Kirk Yetholm, I found the saddles over the Cheviots to be very boggy even with paving slab pathways.

While in the area I suggest a visit to Bamburgh Castle ( aka Bebbanburh, I am Uhtred, son of Uhtred, destiny is all ) and of course Alnwick Castle (Harry Potter 1st film), both can be accessed by public transport.

pdh

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#3498782 30-May-2026 16:14

Alnwick Castle is amazing - inside & out !

pdh

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#3498783 30-May-2026 16:14

Alnwick Castle is amazing - inside & out !

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