Scarpa top picks
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCARPA
HIKING BOOTS BUYING GUIDE
Finding the right hiking boot starts with understanding your feet and the terrain you like to explore. LFTO footwear expert Evie Nichols shares 6 simple tips to help you find your perfect pair.
Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 Mid GTX
£175
Built for rough terrain and mountain trails, the Ribelle Cross 2 GTX delivers stability, durability and comfort when it matters most.
High-performance boot built for big day hikes and multi-day treks, with the perfect balance of comfort, stability and lightweight agility.
Scarpa Rush TRK Pro GTX
£215
Scarpa Ranger Activ GTX
£230
Premium leather hiking boot designed for everyday hillwalking with a perfect balance of durability, support and comfort.
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EXPLORE new gear
From shoreline strolls to big mountain summits, Scarpa’s hiking boot range covers just about every kind of day out. Whether you’re hillwalking, trekking or tackling more technical terrain, their boots are built to deliver comfort, reliable performance and the sort of durability that keeps going mile after mile.
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Comfort is an essential part of choosing the right tent. Do you want a space of your own, or do you prefer to share your shelter for company and warmth? Do you want a porch for storing gear or would you rather have everything inside? Do you prefer one or two doors (having two doors is a big advantage if there are two of you in the tent)? Consider these factors before making your choice to find the perfect match for your requirements.
Personal preference
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Fit is crucial because everyone’s feet are different. Visit a good outdoor shop if possible so you can try several brands and models, ideally wearing the walking socks you’ll use on the trail. If buying online, test the boots indoors for several days before committing. Properly fitting boots should feel secure without pressure points, allowing your toes space to move while holding your heel firmly in place.
Try before you buy
Your walking boot size may not match your everyday shoe size, and it often varies between brands. Feet also swell during long days on the hill, especially in warm weather, and thicker hiking socks take up extra room. Many walkers go up half a size for comfort. Consider foot shape too: those with wide feet, high arches or bunions may benefit from brands offering wide or specialist fits.
Sizing and fit
Many hiking boots use waterproof-breathable membranes such as Gore-Tex, which help keep your feet dry when crossing puddles or wet ground. However, lined boots will rarely feel as cool and airy as non-waterproof fabric models. If you often walk in boggy terrain or wet weather, waterproofing is a big advantage. If you mainly stick to dry trails or hike in warm conditions, breathability may matter more.
Waterproofing and breathability
The main hiking seasons run from spring through autumn, which is why so-called ‘3-season’ boots are the most popular. These cope well with variable conditions and mixed terrain. Think about where you walk too: well-made paths require different footwear from boggy moorland or rocky scrambles. Look closely at the outsole as well – deep, widely spaced lugs tend to grip better in mud and loose ground.
Terrain, grip and time of year
Traditional leather boots remain popular because they’re durable and offer excellent protection from rough terrain and bad weather. The trade-off is that they’re usually heavier and need time to break in. Synthetic fabric boots are lighter and more flexible, often feeling comfortable straight out of the box. If you value trainer-like comfort and low weight over maximum robustness, a synthetic boot could be the better choice.
Leather or synthetic?
Walking boots vary in stiffness and ankle height depending on their intended use. High boots with extended ankle cuffs provide maximum protection and stability on rough ground or with a heavy pack. Mid-height boots offer a balance of support and freedom of movement. Whichever you choose, make sure the ankle collar feels well padded and comfortable, with no pressure points around the ankle bone or Achilles tendon.
Support and stability
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Evie is a lifelong hiker, climber and trail runner based on the edge of the Peak District. When she’s not writing about outdoor gear for LFTO, you’ll find her testing it on the hills and gritstone edges of her local National Park or planning her next big overseas hiking adventure. Evie demands a lot from her kit – whether she’s climbing mountains or running technical trails – and has developed strong opinions on what makes the right gear for every kind of adventure. When choosing her own hiking boots, she prioritises precise fit, all-day comfort, dependable traction on mixed terrain, and the durability needed to withstand season after season of hard use. Here are her top tips on how to choose the right pair for you…
£175
£157.49
£193.49
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