COLUMBIA

Vitesse OutDry shoe

RRP: £110 Target price: £75 Weight: 359g

This fantastic shoe is waterproof, but it uses the OutDry membrane which is heat-bonded directly to the interior of the shoe and thus weighs less (and generates less heat) than the likes of Gore-Tex. Thus, remarkably, it’s even lighter than the Keen Explore. Fast walkers should love it; it’s agile, bouncy, flexible and cool, thanks to its soft mesh upper and cushioned sole unit, and its grippy, sticky outsole gives you superb traction over rocky ground. The footbed is comfy and supportive too. It lacks a protective bumper and traction isn’t as good through sloppy mud. But if you need a lightweight, waterproof hiking shoe that looks good in casual use too, here it is. columbiasportswear.co.uk

VERDICT:

★★★★★