SUMMER WALKING SHOES

The best low-cut hiking shoes for day walks and treks, from country paths to mountain approach routes

What to wear on coastal wanders.

Ridge Flex Low, Keen, £145; keenfootwear.com

The first thing you notice about the Ridge Flex is the big bit of concertinaed plastic on the forefoot, just below the laces. This is the ‘bellow’ feature around which this innovative walking shoe has been designed. Keen’s theory is that most pieces of hiking footwear fail in this area because it’s constantly under stress as the foot attempts to bend while walking up or down hills – causing discomfort and wasting energy. To fix this, the bellows flex easily when you’re walking up and down steep gradients. Keen claims to have tested it a million times on one boot without any sign of material fatigue. It works well on most terrain, but not on extremely craggy surfaces – choose an approach shoe (a hybrid walking/rock-climbing shoe) for that sort of thing. These heavy-duty (541g per shoe, men’s size 10.5) shoes are basically boots – similar to the Keen Targhee – with the collars removed. They retain tyre-like soles, armed with 5mm-deep tread, and enormous toecaps – both signature features on Keen footwear. They’re also reliably weatherproof, thanks to Keen’s own breathable and waterproof membrane, and have an excellent heel-lock system, cleverly integrated to the laces for a really secure fit. All this means they offer more protection, control and support than any other shoe on test, and they’re made with relatively sustainable and ethical materials and methods.

VERDICT A chunky trail-walking shoe that performs much better than it looks. 8/10

hiking tough trails. The tyre-like Continental outsole is armed with a set of terrain-gripping 4.5mm lugs. There’s a meaty toecap and heel cup, plus a robust rand (rubber upper). They look like a running shoe, but have the rigidity of an approach shoe. People will either find this level of protection useful (on rocky terrain), or restrictive (on gentler ground). The EVA midsole supplies some cushioning. At 444g per shoe (men’s 10.5), they’re in the midweight category. VERDICT A hardcore technical trail shoe disguised as a pair of running shoes. 7/10

Mojito Trail GTX, Scarpa, £160; scarpa.co.uk For handsome design and functionality. Approach shoes are so called because climbers wear them while walking in to the base of the crag they intend to scale; but often they are worn for a whole mountain hike, too. The Mojito Trail is ideal for this purpose, with a fairly rigid shank, excellent toe and heel protection, and a Vibram outsole with superb grip. Although not especially flexible, they are comfortable and light enough (507g per men’s 10.5-sized shoe) to wear on easier paths. With a waterproof Gore-Tex membrane. VERDICT Good-looking shoes, fit for the mountains but equally at home on less challenging trails. 7/10

Mountain Trainer, Salewa, £165; salewa.com A classic approach shoe, the Mountain Trainer offers serious rigidity. It also boasts solid 360° protection with a substantial toecap and full-cover rand, making it ideal for rocky trails. A Gore-Tex lining combines with a stretch gaiter beneath the laces to provide superior waterproofing. The climbing-style lacing system grasps your foot tight, and a Vibram outsole gives you great grip on rock. Despite the deliberate stiffness of this shoe, it remains comfortable, although it is heavy (566g per shoe, men’s size 10.5); its benefits would be lost on more pedestrian paths outside the peaks. VERDICT Technically advanced shoe for mountain trails. 7/10

MQM Flex 2 GTX, Merrell, £120; merrell.com Lightweight (399g per shoe for a men’s size 10.5) and built to be nimble even on technical trails, the Flex 2 has an outsole with pronounced lugs, arranged so they don’t gather too much mud. There’s also a brake on the heel for control during descents, and a serrated area on the toe for traction when ascending. A light but ‘tear-resistant’ textile upper backed by Gore-Tex lining keeps water out. There’s plenty of bendiness, while a rockplate protects you from sharp sticks and stones underfoot. A good performer for fast hikers, it may lack heft for more traditional trail walkers. VERDICT Light, nippy trail shoe for fast-moving walkers. 7/10

Trail 2650 Campo, Danner, £105; global.danner.com Designed in the US for warm-weather hiking in dry conditions, these comfortable and lightweight (348g per shoe) trail-running-style shoes feature a funky-looking leather upper, reinforced with abrasion-resistant textile panels and backed by a breathable mesh. There’s plenty of flex in the forefoot and ample cushioning in the midsole. We particularly liked the sock-like inner – created by a 100% integrated tongue, which stops grit getting in – but be warned: these are not insulated or waterproof (although they drain well and dry fast). The Vibram sole gives good grip even on wet rock. VERDICT Fair-weather shoes with a bit of Californian cool. 6/10

Facet 30 OutDry, Columbia, £125; columbiasportswear.co.uk These ‘hiking sneakers’ have a love-them-or-hate-them appearance, thanks to the chunky midsole. This lightweight walking shoe (under 400g per shoe, men’s size 10.5) is made for moving fast. The shoe has lots of padding, and there’s a protective rand around the heel and toe area. The upper is breathable and waterproof. There’s plenty of bounce in the midsole, and the heel has a stabiliser. The outsole’s lugs are so densely arranged they collect mud in gloopy conditions. Best suited (aesthetically and technically) for drier, well-maintained paths and urban trails. VERDICT Quirky hiking sneakers with in-built bounce. 6/10

Outline Prism GTX, Salomon, £120; salomon.com Coming from a French brand that makes running shoes, it’s no surprise that the Prism is the lightest and most athletic waterproof walking shoe in our test. Weighing just 360g per shoe (men’s 10.5), they feel like running shoes. They’re flexible, highly breathable and waterproof, with a Gore-Tex membrane and good grip. There is a substantial toecap and protection at the sides. Like many Salomon shoes, the fit is quite narrow. We suspect they won’t last quite as long as some other more robust shoes on test. VERDICT Super-sleek shoes for those who want to travel light and complete trails fast. 7/10

Explorer Active, Berghaus, £115; berghaus.com Berghaus gear tends to be reliable rather than flashy or gimmicky, and so it is with these classic walking shoes, which deliver lots in terms of performance, even if they don’t look exciting. They’re loaded with top-level tech, from the waterproof Gore-Tex lined upper to the comfortable footbeds and grippy Vibram outsole. A rubber toecap and full rand protect the foot. The degree of flex has been nicely balanced with the level of support they offer. A durable middle-weight (440g per men’s shoe, size 10.5) that sits in the sweet spot between hiking boot and trail-running shoe. VERDICT A tidy shoe that delivers on all its promises. 8/10