Hanwag Banks Low Lady GTX hiking shoe

I’VE always subscribed to the idea that a new pair of walking shoes needs to be ‘broken in’, that the first couple of hikes should be short ones so as not to risk blisters. Turns out I was wrong. Right from first pulling on this new low-cut addition to the Banks range from German hiking and mountain boot manufacturer Hanwag, it was supremely comfortable.

The fit was spot on, providing the right balance between support and room for my foot. The tongue seemed odd at first – it’s fully attached along the inside of the shoe, but with a ‘flap’ on the outside edge. I thought this would prove uncomfortable and get in the way. But it is actually a Hanwag innovation – the ‘Futura tongue’ – which prevents the tongue from moving around when wearing the shoe, thereby increasing comfort.

The thick sole, with a PU foam wedge and soft heel reinforcement, offers excellent cushioning. The deep tread is super grippy, which was very handy on my incredibly wet and muddy walk around Walthamstow Marshes on New Year’s Day (my first #LocalBigYear birding outing of the year!). The Gore-tex membrane ensured that my feet stayed warm and dry, too.

The Banks Low Lady GTX comes in two colourways: navy/asphalt (pictured) and asphalt/ocean. The model is also available in men’s sizes, in asphalt/black and mocca/black.

I do all my birding by foot or bike, so good shoes are a must, and I’m impressed with these ones. They’re sturdy, comfortable and appear to be both well made and hard wearing. They’re also light enough to cycle in. In fact, it’s almost like hiking in slippers, if slippers were also really supportive and waterproof. I’m sure they’ll accompany me on many more birding trips for several years to come. Rebecca Armstrong