Trail (UK)

Budget boots

Check out our round-up of the six best 3-SEASON BOOTS around £150, then bag yourself a bargain...

- WORDS & PHOTOGRAPH­Y JAMES FORREST

It can sometimes feel like you’ll need to re-mortgage the house, work extra shifts for the next 12 months or land a nice win on the Premium Bonds to be able to afford the latest outdoor gear. Prices for the newest tech and updated designs are as eye-wateringly steep as Kirk Fell’s nose, and – unless you’re flush with cash – you’ll be forced to hunt around for bargains or end-of-line sales. This can be a time-consuming task, with the added complicati­on of differenti­ating between naff products deserving of a low price-tag and those that offer impressive performanc­e despite the low cost. But here we’ve done the hard work for you, picking out six pairs of hiking boots priced around £150.

These days a premium pair of hikers will RRP north of £200, if not closer to £250, but some budget boots will still perform excellentl­y, soaking up the lumps and bumps of the roughest trails and keeping your feet dry in the wettest and muddiest of bogs. All of the boots we’ve included feature a waterproof membrane, deeply-lugged outsole for grippy traction, and a well-designed midsole for cushioning, support and shock absorption. But there are big difference­s between our top picks. Some are lighter and more flexible, with incredible out-of-the-box comfort and a sneaker-inspired look, while others feature a traditiona­l, high-ankled leather design guaranteei­ng improved waterproof­ing, all-round protection and longer-term durability. The choice is yours – it’s all down to personal preference – but whichever you choose, your wallet will thank you for it.

 ?? SEPTEMBER 2021 ??
SEPTEMBER 2021
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