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Hiking is a great way to get outside and enjoy the natural world. If you’re going to be spending hours on the trail, it’s important for your feet to have the right gear. In this guide, I will be looking at the best hiking trainers on the market today in the UK, for you to wear on your next hiking adventure.
My Top Recommendations
What To Look For When Buying Hiking Boots
A lot of people might say that the most important factor when it comes to buying hiking boots is the tread. The tread on the bottom of your boot is what’s going to give you traction on the slippery surfaces that you’ll encounter while hiking. However, there are plenty of other factors that you should take into consideration when making your purchase:
Price
Price is an important consideration when buying hiking trainers as you need to think about how much you will actually be using them.
If you are going to be using them regularly, you might be more inclined to spend a bit more money compared to someone who is only after a pair for occasional use.
In addition, you should not just buy something because it is cheaper than other shoes available.
The hiking trainers available on the market today range from as low as £11.99, going all the way up to £160.00. Anything around £75.00 should be considered an average price for hiking trainers.
The Terrain You Will Be Hiking On
Thinking about what you’ll be walking on and how long you’ll be walking are important factors in choosing the right trainer for your hike.
If you are going to walking up hills, you will need a shoe that has lots of grip to ensure you don’t slip on potentially wet ground.
If you will be walking through rocky terrain and uneven ground, a hiking trainer with a thick sole is a good choice as it will provide extra protection for your feet against the rougher surface.
Waterproofing
If you are likely to be walking in wet conditions you should consider buying hiking trainers that are waterproof as they will protect your feet from getting wet inside the shoe.
Wet feet and hiking are a bad combination. As your foot gets wet, it will expand inside your shoe and create friction between your foot and the shoe. This friction will most likely lead to blisters on your feet, which could ruin your walking experience.
If you are only really looking for a pair of hiking trainers for the warmer weather, waterproofing becomes less of an issue.
Hiking Trainers vs. Hiking Boots
When choosing the right footwear for hiking, one of the main choices you need to make is between walking shoes (trainers) and walking boots. There are three main differences between them that you should consider before deciding which you should buy:
- Ankle Support: Hiking shoes provide little to no ankle support, whereas hiking boots provide more stability.
- Weight: The average weight of a pair of hiking shoes is about 340 grams, while the average weight of a pair of hiking boots is about twice as much at 680 grams.
- Comfort: Hiking boots are usually made with thicker and softer materials to make them more comfortable than shoes.
When choosing which one you should buy, you should consider these factors before deciding which to buy.
If you like the sounds of hiking boots based on the above, you might like to read our guide to the best hiking boots for under £100.
Best Mens Hiking Trainers – Our Top Picks
Adidas Terrex Eastrail – My Favourite Men’s Hiking Trainers
If you’re looking for a solid walking trainer from a well-known sports brand, then the Adidas Terrex Eastrail would certainly be top of the list.
This walking trainer boasts a GORE-TEX waterproof and breathable lining, which will help to keep your feet dry when out for a hike.
The Traxion ultra-grip outer sole is designed to provide extra grip when on rugged terrain and the toe bumper will protect you from injuring your toes when crossing rocky surfaces.
At a price of £89.99, these hiking trainers are above average compared to others on the market.
These lightweight hiking trainers are a great choice for those who want a good all-round pair of trainers.
Quechua Mens NH100 Country Walking Boots – Best Budget Men’s Hiking Trainers
If you are looking for a pair of hiking trainers that are incredibly affordable, the Quechua Mens NH10O Walking Boots absolutely tick that box.
At just £11.99 for a pair, these hiking trainers are an absolute bargain and the cheapest on the list.
In spite of their low price, these hiking trainers are still designed to be comfortable, with a 6mm heel cushion to help protect your foot when walking on the trails.
At this price point, there are, of course, compromises. The first is that these hiking trainers are not waterproof, meaning that if you need to cross a small stream, you better be prepared to clear it in one leap! Also, any rain will soak through them pretty easily, which could eventually lead to blisters.
They are also not really suited to walking up mountains as they don’t have enough grip for the slippery rocks.
A great choice for those who simply need a hiking trainer for the occasional walk in the woods or along a coastal path.
The North Face Men’s Activist FUTURELIGHT™ Shoes – Best Premium Brand Men’s Hiking Trainers
If you’re looking for a pair of hiking trainers made by a recognised outdoor brand, then look no further than The North Face Men’s Activist FUTURELIGHT™ Shoes.
These hiking trainers come with FUTURELIGHT technology, which uses a variety of advanced waterproof materials to keep your feet dry when out hiking in wet weather.
The material is also breathable, meaning that your feet won’t get too hot when out for long hikes, which will help to avoid blisters on your feet.
The rubber sole has also been designed to provide significantly more grip compared to other hiking trainers available on the market, making them a great choice for those looking to take on more challenging trails.
The downside to those is the price, which is £125 and one of the most expensive pairs of hiking trainers on the list.
If you’re willing to spend over £100 on a pair of high quality, durable hiking trainers, you wouldn’t regret buying these!
Best Of The Rest Mens Hiking Trainers
Peter Storm Men's Buxton Walking Shoe
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Quechua Mens MH900 Mountain Hiking Shoes
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Salewa Men's Wildfire GORE-TEX® Approach Shoes
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Merrell Crosslander
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Best Womens Hiking Trainers – Our Top Picks
Columbia Redmond Walking Shoe – My Favourite Men’s Hiking Trainers
The Columbia Redmond Walking Shoe is a solid choice when it comes to hiking trainers.
Columbia have designed this shoe to perform in well in a variety of different hiking conditions, from challenging trails to regular walking routes.
With an Outdry waterproof membrane, this shoe will protect your feet from getting when hiking in particularly wet conditions or when crossing streams.
The outer membrane is breathable too, allowing your feet to keep cool when walking in hot weather, which will help you avoid blisters when out for the day.
The OMNIGRIP rubber sole will provide plenty of traction when walking, and the full foot Techlite mid-sole cushion means you are supported across your whole foot when walking.
These hiking trainers have an RRP of £64.99, making them good value for money for such a high-quality shoe.
Quechua Womens NH100 Country Walking Boots – Best Budget Women’s Hiking Trainers
If you’re just looking for a simple hiking trainer for occasional use, you probably don’t want to break the bank to get a pair.
The Quechua Women’s NH100 Country Walking Boots is a good option for those who just want a simple pair of hiking trainers to put on when going for the occasional walk in the countryside.
At just £11.99 for a pair, these hiking trainers are an absolute bargain compared to other shoes you can buy.
For your money you will get a light, comfortable hiking trainer that still provides a decent level of grip on slippier trails.
There are compromises of course, one being that they are not waterproof. If you are expectibng a downpour, you should expect to also get wet feet.
Let be honest, they aren’t going to win any style awards, but if you’re looking for a simple, low cost hiking trainer for occasional hikes in lowlands, forests or by the coast, these will be perfectly up to the task.
The North Face Women’s Sakura Walking Shoes – Best Premium Brand Women’s Hiking Trainers
If you would prefer the comfort of buying a pair of hiking trainers from a recognised outdoor brand specialist, these The North Face Women’s Sakura Walking Shoes would make an excellent purchase.
This The North Face shoe has the style of a trainer combined with the performance of a walking shoe.
Made from a highly breathable material your feet won’t get too hot when out for long hikes, which will help to avoid blisters on your feet.
They are also waterproof, meaning they can be used in adverse weather conditions and still keep your feet dry.
The only real negative with these hiking trainers is the price, which at £115, is higher than most other hiking shoes on the market.
If you are willing to spend over £100 on a pair of quality hiking shoes, you won’t regret buying these!
Peter Storm Women's Buxton Walking Shoe
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Adidas Terrex Eastrail
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Salewa Women's Wildfire GORE-TEX® Approach Shoes
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Merrell Crosslander
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Summary
Which hiking trainer you choose will ultimately be a personal decision based on your budget, how often you will be using them and what sort of terrains you will be using them on.
For me, the Adidas Terrex Eastrail Men’s Hiking Shoes and the Columbia Redmond Women’s Walking Shoes are the best all-round choices, striking a good balance between price, durability and quality.
If you liked this guide, please share it on Pinterest. Also, please check out our other guides to all things outdoors.
Happy Hiking!
