For easy trails (C walks) often in flat terrain without climbing hills, a flexible, shoe will make your walk more comfortable and less fatiguing. Hiking shoes are also cooler to wear than boots, due to their low sides, and they can be more responsive-feeling too.
A low cut shoes will last for 800 miles or 9-18 months.
Low cut hiking shoes can be waterproof and non waterproof. Non waterproof have breathable uppers and can be cooler to wear in summer. In winter to prevent water from coming in over the top of the shoe, wear them with gaiters.
Meindl Respond Womens GTX Walking Shoe
As one of Meindl’s best selling walking shoes in the UK, the Respond GTX is an excellent all-rounder. The walking shoe features a combination of velour and mesh uppers making it a lighter weight option for everyday wear or lower level walking.
They have been developed with a GORE-TEX lining for breathability and waterproofing, while the Meindl Contragrip sole (developed with Salomon) gives excellent traction on mixed terrain.
- Materials:
- Upper: Velour leather and mesh
- Lining: Gore-Tex
- Midsole: Air-Active footbed
- Outsole: Meindl Contagrip Trail
- Durable and abrasion resistant
- Cupped heel stabiliser
- Waterproof protection
- Toe protector
- Breathable
Weight: 330g (each shoe)
The Alterra Lite’s are comfortable, supportive and lightweight walking shoes designed for general trips out to the countryside and tackling moderately sized hills.
- Elica natural stride system
- IMS system
- AIR8000 technology
- Ortholite footbed
- Suede upper
- Rubber reinforcements
- Gore-Tex membrane
Weight: 345 g (each shoes)
Earth-friendly materials. Designed to deliver lighter, more breathable waterproof ventilation.
- Leather Working Group Gold-Rated waterproof nubuck leather
- GORE-TEX Invisible Fit with 70% recycled polyester face fabric
- Lightweight 30% sugarcane EVA midsole
- Abrasion resistant toe cap
- 100% Recycled vamp and quarter mesh
- Vibram® Megagrip outsole
- Achilles heel comfort build
- 50% Soybean-based sockliner
- SwallowTail™ heel
- 100% Recycled polyester collar and tongue lining mesh
- 100% Recycled polyester external collar mesh
- 100% Recycled polyester laces (excluding aglet)
Weight: 435 g (each shoe)
Infused with trail-running expertise, the Salomon X Ultra 4 Shoes combine the light weight and agility of a trainer with the support of a boot for fast movement on the trail.
Boasting the same agility as a trail-running shoe but with all the stability and grip you need to tackle technical terrain, they are well equipped for all outdoor adventures.
Breathable uppers – non waterproof for ultimate coolness in summer months.
Constructed with SensiFit™ technology, they lend a customised fit for day-long comfort, as well as a protective toecap and mudguard to keep out debris.
Additionally, you can rely on an EnergyCell midsole and moulded OrthoLite® sockliner for optimum cushioning, alongside an all-terrain grippy Contagrip® MA outsole that ensures confidence on multiple surfaces.
Quicklace® lacing system.
Weight: 360 g (each shoe)
New generation low-cut shoe for fast hiking made with eco-friendly components. It combines proprietary solutions of La Sportiva Mountain DNA with technologies derived from Mountain Running® for a versatile and sustainable product.
Eco-friendly and vegan friendly components such as: laces and straps in 100% recycled material, Ortholite® Hybrid insole, Vibram® Eco Step Evo tread with components deriving from the processing cycle, upper in recycled fabric.
The new GORE-TEX Extended Comfort membrane is also made with end-of-life plastic materials and is Bluesign® certified. The compression midsole in partially recycled EVA adds stability and cushioning for a reliable and comfortable product to wear even for a multi-day hiking.
Weight: 395 g (each shoe)