Walking boots and clothes: advice please.

A simple and to you maybe silly...
What is difference between walking boots and walking shoes and when would you use one or other?

If you are walking gentle terrain with no rough rocky paths and are not likely to encounter water or deep mud, shoes should be fine. For anywhere you need an extra of support (mountain or rough hill walking for instance), boots are essential.

This is why you should seek advice from a reputable supplier - tell them what walking you plan, and in what kind of weather conditions, and ask for recommended footwear to try.

You will find disagreement amongst walkers about our own preferences. I, for example, walk in the mountains and on rough terrain in walking sandals in the summer - my Keens have taken me happily from the American Rockies to the Southern Alps without problem. Others, like Greyduster, would want or need more ankle support. Neither is wrong, it’s very individual.

Your question about when to wear what has no answer, it’s a question of individual choice.
Don’t overthink, just enjoy.

I only use my walking boots for difficult terrain or very long walks ( very rare now) I always use waterproof walking shoes which are much more comfortable - well for me. Which reminds me. After 5 years wear, this morning they leaked when walking through grass, so a new pair is needed. The shoes I use are German and extremely comfortable. This will be the third pair from the same company - if they still do them!?

My wet weather gear is also pretty ancient but still serviceable. It pays to get the best quality you can afford.

I got some really nice gortex walking boots from clarks

Merrill shoes and boots.

Fennell

A simple and to you maybe silly...
What is difference between walking boots and walking shoes and when would you use one or other?

We have both boots and shoes because we have been walking and hiking a long time. Our shoes are lower and have little ankle support are cooler and lighter in the Summer but still waterproof.

For hillier or rocky walks or wetter weather boots will give more support around the ankles and more protection from muddy puddles that come up almost to your ankles.

We both gave up walking sandals as we kept getting gravel inside them but as everyone else says it's all purely personal choice. Good advice to buy some good socks and use them to try on your boots/shoes. If you have a local walking group a really good idea to join them - they can provide support, encouragement, company and experience. Enjoy 😁

I would second that advice about walking groups. Ramblers can be a mine of information, and some groups cater for beginners, and shorter walks.

Wet weather gear is really important, in U.K. anyway. There’s nothing as miserable as having rain soaking through clothing and running down inside your legs, when miles from home. 😱

Think most councils run free walks for health.

My favourite boots at the moment are AKU, an Italian company. The best pair of walking trousers I have are Rohan, waterproof lined Roamers, keep me dry through the heaviest rain but are light enough to wear if it just looks like the odd shower. Much better than waterproof over trousers.

I wouldn't go for any boots that are too heavy, goretex or similar are lighter and less likely to rub your feet. I had proper leather walking boots but found them cumbersome and heavy, not really necessary unless you're going on really rough tramps.
You get pretty hot walking so wear layers you can take off, a thinner waterproof jacket (loose enough to wear several layers underneath) rather than a thick padded one.
Waterproof overtrousers are useful but I'd wait to but those until you see whether your likely to go out in wet weather.

A backpack with room for clothing layers, use little bags [drawstring veggie] or elastic bands to keep your extras tidy. Merrell footwear is good. Go for the best mix of light comfortable and waterproof you can afford. Only small drink bottle, calorie dense non melting snack. Bridgedale socks - never been let down by them. Really need to go to a big outdoor store to see things.

I find walking poles brilliant. They enable me to walk at a good steady regular pace, are helpful going uphill and more particularly on steep downhill terrain. You have to adjust grip and angle of the poles accordingly. My 80th birthday is on the horizon this year and I wouldn't be able to do the kind of walking I enjoy without my poles.

Fennell

A simple and to you maybe silly...
What is difference between walking boots and walking shoes and when would you use one or other?

My husband and I used to walk at least twelve miles every week and had
walked most of the long distant walks. A good pair of walking boots with two pairs of socks. Waterproof jacket and trousers. A woolly hat. Comfortable rucksack with a thermos flask full of warm drink. Sandwiches and bar of chocolate. First aid kit.
Dress according to the weather. I have worn a sun dress and walking boots in a heat wave but extra layers in snow.

A walking pole or poles are useful for hills. When going downhill they can support you and help stop slipping.

I seem to have answered Fennells question by mistake. I have never worn shoes on long distance walks.

Nordic walking poles are to be learned. A telescopic one for sometimes perhaps.

Such great advice here. The thing I would add is a comfortable pair of water resistant walking trousers. They really make a difference if there’s a downpour. My favourite are Brasher, had them for years and they wear and wash well as well (I always wash them in the tech-wash stuff) and they dry quickly. There’s other good brands, just Brasher fit me the best.
I wear them as they are in summer and with a merino base-layer in winter. Merino is expensive but well worth the extra for the comfort (and it doesn’t need as much washing- a good airing in sunlight really does freshen it up well). I got my latest merino things at Aldi in one of their events and they’ve been just as good as the ones I got from a specialist shop.

As Patsy70 says ….Merrill are brilliant…I use them , even their trainers are just , if not more comfortable than Skechers.

I bought some walking boots in winter for the snow and ice I’ve got arthritis so I need some lightweight comfortable shoes I got mine off rydale and I’ve walked for miles in mine super comfortable and feet dry in all weather’s. I didn’t buy mine for walking just support to stop me falling lol

Have a look at Regatta online. They have a 70% off sale on at the moment. You can get waterproof taped seamed jackets and over trousers in different designs. I’ve just bought a pair of their lightweight waterproof walking shoe/ trainer and found them very comfortable. I find some expensive leather walking boots to be too heavy and cumbersome.

Also walking poles are very good - you can use both or just the one. With a sharp end that you can stick in the ground they are a great help going up hill or down dale.

I have been walking and hiking for many years and tend to go on Ramblers walking holidays. If you are on rough terrain, i.e. with rocks or sharp stones, boots with ankle support are a godsend. I have a pair of Meindl with Gore Tex, solid, watertight and reliable, they are however quite heavy. For lighter terrain a Gore Tex walking shoe is ideal. I usually buy Merrell. My feet get hot easily and I therefore have cool max socks (available from Amazon). I find one walking pole easier to manage than two and if its telescopic then you can collapse it down and attach to your rucksack when not needed. My waterproof overtrousers are Regatta with a side zip so they can be pulled on or off without removing your boots. A rucksac with deep outside side pockets to hold a water bottle allows you to easily have a drink whilst walking along. Its sounds like a lot of stuff but some of these things last for years. My Meindl boots have been going strong for ten years and I reckon they have at least another five or more years in them yet! Its a great hobby.

Plus one for Meindl; best boots I’ve ever owned, and I’ve gone through some in my time. Mine are very light though. I couldn’t put up with heavy boots.

No point in buying walking boots unless you are intending to walk on very rough ground, and no-one can advise you on which boots to buy, as what suits one pair of feet assuredly does not suit another.

If you are going to buy trekking boots or shoes, most people prefer a half size larger than they normally wear, as they can then wear two pairs of socks, one thin pair and a thicker pair on top to mimimize the risk of blisters.

This, however, just does not work for me, for I cannot walk if my feet get too warm, so I have always worn shoes rather than boots or in warm weather trekking sandals.

Start off with a pair of shoes or boots that you have and that are comfortable, and do not walk too far at first, gradually increasing the distance you walk.

Do you usually use a walking stick? If not on asphalt you won't need one, or find it anything but a nusiance. On rough ground, a stick my well be advisable, but a good old fashioned staff made of a straight branch of a tree, debarked where you hold it, and shoulder high will prove far better suport.

As to clothes, wear whatever you are comfortable in, but trousers are not a good idea at all IMO as you expose far more of yourself every time you need to wee than you do if you wear a not too tight skirt.

Rain-proof clothes - yes, essential if walking in the west of Scotland, but otherwise a light weight raincoat or cape should be enough.