The Merrell fit is highly regarded, providing designs tailored for both male and female feet, to ensure that there is no slippage and the feet stay perfectly supported, even in the most demanding environments. Providing a shoe for all occasions, no matter where you decide to walk, you will be assured of great support, exquisite grip and above all, exceptional comfort for all of your outdoor adventures. With such a wide choice of styles on offer, we have put together a Walking.org guide to Merrell shoes, to help you choose the best model to suit your walking and hiking requirements.

Merrell Shoes

The Merrell shoes range is extensive, covering all terrain and all climates. Whether you need protection on exposed peaks, or comfortable footwear to wear for your walk to work, Merrell have your feet at the forefront of their minds.

As the National Health Service encourages people to increase the distance spent walking each day and give long term health a boost, Merrell provide the footwear to enable you to do so in comfort. Highly supportive and well cushioned shoes ensure that fitness walkers get the correct balance of grip, support and cushioning for hard urban terrain. The Merrell Sprint is a welcome addition to the Merrell walking shoes range. Combining the technology from their walking trainers, the Sprint is a godsend to urban walkers looking for the snug Merrell fit but a tread better suited to abrasive urban surfaces. For cross country runners, walkers and hikers, the Vibram sticky rubber compound outsoles ensure that no matter what the weather, and where you walk, traction is never going to a problem.

However after the day is done, to help the feet relax there are Merrell Jungle Mocs. The Mocs are perfect for after sports, to give the feet a chance to rest and recover. As casual slippers for the home and garden, they offer comfort, grip and style perfect, and are great for casual wear and much needed R&R. The moccasin style offers pure comfort, however they wouldn’t be Merrells without a rugged tread, great arch support and an anatomically moulded design. They are sure to keep you on the feet and in total comfort in the home, garden and for less strenuous walking.

Merrell Walking

When it comes to walking and hiking, Merrell are in their element. Born and bred in Vermont, they are situated in one of the most beautiful worldwide locations for walking. Inspired by the beautiful scenery in the summer, the New England colourful autumns provide the inspiration for their colour schemes. It also provides them with full seasonal variations to ensure their shoes get thoroughly tested in the in the heat of the summer, the wet weather in spring and autumn and the cold of the New England winter.

The Merrell walking range features rugged tread patterns and Vibram rubber to give maximum bite in snow and ice, and makes for excellent traction in the wet. For baked summer trails the Merrell Air Cushion takes the sting out of a heavy foot strike and cushions shockwaves. The uppers are light and breathable, providing warmth in the winter and coolness in the summer, whilst Gore-Tex fabric keeps the feet perfectly protected from the wind and rain. Gore-Tex gaskets form an impermeable seal, so that even streams will not stop you from taking the scenic route.

Most of the Merrell walking boot designs are based on Merrell trainers. Such is the comfort and support offered that all Merrell thought needed to be done was to provide an additional cuff for ankle protection. Simplistic yet effective, Merrell walking boots are incredibly lightweight, highly protective and help to maintain a good pace to keep you light on your feet, and keep the muscles fresher for longer.

Merrell walking means all seasons exercise from sandals for the height of the summer to winter snow boots, so whenever you walk and wherever you go, there is a shoe to help you walk in comfort.

Merrell Sandals

For many hardened walkers, the summer is not a favourite time to get out into the countryside, requiring greater stamina to keep going through the heat. The trails get busier, the countryside fills up with holidaymakers, and the peace and tranquillity is often broken. However to help you keep cool, calm and collected, Merrell sandals should be the first choice for footwear. The best shoes to keep the feet cool and allow the air to get to the toes, Merrell sandals offer a robust hard wearing design to keep the feet perfectly cushioned, supported and well protected. Constructed from highly durable pig-suede and nubuck leather, they are designed to last, and make all light summer hiking a breeze.

Traction is assured with sticky Vibram rubber outsoles, and innovative cross-terrain tread patterns give the maximum grip. The feet are kept secure and perfectly aligned thanks to anatomically moulded footbeds, with great arch support and cushioning for the forefoot and heel. The low profile sole includes a Merrell Air cushion for shock absorption and rigid arch shanks help to keep the sandals stable.

If you prefer to reduce your walking adventures in summer and take to the cooling water, the Merrell Waterpro offers the most flexibility for the feet. The design has been developed for exceptional underwater grip, and is suitable for the both the sea and fresh water. However the shoes function equally well as summer walking sandals, being great for getting you to and from the water in comfort. Quick drying uppers, razor sipped soles, and sticky rubber lugs give great traction wherever your summer adventure takes you.

Merrell Trainers

The trainer is the heart and soul of Merrell shoes. For a brand which prides itself on comfort and flexibility, it is no surprise that Merrell trainers are the basis for so many of their outdoor range. The ever popular Merrell Chameleon is now in its third generation as a trainer, constantly being fine tuned to get the maximum off-road performance. So popular was the style, that mid-boots and hiking sandals were soon added to the range. The ever popular Merrell Moab has a mid-boot version, offering the same features which have made it such a popular all round trainer.

It is not the men’s Merrell range alone which has brought such flexible designs. In the women’s Merrell collection, Merrell Siren trainers have seen some evolution. Merrell chose to add femininity to their designs, and have steered away from unisex one size fits all construction. The female specific last used for construction of the women’s range ensures the perfect fit for the female foot. Narrower in the heel, and shorter in the toe, they offer an exceptionally good fit, and eliminate the sliding which many women suffer in unisex walking shoes. So popular was the styling for the Siren, that the same designs have been incorporated into an all purpose walking sandal version.

However there is one Merrell trainer which has remained in its original form and that is the Merrell Intercept. In making the Intercept, Merrell have produced a truly awesome multi-sport shoe. For cross country walking and moving at a faster pace the speed sole and lightweight design helps to increase the speed, especially on difficult terrain. When a shoe performs so well across such a wide range of surfaces, there is no need to convert it into a mid-boot.

Merrell Socks and Accessories

Merrell shoes offer a snug fit with soft linings for instant comfort. Removable sockliners help to keep the feet fresh, and anti-microbial treatments prevent foot odour from becoming a problem, however for the maximum comfort Merrell have designed their own range of walking socks. Designed to complement the fit of Merrell shoes, their walking socks are equally Hi-Tec. To add even greater shock absorption, Merrell socks are constructed with padding on the ball and the heel. Soft merino wool cushioning has been anatomically mapped into the soles, giving greater cushioning on the ball and the heel, with reinforcements for a long lifespan. Taking up very little volume, they feel lightweight on the feet and allow air to pass through to keep the feet cool, promoting the wicking of moisture away from the foot and out of the shoes.

The appropriately named Merrell EWE technology combines soft dew wool with synthetics to maximise comfort and dryness and give a foot hugging design. Modern fibres keep the socks breathing whilst increasing the lifespan and improving performance. Nylon, Lycra, Polypropylene and wool are blended for maximum comfort, support and cushioning. Merrell socks compliment Merrell footwear to ensure the perfect environment for the feet is maintained for a comfortable day on the feet.

Merrell Clothing

As active proponents of a healthy outdoor lifestyle, Merrell cater for all outdoor pursuits. Having ensured comfort and support for the feet of walkers and hikers, it was a natural progression to extend their range to Merrell clothing. Just as Merrell Gore-Tex fabrics protect the feet, Merrell lightweight waterproof clothing keeps the body at the right temperature, and well protected from the elements. Designed to be thrown in a pack and emerge looking good, Merrell walking and hiking gear is perfect for a quick change when the heavens open or a storm kicks up. Constructed from quick drying fabrics, the clothing is lightweight and warm, and will not leave you feeling restricted. Perfectly breathable, they help to wick away moisture from the body to keep you dry and comfortable. From base camp to the pub for a celebratory post walk pint, Merrell provide the full range of stylish outdoor clothing to keep you walking in style and relaxing in comfort.

Whilst the heat of the summer has walkers and hikers heading for the shade, it’s a great time to be looking for bargains. The summer is a great time to pick up cheap Merrell shoes from the end of line clearance sales. Due to the level of innovation at Merrell, models are changed each year and the previous season’s model and styles are cleared to make way for the new technology. If you are looking for a late summer pair of sandals, or walking boots for the autumn there are great bargains to be had. Look out for Merrell shoes on sale and you could make a considerable saving on your footwear for the autumn and winter.

Merrell Boots

As the nights get longer and the days get shorter, the autumn offers some of the best walking experiences you will find. Walking in the British countryside as greens turn to red is a pleasure, and a delight for the senses. Cooler temperatures make walking and hiking more invigorating, especially refreshing after the draining heat of summer.

When summer draws to a close its time to think about your winter footwear to give the extra degree of protection and warmth to see you through to the spring. Merrell walking trainers such as the Moab, Chameleon and Siren function well throughout the year. Due to great year round performance and highly popular designs, Merrell have simply added a protective cuff to keep the same sleek and stylish looks. Lightweight and flexible, Merrell mid boots allow you to maintain pace even in difficult terrain, and help to keep foot fatigue at bay.

Merrell boots are strong, hard wearing and protective and are designed to cover all terrain in all conditions. Featuring Gore-Tex linings and gaskets, they offer a totally waterproof seal and total protection from the weather. The lightweight uppers are cool in summer and insulating in winter, remaining perfectly breathable to allowing the feet to breathe and stay cool when the going gets more strenuous.

Designed from the highly comfortable trainer range, the uppers are soft and flexible on the feet for a comfortable fit straight out of the box, with minimal breaking in time. They give a great balance of flexibility and support for tacking varied terrain with ease, and Merrell Gore Tex technology helps to maintain the right environment for your feet, keeping them dry and comfortable even after full immersion.

No matter where you prefer to walk, and what terrain you need to traverse, the Merrell walking range offers the walker, hiker and outdoor enthusiast the widest possible choice of performance footwear with comfort, style and long lasting durability to boot!

Vibram have an excellent pedigree when it comes to foot protection. The company was formed following the most tragic of circumstances, with the deaths of 6 climbers in the Italian Alps who lost their lives due to inadequate footwear. The tragedy inspired Vitale Bramani to formulate a new type of rubber, which provided excellent grip even on icy mountain ridges. The company was financed by Pirelli, the famed Italian tyre manufacturers and the revolutionary Vibram rubber is now used by the best outdoor footwear manufacturers to give the extra degree of protection required for the most demanding of environments.

It was a natural progression for Vibram to develop its own range of shoes. Starting from the ground up, they took their legendary outsole and designed a shoe around it, with the aim of offering barefoot walking experience with an extra degree of protection for the feet.

The result was one of the strangest looking shoes you are likely to see, however in terms of offering the benefits of barefoot walking there simply is no better barefoot shoe on the market. Many shoe manufacturers strive to incorporate the benefits of barefoot walking into their designs, however it is unlikely that anything will top Vibram Five Fingers.

Barefoot walking offers considerable benefits over wearing shoes, as the gait changes to a more flat-footed landing, rather than a hard heel strike which comes from modern footwear. With the heel and ball each taking their own share of the weight, the foot is allowed to perform as nature intended. Walking barefoot brings a wider range of muscles into play and also offers much better toning to the lower body.

Five Fingers are designed to perfectly match the anatomy of the feet to give a glove-like fit and to offer barefoot walking with more protection and comfort. They are constructed from the famed Vibram rubber outsole with an upper made from abrasion resistant stretch polyamide fabric. The material stretches to perfectly mould to the feet so much so that you are likely to forget you are wearing them.

To counter the problem of sweaty feet, the material is breathable and the footbed has anti-microbial properties which keep the feet perfectly healthy whilst offering the myriad of benefits which barefoot walking provides. Here at Walking.org we have been proactively promoting the benefits of a return to barefoot walking and we have mentioned Vibram Five Fingers before, however they have been a source of much frustration due to the difficulty in securing a pair. So popular are the shoes that any provider rapidly sells out, with pre-ordering the only reliable way of securing pair of these fantastic shoes. With a major distributor such as Anaton now distributing the brand, British feet are once again likely to be on show in their full 5-digit glory.

For water sports they are one of the best shoes on the market, offering not only the benefit of razor sipped Vibram TC-1 performance rubber, but with the toes free to give extra grip, traction is improved significantly. A single hook-and-loop closure provides a tight snug fit to ensure no slippage and keep them well secured. The comfort fit and barefoot benefits makes the shoes perfect for many activities such as aerobics, Pilates, Yoga and martial arts and give incredible feel for scrambling, bouldering and canyoning. Want a bit of extra protection and grip for surfing? No problem, Vibram offer a waterproof shoe which will keep the feet and board connected in perfect harmony.

Vibram Five Fingers were designed to give the maximum possible feel to walking and to exactly recreate barefoot walking and the benefits which it provides to the body. Now that stocks have been secured, this revolutionary shoe is available again to British purchasers and we expect that once again they will become the barefoot walking shoe of choice.

Toning shoes have been developed on the back of recent studies which have highlighted the benefits of barefoot walking. Here at Walking.org, we have long been proponents of the health advantages to going barefoot and the toning that it provides to the lower body. Whilst it is perfect for soft sand, it is not such a practical way of getting around on hard surfaces. Two popular styles of toning shoes offer the benefits of a return to barefoot walking, with the added benefit of EVA underfoot cushioning. FitFlop sandals came from an idea in 2004, to provide a shoe to give the benefits of barefoot but the comfort and support of a shoe. Since their launch the have fast become a fitness footwear sensation.

A return to barefoot walking offers considerable benefits, both to fitness and muscle tone and FitFlop sandals recreated both features without compromising style and offer a range of fashionable designs and colours. The sandals reduce the stress on the joints from walking by getting the body back to a more natural way of walking. They ease the joints and have been reported to help sufferers of painful bone, muscle and joint problems. Offering anatomically designed support they change the posture for a more beneficial walking gait. The shoes include a Microwobbleboard to increase muscle activity in the legs bottom and lower back giving a great boost to toning increasing muscle activity by up to 30%.

The range of styles on offer today has increased dramatically from simple flip-flop style sandals to more standard shoe styles and are now suited to a wide range of activities to offer a toning boost no matter where you are or what you want to do.

Skechers Shape Ups offer a similar return to a more natural walking pattern, and they too simulate barefoot walking and provide the associated health and toning benefits. The trainer styles are better suited to colder weather, and they also produce a range of work shoes which can be worn around at the office.
The shoes feature a curved sole with an innovative Kinetic Wedge. They promote a more natural rolling of the foot from heel to toe, offering exceptional cushioning and reducing stress to the joints. They also work the body more thoroughly by bringing the abdominal muscles into action and improve blood circulation.

A newcomer to the toning shoe market is Reebok, who combine their renowned trainer comfort with a boost to fitness and muscle tone with their Easytone trainer range. Whilst not offering posture correction and a return to barefoot walking, they manage to increase toning to the legs and bottom up to 28%.

All of these toning shoe ranges offer the opportunity to get more value from simple walking, and help with toning, weight loss and fitness. The benefits of barefoot walking can easily be gained with little extra effort, and the health of the whole body can be improved whilst walking. It is no surprise that toning shoes have become such a popular fitness footwear choice.

If you are considering giving your exercise routine a boost, or taking advantage of the health benefits a change of footwear can provide, then toning shoes could be the answer. Alternatively, there’s nothing quite as refreshing as a leisurely stroll along a sandy beach. We’ll leave the choice to you.

Just when you thought that the British springtime was going to be as spectacular as the man on the telly predicted, the sun hides and the heavens open. It’s another April shower.

Unpredictable British weather often means its best to hedge your bets in the spring and opt for a light pair of waterproof shoes to see you through until high summer. At this time of year when out and about it’s easy to get caught out by a shower, which will see your feet soaked and your shoes out of action whilst they dry off.

So ideally you need a pair of walking shoes that are not only light and breathable, but waterproof as well. Recently there has been a rising in the walking trainer, which seems ideally suited to keeping feet warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

I intend to continue wearing my North Face Hedgehog trainers because they’re ideally suited to both wet and dry weather while offering a tenacious grip for when the ground turns to sludge following a sudden downpour. They’re mostly made of mesh, which makes them light and breathable and feature Gore-Tex XCR so that it doesn’t matter how hard the rain gets, my feet should stay nice and dry.

Anyone who has had to walk home in soggy shoes will know that waterproofing makes the world of difference.

Whether you want to go with the optimistic prediction of a super spring or expect a few more weeks of winter, a pair of waterproof shoes will ensure that no matter what the weather has in store, your feet will be comfortable and dry so you can concentrate on getting some exercise from walking.

If you’re stuck between the seasons and don’t want to fork out a fortune for a pair of shoes that provide lightweight comfort and breathability with waterproof protection, there are a number of cheaper waterproof trainers that do the job.

Obviously, the more affordable options aren’t going to protect you from torrential downpours, but provide enough protection in short April showers while offering plenty of grip and a comfortable fit for a springtime stroll.

All of the big names in performance footwear offer a great range of outdoor sandals which provide the same foot cushioning technology as their beefier boot cousins. They are sure to keep the feet comfortable and cool when it gets a little sweatier and your plates start to swell up from the heat. We take a closer look at some of the best models on the market to help you choose the best designs for your walking needs, which will give the right level of performance and are guaranteed to help you look great with shorts and a flimsier lightweight summer wardrobe.

Walking.org’s Top 5 Outdoor Sandals

Merrell Chameleon II Kahuna
The classic bestselling sandal from outdoor footwear giants Merrell and as you would expect from a chameleon, they’re incredibly comfortable. Stylish, hard wearing and comfortable, they feature soft pigskin uppers with a neoprene/spandex lining for a comfort fit and a rear adjustable suspension strap to ensure no heel slippage. A DeepDish 3D contour footbed keeps the feet sunken in the sandal and curved sole gives additional protection to the toes. For grip you can depend on the Vibram rubber sole with 4.5mm lugs, and give added protection with a forefoot plate and air cushioned midsole. They pack in a lot of technology and it’s no surprise they are one of the top selling brands of outdoor sandals for both men and women.

Keen Newport
Developed to provide the perfect crossover between a summer sandal and hardcore multisport shoe. Keen are the champions of toe protection with their patented rubber toe guard, and a synthetic hydrophobic upper makes these sandals perfect for more amphibious pursuits. These stylish brown sandals feature a drawstring quick lace system for a secure fit, and a chunky carbon sticky sole for maximum grip on dry land and underwater. For comfort, a compression moulded EVA footbed has been constructed from an anatomical last to mould perfectly to the foot. Sure to keep you on your feet in all conditions, they offer the maximum comfort and keep the feet healthy with an AEGIS Microbe Shield to keep foot odour at bay. In short, they are a terrific all-round beach and walking sandal with the highest foot protection.

North Face Hermano
For a featherweight design with heavyweight performance the Hermano offers a super light sandal at a shade over 250g per shoe. They can be worn as a sandal or a slide with a removable heel strap, and the synthetic Nubuck construction is both hardwearing and vegan friendly. A super sticky Hydrotrak razor cut sole gives excellent wet and dry grip over all terrain, and a super-soft SBR lining provides for perfect comfort. The shoes feature an innovative X-frame design to reduce torque and foot slippage over uneven surfaces, and a recessed hook and closure system offers a secure quick release fit. Fully water resistant and double stitched uppers give long lasting wear in all conditions, plus they can be easily fixed to the outside of a backpack for a quick change on long treks.

Merrell Chameleon Cargo
Technically it’s a sandal, however it behaves more like a rugged off-road walking shoe and gives the ultimate protection over all terrain. If you want to make the transition from walking shoes to sandals gently, then this is the model for you. They feature a removable heel strap to enable wear as a sandal or slip-on, with an anatomical Ortholite footbed, injection moulded arch shank, speed lace system and padded neoprene lining for super day-long comfort. High quality Vibram soles have 4mm lugs for excellent multi surface grip and a thick EVA underfoot frame gives excellent shock absorption. It’s an excellent sandal for picking up the pace and one of the best designs for toe protection and keeping the feet in cool summer comfort.

Birkenstock Arizona
When it comes to brown leather sandals, Birkenstock are top of the list, providing some of the most stylish sandals on the market. Perfect for light walking in the summer, they are the number one sandal for holidays abroad. Whilst not providing the rugged high technology for serious off-road capability, when it comes to flat promenades, cool evening wear and long lasting comfort there are few better on the market. For extra comfort they offer an anatomically moulded cork latex footbed with excellent cross arch support. A toe gripper and deep heel cup allow the feet to sit low in the shoe and keep the sandals firmly on the feet. This two strap design is a classic and year round bestseller, and is constructed in leather, Nubuck or Birko-Flor vegan-friendly synthetic leather.

If you want to look good this summer whilst keeping the feet cool and comfortable, it’s time to put away the walking boots until winter and opt for some lightweight summer footwear. Not only will a good quality pair of outdoor sandals protect and cushion the feet on arduous hikes, they will be great for the beach, the garden or just pottering about round town. In terms of value for money, no matter what pair you choose you will get the maximum use throughout the warmer months and will probably not want to wear anything else all summer.

With styles to suit all walks of life you can be sure that no matter where you go, the last thing you need to worry about will be the comfort of your feet. So get out there, get walking and embrace the outdoors this summer. Walking for fitness couldn’t be better!

The British weather has been rather whimsical of late, calling for all sorts of outdoor wear from waterproof jackets to cool walking sandals. Columbia are one of those brands who have been around for centuries, but often get overlooked in favour of the more flashier labels like The North Face and Salomon.

The great thing about Columbia of course is that they cater for everyone taking part in virtually any outdoor activity. Their clothing also provides the perfect level of protection with just the right amount of technical features not to seriously harm your wallet.

As far as branding and the like goes, this is Columbia’s real charm, because it doesn’t matter if you’re walking the dog on a cold and misty morning, trudging along a trail in torrential rain or taking a calm stroll in summer, because Columbia clothing for for anyone and everyone. You don’t need to be a high performance athlete to appreciate it. Columbia’s philsophy isn’t about conquering mountains or being the best, but simply enjoying yourself in the great outdoors.

Much like any other outdoors brand, Columbia offer an extensive range of fleexes, waterproof jackets, waterproof trousers, hats, gloves, etc. But what sets Columbia apart from the crowd is their innovative ideas.

Columbia made the headlines with their Bugathermo rechargeable heated boot that can keep feet warm for up to eight hours with three temperature settings.

Their Mobex back pack has been just as successful. While it’s mostly intended for trail runners, it’s a great summer back pack for walkers because of its lightweight and excellent storage while offering plenty of shoulder movement.

Columbia is just starting to come into their own with a growing range of boots and shoes. Columbia boots in particular offer similar looks to the most popular North Face and Merrell styles, appealing to the slightly younger outdoor market, but with dark earthy colours for the more experienced walkers. When it comes to price, Columbia shoes are much the same as their competitors, but tend to offer a greater number of technical features.

This is because Columbia use only their Omni core technologies to provide all the comfort, support, breathability and waterproof protection you need. Other brands will employ Gore-Tex technologies, which while being renowned for their waterproof membranes will often push the price of a good walking boot up by at least £20 more.

If it’s time to replace your walking boots and apparel, Columbia is certainly worth a try as a better value alternative to the more trendy brands while maintaining a high level of quality.

Whether you’re walking over the fields on a wet day in winter or hiking in dry, hot climates, taking the extra time to look after your walking boots can make them last for many more years. So when you’ve found a favourite pair fo walking boots, it’s best to take good care of them.

Basic Walking Boot Care

The first and easiest part of keeping your walking boots in top condition is to keep them as clean as possible. Obviously, they’re going to get covered in all sorts of muck when you’re out walking, but brshing dirt, mud and water off them after every walk will go a long way. Dirt particles are surprisingly abrasive while wet mud can damage just about any boot material over time, so the sooner you clean your walking boots, the better.

Drying your Walking Boots

It’s also important that you dry your walking boots out after each venture into the great outdoors. Leaving them near the fire or putting them in the tumble drier is generally a bad idea because these high temperatures can damage the boot materials and cements used to hold them together.

The best thing to do is to store your walking boots in a dry, warm area like a boiler cupboard. If you need to speed up the drying process, packing dry newspaper inside the boots will absorb moisture much more quickly, allowing your boots to dry much faster.

Of course, if you come back with wet and dirty walking boots, it’s best to dry them first, then brush the dirt off afterwards.

Washing your Walking Boots

Most fabric walking boots can be easily washed on the outside using non-detergent soap and warm water to remove built up dirt. Leather walking boots can also be rinsed off, but repeated washing and drying over time can sometimes dry out the leather babric, making it brittle. To keep the flexibility and natural lustre of leather boots, it’s best to use wax or silicone based treatments.

Oil based treatments are generally unsuitable for leather walking boots as they are designed to soften leather and make them more suple, which can negate the support the material is intended to offer your feet while walking.

Walking Boot Repairs

Finally, your walking boots may become damaged and be in need of repair. Repairing outdoor footwear isn’t easy and traditional walking boots will requitre careful stitching while modern walking boots may require a complex variety of adhesives. Either way, it’s best to take your walking boots to a cobbler to repair the leather, fabric or in the most extreme cases, reattach the sole.

A cobbler may charge you from £20 to £30 or even more, based upon the amount of time and work involved. Obviously, depending on how much you paid for your walking boots, it may be more cost effective to simply buy another pair instead.

It’s a shame to part with a favourite pair of walking boots that have been cleaned and cared for over a period of many years, but sometimes it’s a better idea to invest in the latest footwear rather than repair your tired old boots.

Of course, paying that little bit extra for a pair of high quality walking boots which will better last the test of time is always a good idea.

As the rain lashes against the office on a dark and dreary day in November, we can only be thankful that our walking shoes and winter jackets have Gore-Tex in them to keep out the wind and rain while being relatively lightweight and breathable.

Often, the sign of a great product is wether or not it has a Gore-Tex membrane. Although many excellent products comfortably make do with out it, Gore-Tex has become a well known brand name that inspires confidence for a customer to part with their spending money and stand out in the rain without complaint.

How Gore-Tex Works

The Gore-Tex membrane is a specially developed layer made up of billions of microscopic pores. Each of these pores is smaller than a partical of water, but larger than a particle of moisture. Therefore, water may not enter through the membrane, because water particals are too large. However, smaller particals of moisture are able to leave the shoe, through the larger pores in the Gore-Tex membrane.

The end result is a waterproof layer that’s highly breathable by allowing excess heat and moisture to leave the shoe, keeping your feet cool, dry and comfortable.

Gore-Tex Guarantee

This is perfectly fine for hats, jackets, gloves and trousers, but unfortunately, this is where the abilities of Gore-Tex shoes become a little hazy. Because the Gore-Tex brand has a guarantee to keep you dry, this has caused a misconception that you can practically go swimming in a pair of Gore-Tex shoes.

It’s an extreme example, but when a multi-sport shoe that’s mostly made of mesh fabric is submerged in a stream, water is going to eventually leak through and into your socks.

However, this doesn’t mean that the mesh fabric which utilises a Gore-Tex membrane isn’t perfectly suited to protecting your feet from splashes of water and everyday moisture from grass, mud, leaves and other wet things you may encounter outdoors. It’s just not 100% waterproof and nor should it be due to the gaps in the various layers of breathable mesh. The Gore-Tex is merely there to offer some extra protection against getting your feet wet when it’s raining. So a little common sense is in order.

If you’re going to go walking in torrential rain and splashing through streams, then some full blown Gore-Tex boots are undoubtedly a better choice. It’s probably best to stay away from the breathable mesh boots, resembling trainers, which have become increasingly popular in recent years and stick to traditional walking boots.

Brasher and Salomon are two excellent outdoor brands that make fully enclosed walking and hiking boots. Either made with full grain leather or a very dense Water resistant textile, these products use the Gore-Tex membrane to enhance their already excellent water resistance, making them 100% waterproof.

It’s a well known fact that any waterproof treatment reduces the breathability of a boot or shoe and Gore-Tex is no exception. So when someone says Gore-Tex is breathable, this is true. It’s just not as breathable as a shoe without Gore-Tex. This is probably why Gore-Tex multi-sport shoes typically feature so much mesh ventilation. But for when it’s freezing cold and breathability isn’t so much of an issue, or your boots and clothing having moisture wicking inner linings, this is a small price to pay for the extra waterproof protection.

While there are many other types of waterproof protection available from Hi-Tec’s own Ion-Mask treatment to eVent linings, Gore-Tex is consistently the technology of choice for all sorts of outdoors enthusiasts.

Some time ago, we talked about walking trainers becoming the new walking shoe and North Face has clearly continued this trend by taking the technology and design from sports trainers and applying them to their outdoor footwear.

The North Face Hedgehog in particular is an excellent example of how trainer and walking shoe can be combined to create a high performance shoe at a relatively reasonable price point.

We can’t all afford to pay over £100 on a pair of outdoor shoes (I know I can’t!), so getting what you pay for is very important, especially if you haven’t bought from that brand before.

For your £70, you get a lightweight, hard wearing, outdoor shoe with Gore-Tex XCR for waterproofing and a Vibram outsole designed specifically for the shoe. There’s also plenty of breathable mesh, an orthotic footbed, TPU shank place and Heel X-2 air cushion.

So that’s plenty of underfoot support, breathability, waterproof protection, grip and good looks. For some reason North Face are insistent that the Hedgehog has been designed for speed hiking. Is that like trail running or just walking faster?

Primarily, the Hedgehog XCR is a lightweight walking shoe and performs admirably in this role, although you can comfortable do a spot of running if you’re that way inclined, but they’re no more suited to trail running than my Merrell Intercept trainers.

Let’s quickly run through the features and summarise, then compare the Hedgehog to other outdoor shoes at a similar price.

To start with, there’s the specialist running technology incorporated from sports trainers. This includes the injection moulded TP shank, air cushioned heel and EVA midsole. There’s a Northotic footbed included as well for further cushioning and arch support. All the features work towards providing stability and shock absorption while keeping the shoe relatively lightweight. So you know what’s going on underfoot, you just don’t feel the rocks and other hard surfaces as much as you normally would.

We found that there was a comfortable amount of lengthway bend when walking, but relatively little twist, which is exactly what you want to prevent twisted ankles and other unpleasant injuries when walking over rocks and other awkward surfaces. Quite impressive for such a low cut walking shoe in fact.

The shoe itself is very tough and made from synthetic, abrasion resistant nubuck, so it’s hard wearing and looks good. The styling will have a broad appeal with both younger and more experienced walkers and combines that rugged walking shoe feel with some sleeker lines of the trendy trainer.

Then, there’s the Gore-Tex XCR lining, from which the North Face Hedgehog XCR takes its name. Gore-Tex always has its pros and cons, especially the XCR, which, while letting you splash through puddles (watch out for the low cut ankle on these shoes), isn’t quite as breathable as we’d like for when the weather’s warmer. Because of the XCR lining, the breathable mash that makes up a good deal of the upper simply isn’t as breathable as it could be. So this is not a shoe for the height of summer.

Fantastic grip! But, how long will it realistically last? The tread pattern of the Vibram outsole looks very cool and really grips the ground. Rock, hard packed trail and medium terrain it has no problems with. Soft mud on the other hand, could become a problem. So dry, rocky conditions seem best for the North Face Hedgehog.

When it comes to comfort and fit, the Hedgehog XCR is very comfortable, although the tongue seems a little narrow at first, but soon widens out after a few wears. The laces do up tightly and hold together nicely as well.

In summary, The North Face Hedgehog XCR is a good looking, lightweight multi-sport shoe for all types of outdoor pursuits. Great grip, good fit, solid build, waterproof and relatively breathable. Not ideal for hot weather or wet, muddy paths though.

Like my favourite Merrell Intercept trainers, these could become an everyday multi-purpose shoe for me with their combination of cushioning, grip, good looks, waterproofing, breathability and lightweight comfort.

My Intercept trainers aren’t waterproof though, which gives the Hedgehogs a slight edge over its closely priced rival. On the other hand, the grip on the Hedgehogs is going to wear down faster than the big, chunky treads on the Intercept, although it will offer superior grip in the short term.

The real decision is between waterproofing and breathability. If you need the Gore-Tex XCR, then the North Face Hedgehog is the obvious choice. It’s very reasonable value for money, especially when compared to certain Salomon outdoor shoes which are more expensive for the same array of features.

When people think of North Face, they think of North Face jackets, fleeces, hats and gloves. As one of the world’s leading performance apparel, equipment and brands, The North Face has an enormous following in the outdoor community from walkers to climbers, mountaineers, extreme skiers, snowboarders and explorers.

Committed to pushing the limits of design, The North Face motto is to “never stop exploring”, so they provide all manner of performance outdoor gear so that you can push your limits. But, they also offer a growing range of North Face shoes, including walking shoes, hiking boots and general purpose outdoor shoes.

The North Face takes their name from the coldest, most unforgiving side of a mountain. Ironically, they started as a small mountaineering retail store in San Francisco’s North Beach neighbourhood some 40 years ago. But it was here that two hiking enthusiasts resolved to follow their passions.

A few years later, The North Face began designing and manufacturing its own brand of technical mountaineering apparel and equipment, growing into the outdoors brand we have today.

The North Face is renowned for their waterproof jackets which use a combination of their own Hyvent breathable fabric and Gore Tex in the high end models, as well as an array of excellent features. The M Venture jacket in particular is particularly good value for money, and when the weather gets really cold the Nuptse Jacket with a Nuptse Vest worn underneath will make sure you’re well insulated and warm.

For an avid walker like myself, North Face walking trousers are lightweight, quick drying and very comfortable. The fitting is loose enough for full freedom of movement, but without becoming baggy. Made from a tough nylon fabric they’re very hard wearing too.

So when it comes to walking, hiking and other forms of endurance exercise, you really can’t go wrong with a North Face jacket, North Face trousers and a pair of North Face shoes.

A lot of outdoor brands not normally associated with footwear (like Berghaus) are now starting to make shoes. After all, they make virtually every other piece of equipment of clothing you could ever need. North Face are no exception and I’d wager that over the years we will all see increasing numbers of North Face boots on the walking and hiking scene.

As you’d expect, the quality of North Face footwear is on par with their jackets, offering all the essential comfort and protection you’d expect as well as the good looks that come with any product from The North Face brand.

The latest North Face outdoors shoe is the North Face Hedgehog, which has received countless rave reviews. Much like Merrell multi-sport footwear, these Hedgehog shoes are designed for speed hiking, trail running and all manner of outdoor pursuits. So when it comes to walking for exercise and enjoyment, they would probably make for a very good walking trainer. Perfect for light strolls, taking the dogs over the fields and general walking, but without being able to offer the full support required from a specialist walking boot.

The Hedgehog XCR ticks all the boxes from offering a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex XCR membrane to the low-cut Vibram outsole as well as a number of additional features for durability, fit, cushioning and comfort. All for a very reasonable price considering the amount of technology packed into the shoe. I’m sure we’ll have a pair of them to review at walking.org very soon

There doesn’t seem to be much in the way of North Face walking boots other than their Vindicator Mid GTX, which is an equally high performance product with the Gore-Tex membrane. But at this level of performance for this level of price, it becomes a choice between this North Face boot and the huge choice of similar Salomon boots. I think the choice then becomes a rather obvious one until North Face create a wider range of hiking boots for the hardcore walker.

As a brand associated with extreme sports The North Face has street cred, instant recognition and great looks for all of their products. Fortunately The North Face is no slouch when it comes to technical features and sensible prices either, so you most certainly get what you pay for. However, when it comes to walking their jackets and trousers are equally exceptional, as are their multi-purpose outdoor shoes. But when it comes to trekking, hiking and the need for more demanding types of footwear, it’s probably best to trust in more specialist outdoor brands.

Stay tuned for more brand guides over the coming months.