Keen Hiking Shoes

The cuff height of walking boots plays a major role in how comfortable they are for walking. Give some thought to the terrain in which you’ll be walking and the load you’ll be carrying.

• Boots with a low cuff are suitable for day trips where you’re carrying a light load across dry ground. They’re often lighter than other boots and are ideal for travelling. They also work just as well for short walks or for pottering around your garden.

• Boots with a medium cuff are suitable for hiking in varying terrain, for example in woods and on hillsides. They provide good support when you carry heavy loads and keep you dry if you need to walk across marshy ground.

• Boots with a high cuff are suitable when you’re hiking with a heavy load across rough terrain with a lot of wetlands, as they provide stability. They are usually warmer, but also heavier than low-cuff hiking boots.

No one enjoys having wet and cold feet. Make sure you choose walking boots with a membrane, such as GORE-TEX, to keep your feet dry. If the boots also have GORE-TEX SURROUND®, even the sole lets in air, so you don’t get too hot. If you’re going to wear them on hot days, it’s a good idea to choose hiking boots with mesh panels, as they breathe and provide good ventilation.