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Find your perfect fit: The 10 best men’s boots for walking

Best boots for walking

dirty men's boots on rock
Ariel Lustre/Unsplash / Unsplash

Finding the right boots isn’t just about the right style and color combinations; it’s also about comfort. When choosing the right men’s boots for walking, it’s important to consider factors such as weather, location, and dress codes. If you plan to be in rough terrain, finding the perfect footwear that offers stability and traction is key for a safe and comfortable day. Those taking a leisurely walk around the city will need extra padding in the soles and breathable fabric for a shoe that can withstand everything. 

Boots that can easily transition from exercise to leisure activities offer a bonus of being comfortable and stylish. Before picking out the right boots for walking, ensure you’re picking out a style that can easily work with your existing closet to help it blend with your current wardrobe. Any versatile and flexible boots will help keep you comfortable and supported, regardless of activity or occasion. These boots are recognized for their comfort, style, and timelessness, ensuring you won’t need to switch out your shoes soon. 

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Hoka Kaha 2 GTX

neutral beige hiking boot from Hoka
Hoka / Hoka

Recently, Hoka has become a prominent name in comfortable and stable footwear. Regardless if you’re out hiking, Hoka has proven to be a great alternative that’s trendy yet practical. While categorized as a hiking boot, the Kaha 2 GTX has an edgier style that easily blends in for urban looks. This style was recently upgraded with a HUBBLE heel with SwallowTail geometry and Vibram Megagrip with Traction Lug for more stability. As a bonus, this boot comes with easy, quick lace metal loops for better access. Water-resistant, this boot is comfortable and ready for anything you need. Available via Hoka’s website and locations, the Kaha 2 GTX retails for $168 and comes in 11 various color combinations. 

Danner Mountain Light

cherry brown hiking boot against white background
Danner / Danner

A standard in mountain hiking for decades, Danner’s Mountain Light is a great walking boot that serves any terrain. The Mountain Light boots come equipped with a resistant full-grain leather upper, Vibram Kletterlift outsole, and a durable stitchdown construction. One of the key bonuses of the boots is the GORE-TEX liners that offer breathability and waterproof qualities. On the outside, the shoe’s sleek leather material gives the appearance of an everyday lace-up boot, making it versatile for trails and city landscapes. Retailing at $440, the Mountain Light boot is available on Danner’s sites and retailers in five neutral colorways. 

Scarpa Guida City GTX

brown boot in product page
Scarpa / Scarpa

Scarpa’s Guida City GTX is another example of how mountain boots can perfectly fuse style with comfort. Made with Nuback leather, this boot is water resistant and easy to break in, an important feature for shoes that you’ll be walking in. Also equipped with GORE-TEX liners, the inside of the shoe is also water-resistant and breathable, giving it an all-around ease of use. Guida City’s Vibram outsole also provides traction and shock absorption, an important characteristic for walking around any terrain. The lace-to-toe design certifies safety and protection at all times. This boot is available via Scarpa’s site for $259. 

Koio’s Trento

black chelsea boots from koio
Koio / Koio

While there’s no doubt that hiking and mountain boots offer the most in terms of comfort and stability, there’s no reason why everyday Chelsea boots can’t also have the same qualities. Koio’s Trento in black is a great blend of a sophisticated boot that still gives you the range of motion you need daily. Handmade in Italy, the construction and materials are Italian-certified, giving it an edge in quality. The sole is cushioned to fit and offers water resistance with its tight stitching. Although the boot comes with high standards, it also touts an easy-to-resole feature that gives you the ease of knowing you’ll have them around for years to come. The Trento boot is available to purchase via Koio and retails for $365. 

Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX

salomon grey hiking boots on model
Salomon / Salomon

Salomon has recently made significant strides in improving the comfort and style of their products. With the X Ultra 4 Mid GTX, the brand has created a sleek and practical boot that offers maximum stability to the user. A mid-length, this boot automatically has more structure and support, especially around the ankle area. Crafted for mixed terrain scenarios, the boot is also lined with GORE-TEX liners, giving it the water resistance needed for everyday activities. This boot was recently upgraded with a new chassis, meaning it now has better protections around sensitive articulations, giving wearers better freedom of movement. Available via Salomon, this boot comes in four different colors for $175. 

Danner Arctic 600 Side-zip

danner arctic grey boots on wood floor
Danner / Danner

Made with harsh winters in mind, Danner’s Arctic 600 boot is equipped with every type of protection. On the outside of the boot is a durable suede and a waterproof barrier that keeps the foot warm and secure. Inside, the design includes the PrimaLoft Gold Insulation for better compression and durability. As well, the boot comes with three layers of density for prime cushioning and a Vibram midsole. Maximum grip on the outsole finishes the boot, giving the user all types of comfort and ease of wear. With such protections, the Arctic 600 Side-zip is meant to be worn outside and shouldn’t be used indoors. This boot can be purchased via Danner and is currently priced at $240. 

Lems Shoes Boulder Boot

man tying red hiking boots
Lems / Lems

Those looking for a pop of color will enjoy Lems’ Boulder leather boots in Russet. This sleek and sophisticated color adds an interesting twist to a classic boot design. Besides its stylish component, this boulder boot comes with a full-grain leather upper and a wide-toe box for maximum flexibility and comfort. The biggest takeaway of this Lems boot is its lightweight factor. A perfect walking shoe for traveling, the boot’s lightness allows wearers to carry it with them anywhere. Sleek and minimalist in design, the boulder boot offers more personality than most walking and mountain boots.

Sperry Authentic Original Lug Chukka Boot

sperry chukka boot product page
Sperry / Sperry

While Sperry’s footwear choices are already renowned for their distinct style and features, their comfort and versatility are also worthy of recognition. Available in natural and brown, this chukka boot comes with a waterproof full-grain leather upper that offers protection against nature. The inside is equipped with a recycled cotton sock liner, suede padded collar, and rawhide lace details. Rust-proof eyelets ensure even the smallest details of your boots remain intact for many years. The Original Lug Chukka Boots are available via Sperry and are priced at $220.

Sorel Men’s Explorer Winter Boots

sorel brown boots on log
Sorel / Sorel

Renowned for its winter boots, Sorel knows what it takes to create a stable and comfortable boot that can withstand all weather. In their Explorer III Blazer boot, Sorel gives the shoe 100g of insulation, a lightweight molded Livelyfoam midsole, DUOTREAD rubber, and ground contact EVA. A waterproof suede upper offers protection from the outside to keep your feet warm and protected. Available in three color combinations, the Explorer Winter Boot is a great option for those who want a sneaker-inspired design in a boot. This boot is currently priced at $145. 

Merrell Speed Solo Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots 

man wearing merrell hiking boots in nature
Merrell

Just as with many hiking boots, Merrell’s Speed Solo Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots offers some of the typical characteristics you would expect. Waterproof features are all around, as well as easy lace closures. However, unique to these boots is the plenty of sustainable materials and construction that go into the design. With midsole and performance foam made out of recycled and sustainable materials, there is plenty of thought that has gone into the boot. A rubber heel and toe cap offer abrasion resistance for maximum protection. Retailing for $150, this boot is available via Merrell. 

Leslie Leon
Leslie is a Los Angeles-based writer and content creator. She is always researching and finding the latest fashion trends…
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