The best hiking shoes/boots?

[Bookaholic73]

I’m looking for some comfortable, breathable and LIGHTWEIGHT hiking shoes/boots.

Can anyone recommend a specific one please?
I’m bought some from Mountain Warehouse and they are so heavy and clunky that I hate walking in them.

What types of walking are you wanting to do? Trail runners may suit you better.

We walk a lot of the South West Coast Path, the Wales Coast Path, but also inland through fields etc.

Should have said waterproof too.

I have Colombia walking shoes. They are very good. I wear them hill walking in dry weather - walking boots/wellingtons when it’s wet.

Berghaus goretex are good, I have had mine for years.

The best ones are the ones that fit you!! Sorry. I don’t mean that to sound rude, but we all have different foot shapes, levels of pronation etc. Best bet is to go to a few shops and get trying on. Mountain Warehouse is obviously a good start. You can try places like Decathlon, Millets, Go Outdoors - whatever you have fairly locally. There’s no other way of doing it unfortunately.

I recently got some new boots. I tied on 10 pairs (all the same size and aimed at the same type of walking), only one pair felt comfortable. I’ve done several 100 miles in them now, not a single blister and no aching joints (I have this issue due to a higher instep so need extra support in a boot).

Have a look at the Inov8 roclite range - the hiking footwear, not the running ones.

I don't own any myself, but I own the running version of the roclites which are fantastic.

Wide foot - keen

I’ve always really liked Merrell shoes, currently wearing some intercept which are literally the comfiest hiking shoes I’ve ever worn. I’m a guy but there are women’s versions that are similar. Often come up in the sales, got mine at Millets.

I've just bought some Lowa boots, nice and light and waterproof, love them. But you really need to find a shop and try a bunch on.

Merrell Women'S Moab 2 Gtx Low Rise Hiking Shoes

These are great. I often use them on the coastal path on Anglesey and then across fields with my dogs when at home.

Best ones I have owned and I have had quite a few pairs.

For waterproofness full grain leather ones will always be better than goretex type ones but they also tend to be heavier. That said the Berghaus and Brasher have lightweight leather boots. My very old established outdoor shop sell Grisport boots - I've not tried them myself but they might do for the sort of walking you do.
La Sportivas are very comfortable and do various types of seasonal boots.
I have a pair of Altbergs which come in half sizes and five different widths but I do a lot of Scottish mountains so they suit me but might be a bit over engineered for the walking you do.
If you're doing more walking you want a comfy boot that's not got too stiff a sole. My Altbergs will take a crampon but I wouldn't wear them on a dry, easy walk, the soles are too stiff.

Also, read the reviews on Trustpilot or similar for the various brands. I had a pair of Keen Targhee approach shoes. Comfiest I ever owned and when they finally fell apart I thought I'd just replace like for like but they were now manufactured more cheaply in a different country and they were crap.

I have big narrow feet and wear:
La Sportiva trail shoes or lightweight Salomon boots for trails and lowland paths.
Hanwags for Peak District and Wainwrighting. I use a proofing cream to keep the leather weatherproof. Weirdly I found the bunion specific style the comfiest for me even though I’ve never had bunions…
La Sportiva Trango for Scottish winter cos crampons.