Best walking shoes/boots?

[Untrusting]

Just after some recommendations?
Doing a long trail walk later this year and Nike trainers aren't going to cut it.

Happy to pay a decent amount.

Only specifications are that I have pretty wide feet and I don't want too jazzy colours.

It won't be hill walking but will be a mix of terrain.

Does anyone have any recommendations at all or whether a shoe or boot is better?

It's so personal that there is no clear answer.

Boots can be hotter and heavier than shoes, BUT also provide some ankle support. I have ankles that like to cockle over so I only ever tend to walk in boots. Plus, I like the extra protection they offer from things like mud and thorns.

Different brands tend to have a wider/narrower foot shape and often they vary further between models so it is REALLY worth going to a shop and trying boots on. You need to find one that will give the space to allow for thicker than normal socks, for foot swell but not be too sloppy that your foot moves about it them too much. In good walking shops, they often have a small ramp so you can feel how much foot movement there will be on slopes. Test you foot facing downhill and uphill to be sure. If ever in doubt, often a bit too big is better than a bit too small (in the shop).

It's not clear cut but european brands, especially Italian ones, can run more narrow. e.g. Scarpa. British and USA brands tend to run wider. That said, I have wide feet and have had a few pairs of very comfy Scarpa so it's not 100%.

It all sounds like a pain, but you'll be glad of choosing wisely after about the 2nd or 3rd mile

Whatever you do, buy them early and test run them first. You want to be able to do 3-4 miles (at least) as a test run to check they don't cause pain or blisters anywhere. There is nothing more miserable than facing a long walk in which you realise, at mile 2, that your shoes are umcomfortable

Look at Keen hiking boots. Mine are a few years old now but they are very comfortable and lightweight and like a walking boot/trainer hybrid

The best boots are ones that fit. That will depend on your foot shape. Go to somewhere like Cotswold Outdoor where you can try a variety and get advice based on your feet.

It is very personal and depends in terrain and weather too.

But for good weather, and reasonably easy terrain (mine was peak district), I would consider trail running trainers - I found them very comfortable for long distances but obviously they offer less ankle support and weather protection than a traditional boot or walking shoe.

Mine are Decathlon and are also my standard winter running shoes (mix of pavements and parks, woods etc).

I have a pair of Scarpa. They last me about 10 years if not more, still waterproof, really light. Expensive, but given how well they last, it’s pennies per use.

My favourite hiking boots are Altberg, they're expensive but last forever!

I go to a shop in North Yorkshire to have them fitted.

Also, really like Scarpa and Solomon.

For shoes, Hotter Mist or Ridge (both Goretex lined).
For boots, you can't beat Scarpa.

What's the terrain? THis will help with boots or shoes. TBH even on long flat walks I prefer a boot as the length makes me tired and so I need more ankle support if you see what I mean. But I also wear shoes.

In terms of fit, as PP said you really need to go to a shop and try a load on, because different brands do fit differently and not always consistently. Cotwsold or somewhere more specialist would do the trick.

I have wide feet at the front but a narrow heel and find Scarpa fit well. In boots, I size up for toe width to get a better fit at the heel and also because after a big long walk my foot swells a bit. In their shoes (Mojitos) I just wear my normal shoe size. Its soo personal. But you're right - trainers won't cut it!

I really like keens.

If you're on rough terrain I would get boots rather than trainer style. They are much more supportive of ankles.
There are loads of good brands. Think about how much you want to spend and try some on. I've got some grisports at the moment which are fab and were instantly comfy and not at all bulky. Previous shoes have been Keens, Scarpa.
Don't skimp on poor quality socks though - good socks make so much difference.

Go to a proper outdoor shop and try on different brands. They all fit different/feel different.
You want waterproof and good ankle support (because its easy to roll your ankle if you stand off center on a loose stone) and also feel the weight.
I had a great pair of boots, but because they were old technology they weighed a ton, really felt it towards the end of a hike. Recently upgraded and its like having clouds on my feet in comparison
Many of the shops will advise when you are buying and have slopes you can walk up and down to feel whether the toa cap is comfortable and not banging against your toes. Make sure you wear whatever type of socks you would be wearing when walking too, to get a good fit.

Thank-you all so much for your responses. Lots of really useful things to think about.

According to google maps There's a Cotswold outdoors near my office so will head there this week and sample some.

I really like my Grisports, they were comfortable from day 1 and have carried me through all conditions,twice a day walking the dogs, for over 3 years and still looking good.

I only wear Meindl now. Like slippers. Costly but no blisters. Wide feet.

I love my Keen walking boots - wide, supportive, super comfy

Altra

They are foot shaped so great for wide feet and mega comfortable

www.altrarunning.eu/uk/woman/shoes/outdoor.html

Also would really recommend Altra. I have the Altra Lone Peak 6 and swear by them. They're zero drop and have a really wide toe box which minimises the chances of toe blisters. They're also really breathable and dry really fast if they get wet. I wore these, coupled with Injinji toe socks whilst walking the Camino last summer and they saw me through 6 weeks of daily hiking and 1000km across Northern Spain.

I love these trail running shoes for hiking. I have tried loads and for me they are the most comfortable. DH and I do a big walking holiday for several weeks in the summer, averaging about 4-5 hours hiking a day. I find these Hokas great on mixed terrain, although if I was going a lot of steep inclines I might go for ankle hiking boots. But if it was mainly flat with some hills, I would just bring these: www.hoka.com/en/gb/outlet-women/challenger-6-gore-tex/195719607067.html?source=shoppingsite_PLA_1116878-BBLC-11B&kpid=1116878-BBLC-11B&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6fafBhC1ARIsAIJjL8kPWkX4IpO693PdeZ1l8I7-Y_dXDFuTqgBNhPB_G4aII0zx4xDsHdkaAvaQEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

5th vote for Keens.
Nice wide toes, reasonable price.

I like Merrels. The pair I had lasted over 10 years, waterproof and flexible but supportive . The most comfortable perfect fitting boot ever. I recently went to try out a new pair of Merrels but they must have changed the sizing as the boot size from previous boots size 5 were a lot smaller than the new size 5 boot. It was as time and the shop was so busy I left and haven't had time to go again. Would like to compare with some of the other brands suggested on here.

Another vote for Keen, they're great for wide feet. I'm a fan of the Terradora boots and shoes

You really do need to try on, walk around (including up and down a slope - Cotswold etc should have a ramp). It's not just width and fit, it's how stiff you like your sole, whether its high at the back or not ... lots of variables.

Obviously try on with the socks you like, with a liner or not.
I've got wide feet nowadays, I like my berghaus boots and Merrel walking shoes, both goretex of course.

I love my Merrels they are lightweight and supportive and I have an average foot with narrow heel.

Yet another shout out for Keen boots!

Definitely try different brands on though. If you find ones you like, have a quick Google to see what's around in the sales. I got my Keen boots at some bargainous price from an outdoor shop at the other end of the country that happened to sell online.

I've had a few pairs of walking shoes and boots. I agree that you will just have to try some to find the best fit, but I would recommend keeping an eye out for those with Vibram soles. (They will have a bright yellow label on the sole.) I find them durable, with great grip.