Walking boots that don’t need “wearing in”

[JBJ]

I’m gradually building up my fitness and I’m walking more than I’ve been able to in years, thanks to Mounjaro helping me lose a lot of weight and reducing the inflammation in my joints!

I usually wear Skechers trainers, as I have a bone spur on my heel and walk with a limp due to having no feeling in my left foot, and I know Skechers fit and are comfy out of the box.

However, I need more ankle support than my trainers are giving me. I’ve started walking on more uneven surfaces and I’m terrified that I’m going to end up on my arse!

I’ve seen Skechers walking boots - anyone know if they’re as comfy as the trainers? I need waterproof and I can’t risk my left foot blistering, as I don’t tend to notice until I take my shoe off and realise it’s bleeding! Or any recommendations for very comfy, waterproof boots?

Thanks :)

It sounds like you would benefit from seeing a podiatrist for footwear recommendations. They can assess your feet and gait and provide good advice. There's nothing worse than having sore feet.

These are brilliant. Best ones I’ve ever had. Straight out of the box did 14 miles and two mountains with no pain or blisters. I went a full size up to allow for thick socks.

https://amzn.eu/d/0fjqIebQ

I have a pair of Scarpa leather boots that didn't need breaking in, but I may have been lucky in that.

The particular model doesn't seem to be sold any more, but the nearest thing I could find was these
https://www.scarpa.co.uk/products/trek-gtx-walking-boot

I have awkward feet, pretty wide and square, I went to a big outdoor shop (possibly Go Outdoors), and tried on more or less every available boot till I found one that was comfortable- poor shop assistant! I wear the boots with two pairs of thin socks or one thick.

Personally, anything skecher gave me plantar fasciitis as not supportive enough and scarpa boots killed 3 toenails descending Snowden.
Meindl boots for me are amazing.

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/meindl-womens-respond-mid-ii-gtx-boots-B21ACB0003.html

Meindl here too. Do you need boots? Many people wear shoes now instead.

Go to a walking shop and try them on. I have a lovely pair of Jack wolfskin walking shoes which I wear everyday for dog walking. Dh likes his Berghaus walking shoes. Shops like Go Outdoors do a range of makes, whilst Mountain Warehouse or Trepass are slightly cheaper.

My Meindl ones were like slippers from the first wear. Not cheap but last years.

Walking shoes, trail runners etc. can be great, but the OP has stated that they're looking for ankle support.

Supportive footwear is a sensible interim measure but you should also try and strengthen your feet. Your ankle is designed to be much more effective than any boot. There’s lots of information online.

well done on the weight loss and fitness!

These are mine - I did get them in mountain warehouse but they also have on Amazon. So comfortable! No breaking in at all - straight from the box out on a hike!
https://amzn.eu/d/02schebo

Im a huge fan of Salomon goretex boots - currently on my 3rd pair of cross-hike GTX
Ive got knackered Achilles tendons (2 partial tears) & posterior tibial tendon issues on both ankles and these are bloody amazing. Really light weight, really supportive. Can go miles in them and nothing hurts afterwards! Personally I think Skechers are the biggest footwear con going yes it’s a nice soft footbed but I’ve yet to find any that offer any semblance of foot and ankle support

I say this on every post about walking boots and I'll say it again. It doesn't matter what is comfortable on someone else's feet because they aren't necessarily the same shape as your and that matters a lot. You need to try on several pairs to work out what works for you. Given you have specific issues I'd go to somewhere like Cotswold Outdoor so someone trained can help you and make informed suggestions.

I recently bought these based on reviews online. I’m just starting out on doing more walks and hikes. I’ve just come back from Norway where I did a lot of walking and hiking and these boots were amazing. Lovely and comfortable to wear and more importantly I felt very well protected.
Lowa

As someone who used to work in outdoor gear - this!

It doesn't matter what shoes anyone else finds comfortable - they don’t have your gait, foot shape, foot size or anything else.

There’s no way anyone else’s opinion is going help you.

Your question isn’t about the best walking boots- that’s been answered here with lots of recommendations .

No one can know the answer to this. Everyone’s feet are a different shape, Everyone skin is more sensitive or less sensitive than others, The terrain you’re walking on will differ, type of socks you wear will differ.

trying them on and getting a good fit is the most important thing- Take advice face-to-face in an appropriate shop

I personally really wouldn’t go with sketchers unless you’re planning to walk once and never again…

In truth or new shoes need a bit of wearing in….

I went to a specialist outdoor shop last weekend to get advice about walking boots. I’ve had plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis in the last 2 years. I have large wide feet so I have to buy men’s boots.

I’ll echo what others have said about needing to try them on to find what works for you. Several of the boots recommended on this thread already didn’t work for me. They were too firm under my heel or didn’t offer enough arch support. I bought Hoka Kaha boots which provide cushioning and support where I need it. The guy in the store said some walkers don’t like them because they’re too bouncy. It’s entirely a matter of preference.

Thanks everyone. I’ll try and get to a store and try some on. Only reason I wear Skechers is because they work well with the bone spur on my left heel (formed because I walk funny - brain injury left me with a lack of sensation on that side of my body, and Skechers have never yet blistered my weird foot!).

My Cotswold Outdoor has a foot scanning machine and will make boot recommendations based on the shape of your feet - so maybe worth hunting out a store with one of these.

I also find well fitted Meindl boots and Merrell shoes need virtually no breaking inz