Your boots are your most important piece of hiking kit. Get them wrong and blisters, twisted ankles and miserable wet feet ruin any adventure. Get them right and you barely notice them. Here are the five best hiking boots money can buy in 2026.
Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX
From £200 · Available at Amazon UK
The Zodiac Plus GTX has been the benchmark hiking boot for serious mountain walkers for years and the 2026 update improves on an already excellent formula. Gore-Tex lining, Vibram Drumlin sole, and a construction quality that justifies every penny of the price.
These boots are stiff enough for scrambling but comfortable enough for long approaches. They take about 5 miles to break in properly but after that they feel made for your feet.
Pros
- Exceptional build quality
- Gore-Tex genuinely keeps water out
- Vibram sole grips on everything
- Lasts years if maintained
Cons
- Expensive
- Requires proper breaking in
- Heavy compared to trail shoes
Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX
From £140 · Available at Amazon UK
Salomon's X Ultra range has converted thousands of hikers who thought they needed stiff traditional boots. The X Ultra 4 is lightweight, agile, and genuinely waterproof — perfect for fast-paced day hiking in UK conditions.
It's more of a high-top trail shoe than a traditional boot, which makes it versatile across different conditions but less suitable for technical mountain terrain or heavy pack carrying.
Pros
- Lightweight and agile
- No break-in period
- Excellent grip on most terrain
- Great value for the quality
Cons
- Less ankle support than traditional boots
- Not ideal for heavy loads
- Less durable than Scarpa
Haglofs Krusa GT
From £175 · Available at Amazon UK
Haglofs are Scandinavian and they understand wet conditions better than most. The Krusa GT uses a Gore-Tex Extended Comfort construction that keeps your feet dry longer than any other boot on this list — tested across Scottish winter conditions.
The fit is excellent straight out of the box and the Michelin outsole provides confident grip on wet rock and mud. The UK's notoriously wet hills are where this boot earns its place on the list.
Pros
- Best waterproofing on the list
- Excellent fit out of the box
- Michelin outsole on wet terrain
- Scandinavian quality materials
Cons
- Less aggressive tread for technical terrain
- Heavier than Salomon
- Limited colour options
Lowa Renegade GTX Mid
From £185 · Available at Amazon UK
Multi-day hikers swear by the Renegade GTX and with good reason. The German-engineered construction handles heavy loads with more comfort than almost anything else at this price point, and the Vibram Evo sole is outstanding.
These are built for the long haul — 10-day trekking trips, heavy packs, rough terrain. They're not the lightest option but after 500 miles they're still going strong.
Pros
- Outstanding comfort with heavy loads
- Exceptional durability
- Vibram Evo sole
- German quality engineering
Cons
- Heavy
- Takes time to break in fully
- Expensive for casual hikers
Merrell Moab 3 GTX
From £115 · Available at Amazon UK
The Moab has been America's best-selling hiking boot for over a decade and the Moab 3 continues the tradition. It's the most comfortable hiking boot out of the box on this list — no break-in, just wear them and go.
The Gore-Tex lining keeps water out, the Vibram TC5+ outsole is capable on most UK terrain, and at £115 it's the most accessible premium hiking boot available.
Pros
- Most comfortable straight out of the box
- No break-in period
- Good Gore-Tex waterproofing
- Best value on the list
Cons
- Less durable than Scarpa or Lowa
- Less ankle support for technical terrain
- Sole wears faster than competitors