The Daily Telegraph - Action Packed: The best walking shoes for women
June 28, 2014

Our women's gear expert, Michelle Jana Chan, puts four of the best women’s walking shoes to the test.

Ah, how times have changed. We used to wear rigid, bulky boots which felt heavy even before we had begun our trek. But now there is a new generation of walking shoes that are lightweight, flexible and supportive, yet sturdy, well-constructed and able to offer great traction. They feel like trainers but with technical prowess, durability and good protection. In making my selection, I was looking for a versatile pair that would be effective on a range of moderately challenging terrain, while being both lighter than a traditional hiking boot and more supportive than a running shoe. Here are some key criteria to consider:

Features
A good shoe will have a decent heel cushion, a rigid plate in the midsole, and a generally flexible and responsive sole to aid agility on uneven ground. Uppers will be made from lightweight but durable materials with a tough toe cap for protection. The shoe should be at least water-resistant (ideally waterproof) and made of a breathable, quick-drying material.

Finding a good fit
Try to buy them in person. Shoes are still one of the toughest items to buy online. A poor-fitting shoe may cause blisters, or worse injuries. A speciality running store can diagnose your stride, and some will have mock terrain available to test performance – for example, to see whether the shoe holds the foot in place on descents (with a steep bumpy slope to walk upon). Try to shop in the afternoon when feet are usually at their largest. Also, bring a pair of the socks you plan to use when wearing the shoe. Wear new shoes on a few shorter, less challenging treks before a big one. I always pack Compeed plasters (compeed.co.uk) to account for any rubbing. Not all manufacturers offer half sizes. The ones I’ve selected here offer half-sizes in the most popular sizes, and the weight of each shoe listed here is based on shoes around size 5-6.

Price
Go for the best fit, rather than the best price. Shoes are arguably the most important piece of kit on any adventure, so don’t skimp on quality for the sake of the price.

Walking shoe reviews

ASOLO Ember Low
Weight: approx 570g
Price: £100
asolo.com

This shoe is incredibly lightweight; it hardly feels as if you are wearing a high-performance shoe with a fluid internal fit, good tread and self-cleaning lugs on the outsole. The durable uppers are made from a clever combination of water-resistant suede leather and breathable nylon mesh. A hardened rubber toe cap adds durability and protection. The lacing on this shoe extends all the way down to the toe, which helps provide a secure fit.
Some love the low cut around the ankle, which offers great flexibility and freedom of movement; others will prefer the support of a higher-cut profile. The low-cut does mean water can enter the shoe more easily when trekking on wet ground and when crossing rivers but that drawback is offset by the shoe’s quick-dry materials.

Verdict
Materials 4
Durability 4
Value 5
Overall 4

A lightweight, flexible shoe that offers the wearer agility yet decent stability, and which performs well on uneven ground. My top choice of the bunch.

Mammut Redburn Low GTX Women
Weight: approx 772g
Price: £155
mammut.ch

This is a strong, sturdy shoe with a thick rubber sole which some may find too stiff. But climbers will like the anti-roll stability, the climbing zone edges on the soles and the shallow tread at the toe which is good on rocky terrain (but less effective in wet conditions). The thin laces continue down to the rubber toe cap for a good fit. An elastic tongue design makes it easy to slip on these shoes and ensures a wrinkle-free internal fit.
A breathable Gore-Tex membrane prevents feet from overheating while ensuring excellent water resistance, enhanced by an abrasion-resistant fabric. The rubber and velours leather reinforcements offer extra protection and durability.

Verdict
Materials 3
Durability 4
Value 3
Overall 4

This is a highly technical and hard-wearing shoe that is strong on traction and water resistance – but some wearers might find it too weighty.

Salomon X Ultra W
Weight: approx 680g
Price: £95
salomon.com

Excellent shock absorption with a resilient foam cushion at the heel, and a rigid chassis which prevents the foot from rolling on uneven terrain. The tough outsole grips well and prevents slipping on steep descents. Some may find the heel cup too stiff but others will like the support. There is a good combination of upper materials: the open mesh allows for good airflow and a thin material underneath prevents debris from entering the shoe. Its clever pull-cord speed-lacing system features a little pocket on the tongue to tuck away loose ends. The tongue is also gusseted to prevent debris entering and there is a solid protective rubber toe cap.

Verdict
Materials 4
Durability 4
Value 3
Overall 4

A great option for those who seek support and stability in a shoe. The speed-lacing system may take some getting used to but converts swear by it. This shoe is also available in a waterproof version with a Gore-Tex membrane (£115).

Berghaus Women’s Prognosis II GTX
Weight: approx 637g
Price: £100
berghaus.com

The hefty Vibram sole has good heel cushioning yet maintains flexibility for swift, agile movement. There is some stiffness in the heel cup for support and also in the sole for protection but the sole’s shallow lugs lose performance on soft or grassy terrain. The toe cap is also not as reinforced as in other shoes. Uppers are made from mesh fabric, as well as synthetic suede and rubber at the toe and heel. The lightweight mesh with a Gore-Tex lining helps keep feet dry yet allows for some breathability.

Verdict
Materials 3
Durability 3
Value 3
Overall 3

A good all-round shoe that works well on defined trails but might stumble on more challenging terrain.

About Michelle Jana Chan
As the lucky child of an airline pilot, Michelle embarked on adventures overseas from a young age, including camping in the Australian outback, volcano-trekking in Hawaii and driving across Tsavo National Park in Kenya. Her wanderlust and spirit of adventure has never waned. She loves nothing more than feeling the grit and fear when pushing herself to the limit, whether that’s in climbing Mont Blanc, swimming with whale sharks in Mexico, or flying, diving, sailing or rally driving.
She is motivated by sport and extreme adventure to keep fit and feed her competitive spirit but not least because she believes there are too few women in the public eye who are willing to show themselves at rock- bottom. “I’ve always preferred mud and sweat to make-up,” she says. She swears by reliable equipment, which has made her toughest challenges more comfortable at the very least and at other times has saved her life. She is a self-confessed gear addict and would love to hear from readers about any equipment that they love or loathe.