WALKING BOOTS buying guide

1 WHEN ARE YOU WALKING? The prime hillwalking seasons run from spring through to autumn, hence the popularity of so-called ‘3-season’ boots. These boots are generally ideal for variable conditions and mixed terrain with the exception of full-on winter hillwalking and mountaineering in snow and ice. For such frozen adventures you'll need a 4-season boot which will be warmer, more robust and stiffer underfoot, enabling use with a pair of crampons. 2 WHERE ARE YOU WALKING? Well-trodden mountain tracks require different footwear from pathless heather moorland or rocky scree chutes, gullies and ridge scrambles. Different boots are built for different terrain. Some prioritise lightweight flexibility, while others focus on stability and protection. The level of ankle support, traction provided underfoot, and upper construction vary wildly depending on the intended use. 3 LEATHER OR SYNTHETIC? Traditional…