Over the years I’ve covered thousands of miles and worn holes in even the best walking boots, from Hoka to Scarpa, putting one foot in front of the other to write walking features for this paper.

Whether you’re trekking up a mountain or going for a relaxed countryside ramble, a great pair of hiking boots is a must when it comes to walking in comfort this summer and beyond.

Today, the range of materials and processes available means most boots are pretty much good to go right out of the box. When it came to testing the best walking boots and shoes, if we felt our ...