These hiking boots and now they’re my ultimate go-to

Autumn is my least favourite season. There, I said it. I’ve never understood why people get so excited about days getting shorter, endless drizzle and the end of warm weather for the foreseeable. Since getting a dog, this seasonal displeasure has only gotten worse. In the spring and summer, I adore getting out for long, rambling hikes, exploring new areas and getting lost in the English countryside with no one around but me and my four-legged friend. But autumn brings with it the promise of dark morning walks before the sun’s risen, pulling on waterproofs and treading through sludge and mud while the dog gets progressively more muddy and sopping wet.

As a result of this all-too-frequent autumnal scenario, I’ve tried and tested more walking shoes than I care to admit. Some remain old faithfuls (Hunter Play clogs are excellent slip-ons for a drizzly stroll, and the Scarpa Terra boots are my favourite for long hikes with tricky terrains), but it’s been a challenge to find an in-between option – boots that are comfortable and waterproof, without being incredibly OTT for a more leisurely countryside walk. But I recently acquired some new boots from a brand I would never have typically looked to for hiking wear, and I think I’ve finally found the solution to my problem.

I’ve always associated FitFlops with comfort and ease – shoes to slip on when you’re popping to the shops, often built with extra support for those who need it. It’s not a brand that previously would spring to mind for style or for walks longer than a gentle stroll. So when I spotted these hiking boots (full name Neo-D-Hyker Waterproof Zip-Front Padded Sub-Zero Walking Boots, a real mouthful), I was immediately intrigued.

Let’s start with the look. Chunky and visibly quilted, with a decent-sized platform. There’s a zip up the front, a hi-vis strip on the heel for darker evening walks, mudguards along the sides and on top of the toes, and the soles have deep-lug treads for mucky terrain and extra grip. Plus, the shoe body, webbing, strip and fleece lining is all made from 100% PET polyester recycled from plastic bottle waste. They look great with a pair of baggy jeans, but would look just as chic with black leggings and some thick socks.

Comfort wise, they tick all the boxes. They’re fleece-lined and padded around the ankle, so it feels like you’re wrapping your feet in one big cosy duvet. They’re incredibly warm, with thermo-regulating insulation, and very waterproof – I was tramping across all kinds of mucky terrain on my test walk and my tootsies stayed warm and dry all day. The sole has extra cushioning and advanced arch support, so every step feels as though you’re walking on clouds (but there are also springy carbon plates built in to propel you forward).

There aren’t many negatives to report, but I have a few minor areas of concern. For serious hikes, I’d be concerned about ankle support with these. They’re incredibly comfortable, but as I’m yet to test them out on more serious terrain, I would advise taking them for a trial run before committing to wearing them on a serious hike.

Another mild concern was the height of the platform – I’m 5 foot 8 so don’t often wear shoes with added height in the daytime. If you’re slightly unsteady on your feet or have weak ankles then perhaps extra height when walking around uneven terrain isn’t helpful. I love the ease of slipping shoes on, so the zip was a big tick for me, but the lack of laces with the soft padded material does mean the boots are less supportive than standard hiking boots.

But, as mentioned, these are minor issues or personal preference. On the whole, the FitFlop Neo-D-Hykers have quickly sped up the ranks to become my favourite, most comfortable, failsafe hiking boot, for mucky autumnal dog walks on dark mornings, frosty winter treks in the countryside or drizzly days pounding the city streets.

You can shop the Neo-D Hykers on the Fitflop website.