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Buying guide

Best walking boots for mud and bog

Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick

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Top picks at a glance

Compare them all

  • Best overall

    Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Mid: leather upper, ankle cut

    The listing states a leather upper, which takes repeated scrubbing and drying better than a mesh boot.

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  • Best value

    Scarpa Ranger II Activ GTX: leather, winter use

    The listing names winter as its season, which matches muddy months in Britain.

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  • Most features

    Meindl Bhutan MFS GTX: leather boot, leather lined

    Leather upper and leather lining are listed, a durable build for multi-day use.

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Mud is hard on boots in three ways. It soaks fabric uppers, it pulls at the heel on every step, and it packs into the sole until you are walking on a slick plate. For moorland, peat bogs and ploughed field edges you want a waterproof membrane, an ankle cut that keeps the worst out of the collar, and an upper that will survive being scrubbed and dried again and again. Leather and nubuck do that job well; mesh dries faster but lets wet in once the membrane is the only barrier. One honest caveat: Amazon listings rarely state lug depth or spacing, so this guide cannot rank boots on tread. Instead it compares six Gore-Tex boots by upper, lining, cut and outsole as each listing states them, and says where a detail is missing so you can check it with the maker before you buy.

All products compared

Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.

The products in detail

No. 1 · LOWA

Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Mid: leather upper, ankle cut

The Renegade Evo GTX Mid is Lowa's leather hiking boot with an ankle cut and a Gore-Tex lining. A sound all-round choice for wet lowland paths, field edges and soggy moorland days.

In its favour

  • The listing states a leather upper, which takes repeated scrubbing and drying better than a mesh boot.
  • Gore-Tex is named in the model, so the membrane keeps water out when you step into a wet patch.
  • Ankle height is listed, enough cut to keep shallow mud and puddle splash away from the collar.

Good to know

  • The listing does not give lug depth or the outsole compound, so tread for deep mud is unknown.
  • No width options are listed for this version, so wide feet should compare it with a wide-fit model.
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Listing title: LOWA Men's Renegade Evo Gtx MidHiking Boot

No. 2 · Meindl

Meindl Bhutan MFS GTX: leather boot, leather lined

Meindl's Bhutan MFS GTX is a leather walking boot with a leather lining and Gore-Tex, listed as made in Germany. It suits trekkers who prefer a classic leather boot for long days.

In its favour

  • Leather upper and leather lining are listed, a durable build for multi-day use.
  • The listing gives 900 g and a 32 cm shaft circumference, handy for comparison.
  • Country of origin is listed as Germany, with all seasons named for use.

Good to know

  • The cut is listed as ankle, lower than the mid-calf Lowa boots in this guide.
  • The listing does not explain the MFS fit system, so ask Meindl how it works.
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Listing title: Meindl Bhutan MFS GORE-TEX Walking Boot

No. 3 · Hanwag

Hanwag Tatra II Wide GTX: nubuck, 2E width

The Hanwag Tatra II Wide GTX is a nubuck leather boot in a 2E width. It is the trekking pick for broad feet that swell over several long days with a pack.

In its favour

  • The title states a 2E width, the only wide-fit trekking boot in this guide.
  • Nubuck leather upper and leather lining are listed for durability.
  • Gore-Tex is named, giving waterproofing for river crossings and wet ground.

Good to know

  • A listed weight of 1.52 kg is on the heavy side for summer treks.
  • The listing gives no outsole name beyond rubber.
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Listing title: Hanwag Tatra II GORE-TEX Men's Walking Boots (2E Width) - AW26

No. 4 · Scarpa

Scarpa Ranger II Activ GTX: leather, winter use

Scarpa's Ranger II Activ GTX is a leather walking boot listed for winter walking, with a leather lining and Gore-Tex. It fits walkers who spend cold, wet months on lowland and hill paths.

In its favour

  • The listing names winter as its season, which matches muddy months in Britain.
  • Leather upper and leather lining are stated, a robust pairing for wet fields.
  • Gore-Tex is in the model name, so the boot is built to stay waterproof in puddles.

Good to know

  • The listing gives no weight, so you cannot compare it with the other boots here on that.
  • Outsole details beyond rubber are not stated, so grip in deep mud cannot be judged.
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Listing title: Men's Ranger II Active GTX Walking Boots, Brown, UK8

No. 5 · Hanwag

Hanwag Banks GTX: leather and synthetic upper

The Hanwag Banks GTX mixes leather with synthetic panels and a Gore-Tex lining in an ankle-height walking boot. It suits mixed days of wet paths, tracks and muddy stiles.

In its favour

  • The listing names walking as its use and all seasons, a fair fit for year-round mud.
  • Gore-Tex is stated in the title, giving waterproofing for wet grass and soft ground.
  • Leather and rubber appear in the material list, so the upper is not all fabric mesh.

Good to know

  • The lining is not clearly described in the listing, so warmth is hard to judge.
  • A listed weight of 2 kg looks like a pair figure; check the per-boot weight with Hanwag.
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Listing title: Hanwag Banks Gore-TEX Walking Boots - AW26

No. 6 · Salewa

Salewa Alpine Trainer Mid GTX: suede upper

Salewa's Alpine Trainer Mid GTX has a suede upper, an ankle cut and Gore-Tex. It is the most mountain-leaning boot here, for walkers whose muddy approach leads to rocky ground.

In its favour

  • Suede upper is listed, a leather outer that copes with abrasion from rock and scree.
  • Gore-Tex is named in the title, so wet bog crossings on the approach are covered.
  • The listing classes it as a walking shoe with an ankle shaft, a lighter feel than a heavy boot.

Good to know

  • Suede marks and stains in peat more easily than smooth leather, so expect more cleaning.
  • The listing does not state lug depth or which rubber compound the outsole uses.
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Listing title: Alpine Trainer Mid GTX Walking Boots - SS16

More buying guides: Walking boots

Trail and Lace chooses every product independently, based on what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission on purchases made through the affiliate links above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.