Finding a good pair of hiking shoes is an essential step towards making the most of your outings, whether on asphalt, in the forest or on hilly trails. An unsuitable pair of hiking boots will quickly turn a good day’s outing into a nightmare, whereas a well-designed model will make you forget all about your feet and give you total freedom of movement.
Whether for men or women, an excellent walking shoe must meet precise anatomical requirements. It supports the arch of the foot, absorbs shock and resists the elements. The aim of this guide is to help you make this technical choice. By understanding the type of terrain you’ll be tackling, you’ll have all the keys you need to select the right equipment.
Walking shoes: definition and uses
Unlike a classic sneaker, which is often very flexible, a walking shoe incorporates a reinforced structure to stabilize the foot and protect the joints during active movement. Usage varies considerably according to the environment, and it’s your predominant activity that determines the level of technical skill required.
Before becoming a partner in our leisure activities, walking shoes were first and foremost a tool for survival and hard work. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, walking in the valleys or along alpine trails was not a recreational activity. Shepherds, mountaineering pioneers and mountain workers demanded shoes that could withstand extreme conditions. They wore heavy brodequins fashioned from very thick leather, with smooth leather soles equipped with forged nails to grip rock and ice.
From work tools to century-old technical equipment
It was against this backdrop that the foundations of modern walking shoes were laid. In the early 1900s, visionary French shoemakers such as Richard-Pontvert began to structure and perfect this equipment. The introduction of complex handcrafted assembly techniques, such as the famous Norwegian stitching, guaranteed waterproofness and longevity previously unheard of on the trails.
Over the decades, the practice of walking has been democratized. Heavy nails gave way to the first notched rubber soles. Stems gradually softened to support the rolling of the foot on less hostile terrain.
However, the DNA of these first mountain boots remains intact in our current designs. Yesterday’s imperatives have become today’s quality criteria. The obligation to lock the heel to avoid sprains, the choice of full-bloom leathers to let the foot breathe. The assembly of the whole to ensure that the shoe lasts for many years, even decades. To understand this evolution is to realize that a true walking shoe is not simply an evolution of the sneaker. It’s the direct legacy of over a century of high-mountain craftsmanship.
The different types of walking shoes
The market offers specific models for every environment. Identifying the right one will help you avoid over-equipment or lack of protection.
Urban walking shoes
Walking in the city requires a shoe with excellent cushioning. Hard surfaces like asphalt need to absorb shock waves with every step. Wondering which is the best shoe for city walking is a legitimate question.
Our city walking shoes, like the Super Rando Low model, meet this need. Our women’s city walking shoes offer elegant styling without sacrificing comfort. In general, our city walking shoes are made from high-quality, full-grain leather. Whether you’re looking for women’s urban walking shoes or men’s urban walking shoes for walking to work, our priority is to ensure a smooth workflow.
Technical walking shoes
When it comes to forest trails, the first thing to do is to adapt your equipment to light hiking. But as soon as the terrain becomes rocky, superior support becomes absolutely crucial. A high-top walking shoe will effectively protect your ankle from twisting.
On these demanding routes, the weather can also change very quickly. Opting for a waterproof model therefore often proves to be a wise decision. In contrast to the classic Gore-Tex, we have historically favored the high-performance Sympatex membrane. The aim is simple: to stay perfectly dry while wicking away perspiration.
How to choose a walking shoe
Choosing a walking shoe is based on precise criteria. To find the perfect model, here’s what to look out for.
Comfort and morphology
Finding a good women’s walking shoe starts with the fitting. But this initial comfort must be confirmed over time. Some walkers suffer from regular chafing or overheating. That’s why our specific models incorporate comfortable technologies and a wider fit. In conclusion, the ideal walking shoes are those that offer reliable support, without ever creating uncomfortable pressure zones.
Support and lacing
A low upper (low shoes) offers greater fluidity of movement, while a mid-high upper provides better foot support, especially on unstable or uneven terrain. Whether you choose women's or men's walking shoes, it's essential to ensure that your heel stays firmly in place inside the shoe, and doesn't lift up when you unroll your foot.
The Vibram sole
A Vibram sole is the driving force behind your progress. A deep notch ensures grip in mud. A dense rubber compound guarantees longevity against rock abrasion.
Walking shoes vs. hiking shoes
The boundary may seem fine at first glance, especially when looking at low hiking boots. The major technical difference between these two items of equipment lies in the rigidity of the sole and the carrying capacity.
Walking shoes are above all flexible and dynamic. They are designed for short day outings, with little or no load on the back. Its aim is to support the natural rolling of the foot and offer immediate comfort on moderately uneven terrain.
On the other hand, if you’re planning long, multi-day hikes with a heavy backpack (including tent, comforter and food), the mechanical stress on your feet changes drastically. This is why it’s crucial to choose the right hiking boots: these models feature much stiffer soles and reinforced uppers. This robust architecture is specifically designed to relieve your joints under the weight of your pack, and avoid painful crushing of the arch of your foot as the miles go by.
Super Guide: the icon of the high mountains
The Super Guide is a high-mountain icon. Recognizable by its thick leather, it has been worn by the greatest mountaineering pioneers. Rigid, cramponable and virtually indestructible thanks to its Norwegian stitching, it is the very definition of a Galibier shoe. A historic collector’s item and a walking tool of unrivalled performance in its day.
Super Rando: the hiking and trekking shoe
The Super Rando mid embodies the rebirth of an icon. It carefully preserves the hallmarks that forged the Galibier legend: its famous red laces, its characteristic raised sole and its one-piece construction, a guarantee of unrivalled reliability. It’s this unique silhouette, immediately recognizable on the trails, that bears witness to our historic expertise.
However, loyalty to the brand’s aesthetic codes is not at the expense of innovation. Beneath its timeless allure, the Super Rando low incorporates an architecture of technical materials. This structural evolution considerably reduces the weight of the chassis, while increasing the breathability of the liner.
The result is an agile, dynamic trekking shoe, capable of accompanying the most demanding walkers on all types of terrain, without ever sacrificing the comfort and reliability that are the essence of Galibier. The Super Rando Mid and Low meet today’s demand for faster, lighter and safer walking.
Designed for pioneers, made for adventurers.
Super Varappe: the multi-activity and approach shoe
Whether you’re a rock purist, a fast walker or a fan of long technical traverses, the Super Varappe range is designed to meet your specific needs.
Available in Mid and Low stems, the Super Varappe shares a common aesthetic and construction, made for all mountaineering practices and profiles. At Galibier, we design our models with use in mind.
Super Varappe Mid: the approach boot for demanding treks
The approach boot for your treks. The men’s Super Varappe Mid is totally waterproof (100% recyclable, PFAS-free Sympatex membrane) and highly breathable. Its medium upper provides infallible ankle support on rough terrain. Designed for the mountains, whatever the weather.
Ideal for trekking over difficult terrain, the women’s Super Varappe Mid offers comfort, absolute protection and a commitment to the environment. It features a waterproof, breathable Sympatex membrane and a high-cut upper for excellent ankle support.
Super Varappe Low: the multi-activity and approach shoe
The ultimate tool for freedom of movement, the men’s Super Varappe Low is a lightweight (765 g), ultra-competitive shoe. Featuring Perwanger leather and a Dyneema tongue, it’s ideal for approach climbing and via ferrata.
Agile and lightweight, the women’s Super Varappe Low revolutionizes fast approach walking. It combines Perwanger leather and Dyneema fabric for total protection against rocks and moisture. Ideal for multi-activity, it offers precision, liveliness and reliability.
Focus on Galibier hiking boots
Since 1922, Galibier has been designing mountain boots, refusing programmed obsolescence. Reliability is our watchword. Unlike injected models that are discarded once the sole wears out, a large part of the Galibier range is designed to be resoled. It’s a long-term investment in your feet and the environment.
FAQ – Walking shoes
GALIBIER
Yes, foot morphology differs. A woman’s walking shoe generally has a narrower heel and a slightly lower instep to avoid friction.
Men’s walking shoes, on theother hand, are designed on a wider model. At Galibier, as a long-standingbrand of walking shoes, we offer volume reducers in our Super Rando range. The aim of this innovation is to ensure an optimal fit, respecting the anatomy of each individual.How do you combine elegance with everyday comfort?Finding the best city walking shoes means not sacrificing technique for design alone. Our customers are often looking for women’s city walking shoes capable of covering kilometers on cobblestones. The secret lies in the use of full-grain leathers. So a pretty women’s walking shoe can conceal a reliable, cushioning sole block.
It all depends on your terrain. For a summer stroll, a lightweight, highly breathable walking shoe in unlined leather is more than sufficient. On the other hand, if you’re walking in the dew or rain, protection becomes paramount. Requests for waterproof lightweight women’s walking shoes are very frequent.
While many immediately think of gore-tex lightweight women’s walking shoes, Galibier has a long history of using high-performance alternatives such as Sympatex (combined with hydrophobic-treated leathers). Whether you’re looking for waterproof women’s walking shoes for the morning dew, or waterproof women’s walking shoes for real downpours, the most important thing is to maintain good perspiration evacuation.
The best walking shoes are not defined by aggressive marketing, but by their ability to last over time and be forgotten by your feet. A repairable model, sewn with care and using noble materials, will always remain the wisest choice for your comfort and for the environment.Can these models be used for Nordicwalking? Nordic walking requires an extremely wide foot roll with a beveled heel. Our urban and nature models may be suitable for a gentle introduction, but very sporty and intensive use will require a boot specifically shaped for this purpose.What’s the difference with a fast hiking boot?Fast hiking boots are ultra-minimalist to maximize speed at the expense of longevity. Our designs, on the other hand, focus on protection, leather reliability and long-term joint comfort.
