A waterproof walking shoe is enough on the lake and valley paths the National Park grades easy. From its leisurely grade up, wear a boot.
For the easy paths, start with the Merrell Moab 3 GTX, made as a men’s and a women’s pair.
Its rubber sole has deep 5 mm grip blocks, and an insert under the arch stiffens it.
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The three in one line each:
- For a leather shoe with a deep-lugged sole, choose the Merrell Moab 3 GTX or its women’s pair.
- For a shoe built around cushioning, choose the Columbia Crestwood Waterproof or its women’s pair.
- For an all-synthetic shoe, choose the Regatta Vendeavour or its women’s pair.
| Your day out | What to carry |
|---|---|
| You want a leather shoe with a deep-lugged sole | Merrell Moab 3 GTX |
| You want a shoe built around cushioning | Columbia Crestwood Waterproof |
| You want an all-synthetic shoe | Regatta Vendeavour |
Merrell Moab 3 GTX
You want a leather shoe with a deep-lugged sole
Merrell Moab 3 GTX, men's Suede leather and mesh, GORE-TEX waterproof membraneVibram sole with 5 mm grip blocks Read the full specification on Amazon Merrell Moab 3 GTX, women's Suede leather and mesh, GORE-TEX waterproof membraneVibram sole with 5 mm grip blocks Read the full specification on AmazonA suede leather and mesh shoe with a GORE-TEX waterproof membrane and a rubber toe cap.
The Vibram sole has 5 mm grip blocks, and a nylon insert stiffens the shoe under the arch.
Merrell gives 460 g per shoe for the men’s and 370 g for the women’s.
Columbia Crestwood Waterproof
You want a shoe built around cushioning
Columbia Crestwood Waterproof, men's Leather and mesh, waterproof and breathableLightweight cushioned midsole Read the full specification on Amazon Columbia Crestwood Waterproof, women's Leather and mesh, waterproof and breathableLightweight cushioned midsole Read the full specification on AmazonA leather, mesh and webbing shoe that Columbia sells as waterproof and breathable.
Its lightweight midsole is there for cushioning.
The rubber sole is made for grip on wet and dry trails.
Regatta Vendeavour
You want an all-synthetic shoe
Regatta Vendeavour Waterproof Walking Shoe, men's Synthetic upper, waterproof breathable membraneSole with three-pronged grip blocks Read the full specification on Amazon Regatta Vendeavour Waterproof Walking Shoe, women's Synthetic upper, waterproof breathable membraneSole with three-pronged grip blocks Read the full specification on AmazonA synthetic shoe with a waterproof, breathable membrane inside and a mudguard round the foot.
The sole has three-pronged grip blocks and side channels, which Regatta says grip in every direction and help you brake.
Shoe or boot, by walk
The Eryri National Park Authority gives a footwear line for each walk it grades.
Its safety advice warns that uneven ground can lead to injury, and asks walkers to wear hiking boots with a thick sole and high sides.
| Walk | What the Park says |
|---|---|
| Mawddach Trail | Easy Access for All route: comfortable shoes or trainers are suitable |
| Dôl Idris path, Talyllyn | Easy Access for All route: comfortable shoes or trainers are suitable |
| Lôn Gwyrfai, Rhyd Ddu to Beddgelert | Easy route: trainers or comfortable walking shoes are recommended |
| Coed Graigddu | Leisurely route: walking boots and waterproof clothing are recommended |
| Cwm Idwal | Moderate route: walking boots and waterproof layers are essential |
| Panorama Walk, Barmouth | Hard/strenuous route: walking boots and waterproof layers are essential |
| Yr Wyddfa | Trainers are not suitable; hiking boots have thick soles for grip and high edges that support the ankles |
A shoe is the Park’s own advice only on its easy and Easy Access for All routes.
From the leisurely grade up, the Park recommends boots.
Waterproof shoes and wet feet
In its footwear guide, Ordnance Survey puts walking shoes between boots and trail shoes. They can offer more support than trail shoes, and are generally lighter and more flexible than boots.
A waterproof shoe takes a lot longer to dry once it does get wet. Waterproof footwear is also less breathable, so feet may sweat on a warm day.
For routes where wet feet are certain, choose quick-drying trail shoes instead. All three pairs here are waterproof shoes.
Ankles
OS says boots give the greatest support and protection, especially over tricky ground. A walker prone to twisting an ankle may feel more confident in boots.
We compile and explain public route and safety information. We guide nobody and sell nothing on the hill.
Which pair for which walk
On the Mawddach Trail, Lôn Gwyrfai, and the walks graded easy at the Rhyd Ddu lakes and Tal-y-llyn, any of the three will do. Start with the Merrell.
On a moderate route such as Cwm Idwal, and on Yr Wyddfa, wear walking boots. Read boots or trainers before a Snowdon day.
Wear the shoes with walking socks, and for a first walk read the beginner walks.
For the Mawddach Trail or an easy lake circuit, buy the Merrell Moab 3 GTX; on a route the Park calls moderate, wear a boot.
