Best footwear for dog walking
An important part of being a dog owner is taking them for daily walks to help keep them fit and healthy. When you’re dog walking you cover miles of various terrains and need suitable footwear that can withstand daily wear and tear, all while keeping your feet comfy and dry. Invest in the right boots and don’t let wet muddy dog walks stop you.
Choosing the right footwear is an absolute necessity to meet your needs for dog walking. We’ve selected a range of footwear to help keep you comfortable, dry and warm, whatever challenges you meet on your walks.
H&H’s quick links
- Best waterproof trainers for dog walking: Ariat Ascent
- Best short boots for dog walking: Merry People Bobbi
- Best long boots for dog walking: Dubarry Galway
Best waterproof trainers for dog walking
Ariat Ascent Waterproof Paddock Boots
Colours: Black
Sizes: UK 3–8½
RRP: £160
Reasons to buy
- Waterproof
- Available in half sizes
Reasons to avoid
- Neoprene collar style might not suit everyone
Ariat is a well known brand within the equestrian community for comfort and durability of its boots. These short, waterproof boots are ideal for dog walking. Designed to double up as riding boots, they are wonderfully versatile. They’re similar to trainers and have a flexible, lightweight build with a breathable, sock-like fit for comfortable compression, ankle support and instep comfort.
H&H’s news editor Eleanor Jones tested these boots and found them to be incredibly comfortable and great for wearing around the yard as well as good riding boots. For dog-walking, the cushioning gives you a spring in your step, and their lightweight build means you can stay on your feet for hours. They are waterproof up to the ankle, so fine for most conditions but not deep puddles.
Read H&H’s independent Ariat Ascent paddock boots review.
LeMieux Trax Waterproof Trainers
Colours: Black, cinder or petrol
Sizes: UK 3–9
RRP: £99.95
Reasons to buy
- Quick and easy toggle lacing system
- Michelin rubber sole’s unique tread for stability
- Ergonomic and shock absorbing sole for comfort
Reasons to avoid
- Less foot and ankle protection than the other boots
These lightweight and versatile waterproof trainers are suited to equestrian and active lifestyles in all weathers. They feature a quick and easy toggle lacing system, exclusive Michelin rubber soles with unique tread patterns to provide stability on slippery surfaces. Ideal for those slippery footpaths. The tread also reduces the build-up of mud and gravel. The ergonomic heavy duty insole offers all-day comfort and the lightweight EVA foam midsole is shock absorbing to help keep your feet comfortable.
Best short boots for dog walking
Merry People Bobbi Ankle Boots
Colours: 19 options
Sizes: UK 3–10
RRP: £89.95
Reasons to buy
- Waterproof
- Neoprene lining
- Versatile Chelsea boot design
Reasons to avoid
- Shorter style doesn’t provide full coverage
These stylish ankle boots combine functionality with a modern design, making them suitable for a variety of settings. Crafted from waterproof materials and featuring a soft, insulating lining, they offer both comfort and protection in wet weather. Great for keeping you dry on dewy morning walks and unexpected rain. Their classic design and vibrant colour options make them a fashionable choice for everyday wear.
The Original Muck Boot Company Arctic Sport II Mid Boots
Colours: Black, black magenta, wine, brown, navy, black grey
Sizes: UK 3–8
RRP: £145
Reasons to buy
- Warm
- Sturdy and practical
Reasons to avoid
- If you don’t feel the cold
Wellies are a must if you’re a dog walker, these short wellies are great if you suffer from cold feet. These boots are great for winter dog walking as they have a 5mm insulating neoprene inner boot, plus a cosy fleece lining. While the stretch-fit top will help keep the boots snug to your legs, keeping the cold air out and the warm air in.
They have a supportive midsole and a grippy outsole, making them an ideal option for a dog walk. They also feature a pull tab to help you get them on and off, and benefit from odour control and moisture management technology. H&H’s head of ecommerce Georgia Guerin tested the longer version of these boots and said “They are comfortable and supportive and feel like trainers to walk in. The sole offered good grip in the mud”. If you suffer from cold feet these would be ideal for you and I would recommend sizing up if you usually take a half size.
The Original Muck Boot Company Originals Pull On Boots
Colours: 10 options
Sizes: UK 3–9
RRP: £135
Reasons to buy
- Waterproof
- Neoprene lined
- Durable rubber sole
- Easy to slip on and off
Reasons to avoid
- Low profile not the best for wet ground
These short wellies are totally waterproof and easy to get on and off. They have an antimicrobial insert with odour and moisture management treatment that keeps you fresh all day. Great for when it’s wet but too warm for tall wellington boots.
Georgia Guerin has a pair of these short wellies and has worn them for many miles without any problems. She says: “I’ve worn these everyday and they’re so comfortable and easy to slip on. There are loads of colours to choose from but I actually love my yellow pair – they make me feel summery! And they’re great for when I’m gardening, too.”
Le Chameau Explore 7”
Colours: Brown
Sizes: UK4–12
RRP: £250
Reasons to buy
- Waterproof and breathable
- Michelin sole for superior grip
- Two-year warranty
Reasons to avoid
- Laces might not appeal to everyone
These boots have been designed to be comfortable from the first wear and tackle the toughest of terrains. They’re described as being waterproof and breathable with a Michelin sole for superior grip and traction. So if you’re looking for new boots to stand up to your more challenging dog walking routes these could be the pair for you.
North Face Hedgehog Futurelight Hiking Boots
Colours: Taupe green/black or black/zinc grey
Sizes: UK 3–13
RRP: £135
Reasons to buy
- Short boot style
- Great grip in uneven terrain
Reasons to avoid
- Take a fair amount of maintenance to keep looking good
An extremely comfortable and lightweight hiking shoe, they offer great traction on slippery going, as well as stability on uneven terrain. They have decent cushioning and protect your feet and ankles well against injuries from flints, tree roots, mis-steps and so on. They are marketed as waterproof and breathable, and are pretty good in this regard for what is effectively a fabric shoe, albeit very high-tech, but obviously given that they only go up to the ankle, and are lace-up, we wouldn’t recommend marching through deep puddles in them.
Best long boots for dog walking
Dubarry Galway Country Boots
Colours: 7 colour options
Sizes: EU 35–48, with regular, slimfit or extrafit calf
RRP: £379
Reasons to buy
- Waterproof
- Smart enough to wear beyond a walk
- Three calf widths available
Reasons to avoid
- Height of boots might not appeal to everyone
These are undoubtedly Dubarry’s most popular country boots. They are made of a “dry fast, dry soft” leather and are 100% waterproof with a Gore-Tex lining, allowing the boots to be both waterproof and breathable. The Galway boots are built to last, when worn regularly and cared for correctly will last for years, whilst the versatility of this design makes it perfect for both muddy fields and in-town looks. If these long waterproof boots don’t fit your needs, check out our guide to the best country boots here.
Grub’s Rainline 2.0 Boots
Colours: Black, aubergine or navy
Sizes: UK 3–8
RRP: £109.95
Reasons to buy
- Waterproof
- Stretch panel is great for wider calfs
Reasons to avoid
- Might not offer enough adjustment for some
These Grubs rubber boots are lightweight and easy to clean. They have a moisture-wicking and odour-preventing lining, and a soft underfoot cushioning that aims to give an athletic shoe feel, which is ideal for feeling energised on your dog walk. The sole offers excellent grip and shock absorption. The waterproof neoprene flex-pannel offers a great fit around the calf.
Aigle Parcours 2 Vario Wellington Boots
Colours: Bronze, brun, noir or kaki
Sizes: UK 3–13
RRP: £175
Reasons to buy
- Shock-absorbing sole
- Suitable for all terrains
Reasons to avoid
- Expensive but worth the investment
These boots have a rubber sole and shock-absorbing cushion, allowing you to walk further without getting tired. Ideal for keeping you comfortable on those extra long dog walks. They have a shock-absorbing, abrasion-resistant outsole that provides stability, as well as a waterproof, adjustable gusset and a quick-drying lining that can be cleaned with a sponge. Ideal for those muddy dog walks as they can be easily washed clean.
I have a pair of Aigle wellies and I wear them everyday in the winter. They keep my feet warm and comfortable even when wearing them for long periods of time. They are really worth the investment as they are designed to last.
How to choose the best shoes for dog walking
When looking for your next pair of dog walking shoes the top qualities you should look out for include…
- Durability – consider how often you will be wearing them and the different types of terrain you’ll cover. If you’re only walking short distances and wet feet is your main concern, wellies might be the perfect choice for you.
- Comfort – consider the weight of the boots, how flexible the material is, and whether it offers extra support around the ankle or arch of your foot.
- Waterproof – some level of waterproofness isa must to avoid wet and cold feet, but consider the types of path you usually walk on to see how far you need to go with this.
- Grip – boots will offer a variety of grip, so this is also something to consider.
How often to replace shoes for dog walking
An hour’s dog-walking equates to around three and a half miles, or some 7,000 steps. If you’re a professional dog-walker – or really enjoy getting out – you could be clocking up tens of thousands of steps a day. A conservative estimate of 10 miles a day is a fair amount of time on your feet, and wear on your shoes. Given that experts advise running trainers should be replaced every 400 miles, that gives you some idea of the workload you’re demanding of your footwear (not to mention that you need to think about new ones every six weeks!). Mercifully the best shoes for dog walking are more durable than your average trainer.
What shoes do you wear for walking the dog?
The best type of shoes for dog walking are comfortable, sturdy and durable. When choosing a pair look out for boots with ankle support, a good grip for covering different terrains as you will need them to offer excellent grip for walking on loose, wet or uneven surfaces and ideally be waterproof to keep you comfortable and dry no matter what the weather throws at you.
What are the best wellingtons for dog walking?
With wellies you definitely get what you pay for, so don’t be put off with a higher price tag. You want to guarantee quality, comfort and a pair that will last. If you feel the cold look for wellies with a neoprene lining. Consider the fit around your leg many brands offer an adjustable fit around your calf to accommodate your individual needs. They need to be waterproof as nobody like soggy feet. And finally the grip needs to work for the conditions you intend to use them in. take a look at our best wellington boots guide for a greater range of wellies.
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Franchesca is Horse & Hound’s Products Editor. She produces all of our buying guides and gift guides, as well as organising product testing and bringing you news about the latest products to hit the market. If there’s a new launch, Franchesca is the first person to hear about it. She brings you the best deals and is passionate about arming Horse & Hound’s readers with honest, unbiased product reviews. Franchesca loves letting riders and horse owners know what products are coming out, how to make their lives easier and how to spend their money wisely.