Boots that boss the hill: five of the best for stalking
From sodden peat hags to loose scree, here are five boots that keep you dry, sure-footed and comfortable throughout a long, hard day
When you’re on the hill, your boots can make or break a stalk. They have to grip wet rock and grass, shrug off bog and burn, and hold your ankle firm on steep ground. Yet they must be able to flex as you creep silently, feeling every tussock, and keep you warm through bitter hours in the outdoors.
What should you look for in a hill boot?
Four things, and a boot that misses one of them will let you down on a long day. Grip, because wet rock, greasy grass and loose scree all want to put you on your back: a Vibram or Contagrip outsole is the usual answer. Waterproofing that survives hours in bog rather than a shower, which in practice means a membrane, Gore-Tex, Sympatex or Windtex among them. Ankle support from a high cut and a structured heel counter, which is what keeps a twisted ankle from ending the day on rough, uneven ground. And comfort over distance, which comes from the midsole and footbed rather than the upper, and matters most in the last hour rather than the first.
The fifth consideration is fit. Two of the boots below come in more than one width, and a boot that is right in every other respect will still ruin a stalk if it is the wrong shape for your foot.
Prices are RRP at the time of publication and may have changed since.
Five of the best boots for the hill
Irish Setter 882 Elk Tracker 12in
RRP: £319.90
This shooting boot is made from full-grain cowhide leather and lined with waterproof Gore-Tex and a moisture-wicking fabric. Warmth comes from 600g of Thinsulate Ultra insulation, and anyone prone to cold feet can choose a sister model with 1,000g instead. Underfoot, a cork EVA footbed with memory foam cushions each step and carries a ScentBan odour inhibitor, sitting on a cork PU midsole.
The outsole is an aggressive dual-density Air Bob design built for grip, while leather flex welt construction gives the boot more flexibility than the rigid, cemented soles that are common on hiking boots. Wearers single out that flexibility as a key advantage.
The boot comes in two fittings, in UK sizes up to 14. The American D fitting runs narrower than a UK average fit and suits slimmer feet, while the EE is for average-to-wide feet. A long-standing bestseller at Footwear Country, it sells largely on personal recommendation.
Crispi Hunter GTX
RRP: from £375
Few things spoil a stalk faster than sore feet, and a new pair of boots mid-season has often meant weeks of painful breaking-in. Crispi’s Instant-Fit technology is designed to change that, giving comfort from the first outing so that your mind stays on the beast, not your heels. The Hunter GTX is made to protect.
An insulated Gore-Tex membrane keeps feet dry and warm in the wettest going, while the water-repellent nubuck upper and rubber rand stand up to rock and scree. Its Ankle Bone Support System cradles the joint on rough, uneven ground, helping to guard against sprains and easing fatigue over long days. Underfoot, a Vibram sole grips where it counts, with a shock-absorbing polyurethane midsole softening every descent.
A removable footbed of air mesh and active-carbon felt wicks moisture away and fights odour. High-cut and structured, it holds the foot securely from dawn to dusk.
Chatham Invergeldie Premium 12in hunting boot
RRP: £250
Built for long, wet days in the field, this 12in hunting boot combines waterproof leather uppers with a Sympatex membrane to keep feet dry through rain, sodden ground and foul weather. The extra height gives excellent protection around the ankle and lower leg, whether you are pushing through wet cover or crossing boggy moorland.
A reinforced rubber heel counter adds support and stability for sure footing on uneven terrain, while a Vibram hunting sole grips well on everything from woodland rides and rough pasture to steep, wet hillsides.
Comfort is not overlooked. A dual-density cushioning system gives a supportive ride and reduces fatigue over long distances, making it as well suited to a day’s stalking as to beating or standing at a peg.
Quietly capable rather than showy, this is a boot for those who expect their footwear to work as hard as they do.
Salomon Quest Tracker High GTX
RRP: £230
Built for rugged, demanding environments, the Salomon Quest Tracker High GTX combines the athletic agility of a lightweight trail shoe with the heavy-duty protection of a technical backpacking boot.
Featuring a high-cut silhouette, it offers maximum ankle support and extra coverage against debris, scrub and rough terrain. Its tough nubuck leather upper pairs with a fully waterproof, breathable Gore-Tex membrane to keep feet dry in harsh, wet conditions.
Underfoot, Salomon’s patented Advanced Chassis provides lateral stability and smooth motion control over uneven ground, helping to reduce fatigue during long, gear-heavy treks. An All-Terrain Contagrip outsole delivers secure traction across mud, wet rock and loose surfaces, while the SensiFit construction cradles the midfoot for a snug, precise fit.
Durable, silent and supportive, it is ideal for multi-day hikes, stalking and tactical operations.
Dedito Moorland Pro
RRP: £475
Wet feet can ruin a day on the hill, and this boot has been engineered to shut out the weather. At its heart is a new dual-waterproofing system combined with a Windtex membrane, keeping feet dry and comfortable whether you are squelching across sodden sphagnum or kneeling in a rain-lashed corrie.
Pioneering carbon-fibre eyelets add durability where laces take the strain, and Kevlar reinforcements toughen the boot against abrasive rock and snagging heather. A Vibram Curcuma sole gives sure footing when the going turns greasy and treacherous. Built on a proven platform and billed as a world first, it is made for stalkers who demand the best from their kit, from the first minute of the stalk to the last.
Hill boots compared
| Boot | Price (RRP) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Salomon Quest Tracker High GTX | £230 | Covering ground fast with a load on your back |
| Chatham Invergeldie Premium 12in | £250 | Long wet days that mix stalking, beating and standing at a peg |
| Irish Setter 882 Elk Tracker 12in | £319.90 | Cold-weather warmth and a choice of two fittings |
| Crispi Hunter GTX | From £375 | Buying mid-season, when you cannot spare weeks breaking a boot in |
| Dedito Moorland Pro | £475 | The wettest, roughest hill ground, where waterproofing decides the day |
Frequently asked questions
What makes a good boot for stalking on the hill?
Grip on wet rock and grass, waterproofing that lasts hours rather than minutes, ankle support from a high cut and a firm heel counter, and enough flex underfoot to feel the ground while you stalk. Warmth matters too if you spend long spells still.
How much should I spend on hill boots?
The five here run from £230 to £475. Price broadly tracks the waterproofing system and the sole, so the cheaper end suits a boot that will see occasional hill use and the top end is aimed at people out in the worst of it regularly.
Do I need an insulated boot?
It depends how much of your day is spent moving. The Irish Setter carries 600g of Thinsulate Ultra with a 1,000g version for anyone prone to cold feet, and the Crispi has an insulated membrane. If you walk hard and rarely stand still, insulation can be more than you need.
How long does it take to break in a new pair?
Traditionally weeks, which is why buying mid-season has always been awkward. Crispi’s Instant-Fit construction is built specifically to remove that wait and give comfort from the first outing.
Does boot width matter as much as size?
Yes. The Irish Setter comes in two fittings, a narrower American D and an EE for average-to-wide feet, in UK sizes up to 14. A boot that is right in every other respect will still spoil a day if it is the wrong shape for your foot.
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