Even though Glastonbury has been and gone, there are plenty of festivals and outdoor concerts coming up this summer – and this expert has picked the best footwear for dancing all night long
Whether you’re planning on dancing into the early hours of the morning and spending the day walking miles around festival grounds, you need sturdy and comfortable shoes that will carry you through the day without slowing you down. But what shoes do you go for?
Well, this expert, Carla Khouri, the community hiking lead at Merrell Hiking Club, has given her top suggestions for the shoes you should reach for ahead of your next big summer event. And we think we’ve found the perfect pick that matches all of your festival or hiking needs and more.
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Carla points out that there are a few things to look for when picking festival-ready footwear, and these Moab Speed 2 Gore-Tex hiking boots meet all the criteria.
Carla notes that you’ll want your new shoes to have cushioned midsoles for shock absorption, ensuring they stay comfortable even when you’re dancing your heart out. You’ll also want footwear that offers good arch and heel support to prevent foot fatigue, most important when you’re attending an event at a large campground that involves a lot of walking.
You’ll want durable shoes with grippy outsoles for unpredictable terrain and to ensure you stay upright if the ground becomes slick in a sudden downpour. A waterproof exterior would also be handy. That said, your shoes should feature a lightweight build to avoid adding strain over the day and, most importantly, you’ll want them to look good.
Carla says: “Comfort and support are non-negotiable when you’re clocking up festival miles, but you also shouldn’t have to compromise on style.”
She goes on to add: “I would say the Merrell Moab Speed and the Speed Arc Matis would be my top choices for festival-goers. I love the look and feel of them both. The Moab Speed combines lightweight trail-running performance with enough support for hiking, offering great grip for slippery grounds and long-wear comfort.”
The Moab Speed 2 Gore-Tex come in a huge range of colours and sizes to best suit your style and ensure the best fit for your foot shape, reducing the risk of rubbing or constriction throughout the day. Completely waterproof, so you don’t have to face soggy feet in the unpredictable British weather, these hiking boots are built for all sorts of terrain and conditions, ensuring they keep your feet supported and comfortable no matter where you’re walking or dancing.
Featuring protective and abrasion-resistant synthetic heel and toe caps, so they come out of the festival unscathed, these hiking shoes boast lightweight FlexPlate technology that provides torsional rigidity, lateral stability, and forefoot flexibility, promising ultimate support no matter your step count. They also come equipped with FloatPro Foam midsoles that are super lightweight, so your shoes don’t weigh you down, and ensure all-day comfort that lasts.
These shoes retail for £150 directly from Merrell or for the reduced price of £119.96 at Cotswold Outdoors. Or, if you’re looking for an alternative hiking boot that’s sure to carry you through your upcoming outdoor excursion, Berghaus has these Women’s Explorer Trek Gore-Tex for £170.