The Best Shoes for Nordic Walking: Why I Recommend Trail Shoes Over Walking Boots

After helping people choose the right Nordic Walking poles, the next question we’re asked most often is: "What shoes should I wear for Nordic Walking?”

The answer is actually quite simple.

For most Nordic Walkers, I recommend a lightweight trail shoe rather than a walking boot.

Why I Don't Recommend Walking Boots

Traditional hiking boots are designed for a very different purpose to Nordic Walking.

Many feature a Vibram® outsole and a stiff construction incorporating a firm midsole and, in some cases, a nylon or composite shank. This creates a boot that is exceptionally stable on rugged mountain terrain, allowing you to bridge over rocks, edge securely on narrow footholds and protect your feet when carrying a heavy backpack.

These are exactly the qualities you want when hiking in the mountains, but they are not the qualities most Nordic Walkers need.

Nordic Walking relies on a smooth, natural heel-to-toe roll through the foot to generate efficient forward movement. A stiff boot restricts this rolling action, reducing the natural mobility of the foot and ankle and making your walking gait feel less fluid. On firmer surfaces, the rigid construction can also transmit more impact through your feet and lower limbs than a flexible, well-cushioned trail shoe.

Unless you're tackling technical mountain terrain or carrying a heavy pack, a lightweight trail shoe will usually provide a better combination of flexibility, grip, cushioning and comfort, allowing you to get the most from your Nordic Walking technique.

Why Trail Shoes Are My First Choice

Most Nordic Walkers enjoy a mixture of woodland paths, tracks, fields, parks and the occasional stretch of road.

For this type of walking, a good trail shoe is hard to beat.

Look for:

• Aggressive rubber cleats for grip on mud and grass
• A flexible forefoot
• Good heel cushioning
• A secure fit around the heel
• A shoe that's lightweight enough to wear all day

A quality trail shoe gives you confidence on uneven ground while remaining comfortable when your route includes sections of pavement.

For most people, it's the best all-round choice.

What If I Only Walk on Roads?

If all of your Nordic Walking takes place on pavements, promenades or smooth park paths, then a well-cushioned running shoe can work extremely well.

Running shoes are designed to absorb repeated impact on hard surfaces, making them comfortable for road walking.

However, they have one significant drawback.

Most running shoes have relatively shallow tread patterns because they're designed for roads not muddy fields, wet grass or woodland trails.

Take them off-road and you'll quickly discover how little grip they offer.

I've seen many people lose confidence, or even slip, simply because they were wearing road running shoes on wet ground.

Grip Matters

One of the biggest differences between a running shoe and a trail shoe is the outsole.

A proper trail shoe has deeper rubber lugs (cleats) that bite into the ground, giving you much better traction on:

• Wet grass
• Woodland paths
• Gravel tracks
• Mud
• Loose stones

Good grip allows you to walk with confidence and maintain good Nordic Walking technique without worrying about every step.

Waterproof or Not?

If you regularly walk through wet grass or enjoy winter walks, a waterproof trail shoe can be an excellent investment. Most Nordic Walking Instructors wear Gore-Tex or the equivalent waterproof shoes as teaching all day with wet feet is miserable!

If most of your walking is in warmer weather, a breathable non-waterproof version is often cooler and dries more quickly.

Neither is right or wrong—it depends on where and when you walk.

Our Recommendation

At Nordic Walk Store, we specialise in Nordic Walking equipment rather than footwear, so we don't sell walking shoes ourselves.

However, after testing a wide range of footwear over many years of teaching and walking in all kinds of conditions, I've consistently found Tecnica trail shoes to offer an excellent combination of comfort, cushioning, flexibility and grip for Nordic Walking.

That's why we've partnered with Tecnica to offer an exclusive discount for Nordic Walk Store customers. It means you can benefit from expert advice on your poles and accessories while also accessing a great deal on the footwear that I personally choose and trust. Check out our newsletter or socials for all the details.

Remember, the right shoe won't improve your technique—but it will help you walk with greater comfort, confidence and security, allowing you to get the very best from every Nordic Walking session.