Advnture Verdict
A solid, dependable leather boot that works best in cold conditions and offers great value for money.
Pros
- +
Warm
- +
Good leather
- +
Waterproof
Cons
- -
Not available in many sizes
- -
Heavy
You can trust Advnture
First impressions
Peter Storm Women’s Snowdon II Walking Boots have a great heritage. Peter Storm’s Snowdon is a bit of a classic in the hiking boot world, and its second incarnation, the Snowdon II, is a proper chip off the old block. We’re including it in our list of the best budget boots for women because it is that rare thing – a great quality all-leather hiking boot for a genuinely budget price (you can often find this boot available for considerably less that the recommended retail price).
- Trekking on a budget? Here are the best cheap hiking boots for women
- Trail walking shoes vs hiking boots: which should you wear?
- Should I buy walking sandals? The benefits of a lightweight alternative
On the trail
So, it’s a wallet-friendly walking boot, but can it cut the mustard on the hills? Well, in short, yes. On test we found it ideal for wearing while hiking up their namesake mountain, and other peaks with trails of a similar nature.
These workhorse boots are warm and fully waterproof. They also feature a good toecap for added protection on rocky ground, and the Snowdon IIs are grippy enough to keep you walking confidently on mountain trails in wet weather.
• RRP: £99 (UK) / $140 (US)
• Weight (per boot): 600g / 21oz
• Materials: Full-grain leather upper, EVA footbed, CMEVA midsole, moisture-wicking lining, high traction rubber outsole
• Colors: Brown
• Compatibility: Wear it for tackling its namesake mountain and other hill trails in cold and wet weather
There must be a catch, you may think – and there is, in the hefty weight and lack of breathability of the Snowdon II. These aren’t breezy summer boots – they look and feel large and heavy on your feet, and do feel clunky when you’re clocking up the miles. But for wet winter use, they’re an absolute steal, and would be brilliant worn in winter months and swapped out for a lightweight fabric boot in warmer conditions.
Like many bargain boots, they aren’t available in a wide range of sizes – if you can’t find the Snowdon II in your size, the Peter Storm Rivelin is a similar (and similarly priced) model.
An award-winning travel and outdoors journalist, presenter and blogger, Sian regularly writes for The Independent, Evening Standard, BBC Countryfile, Coast, Outdoor Enthusiast and Sunday Times Travel. Life as a hiking, camping, wild-swimming adventure-writer has taken her around the world, exploring Bolivian jungles, kayaking in Greenland, diving with turtles in Australia, climbing mountains in Africa and, in Thailand, learning the hard way that peeing on a jellyfish sting doesn’t help. Her blog, thegirloutdoors.co.uk, champions accessible adventures.