WVSport Waterproof Hiking Boots Review: The Best Vegan Hiking Boots?
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Read my full review of the WVSport Waterproof Hiking Boots by Will’s Vegan Store to help you decide if they’re right for you!
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Hiking boots are a seriously important investment. I’d argue it’s the most important item on your outdoor gear packing list. But finding the right boots can be hard – especially if you’re looking for ethical and sustainable footwear.
Leather is still the norm for most big-brand hiking boots. Even ones made with synthetic materials can’t guarantee they’re free of animal derivatives.
Luckily, it is possible to find 100% vegan hiking boots that are good quality too. One such pair is the WVSport Waterproof Hiking Boots by Will’s Vegan Store. After using them for a while now, I thought I’d share a review of my experience.
They’ve consistently been my favourite hiking boots whether I wear them hiking, backpacking or generally exploring. I’ve never got a blister and they’re cruelty-free footwear to boot!
They’re the best vegan hiking boots for men and women. Here’s why.
Disclaimer: I’m an affiliate of Will’s Vegan Store which means I earn a small commission for every purchase at no extra cost to you. I bought the boots myself and I’ve been using them for a while now so all opinions in this WVSport waterproof hiking boots review are honest and 100% my own. I only promote products I know and trust.
What is Wills Vegan Store?
Will’s Vegan Store – previously Will’s Vegan Shoes – is a British vegan brand that started out making vegan shoes in 2013.
It’s since become a one-stop-shop for all manner of vegan and ethical products from shoes to clothing, skincare, homeware and even food and drink.
The brand may have expanded its offerings, but it’s still gained a reputation for making good quality shoes, including hiking footwear which it launched in 2018.
At the moment, Will’s Vegan Store has five different WVSport hiking boots and shoes in its range:
- Waterproof Hiking Boots
- Insulated Waterproof Hiking Boots
- Waterproof Hiking Shoes
- Sequoia Edition Waterproof Hiking
- Waterproof Walking Boots
WVSport waterproof hiking boots review
For the purpose of this review, I’m focusing on the WVSport Waterproof Hiking Boots as these are the ones I own. They’re also the most top-rated and versatile as they can be used for hiking all year round.
They have a unisex style and sizes are available for both men and women.
Performance | Rating |
Fit & comfort | |
Design | |
Quality | |
Waterproofing | |
Value for money | |
Overall performance |
Will’s Vegan Store: The hiking boots at a glance
Features: Mid-ankle boot, mid-width fit, waterproof and breathable, Vibram rubber outsoles, abrasion and scuff-resistant uppers.
Sizes: Whole sizes from UK 3 | EU 36 to UK 8 | EU 42 (women). Mostly whole sizes from UK 6.5 | EU 40 to UK 12 | EU 47 (men).
Price: £122.00 (currently)
Suitable for: Men, women, and unisex. The styles are the same and the only difference is the fit.
Best for: Hiking, trekking, rough and uneven terrain, mountains, casual walks, wet weather, snow… pretty much anything!
Colours: Black, dark blue, brown
Bonus: 100% vegan and carbon neutral certified. No breaking-in period
Will’s vegan hiking boots review: My experience
Flashy specs aside, what are these vegan waterproof hiking boots like to wear?
At first, I was a little concerned about ordering these walking boots online without trying them on first – particularly as the company isn’t a specialist in hiking boots.
However, I was impressed by the ‘lab tested’ specifications, the fact they were vegan and ethically made in Italy and the rave reviews.
I was further convinced by its high score on Ethical Consumer – so I decided to give them a go.
After having them for a while now, I’ve worn them on various hikes and outdoor activities up hills, mountains, along coastlines, uneven terrain, through mud, streams and undergrowth and they’ve held up brilliantly.
And yes, they’re waterproof!
They’ve mainly been put to the test in the Scottish Highlands and Islands so I haven’t worn them in hotter climates yet. However, they certainly lived up to my expectations.
The Vibram sole’s grip saw me safely over slippy or icy patches.
The slight clumpiness of the shoe (not to everyone’s liking) made me feel like my feet and ankles were well protected.
The laces stayed fastened, giving me confidence and security while hiking. The breathable material helped regulate the temperature of my feet so I was able to stay comfortable (nothing worse than cold feet!).
Editor’s tip: As a quick comparison to the WVSport Waterproof Walking Boots by Will’s Vegan Store, the hiking boots fare much better in wet weather conditions according to reviewers. Although they both have the same waterproofing, the main difference is that the Hiking Boots have been thoroughly lab tested. It also has Cordura materials as well as Lyliane 3DMX for a slightly tougher shoe.
Read more: Incredible One-Day Walking Trails in the UK
Why Will’s Vegan Store?
With so many outdoor brands with high-quality walking boots and with a growing number of vegan shoes out there, why did I choose Will’s Vegan Store?
After all, it’s not typically known for being an outdoor brand or a specialist hiking boots company…
My answer contains three reasons. These are:
Trusted recommendation
Brand trust is important to me, particularly if it’s a new brand I’ve not bought from before. I first heard of Will’s Vegan Store on Ethical Consumer where it was labelled a hiking boot best buy.
Ethical Consumer is a trusted, independent and non-profit resource for evaluating the ethics behind a company to help you shop in line with your values. It scores brands based on environmental impact, human rights and animal welfare.
Out of all the vegan walking shoe brands out there, Will’s Vegan Store was ranked among the best.
Vegan company
Rather than just being vegan boots from a typical outdoor company, these boots come from a 100% vegan company from the start.
I can’t say I’m 100% vegan but I’ve made the conscious decision to avoid buying clothes, bags and shoes containing animal products whether it’s glue or leather.
For me, great quality fashion and footwear should not come at the expense of animal suffering and Will’s Vegan Store proves this.
Plus, the company has produced vegan footwear from the start rather than creating a range aimed at those looking for vegan-friendly products. This makes it more genuine for me.
Sustainable outdoor gear
The sad irony is most major outdoor companies make gear that actually harms the environment. I’m talking about PFCs (perfluorinated compounds).
These are synthetic chemicals typically found in the durable water-repellent finish (DWR) or breathable membrane (Gore-Tex) of gear like jackets and shoes.
They help make the waterproofing effective. However, some of the chemicals present are toxic, non-biodegradable and bioaccumulative which means they build up in organisms.
These chemicals can easily rub off your gear when you wear them outdoors. They’ve been found in remote ecosystems around the world including in glaciers and the stomachs of polar bears.
Companies are now slowly coming around to using alternatives to PFCs. Better still, Will’s Vegan Store guarantees no PFCs in any of its products.
This makes it a lot kinder to the environment than most major outdoor brands and its shoes are just as competitive.
Want to learn more about sustainable travel? Read my full guide here!
What I love about WVSport waterproof hiking boots
Here are the reasons why these are the best vegan boots for hiking:
Shoe fit & comfort
I have quite narrow feet so it was important to me to find a walking boot that gave me room without feeling unsupported.
I ordered my usual size (size 4 or EU 37) and they fit well in all the right places. My feet were snug without being constricted and the boots were surprisingly lightweight whilst feeling sturdy to wear.
If you have wide feet, all WVSport models are slightly wider than regular shoes with more volume added to give your feet flexibility. You should be able to wear your regular size without any problems.
If you’re a half size (e.g. 5.5) then Will’s Vegan Store recommends that you order a size up.
Unique features: A patented Support System for maximum comfort and secure fit.
Fantastic quality
I’m impressed with the design and quality of these walking boots. They’re well-constructed with durable, waterproof and breathable vegan materials.
The company knows exactly what’s needed in a good quality walking boot.
The WVSport shoes have been designed and produced in the foothills of Italy’s Dolomites. They’ve also been lab-tested for waterproofing and abrasions.
The result is a boot that can perform when it’s put through its paces so you don’t have to worry if you venture off-road!
Unique features: Each model has been created using CAD design technology which simulates different walking styles and experiences.
No breaking-in period
My absolute favourite feature of these vegan waterproof boots is that they didn’t need any breaking-in period for them to be comfortable.
I ordered them shortly before a two-week trip to the Scottish Highlands with lots of planned hiking.
I was worried I was cutting it too fine and I would end up with massive blisters, but I’m delighted to report that I didn’t experience even the slightest rubbing!
I didn’t get a single blister during the trip and these shoes were brand new.
Unique features: removable cushioned anatomic insoles.
Editor’s tip: Of course, every experience is different for breaking in footwear. Make sure it’s as smooth as possible by wearing the right size boot, and always wear hiking socks. My go-to hiking socks are these unisex Fairisle Bamboo Walking Socks.
Durable
Although I’ve had these boots for just under a year, they’ve survived rigorous hikes in all weather with hardly a scratch.
Even the soles look relatively brand new (just a little mucky now but that’s mainly down to me not cleaning them enough!).
Durable soles are super important to me because I tend to walk with heavy heels, so shoe heels rub away quickly.
The sole, and the rest of the boot materials for that matter, are lightweight and strong so I’m confident they won’t give up on me anytime soon.
Unique features: Advanced ballistic welded construction with abrasion and scuff-resistant uppers created with Lyliane 3DMX and Cordura materials. Vibram rubber injection outsoles for grip and traction. Waterproof!
Affordable price
Good walking boots aren’t cheap, particularly boots made with materials alternative to leather.
Although these waterproof vegan boots are over £100, they’re actually extremely affordable in comparison to other vegan brands that can set you back about £150-£200 for a pair.
You don’t miss out on quality though!
Ethical & sustainable company
Before buying any product, it’s always worth checking what the company stands for. The ethos behind Will’s Vegan Store was a massive selling point for me when choosing my walking boots.
Not only does it design boots that are top quality but it also creates them without compromising on people, animals or the environment.
Like everything the company sells, Will’s sustainable walking boots are vegan and cruelty-free. They’re also made in Italy with a transparent supply chain and under European Union employment, discrimination and health & safety law.
Materials are sustainable and you can return your old footwear to be recycled. Plus it’s a certified carbon-neutral company.
And another thing? 70% of the power used to produce these boots is from solar energy!
Read more: Sustainable Travel Packing List 101: Your Complete List for an Eco-Friendly Trip
What I don’t love
The one issue I have with these vegan walking boots is the colour. I got mine in black but they’re more of a dark, dusky grey.
Whether you go for dark blue, black or brown they all have the same blue laces and upper.
They’re definitely not the sleekest walking boots but fashion definitely shouldn’t be the first priority for hiking footwear. Other than that, these shoes do blend in pretty well and look good when worn.
Another little niggle is that these boots are prone to slight discolouration if you get the uppers muddy. It’s not very noticeable though and it just shows that they’ve been put to good use.
How to clean the WVSport waterproof hiking boots
If your shoes get a bit mucky or muddy, Will’s Vegan Store advises wiping them down with warm water and mild soap. Then allow them to air dry naturally.
This won’t affect the waterproofing so you don’t need to apply any new treatments. It isn’t advisable anyway as these treatments are designed for leather boots.
Your boots shouldn’t stain if they get wet. To be honest, I haven’t been able to get all the mud off but it hasn’t affected the performance of the boot.
Recap: Will’s Vegan Store hiking boots review
Here’s a quick recap of what we’ve covered in a short video:
WVSport waterproof hiking boots review: the ultimate vegan walking boots?
After testing these shoes out myself, the only question left to ask is are they the ultimate vegan hiking boots?
I would argue yes if you want boots that are simple, well-constructed, lightweight and comfy at an affordable price point.
Sure, there’s a growing number of top-of-the-range vegan and cruelty-free boots out there but Will’s Vegan Store manages to deliver fantastic quality at a good price so you don’t have to pay huge amounts for amazing vegan boots.
I’m a firm believer that good quality ethical gear should be accessible. It should never be about sacrificing one for the other…
These ethical walking boots are ideal for travellers and backpackers who like to go hiking as they’re lightweight and suitable for use all year round. They are a little bulky though but I’ve had no problems packing them.
Overall, I’m very happy with my hiking boots. I’ve never known them to be that comfortable before (particularly during the initial few wears), but these ones just absolutely knock it out of the park.
Footwear can make or break a hike and these sustainable hiking boots certainly made mine.
So, if you’re looking for a general all-rounder walking boot that will see you through all your adventures, you can’t go wrong with the WVSport Waterproof Hiking Boots.
