• Overall Rating

  : 4-5 out of 5

The least expensive shoes I tested, the Helly Hansen Cascade HELLY TECH waterproof low hiking shoes were also the most instantly comfortable and the pair I found myself reaching for most readily for a walk.

With distinctly trail-running shoe type styling, these are the sort of shoe that are useful for all but the toughest and most uneven terrain. They include all the usual features in terms of waterproofing, grippy outsole and soft and supportive insole, but all are Helly Hansen’s own technology, which may help to keep the price lower than those with 3rd party components. Many of the materials are also at least partially recycled, keeping the environmental footprint as light as the ride.

These are not a stiff shoe, with plenty of flexibility at front, rear and torsionally, side to side. This makes for a light and responsive wear, but means they lend themselves to trails more readily that very rocky or technical terrain. However, they hold their own with generous levels of cushioning and I found them perfect for all paces and lengths of walk, with or without a pack. The fit is true to stated size and quite broad at the forefoot but not overly loose at the heel. They are let down slightly by the very narrow-gauge laces which make cinching in the fit securely a less comfortable and effective experience than it should be. In theory, the laces could be replaced but the fabric loops they go through are very narrow too, so there’s a limit.

Due to the more flexible nature of the shoe, I’d not expect them to last as well as some of the more rugged shoes available and this is reflected in the lower price point. The trade-off between low weight and durability in footwear is very common.

How we tested

Lara used the shoes in all the weathers (!) in late winter and spring, on a mix of walks both with and without a pack, in the Malvern Hills, Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains. She usually takes a UK5.5/6 shoe and has a medium width foot but narrow heels.  This review was first published in the August 2026 issue of The Great Outdoors. Compare it with others in our guide to the best hiking shoes.