Hoping for a little bit of advice for the better half. She is looking for some walking boots as we are going away for a few days at the end of the month and this will (weather permitting) involve quite a bit of hiking. These are also likely to be well used for damp dog walks as well when at home. Waterproof or resistant would be good and more budget friendly recommendations would welcome.
I've not bought walking boots for about 20 years and they're still going but buggered if I can remember who made them.
My wife has some Keen ones she really likes, only an occasional walker due to health issues but they seem well made and have kept the water out!
Mrs kilo walks a lot, hills, minor mountains etc, she always goes for Meindel boots now.
I have to raise my hat for the persuasive sales guy at my local outdoor store - he managed to properly fit walking shoes for my wife, despite her ‘knowing’ what her size is. Turned out that she didn’t know and most of her sports shoes are too small.
The shoes were some fairly lightweight Hanwags in bunion models and they have quickly become favoured shoes for any outdoor activities.
Wife uses Meindl and Hanwag (*wide feet), and previously scarpa
if you’re near a Cotswold outdoors or a Taunton leisure store I’d suggest a visit, as both provided Mrs with good choices and expert fitting knowledge.
I liked the look of these but they don't go small enough for my feet.
https://www.grubswarehouse.com/product-page/quest
Another recommendation for Meindl and Cotswold.
Thanks for the replies,
I've sent her a link to the thread and there is a Cotswolds in town so could pop in past there next time we are in.
If you're unsure then go to a good shop and take the hit on them being full price.
+1 on go to a shop and actually try them on.
I would also add - what type of walking and where? I'm finding I've done more Munro days in modern trail running shoes than in my 'proper' walking boots. There's still absolutely a place for a more rigid, leather, solid boot etc, but modern shoes and soles are amazing...
+2 for trying boots on. You can have the best boots in the world and if the last doesn't match your foot shape, they may as well be the worst boots in the world. Go to a decent outdoor shop with experienced fitters and a wide range of brands. A good fitter will be able to look at her feet and suggest what might work and pick out some appropriate pairs to try.
I'd also echo what @matt_outandabout says about considering lighter-weight shoes and mids for a more pleasant, more agile, walking experience. Traditional, stiff boots are great for snow and crampon use, but don't work for everyone and are often quite harsh and clumpy underfoot, sort of the walking equivalent of riding an enduro bike on a flat, smooth rail trail. Obviously it all depends on personal preference and where you walk. I get on really well with Salomon generally, but everyone's feet and preferences are different.
So basically, go try some on and don't feel you need to go traditional 'three-season'. If your wife's feet are outliers in terms of width - either very narrow or wide - or volume, basically what it sounds like, or has a heel that's disproportionately narrow or wide relative to her forefoot, she'll have fewer brands to choose from, but the only way you'll know for sure is by trying a spread of brands and fits.
Big fan of the Keen shoes - when the upper falls apart after 6 months they will replace under warranty or give you a refund to purchase another par if there are none in stock.
Plus a million to trying on and walking around a bit. Everyone's feet are different and brands do tend to fit well / not fit across their range ime. I had Solomon Ultra X and would like to keep to the same forever, but they keep changing designs which is really annoying, but very 'soft', comfy boot.
Big fan of the Keen shoes - when the upper falls apart after 6 months they will replace under warranty
Not sure that's really a recommendation!
My partner tried a number of different makes has found Lowa Renegade GTX to be the best combination of light weight, comfort and durability. Not the cheapest but have outlasted other cheaper brands
For local dog walking mooching I'd avoid hiking boots, especially more expensive ones because she'll just destroy them. I've instead got boots for hiking and some mid height wellies for winter dog walks because otherwise my hiking boots were just being destroyed and hiking up a munro/wainwright is not the same as the local fields and shore bog paths.
This winter I've gone for grubs midline and loving them so far for all my dog walks. You make it sound like she's not a super regular hiker or got the time to break in the boots so I'd be going for maximum comfort. I've always found Salomon boots to be fantastic and comfortable right from the get go and would be a good occasional boot, being fabric they won't last as long as leather boots but for an occasional hiker could be a good option. Definitely try some on in a shop to see what fits the nicest.
Going to recommend what I said to the better half to get and she loves them. Altbergs can be picked up brand new if you want and used to be able to go into the warehouse and try on diff styles. For dog walking then I would be looking at army surplus ones but again comfy and last a good while.
My new Scarpa leather boots were bought from George Fisher's in Keswick. The assistant was superb at measuring, asking all the right questions regarding what terrain and how often I walked. I ended up with boots that were actually a size larger than the fabric (cheapo) Sprayway boots that I'd been wearing for the last 18months.
Thanks for all the replies
She popped into a few shops today and bought some trail running shoes which is what I thought when we were talking about it but she fancied boots.
I have no idea what she's bought mind you as I'm away from home and didn't ask. (I'm a man give me a break)
As mentioned above she had a link to the thread and says thanks!