[Closed] Talk to me about walking boots

*Watches with interest, as it's time for a new pair here, too.*

Once I get some SaxonRider, I will attempt to get you out into the hills.. have you ever climbed a North Wales mountain?

Nah, just the Rockies. And the Laurentians. 😉

The whats?

What did you do in the Rockies, out of interest?

EDIT just google Laurentian mountains... looks like Wales but with more trees.

I've had a pair of Meindl's for over ten years that have been superb - waterproof all day and super comfy. They're just starting to get a bit past it and I'd easily buy the same again. Don't know where they lie on the boot hierachy but they were reasonably expensive IIRC.

Only thing is they're a classic sort of big boot. I'd guess there's more modern constructions and materials that can create a much lighter boot if that was what you were after.

No need for leather.

If you're a Salomon shape, Scarpa will likely feel wide on the heel. North Face might fit though.

I use Salomon X Ultra Mid boots for three seasons on the mountains, only breaking out something a bit more robust if I'm likely to need crampons.

Big fan of Alt-berg here, but that goes back to the early 90s when the boots we were issued where crap.

Still have a pair now for dog walking/ Lakes wanderings.

Also a big fan of Lowa.

I seem to have a narrow heel and wide forefoot, many if not most boots feel sloppy on the heels.

Have also owned TNF light shoes that got used for casual, they fit well but didn't last that long.

If I am ever lucky enough to need crampons again in my life I have a very old pair of 3/4 stiffened boots in the loft that will do so that's not a big issue.

My Scarpas are [i]really[/i] comfy for extended wear, light, but very disappointing in wet conditions. Just not all that grippy.

Brashers were comfy, but the tread didn't last long.

Shop around and see whats in the sales.

I recently treated myself to a pair of leather, gore-tex lined Meindl's. I needed to get some new boots to replace my nackered Keens. The Meindl's were on offer in one of the shops in Betws-y-coed, reduced from £200 to £130.

They're quality kit, the most comfortable thing I've ever put on my feet, and I expect them to last forever

Well they'll be used in Wales, so wet conditions won't be an issue.

NOT

@binners the sole (haha) review of the Keens on Go Outdoors said the soles were very slippery in the wet - did you find that?

I got some Karrimor cheap from Sports Direct. Gone for long wet walks and they've been great. My wife and our son have the Quechua from Decathlon and likewise, they've been fantastic.

They had some clearance salomon ones in sorts direct here a few months back so maybe worth a glance?

I didn't find the Keens slippier than anything else Molls. They were the pretty standard Vibram Soul. I'd have them again. They put some miles in over the years and always kept my feet warm and dry

Sports direct ^^ good call, tons of cheap stuff ta.

Had Miendl Bhutan for nearly 3 years and still.look almost new despite being worn most days for dog walking duties.

I went to Blacks and tried on as many as I could. Surprised myself by buying a pair of Berghaus, which weren't the most expensive, but seemed to fit me and were comfiest.

What did you do in the Rockies, out of interest?

Primarily Waterton Lakes:

[img] [/img]

But also around Kamloops and parts of B.C.

I have two pairs of Meindl's
The Buhtan MFS - awesome boot, dead comfy, not the lightest
Some lightweight goretex fabric ones i bought a few years back. NO idea of the model name, but dead comfy and only out of their depth in winter

SaxonRider, if you enjoyed that then you're gonna love this:

[img] [/img]

@binners the sole (haha) review of the Keens on Go Outdoors said the soles were very slippery in the wet - did you find that?

I had some keens that were poor in the wet, mainly going downhill. It was the rounded heel that caused it.

I think it was Scarpa tried a more rounded heel BITD but had to discontinue it for the same reason.

Salomon approach shoes. Unless you are intending to go out in crappy conditions

I wouldn't use a 'walking boot' at all these days in decent conditions

They're quality kit, the most comfortable thing I've ever put on my feet, and I expect them to last forever

Mine wore out after about 12 years (the foam part of the sole is disintegrating). Meindl say that they can repair them, so they'll be going back for a refurb shortly.

North Face GTX shoes are my choice, my first pair I did about 1500 miles in them including Challenge walks of 60 miles and 80 miles. My new ones I’ve down about 350 miles in including another challenge walk, no issues with blisters from either pair

Just bought myself a pair of these last week -

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/regatta-mens-samaris-mid-wp-mens-walking-boots-p409174

Comfortable, waterproof and well priced at £48. Also feel quite light, but I haven't anything else to compare them to.

I got a pair of Brasher hillmaster about 10 years ago. Really comfy but the sole did wear down - not that it made noticeable difference though. I recently bought a new pair on Amazon for £85 which is nearly half the RRP. If I can get another 10 years from this pair I'll be very happy.

The new ones are now Berghaus as they bought the brasher brand but its near enough the same and comfy straight from the box. They now have a Vibram sole so might wear less but feels like the same material. Both pairs are leather and I'd recommend this for the toughness and the ease of applying fresh wax to help keep the water out.

Decathlon have a great selection. My last pair have been brilliant.

I have a pair of Haix ex army boots for walking, cant fault them.
Them might not be flash but for wandering around in fields,woodland and what not they do the job fine.
Feel pretty solidly made and are fairly easy to get on and off.

Salomon approach shoes. Unless you are intending to go out in crappy conditions

I wouldn't use a 'walking boot' at all these days

+1

And when I do, it's big Munro days in poorer weather, multi day backpacks or snow/proper wet.

Crappy conditions such as what? Ankle deep mud is the main hazard around here 🙂 Definitely boots.

Keep an eye out for Scarpa rangers, they come in the sales for well under £80 often.
I'm using a pair & some [url= https://en.zamberlan.com/ ]Zamberlans [/url] that cost double the Scarpa's but they are both very good.

Brashers were comfy, but the tread didn't last long.

I've never had a fabric type boot that remained waterproof for any length of time. Compared to a well made leather boot (ie one piece) they just can't compete in my opinion. Saying that for anything other than walking in full on winter conditions I'd take the comfort of a lightwieght fabric boot or shoe and make do with warm 'waterproof' socks over a pair of heavy leather boots. A lot of leather boots these days come with goretex lining the same as the fabric boots. These are the worse type of boots for me. They are not as well made as the one piece type leather boots therefore rely on the lining, these are about as waterproof as the fabric ones yet nearly as heavy as the good non-lined leather ones.

Another fan of the Meindal Bhutan boot, supremely comfortable for everyday where/dog walking in the countryside duties and have a pair of Altbergs for rockier mountain walks as they’re a bit stiffer and thicker in the sole unit. Think the Bhutan’s on really rocky trails aren’t stiff enough/thick enough sole unit.

2 pairs of North Face GTX have fallen apart on me after a short time just through dog walking and regular local walks. Just too lightweight.

In contrast the Scarpa boots I've now got seem bombproof and so were the pair before them. Both also really comfy.

molgrips - Member
Crappy conditions such as what? Ankle deep mud is the main hazard around here Definitely boots.

I’ve been trundling around in some Brasher Hillmasters for 7 or 8 years and really like them. They are pre Berghaus Portugese made and fit like slippers.

Only downside is they are heavy compared to the modern stuff. In a size 10 they're almost 2kg whilst some Mammut (Raichle) approach shoes I have are under 700g.

Buying now I would get some fabric or leather mid weight mid stiffness boots, whatever feels best in the shop.

Decathlon for cheapness, very good value if they fit.
I’ve got some Zamberlan boots that are lovely but they sure weren’t cheap.

[img] [/img]
Although they now seem to have ditched the speed laces for traditional ones.

You want traditional, fully-stiffened, one-piece leather, full depth, walking boots with a full steel shank. I bought mine back in the 1980s and they're still going strong. Once they'd broken my feet in, which only too four or five years, they became almost bearable to wear. You also need Norwegian rag wool socks and a pair of liner socks. Sure they're heavier than more modern, lightweight boots, but how many of those will still be going strong in two decades time? My nan was buried in hers. HTH.

I can heartily recommend meidl boots. I've got odd shaped feet but plenty of half sizes and width fittings. Incredibly well made and robust - I'm very heavy on boots and after 5 years of regular use mine still look like they have many years lest in them. Not the cheapest (go outdoors usually have a good stock and will price match -10%), and not as light or flexible as fabric / nu-buck boots, but a great long term investment for 3 season walking. Stiff soles and hard foot beds though - which I like

Minor bump / thread revival / hijack. I'm a big fan of Meindl and Lowa, I really like leather boots. I've just binned a pair of Lowa gtx after many years of abuse while I realise I probably should just buy another pair of Meindl Bhutan (for that is what I want) before I do can anyone suggest any half decent cheaper alternatives?

The Lowa were awesome boots but slight overkill for lighter hiking, so back to Meindl but I'm asking on the off chance there's a similar looking, brown leather hiking boot that gets close in terms of fit and performance that doesn't cost £200?

You want traditional, fully-stiffened, one-piece leather, full depth, walking boots with a full steel shank. I bought mine back in the 1980s and they're still going strong. Once they'd broken my feet in, which only too four or five years, they became almost bearable to wear.

I used to buy those and got through a lot of compeed....

Now I do all my walking in lightweight trail shoes....

I used to buy those and got through a lot of compeed....

Now I do all my walking in lightweight trail shoes....

That's just a sign of weakness. How do you expect your feet to break in if you stick ectoplasmic gel on them? Lightweight trail shoes are all very well until you need to hammer in a tent peg on hard ground, then proper, men's boots, come into their own. I'll be disappointed if Moley caves in to modernity and buys some whispy trail slippers....

Being STW, Moley ought to fashion his own boots from a lump of oak....

FWIW I have Lowas, the 'made in Germany' ones, as does my Mrs & we love them. I would certainly look at Altbergs next time, UK company with a factory in Richmond, North Yorks. (& another in Italy I believe)

I am with KM79 on this - fabric boots simply do not remain waterproof for me no matter how expensive. Much more comfy tho. Maybe waterproof for a year or so. Want a proper waterproof boot it needs to be leather. If you are prepared for a bit of water to come in after a year or twos use fabric boots are great - really comfy.

Thats my experience. I do a lot of trekking in Scotland tho so its not just walking in the rain - its trudging thru swamp and wading rivers in them!

My current selection of boots are an old pair of 3/4 shank zamberlain leather boots. 100% waterproof after years of use, a pair of Salomen fabric boots - waterproofing lasted one years use but it does take a wile for it to leak ( this is the seond pair - the first replaced under cuarentee)and a pair of Merril Moabs that I had imported from the states as the US ones have no goretex membrane - these have no pretence to waterproofing - I got them for use in hot climates so my feet wouldn't sweat.

Recently I have also had Salawa boots - very very comfy but didn't even last a year until they leaked

For traditional leather boots, Anatom are worth a look, think they're uk designed - bought a pair a few months back to replace some 90s Brashers (the modern equivalent has a different last). Pity is I didn't find them last year, I'd already bought some (leather) Hanwags (worth looking at too), which are fine for the steeper/rockier stuff I do with some mates, but a little high/OTT for wearing all day on holiday or general rambles - whereas the Anatoms are beefier than the older Brashers and could have doubled up duties. Cotswold are pretty decent at sorting the right fit out, esp the branch in Betws y Coed. Couldnt find any Meindls that fit my feet, fwiw.

They're quality kit, the most comfortable thing I've ever put on my feet, and I expect them to last forever

[img] [/img]

http://www.meindl.co.uk/products/desert-fox1

If I’m going walking where I know it’s going to be wet, I’ll wear my Muckboots.

Really happy with my salewa mountain trainers which I bought early this year. Most comfortable set of boots I have owned.

Being STW, Moley ought to fashion his own boots from a lump of oak....

Oak? You're having a laugh. Fairly traded bamboo is lighter, more flexible and less prone to cracking. The whole oak thing is so 1800s... just saying.

I generally 'walk' in trail/approach/fell running shoes, walking boots generally reserved for crappy conditions or hikes at the more rugged end of the scale

I have a pair of Meindl Burmas that are about 9 years old and the sides of the sole are disintegrating. Trip to the Alps last year in them, probably their last outing

Replaced them with a pair of Scarpa SLs. It's tricky trying to find a pair of leather boots without a waterproof liner!

benp1 - Member

I generally 'walk' in trail/approach/fell running shoes, walking boots generally reserved for crappy conditions or hikes at the more rugged end of the scale

I'm the same, perfectly happy with brooks cascadia and merrell moab for general walking and scrambling about but two of the routes to the nearest village (walking) are extremely wet and muddy. One option is to go along the river bank, the other is a right of way that is regualrly used by farmers/cattle so it's often ankle deep in mud.

There's also a small mountain range I've earmarked for photographing but if you pretty much have to traverse deep bog to get anywhere near the hills.

[img] [/img]

The North Face boots ..couldnt tell you which model but they are leather & suede constructed , waterproof , icepick toes , wintergrip, primaloft ..comfortable as owt and have never let me down ..getting on a bit now ..but still plenty of life in them..
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[url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/156204930@N03/37063158803/ ]20171016_135048[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/156204930@N03/ ]Neil Hodgson[/url] - [url= https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dariogf.flickr2BBcode_lite ]Flickr2BBcode LITE[/url]

I've got some of the Adidas Swift R GTX that Colournoise posted. Purchased mine to wear for the 3 peaks challenge I completed in March this year, they were fantastic! Also took them on Holiday to New Zealand in July and pretty much lived in them whilst there. Very comfy, like wearing a nice pair of trainers. Really impressed with them.

mobes - what is the ankle support like? I keep turning one of mine so need some new boots with decent support and like the look of these

I've read a few articles basically debunking the ankle support thing with boots and suggesting it's more to do with the heel cup.

I've read a few articles basically debunking the ankle support thing with boots and suggesting it's more to do with the heel cup.

Yep, I've walked & scrambled all over the place in trail shoes, and never noticed a lack of ankle support. Used to fell run everywhere in Walshes, which were about as low and unsupportive as you can get.

I've read a few articles basically debunking the ankle support thing with boots and suggesting it's more to do with the heel cup.

I've given up using boots for the majority of my walks, Salomon fast hike or approach shoes for me. I also have Adidas and Saucony trail running shoes that are great for faster work, but I prefer the tougher more stable Salomons for slower paced walking.

If you really need a boot how about these bad boys:

[img] [/img]

Not cheap mind.

Walking shoes are great but I hate wearing them with waterproof overtrousers, much prefer the fit of boots with overtrousers.

If you really need a boot how about these bad boys:

Looked at those, they look like they won't breath very well. I have Rab Scree gaiters I use with trainers, and they don't half make your feet sweat.

[img] [/img]

I've read a few articles basically debunking the ankle support thing with boots and suggesting it's more to do with the heel cup.

Makes a lot of sense. No matter how lose or tight, or how stiff or flexy they are, I never feel boots give an significant increase in ankle support. Might be my ankles though.

Yeah never occurred to me either but makes sense when you think about it?

So then, narrow fitting boots with good heel cup support, light, sturdy, waterproof, under £100, moon, stick, go!

If you don't mind something a bit heavier and sturdier then Haix "Cold Wet Weather" British Army boots are amazing. Mine were £60 unissued (new).

My pair replaced a £180 pair of Mammut GTX something or others that were a little lighter and a bit springier in the sole but fell apart after a year of gentle use. In fact I've got a pair of £40 Dickies work boots which have been treated horrendously and they have far, far outlasted the Mammuts.

25% off on www.adidas.co.uk today.... guess who just bought a pair of the shoes recommended above!

I like boots, prefer them to shoes on rough stuff.
Even if the ankle support is a placebo and I don't think it is, I like having my ankles protected.

Love Brasher & the Berghaus clones for fit (wiiiide), get mine from a place that does returns and refurbs for the big brands.
Brasher soles last about 2 years, cheaper to buy a new refurbished pair than have them resoled.
The uppers softens a bit too much for me even the toe box, the only downside.

Also picked up a new pair of Hanwags new from the same place, leather lined, stitched sole etc.
Beautiful things, (and less than half price 🙂 ).
Bit heavier than modern boots, but I get the feeling they'll see me out.

On the boot weight/stiffness argument

http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2017/10/some-thoughts-on-lightweight-flexible.html