Looking For Boots!

[NickleArse]

Hello there!

I was wondering if I could get a recommendation in regards to footwear that would do me for hiking/camping for anywhere up to 2 weeks at a time, as I plan to be doing a number of adventures (in the UK) over the next several months (and whenever I can escape from university after that) and obviously I need something that won't give out on me halfway through. Sadly, I am not as loaded as I'd like to be, so if it can be kept lower down on the budget, then fantastic but obviously I do not want to skimp out on quality.
Come to think of it, any gear recommendations are welcome.

Cheers muchly!
Nick

[Silverback]

Welcome to the forum. One bit of advice, and probably not what you were expecting.... do not skimp on boots and the right boots for you are the ones that fit. ;) What works for you wont work for me and vice versa...I have seen people with blisters so bad they required medical treatment and even stretchered evacuation due to injury caused by borrowed or ill fitting footwear

[BJ]

Welcome to the forum. One bit of advice, and probably not what you were expecting.... do not skimp on boots and the right boots for you are the ones that fit. ;) What works for you wont work for me and vice versa...I have seen people with blisters so bad they required medical treatment and even stretchered evacuation due to injury caused by borrowed or ill fitting footwear

Sound advice, They don't need to be expensive but they do need to be right for you. Try a few pairs before you buy. (take some socks with you that you will wear when you try the boots) Greetings and welcome. :welcome:

[NickleArse]

Well, thank you for the advice. I've found Magnum boots have kept my feet intact to an extent, but the ones that don't blister me to hell are the ones that are watertight as a sieve. BJ, I notice you are from Wales, I'm currently based around the Cardigan area, but am entirely willing to travel, do you have any recommendations on where I can find a nice bit of adventure and solitude?

[Silverback]

Well, thank you for the advice. I've found Magnum boots have kept my feet intact to an extent, but the ones that don't blister me to hell are the ones that are watertight as a sieve.

Gore tex socks ?

[Johnnyboy1971]

I will echo what has been said above. I wear both Scarpa and Solomons but after talking with Someone recently they prefer others for them.
I tried some Brasher in the shop and felt really comfy, first time out i was crippled. Swapped to the Scarpa and it like wearing a pair of slippers.
Heard really good things about Lowa and Altberg but you really need to try them.
I did hear a story about a guy who went to the Altberg shop and they ended up selling him some Lowa because they fitted his feet better than there own brand.

[NickleArse]

A good idea, probably. I seem to remember Timberland boots being bloody comfy and pretty waterproof, but I never really took them into the outdoors for very long, any idea what their durability is like?

[Silverback]

Was that me JB ? I'm a big Meindl fan, they are wider in the toe ox and across the foot in general, Salomons squeeze my feet and bang my toes in the toe box and i generally get bad heel lift in Scarpas causing heel blisters

[sam_acw]

Meindl boots fit me well too, but there are a few things I'd like to change about them.
I'd look for boots without hooks, just normal lace holes and also no rubber on the boot, just the sole. GOretex is not good for feet IMHO

[Kernowek Scouser]

I've walked thousands of miles in a pair of Karrimor Orkney 5's (http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-orkney-5-mens-walking-boots-182061?src=google)

Got mine in the Xmas 2011 sale, so they were a lot cheaper than them seem to be going for now, but they are still going strong a year and a bit on, so worth putting out there.

Mini review here (http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?3597-Its-been-a-sad-sad-day&p=47447&viewfull=1#post47447)

[sam_acw]

I've had my Meindls 9 1/2 years - the rubber gusset around the sole on one side split 5 years ago and hasn't been replaced yet. They let in water as a result. But the sole's ok and the leather is looking rather tired. The vibram soles have held up really well and they can still polish up okay, the sand and salt of winter here takes the toll on any winter boot though.

[Johnnyboy1971]

Was that me JB ? I'm a big Meindl fan, they are wider in the toe ox and across the foot in general, Salomons squeeze my feet and bang my toes in the toe box and i generally get bad heel lift in Scarpas causing heel blisters

Yes mate it was you. Feet are funny ole things but really need looking after. Even the weekend that we were out i still powdered my feet and changed my socks on a night. I carry two Nalgene bottles when its cold, and on a morning fill them with hot water and put them in my boots for a bit to take the chill off, then when i put them on i empty the water in my kettle and make my breakie.

[Silverback]

Feet are funny ole things but really need looking after.

yup, all the stuff about not taking boots off on long walks etc. I stop re arrange socks, I will even wash my feet and put on clean socks on a big walking day

[jus_young]

Was that me JB ? I'm a big Meindl fan, they are wider in the toe ox and across the foot in general, Salomons squeeze my feet and bang my toes in the toe box and i generally get bad heel lift in Scarpas causing heel blisters

Another Meindl convert. I spent a long time trying out various brands and fits with these coming up best. I have spent a fair time in them as I tend to wear a good pair of boots all day every day until they are well and truly knackered.

[Silverback]

Another Meindl convert. I spent a long time trying out various brands and fits with these coming up best. I have spent a fair time in them as I tend to wear a good pair of boots all day every day until they are well and truly knackered.

You can probably appreciate how much stick mine get, my last pair have been relegated to being work boots after 10 years hard labour, currently using a pair of Raichles, mainly because i got them on a whim and I cant afford anymore meindls yet

[NickleArse]

Well, karrimor and meindl seem to be the heavily recommended selections. There's quite a good place for boots near me so I'll go and check em all out. Thank you very muchly!

[Martin]

I have Meindl Borneo and Salomon GTX 3D Pro boots. The Meindl are very comfortable, very waterproof and look good. On the down side, they are incredibly heavy and I really feel the weight at the end of a long day. The Salomon are extremely light, stylish to look at and also comfortable although I agree with Sapper about my toes hitting the end of the toe box. Also, my feet got soaking wet on both days of my walk on Dartmoor this weekend. I was wearing gaiters but the ground conditions were absolutely atrocious so perhaps not a fair test. I'm going to wear the Meindl nest time out, in two weeks time, for some comparison but I know my legs will regret the decision.

Martin

[dannyreid1978]

I have these exact boots they are Lowa and I love them they are so comfy the best pair I've ever had and I've had quite a few pairs of boots but these take on everything I throw at them! I clean them and waterproof the all the time they are brilliant! But that's me they might not be what u are after, I recommend a thorough search for boots our going to be spending a lot of money on
Hope this helps

Danny

http://www.rvops.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2360&cPath=84#googlebase

[sam_acw]

I have to agree with Martin, the Meindl boots are heavy and I'm not sure if I'd buy the same again. I'd actually go for something lighter and smarter as I end up wearing them all winter.
The cost seems high - mine cost about £110 in 2003. I'm still using them now.

[peterbermingham]

Being using bates m9 gore tex boots everyday now for the last 5 months find them good only thing they take a week or so to break in also their very light on think they were £149

[andy t]

I'm not sure what boots i'd recommend but it certainly wouldn't be Meindl. I've had the burma pro for a short time now, done a few miles in them and have to agree they are very comfortable, if a little heavy, but they are my first and last pair. I've already had the soles reattached twice. This would seem to be a fairly common problem judging from what i've seen on various walking forums.

[Silverback]

I'm not sure what boots i'd recommend but it certainly wouldn't be Meindl. I've had the burma pro for a short time now, done a few miles in them and have to agree they are very comfortable, if a little heavy, but they are my first and last pair. I've already had the soles reattached twice. This would seem to be a fairly common problem judging from what i've seen on various walking forums.

Interesting....never had my Borneos re soled must be 10 years old now and they have really been given some stick

[jus_young]

I'm not sure what boots i'd recommend but it certainly wouldn't be Meindl. I've had the burma pro for a short time now, done a few miles in them and have to agree they are very comfortable, if a little heavy, but they are my first and last pair. I've already had the soles reattached twice. This would seem to be a fairly common problem judging from what i've seen on various walking forums.


Interesting....never had my Borneos re soled must be 10 years old now and they have really been given some stick

I don't have the Borneos but I have been wearing my Merrell Moab mid Gore-Tex boots http://www.merrell.com/UK/en-GB/Prod...b-Mid-Gore-Tex every day since October and they hardly look like they have been broken in.

[Under My Basha]

Asolo they are hands down the best boots I've used light, robust and comfy but with a £100 price tag isn't the most expensive but not cheap. If you do go for price over make up sure sure you have plenty of zinc oxide tape for blisters and get good socks!
Whatever you decide good luck
-Mick

[Fraser]

Well I must say Meindl are the best boot i've found in many years. I dont find them heavy at all. Sturdy! But not heavy. I have the Dovre Extreme GTX and for getting through heather and the like they are superb!

[Ranger]

What about jack pyke hunters boots? They are £100 and I was looking at them due to rugged and waterproofed look. Does any body have them?

[haytor7]

SCARPA. I always bang on about these boots, but if you ever get any you'll understand.

[tds123]

Rigger boots! I started using them when I was at sea, they're waterproof, tough as hell, steel toecaps and you can get a good pair for about £30 my current pair got left outside over winter by mistake and it didn't effect them at all, I've walked miles in them on the moors with no blisters, and can comfortably work in them all day, I'll never use hiking boots again!
12992

In 20 years I've only brought 2 pairs, and that's only because I sold the first pair to a mate!

[xWillo]

I Wear http://www.magnumboots.com/uk/cobra-8-0-waterproof-sidezip-boot-mens-womens.html
These boots are extremely comfortable, Entirely waterproof and the side zip makes getting in and out of them a breeze.
They have been discontinued now unfortunately but you can still find small / Very large sizes at about half retail price.
But overall magnum boots get a big thumbs up from me.

[happybonzo]

Interesting....never had my Borneos re soled must be 10 years old now and they have really been given some stick

Same here; I'm very pleased with mine and mine must be at least 10 old if not more.
I had a shock when I thought that I'd treat Mrs Bonzo to a pair... nearly £200 :( She has some "fabric" boots made by Salomen (spelling?) and they've worn at an alarming rate