[llendorin]

Originally Posted by NoSpringChicken

I bought a pair of Karrimor walking shoes from TK Maxx. They looked as if they should be really good - light, well padded and with a Vibram sole. Unfortunately they were very uncomfortable and b*ggered up my heel. It still hasn't recovered properly, although my Scarpa boots support and cosset it brilliantly. No more Karrimor for me!

Ron

In fairness, I had the heel problem with a pair of Merrell shoes, which had rave reviews... Achilles Tendonitis (which is what I had) can be caused by any shoe or boot. It all depends on your foot.

That's a definite recommendation when it comes to buying walking shoes/boots. ALWAYS try them on first. Sometimes (like with me and the Merrells) you won't pick up anything wrong, but sometimes you will, and it'll save you a whole lot of cash.

[NoSpringChicken]

Originally Posted by llendorin

That's a definite recommendation when it comes to buying walking shoes/boots. ALWAYS try them on first. Sometimes (like with me and the Merrells) you won't pick up anything wrong, but sometimes you will, and it'll save you a whole lot of cash.

That's a good point. Many specialist outdoor shops will have a special ramp instore to allow you to try them on an incline and some will allow you to try the boots at home for several days indoors to check that they are comfortable. If not they will exchange them for a different pair.

Ron

[Scribbly Jack]

Originally Posted by Nickgas

Thanks for that, I'd heard since the takeover these boots weren't a patch on the old ones? Any thoughts?

I'd agree, they are very poor compared to the older versions. My wife has a pair of the old ones with the rubber rand and they are bomb proof. I kicked a pair of the newer ones off on less than a year.
I am currently using a pair of Salomon Quest 4D GTX which are outstanding. Had them well over a year (heavy usage) and although they are a little mud stained they are as good as new. Still totally waterproof, and very, very comfortable.

[hebog]

Ex army gortex boots, very light, comfortable,breathable, waterproof, and must be good as those boys live in them and do countless miles. Mine are five years old and still look like new after doing 10 to 15 miles a week in the Beacons in all weather.Thats 2500 miles. Ebay for me at £40-£60 or available from various dealers. brand new £140.

[Jaff]

Late to this old thread myself but I just wanted to say my bit now I've read it, before I bought my current Scarpa's in Aviemore last year I had a pair Trezeta's that were bought back in 2001 which were Goretex, waterproof and they lasted all that while with them hardly being off my feet as I wore them more or less non-stop cos they were just supremely comfy. In truth I've still got them and although they are in a bit of a state (the tread has worn away completely and there's a hole in one) they are still in one piece and I still choose to wear them when it's dry, simply cos they are still very comfy and easy to walk in. And the best part is they only cost me £40ish back then! Punched well above their weight and one of the best pairs of footwear I've ever owned.

What I'm trying to say is that you don't have to spend top dollar. I don't know how Trezeta stack up these days but those boots have walked many, many miles and still have some more in them yet!

[alan kennedy]

Have you thought about having them resoled? I have a pair of leather Zamberlan that are on their second treads and I'm thinking of having it done again.

Alan

[Malloot]

I not so fond of GTX. It feels to hot during spring, summer and autum. Therefore i prefer waterproofed leather shoes. After having a pair of Salomon for 15 years or something with a very high milage on them, I got a pair of Meindl borneo MFS. Quite an expensive pair, but I really love them and if they last for another 15 years, they will be quite cheap.

Due to the MFS, blisters are history. Just a perfect fit!!

[Jaff]

One final word from me on this subject. Don't forget the socks everyone! Having a good pair of walking socks is equally as important as having the right boots.

[RJM]

I don't see why one needs to wear HEAVY LEATHER BOOTS to go birding. Sneakers/Trail Runners work fine for most terrain during the Spring/Summer/Fall. Use an ankle gaiter if you expect shallow stream/snow crossings. Maybe if you are packing 20kg of gear and slogging thru the mountains/rainforest on a rainy day then even a boot like Inov-8 Roclite 288 GTX or 390 GTX and a gaiter is the most you will ever need. In Summer, I usually just wear a sports sandal.

[salticus]

As well bird watching/surveys I also walk in the countryside just for enjoyment.
I must have broad feet and when buying new boots I can immediately rule out most of the ones I see in the shops - they're just too narrow, Merrells particularly. Anyway, like most of you I've made some bad buys and successful ones. I did buy a pair of Meindls once but abandoned them after several walks - they seemed to shrivel up drastically on drying and eventually it became too painful to wear them again. I had a pair of Brashers many years ago and they were comfortable but didn't last very long. My latest boots are Keens - really comfortable. I also have an old pair of Karrimor - they were good originally but not so now, and I just use them for short walks.

[Keith Reeder]

I'm almost embarrassed to admit it (because I'm so not a "labels" bloke) but these are my current choice of footwear, and they're excellent: very comfortable from first time out, well made (the sole isn't Vibram but it seems to be as robust and resistant to wear - very grippy too); and the Goretex/DWR finish work exceedingly well.

I'm very pleased with these.

[Epsomsalt]

I paid top whack, on holiday in Ireland last year, for a pair of Merrell's. These were the worst walking shoes I have ever had. I gave them away in the end, they were so uncomfortable and bought a cheap pair of Hi-Tec shoes instead. Only problem I have with the hi-tec's is that they 'eat' boot laces.

Must be something to do with the metal 'loops' you thread them thorugh. Is seems to chaffe against the laces and after just 6 or 7 wears they break! (which is a bit of a bu**er when you are in a Nature Reserve car Park!)

Extremely comfortable, waterproof and grip well though.

[WesBirder]

Thanks for the info, guys. Very helpful.

[kurakura]

I can recommend KEEN - if you have a wide foot or like some room at the toebox. Bought my first pair 5-6yrs ago and have only been wearing KEEN since, that be shoes, sandals, boots.

[BarryH]

Just bought a new pair of Ascent 2 boots from Mountain Warehouse. Definitely one to avoid. Although the boots are comfortable, the soles, made from Vibram are very slippy on even slightly damp surfaces. It's like walking on ice.

Mountain Warehouse couldn't be bothered with a reply to any of my emails so that's another black mark against the company. I read on the internet that sometimes, Vibram soles can absorb the release jel used in the moulding process and this can cause the slipperiness.

The search now begins again for a decent pair of boots that do not cost a fortune.

[Hauki]

Mountain warehouse have a good returns policy, I would take them back and state that they are not fit for purpose.

[Bob Philpott]

Originally Posted by captaincarot

i've had a pair of lomer walking boots for 10 years at least. ................they're still as good now as when i bought them.

Same here. Ruined a 10 year old pair in Costa Rica in 2002 and replaced them with another pair, they are still going strong.

[Steve Babbs]

Originally Posted by israel

For me karrimor no more

I paid £60 for a pair of Merrells, which I never wear because I much prefer my twenty quid Karrimors. So I think it's a lot of personal taste. On the 'proper hiking boot front, I love Salomon boots - I've had a couple of pairs. But they ain't cheap, and I'd consider them OTT for lowland birding.

[Robert Wallace]

I would always recommend that you try boots and shoes on before you buy. I bought some "approach shoes" the other week and was amazed how different the various shoes felt, I ended up with a pair of KEEN.
I seem to remember being advised to try on shoes in the afternoon, after your feet have swelled naturally over the day.
The only footware I have bought off the internet are sandals and a pair of canvas "pumps".

[AlanTh]

Has anyone mentioned Brasher boots?

I used to be an advocate of fabric boots, and have worn out quite a few pairs (I do a lot of walking). For some reason, I switched to leather and found them to be much easier to clean - the mud will just wipe off. Fabric boots need a scrubbing brush to get the mud out of the fabric.

My current leather boots are Brasher and have served me very well.

Really, the boots that you buy should reflect where you will be using them. I was in Aldi a year or so ago, and they had cheap boots (with Vibram soles) - I bought a pair. I took these boots on a two week walking holiday to Crete, and I was very pleased that I did. The mountains in Crete, are made of a hard, jagged, sharp type rock - my leather boots would have been ripped to pieces.

Can anyone keep up with who owns what company when it comes to walking gear? I would recommend Brasher for a leather boot. Wellies for total waterproofing.

[Chosun Juan]

Hey Nick,

I'd recommend any of the Gore-Tex lined leather boots in preference to fabric ones.
Just choose something to meet your weight, construction, budget, and importantly "fit" preferences.

I've worn Kathmandu H2O proof (Gore-Tex) leather boots for years, which have taken me uphill and down dale all over the world.

Here's what the current iteration is like: http://www.kathmandu.com.au/Footwear...NGX_Boot.html#


Chosun

[NoSpringChicken]

I am still very pleased with my Scarpa Mistral GTX boots. I have been using them virtually every weekend all year round, summer and winter. True, they don't have to cope with really rugged terrain and I usually try to avoid wading through deep water by picking a way through the shallowest bits but they are very light and are by far the most comfortable boots which I have ever owned. I would definitely have another pair when these finally bite the dust.

Ron

[BarryH]

Originally Posted by Hauki

Mountain warehouse have a good returns policy, I would take them back and state that they are not fit for purpose.

Having contacted Mountain Warehouse about the boots having slippery soles, I was told that they were "rough terrain" boots and had less grip on normal surfaces such as tracks, paths and roadways.

They will not exchange the boots I bought even though nowhere in their advertising of the boots does it mention they are not suitable for use on normal surfaces. They are clearly "Not Fit For Purpose".

Please be aware if you consider buying anything from Mountain Warehouse.

[barry robson]

karrimor boots? Total rubbish. Bought a pair of Bodmin Weathertite off the internet because they were on offer and I needed a cheap pair of daily walking boots (I use Meindle for the heavy stuff). It said they were waterproof and they most categorically are not - they leak like a sieve and within two weeks the fabric and leather has shredded completely where it meets the toe rand, exposing the 'waterproof' membrane underneath. I contacted karrimor and was politely told to contact the retailer who would exchange them. What's the point? I'll spend more in postage returning rubbish boots than the boots are worth. NEVER EVER AGAIN. How karrimor have the nerve to sell such junk and proudly proclaim it's 'Britishness' is beyond me. It gives the country a bad name.

[Perry Grin]

Originally Posted by NoSpringChicken

I am still very pleased with my Scarpa Mistral GTX boots. I have been using them virtually every weekend all year round, summer and winter. True, they don't have to cope with really rugged terrain and I usually try to avoid wading through deep water by picking a way through the shallowest bits but they are very light and are by far the most comfortable boots which I have ever owned. I would definitely have another pair when these finally bite the dust.

Ron

Hi Ron,

How are these regarding waterproofing? I've just got back from a mornings birding, much of it walking through wet grass and I've just discovered that my Berghaus gortex boots (only 2 1/2 years old) leak like hell!

Perry