Walking Boots (1 Viewer)

[Nightwalker71]

I recently purchased a pair of Regatta X-LT they are brilliant.
Waterproof, breathable and very lightweight (the main consideration for my feet is weight).
They cost between £65 and £75 depending where you buy them.
I would not buy anything else again these boots are that good.

Cheers

 

[captaincarot]

i've had a pair of lomer walking boots for 10 years at least. can't see me having anything else for another 10 at least.
they're still as good now as when i bought them.

 

[Amarillo]

I'll add a new name to those already mentioned - Raichle (now rebranded Mammut) excellent boots

wouldn't touch Karrimor with a bargepole unless you are on a very tight budget

 

[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

 

[llendorin]

If you're on a budget, Hi-Tec are a better option than Karrimor, to be honest. Like others have said, since they were taken over, Karrimor are just plain awful!

 

[llendorin]

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]

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]

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. :t:

 

[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.