Advise needed on walking boots

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Ravinder

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Ravinder Bindra
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Hi Guys

I'm looking to buy a good pair of walking boots that I can wear when I am out and about in all conditions. I need something that will help me walk on different terrains including some light hill walking, but would also like them to be waterproof. Mostly, for going out taking pictures. I don't want to break the bank either as I don't have a lot of money. What do you recommend? Many thanks. Ravinder.
 
For light use a pair of Saloman hill pass gtx boots work very well for me
 
I went into outdoor world wanting a pair on offer and tried on about 10 pairs, had feet measured and profile taken and ended up with a pair of Mammut GTX's - Gortext and very nice to wear. Having a large choice and time to try on is key.
 
How many times does this get repeated? Everyone's feet are different and all boots are different. The boots for you are the ones that are a comfortable fit and are fit for the task you have in mind for them, not the pair that someone else finds comfortable. Sorry but I wear walking boots all the time and have the feet from hell, so it's a bit of an obsession of mine. Since you know exactly what you want your boots to do, go to one of the better outdoor stores (Taunton Leisure, Cotswold Outdoor, or whatever the equivalent is where you are) and they will be able to point you in the right direction. Don't settle for anything that isn't comfortable in the shop. Modern boots need no breaking in and if they're not comfortable from the word go they never will be. Sounds like you need something mid range. Cheap is a false economy - I had a pair of cheap boots that stayed waterproof about 6 months - but at the same time the top end of the range is your more specialised mountain boots that you don't need. Any proper walking boots will be waterproof, but will need some maintenance to keep the outer in good condition. Get advice in the shop you buy from for the type of boots you buy (leather/fabric or all leather).
 
I've had some trespass boots for some years now and they've been great.

Also had some of decathlon own walking shoes and they survived Norway and are still going.

Cheap doesn't always mean bad.
 
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just go try loads on and find a comfy set, i have lowe renegade and much as they are good they are quite rigid still after 4 years they just don't seem to to want to break in.
sports direct do a wide range of budget shoes that looked quite good when i was in there earlier this month.
 
Aldi have some on offer at the moment for £19.99
 
Jannyfox said:
How many times does this get repeated? Everyone's feet are different and all boots are different. The boots for you are the ones that are a comfortable fit and are fit for the task you have in mind for them, not the pair that someone else finds comfortable.
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The same can be said of every single consumer item available.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking the opinions of others.
 
I bought a pair of Scarpa from Cotswold for that purpose. Fantastic - waterproof, really soft and fit like a glove. They're so easy to get on and off they just slide off when the laces are undone - pretty handy when they're caked in mud and you're trying to get into the house - no mad hauling and bashing to get them off :-)
 
Steer clear of "a blister within 2 miles or your money back" Brasher boots. Although I think Berghaus bought them out.
 
Don't know what price range you are looking at.. but I swear by Meindl's.... Pretty much Lynton Proof and can pretty much tackle anything - other week i was in 5" mud rescuing daughter who thought she could walk through it, quick clean when dried out and good as new..
 
DorsetDude said:
Steer clear of "a blister within 2 miles or your money back" Brasher boots. Although I think Berghaus bought them out.
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They are still made in china, or korea, or somewhere else in the world that does it extremely cheap. They (Brasher & Berghaus) USED to be great boots, no more.
 
Jannyfox said:
How many times does this get repeated? Everyone's feet are different and all boots are different. The boots for you are the ones that are a comfortable fit and are fit for the task you have in mind for them, not the pair that someone else finds comfortable.
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This, 100%.
 
biggest advice i will allways say as well about walking boots is wear proper walking socks, especially seamless ones.
 
Peter Storm from Milletts have worked well for me for the last 8 years, and were very cost effective. The one weakness is in the rubberised fabric of the tongue, where the rubber coating has begun to flake off in places, reducing waterproofing effectiveness.
 
ancient_mariner said:
Peter Storm from Milletts have worked well for me for the last 8 years, and were very cost effective. The one weakness is in the rubberised fabric of the tongue, where the rubber coating has begun to flake off in places, reducing waterproofing effectiveness.
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i saw the perter storms the other week whil looking for a pair of boots for the wife and they looked really good.
we ended up with a pair of soloman boots for her at cotswold outdoors for £70 which fitted her very wel due to a low back which seems to e very comfy for her.
 
Salomon suit some feet but not others. I've owned one pair (picked up as a 'bargain') and was glad to give them away because they weren't comfy, but some swear by them. IME Cotswold are relatively expensive, but one may get good advice.
 
ancient_mariner said:
Salomon suit some feet but not others. I've owned one pair (picked up as a 'bargain') and was glad to give them away because they weren't comfy, but some swear by them. IME Cotswold are relatively expensive, but one may get good advice.
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my wife has odd shaped feet to the point she does wear orthotics to correct an arch in her regular boots, she found the solomons good to the point she doesnt need the orthotics, also they had a low back which she finds very comfy, they were also reduced to £70, bonus.
 
strumstrum said:
ive never had a bad pair of Merrell, they fit my feet well.

trying different brands is the key, find a brand that suit.
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They always fit me well to, but have you had issues with quality? The last couple of pairs I've had had real waterproofing & quality issues with the uppers
 
Best advice is to go to a proper boot shop and get fitted properly. buy once and buy correctly and you wont make an expensive mistake. Everyone's fit are different but some boots that fit yours not someone else's !
 
At the risk of getting slated for this... I got mine from sports direct!!! Yes, I hate the shop, but wanted a pair for when I need to go a bit 'off road', normally taking pictures. Not masses of walking or hiking so got Karrimor boots for just over £30.
 
As long as they fit properly and do the job, for £30 you can't go too far wrong!
 
I've a pair of Karrimor myself, they're fine for my needs which are not long hikes in rough terrain.
 
I had Karrimore a few years back, bought to go hiking in Thailand. I ended up putting a foot into a river we were crossing and the insole then slid down into the toes of the shoes as I walked, causing discomfort. If you never get wet feet then they'll probably be OK.
 
Don't mess about with cheap walking boots buy yourself a pair of "brasher boots" last for years and as comfy as hell.
 
I bought a pair of Meindl boots just over 10 years ago and having seen only light use they are still in great condition, very comfortable with great ankle support and waterproof. They cost me about £120 in a Go Outdoors sale. I'd definitely buy Meindl again.

I've had a fair few pairs of everyday shoes from Merrell and although I really like them and find them comfy I've been disappointed with the quality in recent years. They seem to wear through much faster than they used to.
 
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