Hillwalking boots

Just head down to Cotswold Outdoors, have a chat explain what you want and try some on.

job done, you will probably end up with one of the mid brands and take it from there.

Just be honest with what you are going to do with them, if its mainly gravel and tarmac like trails or genuine soft boggy areas and things like that. My lowe boots are fantastic on trails but a bit hard on tarmac as they have quite a stiff sole.
 
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Mr Bump said:
Just be honest with what you are going to do with them, if its mainly gravel and tarmac like trails or genuine soft boggy areas and things like that. My lowe boots are fantastic on trails but a bit hard on tarmac as they have quite a stiff sole.
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This is important. There is no point in getting a stiffer and heavier boot than you need... unless you need that stiffness etc.

Bear in mind as well that entry level / "normal" walking boots (which is what everyone's pretty much talking about) can be used for general out & about stuff, so if you ever decide you want something more technical or stiffer then you can get that then - your old boots (i.e. ones you're considering now) won't become redundant. So on that basis, make sure you get something fit for purpose - not B1 crampon-compatible jobbies or something!
 
1. Never buy a pair of boots because somebody else says they're good.
2. Never buy a pair of boots because they're in the sale.
3. Never buy a pair of boots because you like the look or the colour of them.

The *only* things that matter are that they are fit for purpose and that they are comfortable.

So go to a specialist outdoor supplier, tell them what sort of activities you want the boots for, be prepared to spend a lot of time trying different ones on (wearing your normal walking socks), and walk around in them to test the fit. Many decent outdoor shops will have an inclined ramp so that you can test how they feel when you're walking uphill or downhill, and that's really invaluable.
 
StewartR said:
1. Never buy a pair of boots because somebody else says they're good.
2. Never buy a pair of boots because they're in the sale.
3. Never buy a pair of boots because you like the look or the colour of them.

The *only* things that matter are that they are fit for purpose and that they are comfortable.

So go to a specialist outdoor supplier, tell them what sort of activities you want the boots for, be prepared to spend a lot of time trying different ones on (wearing your normal walking socks), and walk around in them to test the fit. Many decent outdoor shops will have an inclined ramp so that you can test how they feel when you're walking uphill or downhill, and that's really invaluable.
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Agreed, and I'd add another suggestion. If you're going to carry a back pack, get the store to load one up and see if it has any effect on comfort and stability, particularly going up/down an incline.
 
MartynK said:
If you're going to carry a back pack, get the store to load one up and see if it has any effect on comfort and stability, particularly going up/down an incline.
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Absolutely. I forgot that. Good one.
 
Current military boots in brown, by Lowa, Haix and Karrimor, (not the brand name, special forces old school) are available and are excellent.
I have them all but my favourite boots are Lowa hunter extreme, I have 2 pairs of them and a Lowa Tibet that's on it's last legs.
I wear nothing but boots day in, day out and for me the lowa hunter is the best.
 
My favourite boots are a pair of Karimor KSB that I must have had ten-years. Whatever else I've tried/used, the old Karimor's seem to be best for me. They will one day fail or wear out of course. I have no idea what I'll replace them with. I should add, that for some reason I really don't wear out shoes and boots, they last for ages and I usually end up throwing them out just because they're old.
 
strumstrum said:
Re: Merrell me too I have a few pairs, my fave pair refuse to die..
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Love the walking shoes - those boots look just like my Scarpas so I'll bear those in mind when I replace them. The Merrell walking shoes I wear everyday as normal shoes and last about 3 years plus, then I've worn out the tread and replace them. I think I'm on my third pair of exactly the same.
 
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