Walking boots...

Hi,

I'm quite into hill and mountain walking and eventually invested in a pair of Meindl Burma Pro after years of using my old combat boots. They were quite pricey but definitely, definitely worth it if you plan to walk on a regular basis. I don't think I'll be buying another pair of boots again. Prior to the Meindl I bought some Karrimor hiking boots and they were absolute gash! - The insole and the wadding (neither of which seemed to have been correctly installed during production, ended up piling around the toecap on my decent and one of the 'speed lace' clips came off after about 10 hours of use. Personally, I think a lot of the hughstreet type brands have dropped their standards to compete with one another in the shops. A bit like Nike / Reebok etc. in the sports world.

Regards, Sam
 
TCWOS said:
Hi,

I'm quite into hill and mountain walking and eventually invested in a pair of Meindl Burma Pro after years of using my old combat boots. They were quite pricey but definitely, definitely worth it if you plan to walk on a regular basis. I don't think I'll be buying another pair of boots again. Prior to the Meindl I bought some Karrimor hiking boots and they were absolute gash! - The insole and the wadding (neither of which seemed to have been correctly installed during production, ended up piling around the toecap on my decent and one of the 'speed lace' clips came off after about 10 hours of use. Personally, I think a lot of the hughstreet type brands have dropped their standards to compete with one another in the shops. A bit like Nike / Reebok etc. in the sports world.

Regards, Sam
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Totally agree about the lowering quality of some well known brands, I believe Karrimor is now owned by that nice Mr Ashley.

My last pair of Salomons became porous after two years, Meindl shoes seem fine for now. Bought a pair of boots in Mountain Warehouse as a short term stop gap, two winters on and they are still going strong.
https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/f...field-waterproof-vibram-boot-p9112.aspx/brown
They were half price when I got them (usually are) and had a code for another 20% off, very good value for about fifty five quid.
 
Eloise said:
Generally I would agree with you about Doc Martins, but depending the level of terrain they might be better than other shoes for some people.
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Indeed. Most people don't go mountain climbing in them. I walk quite a few miles and most of it is over soft ground and footpaths. My primary concern is comfort and my Doctor Martens are some of the most comfortable boots I have ever worn and I have spent a lot of money on 'real' walking boots in the past.

So what if the soles wear out a bit quicker? They will just get replaced a bit more often.

And if I find them to be the best sort of boot for me, no amount of facts, specifications or opinions make any difference.

Just to annoy the 'walking boot purists' these aren't standard Doctor Martens, they are steel toe capped working boots!


Steve.
 
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lightshipman said:
Cotswold outdoor don't just employ sales persons, some of them are foot consultant/ specialist, I have got a bad case of plantar faciatus, and they certainly helped with the shoes.
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My Lad works for them. They have detailed sales training, have product specialists, have good discount rates so they can have the kit and know about it in real life. Good company and products/advice.
 
The mountain warehouse in Nottingham has shut down
 
ChrisHeathcote said:
There's one up at J28 and we do now have a Go Outdoors and Ultimate Outdoors too
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Oh yeah I just meant that possibly the whole business had gone bust
 
Mark twiglet said:
Oh yeah I just meant that possibly the whole business had gone bust
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According to Daily Telegraph article let month they had record sales over the festive period.

They are another brand I would consider good for the money; concentrating on the basics.

PS. @tijuana taxi is correct ... Karrimore is owned by Mike Ashley.
 
tijuana taxi said:
I believe Karrimor is now owned by that nice Mr Ashley.
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Karrimor as was is no longer in existence. The original company from Haslingden went bust a few years back. The name lives on, but it's like a lot of famous names from the past...they are no longer what they became famous for. Think Hygena, Schrieber, TVR etc. The name has a value and can be sold on even though the products are now manufactured under a different regime and in a different place.
Also KIMM continued after the upheaval but was resurrected as OMM.
Karrimor originally started out many, many years ago as a manufacturer of cycle saddlebags before they became the outdoor behemoth that was ultimately too big to control.
 
I would agree you definitely need a good pair - do not go with wellies! I have a paid that I've had for ages now - can't remember the make though. I'll have a look later on and report back. Very happy with them though, evecellent when going out and about "off road" with the camera!
 
Chipper said:
My feet are completely different sizes - more than the norm - and these folk will work hard to get it right. I also had a lot of help from Taunton Leisure in Bristol and they made my existing pair work better - result!
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whats the difference, mine are 1 size difference and I tend to always struggle also but never found a solution
 
mickledore said:
Karrimor as was is no longer in existence. The original company from Haslingden went bust a few years back. The name lives on, but it's like a lot of famous names from the past...they are no longer what they became famous for. Think Hygena, Schrieber, TVR etc. The name has a value and can be sold on even though the products are now manufactured under a different regime and in a different place.
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OK I'll bite. TVR as a company is alive, under new ownership. Started with a pulling together a huge parts service for the existing models and a servicing dealer network. There's a new car in the pipeline, Gordon Murrey designed, ford V8 engine, tuned by cosworth...
 
mark4183 said:
whats the difference, mine are 1 size difference and I tend to always struggle also but never found a solution
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I guess the fact that you haven't found a solution is the difference. Super feet - different type from those I had; different lacing method - one I had never seen before.
 
I've seen a few people mention about going into store to try some on... can't beat it.

I have quite wide feet and bought the Scarpa evo R Gtx (sock fit). Fantastic boots, been used and abused daily, still comfortable as ever and still no leaks. When trying them on, you want it so your toe won't hit the end of a boot going downhill and your heel won't rub going uphill. I normally tighten my laces well near the ankle to help pull my heel back in place.

Although I've only had them about 18 months I fancy trying a pair of Meindl Vacuum boots. Excellent build quality. My other half has Meindl Bhutans and is very pleased so far.

I personally don't like welly type boots, surely you don't get much support?

Haven't read all posts so far so not sure if it's been mentioned. Go outdoors do price match and beat by 10% so if you like a pair in there, find them cheaper online and show them the link/website. I've saved a lot in the past and had no problems price matching with them.

Just saw above posts on Cotswold outdoor. Also fully recommend them. They always seem to take extra care and time to make sure boots are perfect. Also another vote for Bridgedale socks. Last ages and very warm and comfortable.
 
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+1 to Cotswold Outdoors too... and if you happen to have National Trust membership you get 15% off.
 
Eloise said:
+1 to Cotswold Outdoors too... and if you happen to have National Trust membership you get 15% off.
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Never knew that. Could have saved a fair few ££ in the past. Thanks.
 
I've got a pair of Meindl Burma Pros. i bought them to do the Three Peaks Challenge in 7 years ago and they've never given me blisters or leaked. They cost £180 before discount at Cotswold Outdoors but they checked my feet, kitted out the insoles to match. They've cost me less than £25 per year so far so i'd say buy the best you can and they should last (a bit like lenses!)
 
I thought cotswold outdoors was just one big shop, I see they have numerous shops, closest to us is bakewell, I take it every shop has fully trained people. Could be the end of my wife hating walking boots and just wearing trainers,which doesn't help lax joints! And some issue of pain on the underside of the foot.
 
As others have said in this thread, the best boot for you will depend on the shape of your feet. I bought a pair of Meindl several years ago and just couldn't get on with them (I found my heel tended to lift slightly in them when walking) but I have a pair of Zamberlan that I doubt could fit my feet better if I'd had them custom made. Both seem to be good quality, well-made boots, it's just that one of them is better suited to my feet. Also, I find sizes can often differ between makes these days, if you need an 11 in one make you might need a 10.5 or an 11.5 in another to get a good fit... and that's if they make half sizes in the model you like (which can be quite frustrating if you've set your heart on a certain design and make)!

My suggestion? Visit a few specialist outdoor clothing shops (wearing the same type of walking socks you'd normally wear) and try on some different makes of boot and get a good-quality pair that fit your feet properly, and take your time doing this (I hate shopping for clothes and footwear, so this part is a challenge for me!). Remember, if they don't fit properly and comfortably in the shop they aren't normally going to get any better if you take them home and start using them, no matter how much you might like the look (or price) of them; so buy with your feet and head, not your eyes and heart! That's how I ended up with a pair of bright red Zamberlan boots, not my preferred choice of colour to be honest, but my feet love 'em, and as long as they're happy all day then so am I! (y)
 
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Ive just brought meindl bhutan and got say there spot on....
 
tijuana taxi said:
I stand by my comment that Doc's are not a suitable recommendation for a walking boot hence the reason shops such as Cotswold don't sell them.
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Have to agree. I've had my DMs since I was 18 and for round town I still wear little else. But for any form of rough terrain then well fitting walking boots are just so much better and support your foot properly
 
tijuana taxi said:
They are comfortable for around town, towpaths and that sort of thing, but nigh on useless for serious walking, sole is far too soft and uppers offer little support or protection.
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Spot on.
 
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