Walking boots...

Never heard of them! I always spend most I can afford on boots! I have brashers boots last few I've had! Over £115 a pair but they are good! I wear mine everyday !
 
mark4183 said:
any suggestions?
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Ones that are comfortable.

No substitute to going to a outdoors store and trying some.

You said about "long walks" what kind of length and what terrain?
 
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I think there was a similar thread on here recently. I swear by Scarpa Terra boots. Comfy straight out the box, waterproof, last a long time. I'm on my second pair, use them everyday
 
Eloise is right, you need to try some on! Basically the lasts (the forms the boots are built on) vary, and some'll fit YOUR foot better than others. Bad fit = blisters! I found Zamberlans unwearable for instance, whilst Scarpas were pretty good. Lighter boots (eg Brashers) even if all-leather won't last as long. Depends what and how much walking you do. Goretex et al are much over-hyped these days but hard to get away from - a triumph of marketing over common sense.
 
mark4183 said:
Bit of a minefield this one... I had a cheap pair of Tesco wellies and learnt the hard way that they were leaking hahaha... been thinking of getting some walking boots for a while as the wellies aren't the best on long walks.

Recently discovered Muckboots though, anyone else?

any suggestions?
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I've got a pair of muckboots, they have lasted me years.

They were recommended to me by a police dog handler. Great comfortable wellies.

In terms of walking boots, I would recommended Lowa or altberg walking boots, they will last.
 
I've just looked on website ..... I gotta say they look good
 
You were wearing wellies? Good choice. Allow you to stand in streams and cross boggy ground dry shod.
Wellies though? No. Try these.....
http://www.aigle.com/en_fr/parcours-2-iso-5928.html
A bit more pricey, but neoprene lined so your feet are warm all day long. Grip the foot so well that I need a boot claw to get them off and they have a superb tread on them so you can go almost anywhere. I've been up Lakeland hills in mine no problem. Just had two days over Snowdon and Ogwen in the snow wearing them.
These are not wellies, they are long boots. Important difference.
 
droj said:
Eloise is right, you need to try some on! Basically the lasts (the forms the boots are built on) vary, and some'll fit YOUR foot better than others. Bad fit = blisters! I found Zamberlans unwearable for instance, whilst Scarpas were pretty good. Lighter boots (eg Brashers) even if all-leather won't last as long. Depends what and how much walking you do. Goretex et al are much over-hyped these days but hard to get away from - a triumph of marketing over common sense.
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Exactly this, although my "proper" walking boots (now ~20 years old!) are Zamberlans and my day-to-day boot's/shoes are North Face. Buy for comfort on YOUR feet rather than other people's experiences, although if a few people say that "WalkBoot Pro XXPs fall to pieces after a few miles", they're probably best avoided!
 
Try before you buy as mentioned. I have a pair of regattas that cost £200

I left them at a friends when I was away on a shoot and ended up having to buy another pair similar but for £60

The £60 ones are far superior and while lot more comfortable for walking.
 
Salomon walking boots for me. I find them extremely comfortable, and very, very hard wearing. I have used them (and their walking trainers) for years :-)

Simon.
 
As others have said - get them from a decent shop. Can recommend Cotswold Outdoor (and not just 'cos my son works there) who take pride in making sure the boot fits your feet and is suitable for your requirements. They also do custom insoles if required.
 
Just had an afterthought - back to basics - before you go to try on boots (I deprecate the term 'walking boots' - I mean what else would you do in them? It parallels the term 'world music' - as if it could be from anywhere else!) - think about your sock regime! Thin sock, thick sock? Both? For anything serious (distance, ruggedness) I wear liner and outer socks. Thus whilst my normal shoe size is 421/2, my mountain boots are 44 ...
 
And as an alternative to outdoor/walking boots...

If there are any workware suppliers near you it might be worth calling in to see what they stock. Years ago I used to buy work gear in for the company I worked for and ended up buying a pair of no name that I recognised trainer style workshoes (but they do boots too) for rugged outdoor use and they're easily as good as any outdoor walking footware I've had. They're wearing better than my Salomon shoes and they seem pretty much indestructible and at a fraction of the price of the stuff you get from the outdoor suppliers. They were something like £25 (but this was 7 or 8 years ago) as opposed to the £100 or so I'd expect to pay for the usual stuff at the outdoor suppliers.

Just a thought but it might be worth looking at workware.
 
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Brasher are now owned by and branded Berghaus. I have a pair of Hillwalker II GTX. They're nice, but my old favourites are Karrimor KSB and have (thank goodness) lasted years.

My daughters and one of my sons-in-law have Scarpa boots. I like Scarpa boots, but they don't fit me properly (too narrow) so are useless for me. My other son-in-law has Salomon, again nice, but no good for me.

As mentioned above, get down to Go Outdoors, Costwold, Millets or equivalent and try some on with proper walking socks on.
 
Ive had a pair of Altberg motorcycle boots for more years than I care to remember, and theyre still looking good and waterproof. Next time Im in Richmond I will be visiting them to be sized for some high leg walking/army style boots to allow me to stand in streams etc when out walking. Not as high or versatile as wellies for dealing with deeper water, but very comfortable and long lasting.
 
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Ive recently treated my self to some barbour neoprene wellies very comfortable, very warm, i walk most weekends in them upto 6 miles +

Did a clear up shoot last week and walked easy over 15 miles in them through all sorts of rubbish and my feet were not sore at the end of it, they also didnt break the bank at 90 odd quid.
 
Scarpa Terra GTX for general walking and I have a pair of Meindl Bhutan which are more for climbing(more sturdy).

I know Cotswolds are a bit more expensive but they will take the time to measure your feet and get the correct size boot.
 
droj said:
Just had an afterthought - back to basics - before you go to try on boots (I deprecate the term 'walking boots' - I mean what else would you do in them? It parallels the term 'world music' - as if it could be from anywhere else!) - think about your sock regime! Thin sock, thick sock? Both? For anything serious (distance, ruggedness) I wear liner and outer socks. Thus whilst my normal shoe size is 421/2, my mountain boots are 44 ...
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+1
Good socks are as important as the boots.
I used to buy Brasher 4 season socks until they got took over (Brasher) and the quality dropped significantly!, best socks i've tried now are bridgedale woolfusion summit. Expensive, but once you've tried them on, you'll never want to wear any other type of sock ever again!!
I too need a new pair of boots. thinking of either Scarpa or Meindl
 
mark4183 said:
Bit of a minefield this one... I had a cheap pair of Tesco wellies and learnt the hard way that they were leaking hahaha... been thinking of getting some walking boots for a while as the wellies aren't the best on long walks.

Recently discovered Muckboots though, anyone else?

any suggestions?
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I have a pair of the Chore Hi Muckmoots, warm & very comfortable, walk 10+ miles in them with no problems ;)
 
I bought my first pair of Doctor Martens boots last year. I don't think I will ever buy anything else now.


Steve.
 
Always try on a pair of boots in the socks you're going to wear with them. Walking boots these days don't need any breaking in so if they're comfortable in the shop (go for a long walk in the shop) chances are they always will be - if they're not perfectly comfortable in the shop they never will be, so don't buy them. Don't buy on anyone else's reccomendation as everyone's feet are different and every pair of boots is different. I went to replace my 'short walk/winter shoes' boots recently and the same make I had last time no longer fits me. The likes of Millets and Go Outdoors stock more of the lower end of the market and the better outdoor shops stock more of the upper end of the market, so if you really don't know what you want be prepared to visit more than one shop. My lightweight boots will last me a year if I'm lucky, the 'proper' walking boots (currently Meindl but the last pair were Scarpa) will see 3 and a bit, but not 4. It depends how much you hammer them and in what terrain. I would never walk in anything resembling a welly but some people find them perfectly comfortable. Another vote for Bridgedale socks.
 
Steve Smith said:
I bought my first pair of Doctor Martens boots last year. I don't think I will ever buy anything else now.


Steve.
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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.
 
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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They suit me fine. I will happily walk twelve miles cross country in them.


Steve.
 
:agree: @Jannyfox
Meindl Burma Pro or Bhutan MFS best boots i ever had. Always found Scarpa's a little hard, when I went hell bent to buy some Scarpa's I wasn't really sold on the fit, the guy recommended that I tried the Meindl it was very comfortable. BUT you really must try them on, that applies to any boot, obviously you will get the deals on line but you need go somewhere and see how they fit first.
BTW that is a assuming you want a 3-4 season boot. I have trekked everywhere in mine, Mountains, Snow, with crampons or snowshoes or without you name it, they are Excellent boots, but obviously you have to ask yourself what you are going to be using them for.
 
Steve Smith said:
I bought my first pair of Doctor Martens boots last year. I don't think I will ever buy anything else now.
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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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Steve Smith said:
They suit me fine. I will happily walk twelve miles cross country in them.
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This conversation is a demonstration of why every post in this thread except mine :) (suggesting to go to a outdoors shop and try some) and anyone agreeing with it is a complete waste of time ... we all have different needs and feelings, all feel we need different support for different kinds of walking.
 
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If you find a pair of boots that fit perfectly, consider buying another pair for when the first ones wear out. My current everyday shoes are North Face ones, originally priced at somewhere over £100 but reduced to £45 (IIRC) last year at Clarks Village. Having worn them for a couple of days, I decided I needed another pair so made the 80 mile round trip to get the only other pair left in the country. Don't need them yet but have a spare pair for when I do!
 
Eloise said:
This conversation is a demonstration of why every post in this thread except mine :) (suggesting to go to a outdoors shop and try some) and anyone agreeing with it is a complete waste of time ... we all have different needs and feelings, all feel we need different support for different kinds of walking.
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You forgot to quote my earlier comment about going to a shop and trying them on along with getting expert advice

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.
 
I wear brasher walking boots, they are a little pricey but they last, they are warm, and comfy. Try somewhere like go camping, they are really helpful and stock many brands.
 
If you're walking long distances, get you're feet measured correctly and buy a proper pair of boots from a reputable shop who can make minor adjustments if necessary.
I recently purchased a pair of THESE so look at an Altberg stockists in your area.
 
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Thanks all, My aim is to get out and about doing more landscape photos this year and just want a comfy, waterproof pair of boots. The more I have thought of wellies, the more im passing on idea, yea theyre great and waterproof for rivers etc but im not planning to stand in any rivers etc and if I do, I will just take my boots off. The other thing is the ankle support that wellies offer (or perhaps lack of) so im going to have a good look around, thanks all
 
Muckmaster, had a pair for a year now and they are superb. Very waterproof, well fitting and comfortable these Linky

Bought a pair of these Saloman walking boots and best boots I've ever bought.Linky

It isn't easy as there are sooooo many different types/brands out there.

Happy shopping.

Cheers.
 
Byker28i said:
As others have said - get them from a decent shop. Can recommend Cotswold Outdoor (and not just 'cos my son works there) who take pride in making sure the boot fits your feet and is suitable for your requirements. They also do custom insoles if required.
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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!
 
tijuana taxi said:
You forgot to quote my earlier comment about going to a shop and trying them on along with getting expert advice

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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Sorry not sure if the humour I intended in my post came across. But my point was that any specific recommendation of shoe/boot may not be good for a particular person ... unlike most of their items of clothing walking boots are very individual.

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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Boots and shoes are very much a personal thing, but I bought a pair of Mammut Brecon GTX boots last year and they're fantastic. One thing I will say though is that a good pair of leather walking boots will take paddling through streams, mine do on a regular basis during daily dog walking
 
Byker28i said:
As others have said - get them from a decent shop. Can recommend Cotswold Outdoor (and not just 'cos my son works there) who take pride in making sure the boot fits your feet and is suitable for your requirements. They also do custom insoles if required.
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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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