Walking Boots.. which ones?
Discussion
Hi guys,
In the course of my work, i walk for over 5hrs every day covering 50-75 miles a week.
my weapon of choice sofar has been my trusty rockport boots. they're supportive ( no twisted ankles on ppls crap paving in there front yards ) they absorb shocks well ( jumping over walls etc ) and theyre very grippy. they also leave my feet feeling great after a days work, with no pain or any other noticeable discomfort ( unlike with trainers )
my only problem is, they're currently about as waterproof as dead badger!
and once wet, due to the winter comming along, they're wet for atleast 3 days and i have no choice but to continue wearing them... uugh ( athletes foot / fungal infection risk? )
so like an athlete, my feet and legs are the tools of my trade, what would the masses recommend for footwear?
bullet points
In the course of my work, i walk for over 5hrs every day covering 50-75 miles a week.
my weapon of choice sofar has been my trusty rockport boots. they're supportive ( no twisted ankles on ppls crap paving in there front yards ) they absorb shocks well ( jumping over walls etc ) and theyre very grippy. they also leave my feet feeling great after a days work, with no pain or any other noticeable discomfort ( unlike with trainers )
my only problem is, they're currently about as waterproof as dead badger!
and once wet, due to the winter comming along, they're wet for atleast 3 days and i have no choice but to continue wearing them... uugh ( athletes foot / fungal infection risk? )
so like an athlete, my feet and legs are the tools of my trade, what would the masses recommend for footwear?
bullet points
- waterproof
- sturdy
- comfortable
- light
- grippy
- hard wearing
As usual with shoe recommendations, go to a specialist shop (independent outdoor place near you if there is one) and try one a few boots. Having a good fit for your feet is more important than having a particular brand.
For waterproofness it's either leather or Goretex (or I think HiTec have brought out an alternative).
For waterproofness it's either leather or Goretex (or I think HiTec have brought out an alternative).
I do a fair amount of hill walking but as this hobby evolved over time I started with a cheap pair of HiTecs, and when they ran out replaced with the same make, a waterproof pair and a dry pair.
Now looking to replace these and their new light weight waterproofs feel very good and are lighter than my dry boots.
Now looking to replace these and their new light weight waterproofs feel very good and are lighter than my dry boots.
I favour Merrells. I have a pair similar (but older) to these:
http://www.fitnessfootwear.com/p-1906-merrell-cham...
However if I was working in wet environments day-after-day, I'd be tempted to have a couple of pairs of boots so one can be drying while you wear the other.
Full range here:
http://www.merrell.co.uk/en-GB/Shop/Gallery.aspx?A...
http://www.fitnessfootwear.com/p-1906-merrell-cham...
However if I was working in wet environments day-after-day, I'd be tempted to have a couple of pairs of boots so one can be drying while you wear the other.
Full range here:
http://www.merrell.co.uk/en-GB/Shop/Gallery.aspx?A...
I have been fortunate enough to try the new Hi-Tec V-ite Ultra with the Ion Mask technology - basically they make the boot and then shoot ions(?) at the whole thing which seals it up so it is watertight.
So far I have been very impressed, no water ingress at all and no sweaty feet syndrome like you get in GTX.
They are also very comfortable, but this is just the fit and constriction nothing to do with the waterproofing. Best thing is to go to a specialist outdoor shop where staff have qualification in boot fitting so they can pick something that will fit your foot.
Best made brands just now are Scarpa, Meindl, aSolo, Brasher. Hi-Tec also have a very good quality record given the pricepoint of their boots. I would avoid Raichle, Salomon or Columbia, all have poor quality control and tend to use cheap materials.
Remember at the end of the day it's all about comfort!
So far I have been very impressed, no water ingress at all and no sweaty feet syndrome like you get in GTX.
They are also very comfortable, but this is just the fit and constriction nothing to do with the waterproofing. Best thing is to go to a specialist outdoor shop where staff have qualification in boot fitting so they can pick something that will fit your foot.
Best made brands just now are Scarpa, Meindl, aSolo, Brasher. Hi-Tec also have a very good quality record given the pricepoint of their boots. I would avoid Raichle, Salomon or Columbia, all have poor quality control and tend to use cheap materials.
Remember at the end of the day it's all about comfort!
rhinochopig said:
Ignore the make advice, buy what fits your foot from a specialist shop - try on as many as possible. That is the only advice that you should listen to.
^ Please take this advice!(Although Scarpa, Merrell, Salomon, Meindl are a few brands worth looking at.)
If you'll be wearing them all day, every day, you'll want something light. Don't get anything too stiff unless you need the support. Gore-Tex XCR lined boots would probably suit although High-Tech have managed to get exclusive licence on some new nano technology that looks ace!
[AJ] said:
rhinochopig said:
Ignore the make advice, buy what fits your foot from a specialist shop - try on as many as possible. That is the only advice that you should listen to.
I'd agree with this, except the part about ignoring the make - however you won't go wrong with Scarpa, Salomon, Raichle, Meindl etc.Definitely go to a specialist shop, and tell them what you want the boots for and take it from there.
For what it's worth, I'm on my second pair of Salomons (GTX type) and they are ace. Very well constructed and very waterproof.
[AJ] said:
rhinochopig said:
Ignore the make advice, buy what fits your foot from a specialist shop - try on as many as possible. That is the only advice that you should listen to.
^ Please take this advice!(Although Scarpa, Merrell, Salomon, Meindl are a few brands worth looking at.)
If you'll be wearing them all day, every day, you'll want something light. Don't get anything too stiff unless you need the support. Gore-Tex XCR lined boots would probably suit although High-Tech have managed to get exclusive licence on some new nano technology that looks ace!
The last pair I bought was in 1990 in Austria.
Ended up with a pair of Dachstein Sympatex boots.....finally threw then out last year after 17 years sevice. Definately a quality product!
I ended up having a long chat (and trying quite a few pairs) at Snow and Rock earlier this year before I attempted the 3 Peaks challenge. I found for me the Scarpa range fitted best and they were fantastic in the shocking weather we had. Coudln't recommend them more but as the others say depends on your feet.
ApexJimi said:
I'd agree with this, except the part about ignoring the make - however you won't go wrong with Scarpa, Salomon, Raichle, Meindl etc.
Definitely go to a specialist shop, and tell them what you want the boots for and take it from there.
For what it's worth, I'm on my second pair of Salomons (GTX type) and they are ace. Very well constructed and very waterproof.
The thing is some makes have a certain shape to their last, which suit different shaped feet. These days, you also actually struggle to buy a poor pair of walking boots. That is why you really should go on fit first - sadly it's usually the case that the pair you like the look of are the ones that hurt, and the ones that look like disability shoes are the ones that fit like a glove.Definitely go to a specialist shop, and tell them what you want the boots for and take it from there.
For what it's worth, I'm on my second pair of Salomons (GTX type) and they are ace. Very well constructed and very waterproof.
Edited by rhinochopig on Wednesday 17th September 10:17
I wore out my Scarpa SL's (700+ miles) before I broke them in.
They never ever became properly comfortable. Too inflexible, so suffered from heel lift, yet they were always on the snug side.
I'd advise against getting 3/4 seasons unless you really need to wear crampons.
Got some cheapie Goretex Karrimor ones now and they're so much more comfortable.
Only problem is the footbeds are a bit thin so they're not as cushioning as they could be underfoot.
They never ever became properly comfortable. Too inflexible, so suffered from heel lift, yet they were always on the snug side.
I'd advise against getting 3/4 seasons unless you really need to wear crampons.
Got some cheapie Goretex Karrimor ones now and they're so much more comfortable.
Only problem is the footbeds are a bit thin so they're not as cushioning as they could be underfoot.
Definitely seek advice from a specialist shop as they will know what is best for you and your feet. For what it is worth I bought a pair of Karrimor Goretex boots for a 3week exped that I took part in back in 2001. The exped was in Peru and I still use the boots now. Again though, you cannot go wrong by getting advice from people who are likely to have done hundreds of km's of walking.
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff