Walking-shoe shops!!

[T40ORA]

I need to get a pair of boots, for a 100Km charity walk happening in July.

Any recommendations for good shops in East Dorset? I'm near Ringwood and Bournemouth, and Salisbury; quality of advice is more important than location though.

TIA!

[Davel]

Go Outdoors?

[ecain63]

Cotswolds sales. And can highly recommend mamut boots. Served me well in the marines and will be wearing a pair for London marathon.

[timbo48]

Try and find a shop that will let you take them home for a couple of days to wear indoors, up and down stairs etc. Five minutes, or less, around a shop floor isn't nearly long enough if you're planning a LONG walk. Plus you can get inserts for walking boots that will compensate for instep differences. There used to be a shop in Lyndhurst (opposite the Maserati dealer) that would do this. I can't swear to it but I think they moved up towards the traffic lights and around the corner onto the Cadnam road. Maybe somebody here knows? Plus decent walking socks and some "second skin" plasters on heels to help fend off blisters. HTH.

[T40ORA]

Cheers guys.

Eddie, you marathon-ing for charity? Drop me a link mate. But only if you're wearing a full pack :-)

[ecain63]

T40ORA said:

Cheers guys.

Eddie, you marathon-ing for charity? Drop me a link mate. But only if you're wearing a full pack :-)

Here you go mate:
https://www.justgiving.com/Edward-Cain

[DarkMatter]

I recommend Go Outdoors at Millbrook. I bought a pair of their own brand (High Peak?) walking boots, I wore them outside about half a dozen times and found they hurt my ankles due to their design. I didn't really expect to get a refund but to my surprise when I returned them to the store (in good as new condition) they said they have a 60 day 'comfort' guarantee. True to their work they gave me a full refund and I bought from them a pair of Berghaus boots which cost another £15'ish but are really comfortable. They also sell Brasher boots which felt very comfortable.

[BIRMA]

I've had a pair of Brasher Kamati XCR Gore-Tex boots for years now, they were as comfortable as slippers from day one and are still my favourite general boots. Worth checking out if they have them is stock.

[T40ORA]

ecain63 said:

T40ORA said:

Cheers guys.

Eddie, you marathon-ing for charity? Drop me a link mate. But only if you're wearing a full pack :-)

Here you go mate:
https://www.justgiving.com/Edward-Cain

Done!

What's your expected time?

[ecain63]

Thanks for the donation mate. You got a link?

I reckon 7hrs or so for my little jaunt!

[T40ORA]

ecain63 said:

Thanks for the donation mate. You got a link?

I reckon 7hrs or so for my little jaunt!

Not yet. Still getting to grips with the boots and training plan. Then can assess time, and start panicking! Which will go first; lilly-white feet, dodgy knees, metal hip or real hip.

I'll double it if you crack 6.5 hours. Nothing like a challenge

[T40ORA]

DarkMatter said:

I recommend Go Outdoors at Millbrook. I bought a pair of their own brand (High Peak?) walking boots, I wore them outside about half a dozen times and found they hurt my ankles due to their design. I didn't really expect to get a refund but to my surprise when I returned them to the store (in good as new condition) they said they have a 60 day 'comfort' guarantee. True to their work they gave me a full refund and I bought from them a pair of Berghaus boots which cost another £15'ish but are really comfortable. They also sell Brasher boots which felt very comfortable.

Going to visit tomorrow!

[killerferret666]

wear one pair of thin socks, then a pair of thicker socks on top.

The two socks rub against each other and not the thinner sock against your skin. Will help lower the chance of blisters.

[T40ORA]

killerferret666 said:

wear one pair of thin socks, then a pair of thicker socks on top.

The two socks rub against each other and not the thinner sock against your skin. Will help lower the chance of blisters.

Like double skin socks - but probably cheaper? OK, I'll take a selection with me. Cheers.

[ecain63]

T40ORA said:

Like double skin socks - but probably cheaper? OK, I'll take a selection with me. Cheers.

That's actually fairly sound advice right there.

[4340BB]

Hi Mate

If you make a decision on boots and want to buy them from Cotswolds then I can get 15% military discount if you want.

Ben

[T40ORA]

Well aren't I the awkward one! Went to Go Outdoors and tried on overt a dozen boots workout any fitting properly. Even the £166 Meindles (sp).

My feet are too wide and too short! Need to go back when they have new stock in. I assume all shops carry the same brands, but just in case I will try Cotswolds when I am back in the UK next weekend - and go for the 15% discount if I am lucky please Ben!

Loved the Mammuts, Meindles and Salomons but they didn't like me. One hope is Berghaus as they didn't have the next two sizes.

The hunt continues. ...

[ecain63]

I'd say have a look at Scarpa boots but in my experience you either break them in or they break you in. Worth a look though.

[T40ORA]

ecain63 said:

I'd say have a look at Scarpa boots but in my experience you either break them in or they break you in. Worth a look though.

Pretty sure I tried those. Just too tight across the front of the foot.

[mswarren]

If they are still there try Peglars in Arundel. It's a bit of a trip, but years ago when I bought some boots they were excellent. It was like Olivanders wand shop; they measured my feet in lots of places, watched me walk around and went in the back and came out with one pair of boots, they were perfect.

This was 15+ years ago though.