Walking boots short list and avoid list?

[magooagain]

I have recently bought some Hanwag doe skin walking boots. They were recommended to me by a pal that has a guesthouse in Bavaria.
He has three pairs.

I paid 220 euros for mine. They are extra wide for people with bunions.

Pure wool socks.

I'm very happy with them and on average I walk about 5 miles a day.

[boxedin]

Mothersruin said:

My current crop of footwear that I'd wear in the hills - I maybe have quite a few (I've also a set of high Alpine boots somewhere).

Two pairs of Salweas!

[67Dino]

Zamberlan boots and Bridgedale socks have got me up and down several high altitude peaks. Main thing is to buy somewhere that will check you fit, and then wear them in well.

Alternatively, you can just wear flip-flops as I spotted once on a training climb of Snowdon...

[bearman68]

I've got a pair of Italian Asolo boots. Great for me because I have narrow heels, and for some reason italian lasts seem to be narrow on the heels. UK stuff is flopping all over the place.
In terms of socks, I personally like to wear standard short sports socks. A weeks hiking = several pairs of cheapish sports socks, and all sorted. If it's not very winter stuff that's absolutely fine.
For more demanding days, especially on ice, with crampons etc, it's best to seek specialist advice.
In summer, I tend to prefer a pair of trail running shoes. Lighter and cushioned = less tired feet. Not great for rocks or scrambling wear I personally prefer the greater rigidity of a pair of boots, but each to their own.

[Rollin]

Lowa Renegades fit your requirements and budget. Extremely comfortable.

https://pricespy.co.uk/fashion-accessories/footwea...

[FiF]

magooagain said:

I have recently bought some Hanwag doe skin walking boots. They were recommended to me by a pal that has a guesthouse in Bavaria.
He has three pairs.

I paid 220 euros for mine. They are extra wide for people with bunions.

Pure wool socks.

I'm very happy with them and on average I walk about 5 miles a day.

They look nice, might have to investigate.

Per my what is a reasonable life for walking boots thread I have been using Scarpas for similar mileage per day, min 5 miles a day, usually more, every day, 365 days a year. First pair are to be fair now pretty much completely clapped, well over 5000 miles of use, but the newer pair starting to show the same failure points as the old pair after only 800 miles.

Which was disappointing, though the last they use really suits my feet.


Just looked at website, oooh Michelin VRough Soles, perhaps I should post them in the winter tyres thread.

[Mort7]

Another vote for Berghaus. Very comfortable, and have lasted well. I bought a size larger, and use a gel insole, and thicker socks. Works well for me.

[Mothersruin]

boxedin said:

Mothersruin said:

My current crop of footwear that I'd wear in the hills - I maybe have quite a few (I've also a set of high Alpine boots somewhere).

Two pairs of Salweas!

I like them.

One pair is almost an approach shoe with ankle support, good sticky rubber, very comfy but little lateral strength. The other pair are heavier and much more rigid - make much more sense when it's cold and stty, great with crampons.

[Anthony Micallef]

I’m not an expert but the Scarpa leather walking boots I’ve had for about 20 years have been fantastic.

[magooagain]

FiF said:

magooagain said:

I have recently bought some Hanwag doe skin walking boots. They were recommended to me by a pal that has a guesthouse in Bavaria.
He has three pairs.

I paid 220 euros for mine. They are extra wide for people with bunions.

Pure wool socks.

I'm very happy with them and on average I walk about 5 miles a day.

They look nice, might have to investigate.

Per my what is a reasonable life for walking boots thread I have been using Scarpas for similar mileage per day, min 5 miles a day, usually more, every day, 365 days a year. First pair are to be fair now pretty much completely clapped, well over 5000 miles of use, but the newer pair starting to show the same failure points as the old pair after only 800 miles.

Which was disappointing, though the last they use really suits my feet.


Just looked at website, oooh Michelin VRough Soles, perhaps I should post them in the winter tyres thread.

Mrs Magoo has bought a pair also and is happy with them. It turns out they can be re-soled when needed.

[FiF]

magooagain said:

Mrs Magoo has bought a pair also and is happy with them. It turns out they can be re-soled when needed.

Good news on re-sole potential. I checked my newer Scarpa with the local proper boot repairer, nope sorry due to the failure type throwing money away was his view.

I looked at some of the Salomon 4D GTX in Cotswolds and they advised due to composite nature of the missile midsole they too could not be repairable.

Thanks for pointing me in this direction.

Edited by FiF on Sunday 17th February 20:34

[RobDickinson]

Mothersruin said:

Go to a good boot shop and try on loads, buy the ones that fit best within your budget - ignore the brand, colour, look etc...

This. If they are not good in the store don't leave with them.

[sneijder]

FiF said:

Good news on re-sole potential. I checked my newer Scarpa with the local proper boot repairer, nope sorry due to the failure type throwing money away was his view.

I looked at some of the Salomon 4D GTX in Cotswolds and they advised due to composite nature of the missile they too could not be repairable.

Thanks for pointing me in this direction.

I’ve done around 600 miles in my 4D GTX walking the dog through the forest in Norway. They haven’t missed a beat despite being hammered. They need chains on for old snow and ice (I’ll link the ones I use). Ankle support is fantastic and I’ve never had cold feet.

https://www.xxl.no/snowline-snowline-trail-brodder...

[popeyewhite]

Rollin said:

Lowa Renegades fit your requirements and budget. Extremely comfortable.

https://pricespy.co.uk/fashion-accessories/footwea...

I've got a pair of Lowas for my winter boots. Though ankle high they're very good boots I think the year I bought them they were voted No 1 on a couple of leading hiking websites.

[anonymous-user]

I walk quite a bit in the Lakes and don't really bother with what the weather is doing, just go out anyway. I use some Scarpa (I think) Cyrus walking shoes. I've got really skinny legs and ankles, so these are below ankle and a bit lighter than full boots. They're goretex and have remained waterproof and comfortable throughout.

[ecsrobin]

As others have said a boot fit is a must. What works for me will be different for the next person.

The boss used to have awful blisters on long walks we tried all the different socks (now both settled on bridgedale with different socks depending on season) but still not a big improvement for the blisters.

I had previously had a boot fit for myself and the scarpa goretex boots I have are like trainers, I forced the Mrs to have a boot fit at Cotswold outdoors they took one look at her old boots knew exactly what was wrong and she came away with a pair of Lowas. She hasn’t had a blister in over a year!

I need to repeat the process again as I need a shoe for the summer and bored of wearing the boots through the warmer weather, as much as I’d expect a pair of scarpas to fit I’ll just get a boot fit as it’s free and gets me the best shoe in my budget.

[boxedin]

Mothersruin said:

I like them.

One pair is almost an approach shoe with ankle support, good sticky rubber, very comfy but little lateral strength. The other pair are heavier and much more rigid - make much more sense when it's cold and stty, great with crampons.

I like them too.
I'm on my 2nd pair of their mid-mountain boots. For the cold, snow/ice a pair of La Sportivas with small spikes as needed ( Grivel Ran ).

[steveatesh]

Well lots of help thanks everybody.

I’ll take the advice to spend time trying lots of pairs on and take it from there.

Appreciate everybody’s advice, thanks.

[LeadFarmer]

jpringle819 said:

Does anyone have any recommendations for boots/shoes UK size 13-14?

Altberg

[LeadFarmer]

I found the Salomon 4D GTX to be a very slim fit, too slim/tight for me.