Lightweight autumn/winter walking boots

[Mick Dastardly]

Cheers lads, just bought a pair of these to take the winter weight of my go to seasonal Meindls.

https://www.merrell.com/UK/en_GB/forestbound-mid-w...

[Regbuser]

dontlookdown said:

Need a new pair of boots now the autumn is here, my old Brashers are pretty much worn out after 20 odd yrs.

Over the summer I've been walking in a fancy pair of very light North Face approach shoes, and it has made me realise that lightweight footwear is great! My boots weigh a ton by comparison, but I need boots for the winter weather.

So, any recommendations for lightweight, durable, waterproof boots with a decent cleat on the sole? I walk hills, mainly England and Wales, year round so they need to be up to that.

https://www.scarpa.co.uk/mountain-boots/charmoz-hd/

[Gad-Westy]

ecsrobin said:

Stereolab said:

I have a pair of Salewa Crow GTX-they are possibly a bit too heavy for your requirements but I absolutely love them.

Found them on Gumtree for an absolute steal and will definitely buy another pair when they fall apart.

I got a pair of Salewa approach shoes last year and after minimal use they’re falling apart, the rand is coming off, the uppers are starting to hole and the laces lasted about 2 months before having to be replaced. I won’t be rushing to get anything else from them.

Yeah. I bought some salewa boots for Kilimanjaro last year. Did about 50 miles before the trip and then Kilimanjaro itself and they were falling to bits. I’m back on a third pair of Salomon boots now instead but have Scarpa winter boots that I like and always have merrells for trainers. Must have had about 20 pairs now!

[Smint]

Not sold as a walking boot, due to steel toe caps and a steel nail proof layer in the sole, DeWalt Challenger workboot is available in brown as well as black.
https://ffx.co.uk/Product/Get/Dewalt-Dewchalbr11-5...

These really are waterproof and due to the steel midsole you won't get hurt by sharp rocks or anything else lurking underfoot, wide fitting too.

I personally preferred Challenger 2 for comfort but the later model(s) still take some beating, i wore these boots for the 30 years, not the same pair, comfortable from the first wear.

Also look at DeWalt Titanium, almost identical to Challenger sole wise but with shiny leather uppers if you prefer, again waterproof.

[MonkeyBusiness]

trickywoo said:

No love for Alt-Berg?

Absolutely! I have a pair of Tethera's. If you are into your river crossing, bog hopping, and crunching the miles on the fells, these are excellent.
Minor gripe is they are slightly heavy compared to some mentioned on this thread.

I wouldn't waste £10 on Salomons. Quality is garbage but the 2 year warranty is excellent so you'll get a new pair every few months.

[BEAMS 162]

Skechers Road Walker Arch fit boot.



Yep,they're Skechers but hear me out.

I got a pair of these a few months back now. I took a punt on them tbh, I was a bit wary thinking that being Skechers they'd possibly be more of a 'brand' buy than be a decent pair of walking shoes. But they are excellent,I dont know if they'd cope with long Snowdon-type serious treks,but they have been brilliant trekking across rough stuff when on trips down to Cornwall,off the beaten track coastal paths etc and I'd be confident they'd be a good buy for more serious stuff.Probably a little shallow on the ankle side for water crossings though,depends on the sort of terrain obviously but for middle ground walking ,no problem.
Super comfortable,waterproof so far,and I'm a size 11 with wide feet and they are bang on in my opinion,pleasantly surprised and not 'clumpy' to walk in either,the sole looks to be fitted very well,with brilliant grip. For those that want something between a shoe and a full boot,can't knock them at all.
Can't give an opinion on longevity as I say,only had them a few months but so far,so very good,I haven't gone wrong yet with a pair of these chucked in the boot of the car.

Edited by BEAMS 162 on Monday 20th November 15:12

Edited by BEAMS 162 on Monday 20th November 15:18

[RayDonovan]

I thought Sketchers were reserved for OAPs only?

[Byker28i]

Mick Dastardly said:

Cheers lads, just bought a pair of these to take the winter weight of my go to seasonal Meindls.

https://www.merrell.com/UK/en_GB/forestbound-mid-w...

I wear the trainer version of that everyday but if wet/on the beach switch to the Scarpas - Terra GTX.
The Forestbounds have proven to be excellent, really comfortable and reasonably waterproof. They need re-waterproofing after a while but I do abuse them

Edited by Byker28i on Monday 20th November 15:25

[Byker28i]

RayDonovan said:

I thought Sketchers were reserved for OAPs only?

My wife swears by sketchers for daily wear, but not for proper walking, although we have a pair in the shed for beach walking in the summer. They are out there as they stink...

[BEAMS 162]

RayDonovan said:

I thought Sketchers were reserved for OAPs only?

I'm 52,so I don't have a comeback for you If my feet are warm,dry and blister-free,that does me. At my age.....

[Byker28i]

Regbuser said:

https://www.scarpa.co.uk/mountain-boots/charmoz-hd...

AHHHH MY EYES!

Would go well with the bright orange Patagonia waterproof my son has for mountain walking, the one where you can be seen from miles away of you get into any trouble.

[CivicDuties]

dontlookdown said:

SaulGoodman said:

Merrells are certainly good. Have a look at Timberland too. I get everything from there pretty much as they always have the larger sizes. The walking boots are decent.

I can't wear Merrells unfortunately. Used to be a big fan, but they changed their lasts a few years ago and my wide feet no longer fit in them!

Wide feet, eh? Me too. I find that a pair of £50 Hi-Tec Bandera IIs, with a gel insole, are brilliant for my massive hoofs. Appreciate that the sole is probably not as grippy as you're looking for, but perhaps the brand have other offerings which might be suitable. i find them absolutely corking value for money and a brilliant fit. Last a good few years, too.

https://www.hi-tec.co.uk/products/mens-bandera-ii-...

[BEAMS 162]

Byker28i said:

My wife swears by sketchers for daily wear, but not for proper walking, although we have a pair in the shed for beach walking in the summer. They are out there as they stink...

Don't confuse these with 'normal' Skechers that Jamie Redknapp swears by to walk to the TV studio and back,they're leagues away from them.
But worth looking at for the price.

EDIT: especially as mentioned,if you have hairy wide Hobbit feet,like me.Found some come up a bit too narrow,especially if you want to wear decent socks.

Edited by BEAMS 162 on Monday 20th November 15:27

[Regbuser]

Byker28i said:

Regbuser said:

https://www.scarpa.co.uk/mountain-boots/charmoz-hd...

AHHHH MY EYES!

Would go well with the bright orange Patagonia waterproof my son has for mountain walking, the one where you can be seen from miles away of you get into any trouble.

Indeed, I got the previous iteration, which were a lot less colourful.

Great lightweight water resistant boots though; good for alpine summer, via ferrata, and English/Welsh scrambling and winter use. Wouldn't use in Scottish winter conditions though.

[v9]

Regbuser said:

Wouldn't use in Scottish winter conditions though.

Just out of interest could you say why not? I’m in the market for something that’ll take my crampons and had noticed these. I suspect they are too large for me and my feet would rattle about in them, but interesting to hear your thoughts. Not talking about front-pointing up ice walls, just scrambling up gullies and stuff. I tend to run quite hot so can make do with fairly thin insulation.

[Regbuser]

It's effin cold in Scotland in winter, with long days.
Lack of insulation - standing in deep snow on stances on north facing gulleys.
Lack of rigidity for prolonged rigid crampon use.
They're good for the other uses stated though.

Edited by Regbuser on Monday 20th November 18:42

[eliot]

BEAMS 162 said:

RayDonovan said:

I thought Sketchers were reserved for OAPs only?

I'm 52,so I don't have a comeback for you If my feet are warm,dry and blister-free,that does me. At my age.....

I'm 53 and have worn sketchers memory foam shoe for years, recently upgraded to the slip on trainers that look like they have laces - as my bending and kneeling subscription appears to have expired

[v9]

Regbuser said:

It's effin cold in Scotland in winter, with long days.
Lack of insulation - standing in deep snow on stances on north facing gulleys.
Lack of rigidity for prolonged rigid crampon use.
They're good for the other uses stated though.

Edited by Regbuser on Monday 20th November 18:42

Don’t do much serious roped stuff anymore and just need to take articulated crampons. I know what you mean about standing about and getting cold though. Done lots of Scottish winter stuff where it feels like you’re never going to be warm ever again! I try to keep moving these days to avoid all that.

[Regbuser]

v9 said:

Regbuser said:

Wouldn't use in Scottish winter conditions though.

Just out of interest could you say why not? I’m in the market for something that’ll take my crampons and had noticed these. I suspect they are too large for me and my feet would rattle about in them, but interesting to hear your thoughts. Not talking about front-pointing up ice walls, just scrambling up gullies and stuff. I tend to run quite hot so can make do with fairly thin insulation.

If you want a snug fit, then try Sportiva Trango

Edited by Regbuser on Monday 20th November 19:17

[v9]

Regbuser said:

If you want a snug fit, then try Sportiva Trango

Edited by Regbuser on Monday 20th November 19:17

Will take a look. Sportiva and Salomon fit me well. Had a lovely pair of Salomon winter boots but they eventually fell to bits. Took years of pretty hard use and a couple of Himalayan high altitude treks though before the mid-sole perished and fell to bits. Not been impressed with recent lighter weight Salomons though as I said earlier. Also have a pair of old anfibio leather Sportiva which are still going but the soles are pretty worn on the edges now. Also heavy - seem to be a steel shank and very thick leather.