Hiking boots recomendations.

[RyanTank]

Not really sure where this topic belongs as I couldn't see a clothes/outdoors section.

So I need to find a pair of hiking/walking boots to use on rally gb this year. The builders rigger boots I usually wear have torn and tbh they play murder with my knees after being stood around for close to 14hrs a day in them. (I've tried different insoles/builders socks and none aid the aches)

So I've been considering a pair of walking boots (nothing like leaving it last minute mind) and am slightly lost on how to go, thinking of keeping it quite cheap so have been searching sports direct for pairs around £25-35. I do realise I get what I pay for but as they are solely for use during rallies I don't want to spend excessively on them.

Ideally I want them waterproof, because Wales in November is traditionally wet. The majority of boots seem to be canvas/ suede type material but still labelled as waterproof, something I'm sceptical on.
The brands I've been checking out are karimoor & gelert in my price range.

Any advice on these please? And will they actually be waterproof as they say? Or should I get a tin of waterproofing spray and give them a good coating to be sure anyway?

Ta very much.

[Notorious100HP]

I'm no expert and I suspect for this price they won't see next year's Rally GB but to give you an idea and in your price range...

Booooooooooooots

[Bill]

You're going to struggle with waterproof at that price unless they're full leather. Have a look at Go Outdoors too, as they're the discount end of the outdoor market and have quite a few options.

[TorqueVR]

Don't buy them online. Take a pair of thick socks, go to the shop and try on two or three different pairs.

[Bill]

And if you're not actually walking far buy some cheap wellies and spend the rest on a campingchair.

[PositronicRay]

A pair o £10 Dunlop wellies and some decent socks. (The socks are the most important bit)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ESFEECI?psc=...

I have some waterproof Karrimore shoes from sports direct, £30 ish. Despite being cloth/suede type material there fully waterproof. More so than the leather Brasher boots I've got.

Try before you buy, different styles even in the same brands don't feel the same. Don't fall into the trap of more expensive is better.

I would go for wellies or shoes, I don't see the advantage of boots.

[Laurel Green]

Aldi have them on special

[s6boy]

For what you are asking for then these all day everyday.
http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-ksb-skido-wal...
Had a pair 3 years ago and very comfortable and waterproof. Second year they started to split around a seam but more because they were never cleaned off and mud just dried them out. I recently bought some more expensive canvas/Goretex walking boots for a hiking holiday in Canada but whilst comfortable were definitely not waterproof and the insole was fubared after a couple of weeks. So now off to Sports Direct for more cheap Karrimors this morning!
Three things though, take the advice above and take YOUR walking socks in when trying on, and check the glued on sole is fixed all the way around the first pair I got weren't and failed straight away. Lastly please do not take the advice of wearing Wellington boots. All they will do is keep your feet dry from the outside, if you are doing any sort of serious walking/hiking and will have them on for long periods of time proper boots will always be better.

[smifffymoto]

Buy on fit not price.The best boots are ones that fit properly.

[juan king]

I can recommend Gelert horizon from sports direct, only £23. mine wave done many miles and are very comfortable and still waterproof

[227bhp]

I'm wondering how a change of footwear will stop your knees from aching....
I've got a pair of Brasher boots, which were probably out of your price range, but fitted straight away and have lasted well, waterproofed with some spray on stuff.
That may well be your problem given the time frame and cheap boots, I would recommend putting on whatever you buy and going for a long walk to see if they rub before you go.

[Squiggs]

These seem to fit the criteria
http://www.woofwear.com/for-riders/footwear/woof-w...

[RyanTank]

Thanks everyone.

Wellies & a chair aren't an option. Tried the wellies route years ago and hated it. Can't take a chair as I will be marshalling and sitting on the job is not ideal.

The reason my current boots ruin the knees is due to the fact they're builders boots with the steel midsole protection, so very solid to stand around in all day and not flexible at all for walking the stages or running to assist stricken cars. I've tried all sorts of insoles over the years and none last.

I'll pop to the shop one day after work with my thick socks and have a try of a few pairs.

Thanks for the advice and recommendations all, new to walking boots stuff and had doubts over their actual waterproofness. Nothing like getting advice from people who've actually tried and tested a pair

[bingybongy]

Got a mountain Warehouse nearby?
Go and try some on, the pair I bought were from there and they're fine.

[The Vambo]

Just bought another pair of AltBerg Defenders (MOD version of these http://www.altberg.co.uk/product/mens-warrior-aqua... ) new and with spacers and spare laces from ebay for £55.

Unbelievably good boots and now that they are standard issue kit lots of enterprising infantrymen are flogging them off cheap. Tons on ebay at at silly buy-it-now prices but auctions often finish around the £50-60 mark.

[xRIEx]

I've never got on with walking boots, they put way too much stress on my shins so I always go for approach shoes, most of which aren't waterproof. Best solution is to get any old (comfortable) boots or shoes and some waterproof socks.

[j4ckos mate]

This turns up every few months.
I utterly utterly utterly implore anyone to get these
I've had a pair for years and without hesitation I will get them for the rest of my life
For car cleaning dog walking hiking watching kids play footy in the mud
They've never leaked in water wiell paste the laces
As a product they are superb


http://www.decathlon.co.uk/forclaz-100-high-mens-w...

[teletubby]

The Vambo said:

Just bought another pair of AltBerg Defenders (MOD version of these http://www.altberg.co.uk/product/mens-warrior-aqua... ) new and with spacers and spare laces from ebay for £55.

Unbelievably good boots and now that they are standard issue kit lots of enterprising infantrymen are flogging them off cheap. Tons on ebay at at silly buy-it-now prices but auctions often finish around the £50-60 mark.

This. AltBerg are fantastic boots.

[jmorgan]

Last pair of karrimor I had were terrible. Did not know sports direct had bought them.

Why not leather and use nick wax.

Edit. Up and under in Cardiff worth a look. Price may be a bit more though.

Edited by jmorgan on Saturday 7th November 22:14

[BOBTEE]

Salomon. I have them in shoes and boots, love them and the Gore Tex ones are totally waterproof. I've also worn them to rallies, they do the job nicely!