All you walkers... boot choice
Discussion
I've been walking in the Brecons today and have, after 10 years, reluctantly decided to get some new boots but I need some advice.
I bought some full leather, goretex, Berghaus boots 10 years ago that have lasted 10 years with barely any appreciable wear. The sole is just starting to seperate from one small area of the boot on my right foot but after what must be 1000's miles walking I'm not disappointed. They have worn exceptionally well.
So, when I bought these, Berghaus was top of the game but I appreciate things have moved on and there are, frankly, loads of (to me) unknown names out there now in my price range - £120-£180.
I do a lot of moor/tor/hill walking and would have a preference for full leather, 1-piece type as my mind tells me they are more waterproof than fabric/hybrid material types. Am I right or have the hybrids moved on to match the durability of full leather boots?
What boots do you recommend for walking on Dartmoor/Brecons/Exmoor - i.e variable surfaces (hard/soft) and needing good grip (slippery, wet granite etc). Considering how my boots have lasted I normally wouldn't hesitate buying another pair of Berghaus but things have moved on so much I'm worried they may have been by-passed by newer technology or the brand might have been relegated as happens so often...
Thanks!
I bought some full leather, goretex, Berghaus boots 10 years ago that have lasted 10 years with barely any appreciable wear. The sole is just starting to seperate from one small area of the boot on my right foot but after what must be 1000's miles walking I'm not disappointed. They have worn exceptionally well.
So, when I bought these, Berghaus was top of the game but I appreciate things have moved on and there are, frankly, loads of (to me) unknown names out there now in my price range - £120-£180.
I do a lot of moor/tor/hill walking and would have a preference for full leather, 1-piece type as my mind tells me they are more waterproof than fabric/hybrid material types. Am I right or have the hybrids moved on to match the durability of full leather boots?
What boots do you recommend for walking on Dartmoor/Brecons/Exmoor - i.e variable surfaces (hard/soft) and needing good grip (slippery, wet granite etc). Considering how my boots have lasted I normally wouldn't hesitate buying another pair of Berghaus but things have moved on so much I'm worried they may have been by-passed by newer technology or the brand might have been relegated as happens so often...
Thanks!
I'm very happy with my North Face boots bought 3 or so years ago. Goretex uppers and vibram soles. Have used them for a couple of walking holidays in the Lakes and a long weekend in New York. Very very comfortable.
Annoyingly I ended up buying two pairs and combining them as the L of one pair and the R of the other pair had faults in the stitching that rubbed - so maybe their quality control isn't up there.
I know people will b
h about NF being the Burberry of outdoor wear but I've found their stuff to be good.
Annoyingly I ended up buying two pairs and combining them as the L of one pair and the R of the other pair had faults in the stitching that rubbed - so maybe their quality control isn't up there.
I know people will b
h about NF being the Burberry of outdoor wear but I've found their stuff to be good.Very happy with my Meindls. Survived -27C in Nova Scotia, then knee deep in snow in Montreal followed by +110F in Arizona, walked 500 miles (ok, that was probably just the karaoke), still wear them ever other day.
Comfortable as the proverbial wossnames.
Comfortable as the proverbial wossnames.
Edited by Famous Graham on Saturday 27th February 23:27
Thats the thing thing, when I was really into walking in the late 90's it was Berghaus, North Face, Lowe Alpine etc.
Now it's Brasher, Scarper, Meindl and a whole host of other names that all seem to get rave reviews at the expense of the more 'known' brands.
As I said, if Berghaus had the same quality now - or better - as when I bought my boots then I'd just go and buy another pair but if they've reduced quality for lower price then, no.
Now it's Brasher, Scarper, Meindl and a whole host of other names that all seem to get rave reviews at the expense of the more 'known' brands.
As I said, if Berghaus had the same quality now - or better - as when I bought my boots then I'd just go and buy another pair but if they've reduced quality for lower price then, no.
Sorry guys, you all replied within minutes.Meindl for me, uber comfortable. They got me through the Trailwalker (100km in 24 hrs non stop) with no sign of cold/wet/chaffe/blisters. Key is really, get them fitted probably and any of the top names will do the job.
I have another set of Karrimor, and they are only slightly worse than the Meindl, but they fit well and so are also comfortable for a slightly cheaper price.
I have another set of Karrimor, and they are only slightly worse than the Meindl, but they fit well and so are also comfortable for a slightly cheaper price.
Famous Graham said:
Take the raved brands (as I did with Meindl), and then, as MChicane says, get along to Tiso's,Black's etc and try them on. A decent shop will watch your movement, much like a proper sports shop, recommend, and give you the option to come back after a week or so and swap.
That's exactly what I'm after if I'm honest.In the last couple of years I've been getting a re-occuring pain in the back/middle of my right knee when walking downhill for long periods and want to make sure my it's not my 'walk' that's causing it.
Last year after Exmoor it was agony and I could hardly walk after the knee had rested (during the drive back to the cottage) but today it's barely noticeable after a more intensive climb/descent.
remedy said:
Famous Graham said:
Take the raved brands (as I did with Meindl), and then, as MChicane says, get along to Tiso's,Black's etc and try them on. A decent shop will watch your movement, much like a proper sports shop, recommend, and give you the option to come back after a week or so and swap.
That's exactly what I'm after if I'm honest.In the last couple of years I've been getting a re-occuring pain in the back/middle of my right knee when walking downhill for long periods and want to make sure my it's not my 'walk' that's causing it.
Last year after Exmoor it was agony and I could hardly walk after the knee had rested (during the drive back to the cottage) but today it's barely noticeable after a more intensive climb/descent.
you won't get the best prices but a trip to Ambleside will see you in the best boots. Missus was in the same position as you 6 months ago- she tried on 20 pairs of boots before finding the right ones:
Brashers- absolutely zero stability- get the boot sole in your hands and twist the boots- Brashers are like cheese! People seem to love them but they really aren't very well made
Zamberlan- complete opposite- old fashioned boots- very very very stable platform- too much for most
Raichle- bought a pair for me about 18 months ago as they had an excellent rep- just don't even go there- soles breaking up, seams leaking, build quality very depressing
Scarpa- some of them looked and felt very very well made and seemed very very comfy- didn't like the lack of leather though- its all very good saying that gore-tex are guaranteed to keep you dry- but they aren't the same as leather- don't absorb sweat etc etc
Salomon/berghaus etc etc- much of a muchness and fine for summer work imo- not that strong, but not dreadful- usually a step up on Brashers though! Don't expect them to last 10 years if you use them hard (ie for quite a few months a year).
Meindl- what SWMBO bought in the end- and after half a year she's over the moon with them. She bought a pair of Burma MFS boots- full leather upper, outer and lining. They have never caused blisters even when breaking in- the build is phenomenal truly impressive- double stitched, heavy leather etc etc.
The Meindl;s are the ONLY boots we saw that looked like the could last us 10 years. Whilst they cost £170 or so, they are better value than spending £90 every 3 years like we have been doing. Meindl also seem to be one of the few manufacturers that can still properly re-sole and re-line boots when they wear out.
I need a new pair soon, and will get a pair of Meindl's probably- BUT does anyone know of another boot manufacturer that i could also try that are built to the same standard?
Brashers- absolutely zero stability- get the boot sole in your hands and twist the boots- Brashers are like cheese! People seem to love them but they really aren't very well made
Zamberlan- complete opposite- old fashioned boots- very very very stable platform- too much for most
Raichle- bought a pair for me about 18 months ago as they had an excellent rep- just don't even go there- soles breaking up, seams leaking, build quality very depressing
Scarpa- some of them looked and felt very very well made and seemed very very comfy- didn't like the lack of leather though- its all very good saying that gore-tex are guaranteed to keep you dry- but they aren't the same as leather- don't absorb sweat etc etc
Salomon/berghaus etc etc- much of a muchness and fine for summer work imo- not that strong, but not dreadful- usually a step up on Brashers though! Don't expect them to last 10 years if you use them hard (ie for quite a few months a year).
Meindl- what SWMBO bought in the end- and after half a year she's over the moon with them. She bought a pair of Burma MFS boots- full leather upper, outer and lining. They have never caused blisters even when breaking in- the build is phenomenal truly impressive- double stitched, heavy leather etc etc.
The Meindl;s are the ONLY boots we saw that looked like the could last us 10 years. Whilst they cost £170 or so, they are better value than spending £90 every 3 years like we have been doing. Meindl also seem to be one of the few manufacturers that can still properly re-sole and re-line boots when they wear out.
I need a new pair soon, and will get a pair of Meindl's probably- BUT does anyone know of another boot manufacturer that i could also try that are built to the same standard?
Edited by pugwash4x4 on Saturday 27th February 23:58
The only issue i had with my mindel mountan boots was in the end the mid sole broke up and when i spoke to the local blacks store the said they could not be resoled , the upper was fine and they still would not leak despite being treated like wellies !
When i went back to the place i bough my first pair he told me they had now changed the sole design because they found the mide sole broke up eventualy ! the new ones had been re-designed so this would not happen any more , so looks like 10 years use at least for this pair.
Mine are the high leg hunting boots probably to high for general walking but are very stable and keep you warm and dry , highly recomended.
Keith
When i went back to the place i bough my first pair he told me they had now changed the sole design because they found the mide sole broke up eventualy ! the new ones had been re-designed so this would not happen any more , so looks like 10 years use at least for this pair.
Mine are the high leg hunting boots probably to high for general walking but are very stable and keep you warm and dry , highly recomended.
Keith
Keithp said:
The only issue i had with my mindel mountan boots was in the end the mid sole broke up and when i spoke to the local blacks store the said they could not be resoled , the upper was fine and they still would not leak despite being treated like wellies !
When i went back to the place i bough my first pair he told me they had now changed the sole design because they found the mide sole broke up eventualy ! the new ones had been re-designed so this would not happen any more , so looks like 10 years use at least for this pair.
Mine are the high leg hunting boots probably to high for general walking but are very stable and keep you warm and dry , highly recomended.
Keith
the independant that the missus used was quite categoric that any boot couled be sent back to the factory for resoling/relining and the meindl website backs that up. one of the reasons why Blacks etc don't always offer value for money- they don't always know what they are talking about!When i went back to the place i bough my first pair he told me they had now changed the sole design because they found the mide sole broke up eventualy ! the new ones had been re-designed so this would not happen any more , so looks like 10 years use at least for this pair.
Mine are the high leg hunting boots probably to high for general walking but are very stable and keep you warm and dry , highly recomended.
Keith
pugwash4x4 said:
Keithp said:
The only issue i had with my mindel mountan boots was in the end the mid sole broke up and when i spoke to the local blacks store the said they could not be resoled , the upper was fine and they still would not leak despite being treated like wellies !
When i went back to the place i bough my first pair he told me they had now changed the sole design because they found the mide sole broke up eventualy ! the new ones had been re-designed so this would not happen any more , so looks like 10 years use at least for this pair.
Mine are the high leg hunting boots probably to high for general walking but are very stable and keep you warm and dry , highly recomended.
Keith
the independant that the missus used was quite categoric that any boot couled be sent back to the factory for resoling/relining and the meindl website backs that up. one of the reasons why Blacks etc don't always offer value for money- they don't always know what they are talking about!When i went back to the place i bough my first pair he told me they had now changed the sole design because they found the mide sole broke up eventualy ! the new ones had been re-designed so this would not happen any more , so looks like 10 years use at least for this pair.
Mine are the high leg hunting boots probably to high for general walking but are very stable and keep you warm and dry , highly recomended.
Keith
Mobile Chicane: I'm looking to get to a Physio and try and find out where the problem has come from - I haven't twisted or jarred it as far as I'm aware and am annoyed it's crept up on me!
I can walk up hill or on flats for ever and not feel anything but downhill and I'm screwed.
I had 1 walking pole out today coming down Cribyn (with one pole in reserve) - maybe that is why it's feeling better than last year?
Back on boots:
Meindl seem to have a good rep then. I might take my boots into Cabot Circus (Bristol) tommorow and have a word with the various walking shops there.
My vote goes for Scarpa. I've had my Mantas almost 8 years, still in great condition and easily the most comfortable boots I've worn.
As others have suggested though, try lots of makes, as some will always be more comfortable than others. Decent socks also make a huge difference!
If you're having problems with your knees, I'd also recommend a pair of walking poles, as they really helped me (two very bad knees here!)
As others have suggested though, try lots of makes, as some will always be more comfortable than others. Decent socks also make a huge difference!
If you're having problems with your knees, I'd also recommend a pair of walking poles, as they really helped me (two very bad knees here!)
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