Walking boots short list and avoid list?

[Scabutz]

Hashtaggggg said:

The best boots to buy are the ones that fit you.

The ones to avoid are the ones that don’t.

Not forgetting that corrects socks are also important.

Yes!

Its the one time where going to a proper shop rather than buying anything of the internet is a good idea. It's also especially worth using the little slopes they often have as a boot that feels good on the flat often feels very different up and down hill.

[dhutch]

Yes. Buying boots, shoes, etc online is foolish game.

[andyxxx]

I walk 2-4 miles with the dog every day.
I have never had a pair of walking boots.
I am a keen runner and always walk in my nice quality (Saucony) running shoes.

They fit nicely, grip nicely, last well and my winter ones are warm and waterproof.

Is there a good reason I should look at walking boots instead?

[Stuart70]

andyxxx said:

I walk 2-4 miles with the dog every day.
I have never had a pair of walking boots.
I am a keen runner and always walk in my nice quality (Saucony) running shoes.

They fit nicely, grip nicely, last well and my winter ones are warm and waterproof.

Is there a good reason I should look at walking boots instead?

No

[FiF]

andyxxx said:

I walk 2-4 miles with the dog every day.
I have never had a pair of walking boots.
I am a keen runner and always walk in my nice quality (Saucony) running shoes.

They fit nicely, grip nicely, last well and my winter ones are warm and waterproof.

Is there a good reason I should look at walking boots instead?

It depends on the territory where you walk. On our dog walks I always wear boots simply because of uneven surfaces and benefiting from better ankle support and decent tread for muddy / loose surfaces.

I also have some Merrell Moab shoes, though think they were described as low boots and they just don't provide enough support. Funnily enough even though they appear to have a decent sole, if you're on a rocky path they aren't stiff enough and after a few miles just not comfortable.

Just to divert slightly and update my previous moan about the life of what were then my latest Scarpa Delta Activ GTX boots with the failure of the heel midsole, they've now been chucked after only 1200 miles, along with the identical previous pair that were still going after 5000+ but were now no longer completely watertight. Replaced them with some Scarpa Ranger II Activ GTX, still the same BD last, Vibram sole, but a different mid sole. Just as comfortable, performing well, no sign of issues and cheaper too.

[The Mad Monk]

andyxxx said:

I walk 2-4 miles with the dog every day.
I have never had a pair of walking boots.
I am a keen runner and always walk in my nice quality (Saucony) running shoes.

They fit nicely, grip nicely, last well and my winter ones are warm and waterproof.

Is there a good reason I should look at walking boots instead?

Yes.

[g7orge]

The Mad Monk said:

andyxxx said:

I walk 2-4 miles with the dog every day.
I have never had a pair of walking boots.
I am a keen runner and always walk in my nice quality (Saucony) running shoes.

They fit nicely, grip nicely, last well and my winter ones are warm and waterproof.

Is there a good reason I should look at walking boots instead?

Yes.

Yes and No

[Trikster]

Hashtaggggg said:

Not forgetting that corrects socks are also important.

Very much this; great boots with the wrong socks can be painful too...

[dhutch]

Maybe?

Running shoes have different requirements, usually lighter more flexible soles, often less durable, often not waterproof, often more expensive, ankle support.

I have
- Walking boots (long walks, wet weather, rough ground)
- Trainers (good sole, waterproof in this instance, easy to put on an off.
- Skate shoes (flat sole, low and wide, ok for biking in and a house slippers, poor grip on mud)
- Downhill biking shoes (really soft stick tread, on a really stiff supportive sole, for use on spiked flat pedals)
- Running shoes (light weight, breathable, tested on a treadmill in the shop, decided to try running a bit)
- Work boots (couple of pairs, steel toe caps, steel mid-sole on some, often leather to heat resistant, cheap usually)
- Work shoes (formal black leather shoes for work, some with stiff soles for site trips/bike, some lighter build clark 'unstructured' one)
- Smart casual shoes (formal brown leather/nubuck for evenings out and the like when brown is the call of the day, ms likes them)

Once your feet have stopped growing, within reason, why not!

Daniel

[PositronicRay]

g7orge said:

The Mad Monk said:

andyxxx said:

I walk 2-4 miles with the dog every day.
I have never had a pair of walking boots.
I am a keen runner and always walk in my nice quality (Saucony) running shoes.

They fit nicely, grip nicely, last well and my winter ones are warm and waterproof.

Is there a good reason I should look at walking boots instead?

Yes.

Yes and No

It's a muddy wet weather thing, boots for winter, walking shoes for summer.

[red_slr]

I generally wear Merrells they are IMHO the best for the money.

Solomon are also good but I don't own any at the moment quests are good.

Make sure you are putting the boot on correctly and doing the laces up correctly.

[RicksAlfas]

dhutch said:

Yes. Buying boots, shoes, etc online is foolish game.

Or, as the chap in our local hiking shop was lamenting... "people" go into his shop, try on all the boots, walk up and down the little slope, and then go home and buy online.

[Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area]

andyxxx said:

I walk 2-4 miles with the dog every day.
I have never had a pair of walking boots.
I am a keen runner and always walk in my nice quality (Saucony) running shoes.

They fit nicely, grip nicely, last well and my winter ones are warm and waterproof.

Is there a good reason I should look at walking boots instead?

For those kind of distances you’d be better of with a pair of good quality wellies - I walk our dog in a mixture of trail running shoes and Aigle Parcour ISOs which covers all bases.

[popeyewhite]

PositronicRay said:

g7orge said:

The Mad Monk said:

andyxxx said:

I walk 2-4 miles with the dog every day.
I have never had a pair of walking boots.
I am a keen runner and always walk in my nice quality (Saucony) running shoes.

They fit nicely, grip nicely, last well and my winter ones are warm and waterproof.

Is there a good reason I should look at walking boots instead?

Yes.

Yes and No

It's a muddy wet weather thing, boots for winter, walking shoes for summer.

Yes, walking boots are better for winter's deep mud in fields (if you do that sort of thing) and shouldn't move about like wellies do. So more 'enthusiastic' walking is possible.

[dhutch]

RicksAlfas said:

Or, as the chap in our local hiking shop was lamenting... "people" go into his shop, try on all the boots, walk up and down the little slope, and then go home and buy online.

Yeah, while is super short sighted.

I do look up online prices while in the shop sometimes, some will price match, but trying locally and buying online is a dick move.

When I bought my running shoes I was there over an hour, on gait analysis on the treadmill, testing shoes on it. Sold for £120, about £15 more than online. bargin.


Daniel

[Phil.]

I went to a hiking specialist recently and was fitted for an Altberg. All I have had since is pain so I gave up on them and bought something completely different and relatively new to the hiking scene from Hoka. Bought them for around £130 and they’re the most comfortable boot I have ever worn. Lightweight too. Mine are the grey ones:

https://www.hokaoneone.eu/en/gb/men-mountain/sky-k...

[ChocolateFrog]

Brasher Lithium GTX were absolute crap, they leaked and I engaged with the company to try and sort it out and didn't get anywhere so would never buy their stuff again.

Currently got some Meindl's not sure on the model but the none Goretex leather ones, they're brilliant. Over 10 years old and apart from the sole wearing a bit smooth now making them lethal on wet grass I'd buy another pair tomorrow.

[andyxxx]

dhutch said:

Yeah, while is super short sighted.

I do look up online prices while in the shop sometimes, some will price match, but trying locally and buying online is a dick move.

When I bought my running shoes I was there over an hour, on gait analysis on the treadmill, testing shoes on it. Sold for £120, about £15 more than online. bargin.


Daniel

Quite. If somebody is good enough to advice me and provide me a good service I am happy to pay shop price.
(2nd pair may well be online)

[JonChalk]

Phil. said:

I went to a hiking specialist recently and was fitted for an Altberg. All I have had since is pain so I gave up on them and bought something completely different and relatively new to the hiking scene from Hoka. Bought them for around £130 and they’re the most comfortable boot I have ever worn. Lightweight too. Mine are the grey ones:

https://www.hokaoneone.eu/en/gb/men-mountain/sky-k...

Having put 1200/1300 miles on my Hoka Tor Summits, have just got a pair of their Sky Toas.

They are fantastic, but primarily because I have joint problems with my big toes and find Hokas are the only trainer or walking shoe/boot that alleviate the pain most other shoes and boots create when walking distances.

the only reason I'm changing them at all is that the grips are worn off on the Tors - they are still in fantastic condition otherwise.

[dartissimus]

I'm on my fourth pair of Aku, both boots & shoes, top gear