Walking boots short list and avoid list?

[PAULJ5555]

Just bought a pair of boots they seem to stick into the top bridge of my feet when I walk, its where the toe end creases at the start of the laces when walking.

Any advice or do they just need wearing in. (Only used them once)

[Hashtaggggg]

PAULJ5555 said:

Just bought a pair of boots they seem to stick into the top bridge of my feet when I walk, its where the toe end creases at the start of the laces when walking.

Any advice or do they just need wearing in. (Only used them once)

Assuming you went to a shop and had them fitted, take them back. Different in soles or socks can make the world of difference.

They should also improve with age, but the correct fitting is key.

[DuraAce]

dartissimus said:

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

Excellent aren't they?

I won't wear anything else at the moment, have 3 pairs in use.

[popeyewhite]

DuraAce said:

dartissimus said:

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

Excellent aren't they?

I won't wear anything else at the moment, have 3 pairs in use.

They look good but I'm not convinced they're worth the premium. Ah, they're Italian. Not sure I could ever do justice to a pair of boots called "AKU Pilgrim GTX Combat" !

[The Mad Monk]

PAULJ5555 said:

Just bought a pair of boots they seem to stick into the top bridge of my feet when I walk, its where the toe end creases at the start of the laces when walking.

Any advice or do they just need wearing in. (Only used them once)

Wear them around the house for a few days, then if you need to take them back, they are still immaculate.

[DuraAce]

popeyewhite said:

They look good but I'm not convinced they're worth the premium. Ah, they're Italian. Not sure I could ever do justice to a pair of boots called "AKU Pilgrim GTX Combat" !

Having used meindl, lowa, salomon and altberg amongst others in the past I'm sold on aku.
Lightweight (ish), comfy from day 1 - no significant break in period, and waterproof (certain models only of course). They fit my feet perfectly.
Currently I have fg GTX black, mk2 ds biege and slope GTX dark grey.

You don't need to tell anyone the name of them!

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

I bought a pair of OEX branded boots from Go Outdoors
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15930760/oex-men-s-ve...
No need to wear in or wear any special socks - they just fit perfectly and are really comfortable. I've walked 60 miles in them so far with no issues (not in one go!)
They're a bit pricey for a make I've never heard of at £85, but I'm very happy with them.

[popeyewhite]

DuraAce said:

You don't need to tell anyone the name of them!

But I'd know.

[Hashtaggggg]

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

I bought a pair of OEX branded boots from Go Outdoors
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15930760/oex-men-s-ve...
No need to wear in or wear any special socks - they just fit perfectly and are really comfortable. I've walked 60 miles in them so far with no issues (not in one go!)
They're a bit pricey for a make I've never heard of at £85, but I'm very happy with them.

The point is that they fit you perfectly

[AngryPartsBloke]

DuraAce said:

popeyewhite said:

They look good but I'm not convinced they're worth the premium. Ah, they're Italian. Not sure I could ever do justice to a pair of boots called "AKU Pilgrim GTX Combat" !

Having used meindl, lowa, salomon and altberg amongst others in the past I'm sold on aku.
Lightweight (ish), comfy from day 1 - no significant break in period, and waterproof (certain models only of course). They fit my feet perfectly.
Currently I have fg GTX black, mk2 ds biege and slope GTX dark grey.

You don't need to tell anyone the name of them!

Glad others view matches what I've heard. I wanted the pilgrims (and have generally gone for military type kit in the past) because I prefer the simpler design and lack of branding compared to what you traditionally get with. I currently have a pair of YDS kestral patrol boots which were one of the approved MOD boots along side bates, alterberg, meindl etc. They have been great, especially for the cost but they are a bit on the heavy side but i'm not convinced the fit is 100% correct.

[PositronicRay]

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

I bought a pair of OEX branded boots from Go Outdoors
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15930760/oex-men-s-ve...
No need to wear in or wear any special socks - they just fit perfectly and are really comfortable. I've walked 60 miles in them so far with no issues (not in one go!)
They're a bit pricey for a make I've never heard of at £85, but I'm very happy with them.

Looks like an own brand. I have shopped at go outdoors but hate it, you need to buy a discount card to get the advertised (proper) prices

[biggles330d]

I bought a pair of Bestard branded walking shoes, made in Mallorca. Not a brand I'd heard of or I've seen in shops (bought online via one of those sportswear websites for pursuit activities). I'm mightily impressed as they are proving to be superbly comfortable and a quality boot.

[AlpineWhite]

PositronicRay said:

Looks like an own brand. I have shopped at go outdoors but hate it, you need to buy a discount card to get the advertised (proper) prices

Pretty certain it is an own brand

[OMITN]

I wonder if anyone can give me any recommendations of decent stores with a wide range of footwear in North West England.

I have real trouble buying shoes - pretty much all types (except trainers). Walking shoes are no exception. I bought a pair that fitted the best in Go Outdoors but in real life it turned out that, length aside, they’re no good. A two mile walk without plasters on my heels will result in blisters (not unusual in a lot if shoes TBH).

I don’t especially want boots - don’t need the support - but want something sturdy enough for tramping round the fields and lanes and the odd walk in the Lakes and the like.

I’m prepared to travel and, frankly, spend whatever it takes to find some footwear that fits.

Thanks in advance..!

[Arranguez]

Ambleside surely. Gaynor Sports is massive and loads of other smaller shops for other brands too.

[NewChurch]

OMITN,

Go to altberg, they will make them for you.

[ConnectionError]

OMITN said:

I wonder if anyone can give me any recommendations of decent stores with a wide range of footwear in North West England.

I have real trouble buying shoes - pretty much all types (except trainers). Walking shoes are no exception. I bought a pair that fitted the best in Go Outdoors but in real life it turned out that, length aside, they’re no good. A two mile walk without plasters on my heels will result in blisters (not unusual in a lot if shoes TBH).

I don’t especially want boots - don’t need the support - but want something sturdy enough for tramping round the fields and lanes and the odd walk in the Lakes and the like.

I’m prepared to travel and, frankly, spend whatever it takes to find some footwear that fits.

Thanks in advance..!

Altberg shop in Richmond

[OMITN]

Well that’s 2:1 so far. TBH I’d never considered Altberg as I assumed they only did hefty boots for scaling the Alps, not walking up Rivington Pike….

[ATG]

Arranguez said:

Ambleside surely. Gaynor Sports is massive and loads of other smaller shops for other brands too.

Or Keswick. It's got George Fisher (I've always found them excellent), Cotswold Outdoor (pretty good solid option) and loads of others.

There's no substitute for trying boots on and getting advice from someone who knows their arse from their elbow. The great thing about going to Keswick, Ambleside, Betws-y-Coed, or any of the other towns that are centres for outdoor activities, is that collectively the shops in each town are carrying an absolutely vast range of stock and their staff are likely to be enthusiasts who can offer proper advice based on experience. In any of those towns you won't just find a sample of the boots available from the major manufacturers, you'll find nearly their whole catalogue across the entire price range.

[ConnectionError]

ATG said:

Arranguez said:

Ambleside surely. Gaynor Sports is massive and loads of other smaller shops for other brands too.

Or Keswick. It's got George Fisher (I've always found them excellent), Cotswold Outdoor (pretty good solid option) and loads of others.

There's no substitute for trying boots on and getting advice from someone who knows their arse from their elbow. The great thing about going to Keswick, Ambleside, Betws-y-Coed, or any of the other towns that are centres for outdoor activities, is that collectively the shops in each town are carrying an absolutely vast range of stock and their staff are likely to be enthusiasts who can offer proper advice based on experience. In any of those towns you won't just find a sample of the boots available from the major manufacturers, you'll find nearly their whole catalogue across the entire price range.

Alt berg shop stocks different makes

Hence the suggestion

The best boots are the ones that fit your feet