Walking boots short list and avoid list?

[Ructions]

PositronicRay said:

I replace my boots annually, current pair of merrell's due now. If I could only find the name of them I'd order another pair online.

Why would you replace your boots annually? I do a hell of a lot of walking on all types of terrain and usually get about five years out of a pair. I find it can take a couple of months to break them in properly. I’m on my second pair of 4D-GTX, great, light weight boot.

[Mr-B]

Another vote for Berghaus, got some boots had them for years and they are really comfortable.

[popeyewhite]

LeadFarmer said:

I found the Salomon 4D GTX to be a very slim fit, too slim/tight for me.

Salomon running shoes are similarly thin.

[Ayahuasca]

Went through two lots of Altberg - but they let themselves down with rubbishy mild steel eyelet rivets that rust from the inside out unseen until they break. Avoid.

My go to boots are American mil-spec Altama jungle boots. Cannot fault them.

[PositronicRay]

Ructions said:

PositronicRay said:

I replace my boots annually, current pair of merrell's due now. If I could only find the name of them I'd order another pair online.

Why would you replace your boots annually? I do a hell of a lot of walking on all types of terrain and usually get about five years out of a pair. I find it can take a couple of months to break them in properly. I’m on my second pair of 4D-GTX, great, light weight boot.

30-50 (weather dependant) miles per week. Not hard terrain, farm land and woods it can be muddy, I've tried all sorts of brands from cheapo to mid range, none last much more than 12 months.

I prefer a textile over leather. I've a pair of berghaus hillmaster, seem solid but get very little wear because they feel cumbersome.

The uppers go 1st on most of my boots, just where your foot flexes. I think spending 2 months breaking a pair in would rack me off too!


ETA, I'd love to find a pair of boots that'd be comfortable and waterproof over a 5yr period, I've tried and failed.

Edited by PositronicRay on Monday 18th February 08:46

[AlfaPapa]

boxedin said:

Mothersruin said:

My current crop of footwear that I'd wear in the hills - I maybe have quite a few (I've also a set of high Alpine boots somewhere).

Two pairs of Salweas!

That was exactly my first spot.
I love my Salewa Mountain Trainers, I've got two pairs to alternate (one to clean, one to wear) as I'm out almost every weekend. The only times I don't use them are if I'm mostly going to be on rocky paths and it's nice and warm or I'm going to be in crampons. They've take a good battering and still feel like slippers that are stiff enough to edge in, sticky enough to scramble but also light and waterproof.


It's all been said, but the best boots are those that fit YOU best.
Each make has a different shape and style, what suits one person may not suit another. Just try on plenty and be sure you have *enough space in them for when your feet are all big and tired and swollen near the end of a day. Look after them, keep them clean and proof them regularly (I use Scarpa H12 cream liberally) there's no reason they shouldn't last you.

[Peanut Gallery]

boxedin said:

Go to cotswolds outdoors, outside ( hathersage ) a decent outdoor shop etc.

Try on everything.

Shout out to Cotswolds Outdoors shop in Aberdeen U Square, I was there for at least an hour to get the first pair, wore them around the office, noticed the next bit where it was digging in, took them back, tried the next, and so on. By the time I had finished I had a fairly thick pile of receipts. (And to be fair the price had crept up)

Brilliant service, never complained, always had time to help out.

[soad]

Ayahuasca said:

My go to boots are American mil-spec Altama jungle boots. Cannot fault them.

Roughly 50 quid? Cheaper than most leather police/army boots...

[The Mad Monk]

Peanut Gallery said:

Shout out to Cotswolds Outdoors shop in Aberdeen U Square,

I have a flight to Aberdeen booked for tomorrow to look at their boots.

In the meantime, is there anywhere nearer than 550 miles away?

[PositronicRay]

The Mad Monk said:

I have a flight to Aberdeen booked for tomorrow to look at their boots.

In the meantime, is there anywhere nearer than 550 miles away?

I suspect (from the name) that Cotswold outdoors aren't exclusive to Scotland.

[anonymous-user]

popeyewhite said:

Scarpa are very comfortable and hard wearing.

keirik said:

2nd vote for altberg.

Had a pair of all weather hogs for 20 odd years. Still waterproof

Altberg cost 10x more than most boots, so they should last 20 years. If you can get them second hand though... .

20 years and still in excellent condition. Used throughout the winter as motorcycle boots on a daily basis.

Sometimes you get what you pay for.

Edited to add I believe I paid about £100 originally. Sounds cheap to me now

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 18th February 10:31

[Tim-D]

One out of left field and well within budget bates patrol boots... Very lightweight, comfy and tough... Good enough for our forces and many others too.... Have yet to wear out pair after 2 years of weekly use...

[glenrobbo]

OP, have you considered these?

[RicksAlfas]

I'm on my second pair of Asolo boots and really like them, but they might not be comfortable for you at all.

You've got to try various boots on. You can use recommendations for wear/grip/waterproofness but fit is a very personal thing. Go to a decent outdoor shop which has a good range and have a good walk about in them.

[pherlopolus]

I have a pair of Field and Stream boots I bought from Dick's Sporting Goods when I was heading out quad biking for the day when I was in North Caroline. Had them for probably 10 years and they are the most comfortable piece of footwear I own, cool in summer and warm in winter and waterproof to about 5" of water. I can wear them for 10+ hours a day (they are a bit bulky thought). not so good in ice/snow but the ability to climb a muddy 45deg bank is epic.

Trying them on will be an issue, but Amazon ship them internationally - https://www.amazon.com/Field-Stream-Silent-Tracker...

[ecsrobin]

Tim-D said:

One out of left field and well within budget bates patrol boots... Very lightweight, comfy and tough... Good enough for our forces and many others too.... Have yet to wear out pair after 2 years of weekly use...

Bates are brilliant and I’ve been up many a mountain in my old boots however the sole eventually came off mine.

However for walking I much prefer my scarpas to the Bates boots.

[Peanut Gallery]

The Mad Monk said:

Peanut Gallery said:

Shout out to Cotswolds Outdoors shop in Aberdeen U Square,

I have a flight to Aberdeen booked for tomorrow to look at their boots.

In the meantime, is there anywhere nearer than 550 miles away?

I suspect the Inverness or Fort William shop will also help out! - plus remember to book multiple flights to take them back without any complaints!

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/stores.html

[popeyewhite]

keirik said:

popeyewhite said:

Scarpa are very comfortable and hard wearing.

keirik said:

2nd vote for altberg.

Had a pair of all weather hogs for 20 odd years. Still waterproof

Altberg cost 10x more than most boots, so they should last 20 years. If you can get them second hand though... .

20 years and still in excellent condition. Used throughout the winter as motorcycle boots on a daily basis.

Sometimes you get what you pay for.

Edited to add I believe I paid about £100 originally. Sounds cheap to me now

Edited by keirik on Monday 18th February 10:31

Think you'll find walking boots receive considerably more punishment than bike boots. And the case for Altberg bike boots is even slimmer when all you need is waterproofness and protection. My bike boots cost above £45 a few years ago and are fine.

[Faust66]

I’d heard good things about Altberg… so I ordered a pair of Field and Fell (took them 3 months to arrive as they don’t get many calls for 15m boots!).

I’m a bit disappointed with them to be honest. They are a lightweight boot and don’t offer much ankle support – I walk 40+ miles a week so they get a good amount of usage. The quality is evident and the fit is good, but for some reason I’ve just not ‘bonded’ with them. Real shame as I’ve always wanted some Altbergs.

My Lowa Combat GTX are far, far superior for rough terrain. Don’t think I’ve ever worried about turning an ankle wearing them… and that’s something the Altbergs have made me very aware of.

I’m planning on walking the South West Coat path this year (if funds allow) so I want a good pair of boots to cover the 630 miles… I’ll be taking the Lowa pair rather than the Altberg.

[popeyewhite]

PositronicRay said:

I'd love to find a pair of boots that'd be comfortable and waterproof over a 5yr period, I've tried and failed.

Tried Lowa?