Walking boots short list and avoid list?

[ecsrobin]

S2r said:

I wear boots to walk the dog, 4-5 miles every day on a mixture of footpaths and trails plus the occasional stomp across some dunes at a fairly fast pace (that's 1500 miles/year!)

Normally they'll get sprayed when new and rinsed off if they're covered in mud but apart from that, nothing. I tend to go for fabric boots as my experinces with leather ones are not great, one pair that the shop said were awesome had a ridge at the back that rubbed my achillies so badly that I could barely walk after a week.

Anyway, I'm on my third pair of Salomon 4D GTX, comfy straight from the off, quite high for a normal boot, last about 7 months and my favourite boot at the moment. I'm considering getting an old pair resoled as the standard soles seem quite soft..

I also have a pair of Lowa Zephyr and they're even taller, only worn them a few times and might take a bit of getting used to. A pair of Lowa Renegades lasted about 6 months before they leaked like a sieve and got sent back.

In the past I've had a pair of Clarkes that were pretty good for their price but they don't seem to do them anymore, some Berghaus ones that lasted well over 12 months, a pair of new Karrimore boots that were given to me had such a soft sole they got sent to the charity shop after a couple of walks and a pair of Regatta walking shoes that lasted a whole 2 weeks before falling apart.

So as I get through boots, I'm always looking for recommendations especially if they'll do the mileage !

So you’re getting less than 900 miles from your boots and think they may be soft soles. My scarpa shoes covered thousands of miles before the soles went (vibram sole) and I felt they were soft

[v8250]

S2r said:

I wear boots to walk the dog, 4-5 miles every day on a mixture of footpaths and trails plus the occasional stomp across some dunes at a fairly fast pace (that's 1500 miles/year!)

Normally they'll get sprayed when new and rinsed off if they're covered in mud but apart from that, nothing. I tend to go for fabric boots as my experinces with leather ones are not great, one pair that the shop said were awesome had a ridge at the back that rubbed my achillies so badly that I could barely walk after a week.

Anyway, I'm on my third pair of Salomon 4D GTX, comfy straight from the off, quite high for a normal boot, last about 7 months and my favourite boot at the moment. I'm considering getting an old pair resoled as the standard soles seem quite soft..

I also have a pair of Lowa Zephyr and they're even taller, only worn them a few times and might take a bit of getting used to. A pair of Lowa Renegades lasted about 6 months before they leaked like a sieve and got sent back.

In the past I've had a pair of Clarkes that were pretty good for their price but they don't seem to do them anymore, some Berghaus ones that lasted well over 12 months, a pair of new Karrimore boots that were given to me had such a soft sole they got sent to the charity shop after a couple of walks and a pair of Regatta walking shoes that lasted a whole 2 weeks before falling apart.

So as I get through boots, I'm always looking for recommendations especially if they'll do the mileage !

You might like to look here, Zamberlan are hand crafted Italian walking/hiking/hunting/mountain boots. They are always 100% comfortable out of the box and will cover many, many miles. https://www.zamberlan.co.uk/

[ConnectionError]

S2r said:

I wear boots to walk the dog, 4-5 miles every day on a mixture of footpaths and trails plus the occasional stomp across some dunes at a fairly fast pace (that's 1500 miles/year!)

Normally they'll get sprayed when new and rinsed off if they're covered in mud but apart from that, nothing. I tend to go for fabric boots as my experinces with leather ones are not great, one pair that the shop said were awesome had a ridge at the back that rubbed my achillies so badly that I could barely walk after a week.

Anyway, I'm on my third pair of Salomon 4D GTX, comfy straight from the off, quite high for a normal boot, last about 7 months and my favourite boot at the moment. I'm considering getting an old pair resoled as the standard soles seem quite soft..

I also have a pair of Lowa Zephyr and they're even taller, only worn them a few times and might take a bit of getting used to. A pair of Lowa Renegades lasted about 6 months before they leaked like a sieve and got sent back.

In the past I've had a pair of Clarkes that were pretty good for their price but they don't seem to do them anymore, some Berghaus ones that lasted well over 12 months, a pair of new Karrimore boots that were given to me had such a soft sole they got sent to the charity shop after a couple of walks and a pair of Regatta walking shoes that lasted a whole 2 weeks before falling apart.

So as I get through boots, I'm always looking for recommendations especially if they'll do the mileage !

If it is just the soles that are wearing out get them resoled:-

https://www.resoles.co.uk

I am heavy on the outer heel so have them done when required

[Nimby]

ConnectionError said:

If it is just the soles that are wearing out get them resoled:-

I always find the Goretex layer fails and shoes/boots start leaking at the front long before the soles are worn.
(Salomon, Merrell, Brasher anyway).

[sparkythecat]

ConnectionError said:

If it is just the soles that are wearing out get them resoled:-

https://www.resoles.co.uk

I am heavy on the outer heel so have them done when required

Just had a look at that site -A typical walking boot resole costs £70 + £10 P&P and then there’s the cost of mailing them to the repairers. £90ish is well on the way to a new pair of boots.

[ecsrobin]

sparkythecat said:

Just had a look at that site -A typical walking boot resole costs £70 + £10 P&P and then there’s the cost of mailing them to the repairers. £90ish is well on the way to a new pair of boots.

That’s why my scarpas are sat in a box (they cost less from the outlet than the resole) same with my loake work shoes seemed more cost effective buying new but I still keep the old shoes.

[Horsey McHorseface]

Nimby said:

I always find the Goretex layer fails and shoes/boots start leaking at the front long before the soles are worn.
(Salomon, Merrell, Brasher anyway).

Me too. Goretex, and other such membranes, are not waterproof all of the time. It’s works perfectly fine in other types of clothing, but when water lays alongside a goretex surface, for long enough, it will leak through. That’s the situation it finds itself, in a boot. The goretex is placed on the inner side of the boot, to stop it getting abrasion damaged. The outer boot layers get sodden with water, and that lays against the inner goretex for potentially long periods of time. That’s why it fails.

If you want waterproof, stick with all leather boots with minimal stitching in the lower section. Occasionally clean them up and re-wax them. My current boots are Altberg Fremingtons: https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/fremington-men Just the right level of flex in the sole for me and my use.

They’re available in 5 width fittings. That’s the most important aspect of choosing a walking boot, correct fitment. When a boot is available in more than just one width, there’s greater chance of correct fitment, for more people.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

sparkythecat said:

ConnectionError said:

If it is just the soles that are wearing out get them resoled:-

https://www.resoles.co.uk

I am heavy on the outer heel so have them done when required

Just had a look at that site -A typical walking boot resole costs £70 + £10 P&P and then there’s the cost of mailing them to the repairers. £90ish is well on the way to a new pair of boots.

I just rebuy another pair of altbergs.

[ConnectionError]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

sparkythecat said:

ConnectionError said:

If it is just the soles that are wearing out get them resoled:-

https://www.resoles.co.uk

I am heavy on the outer heel so have them done when required

Just had a look at that site -A typical walking boot resole costs £70 + £10 P&P and then there’s the cost of mailing them to the repairers. £90ish is well on the way to a new pair of boots.

I just rebuy another pair of altbergs.

Why, when they are serviceable at 2/5 of the cost of a new pair?

Altberg offer resole and repair too.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I've owned many many pairs.

You can buy literally brand new for a discount.

My current faves are Fields and Trek Altbergs which were £70? First owners son wore them twice and realised he didn't like them.

With the hassle of posting off etc etc I'd rather just buy nearly new or buy new Peacekeepers at again circa 70.

I've got public order Altbergs, Peacekeepers, F&T etc.

[Tony Angelino]

Went for a pair of these in the end, fit me nicely out of the box and got the cheaper price in the Salewa store on Amazon price matched by Absolute-Snow.

[s2kjock]

Horsey McHorseface said:

If you want waterproof, stick with all leather boots with minimal stitching in the lower section. Occasionally clean them up and re-wax them. My current boots are Altberg Fremingtons: https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/fremington-men Just the right level of flex in the sole for me and my use.

Do you not the same problem as Gore Tex though with the Sympatex lining in Altbergs?

[croyde]

I have a selection of the softer suede/textile trainer boot style walkers.

Some of my Merrell stuff has been excellent, especially at keeping your feet dry whilst fording rivers, footpaths that have turned to streams and miles of mud.

A neighbour has kindly given me a brand new pair of Altberg Defenders. 10 large which seem to fit my size 11s.

Stuck my winter wool socks on and wore them to work today. A bit of wearing in as I have never had all leather boots before.

Work finished early and it was a lovely hot afternoon so I walked the 10 miles home.

Feet ached after a bit but once home, no blisters although my socks were soaked in sweat and my feet looked like giant prunes.

Guess that's the lack of goretex

Still, I'm impressed at no blisters, especially as my latest Merrells, a poor replacement for my old pair (which they discontinued) still give me blisters after a year of ownership.

Think the Altbergs will serve me better in winter or when we invade Russia.

[ecsrobin]

Tony Angelino said:

Went for a pair of these in the end, fit me nicely out of the box and got the cheaper price in the Salewa store on Amazon price matched by Absolute-Snow.

I got a pair of Salewa walking shoes to replace my Scarpas and have been really disappointed in them. The build quality is shocking the rand has been peeling since after a few wears and other parts of the shoe are just not holding up and that’s with light use. I’ve swapped to adidas terrex shoes recently and have already put in more miles than the Salewa’s and they still look like new. Think I’ll go back to scarpa though as they lasted years.

[ConnectionError]

croyde said:

I have a selection of the softer suede/textile trainer boot style walkers.

Some of my Merrell stuff has been excellent, especially at keeping your feet dry whilst fording rivers, footpaths that have turned to streams and miles of mud.

A neighbour has kindly given me a brand new pair of Altberg Defenders. 10 large which seem to fit my size 11s.

Stuck my winter wool socks on and wore them to work today. A bit of wearing in as I have never had all leather boots before.

Work finished early and it was a lovely hot afternoon so I walked the 10 miles home.

Feet ached after a bit but once home, no blisters although my socks were soaked in sweat and my feet looked like giant prunes.

Guess that's the lack of goretex

Still, I'm impressed at no blisters, especially as my latest Merrells, a poor replacement for my old pair (which they discontinued) still give me blisters after a year of ownership.

Think the Altbergs will serve me better in winter or when we invade Russia.

I have 2 pairs of Altberg boots,

Yes they are more of a winter boot, than summer.

Without doubt the best boots I have owned.

[matrignano]

Got a pair of Innov8 GTX something or other recently, my first ever hiking shoes.

I like that they look like trainers but have some seriously grippy soles, are waterproof and very comfy.

A good compromise IMHO for the occasional walker/hiker

[ConnectionError]

matrignano said:

Got a pair of Innov8 GTX something or other recently, my first ever hiking shoes.

I like that they look like trainers but have some seriously grippy soles, are waterproof and very comfy.

A good compromise IMHO for the occasional walker/hiker

I purchased a pair of Inov-8 boots in June this year.

They have worn out in 3 months and are ready of the bin.

They are not hard wearing at all!

[DannyScene]

I got some AKU Pilgrims of ebay, literally looked brand new not a mark on them for £35

Best boots iv owned so far but I've only done maybe 50 miles in them so far

[popeyewhite]

Horsey McHorseface said:

If you want waterproof, stick with all leather boots with minimal stitching in the lower section.

It's the only way. All Goretex footwear will let in water eventually. If you want dry feet in summer rain forget it, best is to just get used to damp feet, rather than clomping around in winter leather boots.