Shoes for walking the dogs

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e320dave

Original Poster:

685 posts

152 months

Monday 7th November 2011
quotequote all
I need a good pair of shoes for walking the dogs in the evening. As it is dark and horrible out there, their evening walk consists of a 2-3 mile walk around the town. As such I find that my walking in the woods/through the fields shoes are not really suitable for walking the pavements in the wet.
I need shoes that will prevent me from going arse over tit in the wet on the following:
-Red brick pavement
-Metal manhole covers set in the pavements (i.e. for traffic lights/water meters etc)
-Tactile paving at crossings (Aren't these supposed to aid grip?)
I currently have a pair of Berghouse explorer light and a pair of Merrell Chameleon 3's.
Got the Merrells after being advised that they would be suitable for my needs. They are totally useless and was struggling for grip tonight. One of these days I might even manage to walk into one of these outdoor stores where the staff know what they are talking about....or is that too much to hope for?

So any recommendations or should I just go buy some padding?


AdiT

1,025 posts

158 months

Monday 7th November 2011
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Avoid anything with a "Vibram" sole. It's really bad on hard, wet surfaces.

Rouleur

7,045 posts

190 months

Tuesday 8th November 2011
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I found my old Merrells to be hopeless on wet surfaces too, plus they were really poor quality. I'm currently on my second pair of North Face shoes and they're much much better in every way. They're an older version these http://uk.thenorthface.com/tnf-uk-en/men/footwear/...

e320dave

Original Poster:

685 posts

152 months

Tuesday 8th November 2011
quotequote all
I have had 3 pairs of North face shoes. My first lot were brilliant. Can’t remember what they were so went for another couple of pairs (1 shoe, 1 boot) and they were both absolutely useless which has put me off North Face a bit. I'll see if anyone else gets back with suggestions and may have to give it a try. The worst surface for all my shoes at the moment are the metal covers in the pavement for traffic light stuff, water etc etc, and it's made worse if you are concentrating on what the dogs are doing rather than walking.

Magic919

14,126 posts

202 months

Tuesday 8th November 2011
quotequote all
What kind of Merrells did you try?

e320dave

Original Poster:

685 posts

152 months

Tuesday 8th November 2011
quotequote all
Got the Chameleon 3 blast. Link. If you know of any that are far better, then I will certainly take a look. I am not going to discount a whole brand on one bad experience (2 maybe, but not 1).

randlemarcus

13,531 posts

232 months

Tuesday 8th November 2011
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Have you looked at the 5.10 stuff? Used to swear by the rubber when I climbed, and had a pair of approach shoes with the same stuff. Pretty much slick tyres for the feets, which is good. They wont last as long as hobnails, but YMMV.

Magic919

14,126 posts

202 months

Tuesday 8th November 2011
quotequote all
My Merrells are Sprint Blasts of various types. They grip well on wet stone surfaces, even wet. Might be worth comparing.

Who me ?

7,455 posts

213 months

Tuesday 8th November 2011
quotequote all
have a look in JB Sports -I got a pair of shoes in their sale =no problems in any surface .Plus never had to wear them in -more comfortable than anything I've ever had and the price was OK.Unfortunately I found the sizing a bit out .

R1gtr

3,427 posts

155 months

Wednesday 9th November 2011
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For me I walk the dogs in Salomon XA pro 3D ultra GTX, light, comfortable, keep your feet dry, seem to grip pretty well as I have 2 Boxers and even with them pulling bouncing about my ass still has not hit the dirt smile

T84

6,941 posts

195 months

Wednesday 9th November 2011
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R1gtr said:
Salomon XA pro 3D ultra GTX
Nothing to contribute, just want to laugh at the most ridiculously named pair of shoes I've ever heard of, are they HD as well?

Who me ?

7,455 posts

213 months

Wednesday 9th November 2011
quotequote all
Another thought -although Doc Martins tick a few boxes -waterproof leather ,comfortable the soles on't like wet surfaces eg -grass .

e320dave

Original Poster:

685 posts

152 months

Wednesday 9th November 2011
quotequote all
R1gtr said:
For me I walk the dogs in Salomon XA pro 3D ultra GTX, light, comfortable, keep your feet dry, seem to grip pretty well as I have 2 Boxers and even with them pulling bouncing about my ass still has not hit the dirt smile
The name seems to have that PH thing about it. I'm gonna have to consider them based on the name alone I think. Do you think you can get supercharged/turbocharged versions of these with lasers? Might be able to take over world then (subject to me equipping a v small army with them)!

R1gtr

3,427 posts

155 months

Wednesday 9th November 2011
quotequote all
T84 said:
R1gtr said:
Salomon XA pro 3D ultra GTX
Nothing to contribute, just want to laugh at the most ridiculously named pair of shoes I've ever heard of, are they HD as well?
Yeah I felt like a complete Outdoor NERD just typing it but thought I better give the full title incase anyone does decide to see what I am on about.
Great dog-walking shoes, terrible name smile

e320dave

Original Poster:

685 posts

152 months

Friday 11th November 2011
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Paddy_N_Murphy said:
Seems far too much thought going on about what is quiet frankly a pair of 'shoes'
Go pick a pair of Fabric type walking shoes that it. Job Jobbed.
You would think so...however of all the shoes I currently have, none are suitable for the conditions in the OP.
Fabric shoes would just make my feet wet. I did mention that they had to be suitable for use in the wet. Might try walking the dogs this evening in my sailing shoes, after all they are made to be used in the wet on a boat.

racing green

537 posts

174 months

Friday 11th November 2011
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I've got Spaniels and that means Wellies!!! I can't imagine walking dogs in 'shoes'yikes