Walking boot advice required
Discussion
In my experience of walking boots you’ll need to find out what works best for you. Each brand is slightly different in their own way and it’s just a matter of trying lots of them on to find out what works out for you. I took the advice of a podiatrist many years ago and went out and bought exactly what he recommended, but they just didn’t work for me. I’ve been round the houses so to speak with some other brands but I’m now on my second pair of Salomon Quest GTX and wouldn’t wear anything else. The wife wouldn’t swap her Meindl’s even though she’s had them about 7 years, though I find them to be quite heavy.
Something that fits you well first.
Then decide what sort of sole grip you want. For mud, wet rocks or dry rock and hard packed ground.
High or low ankle? Low or high heel?
Waterproof/goretex often means that they take a very long time to dry out when they do get wet through.
Then decide what sort of sole grip you want. For mud, wet rocks or dry rock and hard packed ground.
High or low ankle? Low or high heel?
Waterproof/goretex often means that they take a very long time to dry out when they do get wet through.
Edited by MC Bodge on Sunday 28th October 10:04
Go to your local independent outdoor shop.
Talk to their fitting specialist and start trying boots on.
The foot beds are also an important consideration.
Last time I bought a new pair I was in the shop for over 2 hours. Ended up with Meindl boots and superfeet green insoles.
Also remember that the right socks are as important!
Talk to their fitting specialist and start trying boots on.
The foot beds are also an important consideration.
Last time I bought a new pair I was in the shop for over 2 hours. Ended up with Meindl boots and superfeet green insoles.
Also remember that the right socks are as important!
Edited by Hashtaggggg on Sunday 28th October 10:14
As others have said - you need to try on at a good supplier. FWIW I love Alt-Berg boots, and their Yan Tan boot is currently my favourite. It's light, a mix of nu-buck and kevlar and waterproof. Recently did a 100km in 3 day trek in them across the Western Front with zero issues. If you're near Alt-Berg's factory they will stretch and shape boots to fit exactly too.
Hashtaggggg said:
Also remember that the right socks are as important!
Good advice again. Bridgedale merino socks work well for me but also look at 1000mile socks.Go to a good outdoor shop and try on lots- and be clear about what using them for.
Try on boots at the end of the day .. when your feet will be more swollen than first thing in the morning.
Is the trek jungly , path , or off track rocky/ climbing ?
I have hiked for 30+ years ..
I used to swear by Scarpa Mantas for all round hiking boots ... had several pairs ... then scarpa changed the fitting and they became too narrow
So different brands may fit differently .... relatively wide or narrow etc.
I now have some Brashers which are not bad.
Plus a pair of Merrill hiking shoes which are very good
... would also recommend getting ‘superfeet’ or similar insoles as they reduce foot and joint fatigue a lot.. make quite a difference
Few years ago had some Solomon trekking boots which disintegrated after 3 months hiking in Borneo and NZ ... so I would not buy Solomon again ( maybe was just the model I had .. don’t know
Choose your boots carefully - probably your most important piece of kit / and a real pain if they are uncomfortable or don’t fit well.
Try on boots at the end of the day .. when your feet will be more swollen than first thing in the morning.
Is the trek jungly , path , or off track rocky/ climbing ?
I have hiked for 30+ years ..
I used to swear by Scarpa Mantas for all round hiking boots ... had several pairs ... then scarpa changed the fitting and they became too narrow
So different brands may fit differently .... relatively wide or narrow etc.
I now have some Brashers which are not bad.
Plus a pair of Merrill hiking shoes which are very good
... would also recommend getting ‘superfeet’ or similar insoles as they reduce foot and joint fatigue a lot.. make quite a difference
Few years ago had some Solomon trekking boots which disintegrated after 3 months hiking in Borneo and NZ ... so I would not buy Solomon again ( maybe was just the model I had .. don’t know
Choose your boots carefully - probably your most important piece of kit / and a real pain if they are uncomfortable or don’t fit well.
To echo other advice here, try on lots of boots at different price points.
I walked into the shop expecting to pay at least £250. I started at the cheap end with hi-tec and never found another pair that fitted so well, or so comfortably. I must have tried on 10 different pairs and ended up with the first and cheapest pair I tried on!
I walked into the shop expecting to pay at least £250. I started at the cheap end with hi-tec and never found another pair that fitted so well, or so comfortably. I must have tried on 10 different pairs and ended up with the first and cheapest pair I tried on!
I echo what a lot of people day above, but especially the comments about socks. Buy several decent pairs of double-click lined socks (I like 1000 mile socks) and don't skimp.
In a proper hiking equipment shop, the staff can also discuss different ways of tying boot laces up too. Helped me a lot.
In a proper hiking equipment shop, the staff can also discuss different ways of tying boot laces up too. Helped me a lot.
Black can man said:
I would imagine the cheaper brands are made by the same people & factories that the dearer brands are made.
To be honest though .. there is generally a big difference in quality robustness and life expectancy between ‘cheap’ hiking boots and good quality brands.I recently bought some brashers ( reduces from 150+ to about 115)
while looking at different options .. there were very few boots under 150 retail that were good quality and robust ... as a rough guide / rule of thumb .. expect to pay around 160- 200+ (before discount) for good long lasting hiking boots that can handle a long trek
You're going to Vietnam?
Depending on when you're going and specifically where, you might be better off with non waterproof jungle boots. A pair of goretex boots might be fantastic in the UK, but at 35 degrees and 80 percent humidity, you'd find your feet getting soaked from sweat as soon as you walk anywhere, especially if you've bought waterproof boots designed for temperate climates.
Based on the above I'd reccomend Altberg jungle microlite boots. You'll be able to find them in most military stores found near Army bases, or as has been mentioned, the factory itself.
Depending on when you're going and specifically where, you might be better off with non waterproof jungle boots. A pair of goretex boots might be fantastic in the UK, but at 35 degrees and 80 percent humidity, you'd find your feet getting soaked from sweat as soon as you walk anywhere, especially if you've bought waterproof boots designed for temperate climates.
Based on the above I'd reccomend Altberg jungle microlite boots. You'll be able to find them in most military stores found near Army bases, or as has been mentioned, the factory itself.
alfaman said:
I now have some Brashers which are not bad.
I have a wider foot and also bought some Brashers recently - have been really pleased with them. They fit well and were comfortable straight out of the box.OP - as others have said, try on lots of different ones as what works for someone else may not work for you.
One other thought ..
If a squelchy jungle hike - fell running shoes / trainers for muddy trails might be a good bet ( if you are not carrying a heavy load)
Some friends of mine rate Innov8 shoes very highly.
Friend of mine has just done the Pacific Crest trail (2000+ miles ) - he wore trainers designed for long treks ( said were more comfy than boots)
If your hike is over very rocky / loose or mountainous terrain ...boots with a moderately stiff sole coukd be better than trainers. Also consider if you are carrying a heavy pack... makes a big difference.
If a squelchy jungle hike - fell running shoes / trainers for muddy trails might be a good bet ( if you are not carrying a heavy load)
Some friends of mine rate Innov8 shoes very highly.
Friend of mine has just done the Pacific Crest trail (2000+ miles ) - he wore trainers designed for long treks ( said were more comfy than boots)
If your hike is over very rocky / loose or mountainous terrain ...boots with a moderately stiff sole coukd be better than trainers. Also consider if you are carrying a heavy pack... makes a big difference.
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