Walking Shoes (not boots)
Discussion
I've already got decent wellies and walking boots, this is more about walking shoes i.e. not high tops.
I'll get my "the world is going to s
t" moan out the way first....
I had a pair of merrells for nearly 20 years that saw me around the world, backpacking and up, down and around the UK, and they eventually wore through before they even started to fall apart. Being pretty happy with the return on investment i got from them, i bought some Goretex Merrells to replace them, and guess what, the manufacture has been offshored to China and the shoes are now total garbage. They started coming to bits within a year (just a metal lace eyelet coming out, but still), and have just started letting in water at like 2 years old.
So, can anyone recommend some decent walking shoes please? I don't really want to spend more than say £130 if poss, but if there is something amazing for slightly more then cool.
cheers
I'll get my "the world is going to s
t" moan out the way first.... I had a pair of merrells for nearly 20 years that saw me around the world, backpacking and up, down and around the UK, and they eventually wore through before they even started to fall apart. Being pretty happy with the return on investment i got from them, i bought some Goretex Merrells to replace them, and guess what, the manufacture has been offshored to China and the shoes are now total garbage. They started coming to bits within a year (just a metal lace eyelet coming out, but still), and have just started letting in water at like 2 years old.
So, can anyone recommend some decent walking shoes please? I don't really want to spend more than say £130 if poss, but if there is something amazing for slightly more then cool.
cheers
Edited by Blown2CV on Wednesday 10th February 13:41
For around £130, I'd go for Danner Trail 2650. Up it a bit more and the new Adidas Terrex are nearly half the weight.
https://www.thebrokedownpalace.com/products/trail-...
https://www.thebrokedownpalace.com/products/trail-...
I have had 3 pairs of scarpa vortex gtx over the last 10 or so years (consecutively, not concurrently)
I have slim feet and they fit really well, I wear them for almost everything apart from going to work, I have noticed that on the last pair the removable insock is lower quality than previously, so have replaced these with a pair of superfeet blue orthotics , perfect combination, so far as I am concerned - waterproof thanks to the goretex, meaning that the odd unexpected wave on the beach doesnt result in wet feet - but wet rocks can be slippery.
If you have chubbier trotters they might not work so well - maybe merrell or Keen would suit better
I have slim feet and they fit really well, I wear them for almost everything apart from going to work, I have noticed that on the last pair the removable insock is lower quality than previously, so have replaced these with a pair of superfeet blue orthotics , perfect combination, so far as I am concerned - waterproof thanks to the goretex, meaning that the odd unexpected wave on the beach doesnt result in wet feet - but wet rocks can be slippery.
If you have chubbier trotters they might not work so well - maybe merrell or Keen would suit better
If you want walking shoes that look like shoes, rather than trainers, Brasher are pretty good - I've had Brasher boots that last for years
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15958046/brasher-men-...
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15958046/brasher-men-...
cheers guys. Looks like Scarpa is an emergent pattern in the responses!
Honestly I would go to shops but i'd rather go from recommendation for now, and maybe order some online to try at home and return if they're no good. Outdoor shops are few and far between and i'd have to travel miles. It also doesn't feel very 'essential' either.
Honestly I would go to shops but i'd rather go from recommendation for now, and maybe order some online to try at home and return if they're no good. Outdoor shops are few and far between and i'd have to travel miles. It also doesn't feel very 'essential' either.
Greendubber said:
Another vote for Salomon but as stated they do come up small so order a size up.
I've had a few pairs now and they've all lasted well, I have quite narrow feet so I'm not sure how they suit a wider foot etc.
Just for clarity my "recommendation" was tongue in cheek, despite them being recommended to me on here they are the worst shoes I've ever bought in my life, the fit was appalling, way too narrow and about 3 sizes too small. When I did manage to squeeze my feet into them they had all the absorption qualities of 2 pieces of lead on my feet. I can usually walk for 5 or 6 miles without any pain but when I tried these I only managed to get as far as the post box at the end of my road and back.I've had a few pairs now and they've all lasted well, I have quite narrow feet so I'm not sure how they suit a wider foot etc.
scottyp123 said:
Greendubber said:
Another vote for Salomon but as stated they do come up small so order a size up.
I've had a few pairs now and they've all lasted well, I have quite narrow feet so I'm not sure how they suit a wider foot etc.
Just for clarity my "recommendation" was tongue in cheek, despite them being recommended to me on here they are the worst shoes I've ever bought in my life, the fit was appalling, way too narrow and about 3 sizes too small. When I did manage to squeeze my feet into them they had all the absorption qualities of 2 pieces of lead on my feet. I can usually walk for 5 or 6 miles without any pain but when I tried these I only managed to get as far as the post box at the end of my road and back.I've had a few pairs now and they've all lasted well, I have quite narrow feet so I'm not sure how they suit a wider foot etc.
Greendubber said:
How strange, I think they're some of the most comfy shoes I've ever worn. I suppose everyone's feet are different though, maybe I've just got freaky feet!
He bought them too small and then wore them any way. 
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...Another vote for Salomon here. I'm on my second pair now, very comfortable and robust for long distance hiking. I put miles on my original pair in the Dales with no trouble, the laces eventually went half way up Snowdon!
I tried a pair of Mammut, but after about 7 miles they were killing my feet so went back to these GTX3's.
https://www.salomon.com/en-gb/shop-emea/product/x-...
I tried a pair of Mammut, but after about 7 miles they were killing my feet so went back to these GTX3's.
https://www.salomon.com/en-gb/shop-emea/product/x-...
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