walking boots or similar

[Coco H]

I don't know where to start. I had an op in December meaning I can finally exercise again.
I have taken to walking at speed with my daughter and some weights in a backpack. In the last week I have tried some spells of running but my wellies don't seem up to the job. My ankles knees are not supported and it really hurts.
We live in the middle of lots of fields and I can walk for miles and miles but it is muddy for trainers. I was thinking I should invest in some walking boots as I am doing 6-7 hours a week. But where to start?

[Jasandjules]

Hunter Boots?

[central]

Graham's old thread -
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[BaronVonVTEC]

Lowa Mountain boots are cracking. Can't beat them for levels of support and comfort and i've tried quite a few different boots over the years.

[Simond001]

pop into your local Blacks and try some on.

I walk 2 hours a day or so and go through a pair every 12 months or so.

Current pair of technicals are wearing very well. Totally waterproof, supportive and still look new a year on.

[Sheepy]

Lowa would be my recommended brand. I've got a bad right ankle, and they give me enough support that I don't feel any discomfort whilst walking either over fields to a pub or up mountains!

[Zad]

The new Hi-Tec V-Lite boots with ion-mask coating seem to be rather spiffy. Ion-masking was something out military research people in the UK invented to repel nasty bacterial and chemical weapon attacks. Turns out that you can use it on leather and cloth to make it 100% waterproof but still breathable. Nice sturdy vibram sole etc.

http://www.shoetail.co.uk/hi-tec-v-lite-ion-mask-a...

[f13ldy]

My Brother in Law has some Salomon Gore-tex boots from Blacks.

I can't see them on the website but they actually look quite trendy and practical.

Either that or I'm getting old.

[tobeee]

I have a great pair of Salomon GoreTex boots (Mega Trek 6 LTR GTX) from Ellis Brigham. I tried on loads before these, but found these so comfy I looked no further. For when I don't need boots, I also bought a pair of Merrell Moab Ventilator shoes. These are unbelievably comfortable, with insides shaped like my running shoes giving excellent support.

[Mobile Chicane]

Try a pair of walking poles as well. You'll feel like a complete tit using them at first, but they really do work well for providing extra stability yomping up hill and down dale.

[alfaman]

I'd recommend Scarpa leather boots as good boots that last well.

I would avoid Salomans like the plague - they tend to fall to pieces in 6 months.

I belong to a mountaineering / walking / outdoor club : many members with Salomans have had them fall to pieces - whereas most members have had a good experience with Scarpas.

Leather boots will tend to outlast fabric / goretex boots.

Make sure you get a brand which suits your foot width : Scarpas are for normal to narrow feet -whereas Garmonts and Meindl tend to suit medium to wide feet.

eidt: Merrells are good too.

Edited by alfaman on Thursday 29th January 22:17

[welsh blackbird]

http://www.altberg.co.uk/Web/

[RobFerrari]

Lowa, Brasher or Salomon are the big names. Best thing to do, go into a walking shop (like blacks or wherever) and just try some on. Shoes can be rccommended, but they have to feel right. Its all well and good going and buying some because everyone says they're great, but if you don't like them then its £100 or more wasted.

Mobile Chicane said:

Try a pair of walking poles as well. You'll feel like a complete tit using them at first, but they really do work well for providing extra stability yomping up hill and down dale.

I agree, I often visit mountain regions in summer for the hiking and having previously never used poles, i used two Leki ones last summer and they were fantastic.

[ytrebil]

Mobile Chicane said:

Try a pair of walking poles as well. You'll feel like a complete tit using them at first, but they really do work well for providing extra stability yomping up hill and down dale.

Haha. Yeah, I'd feel about 70!

[Alfahorn]

I've got Raichle boots and love 'em. I'm always wearing outdoor clothing, love it, most comfortable clothing and footwear I've ever bought.

[HappyS3owner]

Scarpa boots here, didn't have sore feet at the end of the three peaks last year (which was nice).

Try them on, some boots fit different foot shapes better than others!

[ATG]

Horses for courses ... depends entirely what kind of terrain you're walking on. If it's UK hillwalking all year round, Scarpas are (were?) the benchmark. As a rough guide, when you're in the shop, pick one up by gripping it at the toe and heel and see if you can bend the toe of the boot back towards the laces (that's a pretty crap description ... it's trying to duplicate the way the boot will have bent when you're about to push off from one foot to the other as you walk). When it's new, if the sole of the boot can be flexed at all by hand with anything other than the most truly almighty amount of effort, it really won't be up to much when it's on your foot - it won't offer you much protection or stability on rough or rocky ground. Maybe Brasher now make some better boots, but in the past when I've looked at them, they were a very different thing to the Scarpas, Zamberlans, etc. But as said, it depends what you're looking for. A softer, lighter boot is fine if not better for many things. The Cotswold Outdoor shops tend to have a good range of boots that will range from the warrier end of the trainer range, right up to 4 season and indeed even fully rigid mountaineering boots. there should be something there for everyone.

[missdiane]

I have Brashers, oh so comfy, needed no wearing in and feel like I am walking on air- and they are anti clog so I can walk in as much crap as I want

[sadako]

I'm using £35 patrol boots from the army surplus shop. They are nice and comfy, warm in the winter and i've not had water come into them yet.