Author Topic: size 3.5 leather walking boots  (Read 628 times)

mountaingal

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size 3.5 leather walking boots
« on: 15:45:15, 14/01/20 »
I'm looking for a new pair of reliable waterproof boots. I used to compromise with size 4, but once I found 3.5 and felt how comfortable they are,  I can't go back. But there is a problem. High street shops don't stock size 3.5. sometimes they do for size 2.5 and 4.5 5.5 ,,,but not 3.5 >:( . I have wide feet, so not all 3.5 fits me. I found Keens and Northface make size 3.5. Keens have different width depending on the models. Northface gave me rather vague response to my enquiry. When I ordered online, I had to send them back because they were too narrow. They don't seem to make wholegrain leather boots.
I found nuback and suede soaks up water and gets saturated in the recent weather. I look after my boots, clean and spray everytime after walk. But cleaning muddy boots involves water, then spray. If I go for another walk before they are dry, they get quickly saturated in watery field. And so, I'd really like wholegrain leather boots.
So far, I haven't found one. ..apart from Altberg. They are pretty pricey and p.p is expensive too. If I decided to buy, I need to go and try first.
Is there anybody out there with small feet and found leather boots? ...for now, I bought a pair of waterproof socks, which turned out to be very comfortable and keep my feet dry.

Bigfoot_Mike

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Re: size 3.5 leather walking boots
« Reply #1 on: 16:56:55, 14/01/20 »
You should be able to find some dealers that stock Altberg boots. The Premier dealers stock a wider range and should be able to advise on size and fit. Kinkyboots on the forum normally has the best information on this. I am at then other end of the size range and managed to get size 12 in a wide fitting in a local outdoor shop with a 15% discount.

kinkyboots

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Re: size 3.5 leather walking boots
« Reply #2 on: 18:00:22, 14/01/20 »
High street shops do not generally stock 3.5 and very few manufacturers actually make 3.5 and even less make 3.5 in a wide fitting and even less still make a 3.5 in a wide fitting in full leather. Manufacturers only make what they know they can sell and shops/stockists only stock what they know they can sell quickly. To them money tied up in stock sat on a shelf which rarely sells is money wasted. The boots you may find in size 3.5 tend to be lower quality starter boots and aimed at kids.

The one thing you really do need to bear in mind is that as soon as you start talking high quality full leather boots unless you are extremely lucky you will not find anything cheap and a realistic budget is somewhere in the region of £185-£230.

In view of this that basically leaves you with 3 options to look at Altberg, Meindl Comfort Fit range and a couple of options in Hanwag's range.

https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/5-width-fitting-boots/fremington-lady1

https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/5-width-fitting-boots/tethera-lady1

The Malham boot could also be considered as an option. It's a medium fit but could be steamed and stretched to a wide fit by a bootfitter if necessary.

https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/aforme-boots13/malham

If you are still in the Peterborough area as your old username suggests your nearest Altberg premier stockist is Lockwoods in Leamington Spa. So a phone call to check stock followed by a visit is probably your best starting point.

https://lockwoods.com/collections/walking-boots/wide-fitting

https://meindl.de/model-filter/?product_cat=mountaineering-hiking-en&pa_filter-fussform=broad&pa_filter-geschlecht=women&pa_filter-obermaterial=leather&pa_filter-technologie=comfort-fit-en&lang=en

https://www.hanwag.com/search/?q=wide&filter.Gender=Women%E2%80%99s&filter.dim_GROESSE=3%2C5

If you fancy taking a wild gamble to try and save some money these might be worth making a low offer on. NB They're a medium fit not a wide fit but could be steamed and stretched  to a wide fit if necessary by a bootfitter with the right equipment & facilities for approx £20-£30 but if they don't fit you could just sell them on.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Womens-Brown-Leather-ALTBERG-FREMINGTON-LADY-LITE-Walking-Boots-Size-3-5/113749138823

Alternatively if you're not in a mad rush just keep your eye on eBay until the right boots in the right size and width fitting eventually appear for sale.

If you ever get up to the Lake District or the Yorkshire Dales I can personally recommend a visit to Whalley Warm & Dry https://www.whalleyoutdoor.co.uk/boot-fitting-service/  Customers travel from all over the country to use their boot fitting skills and expertise and they are highly recommended by many other forum members. They are the largest stockist of Alt-berg walking boots in the country.
Hope that's of some help.
« Last Edit: 07:56:08, 15/01/20 by kinkyboots »

mountaingal

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Re: size 3.5 leather walking boots
« Reply #3 on: 16:49:14, 15/01/20 »
Thank you for your response. Mike, you are lucky to find your size locally! O0
kinkyboots, what you are saying is the things I have been experiencing. While manufacturers make size 3.5, they are not in stock on high street.  :(  following Mikes advise, I checked stockist and Open Air in Cambridge seems the nearest. I've never been to Leamington Spa. I had some chat online with Open Air and she also mentioned Altberg and Meindl comfort fit.
Looking at the Meindl website on your link, I found some size 3.5 which made my mouth water! :-*
The one on ebay is a bargain! but I feel reluctant,  unless I have had the same model before and know they fit me.  I want to buy from the companies who know about boots so that if I have any problems, they would understand and have reasonable return policy.
I will pay a visit on Open Air next time when I go to Cambridge. It can be a long term plan.    

kinkyboots

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Re: size 3.5 leather walking boots
« Reply #4 on: 17:45:35, 15/01/20 »
The reason I pointed you to Lockwoods in Leamington Spa (which is further away) in preference to Open Air Cambridge is that Lockwoods are an Altberg Premier stockist and Premier stockists tend to carry a wider range of models and sizes in stock and are more likely to have the facilities and ability needed to steam and stretch boots if it's required as part of the boot fitting process.

Regardless of where you choose to go it's always worth asking if they are prepared to order in (on a sale or return basis) any particular model/s in the size and width fitting you require so that you can try them on.



mountaingal

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Re: size 3.5 leather walking boots
« Reply #5 on: 18:06:24, 15/01/20 »
I see.........1H40 mins drive :o   I hate driving :-\   but will keep the option open.

 

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