Author Topic: Help picking Boots  (Read 1803 times)

500miles

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Help picking Boots
« on: 11:01:32, 09/09/19 »
Hi


I have tried on both these boots in different stores after a while of looking. It will be my first pair of leather boots and I've previously had synthetic but I now want to invest in something which will last longer. I do a lot of hiking abroad, e.g. Nepal, Peru, Africa and I am off to Uganda andh  Kilimanjaro later in the year. I want something that is suitable for abroad hiking which can include more mountenous hiking but also good UK wet, cold and muddy weather too.


I'm tempted between the Mammut Trovat Advanced High GTX Boots or the Women's Meindl Sedona MFS GTX. One is Nubuck (the Mammut) the other (Meindl) not. Both are the same price and on the face of it seem comfy. I do have narrow feet with high arches but walking round a shop obviously won't be the same as hiking 30 miles in a day and I've never had specifically made insoles and been fine generally. I just want something more hard wearing.


Is there an advantage over Nubuck v non Nubuck? I believe the Mammuts are a B1 boot so may be suitable for crampon but the Meindl not (although never used crampons yet).
« Last Edit: 12:33:17, 09/09/19 by 500miles »

richardh1905

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Re: Help picking Boots
« Reply #1 on: 12:23:45, 09/09/19 »
Nubuck harder to care for, so I believe. I'm sure that Kinkyboots will be along shortly to give better, more detailed advice.

PS - welcome to the forum.
WildAboutWalking - Join me on my walks through the wilder parts of Britain

gunwharfman

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Re: Help picking Boots
« Reply #2 on: 12:30:38, 09/09/19 »
Welcome from Portsmouth. I have bought leather boots before but sorry know nothing about leather. I've only ever bought Berghaus Supalites so in reality I know very little about any of them. You will soon get a good quality answer, that I'm sure of.

500miles

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Re: Help picking Boots
« Reply #3 on: 12:34:02, 09/09/19 »
Thank you both. Any advice would be great hopefully someone will be able to share some knowledge.

Sleepy

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Re: Help picking Boots
« Reply #4 on: 13:13:53, 09/09/19 »
Supafeet green are good for high arches imho  O0


Having tried a few, I'd now chose oldschool smooth leather if I could and with a good, high rand especially at the toe. I'm not an expert by any means but this configuration seems easiest to care for and longest lasting but, obviously, fit is more important to a degree; but boots that fit perfectly and aren't up to the job in hand aren't going to do you much good.


B1 will work only with C1 crampons, the most flexible kind - the boots themselves will be stiffer than the non-crampon boots, so that needs to be considered; I have two pairs of crampon compatible boots that have barely been worn because I don't have the self discipline to wear them through the autumn to get used to them and break them in before winter (the stiffness, weight and not being broken in make them less comfortable than my usual boots, so the usual boots get preferential treatment  ::) ) that's me having no willpower though, please don't let it put you off; it's just something to consider.

500miles

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Re: Help picking Boots
« Reply #5 on: 13:49:49, 09/09/19 »
Breaking them isn't an issue as plenty of opportunity before Christmas. I've read good things on Meindl and these are the smooth leather ones but I've also read mixed reviews on their aftercare service. My friend had some Meindl ones and the leather Nubuck started to almost come away from the sole but this may have been lack of maintenance/care more than the boot itself.


I guess in terms of cleaning muddy boots the smooth leather will be far better than the Nubuck.

Ronin83

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Re: Help picking Boots
« Reply #6 on: 13:57:28, 09/09/19 »
Nubuck looks different at first and is supposed to be more breathable, but as soon as you wax them they'll go darker and smoother and look more like normal leather anyway. I'd say it's not really that important, though smooth leather may be slightly more water resistant.

kinkyboots

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Re: Help picking Boots
« Reply #7 on: 14:52:51, 09/09/19 »
It comes down to which boot fits you best. Assuming both boots fit you equally well of the two boots you have chosen I would pick the Meindl Sedona Lady MFS GTX because it is smooth leather which is easier to clean and maintain than brushed nubuck and doesn't incorporate textile material down the sides of the tongue. It should be noted that Meindl lasts are normally wide fitting so may not fit/suit narrow feet.

Having said that brushed nubuck can easily be waxed (I have waxed the brushed nubuck models I have owned) and after a few coats you will end up with a smooth leather boot but the Mammut Trovat Advanced High GTX also has textile material down the sides of the tongue which can be diffcult to clean and maintain and can wear out prematurely.

From a quick look online both boots are around £170-200 with a few examples available online in very limited sizes and availabilty at around £100.

If you want high quality and something that will last and your budget is not a problem I would suggest that you have a look at the following Altberg boots and add them to your list of possibles for comparison. Altberg are the only manufacturer to offer boots in 5 width fitting from extra wide to extra narrow and all Altberg boots can be resoled by the factory if and when the need arises.

3 Season Boots
Altberg Tethera Ladies 1252g/pair RRP £214.99 (standard last with 5 width fittings) https://www.altberg.co.uk/product/the-tethera-ladies-boot-mto/
Altberg Nordkapp Unisex 1460g/pair RRP £219.99 (A-Forme last with 1 medium width fitting) https://www.altberg.co.uk/product/factory-stock-nordkapp/

If the model of a boot made on the standard last doesn't quite fit or suit your particular foot shape and volume it's a fairly safe be that the boot made on the A-Forme last will.

Both of those boots listed above will be more than up to your needs and can easily cope with all the weather conditions and terrain the UK can throw at you including winter use with flexible crampons.

You can find your nearest stockist here https://www.altberg.co.uk/stockists/ The ones to look for are the Premier Retailers with the red flags on the map who have been trained by Altberg staff and tend to carry a wider range of stock. NB You may need to travel quite some distance to get to your nearest Premier Retailer. Wherever you choose to go make sure you phone before you go so you don't waste time and money travelling to look at something that's not in stock.

Once you know which model boot you want and most importantly have been properly measured so you know the size and width fitting you require most of the models can be bought cheaper online than the RRP. Occasional second hand bargains also appear on eBay quite regularly.

If they are within a sensible travelling distance I would highly recommend a visit to Whalley Warm & Dry https://www.whalleyoutdoor.co.uk/boot-fitting-service/ who are an Altberg Premier Retailer and I cannot recommend their boot fitting service highly enough. Customers travel from all over the country to use their boot fitting skills and services and are highly recommended by many other forum members. If you ever get up to the Lake District or Yorkshire Dales it's well worth making a detour for a boot fitting appointment.

Your high arch problem can be easily resolved by replacing the manufacturers cheap and nasty insoles with something like the Superfeet Green or high arch specific insoles available from companies such as Sidas.
 

500miles

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Re: Help picking Boots
« Reply #8 on: 14:57:26, 09/09/19 »
Thanks so much I'll take a look at the links. As you mentioned both the boots in question I'm looking at can be had for £100 and I'm lucky they just so happen to be my size! I will definitely take a look at those links and although I have narrow and high arch feet I've never had specialist insoles so this will definitely be a consideration for which boot I buy.

gunwharfman

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Re: Help picking Boots
« Reply #9 on: 16:34:59, 09/09/19 »
I always wear insoles, Superthanes in my case, very comfortable especially on my heels. I have a pair of Superfeet which I use in my off-road running shoes, I tried them in my boots a few weeks ago and got a blister! My first for a long time. I also, as a male, always buy ladies boots, I find that for me they are much more comfortable than men's boots.

Sleepy

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Re: Help picking Boots
« Reply #10 on: 17:13:50, 09/09/19 »
I always wear insoles, Superthanes in my case, very comfortable especially on my heels. I have a pair of Superfeet which I use in my off-road running shoes, I tried them in my boots a few weeks ago and got a blister! My first for a long time. I also, as a male, always buy ladies boots, I find that for me they are much more comfortable than men's boots.


I had blisters galore from my superfeet the first time I used them because (to my mind) they contact parts of your foot that don't normally have any. I didn't have any trouble from then on though, thankfully

500miles

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Re: Help picking Boots
« Reply #11 on: 17:29:16, 09/09/19 »
I think I'm going to go for the Meindl ones at £100. At this price it seems a good option and if needed I can then always get some good insoles as well.

mow1701

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Re: Help picking Boots
« Reply #12 on: 09:39:45, 10/09/19 »
My vote for Altberg Tethera for the superb fit. Yes they are expensive but a poor fitting  boots can spoil or worse end a hike. I met a person waiting at a mountain hut in a remote part of the Kungsleden Trail waiting for a helicopter to evacuate her because her blisters were so bad she couldn’t carry on walking. Suddenly the price of the boots seem quite cheap than paying for a helicopter ride.






mow1701

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Re: Help picking Boots
« Reply #13 on: 09:41:54, 10/09/19 »
My vote for Altberg Tethera for the superb fit. Yes they are expensive but a poor fitting  boots can spoil or worse end a hike. I met a person waiting at a mountain hut in a remote part of the Kungsleden Trail waiting for a helicopter to evacuate her because her blisters were so bad she couldn’t carry on walking. Suddenly the price of the boots seem quite cheap compared to paying for a helicopter ride.

500miles

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Re: Help picking Boots
« Reply #14 on: 11:02:08, 24/09/19 »
So I have my Meindl Sedona boots and managed to get them for £95. I did go to a couple of other stores locally and try on again a few different makes before ordering and I have been walking around the house in them too.

Before I head outside I want to get them protected. Should I just get the Meindl sportswax or do you have any other recommendations for what to use to clean and protect them. They are not Nubuck but a smooth leather.

Thanks

 

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