Author Topic: New Walking Boot Suggestions Please.  (Read 4597 times)

alan de enfield

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New Walking Boot Suggestions Please.
« on: 17:50:39, 21/04/18 »

I am looking for new boots - the last ones (and the most comfortable I have ever had) were £19.99 from Aldi. They have lasted over 1000 miles but are starting to be a bit low on tread.


Looking to spend ~ £100.


I have flat feet, a bunion on one foot, one foot is a full size bigger than the other, and, I am Diabetic.
I walk 'hot' and my feet seem to 'spread' quite easily.
Some years ago I broke my ankle and the ligaments actually pulled chunks of bone away as I 'went over' on my ankle - it has never been 100% since and I do need boots for support.
( Reading that lot I reckon I shouldn't be out walking !!!!!)
So should be no problem to get boots to fit


In the last 12 months I have bought two pairs of boots one of which causes 'hot-spots' on one of my little toes after 6 or 7 miles.
The other gives full on blisters within a couple of miles.
I have tried thick socks, thin socks, 1000 mile guaranteed socks and even 2 pairs of socks, foot shaping insoles, padded arch lifters and nothing helps.


Both were fine walking around the house - but of course once used outside for a 10 mile walk they cannot be returned.
Never had this problem with the Aldi 'cheapies'.


Looking at basically lowland / heath / moorland walking with local farm tracks (hardcore) and some tarmac roads.


I would prefer 'water resistant' (as a minimum), don't mind leather or synthetic, but don't need big '5 season crampon fitting boots'


I am planning to go to Go Outdoors tomorrow and sit in their fitting room and see what they can do for me - I am thinking of :


Salomon Quest 4D 3GTX (£129)
Salomon Quest 4D 2GTX (£120)
Salomon Quest Prime GTX (£100)
Meindl Gomera GTX (£108)


I have been unable to identify any major differences between the three Salomon models - any help there ?


Any other brand / model suggestions and reasons why.

sussamb

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Re: New Walking Boot Suggestions Please.
« Reply #1 on: 19:39:45, 21/04/18 »
I've had both the prime and the 4D.  Main difference is that the 4D is more sturdy than the prime.  So it depends how much you walk and the type of walking you do.  I walk a fair bit and try to do a long distance walk once a year.  The primes weren't really up to it.
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alan de enfield

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Re: New Walking Boot Suggestions Please.
« Reply #2 on: 19:51:29, 21/04/18 »

I've had both the prime and the 4D.  Main difference is that the 4D is more sturdy than the prime.  So it depends how much you walk and the type of walking you do.  I walk a fair bit and try to do a long distance walk once a year.  The primes weren't really up to it.


Thanks for the quick reply.
I am doing somewhere between 4 and 10 miles per day, 5 or 6 days per week on permissive local farm tracks, bridleways and footpaths (of which there are dozens, if not hundreds of around us).
'Hard ground' generally occasional 'plough'.


No1 Son is undergoing Radio therapy and now Chemo Therapy so time away is limited but I can always fit in a couple or three hours sometime during the day.
This course of treatment should finish August so will be - hoping - to do the Viking way later this Summer. (147 miles between the Humber Bridge and Oakham)

sussamb

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Re: New Walking Boot Suggestions Please.
« Reply #3 on: 20:21:07, 21/04/18 »
If it were me I'd avoid the prime given the mileage/use you're planning.


Hope all works out for your son.

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jimbob

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Re: New Walking Boot Suggestions Please.
« Reply #4 on: 20:49:23, 21/04/18 »
You will need waterproof boots for the Viking Way. There are areas where the 4WD Greenlaners have turned the full width of the route into a quagmire like thick broth. It is a great walk otherwise. I got full use out of my gaiters and walking poles in places.  The poles were needed to test the depth of the soup. Or a couple of bin liners over the lot may be of use in these situations.

As for boots I have a pair of Salomons relegated to house and round the streets use. They are too narrow for long walks. It is easy to compare the width to other boots in a shop, I now realise that Salomons are generally narrower than other makes. Also I am having trouble keeping the laces tight. The fancy plastic thing seems to have lost its grip.

Too little, too late, too bad......

kinkyboots

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Re: New Walking Boot Suggestions Please.
« Reply #5 on: 20:54:22, 21/04/18 »
 Blisters of any description point to badly fitting boots and a budget of £100 is a little on the low side and doesn't buy much in the way of a quality boot.

Given your bunion and previous ankle problems it may be advisable for you to visit a specialist bootfitter who can measure and assess your feet and offer you some professional advice. I would recommend a visit to Whalley Warm & Dry as from personal experience their specialist boot fitting service, knowledge, expertise and advice is second to none. They are an Altberg Premier Retailer and customers travel from all over the country to use their bootfitting service. They also have the equipment to steam and stretch leather boots for a custom fit.  http://www.whalleyoutdoor.co.uk/boot-fitting-service/

For the type of walking you do the following boots from the Altberg range would be more than capable and may worth a closer look. (A bit above your budget but the Fremington is available online from around £150 and the Tethera from around £180).

2-3 Season Boots
Altberg
Fremington 1412g  (standard last with 5 width fittings) http://www.altberg.co.uk/product/the-fremington-mens-boot-mto/ or
Altberg
Malham 1344g (A-Forme last with 1 width fitting) http://www.altberg.co.uk/product/the-malham-mens-boot-mto/

3 Season Boots
Altberg Tethera 1472g (standard last with 5 width fittings) http://www.altberg.co.uk/product/the-tethera-mens-boot-mto/ or
Altberg Nordkapp 1460g
(A-Forme last with 1 width fitting) http://www.altberg.co.uk/product/factory-stock-nordkapp/

If the model of 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.

You can find your nearest Altberg retailer here http://www.altberg.co.uk/stockists/ The Premier retailers (the one's marked in red on the map) are where they will have the widest range available.

A cheaper option might be to have a look at the Altberg Defender military boots (plenty of new and used available on eBay).

Of the boots on your list the Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX or 3 GTX would be my choice but only if they fit your foot shape, width and volume. You also need to be aware that there have been a number of users reporting problems with the liners failing and the boots leaking.

sussamb

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Re: New Walking Boot Suggestions Please.
« Reply #6 on: 21:24:25, 21/04/18 »
As for boots I have a pair of Salomons relegated to house and round the streets use. They are too narrow for long walks. It is easy to compare the width to other boots in a shop, I now realise that Salomons are generally narrower than other makes. Also I am having trouble keeping the laces tight. The fancy plastic thing seems to have lost its grip.


Really?  I find them wide enough. I had a pair of Asolos, they certainly were narrow!  I've had no issues either keeping the laces tight. On my previous boots, Berghaus Explorers, I needed to use a fisherman's knot to keep the laces tight, not so with my Salomons.
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Islandplodder

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Re: New Walking Boot Suggestions Please.
« Reply #7 on: 22:14:18, 21/04/18 »
I don't know much about them but I believe Hanwag do a boot which caters for bunions, and I have heard they are comfortable.

nesty

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Re: New Walking Boot Suggestions Please.
« Reply #8 on: 23:27:48, 21/04/18 »
I have found the higher altitude you go the better quality you require!
Avoid china made boots for supreme dependency. China does not know how to build for extreme outdoors.
I have Altberg Tethera & a pair of arc'teryx Bora 2 for full demand walks and a pair Anatoms V3 (EU made).
Though, for lower less demand walks, I have a pair of Regatta Borderline and a pair of Peter Storm Langsdales, all do the job for the appropriate tasks and all have never leaked & have not ever had 1 blister!
On Ebay you can pick up some very good quality Altbergs (or decent makes) for little cash!
« Last Edit: 00:03:21, 22/04/18 by nesty »

jimbob

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Re: New Walking Boot Suggestions Please.
« Reply #9 on: 08:05:05, 22/04/18 »

Really?  I find them wide enough. I had a pair of Asolos, they certainly were narrow!  I've had no issues either keeping the laces tight. On my previous boots, Berghaus Explorers, I needed to use a fisherman's knot to keep the laces tight, not so with my Salomons.
certainly my x-ultras are narrow for my feet. My feet may be wider than yours and they swell up after a number of miles. The friction thingy has lost its friction, the laces come loose too quickly.   How do you use knots on this type of lace? They are more like cheese  cutters than normal laces.
Apart from the lace problem which may be a one off, they are certainly well made and worth the money. They just don't suit me.
What was clear in the shop later when I bought some replacements was that comparing Salomons sole to sole with other boots is that they were narrower than North Face, Merrill and Brasher.
« Last Edit: 09:52:43, 22/04/18 by jimbob »
Too little, too late, too bad......

jontea

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Re: New Walking Boot Suggestions Please.
« Reply #10 on: 08:17:08, 22/04/18 »
I would repeat Kinkyboots post, can’t go wrong with Alt-Berg boots fitted by a specialist.


But you won’t get a comfortable quality boot that will last, for £100 or less.
Remember your footwear is the most important bit of kit you need. If your feet are uncomfortable, your walking pleasure is reduced.
Walking is the world’s oldest exercise and today’s modern medicine.

https://www.johntrowsdaleart.com/

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sussamb

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Re: New Walking Boot Suggestions Please.
« Reply #11 on: 08:28:17, 22/04/18 »
How do you use knots on this type of lace? They are more like cheese  cutters than normal laces.

Try here or Google surgeons knot for walking boots


http://www.gore-tex.com/blog/how-to-lace-hiking-boots/



https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/expert-advice/how-to-lace-walking-boots


My earlier post said fisherman's knot, ignore that, must have been half asleep when I wrote that  ;D
« Last Edit: 08:36:08, 22/04/18 by sussamb »
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kinkyboots

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Re: New Walking Boot Suggestions Please.
« Reply #12 on: 08:34:22, 22/04/18 »
The friction thingy has lost its friction, the laces come loose too quickly. How do you use knots on this type of lace? They are more like cheese  cutters than normal laces.
Apart from the lace problem which may be a one off, they are certainly well made and worth the money. They just don't suit me.

Salomon do sell replacement Quicklace Kits containing the whole system for their range of shoes and boots which use this lacing system. Not cheap @ around £7.50 a pop but they are available.

Your cheese cutter description is not wrong!  ;D

alan de enfield

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Re: New Walking Boot Suggestions Please.
« Reply #13 on: 08:36:02, 22/04/18 »

Thanks for all the replies so far - and - comments / suggestions taken on board.


I have looked at such as the 'Defender' on ebay but without knowing what size I am, and knowing how the boot sizes align with other boot sizes I don't want to buy 'blind'.
I am a size 11 in my Rigger boots (for yard work), I am a size 9 -10-11 in shoes depending in make, I have boots in sizes 10, & 11 so I think it is going to have to be a real 'bricks & mortar' supplier for me.


Totally agree that boots are probably the most important part of kit - without your feet you are going nowhere, you can sleep in a plastic bag in an emergency, you can do without food & water for a couple of days, but without your feet you won't get home.


The budget is not fixed (I am fortunate enough not to be financially restricted, but don't spend money needlessly) and I will pay whatever is necessary, be it £150, £180, or £200.


Unfortunately the home situation means I cannot get-away for a whole day to get to Whalley (180 miles, 3.5 hours each way + fitting time and £75 in fuel).
I can get to Go (1/2 hour away).


I am loathe to abuse 'Go' by getting measured & then buying on line - and even then, are (say) the Altberg boots the same 'cut' as Salomon or Meindl

kinkyboots

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Re: New Walking Boot Suggestions Please.
« Reply #14 on: 08:51:08, 22/04/18 »
With respect I wouldn't consider Go Outdoors to be a specialist bootfitter in any shape or form.

The chances are that you will find a spotty faced youth with little to no knowledge serving you and that's if you can find anyone serving on in the boot department at all and finding someone who knows how to use a Brannock foot measuring device properly is just asking too much!  ;D

Have a look for your nearest Altberg retailer here http://www.altberg.co.uk/stockists/ The Premier retailers (the one's marked in red on the map) are where they will have the widest range available but not many will have the skill or expertise and facilities that Whalley Warm & Dry have.

 

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