Author Topic: Karrimor boots and shoes - any good?  (Read 37252 times)

BuzyG

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Re: Karrimor boots and shoes - any good?
« Reply #15 on: 23:05:13, 27/07/19 »
Paid my money and made my choice today. Bought two new pairs of Karrimore walking shoes.  O0

El Principe

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Re: Karrimor boots and shoes - any good?
« Reply #16 on: 18:40:56, 22/08/19 »
I suppose Karrimor is kind of like the Invicta of the boot world (it's looked down on as being cheap).

Don't know if the hate is justified, since I've never used them. Probably fine for entry level, but I think what annoys people is the fact that they're basically SportsDirect own brand, entry level, but they have aggressive and misleading pricing, which makes out that they're much higher level than they actually are.

BuzyG

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Re: Karrimor boots and shoes - any good?
« Reply #17 on: 18:57:14, 22/08/19 »
I suppose Karrimor is kind of like the Invicta of the boot world (it's looked down on as being cheap).

Don't know if the hate is justified, since I've never used them. Probably fine for entry level, but I think what annoys people is the fact that they're basically SportsDirect own brand, entry level, but they have aggressive and misleading pricing, which makes out that they're much higher level than they actually are.


I'm not sure I understand what you mean.  Surely what matters is that they are comfortable, well made, well priced foot wear.  That do the job they are designed for rather well. The maker and branding are, in this respect, irrelevant.

El Principe

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Re: Karrimor boots and shoes - any good?
« Reply #18 on: 18:19:25, 23/08/19 »

I'm not sure I understand what you mean.  Surely what matters is that they are comfortable, well made, well priced foot wear.  That do the job they are designed for rather well. The maker and branding are, in this respect, irrelevant.


I haven't tried them so I can't really comment - in fact I've seen some pairs that have quite a nice design - and I didn't mean to denigrate the boots or anybody who wears them.


To continue the watch analogy, like Invicta, Karrimor seems to get hate due to people's perception on quality and price. Invicta actually makes pretty good watches for the price, and Karrimor may well be the same.


But Karrimor/sportsdirect doesn't do themselves any favours with their deceptive pricing. It's always "RRP £150, NOW £70" or some such deception. They try to portray them as a high-level boot at a cut price, when really they are just normal boots at an affordable price.

fernman

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Re: Karrimor boots and shoes - any good?
« Reply #19 on: 20:10:55, 23/08/19 »
Never mind. For about three years now Sports Direct have been proclaiming that they aim to become "the Selfridges of sportswear". Speaking as a London suburbanite, I can tell you that Selfridges has really moved itself further upmarket in recent years, and for someone like me shopping there is completely out of the question, I wouldn't even set foot in there.

I can't see it happening myself, they'll lose their big band of loyal chav and trailer trash clientele for a start, along with people like me who go there for cheap garments. But I have noticed there is a definite shift taking place, with less of the racks at giveaway prices to more of the dearer (for Sports Direct) items.

So what will Karrimor boots be like if the aspirations take place?

WalkingWoody

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Re: Karrimor boots and shoes - any good?
« Reply #20 on: 16:49:23, 10/09/19 »
Checkout Karrimor SF boots -  O0

richardh1905

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Re: Karrimor boots and shoes - any good?
« Reply #21 on: 18:44:07, 11/09/19 »
I remember a pair of Karrimor KSB3 fabric boots that I had in 1984 - downright dangerous. They had rounded off the heel supposedly to cause less damage to paths when descending - fine until you are flat on your *rse on a wet grassy slope. They didn't last long in any case - I think that I holed the fabric upper within a few weeks.
WildAboutWalking - Join me on my walks through the wilder parts of Britain

Snowman

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Re: Karrimor boots and shoes - any good?
« Reply #22 on: 22:48:33, 12/09/19 »
I used to buy them for general walking, into town, that sort of thing.   However I got a pair that were complete rubbish.   The inner soles moved and were destroyed by the time I'd realised.   I put in some of these new cushion soles but that just didn't work, so I won't buy Karrimor anymore.  Shame because their stuff used to be so good - I've still got a 90's 65l rucksack which seems to be bombproof.

Chris_663

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Re: Karrimor boots and shoes - any good?
« Reply #23 on: 12:41:34, 13/09/19 »
To my understanding, Karrimor used to be a very good brand. They ran into financial trouble in 2003 they were bought out by Sports Direct and it's since then that quality went downhill due to cheap mass production. I have always bought Karrimor stuff over the last several years for one reason: Because it was cheap. And if everyone's been honest, that's why they buy Karrimor: Looks good, and is cheap. However the last 3 pairs of Karrimor walking boots I had have always given me blisters, they are never been that comfortable and they typically fall to pieces over time. But then, I do pretty big walks so I probably need something better unlike others who may do smaller walks.


Admittedly I could have taken more care of them them however it's no secret they're not the best quality brand. At the end of the day you're either a serious walker who demands the best equipment, or you are not that serious and can do with cheaper products. That's the typical way of the world. Every item has a quality version and a cheaper knock off and those cheaper knock offs have their place in society. Not everyone is going to / can pay £200 + for a decent pair of boots, or simply don't require that level of worksmanship.


All you need to decide is do you want expensive boots, or cheap boots? There is no right or wrong answer, to quote the great dragon from merlin: "There is no right or wrong, only what is, and what isn't"  ;D

richardh1905

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Re: Karrimor boots and shoes - any good?
« Reply #24 on: 14:43:13, 01/10/19 »
Just been looking at Karrimor boots in Kendal - the leather Cheetah model at £80 looked OK but had a fabric tongue. Their Cheviot model at £90 had full leather uppers but rounded off heels and what I thought was rather too little tread. Didn't get as far as trying them on.
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Man wae a dug

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Re: Karrimor boots and shoes - any good?
« Reply #25 on: 16:39:07, 01/10/19 »
I bought a pair of Karrimor boots a few years back as a cheap winter boot. They were never off my feet! Kept my feet dry, never leaked once (think they had e-vent lining ?) and lasted three winters. For (I think) £35 quid I was delighted with that return.
Ok, I never used them as a walking boot, but they did cover a few miles at any rate.
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Bryan C

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Re: Karrimor boots and shoes - any good?
« Reply #26 on: 10:18:23, 16/10/19 »
Just had a pair of Panther Mid walking boots replaced (RRP £149.99 sale £74.99 , I know this means nothing )
For : comfortable


Against : Never waterproof / breathable or hard wearing.
One heel wore down much quicker , none of of my other footwear ever did.
Stitching split.
Not worn for serious hiking.
Warranty only for six months by sports direct who own the co .
Knackered after about 5 months

jimbob

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Re: Karrimor boots and shoes - any good?
« Reply #27 on: 10:44:37, 16/10/19 »
3 year old boots, used in Allotment, rough wear given which they were never intended for digging etc. Still waterproof. Trail runners used 4 miles per day on average  slight wear to heels (, due to paths and tarmac?) totally waterproof except for the big hole at the top where my foot goes in.
Just bought some Karrimor Bodmin walking shoes in the SD "sale"  ::) . Not worn seriously yet, but will be taking on my annual jaunt to Kukudrills countryside.

I use spraycan waterproofer after brushing shoes, boots . I bought a dozen cans when a local shoe shop had its closing down sale. I believe that it has been a fantastic bargain.
Too little, too late, too bad......

hinch184

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Re: Karrimor boots and shoes - any good?
« Reply #28 on: 12:34:12, 16/10/19 »
First time I got into walking I bought the Karrimor Hot Rock boots. Massive mistake, terrible (for me), got rid after a 4 mile walk for Salomon Quest 2's which I find brilliant.


I think with most things you're best getting advice, perhaps see a specialist boot fitter and see what's right for you...those Karrimor might be great for another foot type.




Stube

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Re: Karrimor boots and shoes - any good?
« Reply #29 on: 16:23:46, 16/10/19 »
I've used two pairs of Karrimor boots over the last five years (among others). I find they last about 500-600 miles walking on hard chalk or minor roads.

I'm heavy on all footware since I flex the sole while walking and always split the sole or upper.
By comparison town shoes last me about six months of local pottering ie 1-2 miles a day.

These days I generally use whatever I find in my local charity shops. If I get 200 miles out of a £7 pair of boots I'm not going to complain.

 

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