Which boots

[KJ]

I'm looking to purchase another pair of walking boots as my main walking is either on bridleways, country lanes and dissused railway lines. Due to me having a carbon fibre lower right leg I can manage walking to a distance of five miles relatively comfortable. Can anyone suggest whatvi should be looking out for as this will be a great help.


Ken

[Mel]

Hi Ken.  I would think the advice would be the same as that given for any walker.  A boot which fits your other foot well and is comfortable is the main thing as that foot is the one with the feelings and potential for blisters!  You are lucky enough to be able to pick and choose from a wide range of "general" walking boots as you don't need them for mountain scrambles.


I currently have some Meindl walking shoes which I find are the most comfortable and grippy things I have ever owned, even though reviews of Meindl footwear seems to be generally negative so really, it is down to individual foot shape and walking style.


If you haven't already, get your "real" (sorry if that's politically incorrect) foot measured by a specialist and maybe even have your walking gait analysed to see if you need any corrective insoles. 


As an aside, there is a forum member (mick) who has a prosthetic foot/leg and certainly gets out and about in the hills.  Here's a link to his very inspiring blog:


http://www.onefootinnorthumberland.co.uk/

[kinkyboots]

It might help if you say where in the country you are, what your existing boots are and what your budget is?

I would recommend that you visit a professional boot fitter such as Whalley Warm & Dry http://www.whalleyoutdoor.co.uk/boot-fitting-service/ who will be able to give you with some specialist advice and the benefit of their wide experience and recommend and fit boots which suit both you and the type of walking you do.

First thing to decide is whether you prefer a boot or a shoe for the type of walking you do and then decide whether you prefer a fabric/leather combination construction or a full leather construction.

A fabric/leather combination boot will be slightly lighter than a full leather construction boot but will not last anywhere near as long. Expect a fabric/leather combination boot to last up to 2 years+ and a full leather boot to last 5 years+. Most full leather boots can be resoled as and when required but it's usually not worth resoling a fabric/leather combination boots as once the waterproof liner had either punctured or worn through it's time to bin the boots and buy new.

The fabric/leather combination boots which get mentioned and recommended the most on here are the Salomon Quest Prime GTX (1140g) and the Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX (1280g).
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/salomon-mens-quest-prime-gtx-walking-boots-p409424
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/salomon-quest-4d-2-gtx-mens-walking-boot-p326099

For a full leather construction boot for the type of walking you describe you are probably looking at a 2/3 season boot such as the Altberg Fremington (1412g) (standard last with 5 width fittings) or the Altberg Malham (1344g) (A-Forme last with 1 width fitting).
http://www.altberg.co.uk/product/the-fremington-mens-boot-mto/
http://www.altberg.co.uk/product/the-malham-mens-boot-mto/

[KJ]

Thank you Mel for your input much appreciated. Kinkyboots I live just on the outskirts of the City of Durham so I have plenty of river walks and bridleways to keep me active.
The boots I wear are Hi-Tec V-Lite Mach 4 ion mask they are comfy but I find them a little to high. The boots or shoes do not need to be full leather as I can waterproof whatever I buy.
Thanks for all the links I'm off to Middlesbrough on Thursday so I will have a look at some.


Ken

[Forkbeard]

Hi Ken, I'd second Salomon, they're light and mine fit me like slippers. If you're looking for a lower boot, the X Ultra Mid 2 might be better than the Quests in that respect, although the quality (and cost) is higher on the Quests. Also, if you wear Hi-Tec (I used to and swapped to Salomon), then you'll almost certainly need a bigger size in the Salomons, half or even full size up. I have a bad knee and the Salomon's are world's apart from my old hi-tec in terms of suspension/bounce and takes a lot of strain off the joints.


I also have a pair of Berghaus Hillmasters, which are heavier but more robust and more waterproof. That being said, the type of walking you do they might be considered 'overkill'.

[kinkyboots]

I live just on the outskirts of the City of Durham

You're not that far from the Altberg factory shop if you fancy a bit of a detour to see what they have available and to try a few models on http://www.altberg.co.uk/contact/

http://www.altberg.co.uk/category/factory-made-boots/

(NB The factory shop reopens on Tuesday 29th August after their summer holiday shutdown.)