Author Topic: Boots advice  (Read 5369 times)

Ryanmartin1991

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Boots advice
« on: 21:20:50, 23/08/18 »
Hi all.


After my first set of walking boots. I have challenged myself to complete the three peaks challenge next year. Any advice on boots or is it just whatever feels comfey.


Thanks in advance
Ryan

NeilC

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Re: Boots advice
« Reply #1 on: 22:21:38, 23/08/18 »

Comfort/fit is the most important feature but quality, longevity and function do vary.

Personally I think decent leather boots are the best for UK conditions, preferably made from as few bits if leather as possible. You could do a lot worse than checking out Altberg's range, although other firms also make some decent boots, like Meindl, Lowa etc

« Last Edit: 09:30:05, 24/08/18 by NeilC »

richardh1905

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Re: Boots advice
« Reply #2 on: 07:54:17, 24/08/18 »

I would agree with Neil. I've used various fabric boots over the years; fine for walking the dog and summer walking, but they are second best compared to a good leather boot when you get serious and go high. But above all - comfort. And wear them in a bit.


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

kinkyboots

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Re: Boots advice
« Reply #3 on: 10:14:04, 24/08/18 »
Another vote for Altberg boots.

It depends how serious a walker you are now or intend to be in the future? If the three peaks challenge next year is just going to be a one off thing it's probably not worth spending loads of money on boots.

If you intend to walk regularly and if your budget allows and the best possible quality, fit, comfort and durability are top of your priority list I would recommend that you look at the following models of Altberg boots. They're definitely not cheap but quality never is but if you look after them properly they will last you a long time. All Altberg boots can be resoled by the factory if and when the need arises.

2-3 Season Boots
Altberg
Fremington Men's 1412g RRP £174.99 (standard last with 5 width fittings) https://www.altberg.co.uk/product/the-fremington-mens-boot-mto/
Altberg Malham Men's 1344g RRP £184.99 (A-Forme last with 1 width fitting) https://www.altberg.co.uk/product/the-malham-mens-boot-mto/

3 Season Boots
Altberg Tethera Men's 1472g RRP £214.99 (standard last with 5 width fittings) https://www.altberg.co.uk/product/the-tethera-mens-boot-mto/
Altberg Nordkapp Unisex 1460g RRP £219.99 (A-Forme last with 1 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. There are other models available for wider fitting feet.

Any of those boots listed above will be more than up to your needs but my personal choice would be the Tethera which can easily cope with all the weather conditions and terrain the UK can throw at you including winter use.

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.

A hell of a trek from down south but from personal experience 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 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.

This guide and videos may be worth a look http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/expert-advice/hill-walking-boots and this older Go Outdoors video is also worth watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ9hb65XfIs as it explains what type of boot you need to be looking for to best suit the type of walking you do.

Ryanmartin1991

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Re: Boots advice
« Reply #4 on: 20:34:40, 24/08/18 »
Thanks for all your replies I am kean on getting into walking as I am also into my photography so it sort of goes hand in hand really. I might save up for the boots and then book a trip to the dales and check out that place if it's as good as you say it is. I will keep everyone updated in what I decide to do.

Mel

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Re: Boots advice
« Reply #5 on: 00:14:37, 25/08/18 »
Whilst you're saving up for some of the boots kinkyboots suggests, just get a pair of boots from any old high street outdoorsy type shop - the key is comfort and fit rather than brand (the gear fetish stuff comes later in the walking addiction when you know more about what you want and need for the type of walking you decide you prefer doing). 




gunwharfman

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Re: Boots advice
« Reply #6 on: 11:09:24, 25/08/18 »
During my walking 'career' I've gone through the whole circle, started with leather boots, moved on to 'fabric', then back to leather and for my last walk, fabric again. I bought them specifically for one walk, a hike in the Pyrenees which I finished a few days ago. From now on I will just use them over the winter months locally, down the pub and so on.

If you are going to be a 'now and again' walker, personally I would go cheap, unless you have money to throw away or you MUST have a specific brand? I bought a pair of watererproof boots from Decathlon a few weeks ago and wore them over 12 hiking days in the Pyrenees, no problem at all, up and down rocky paths across all sorts of other land scapes including roads, the only issue was that they they leaked on the first day of rain. They quickly dried out as well, so no big deal.

If you are going for a few years of walking, I personally would go for leather boots. Only a personal preference because of my own expereience of boots. The leather ones I've purchased have never leaked, all of the 'fabric' ones have, these included a pair of Keen Targa 2's and a pair of Soloman Quest as well. Very comfortable to walk in but not when my feet are wet through! I may have been unlucky but the Keen and the Salomon did NOT dry out quickly!

Ralph

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Re: Boots advice
« Reply #7 on: 11:33:54, 25/08/18 »
The only fabric boots that have kept me dry in really wet conditions are my current  Oboz Sawtooth, got a great deal at Ult. Outdoors.Worth consideration.

Ryanmartin1991

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Re: Boots advice
« Reply #8 on: 20:53:08, 25/08/18 »
Very good point gunwarfman I might get a pair to get me going and then maybe look to upgrade for my birthday in January. I am going to be using them over my local shooting ground aswell so would need them to be waterproof I was thinking of going for leather ones for that reason. Appreciate any view and opinions like I say very new to this I don't want to get crap but at the same time don't think I need top of the range at the same time.

Ryanmartin1991

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Re: Boots advice
« Reply #9 on: 17:33:16, 26/08/18 »
Considering getting Scarpa Mistrel GTX has anyone owned these or heard anything about them for £85 they seem pretty decent




kinkyboots

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Re: Boots advice
« Reply #10 on: 13:41:40, 27/08/18 »
Don't know anything about the Scarpa Mistral GTX but I would personally avoid any boot using suede in it's manufacture rather than either full grain or nubuck leather as suede is very difficult to keep clean and waterproof for any length of time.

A few entry level full leather or nubuck boots up to around £100 which may be worth considering. Of these the Scarpa Delta would be my choice (only if it fits/suits your feet) but has no GTX lining although regular waxing should keep it fully waterproof.

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/berghaus-explorer-ridge-plus-gtx-mens-walking-boots-p304976 (On the Duke of Edinburgh Award approved kit list - assumes it's been extensively tested)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Berghaus-Explorer-Ridge-Brown-Leather/dp/B00NSJ2SRI/ (price varies considerably with chosen size)
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-tec-summit-wp-mens-walking-boot-p299653
https://www.blacks.co.uk/footwear/179252-berghaus-mens-fellmaster-gtx-hiking-boot-brown.html
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00SHGXDNU/ref=asc_df_B00SHGXJWK55144121/
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/scarpa-delta-activ-p269717
https://www.uttings.co.uk/p126646-anatom-q2-classic-hike-flx2-hiking-boot-men-s-brown-faxq2clas/
https://www.e-outdoor.co.uk/men-c7/mens-footwear-c59/mens-hiking-and-walking-footwear-c64/anatom-mens-q2-classic-hiking-comfort-boots-p1492/s8825

A budget nubuck/fabric combination boot worth considering
https://www.sportsshoes.com/product/obo5/oboz-sawtooth-mid-b~dry-walking-boots/

NB You will need to do your own research for user reviews and to find the best online prices.

NeilC

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Re: Boots advice
« Reply #11 on: 14:03:08, 27/08/18 »
You'll find a leather boot for that price. It might but be the last word for quality but still servicable.


My friend has some Quecha 500 boots from Decathlon which he rates. You can also find discounts on various big brands out there.


I know others have different experiences but the fabric boots and shoes I've had have all ended up leaking disappointingly quickly. That's OK if they're like £40 but for £85 I'd want leather.

Islandplodder

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Re: Boots advice
« Reply #12 on: 15:49:46, 27/08/18 »

Altberg boots are really good, and I love my pair of tetheras for rough hill walks. 
But just to counter the received wisdom...…
On any walk where there is a good path, which I would think includes the 3 peaks, I find I am tending more and more towards lighter weight boots such as Lowa Renegades (Which I did the Pennine Way in a few years ago).  This summer being so dry, I actually did a lot of walks in Salomon trainers (or approach shoes or whatever they are called) with 1000 mile approach socks, which I found light and comfy on a 14 mile walk which included climbing Ingleborough.  I find increasingly that the Altbergs only really come out in winter.   It's worth walking round the shop for a while, up and down the little ramp they have, and the stairs if there are any, and trying to work out how much weight you are comfortable with on your feet, especially if you haven't spent a lot of time in walking boots before.
The other thing to bear in mind is that boots which are the same make and size don't always feel the same.  For that reason I tend to spend the bit extra to buy the pair I have tried on the shop rather than get a pair online.

Ryanmartin1991

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Re: Boots advice
« Reply #13 on: 16:57:51, 27/08/18 »
Go outdoors in basildon was a complete waste of time the bloke who worked in there didn't give me any advice so I walked out empty handed... going to attempt my nearest blacks store next weekend.


Leather boots seemed heavy but I am going to be using the walking boots for shooting aswell so I think I need them to be waterproof. However I do feel that for the 3 peaks next year something a bit lighter will be better. I suppose there's not a one boots does all really is there.

Ronin83

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Re: Boots advice
« Reply #14 on: 17:16:52, 27/08/18 »
Blacks and go outdoors are cheap, but their staff are no experts at all.  
People rate Cotswolds, but I haven't noticed much better there myself tbh.


Might be worth a punt on some altberg defenders from eBay and save your money for decent lighter boots aswell. There's loads around and you can resell them if you don't like em. Can get good condition ones for about £30. I used some for working outside all winter in snow and everything and they were proper waterproof (anfibio leather, no gtx). In the end they were a tad small for hiking and slipped on my heel. They fit other people better though.
Another option is the haix British army gtx leather boots. Harder to get such a cheap deal on them tho.


Cheap, solid leather boots for muddy, sludgy, wet British winter
+
Nice comfy, lighter boots for better weather/surface and comfort.


If u only want to buy one pair and have the time/money, go for top brand leather boots. Altberg seem to never have a bad word said about them

 

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