Walking Forum
Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: Checks38 on 09:32:50, 06/01/21
-
Hi all,
Looking for some help. My wife and I want to buy a comfortable, ward wearing and most of all very important waterproof pair of walking boots.
So I am looking for recommendations as I have been looking for days now and each time I find a pair I get put off by the reviews as most reviews offer little to no information when people post.
As we are just starting out with walking boots this is for walking up smaller hills in all types of weather as we go caravaning in Scotland all year round.
Looking to not pay an a lot so between £40 to £140 maximum.
Thanks for reading.
-
Worth checking out Magic Mountain site for Oboz Sawtooth boots, I've had mine for 2 years and find them extremely comfortable. Oboz are a little known brand here and you can find a few stockists online. I also have the Sawtooth shoes and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Hope this helps
-
At the top end of your spending preference , but have a look at Aku boots, I swear by them.
They don't need breaking in as they're comfortable from the off, I've never had any water come in, and as long as you look after them, they look good for years.
Only problem is for your first pair, I'd recommend going to a shop to try them to ensure you get the right size, as they do run small.
-
My boots are simple, all leather and depending on where I buy also fairly cheap. I'd beware of believing that you will be able to buy boots that never leak, mine have always started off that way but over time I always end up with wet feet which then tends to get worse. From experience, I'm not particularly bothered with 'rain' as such, only rain that is persistent over time. If I'm going to get wet feet it is more than likely because of walking through wet vegetation, e.g. grass.
My boots are Bergause Superlights, my third pair, I like them a lot and they really suit my feet type and shape. Mine this time cost me £62 about 6 months ago. I think they are £155 if you buy them directly from Berghaus.
Other than that, there is so much choice out there!
-
In general, boot choices start as leather or fabric, to keep them waterproof both types would need waxed / proofed.
Leather would typically be a bit heavier, harder wearing, easier to keep waterproof (less stitches), and probably more suited when going higher/rougher.
Conversely fabric boots would generally be a bit lighter, easier on more gentle walks, and may not last / be waterproof quite as long.
The Berghaus Superlites mentioned would probably be seen as representative of the best of the 'lightweight' leather boots; some fabric boots would actually be heavier and certainly less comfortable
Both types should be comfortable but lighter fabric boots would typically feel easier in appropriate conditions
In practice I wear fabric boots most of the time, and switch to the leather ones mainly in winter when I'm on rocky ground, snow & ice, soaking conditions etc.
There probably isn't a great price difference for decent boots, towards the upper end of your price bracket should get you good comfy boots in fabric or leather.
-
Well finally ordered some boots this morning. Wife ordered Salamon Prime GTX and I ordered HAIX Black Eagle Athletic 2.0 V GTX. Now just hoping they will do for out getting some walking and keeping feet dry.
Has any used either of these boots?
-
Yes Windyrigg like me, leather boots in winter, fabric boots in summer.
I own a pair of Salomon Ultra X boots. At the time of the first purchase, I was also considering the Prime and the Quest. I first bought the Quest but couldn't get on with them, they were too tall above my ankles and my lower shins became sore. I then had a personal debate between the Prime and the Ultra and could work really work out what was the difference between them, so I opted for the cheaper boots, the Ultra X's. I think they are really good and I'm sure the Primes are as well.
I like Salomon boots, they seem to be ideal for my feet and I always find them super comfortable to walk in. Only one drawback for me, all of my previous Salomon boots have leaked. My present ones are OK at the moment.
-
Lockdown is pushing prices of things like boots up, and not only that but the pandemic probably means that production is reduced too. It happened last summer as numbers of people took to the trails, and it will probably continue now. Even RipOff Britain: Holdays on BBC1 had a piece this morning with travel guru Simon Calder suggesting taking up walking.
Gunwharfman claimed yesterday that his current pair of Berghaus Supalites cost him £62 about 6 months ago, and he thought they are now about £155 if you buy them directly from Berghaus. Well, £155 is exactly what I paid for a pair on Amazon in November, and it was the lowest price I could find at the time.
-
Gunwharfman claimed yesterday that his current pair of Berghaus Supalites cost him £62 about 6 months ago, and he thought they are now about £155 if you buy them directly from Berghaus. Well, £155 is exactly what I paid for a pair on Amazon in November, and it was the lowest price I could find at the time.
If that happened with the prices of say Gas or Electricity there would be questions in the House. An Ofgem enquiry and huge fines meted out to the energy companies.
These inflationary price rises, are hardly justified given the amount of cash support these companies have been given, as well as various forms of relief.
Maybe justifies letters to our MPs.
Also personally annoyed because I have spent too much time Web searching for berghaus supalites from whatever source they may have come from at that price.
-
Hi all,
Looking for some help. My wife and I want to buy a comfortable, ward wearing and most of all very important waterproof pair of walking boots.
So I am looking for recommendations as I have been looking for days now and each time I find a pair I get put off by the reviews as most reviews offer little to no information when people post.
As we are just starting out with walking boots this is for walking up smaller hills in all types of weather as we go caravaning in Scotland all year round.
Looking to not pay an a lot so between £40 to £140 maximum.
Thanks for reading.
Well finally ordered some boots this morning. Wife ordered Salamon Prime GTX and I ordered HAIX Black Eagle Athletic 2.0 V GTX. Now just hoping they will do for out getting some walking and keeping feet dry.
Has any used either of these boots?
To be frank your first two posts have not gone well. ;D
I'm normally willing to help anybody but I won't waste my time on someone who logs on for less than 10 minutes including the time spent to post the question without spending any time trying to help themselves by reading previous posts and trying to benefit and learn from previous similar posts.
Worse still you then ignore the advice and recommendations given by those who wasted their time replying to your request for help.
If as you stated you wanted to buy "comfortable, hard wearing and most of all very important waterproof pair of walking boots" you have made two mistakes in your boot choices.
The boots you have bought are both leather/fabric combination boots. If waterproof boots was your main concern you should have spent a bit more and bought full leather boots. Salomon have a reputation for making boots which have a poor build quality and which will almost certainly leak like a sieve after a short period of time. The Haix are suede/fabric combination boot and suede soaks water up like a sponge and is difficult and time consuming to keep clean, maintain and keep waterproof. Expect to get a maximum of 6 months to 2 years out of the boots before they let water in and become totally useless in any wet weather.
You don't say but I'm also assuming that they've been ordered online without you getting properly measured or trying them on first? It's a common mistake made by many people.
Most people end up with a cupboard full of useless gear when they first start out because they think they know best. This could easily be avoided if they were willing to spend a little time to learn from other people's buying mistakes.
If you end up sending them back and given your low budget I would suggest that you look at these
Anatom Q2 Classic from around £100
https://www.anatomfootwear.co.uk/mens/14-q2-classic-hiking.html (https://www.anatomfootwear.co.uk/mens/14-q2-classic-hiking.html)
https://www.summits.co.uk/product/anatom-mens-q2-classic-hiking-boot/ (https://www.summits.co.uk/product/anatom-mens-q2-classic-hiking-boot/)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBu1Xj00bfQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBu1Xj00bfQ)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXycy9kTG2M (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXycy9kTG2M)
Anatom Q3 Braeriach from around £115
https://www.anatomfootwear.co.uk/mens/28-q3-braeriach.html (https://www.anatomfootwear.co.uk/mens/28-q3-braeriach.html)
https://www.summits.co.uk/product/anatom-mens-q3-braeriach-hiking-boots/ (https://www.summits.co.uk/product/anatom-mens-q3-braeriach-hiking-boots/)
https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/anatom-q3-braeriach-boot-review/ (https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/anatom-q3-braeriach-boot-review/)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn-ShzTRQeY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn-ShzTRQeY)
-
As you will see from the replies everyone has their own views on boots. KinkyBoots swears by leather boots all the way, Wildwalking on this site did Lands End to John o Groats and Dover to Cape Wrath in lightweight fabric boots, and there are all points of view in between. And in the real world people buy boots online, put them on and walk happily for years, it's just on walking fora we are all a bit obsessive, and can argue about kit for days.
I hope your boots suit you, and you have many happy walks in them
-
Too true.
I used to have leather boots, but got fed up with their weight, upkeep, hard soles and breaking in period.
Also their miss-leading claims of being water proof.
They can be quite good if you constantly treat them.
OK for the intermittent walker, but not ideal if doing daily walks or multi day walks, as carrying the wax/polish is a pain!
I graduated to fabric boots and have never looked back.
As for Salomons I found them the most comfortable boot I have worn, and hope you enjoy yours.
I used them for 2 crossings of Scotland 198 Miles and 238 Miles, and have walked a further 4000 miles in ones on top of that.
I have found their latest model, doesn't quite have the same feel, so I am going to upgrade again to INOV-8 Roclite pro G 400GTX's which looks like even another step ahead of Leather.
-
Wildwalking on this site did Lands End to John o Groats and Dover to Cape Wrath in lightweight fabric boots
From what I recall from following his blog, he frequently commented on having wet feet.
I used to have leather boots, but got fed up with their weight
Which is why I bought Supalite, 1304g (size 9.5 / 44) compared with my old Burmas, 1708g. That's not far short of a pound weight in Imperial. Before settling for them I bought and immediately returned a pair of Scarpa Ranger because they weighed 1808g.
I don't expect them to last as long as a top-of-the-range leather boot because they are just not the same quality, but the lighter weight makes walking more pleasurable.
Edited to add that the Altberg and Anatom models that Kinkyboots always recommends are lighter than most as well.
-
When I searched for my Superlights most prices were nearer to £100 but I managed to find my pair from a garden centre in Somerset. I remember being surprised at the time so I phoned the garden centre just to check them out and they were the latest models so I made the judgement that all would go ok, so with crossed fingers I paid and they arrived a few days later.
-
Which is why I bought Supalite, 1304g (size 9.5 / 44) compared with my old Burmas, 1708g. That's not far short of a pound weight in Imperial. Before settling for them I bought and immediately returned a pair of Scarpa Ranger because they weighed 1808g.
I don't expect them to last as long as a top-of-the-range leather boot because they are just not the same quality, but the lighter weight makes walking more pleasurable.
Exactly Fernman. INOV-8 400 Grams
Edited to add that the Altberg and Anatom models that Kinkyboots always recommends are lighter than most as well.
I Note Kinky boots boot weights are quoted per boot.
-
@Kinkyboots. First of all thanks for your recommendation at the end of what I would call a attack on me. You say I had not took anyone's advice for your information I asked on few forums looked at many reviews watched many videos. Spoke personally to prople that do hill walking. Spoke to 4 different people that own Salamon boots my son in law has had HAIX desert boots for 4 years and still loves them. I am at the moment thinking towards spring and summer as we are as far as I am concerned half way through winter and don't fancy warm Leather boots for Spring and Summer. If it works out I have already said to Wife we could buy leather boots for Autumn and Winter nearer end of year. I appreciate your love for Leather but no need to go off on one especially you hadn't even replied before I said what I had bought. I was only trying to do the right thing as fa's as I was concerned letting people know rather than looking up links to send me and me essentially wasting their time.
To everyone else thanks for your comments. Just never seen anyone do this on any forum I have been part of.
-
I Note Kinky boots boot weights are quoted per boot.
Really? :o I must check!
To everyone else thanks for your comments. Just never seen anyone do this on any forum I have been part of.
That's what makes this forum so special O0 And people like you who come back to say thankyou are always welcome, unlike the ill-mannered ones who are never heard of again, so we hope you will stick around.
-
Really? :o I must check!
Weight 610 gms (size 42 half pair)
Half pair being the clue
-
Just weighed my Altbergs, (well, not a lot to do in lockdown) 700gms each, size 7. That's not what I call lightweight, and why mine are in that gear cupboard full of expensive mistakes that never get worn.
Glad you came back Checks 38, we won't all shout at you. I think your idea of sticking with fabric boots for the summer is very reasonable, and you may find they are fine for winter too.
We all have our own ideas about boots. What I tend to do is read not just the boot threads but also try to pick up what kind of walking people who are offering advice do. I live in NW Scotland, so am probably looking for something different from someone who does most of their walking in the home counties. It sounds as though that is pretty much what you have done, and I hope you get up here to try out your new boots as soon as the current mess is over.
-
I Note Kinky boots boot weights are quoted per boot.
It just shows how out of touch you are with modern full leather boots. I'm glad to report that the days of the 70's and 80's when extremely heavy boots were the only boots of any kind available and the leather needed weeks or months of gradual breaking in or they crippled you are long gone.
To the best of my knowledge the weights I quote for Altberg boots are always weight per pair. Men's weight in UK Size 9 and Women's weight in UK Size 6.
As I posted earlier if your main priority is to have waterproof boots (even when the waterproof liner is damaged/punctured) which will last 5+ years you can't beat full leather boots provided you are willing to look after the leather.
By comparison leather/fabric combination boots can only be expected to last a maximum of between 6 - 24 months before they will need replacing and because of the way they're constructed the vast majority of leather/fabric combination boots cannot be resoled whilst the vast majority of full leather boots can. Some people accept this and are happy to accept the weight saving of leather/fabric combination boots and replace their boots frequently whilst others are not. If you want best value for money full leather is the way to go.
Lightweight leather/fabric combination boots do have their place in the market but it's not for regular wet weather walking on difficult terrain. The problem with all of them is that the waterproof liner will fail at some point rendering the boots totally useless for all wet weather walking. The small panels, large amount of stitching and lack of abrasion resistant fabric on them is their achilles heel. That waterproof liner failure can happen as little as 6 months or even earlier from the date of purchase.
@Kinkyboots. First of all thanks for your recommendation at the end of what I would call a attack on me. You say I had not took anyone's advice for your information I asked on few forums looked at many reviews watched many videos. Spoke personally to prople that do hill walking. Spoke to 4 different people that own Salamon boots my son in law has had HAIX desert boots for 4 years and still loves them. I am at the moment thinking towards spring and summer as we are as far as I am concerned half way through winter and don't fancy warm Leather boots for Spring and Summer. If it works out I have already said to Wife we could buy leather boots for Autumn and Winter nearer end of year. I appreciate your love for Leather but no need to go off on one especially you hadn't even replied before I said what I had bought. I was only trying to do the right thing as fa's as I was concerned letting people know rather than looking up links to send me and me essentially wasting their time.
To everyone else thanks for your comments. Just never seen anyone do this on any forum I have been part of.
I'm sorry you think it was an attack on you it was not meant to be. It was simply my personal opinion and advice on your boot choices given your original specification which you are free to take on board or to ignore along with the rest. I hope your boot choices work out for your intended use.
It's no excuse but please understand and appreciate that this forum does seem to get more than it's fair share of one-post wonders, time wasters and spammers which is why I didn't want to waste my time replying before your second post.
-
It just shows how out of touch you are with modern full leather boots. I'm glad to report that the days of the 70's and 80's when extremely heavy boots were the only boots of any kind available and the leather needed weeks or months of gradual breaking in or they crippled you are long gone.
To the best of my knowledge the weights I quote for Altberg boots are always weight per pair. Men's weight in UK Size 9 and Women's weight in UK Size 6.
Thats true Kinkyboots,
but the links for the cheaper boots you sent were for weight for a half pair, ie one Boot. O0
lets be honest though anyone who has graduated on to lighter fabric boots would find any thing over 1000g per pair as excessive!
Maybe I am hard on my boots, but I am sure that leather boots wouldn't last me 5 plus years. that would be over 7000 miles
-
but the links for the cheaper boots you sent were for weight for a half pair, ie one Boot. O0
Mystic Meg has now managed to work out what the link is you are referring to. ;D
For the benefit of others (including fernman) it's the Anatom Q3 Braeriach not the Altberg boots at all.
https://www.summits.co.uk/product/anatom-mens-q3-braeriach-hiking-boots/ (https://www.summits.co.uk/product/anatom-mens-q3-braeriach-hiking-boots/)
For the record by today's standards 1220g per pair in UK Size 8 is lightweight for a full leather 3 season boot.
Maybe I am hard on my boots, but I am sure that leather boots wouldn't last me 5 plus years. that would be over 7000 miles
They would if you looked after the leather properly and had them resoled when needed.
-
Longevity is much more to do with mileage than age. My Altbergs are well over 5 years old, but have only done about 500 miles if that. I've got a pair of slightly leaky Scarpas which are probably up round the 1500 miles, think I have had them about 3 years. But I walk in trainers most of the summer, and they do far more mileage.
I remember once reading that a pair of boots should last about 1500 miles, 2000 if you are lucky. How long that takes depends on the owner and the size of their boot collection.
-
Longevity is much more to do with mileage than age. My Altbergs are well over 5 years old, but have only done about 500 miles if that. I've got a pair of slightly leaky Scarpas which are probably up round the 1500 miles, think I have had them about 3 years. But I walk in trainers most of the summer, and they do far more mileage.
I remember once reading that a pair of boots should last about 1500 miles, 2000 if you are lucky. How long that takes depends on the owner and the size of their boot collection.
This is the point where ninthace used to earn his corn and his expertise is sorely missed.
-
https://www.summits.co.uk/product/anatom-mens-q3-braeriach-hiking-boots/ (https://www.summits.co.uk/product/anatom-mens-q3-braeriach-hiking-boots/)
For the record by today's standards 1220g per pair in UK Size 8 is lightweight for a full leather 3 season boot.
Correct, they are!
That's why I have moved on to better hiking boots O0
By the way glad you apologised to Check38 it was warranted.
And yes you were correct "its no excuse"
-
Glad you came back Checks 38, we won't all shout at you. I think your idea of sticking with fabric boots for the summer is very reasonable, and you may find they are fine for winter too.
Thanks for that. 👍
I won't be posting a lot as I can't offer to much in the way of knowledge probably asking more questions than posting to help others. But if you guys would be OK with me asking and hopefully one day with experience behind me I can reply to people if I think I can help.
-
I really understand why the OP has posted their question as getting the right boot is definitely a nightmare.
Way way back I brought a pair of Zamberlan Ibex boots and after using them several times decided they were the wrong size and put them away in a cupboard literally for years. I replaced them with a pair of Merrell boots and again the sizing was a bit iffy but as they were lighter they were my boot of choice for some time.
Running Cycling Triathlons replaced walking until last year when I rediscovered my love of walking so both the Zamberlan & Merrell boots were brought back out from the back of the cupboard.
Even using thicker socks the Zamberlan still feel a bit big so my boots of choice are once again the Merrell's.
But all that said as I think other responders or at least one has suggested getting a correct boot fitting rather than buying on line. But even before Covid this was almost impossible for most of us so it will be even more difficult now.
Given this would anyone know of a good method to determine your correct foot size. I have seen on line an idea of drawing an outline of your foot on sheet of paper and using that measurement but is this precise enough ! All advice and opinions would be welcomed. Thanks
Just found Kinky Boots link to YouTube re boots fittings so well done KB before you lambast me for asking my question 🤣🤣
-
Boot fitting for hiking is a bit different to getting properly fitted for office shoes.
Based on thus forums advice I rang around several stores to see if they had properly trained fitters, in this area, only Black's did.I rang the shop up re a fitting she came on the phone and offered me a late afternoon fitting and advised me to wear all the socks I would normally wear whilst out on the moors.
She also asked me to try and be walking for a couple of hours at least before I came into the shop.
Once there she explained about feet swelling after being on them for a while, though she did say it affected people differently from a lot to hardly noticeable. She was proud of her own walking achievements which were many. So she set to and I was astonished to find my feet were a full size bigger than I thought them to be. The boots I bought were so comfortable from the off. The pity is that the company decided to drop that model or I would have bought more of the same. That young lady left Blacks not long after and went working full time as a mountain guide in northern Italy. They didn't get anyone else trained. Needless to say I have not bought any more boots from Black's.
Of interest she didn't just measure length and width, but also height from floor to top of foot, checked my gait and advised which replacement I soles would not be good in the boots of my choice, luckily my superfeet greens ticked the boxes. Also she showed three different ways to lace the boots up for different conditions.
-
Boot fitting for hiking is a bit different to getting properly fitted for office shoes.
Based on thus forums advice I rang around several stores to see if they had properly trained fitters, in this area, only Black's did.I rang the shop up re a fitting she came on the phone and offered me a late afternoon fitting and advised me to wear all the socks I would normally wear whilst out on the moors.
She also asked me to try and be walking for a couple of hours at least before I came into the shop.
Once there she explained about feet swelling after being on them for a while, though she did say it affected people differently from a lot to hardly noticeable. She was proud of her own walking achievements which were many. So she set to and I was astonished to find my feet were a full size bigger than I thought them to be. The boots I bought were so comfortable from the off. The pity is that the company decided to drop that model or I would have bought more of the same. That young lady left Blacks not long after and went working full time as a mountain guide in northern Italy. They didn't get anyone else trained. Needless to say I have not bought any more boots from Black's.
Of interest she didn't just measure length and width, but also height from floor to top of foot, checked my gait and advised which replacement I soles would not be good in the boots of my choice, luckily my superfeet greens ticked the boxes. Also she showed three different ways to lace the boots up for different conditions.
Thats interesting jimbob . As advised by KinkyBoots in another thread I have just watched the two videos he recommends with regards to getting a boot fitting and they are very good. Even more interesting is that the iffy sized boots I mentioned are the sizes they recommend 9 - 9.5 . Now given your experiences I am wondering about the other factors with regards to the size of your feet. I also saw a thread in which gunwharfman mentions that he has boots which are specifically designed for women so its left me wondering whether I too have shallower feet than I should have. Yes getting the right boot size can be a pain both literally and metaphorically. Thanks for replying.
-
I purchased some new boots Altbergs not to long ago, the advise i recieved from members here was very helpful.
But i must give credit to Kinkyboots, not only was his knowledge, advise and recommendations helpful but they was also bang on the money. O0
-
I purchased some new boots Altbergs not to long ago, the advise i recieved from members here was very helpful.
But i must give credit to Kinkyboots, not only was his knowledge, advise and recommendations helpful but they was also bang on the money. O0
I have to agree , however as always keen to get the issue dealt with after reading through the threads but not having enough money for a pair of Altbergs I opted instead for the boots GWM recommended in a thread. The only problem I have with this Forum is that there are so many members with a lot more knowledge than myself that its still hard to decide which solution on offer to opt for. Not a bad problem to have is it really.
Going off on a tangent this morning I grabbed a pair of socks to walk in and they weren't my normal choice and it was only when I was half way around my route I felt they were uncomfortable and realised just how important sock choice is as well. Another Forum search now then.