View Full Version : boots
nameless
12-01-2005, 15:57
hey i'm looking for a good pair of boots that will last me a long time, preferbly with gortex and leather, i intend to use them from camps in ireland to climbing mt kenya, so can anyone point me in the right direction?? :wave:
adam
I use Miendl Borneo's. I love them, they are the most confortable boots I have owned and have lasted me probabally over 500 miles and still going strong with barely any blisters. They are leather with a gortex lining so very waterproof.
I would warn you however that mount kenya is covered in scree and I know somone who has climbed it and Mt Killi and ruined their boots. Leather boots are not very resistant to rock scratches.
arctic hobo
12-01-2005, 16:28
Scarpa SL's. No contest, although everyone has their favourites and fit is of course most important. Get hold of a september issue of Trail magazine, they cover good boots in there.
Squidders
12-01-2005, 21:12
I agree with arctic hobo... Scarpa make top boots, as do LA Sportiva.
For general bumbling around in the woods though I use some cheapie boots I got for £40, they do all I ask of them (If a little smelly) but for serious walking you get what you pay for.
PurpleHeath
12-01-2005, 21:43
i always use my standard british army boots, i have used them from scotland to holland but you do have to maintian them. they are great because there is no special padding or anything. just wood, nails and rubber.
Celtic Dragon
12-01-2005, 21:51
I have a set of Karrimoor KT3? They are gortex but are suede/leather. They are lovely boots but may not be what your looking for.
Iwould warn you however that mount kenya is covered in scree and I know somone who has climbed it and Mt Killi and ruined their boots. Leather boots are not very resistant to rock scratches.
How a bout Lundhags? They're leather uppers with a rubber foot. I have a pair similar made by Aigle and they're great on scree and for the british winter. have a look at these :biggthump
http://www.shop.edirectory.co.uk/penrith_survival/pages/moreinfoa.asp?pe=HFEBEGQ_+Lund hag+Professional+Mid&cid=55
I would warn you however that mount kenya is covered in scree and I know somone who has climbed it and Mt Killi and ruined their boots. Leather boots are not very resistant to rock scratches.
Tell me about it!!
I bought a lovely pair of Scarpas to go climb Kili and they got trashed on the scree slopes on the way back down. But i still wear them and the scars make me smile when I think about that trip. That's the effect scars can have sometimes. The boots are none the worse, they just sped up the "Wearing-in"
Cheers,
Martin
sandbender
13-01-2005, 08:12
...I use Miendl Borneo's. I love them, they are the most confortable boots I have owned...
Miendl Borneo's are the most expensive boots I have ever owned, however they are easily the most comfortable, and with only one replacement sole have been with me for three and a half thousand kilometers.
And as a German guy once pointed out to me "Yes we Germans Know all about making boots for walking all over Europe!".
Have a look at these guys, they make a great range of boots and they have a range especially for Gary. :biggthump
www.rockyboots.com
Cheers
Jack.
Moonraker
13-01-2005, 09:12
Miendl Borneo's are the most expensive boots I have ever owned, however they are easily the most comfortable, and with only one replacement sole have been with me for three and a half thousand kilometers.
And as a German guy once pointed out to me "Yes we Germans Know all about making boots for walking all over Europe!".
:o):
Meindl for me. I prefer the Engadin Men MFS model because it is Sil-Nubuck oiled leather, 910 g (size 8), non-Goretex (breathes better, does not puncture and more comfortable fine leather lining. The MFS system works pretty well too). Also it gives a bit more ankle support than the Borneo PRO MFS or Burma PRO MFS which are very popular on BCUK from older threads and also great boots. I use the Meindl syloil to treat it and it is pretty much water proof now anyhow. I find they fitted my broader feet well and good toe room.
Not cheap but I got mine half price off eBay lightly used and nicely broken in :wink: The trick is to search the German ebay.de where you get a lot more choice as well as makes like Lowa etc. and often people will ship to other countries even if it says just Germany. Nearly all will answer a short English message asking about price of postage etc. Only downside is they nearly all ask for payment via bank transfer not Paypal ( it is free for them in DE with IBAN/BIC details). Costs me 3.50 euro. Not sure about UK.
Meindl - Boots English web site (http://www.meindl.de/english/modelle/schuh_frame.asp?k_ID=1&g_ID=1)
greg2935
13-01-2005, 09:58
I think feet are so different, that what suits one person does not suit another, I would suggest going into a number of stores and trying on every boot they have, walk around the store in the boots, annoy the staff, and compile a list of comfort, price, potential to fall apart, and store name. The way I see it, if you are going to pay £100 for footwear, you should get something that will not cripple after the first few miles.
Greg
Any suggestions for cheapish summer boots - I've given up on DMs as the soles never last more than six months with me. Preferably something in black - or at least not cammo.
Oneforthepot
Any suggestions for cheapish summer boots - I've given up on DMs as the soles never last more than six months with me. Preferably something in black - or at least not cammo.
I can vouch for Hi-tec Magnums. Very comfortable and very hard-wearing. I go through a pair every year, but then again I wear them almost every day !!!
Martin
bambodoggy
13-01-2005, 13:31
Yep...I'd second Martin on the Magnums, I've used them on and off since they first came on the market....for the price I can't fault them.
Or you could try a pair of Karrimor KSB's for summer.....
I have a mate who wears ex-US Jungle boots but I don't like them very much myself....he swears by them... :?:
nameless
13-01-2005, 18:15
thanks everyone i have a list of good boots i'm going to browse the net now to check them out. my last boots were made by trek-tex and i got them in lidl (the cheap german shop) for €25!! about £17!!! and i got them about a year and a half ago!! so they may still find a place in my bag to reach the summit!! :notworthy
arctic hobo
13-01-2005, 20:55
You folks think the Meindls are expensive, my Scarpas cost £150 and I do not regret a single penny. I'm not saying get SL's, just that if you get good boots you will get what you paid for and more.
I've just bought a fantastic pair of boots, made by Zamberlan (an Italian company). Leather upper and Gortex lined, reduced from £140 to £70, and although I've still to break them in properly, they're incredibly comfortable. Trying to pile as many walking miles into my day as I have time for! The only reviews I have found on the internet about them have been spot on. They're pretty heavy but I'm thinking these babies will last me a very long time indeed.
Now I'm just looking up at the sky forlornly praying for rain...because despite what seems to be happening elsewhere...it's not happening here and I want to get out and get my boots DIRTY.
RobertsonPau
13-01-2005, 21:17
Gaynors Outdoor store in Ambleside, Cumbria have a bargain boot section. I got my Scarpa SL's for £100 instead of £150, my Asolo Plastic boots for £70 instead of £200, they're supposed to be seconds, the SL's were missing laces!! and the Asolo's had a scratch in the toe area!! nothing compared to the state of them now after a few winters in the mountains! they also have bargain dept's for all other outdoor kit and clothes including all the big names. The big downer is they don't do mail order, or internet sales. Ahh well another excusse to goe to the Lake District.
Paul
I use Miendl Borneo's. I love them, they are the most confortable boots I have owned and have lasted me probabally over 500 miles and still going strong with barely any blisters. They are leather with a gortex lining so very waterproof.
I would warn you however that mount kenya is covered in scree and I know somone who has climbed it and Mt Killi and ruined their boots. Leather boots are not very resistant to rock scratches.
I think ya switched em round there. I have a pair of Meindl Borneo's and they are none goretex, it's the burma's that are the goretex version of the boot.
But... to echo, yep, blimmin brilliant boots. :biggthump
Those magnums don't look bad at all. I do about 12 miles a day mostly on pavements and road ( going to and from work ) which might account for the short lifespan of my shoes. I see they do a toe cap version as well which would be handy
I can't remember my brand of hiking boot but they're goretex, hand made and cost me about £170, well worth it but far to hot to be wearing all day in the lab.
I'm a bit wary of ordering footwear by post, any easy to find shops likely to stock the magnum range?
Realgar
bambodoggy
14-01-2005, 10:49
I think Millets stock them Mate....not 100% but I think they do...
Our local surplus shop sells them....not that that's any use to you! sorry! :o):
I'm a bit wary of ordering footwear by post, any easy to find shops likely to stock the magnum range?
Realgar
Hiya,
If a lot of your walking is on concrete as you say, then I really would recommend Magnums. As will most Policemen. Have a look at the next policeman you pass, Odds on they're wearing all leather magnums :o): Feel comfortable, Look smart and don't weigh a ton like a lot of other boots.
As bambo said, Millets stock them, but they will only hold a partial range. I guess you'll have to rely on someone near you with local knowledge. If you find somewhere that stocks one type, they should bve able to get the others for you. Niton Police supplies stock the full range if you want to familiarise yourself with what's available. Magnum range (http://www.niton999.co.uk/index_main.htm). Look under "Footwear"
Good luck with your quest,
Martin
Cheers, since I broke one foot years ago I have to try on a lot of boots to find ones that will fit both sides - and I still end up with two insoles on the left. Maybe I should do the other to even them up.
bombadil
16-01-2005, 14:05
I have always been a big fan of Meindl, I have Bourneos and Burmas, but I have to say that the Borneos are not as good as they used to be. My first pair I bought five years ago and I have them on my feet at this moment. Then I moved to a different part of the country where there was no Meindl stockist at the time, so I bought another pair. These wore out inside within six months of use, and as I was at that point living in Denmark I couldn't take them back to my stockist. Meindl consistently refused to respond to my emails. :banghead: I've found that the leather on the newer versions of the Borneo seems to be less durable, and were it not for the fact that my new Burmas were free, I would be shopping around. Bad Meindl :tw:
Grumble over :rant:
arctic hobo
16-01-2005, 15:09
If you find boots very cheap online, in today's age of mass production, go into a shop, try them out, check the fit is perfect, note the size and buy online. It's cheeky but it can save you lots.
Moonraker
16-01-2005, 16:35
If you find boots very cheap online, in today's age of mass production, go into a shop, try them out, check the fit is perfect, note the size and buy online. It's cheeky but it can save you lots.
The other advantage of buying online is that you are protected by 'The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations'. For more details check out the OFT - Online shopping (http://www.oft.gov.uk/Consumer/Your+Rights+When+Shopping+From +Home/Online+shopping/default.htm) in the UK with similar European protection elsewhere. This gives you the following additional protection when shopping online:
When shopping from home you additionally have the right to:
clear information before placing an order
written information about a purchase
a 'cooling off' period during which an order can be cancelled without any reason and a full refund made
a full refund if goods or services are not provided by an agreed date or within 30 days of placing an order if no date was agreed
protection against credit card fraud.
This does not extend to private auctions like eBay though, although you still have some rights even there. See OFT Internet Auctions (http://www.oft.gov.uk/Consumer/Your+Rights+When+Shopping+From +Home/Internet+auctions/default.htm)
I find increasingly that shops refuse to provide a full refund if you buy from a shop only a credit note which is within the law, unless the goods are defective or mis-sold. Also larger online set ups often offer to pay for any returned goods in this situation. It means that if it turns out the size is not quite right or I find another problem or simply decide I don't want it after all then I can return it. I agree that with something like boots it is important but for me it is not possible to find stockists for Meindl etc here and the net is a god send knowing that if I get it wrong I can sort it out this way.
quarterstaff
18-01-2005, 20:33
Have a pair of these,suit me for u.k and use grangers wax.
http://www.whipperleys.co.uk/acatalog/web_tex_waterproof_boots.html
Nice boot nice price.
cheers
I find goretex lined footwear intolerably sweaty - but your mileage may vary, as they say.
The Scarpa SLs do seem to come top in the gear reviews (for 4 years running!). I have the older but very similar Scarpa Manta M4s. They are excellent.
I don't know how they do it, but the boot is supple enough for days of blister-free summer walking, but also stiff enough to be secure on steep or snowy ground, and will take a crampon. Traction is phenomenal. My previous boots were by Raichle with 'commando' vibram soles. They were nowhere near as secure on steep ground.
Almost every outdoor shop will have Scarpa SLs. Really best to try before you buy. The only downside is the cost.
I think the leather is thicker (3mm vs 2.5mm) than most 3 season boots, so better abrasion resistance.
Paganwolf
18-01-2005, 20:56
with GTX boots i find you need to wear your thick walkers and a pair of wicking socks undernieth, coolmax are good ive worn GTX boots for years in some real hot places and never had a problem, saying that some peoples feet perspire more than others.
Boot selection is inevitably a personal choice which is informed over time by experience. That said, there are some timeless truisms. Like, "a pound on the foot is the equivalent of five in the pack". I.e. Pick the lightest boot that will achieve the function you require.
Beyond the 2/3/4 season temperature considerations and outside of the absolute requirements that crampon use dictates regarding sole stiffness, there seems to be little consideration given to individual musculo-skeletal dynamics.
What I have not heard often in the forums or from boot vendors is vital considerations regarding how you walk as an individual. Do you usually undertake trips with heavy packs? When you stride, do you like to maintain a well trussed ankle in a stiff boot or favour a greater range of ankle to shin articulation angle? What terrain with you be traversing?
Personally, I favour a Goretex lined light-weight [part cordura] boot. There is an undeniably clammy feel after a few miles, but your feet are never sodden. Invariably I do not lace the boot to the top [except in scree or on other friable surfaces] preferring the easy striding that a more open boot affords. Typically I wear plain cotton socks and have never had a blister!