I'm after a good pair of hard wearing boots.

[bushytoo]

Hello folks,
I'm after a good pair of hard wearing boots, I do a hell of a lot of walking. Currently I have a pair of Kalimoor which I bought from sports direct about a month ago. I can already see the sole starting to wear out. It is exactly the same as the last Kalimoor I bought and those lasted 6 months.

I am reluctant to pay 100 pounds plus for boots, if I do that it's got to last me 4 or 5 years at least without resoling.

[susi]

If they happen to fit your foot, consider Meindl. Pay once, cry once, and enjoy them for many years.

[ged]

In my humble opinion, Karimoors are junk. I bought a pair out of sheer boredom while the wife was trying on rucksacks and I can honestly say they're the worst boots I've ever had on.

Get some Alt-Bergs. I've just had my two pairs overhauled after ten years of graft but they didn't really need it.

[pauljm116]

I tried Karrimors and they fell apart after a couple of months, so wont buy them again. As has already been mentioned Meindl and Altbergs do some very good boots (never had them myself but have heard many glowing reports), I've been wearing Berghaus Explorer GTX nearly every day for a year and there is no wear to the soles at all yet. Got a pair of Brasher Lithium GTX boots a few weeks ago for £50 from www.fieldandtrek.com and have found them very comfy so far (cant comment on the soles yet as theyve only done a few miles). Its definately worth spending more on boots and get a good name (ie not karrimor) but there are some good boots at good prices on field and trek (think theyre part of sports direct).

[bushytoo]

There might be a possibility for me to get the meindl or altberg boots second hand from ebay. I can't really justify 100+ 200 on boots because there are other more important things that I need.

[sandbender]

There might be a possibility for me to get the meindl or altberg boots second hand from ebay. I can't really justify 100+ 200 on boots because there are other more important things that I need.

No really, these are your boots and you do a "hell of a lot of walking" there isn't a more important bit of kit, skimp on the rest of your gear, but buy a proper, well fitting boot, not a second hand pair and shop for your boots at a decent boot shop, not online.

I have used meindl boots since the mid nineties, I have several pairs, one pair of Borneo's has clocked many thousands of kilometers with only a single replacement sole. The may not fit your foot in which case you should look elsewhere, but if they do fit you probably won't regret the purchase.

http://www.meindl.de/english/

[ged]

There might be a possibility for me to get the meindl or altberg boots second hand from ebay. I can't really justify 100+ 200 on boots because there are other more important things that I need.

No really, these are your boots and you do a "hell of a lot of walking" there isn't a more important bit of kit ...

+1 to that. It doesn't get more important than your boots.

[DanDan The man called Dan]

Good boots yes but that doesn't have to equal expensive.....I bought a pair of £50 Super lightweight Johnscliffe boots about 3 years ago and they are still going strong and I do use them a lot. Bloody light very comfortable from the off, never a blister in site. In fact I did the 3 peaks in mine, every-one in my group got crippled by blisters in their £200 boots. Me...crippled by fatness and dodgy knees yes but blisters No.... I cant recommend them enough.

2nd best £50 I ever spent.. I got them here

[ged]

Unfortunately the one thing that I can't have in walking boots is a waterproof membrane. If I do, then after a couple of days walking I can't bear to be in the same square kilometre as my boots because of the smell. I don't know if it's common, or if it's just those of us with that excessive sweating thing that has a long name, but when I mentioned it to the fitter once at the Alt-Berg shop in Richmond she nodded sagely as if it wasn't just me. I have a pair of motorcycle boots with waterproof membranes, and although I could and have walked distances in them, if I do I have to be careful to spray them and keep them aired or they get pretty unpleasant to know too.

It's really weird because if the boots don't have a membrane, no problem at all. And keeping the boots well waxed means that they breathe just as well and stay just as dry as those with a membrane.

That is, not very in my case.

[sandbender]

"...Good boots yes but that doesn't have to equal expensive..."

Very true, but don't buy a second hand pair of boots, don't buy a pair on the internet and if walking is your thing then your footware should be one of, if not the, most important bits of kit you will need.

With all that said, these days most of my walking is done over all sorts of terrain and through three seasons while wearing a pair of fourteen year old clarks all terrain sandals, which probably cost me all of £40.

[jigsaw]

I have meindl boots,it caused me some mental turmoil spending 300 euros on them and I felt as guilty as hell after buying them......but not for long.I do a lot of shooting,coursing and general clambering about in the wilderness,and these boots are the ultimate foot protection in my opinion.I have walked the roads in them for hours and felt no ill effects from it.I will always from now on spend whatever it takes to get the right boot for the job.I couldn't reccomend them enough.theyve been in the irish peat bogs,in ankle high streams,through gorse and heather while stalking and climbed the mountains on a few occasions and hit the tarmac a lot also,never a bother from them.money well invested.Cheaper may not allways be better.

[bushytoo]

Good boots yes but that doesn't have to equal expensive.....I bought a pair of £50 Super lightweight Johnscliffe boots about 3 years ago and they are still going strong and I do use them a lot. Bloody light very comfortable from the off, never a blister in site. In fact I did the 3 peaks in mine, every-one in my group got crippled by blisters in their £200 boots. Me...crippled by fatness and dodgy knees yes but blisters No.... I cant recommend them enough.

2nd best £50 I ever spent.. I got them here

Excellent, that's the kind of value for money that I'm after. I'll see if these can do the job first, if they can I'll stick with them if they can't I'll take the plunge and go for Meindl.

[jacko1066]

Excellent, that's the kind of value for money that I'm after. I'll see if these can do the job first, if they can I'll stick with them if they can't I'll take the plunge and go for Meindl.

I to am in the same boat as you mate, keep us informed how the boots are please cause I quite like the look of those and are in my price range too!!
Cheers
Steve

[lavrentyuk]

Karrimor were good once, but changed hands some years ago and tbh, have been appalling since. Now just 'pub' boots and no more.

Although I own Altbergs for day to day use I wear Dickies. Cheap and hard wearing.

[Silverback 1]

Have a look at the Lowa range of boots, just picked up on this thread after 3 days stalking in the Borders, they were the only footwear i have had on since Thursday lunchtime and they have been absolutely superb, had them for a couple of years now and used them in all weathers including well into the minuses and my feet have never suffered, not really silly money either if you shop around compared to some brands, mine are the GTX(Gortex)Mountain boots.

[freddybamboo]

I dont know if theyre popular elsewhere or not but i bought a pair of Le Crosse about 5 years ago. Good few hundred mile out of them and they are only now begining to give up. They are fairly heavy but they are very comfortable and have kept my feet dry until recently letting in a little water

[darrenleroy]

I bought a pair of Karrimor boots from Sports Direct for around £35. Something like this:

http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor...lcode=18204903

They lasted me three years and I wore them every work day and went camping and hiking in them. The soles finally came away so they lost their watertight properties and started leaking. When I first bought them I stood in a bucket up to my ankle to see if they were waterproof and they were. No waterproof liner, but they worked for me. If you want cheap boots these might be a good option.

I've just paid £130 for a pair of Scarpa Terra GTX:

http://www.snowandrock.com/scarpa-me...-product/17654

I wasn't bothered about a Goretex liner as decent leather if maintained properly is waterproof on its own and I'm a bit worried about if they will start to stink, but they are very comfy; a lot comfier than the Karrimors which, if I'm being honest were a bit too big for me and pinched my little toes. The staff member in the shop stretched my Scarpas until they fit perfectly. If they last me six or seven years I'll feel I got my money's worth.

[Teepee]

My Scarpa SL's are now 8 years old and have done well over a 1000 miles in them, they're no-where near a resole yet and are no-where near worn out. Just a few nicks in the toe leather.

Can't recommend them highly enough for heavy 3-4 season mountain use.

[KevinH]

Meindl burmo pro's mate bought some a couple of months ago....amazing, superb boot!! Got mine for £169.00 but you can get em slightly cheaper if you shop around.

Tbh you have to get the boots that are the correct shape for your feet no matter what the cost! Its all about fit so get your feet properly measured and try aload of different makes on, find the best fitting boot (if its already been said sorry didnt read all the thread)!

Meindl are very wide fitting, actually the only boot that would fit my paddle feet but again an amazing boot cant recommend them highly enough!

Meindl's will last you years and years
Bud if you take care of them!

ITS ALL ABOUT THE CORRECT FIT NOT THE NAME ETC ETC!! No good paying 300 squid on boots if they are ill fitting, your feet are gonna be screwed! Same as 50 on boots if they do not fit correctly your screwed!! Most people suffer because they havent bought the correct boots and secondly they havent broken them in slowly or correctly!! Ps Meindl were superb straight away lmao, no I dont work for them!

Ps just to put a spanner in the works no boots are a perfect fit unless your very very lucky and thats where various lacing techniques come in!!

Kev

[bushytoo]

Decisions, decisions! Meindl, Lowa, Altberg etc. Purely from an aesthetic point of view I really like the look of lowa boots.

[Barn Owl]

Lowa tibet or hunter have a wider fit than the military ones i've found.
You can see those models in The Bushcraft Store,i have the tibets and eiger.
The tibets are comfy as anything, the eiger are really a mountain boot and heavy but very sturdy.

[Scopey]

My pair of Lowa Moutain boots have been with me since 2004, I have thrashed them on several hard military courses, one in particular up and around Brecon for months with plenty of weight on, day to day wear around camp, so comfy ive worn them whenever I knew I'd be on my feet for a long time( festivals, etc)- I have flat feet and shin splints thanks to over training and was proscribed these - they are fantastic .
I have since 05 when I registered on the Mountain leader course logged well over 100 days on the hills in mine and also worn them in my new job as a police officer. I have put off re soling them as I didn't want to be without them but have sent them off this week- £50 and they will surely last me another few years yet

Can't reccomended LOWA boots highly enough .

[michael hecquet]

i have scarpa manta boots briiliant i bought 2 pairs acouple of years ago and i am still using the 1st pair the second pairs never gonna be used i used them to go to the shops last year in the snow cos i left my main pair at my brothers

[maddave]

I have Meindl Burma Pro's and love them. For summer I have Meindl Desert fox, again awesome boots. And I have good reports about Altbergs which are on my wish list

[Miyagi]

I bought a pair of Derwent Trail boots on Tuesday, on sale for £19.99 at "Go Outdoors".

No connection to the chain etc., blah, blah, but I'm pleasantly surprised by how good they are. Much better than the supposedly waterproof High Tech chukka boots I bought. Waterproof? Aye in a bone dry desert they might be.

The down side? Next week they're on sale for £9.99 - doh!

Liam

[Warthogiam]

I have Meindl Burma pro and have used them extensively for 12 years. May need to resole soon but can't fault them for comfort , durability and watrerproofness (treat with dubbin after every use)

[hobbes]

In my humble opinion, Karimoors are junk.

If they happen to fit your foot, consider Meindl. Pay once, cry once, and enjoy them for many years.

Karrimor and other such manufacturers make boots to a price. There's nothing wrong with that, and there are many cheaper (and worse) boots than Karrimors.

But yes, it was a great day when I finally reached the point I was able to save up and buy boots based purely on fit and function, regardless of price. I too love Meindls - they do happen to fit my foot. They're very well made, if a little old school in fit-style.

BUT if you can afford boots of this standard, there are several other makers, all of which have different shapes and styles of fit. We can all make recommendations based on build quality etc, but your feet are yours alone. If you're going to do a lot of walking base your choice on fit first - weight, materials, brand, fashion etc are irrelevent if you don't optimise fit.

[martsim73]

If they happen to fit your foot, consider Meindl. Pay once, cry once, and enjoy them for many years.

I couldn't agree more! Had my Meindl boots for about ten years now.... Bullet proof! Had I have spent £50 a year on boots that would have been £500!!!!! My Meindl's cost about £170 new..... So far that equates to £17 a year! Bonza!

[MSkiba]

Meindl woudnt fit me. In the end I got some altberg tethera, they had to be steam-stretched onsite to fit my clown feet. Very happy with the service, £180 in total. I read every post on here regarding boots and from the reviews it seems Meidl, Alt-berg and lowe are the best. But, only alt-berg do each size in 5 different widths and can customise each boot to make them fit perfect.

Big up to "Warm and Dry" in Whalley. They spent an hour measuring etc.. making sure the boots fit perfect, making adjustments, free wax treatment etc.. All included in the price of the boot. Would recommend them any day.

If you do not have clown feet like me, go to Go Outdoors mega shop and just try each boot on. Once your happy with one, buy it online, or get them to price match.

I would rather buy a boot that works for £200, than karrimor's that cost £30 and last 6 months. i do not want them to expire while im on a camp. Buy cheap, buy twice.

[bushytoo]

You guys have convinced me it's worth spending over 100 on boots, I'm going to go for the lowa combat boots. I intend to get it in a week or so, I'll let you know my thoughts on it.