Hiking hoofwear - Helly Hansen?

[The Octagon]

In the past I have bought leather walking boots. I currently have a pair of leather Berghaus boots, which have served me well for seven years, but the leather is now starting to split on the uppers -- largely, I think, because, after a long walk, I often leave them in the car, sodden and covered in mud. For my next pair I am considering synthetic materials, which might be more forgiving of my shameful neglect. I want something tough, with good ankle support, suitable for low-level hiking as well as mountain-walking and plunging through the odd Scottish bog.

These Helly Hansen boots look and sound pretty tough. I'm concerned, however, that they might just be chavwear. (They're also a bit too dayglo for my liking, but I'm more concerned with how comfortable and durable they are.) I understand that HH has a reputation for outdoor and survival gear, but if you look at the range of footwear on their site, it's mostly trainers.

Does anyone have any experience or opinions of Helly Hansen walking/hiking footwear, please?

[geordie1970]

If you like them and there comfy get them you can always put gaiters over the unsightly bits

[nightshade]

I bought leather Meindl Burma boots, I have several Goretexed type nylon boots (one in a fetching green with pink highlights) but you do not get the ankle support for walking in my opinion but they are fine for wildlife walking

[thwick in 'ead]

recently tried some Brasher fabric boots - they felt really comfy. Will probably be buying a pair soon. Want them as an summer alternative to my leather Meindls

[ron1863]

I've had fabric and leather and prefer fabric as it's lighter. waterproof, cheaper and easy to clean but then others prefer leather. It's down to individual preference, if you like them then buy them

[Pete Collins]

I didn't know that Helly Hansen made walking boots. I've just had a look at a web site that has loads of reviews of all sorts of outdoor gear, and they had nothing on HH boots, so I guess they're either new or not too popular.

This fairly recent thread might be of interest, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of leather or fabric boots:
Material or leather walking boots

(by the way, ron1863, I do hope your plastic surgeon gave you your money back!)

[ChrisJB]

Someone on here (can't remember who, sorry), alerted me to a website called OUTDOORmagic, which does some good boot tests and reviews. They give a glowing report for a couple of fabric boots by Asolo (owned by the same group who own Lowe Alpine), one is the Fugitive and newer version called the Flame. Both are gore-tex lined.

Regards, Chris

[Pete Collins]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

Someone on here (can't remember who, sorry), alerted me to a website called OUTDOORmagic, which does some good boot tests and reviews. They give a glowing report for a couple of fabric boots by Asolo (owned by the same group who own Lowe Alpine), one is the Fugitive and newer version called the Flame. Both are gore-tex lined.

Regards, Chris

That's the site I referred to in my earlier post (slight typo, OUTDOORSmagic). I think it's great for reviews of outdoor gear (their own views and those of their members). But as I said it didn't have anything on HH boots (though plenty of reviews of other HH gear).

[The Octagon]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I did some more research this morning and decided to stick with leather boots in the end, on the grounds that they seem to be harder-wearing (and the leather Berghaus Explorers that these are replacing were wonderful until they started splitting due to my contemptible negligence). I plumped for a pair of Meindl Burma Pro MFS boots, which promise to be excellent. Have just been wearing them around the house to break them in, but I don't think they need any breaking in. (I love the way that a good pair of well-fitting walking boots feel like an extension of your feet, not separate, "other" things. It's as if the lower parts of your legs have been transformed magically into those of a booted forest creature.) Only took them off to avoid splashing them with the Bolognese sauce I'm making. I promise to take more care of this pair of boots.

Yours sincerely,

A happy puppy

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Pete Collins

That's the site I referred to in my earlier post (slight typo, OUTDOORSmagic). I think it's great for reviews of outdoor gear (their own views and those of their members). But as I said it didn't have anything on HH boots (though plenty of reviews of other HH gear).

That's the one. Cheers Pete, I've found the site most useful.

Regards, Chris