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09-10-2007, 04:54 PM
| | New Member | | Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 10
| |  Material or leather walking boots
Do you prefer material or leather boots for walking ?
I personally have always had the material type, but i remember my mother always had leather and they lasted forever!!
What is your preferences and why? Thankyou  |
09-10-2007, 05:01 PM
| | Frozen | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: march, cambridgeshire
Posts: 2,176
| | | Re: Which do you prefer for walking??
trainers,i think they are the best for walking, for me anyway,i also have a pair of (forgot what their called )dealer boots i think, and i have never owned a car in my life so i have tryed many shoes,in the summer i live in flip flops, |
09-10-2007, 05:38 PM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sheffield, FPRSY
Posts: 5,228
| | | Re: Which do you prefer for walking??
I have leather for winter and material for summer!
Better question is whether you have soles that can be repaired or not. My leather boots have lasted about fifteen years; the soles on my summer boots are eroding after two years  Quote:
Originally Posted by Fairy Flax  Material or leather walking boots?
I personally have always had the material type, but i remember my mother always had leather and they lasted forever!!
What is your preferences and why? Thankyou | |
09-10-2007, 05:50 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 268
| | | Re: Which do you prefer for walking??
I have two pairs of walking boots, a material pair that I wear at work and a leather pair for wear outside of work.
The leather ones were more expensive, my employers won't stretch to that sort of cost for my work ones so the extra cost may partly be the reason that the leather ones appear to last longer. Perhaps they also last longer as I only wear them at weekends/holidays and the material ones are worn five days a week.
The material ones smell more than the leather ones but again that might be due to the amount of use they get.
Ann |
09-10-2007, 06:39 PM
| | Wild Member | | Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 157
| | | Re: Which do you prefer for walking??
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fairy Flax Material or leather walking boots?
I personally have always had the material type, but i remember my mother always had leather and they lasted forever!!
What is your preferences and why? Thankyou | I have tried many different boots over the years but prefer leather. My present boots have a Goretex membrane which helps keep the wet out. A pair of boots lasts me about 18 months / 2 years on average. Once the tread as worn down enough to be dangerous on wet slippy rocks I use them for walking on grass. I did once have them resoled but wasn't happy with the result.
Dave |
09-10-2007, 08:06 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Kensworth, Bedfordshire - a village in the Chiltern Hills
Posts: 1,886
| | | Re: Which do you prefer for walking??
I think it really depends on what sort of walking you do, and how you intend to use them. I do a lot of walking in the south of England, with usually two or three weeks of mountain walking a year, so for me a lightweight leather boot has always seemed the best option. But I'm thinking about trying some fabric or material boots - I need to get some new boots soon, and I've been doing some researching on the internet. I've already looked in one shop - of course, they didn't have the boot I wanted to try on in my size!
Buying walking boots is a very personal thing anyway, it's so important to find a boot that's the right fit for you - some manufacturers are better for broad feet, others for narrow feet, etc. So you always have to be careful about taking other people's recommendations, what works for them may not work for you. Dave (Kidstypike) has mentioned boots with Goretex lining - I want to try something like that, but I know some people complain that they make their feet too hot and sweaty in the summer. So again it's a personal thing, whether or not they suit you.
Dave also said he wasn't entirely happy when he had some boots resoled - I've never bothered having any resoled because I've heard so many people say the same thing.
I'm very interested in the comments made so far and looking forward to reading other peoples thoughts on the subject.
Incidentally, I find the following site to be very useful for information and reviews on all types of outdoor clothing and equipment: OUTDOORSmagic - the total online Outdoors action resource |
09-10-2007, 08:07 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lancashire
Posts: 1,575
| | | Re: Which do you prefer for walking??
I have used both and have mixed results with both. The best boots I ever had was a pair of Karrimor KSBs (fabric and gore tex lined), which lasted years. However when I replaced them with the 'new' KSBs with the new breathable 'event' fabric, after a while they became very uncomfortable and I replaced them after 12 months.
Conversely, years ago, I walked the Pennine Way in a pair of Zamberlan leather boots, which proved great and lasted years also. Nowadays, I tend to go for fabric boots with a gore tex liner. It's a personal thing really. I just don't like big 'clumpy' boots anymore.
Regards, Chris |
09-10-2007, 08:27 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Kensworth, Bedfordshire - a village in the Chiltern Hills
Posts: 1,886
| | | Re: Which do you prefer for walking??
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisJB ... I just don't like big 'clumpy' boots anymore.
... | I love to read the online journals of people who hike those enormous trails in the USA, such as the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. Walking hundreds or thousands of miles, they are generally quite obsessive about reducing the weight they carry. I have no idea if this is true or not, but a statistic I've seen them quote more than once is that 1lb in weight on your feet is the equivalent of 5lb in your rucksack (so they all wear lightweight walking shoes rather than boots).
So I echo Chris's sentiment, and will be looking for a lightweight pair of boots, irrespective of whether I decide to go for leather or fabric. I've got a tendency to go over on my ankles, so would always go for a boot (with good ankle support) rather than a shoe. |
09-10-2007, 08:37 PM
|  | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: coventry
Posts: 489
| | | Re: Which do you prefer for walking??
whatever boots suit your feet are the best boots you can buy.
I think Gortex is important having been disappointed by cheaper
alternatives. I'm currently on my fourth pair of Meindl Borneo
If they still make them my fifth pair will be the same.
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09-10-2007, 08:45 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South Oxfordshire
Posts: 1,379
| | | Re: Which do you prefer for walking??
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisJB I have used both and have mixed results with both. The best boots I ever had was a pair of Karrimor KSBs (fabric and gore tex lined), which lasted years. Regards, Chris | I had the same a pair of KSB's that lasted for ages and were so comfortable. Sadly they wore to a shred.
I now have a pair of Berghaus gore-tex boots that are very good in wet weather and rough terrain, but for general walking I have a cheap pair of boots (no idea of make) that I treated with a waterproof spray. They are light and comfortable and I can drive in them.
Paul
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09-10-2007, 10:40 PM
|  | Wild Member | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 156
| | | Re: Material or leather walking boots
I have both but much prefer the leather, no matter how much I waterproof the meterial (even though they are Gortex) they just don't have the same water effectiveness of the leather boots. I also find the leather much more supportive.
The material I will wear if I am just out in a fairly short grassed field or on paths, off the paths and into rougher terrain I much prefer the leather. |
09-10-2007, 10:50 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,319
| | | Re: Material or leather walking boots
Yes i have the leather meindl burma's or borneo?...which ever one it is thats goretex lined not leather lined...I love them...they are a bit stiff soled ( purposely) so take getting used to but they are great and look great too.
But...i must admit sometimes in mid summer ( or what we have of them now) i have thought....hmmm...a little too hot...so i may also invest in some lighter material summer books (purely for walking not for countryside work)
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10-10-2007, 02:19 PM
| | New Member | | Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hartland, Devon
Posts: 9
| | | Re: Material or leather walking boots
I'll stick with leather boots now. I've tried a few different fabric boots and didn't get on with them. My best boots were Scarpa which have now sadly died and need replacing. At work I wear Gronell steel toe leather walking boots, they are incredible comfortable and I'm tempted to buy their ordinary leather boot for personal use.
Richard |
10-10-2007, 02:42 PM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: N.E.SOMERSET
Posts: 6,816
| | | Re: Material or leather walking boots
Leather; Meindl Burmahs good ankle support don't "flap around"
I have tried many fabric boots and while they are good they do
not support properly(too soft) and are rarely waterproof
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10-10-2007, 03:21 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lancashire.
Posts: 1,030
| | | Re: Material or leather walking boots
I use a pair of Meindl Borneo/Burmahs can't remember which. I have had them over 4 years, they are used most days apart from when I am going to cross the river, I would not hesitate to buy another pair if I needed them.
Carol.
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10-10-2007, 04:41 PM
| | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sheffield, FPRSY
Posts: 5,228
| | | Re: Which do you prefer for walking??
Indeed, it is very much a personal matter - I like to have ankle support whereas my wife much prefers cutaways.
I'm pretty much a fair-weather walker (what's the point of going out in the rain - no insects about?  ) so most of the time lightweight ones are adequate and more comfortable in my experience. Must go and look at the make of mine - I bought them to go to Greece a couple of years back and didn't fancy either carrying my big leather ones or walking up rocky hills in them. They're so good that that I wear them most of the time (except at weddings and funerals  ).
That's not quite true since I tend to wear decent sandals for most things in the summer - the nearest that you can get to going barefoot. I've been tempted to buy some walking sandals (don't know if there's a technical term for them): useful for summer walks where the terrain isn't too tough? Has anyone else tried these?
The light weight fabric is useful in more ways than one - I find that my feet tolerate them for longer periods: not so much a matter of distance as time. Also you get more feel for the ground when walking on scree or other uneven surfaces - leather on the other hand makes your feet pretty insensitive so useful for walking through thick vegetation or mud! Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete Collins I think it really depends on what sort of walking you do, and how you intend to use them. I do a lot of walking in the south of England, with usually two or three weeks of mountain walking a year, so for me a lightweight leather boot has always seemed the best option. But I'm thinking about trying some fabric or material boots - I need to get some new boots soon, and I've been doing some researching on the internet. I've already looked in one shop - of course, they didn't have the boot I wanted to try on in my size!
Buying walking boots is a very personal thing anyway, it's so important to find a boot that's the right fit for you - some manufacturers are better for broad feet, others for narrow feet, etc. So you always have to be careful about taking other people's recommendations, what works for them may not work for you. Dave (Kidstypike) has mentioned boots with Goretex lining - I want to try something like that, but I know some people complain that they make their feet too hot and sweaty in the summer. So again it's a personal thing, whether or not they suit you. | |
10-10-2007, 05:06 PM
| | Wild Member | | Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 157
| | | Re: Material or leather walking boots
My walking boots are the Brasher Hillmaster Classic GTX. I am on my 4th or 5th pair because walking 3 or 4 times a week soon takes its toll. The boots themselves although a little lacking in ankle support are brilliaant. I can put a brand new pair on and set off on a 10 to 12 mile walk knowing that I will have no bother. Having just cleaned them after a walk up St.Sunday Crag today I have noticed that a new pair may be needed for the winter months.
Dave |
10-10-2007, 08:11 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Kensworth, Bedfordshire - a village in the Chiltern Hills
Posts: 1,886
| | | Re: Material or leather walking boots
Quote:
Originally Posted by KIDSTYPIKE My walking boots are the Brasher Hillmaster Classic GTX. I am on my 4th or 5th pair because walking 3 or 4 times a week soon takes its toll. The boots themselves although a little lacking in ankle support are brilliaant. I can put a brand new pair on and set off on a 10 to 12 mile walk knowing that I will have no bother. Having just cleaned them after a walk up St.Sunday Crag today I have noticed that a new pair may be needed for the winter months.
Dave | That's interesting, Dave. It's funny, I get the impression that people either love or hate Brasher boots - I've met several people who, like you, think they're great, but I've met other people who've bought them and said 'Never again!'. Once again, its a personal thing - what works well for one walker's feet might not be right for someone else. I know the Brasher boots are very light, so I have considered them in the past.
As I said in an earlier post, I'm looking around for some new boots. I'm on my 4th pair of Scarpa Rangers, which like your Brashers I could wear straight from the box with no breaking in. Unfortunately, when I got this last pair I noticed they'd been slightly redesigned with a new lacing system - I don't know if there were other changes, but they've not lasted as long as previous pairs (I walk 1500-2000 miles a year). I usually get 18-24 months use out of them, these are on the way out after just over a year.
Meindl seem to be the brand that most people recommend, so I'll have a look at their boots, as well as a Scarpa fabric boot, the ZG65 XTC. |
10-10-2007, 11:03 PM
| | New Member | | Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 10
| | | Re: Material or leather walking boots
Wow, what a response!
Dave let me know which boots you get, I am really interested. |
11-10-2007, 09:37 AM
| | Wild Member | | Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 157
| | | Re: Material or leather walking boots
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fairy Flax Wow, what a response!
Dave let me know which boots you get, I am really interested. | It will be another pair of Brasher.
Dave |
11-10-2007, 11:35 AM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ijmuiden, Holland
Posts: 2,021
| | | Re: Material or leather walking boots
My walking boots are leather - well suede, with ankle support, and I love them. They are an aubergine in colour with purple laces, waterproof and even though they are suede clean up very well. If only all shoes were so comfortable.
I have invested in some decent socks which let my feet breath and not feel hot at all. They have fitted sections all the way round the middle of the foot and heel so don't slip or rub. It's not until I take them off you realise they are wet and hot inside but my feet are dry. |
11-10-2007, 01:52 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Yorkshire ( Gods Country )
Posts: 1,044
| | | Re: Material or leather walking boots
I have a pair of Tufking boots leather and leather lined that I have owned for 25 years.... They get used regularly and have been resoled with vibram twice ....They are so comfy they like slippers....
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11-10-2007, 03:00 PM
| | Wild Member | | Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 157
| | | Re: Material or leather walking boots
Quote:
Originally Posted by coasty I have a pair of Tufking boots leather and leather lined that I have owned for 25 years.... They get used regularly and have been resoled with vibram twice ....They are so comfy they like slippers.... |
Coasty,
Can you say who resoled them?....I had this done once but wasn't happy with the result.
What I tend to do now is have my No.1 set of boots (the one with the best tread) for the Lakeland walks.
No.2 set is for mainly the Dales where the inclines are less steep and its more grassy.
No.3 ....gets consigned to garden duties
Dave |
11-10-2007, 09:54 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Yorkshire ( Gods Country )
Posts: 1,044
| | | Re: Material or leather walking boots
Quote:
Originally Posted by KIDSTYPIKE Coasty,
Can you say who resoled them?....I had this done once but wasn't happy with the result.
What I tend to do now is have my No.1 set of boots (the one with the best tread) for the Lakeland walks.
No.2 set is for mainly the Dales where the inclines are less steep and its more grassy.
No.3 ....gets consigned to garden duties
Dave | I have had them done at my local cobblers,,, once in Scarborough once in York....
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