Boots

[foxy mars]

I like to do walking or rambling and boots are a important piece if equipment, as your feet will tell you.

I've had various brands over the years, some good, some bad. There are types for lowland, high terrain, mountain and getting the right boot is important as much as a good fitting ruc-sac.

However I was in a well known supermarket and had a pair of walking boots, priced £25. These were very light in weight and one thing I had noticed, was the sole was very flexible. It does seem that there was no shank or stiffness. All the boots I've had over the years have had a stiff shank in the sole, to avoid fatigue in the feet.

I think it's worth paiding somewhere in the region of £50-£150, for a piece of mind. Also I like to spend the uppermost on a good pair of walking socks.

[diggleken]

yes, you get what you pay for with boots.
However, I do use Stormlight fabrics, cheap and light for only low level summer strolls, but anywhere high, wet or strenuous (such as winter cairngorms!) needing quality, the full grain leather Zamberlans are used - they seem to go on for ever, well worth it.
Cheers
Ken

[Ruth Daniel]

Having had severe knee/hip problems (I was once in a wheelchair for months) my walking boots are very important to me.......and I still (after 15 years) get a real thrill from the simple act of putting them on and taking those first few steps.

At the moment I am wearing Meindl boots that cost about £75 and have worn really well......very comfortable too!

[Richard G.]

Well, I've jumped on the lightweight bandwagon a bit and pretty much use Inov-8 boots or trail shoes for all my mountain jaunts now outside of winter. Even in winter I use 3-season boot (La Sportiva), which comfortably take a flexible crampon. Couldn't go back to big heavy boots now, really is amazing how much difference it makes taking half a kilo off each foot and some of the more technical lightweight gear can easily take whatever the mountains throw at me.

[foxy mars]

I like the lightweight boots or mid's, being light on the feet. If you do 16 miles, like I do on sundays, lightweight boots do make a big difference. When I started walking some 30 years ago, boots then were a bit on the heavy side, but once broken in, there were ok.

I switched to lightweight only about 5 years and glad I did. However I did buy a pair of Berghaus K9 Storm and I would only wear them in the winter, but a great boot. On my sunday walking, I tend to wear Salomon Mid Exit or Columbia Keota. I'm after a good pair of leather boots, but will wait a while. I do like the look of Scarpa Terra Gtx or Ranger. But there is a good range out there.

[Jim Ford]

I've got a pair of heavy Berghaus walking boots that I've used for treking in the Scottish hills for some years. The soles are quite worn now and I find I'm slipping around a lot.

A couple of years ago I bought a pair of Aldi walking shoes, IIRC about £9.99. Since then I've used them on major treks in the Cairngorms, over the roughest terrain and fording rivers. I find them durable and comfortable and expect to use them again in the Cairngorms this year.

Around the same time I bought a similar pair from Lidyl, but they're nowhere near as good - not as well made and the sole is not stiff and thick enough to prevent feeling stones and rocks through it. When Aldi get the shoes in again I'll get another pair as standby.

Jim

[foxy mars]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

A couple of years ago I bought a pair of Aldi walking shoes, IIRC about £9.99. Since then I've used them on major treks in the Cairngorms, over the roughest terrain and fording rivers. I find them durable and comfortable and expect to use them again in the Cairngorms this year.

I got a pair of Aldi walking shoes the other month and for the price of £9.99, pretty good value. I've found them to be really comfortable and although I don't use them for rambling, there are a very good all round purpose shoe. I will be getting another pair the next time round, when that is I don't know.

[earthdragon64]

I currently alternate between a pair of light weight canvas and leather Lomers, which were about £60 four years ago and a pair of all leather Karrimors, which I got for about £65 last year to replace an identical pair. They should have been £95 or thereabouts but were in a sale.

However, what both pairs of boots have in common is the addition of Superfeet footbeds replacing the standard insoles. I have flat feet and need good arch support and there are no boots on the market which have adequate support. A good footbed supports the foot in the correct position, which in turn puts the ankle, knee and hip joints into the correct position as well.

I used to suffer badly with pains in my hips when walking for more than about 5 minutes at a time. This went on for almost a year before I gave in and went to see my GP. After a thorough examination she suggested the footbeds, and that any of the local mountain shops would be able to fit me with the correct ones.

I was really sceptical, but by that time I was in so much pain I was willing to try anything. I got the footbeds, went for a walk and within 10 minutes the pain in my hips had gone completely.

That was 5 years ago and I have had no pain walking apart from if I end up on my feet in normal shoes without the footbeds. So whilst I agree that the correct boots and socks are important, having the correct footbed or insole is also vital.

[foxy mars]

If you are looking for a bargain and need some new walking boots, then Aldi have both Mens & Ladies walking boots for £24.99. I've got a pair and must say, for the price, a good buy and fit. These are ofcause fabric and waterproof with the Vibram sole. Them Germans know a thing or two about walking boots.

[foxy mars]

If you are looking for a bargain, then Lidl, have in both Men's and Woman clogs. Ideal for leisure & gardening, just like Crocs and a snip @ £2.99. Careful with the sizing, I got a size 7.5 when I really take size 9. So these will be ideal for my coast to coast walk, when I'm down the pub and simply cooling my poor feet in the river Swale.