Boots

[Wild-Woman]

Shortly I'm going to need very lightweight, sturdy and waterproof walking boots. I hate wearing anything on my feet at the best of times so I was wondering if any of you could recommend makes etc to me. Willing to spend around £100-£150 for some good ones that will last.

Julie

[eeyore]

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/re...hp/product/317 check these out

[Fourwings]

I dont think the make is as important as the build quality Julie.
I'd reccomend you buy a one piece Gortex boot, its built a bit like a sock so no water can get in, but your feet can still breath so they do not get swaety or sore. I've had a pair of this type for the last 4 years and they have never let me down, they are made by Trezetta and cost around £90.

[Mr Mag00]

this may sound silly but get your feet measured again. I recently foound i have quite wide feet and only certain shoes now fit me, well they always fitted but i didnt know that!!

I use miendel which are great but also use a pair of gortex socks and lightwieght shoes in damp not wet weather.

[Wild-Woman]

Cheers gentlemen. Having made do with trainers and wellies and now with a slight career deviation, I'll need them pronto. Got something to go on. Like the sound of ones that last 4 years Steve I must say.
Thanks again.
Julie

[lewisa]

Im upto 8 years with mine, very heavy use. They are Berghaus, Goretex, about £60 (in ~1998)

I'll be devestated when they start leaking..if they ever do!

When they do eventually die, they are gauranteed a permanent memorial place in the garden providing a home for a few plants.

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by lewisa

Im upto 8 years with mine, very heavy use. They are Berghaus, Goretex, about £60 (in ~1998)

I'll be devestated when they start leaking..if they ever do!

When they do eventually die, they are gauranteed a permanent memorial place in the garden providing a home for a few plants.

Oh i love that idea and i now wish i had done the same wth the saloman mountaneering boots that took me round the world and to both everest base camps....oooooo.

Ok i shall promise the next pair of leather trekking boots ( probably meindl's) will get this treatment when they die

[lewisa]

Sounds like the salomans earned it twice over, give those meindl's hell and cherish them long into retirement

Be careful not to bestow the honour on any old pair of boots though Dan, make sure they have earned it although with everest base camp trips im sure your boots work very hard for their money!

[Dan Salter]

Julie for super lightweight with comfort try the brasher supalite gtx ?

[RogerTheCat]

I would start by looking in the walking magazines such as Trail and Country Walking as both have regular features about which clothing including boots to buy. They will compare a range and say which is best. I have two pairs of boots one fabric the other leather. I bought the leather as Trail Magazine voted them best three season boot one year, they were spot on.

leather is more sturdy than fabric but needs regular cleaning and polishing. I give my fabric boots which has to soften and mold itself to your foot. I was told however that once your leather boots are broken in they will be more comfortable than fabric although I see no difference with my boots.

I belive that some boots are now being made for womens feet and if this is right you should perhaps try them. Also make sure you buy from an Outdoor shop where the staff know about the products. I would avoid Blacks and Millets and go to an independant store. Try on lots and lots of boots before you buy. Walk around in them in the shop. The better shops will have a small slope for you to stand on which checks for foot movement in the boot when going up or down hill. Finally remeber that good boots are a waste of money if you do not get good walking socks to use with them