Another boots advice thread

[ChrisJB]

After having some problems recently with my hiking boots (Asolos), I have decided to buy some new ones, but I'm seriously considering something a bit lighter and hopefully more comfortable than I'd normally go for. I did try some fabric Meindls (Softline Ultras) and am wearing them now in the house trying them out, but they are not quite right for me and will have to go back I think. After doing much research I am looking at something even lighter and have my eye on some Merrell Chameleon mid height boots (I once had some Merrell trainers and loved them). I do have slight reservations though and am wondering just how suitable they would be for my kind of walks. Most of my walks are in the Pennines and Lakes, with one or two weeks up in the Highlands of Scotland in the summer.
Any advice/observations on the suitabilty of these Merrells would be gratefully received as I can't seem to get it quite right with boots these days and it gets expensive buying new ones on a regular basis!

Regards, Chris

[diggleken]

Evening Chris,
after using top end Zamberlans for over 20yrs, I decided last year to try lighter and softer - I dont go up Cairngorm/Nevis etc tough stuff in all seasons any more, so bought some more Italians - Grisport - they're softer, lighter leather, waterproof lined, Vibram sole.
Pretty good so far, pleased with them for round our hills, good grip, comfy and durable, plus only around £80.
I trust them.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Ken

[turkeyneck]

Hi Chris like you I like Merrels and have several pairs on the go at present. But have you tried the Brasher Supalites? I prefer leather when I think it could get a slightly damp underfoot and my supalites have been fantastic, they're about dead now and I'm just about to replace them with a new pair. They are gore-tex lined, allow my feet to breath better than my other walking boots (as far as that is possible), waterproof but unbelievably light. It's almost like hill walking with slippers on!
Just a thought.
Regards
Lee

[Richard G.]

I'm a bit of a convert to Inov-8's, Roclite 315 (no waterproof liner) for dry summer stuff and currently Roclite 390 GTX for everything else, including winter with kahtoola microspikes. Soft rubber and deep lugs make them very grippy in wet UK conditions, but the trade-off is they wear out pretty quickly compared to traditional (heavy ) vibram soles.

There's supposed to be a leather Roclite 400 GTX sometime this summer, no sign on the Inov-8 website right now, but they were mentioned here on OM last year, if you want something a little more hardwearing or the Roclite 288 GTX if you want to go SUL...

[burntfacedjake]

I swear by my Scarpa ZG65 XCRs. They sound more like a fast car than a boot, but I've used them for two years on some tough terrain and they are still as good as ever. They're very light too.

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by burntfacedjake

I swear by my Scarpa ZG65 XCRs. They sound more like a fast car than a boot, but I've used them for two years on some tough terrain and they are still as good as ever. They're very light too.

I have these and got them from TKMAXX of all places. They were cheap as chips. My local store often has Scarpa, and I have 3 different pairs of Scarpa as well as a pair of Raichle and a pair of Le Chameau, all acquired at TK's.

Worth popping into from time to time

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by turkeyneck

Hi Chris like you I like Merrels and have several pairs on the go at present. But have you tried the Brasher Supalites? I prefer leather when I think it could get a slightly damp underfoot and my supalites have been fantastic, they're about dead now and I'm just about to replace them with a new pair. They are gore-tex lined, allow my feet to breath better than my other walking boots (as far as that is possible), waterproof but unbelievably light. It's almost like hill walking with slippers on!
Just a thought.
Regards
Lee

Thanks for the advice Lee (and everyone else of course), but I'm definitely a gore-tex lined fabric boot devotee. I have really struggled in the past with leather boots (except one pair, Scarpa Rangers that were perfectly comfortable, if a bit on the heavy side for me). You say you like Merrells, but have you used them on more mountainous terrain as opposed to say moorland? I guess what I'm getting at, is would they be suitable on Scottish mountains in summer? My missus is on to her second pair and swears by them, but she doesn't go out as often as I do and tends to opt for the easier walks.
I've never heard of Inov-8s, but will check them out online now. Thanks.

Regards, Chris

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

Thanks for the advice Lee (and everyone else of course), but I'm definitely a gore-tex lined fabric boot devotee....... Chris

So was I but, like Lee, I switched to Brasher Supalites some time ago and they're the best (and lightest) boots I've ever had

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls and Avocets)

[Tringa]

Have a look at Trezeta too.

I bought a pair (can't remember the model) years ago and they have been excellent - no problems on Scottish mountains in sprng, summer and autumn.

Mrs Tringa has a different model which she is really keen on, so much so, she's just bought a pair of Trezeta trainers.

Dave

[foxy mars]

I got a pair of Scarpa GTX Apex trainers which are great, very light and comfy. Yet to try them out up on the moors.