Walking Boots - General Advice

[Taxboy]

I know I will need to try on to find the correct fit so looking for some general advice please.

I'm looking for waterproof boots that will be used for low level walking up to say 5 miles at a time for birdwatching / photography. I don't envisage much in the way of mountains but plenty of muddy paths, boggy ground etc.

I understand that fabric are lighter than leather but my initial research suggests that the waterproof layer seems to wear out fairly quickly. I also wonder if fabric are more difficult to keep clean than leather or have I made an incorrect assumption.

I'm leaning towards leather but are there any recommended lighter weight boots for my use that I could consider. Additionally are vibram soles a must have ?

As you can tell I'm not a real hardcore walker but looking for a well made boot that will last a few years so any advice appreciated. Just to add to the wants list it would be helpful if the supplier was either GoOutdoors or Cotswold as I have some vouchers to use



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[seabiscuit]

You don’t really need to go for boots based on the type of walking you have in mind. Good quality low cut walking shoes would be fine. Check out the Alt-Berg website. They have good quality shoes for lowland walking, both in fabric and leather. Alternatively, just check out the likes of Meindal or Scarpa for shoes. At least with these two brands you can try before you buy, whereas with Alt-Berg that’s not really a consideration unless you’re near Richmond in North Yorkshire.

I prefer leather boots or shoes without a waterproof lining, but they’re getting harder to find nowadays.

[TKH]

For good boots that will be comfortable and last a long time try ASOLO

if your spending at Go-Outdoors they sell most ASOLO range

[Possu]

Personally I'd steer clear of Gore-Tex and fabric. Proper leather will be practically waterproof if you take care of it. A pair of decent wellies is a great choice too. I've been considering the hybrid version myself, something like Lundhags Vandra boot. In any case a proper anatomical insole will make a world of difference.

[hoopsontoast]

For lightweight and waterproof, I have been very impressed with my Outdry Scarpa boots (Marmolada), much better than Goretex IME.

If you fit Scarpa, well worth a try and they tend to have them at Cotswolds IIRC. Altberg are great, my brother swears by them but I cant get the fit right when I have been to one of their approved dealers.

[murkeywaters]

Had a pair of Meindl's myself for years, extremely well made and although I have previously treated them with NikWax I have just stripped them clean and used Meindl Sportwax, they now look great and should be back to 100% waterproof.

Took a bit of breaking in but they are top walking boots.

[Suds]

I can highly recommend Hillmaster by Berghaus who bought the Brasher brand a couple of years ago. Very lightweight, leather and tons of room in the toe box.

[crazyp]

I have both styles. My boots are Scarpa (leather and gortex lined). I don't personally have a problem with breathability with the gortex and have been more than thankful for the protection on several occasions. My trail shoes/trainers are material and I prefer that as I tend to need the flexibility.

For your requirements trail shoes/trainers are more than enough. The tech and ankle support in them nowadays is fantastic. The only time you really need boots is if you are carrying a significant backpack load and so need proper support and weight load transfer.

[Possu]

Had a pair of Meindl's myself for years, extremely well made and although I have previously treated them with NikWax I have just stripped them clean and used Meindl Sportwax, they now look great and should be back to 100% waterproof.

Took a bit of breaking in but they are top walking boots.

I spotted some nice leather Meindl's with no GTX on GoOutdoors. Haven't had any myself but I've seen plenty of good reviews.

[seadog1408]

Altberg defenders will do the trick, I get them off the bay new at 65 quid, used them the last two hunting seasons.

[murkeywaters]

I spotted some nice leather Meindl's with no GTX on GoOutdoors. Haven't had any myself but I've seen plenty of good reviews.

They are top quality boots, not cheap but if you look after them they will last a very long time, mine are around 20 years old! Just getting ready to put them on for a very wet dog walk..

[raptor]

Irish setter wingshooter


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[willie_gunn]

Pick up a pair of the army issue Haix boots for under £50. I have the High Liability model. As comfortable and waterproof as any I’ve tried - Altberg, Lundhag, Meindl and Scarpa.


If you want to spend a little more try Hanwag - I wore them for bagging a couple of Munro’s over the summer and they were very comfortable indeed.

[Taxboy]

Just to confirm I'd be looking at something like a Scapa Cyrus GTX?

You don’t really need to go for boots based on the type of walking you have in mind. Good quality low cut walking shoes would be fine. Check out the Alt-Berg website. They have good quality shoes for lowland walking, both in fabric and leather. Alternatively, just check out the likes of Meindal or Scarpa for shoes. At least with these two brands you can try before you buy, whereas with Alt-Berg that’s not really a consideration unless you’re near Richmond in North Yorkshire.

I prefer leather boots or shoes without a waterproof lining, but they’re getting harder to find nowadays.

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[willie_gunn]

Just to confirm I'd be looking at something like a Scapa Cyrus GTX?

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Shoes or Mids? They make both.

[Taxboy]

Shoes or Mids? They make both.

Shoes

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[willie_gunn]

Shoes

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Okay, can’t really help there then as I tend to wear boots when out with the camera. Getting wet feet makes the day miserable!

[pinpull]

Salomon x Ultra 3 goretex walking boots are light, comfortable from day one, come in 1/2 sizes and will remain waterproof with a little simple tlc, like brushing off heavy mud deposits, etc.

Lady pinpull and I have had several pairs and regularly give them a thorough workout, far more severe than you will embark upon.

Available from Cotswold Outdoor, and regularly discounted. Also in Go Outdoors.

I would say forget leather boots - far too weighty, maintenance heavy and require more bedding in. IMHO of course...

Edit: I would hasten to say that we have had several pairs simply because we wear them out to breaking point, which does take a couple of years of our particular abuse!

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[Jambo]

Any of the brand above are good, but the most important thing is to try them on and have a good mooch around the shop. The best boots in the world are going to be unpleasant at best or hurt at worst if they’re not a good fit for you.

Personally, Lowa and Altberg have always been a good fit for me.

[wombleh]

Agree definitely go try them on. I did and found most of the highly recommended ones weren't that comfy for me, brashers and the like. Ended up with salomon textile jobs which have been great, no wearing on or maintenance needed, I abuse them and they're fine. Not sure I'd go back to leather.

[catch21]

Muddy paths sounds like gaiters might be a good idea too.

[Taxboy]

Thanks for the detailed response. Can I ask please how easy they are to keep clean and can I presume for your use the soles give up (mileage related) before the waterproofing.

For my use I won't be doing vast mileage but will be out for some time standing about so waterproof is important for me

Salomon x Ultra 3 goretex walking boots are light, comfortable from day one, come in 1/2 sizes and will remain waterproof with a little simple tlc, like brushing off heavy mud deposits, etc.

Lady pinpull and I have had several pairs and regularly give them a thorough workout, far more severe than you will embark upon.

Available from Cotswold Outdoor, and regularly discounted. Also in Go Outdoors.

I would say forget leather boots - far too weighty, maintenance heavy and require more bedding in. IMHO of course...

Edit: I would hasten to say that we have had several pairs simply because we wear them out to breaking point, which does take a couple of years of our particular abuse!

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[dandanthewatchman]

on my second pair of Meindl's

first one was non leather and lasted 10 years and used for hill walking in the Lakes and weekly local walks in muddy parks. I literally wore the soles through so that they were cracking and water was seeping in

bought my second pair in January of this year - leather ones as I'm trying to crank up the fell walking. Whatever you do find a proper specialist boot fitting service. I am lucky enough to be 40 mins drive from https://www.whalleyoutdoor.co.uk/ - they amazed me saying they get people driving 300 miles for a boot fitting, so perhaps this level of service is not easy to find. I think George Fishers in Keswick do similar, but I am not at all familiar with the OP's part of the world.

they took numerous measurements and spent over an hour with me.

They weren't cheap but if I divide the price by the number of years they will last me it seems worthwhile to me. I have gone to the trouble of following their advice on cleaning and treatments and I have to say they are getting more and more comfortable so that seems the effort. Sitting in the garden in the sunshine we had this summer waxing the boots was actually a pleasure. I am convinced that well looked after leather boots will always keep out the wet best of all.

[JP28]

On my third pair of Meindl. Wore through the previous two. I have gone the gore tex route for lower maintenance and bring wearable out of the box. Highly recommended, though as mentioned by others you need to try on lots and see what works for your feet.

[Rich11]

As others have already stated, find boots that fit you really well. I've got different boots for different terrain and weather conditions. I mostly wear my Salomon Evasion GTX shoes but sometimes prefer leather boots (e.g. if walking through a lot of long wet grass).

[unclealec]

The annoying thing with outdoor boots is that just whhen they have bedded in to suit your foot shape, the soles wear out.
So get some that can be re-soled. My Brashers are on their 3rd sole and fit me like a glove.

Mind you, I look a bit of a fool walking round on my hands everywhere......

[burnside]

I always had Brasher, Hillmaster GTX’s. Still have a pair. But have also tried Opssystems and found them very good, comfortable and durable and remarkably reasonably priced.

[Tokyo Tokei]

... will be used for low level walking up to say 5 miles at a time for birdwatching / photography. I don't envisage much in the way of mountains... I'm leaning towards leather but are there any recommended lighter weight boots for my use that I could consider

Some very nice footwear been recommended, but based on your needs above and thoughts about something lighter, I'd just caution about "too much boot".

For what it's worth: In 2010 I needed a new pair of boots for the 100km Oxfam Trailwalker in Japan. I bought some Merrell Chameleon, mid-height, Gore-Tex lined, Vibram sole. The 100km featured 5000m of ascent, and it poured with rain the whole time. My feet were fine. I subsequently used the same boots for general hiking and climbing. Places like Mt Fuji (2 day climb) and many other peaks...

This kind of terrain (My pic from 2011, Mt Tanzawa, wearing the same boots)



And here I am later in 2011 measuring radiation from Fukushima on the active volcano Mt Asama (there wasn't any):



And still in 2011, Mt Kobushigatake. I have just hiked up to and along that ridge:



And so on and so on... over the years countless excursions, often all day, using crampons, rock climbing, still in those same Merrell Chameleons.

Today I climbed Mt Azumaya, another volcano, and guess what footwear I was using? That's right, the same boots. The colour has faded, and I think they are finally going to be retired soon. But I got heavy use from them. I don't believe you need leather boots for 5 miles walks (but you may want them, which is fine) so if you want light, don't be afraid to buy any decent pair of regular hiking shoes/boots with a waterproof lining and good sole.

Pic from today, 5 hours climbing to about 7000 feet, in the same 2010 boots!:



That mountain you can just see in the distance, on the left of the ridge, is Mt Asama, the one I'm checking the radiation on in the earlier pic.

[catch21]

That’s true. My boy did the Nijmegen marches aged 15 about 8 years ago in merrel walking shoes (100 miles in 4 days) and is still wearing the shoes now albeit tatty and on their last legs. We’ve been walking in Gran Canaria this autumn and I’m doing it in merrel Moab ventilators, good shoes, good footwear.

[pinpull]

Thanks for the detailed response. Can I ask please how easy they are to keep clean and can I presume for your use the soles give up (mileage related) before the waterproofing.

For my use I won't be doing vast mileage but will be out for some time standing about so waterproof is important for me

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Yep, the soles eventually wear out, and the fabric will lose it’s waterproofing if not looked after, but it really is just a case of simple cleaning and purging the goretex membrane as you would do for any such clothing of that type. But I would repeat that the wear we inflict is way beyond what you suggest you need it for.

Hope you give them a try and, whatever you end up with, you’re happy with and they do the job!


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[Omegamanic]

My favourites are Brasher(now Berghaus) Supalite II, great leather, goretex and wipe clean. My most comfortable are Scarpa Cyrus Mid GTX, but I also have a pair of Scarpa Terra GTX.

I'm a half size bigger in the Scarpa than the Brashers - but really need a thicker sock with the Terra pair. The Cyrus are comfy with any sock, but they are just a light comfy, more flexible boot (in fact all my choices are) without the support of a full on hiking boot.

Fit is everything, and as I have found different models with the same brand can be widely different in fit. I do struggle to find comfortable shoes/boots.

If you walk a lot more, you will probably end up putting a really good quality insole in whatever boots you wear to avoid sore soles anyway.

[Skier]

These days (and for the last 20 years or so) I would go for the fabric boots, simply for comfort, lightness etc. I have never had a problem with a Gore Tex membrane failing and them not being waterproof - the soles go through before that has ever happened. For walking on muddy/boggy ground get yourself some Gore Tex gaiters. These will keep your boots in better condition for longer and give you a little time to get yourself out of water/mud that is deeper than your boots.

I currently have a pair of Scarpa and two pairs of Aku boots, one of which is lightweight Summer use only.

[RD200]

I got a pair of Jack Wolfskin summer boots this year.
They are easily the best summer boots I've had, comfortable and as a bonus, waterproof too.
Fabric not leather or suede and didn't have to go up a size

[dickdutch]

I was in Decathlon at the weekend and saw that they had a good stock of Lowa Renegade boots for only £130, they're leather and gore-tex lined with Vibram soles.

[snowman]

Try some on.

Comfort is far more important than ultimate waterproofness for the kind of walking you suggest.

I spent ages looking for some boots or shoes for a trip to Jordan last year and ended uo with some quite cheap ones, far below my expected budget because they were comfortable.

Boots/shoes/fabric/leather is very much a personal preference imo, unless you're talking about serious hiking.

M

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[Dave S]

I have some Karrimor KSB300’s from about 20 years ago, when Karrimor made proper gear, not sports direct tat.
They are still waterproof and the goretex lining is still fine. The soles are wearing somewhat of course...
Before that I had some Scarpa Mantas, with Yeti gaiters.
Best Gaiters EVER.
They make a massive difference in a muddy wet walk. I cut the slot into my KSB soles so they would take them - the boots are a bit flexible for them really, the toe rand pops off occasionally, but can’t have everything I guess.

The point of this rambling is:
Fabric boots are fine, last as well as leather if of good enough quality to start with, and:
decent gaiters make a difference especially in boggy going.

Dave

[100thmonkey]

What size are you?

I have some decent size 11 by Aku & Danner - PM if required

[burnside]

Any recommendations on where to get AKU’s?

Best,

Ben

[burnside]

A random wander around the Internet suggests, Hoggs of Fife Rambler Fabric Boot are well thought of. Approx £40 and under. Any owners here?

[ac82]

I have meindl vackuum gtx and I'm not overly impressed with them, they are super comfortable but the rubber around the shoe has started to lift and they let in water. They are probably 2 years old and are used sparsly and looked after with all the correct products.
I have also found that the UK meindl agent is very defensive and unhelpful.

I will hopefully get my friend in Germany to help.

[wotsthecrack]

Alt-Berg do great boots in lots of styles for different applications, also made in the UK

[JonRA]

I walk 4-5 miles a day with my dog - almost entirely fields or paths through woods. Gentle slopes but no scrambling or the like. I got fed up trying to keep walking boots clean (needless to say this is a daily activity) so I now use half length wellies. Fine in the wet or dry, though I might not want to stand around for long periods in very cold conditions.