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1978



Member Since: 04 Aug 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 519

United Kingdom 2003 Defender 90 Td5 HT Belize Green
I can vouch for Scarpa, Alt-Berg & Hanwag, all make excellent boots depending on your plans for them.

As others have mentioned though, by far the most important factor is that you don't just buy them online and hope for the best in terms of fit. Go to a decent outdoor clothing shop and try lots on, if you're going to be wearing them for long periods of time, they need to be as comfortable as possible. Different boots work for different feet, for example, I find that Scarpa are usually quite narrow fitting.


Last edited by 1978 on 24th Aug 2016 8:06am. Edited 1 time in total
Post #558518 24th Aug 2016 7:49am
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simon67



Member Since: 18 Jun 2015
Location: west sussex
Posts: 569

England 2004 Defender 90 Td5 HT Rutland Red
Plus one or maybe three by now for Scarpa
Brilliant boots either in leather or fabric

Preference is for fabric, go to Cotswolds and you get military and Scout discount - just ask, don't think they even check anymore
Post #558520 24th Aug 2016 7:59am
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agentmulder



Member Since: 16 Apr 2016
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 1324

Kuwait 
Another happy Scarpa user:



Zero walking in issues, comfortable out of the box. Solved the bowel problem, working on the consonants...
Post #558535 24th Aug 2016 8:43am
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AMBxx



Member Since: 24 Jul 2016
Location: York
Posts: 980

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
Scarpa for me too, but so much depends upon your feet. I used to wear Brasher, but found they were too wide for my feet after they moved manufacturing outside the UK. Scarpa nice and snug.

We spent half a day in Otley with Back Country http://www.backcountryuk.com/
They do a custom fit (adjustment) of boots and really know what they're talking about.
Even if a standard boot works for you, their advice is worth listening too.
Plus, if you buy in store after fitting and don't get on with the boots, you can return.
Post #558560 24th Aug 2016 10:52am
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Cupboard



Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 2971

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 HT Corris Grey
simon67 wrote:
Preference is for fabric, go to Cotswolds and you get military and Scout discount - just ask, don't think they even check anymore


Blanket discounts like that annoy me. I've had discounts from Cotswolds, Mountain Warehouse (some of their boots used to be good) and others, most of the time just by asking and sometimes they'll scroll through the list of potential discounts and pick one that seems vaguely right. "Oh, you work on a farm, let's give you the NFU discount" - well I'm not actually an NFU member and that's not what I asked for, but OK if you want me to pay less.

If they can do the discounts seemingly for anyone that asks, why can't they just make all their prices like that? It's just ripping everyone else off for the benefit of a few people that are in the know.
Post #558562 24th Aug 2016 11:12am
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AJC



Member Since: 30 Nov 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 1327

United Kingdom 
A thread i like.

I live in Boots, literally 6am-9pm 6 days a week, if not 7 days, the pair i have now i wear for work, working on the garden, working on the land rover, walking the dogs, you name it, they're on my feet.

I am now on my 4th pair of Gronell Gardena, they are absolutely fantastic. They last me about 12-16 months. Now some may say this isn't long, but given the abuse they get and the usage (last monday my pedometer said i did 14.1km just at work)

I've only treated my current pair to waterproofing once, which was when i got them and they still water tight, they are getting ready for replacing soon so was going to have a drive to the lakes this weekend to see what shops have them but in the past i have ordered from the website and they get shipped from a country clothing shop based in Aberdeen.

They do other styles too, but as mentioned, the Gardena is what i wear.

http://www.gronell.co.uk/products.html
Post #558564 24th Aug 2016 11:15am
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Grenadier



Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: The foot of Mont Blanc...
Posts: 5765

France 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Corris Grey
An uptick for Ricky and an uptick for Mash. After 10 years in the Infantry, my two tips relate to what they say.

First, be sure of what you want to use them for and how long per outing. If you are doing day trips with evenings in a pub, place to dry your kit etc, then consider Gore-tex lined as they require little maintenance to remain waterproof. But that inherent waterproofing does make for very slow drying out, so if you're doing overnight (or multi day) trips and perhaps staying in a tent, then (as Ricky points out) leather is an absolute must. Just as waterproof as gore tex, but breaths more, offers greater flexibility, shapes to your foot and importantly dries much more quickly overnight. However you have to really keep on top of reconditioning and reproofing after each and every use otherwise they will become permeable and when dry will risk cracking. So day use, easy life, go fabric/goretex. Long life, multi day, but more work, go leather. And avoid leather-gore tex hybrids. Defeats the object of leather.

As far as Mash's point and following on from the above, think clearly about what you intend to use it for and how often. Do you want a Vibram sole, how much flex in the sole, hard toe cap, high/medium/low ankle, what grip type, what will you be walking over, etc etc. Then go and try all the makes noted above on. Lowe, Alt Berg, Scarpa are all excellent. There are more available but you won't go far wrong with those listed above. Consider buying more than one pair for different activities, rather than a lesser boot that does everything, no body part (bar the obvious Whistle ) is as important as your feet when out hiking.

My 'day trip summer boot' (that will in fact be being used tonight), is the Scarpa Zodiac. Cannot recommend it enough. it's an approach shoe, but great for summer walking with shorts or long trousers. Great for slapping on with jeans with low snow on the ground as well, but without the hassle or claustrophobia of higher ankle boots.

Finally, can highly recommend gaiters. Maybe a little old fashioned now, but if you're in long wet grass, crossing streams etc, it stops that initial ingress of cold dribbles of water into the top of your boot. Once it's in, it's in... Thumbs Up Monsieur Le Grenadier

I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list.....

2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey
Post #558577 24th Aug 2016 11:46am
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Rickydodah



Member Since: 14 Jul 2014
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 1091

DefenderJon wrote:
Rickydodah wrote:
I'd go for Chris Brasher's "Hillmaster" or something similar. They're light and waterproof and leather, 3 must haves in my opinion. I spend what seems like most of my life in boots of some description and can honestly say your feet will thank you for buying a quality item. Lightness for obvious reasons, even a few ounces will make a tremendous difference, I've yet to find a boot made from man made materials to be truly waterproof except wellingtons. The high hunting boots are great for shorter periods where your ankles need additional support and protection but lose the advantage unless you're wearing breeks or similar and to honest they do not allow the articulation in the ankle for long periods of walking.
Leather if its treated well, particularly when drying them out will last for years. And get them worn in before undertaking any serious distances. Thumbs Up


Unfortunately Brasher have now been bought over by Berghaus. The Hillmasters aren't in the same league anymore. Where they used to be fully leather lined on the inside, they now just have the Goretex membrane. A real shame, as Hillmasters have been my boot of choice for years. Sad

Jon.


Oh no!
I didn't know that. What a shame, mind you this pair that I've had since 2007 are likely to see me out. Big Cry I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
Post #558621 24th Aug 2016 3:53pm
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LoveTheMud



Member Since: 19 Feb 2015
Location: Weybridge Surrey & Pontefract West Yorkshire
Posts: 411

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black
Scarpa all the way
I can't sing their praises high enough. Depends what you are doing though.

http://www.snowandrock.com/scarpa-mens-sl-...sting=true

Thumbs Up Rolling with laughter
Post #558672 24th Aug 2016 7:25pm
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Joe the Plumber



Member Since: 18 Dec 2013
Location: Midlands
Posts: 906

2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 HT Fuji White
If you want a great shop for all the gear, Lockwoods of Leamington Spa specialise in boot fitting (with proper measuring equipment and skilled staff) and I think they're well worth a trip:

http://www.lockwoods.com/
Post #558682 24th Aug 2016 7:45pm
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Mac22



Member Since: 22 Nov 2013
Location: Merseyside
Posts: 675

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 DCPU Santorini Black
Post #561034 3rd Sep 2016 12:37pm
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couplands



Member Since: 31 Aug 2011
Location: Peak District & Cornwall
Posts: 1826

United Kingdom 2001 Defender 90 Td5 HT Oslo Blue
I find choosing boots very difficult. I've had a pair of Berghaus GTX boots for years (10..?) and walked thousand of miles through wet/muddy field & tracks and they have been brilliant. Never leaked, very comfortable and extremely light. I got them from GoOutdoors in Hathersage who spent a long time with choosing them. Excellent service and when my wife bought her boots from there they offered a 3 month trial with a return if you didn't like them.

Mine are now getting worn out, so am interested in the comments here.

I'm inclined to get a new pair of Berghaus GTX. I be tried many leather boots ( for work as an NT Ranger) but generally they have leaked when spending days in wet fields, so wary of getting leather walking boots.

Need to test some of the recommendations on here.

Cheers

Simon
Post #561132 3rd Sep 2016 7:51pm
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