MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
My cheap and cheerful Karrimors have died (not as soon as I'd expected) and was going to get some decent boots again to replace them, but we're in Tier 4 and nowhere locally is open.
Is there any retailers online you'd trust for decent advice on boots and sizing, or am I just better off buying another cheap pair to see me through till real world retailers reopen?
I’m at the cheaper end cor walking and use these from decathlon
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/trek100-men-s-mountain-trekking-boots/_/R-p-14011
Used them for decent hill walking in Ireland and they’ve been fine, waterproof and comfortable. Sizing is fairly accurate and they do mail order.
Decathlon boots are better than Karrimor and at the same price. So basically as above
My wife walks dogs for a living and goes for the £40 ones. But that is home counties. Most shops are OK about returning stuff that doesn't fit
As far as fit goes, your safest bet is likely to be ordering the same again. After many years of badly fitting boots I found that Salomon, size 42, always fit me perfectly - so I'm happy to do my shopping online.
£30-odd on a pair of Altberg Defender military surplus. Size up one against normal. Comfortable, as waterproof as you'll need......
If you want a shop with staff that know what they're talking about, Outside in Hathersage is good:
Not as good as trying stuff on, but they're experienced enough that if you tell them what boots have worked for you currently and in the past / plus some idea of your foot shape and intended use, they'll be able to point you in the right direction.
Don’t suppose you can travel to visit, but Mountain Feet in Marsden West Yorks will book an hour appointment (COVID secure tier 3) measure and examine your feet, discuss your needs and fit you a suitable pair. Stocks Meindl, Altberg, Hanwag and many others.
May give Decathlon a go....
Thanks
I'm rocking some Decathlon £30 snow boots for long hikes these days.
Brilliant grip in the gloop,totalky waterproof most of the way up, zipped, massively warm as you'd expect.
The comfort of a shoe with the practicalities of a boot. What huge great puddles to avoid?😁
Not sure if I look like a tosser in them (wearing a boonie hat/ ear warmer band, it's likely...) but I really don't care, they are bloody practicable as hell, snow boot or not. With trousers over the boot they just look like shoes anyway but now its proper mud, I like the fact they keep the trousers dry/ clean when inside the boots.
I'm a massive decathlon fan. Wearing their snow trousers, they just look like normal walking trousers, (fleece lined, waterproof, nice colour), snow jacket (on offer) also which is really nice. It's all in stock too.... as no one is going skiing...
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-waterproof-warm-snow-boots-sh500-x-warm-high/_/R-p-176643
Slight hijack but has anyone tried these boots from decathlon?
I was wondering if they might make a half decent flat pedal boot for the colder months, rather than think of using them just for walking in.
^^ I don't own those mate so can't comment directly.
Only negatives I could see might be the bulk/ tread.
You might rub the crank/ chainstay? That can be mitigated of course or not be much of a problem on a winter hack bike.
The tread is trickier, like my boots, it's pretty open so sheds mud really well (walking only, not bike use) but not sure how well it would grip flat pedals. Good idea though if they could be made to work.
Oh! My snow boots from them have a pretty soft sole.... If these are similar that might be an issue.
I wear a pair of £30 Decathlon waterproof hiking boots on the bike in winter. They're not as good as proper MTB shoes at gripping to the flat pedals but they're not terrible - don't have feet flying off when landing a jump or anything.
Have generally found them to be good general walking boots, but sometimes feel the sole isn't as grippy as it could be.
Decathlon are close by but sadly click and collect, and anecdotally, the walking section had been stripped bare just before Tier 4 came in.
Thanks @Poopscoop, that’s a fair point about the potential for the sole to be on the soft side. I’ve decided to get a pair to try while they were still there (they were only showing two pairs in stock for my size) so will hope they aren’t too soft for use on the bike.
Bought pair of Salomon boots online from Start Fitness a few months ago, following their advice I sized up half a size and they fit great. More than happy with them
Our Go Outdoors is open. But we're not meant to go out unless for essentials, so... how do we get there?
My daughter needs boots, and walking is about the only exercise we can do, but I'm not sure that's enough to justify a trip down the road to Go Outdoors. Although we'd probably get away with it.
I've ended up taking a punt on some surplus Altberg Defenders off eBay. Hoping they come by the end of the week as promised.
Slight hijack but has anyone tried these boots from decathlon?
I was wondering if they might make a half decent flat pedal boot for the colder months, rather than think of using them just for walking in.
I bought some of these a few weeks ago and have been using them for dog walking in sloppy mud and snow since - they're excellent value for money.
Haven't used them on my bike, but I think they'd be fine - waterproof outer really neatens everything up and holds it in.
They're so useful I'm think of buying another pair for whilst they're reduced for when we can't get reasonably priced stuff any more.
Anyone know how different boot manufacturers sizings compare?
I need to replace my size 9 Meindl Bhutans which are, I think, a tad too wide (or too much volume for my weird feet as the lacing is kinda pinched in when they're comfortably tightly laced).
I was thinking of maybe getting a pair of second-hand B2 winter boots (Scarpa, Salomon, La Sportiva or similar depending on what I can find) and something a bit lighter than the Bhutans for other times.
Any clues on where to start with sizing?
My day to day slobbing about shoes are Karrimor Hot Rock walking shoes in a 9.5 🤔