Bought some last year – absolutely brilliant for their intended purpose – scrambling/rockwork.

I’ve noticed lately that I can’t walk for as long as I used to without achey feet and my little toes are slightly compressed when descending. I’m not sure if they are that great for general walking (upper Edale today) or coming to the realisation that I might have bought a pair half a size too small.
They are a pain to clean if the upper gets muddy too!

Thinking of going for a leather pair (must have rand) for more general walking – like a Scarpa SL Activ.

Might be a used pair going for sale soon…

I bought the La Sportiva equivalent (Evo’s) and they are ace. Good for long days in the Alps and Scottish winter plus ice up to about grade 3. Very light and still waterproof after 3 years.

Just been to Go Outdoors and tried a few pairs on.
Meindl Vakuums and Scarpa SL Activs currently have my full attention, though Scarpa edging it even though they don’t have Gore Tex lining (Vakuums do).
Bad news is I have a great pair of Charmoz that are indeed half a size too small.
Any ideas on the best way of selling on other than Ebay?

On here? UK Climbing? Mate in a club?

I’ve also got a pair of Vacuums. Good boots but a bit heavy by current standards.

I know it’s kind of personal preference, but why would you buy something as heavy and overbuilt as a Scarpa SL for general walking anywhere below the snow line? Why not keep the Charmoz for winter crampon use and get something light and flexible for walking?

Don’t believe all the guff in the likes of Trail magazine about needing super stuff soles if you’re going to walk on a rocky footpath and then be surprised that your feet hurt… Just a thought.

Agree with BWD. I went over to trail shoes for 3 season a few years ago. The Vakuums only get used when I must keep feet dry and the Evo’s when snow and/or crampons are involved.

My 1st ever walking boots were Scarpa Bronzo’s, about 1970! Anyone remember them?

Thinking about it, I had some Scarpa Nero’s as well.

rascal – Member

Before you give up on them, you could try new insoles and maybe different lacing techniques. They can make some difference to comfort.
A check to see if they are long enough is to put your foot in the boot and then shove it forward to touch the toe box. If you cannot get a finger between your heel and the boot’s heel then they’re probably too short, you need the wiggle room for descents and for when your feet expand with heat.
Also the toe box shape could be causing issues. You see this a lot with running shoes where the boot narrows rapidly at the toe thus rapidly narrowing an otherwise decent wide shoe.

I agree with the don’t follow what TRAIL says but also beware the I’m okay in trail shoes/brogues/sandals brigade too. Your feet and ankles may require more support, it’s an individual thing, only you know how your body works and responds to terrain. You really have to try it to see if you can get by without a boot.

Aaaaah Bronzo’s… I had the Fitzroy’s same but a bit burlier/stiffer.

I’ve only ever had Scarpa boots, afaic they are a wider fit than most other euro boots (la Sportiva, Salomon). Every Scarpa boot I’ve had has been brilliant, even the ones I think I bought a half size too small were fine after 6 months of breaking in. I only buy leather tho.
Current ones, I had to buy off ebay as their high end ones all seem to be synthetic these days
Is the Charmoz some sort of rock climbing boot come walking boot? I’ve never liked those for the reasons you descibe, pretty sure I got a corn on my little toe from those sort of boots. I prefer a fully rigid alpine mountaineering boot for easy grade climbs and mountaineering

What size are your Charmoz’s Rascal; might be interested in taking them off your hands (feet) if you want to sell them?

Re the Scarpa SL. It all depends on the level of scrambling/mountaineering you want to go to. More rigid boots are much better for edging on small foot holds and wedging in cracks, they act as a rigid platform. less rigid boots bend really easily and more likely to slip off/out and certainly cause your feet to hurt really easily in these situations. You might be better off looking at the Manta/Mirage/GTX (sorry, not really sure about the range these days, but consider a more rigid boot than the SL). That’s just my opinion, ask a professional at your local specialist shop.
These are my Scarpa Boots, my original Scarpa SL’s have been thrown away, can’t bring myself to throw the others away, too many adventures and scrapes together.

Certain Meindl boots have a good high rand and are leather BTW

Thanks for all the replies.
I’m not naive enough to believe everything the likes of Trail say, though they are a handy overview.

I think the Charmoz are fantastic on rocky ground as you don’t feel anything through the sole – I like that so want a similar sole – I’ve had less rigid boots before and found that a problem.

The only reason I’m changing boots is because I (stupidly) bought them ever-so-slightly too small and only after trying on the Activ SL did I realise my Charmoz are not as wide in the toe area which is the main issue.

I didn’t find them heavy or overbuilt and if I keep them as winter-only bought they will still be uncomfortable. I’d rather have one pair of great all year round boots.

Spandex – they are 44.

Cheers

Just reading some posts above, I’m inclined to agree with this Trail mag re rigid boots on anything scrambling or above. I also prefer boots with a higher cuff for ankle support.

I’d rather have one pair of great all year round boots.

Isn’t that the Manta then? or whatever they call it these days.

Trouble is, something like a Manta is often overkill for ~60% of the time. I used to use my old Fitroy’s for everything. Bit like using Nepal’s on the Pennine Way now. Yes they’ll work but you won’t do your feet/joints any favours.

I ended up with:
– A pair of Vakuums for general walking/scrambling where I wanted to be sure of keeping dry feet.
– Many pairs of trail running shoes for fast and light/some scrambling etc. I get about 300-500 miles out of a pair before they are knackered.
– a pair of Evo’s for mountaineering/winter climbing
– an old pair of Grinta’s for technical ice (grade 4 and above)

There probably isn’t a boot that will do it all. I’d get something lightish for 3 season then a stiffer boot that will take a crampon if you’re out and about in winter conditions. Most important thing is make sure they fit.