Walking boots

Hi

I have had a couple of pairs of cheapish walking boots that have been ok for a while but inevitably fall apart. I think I need to invest a bit more, I’m looking for long lasting potentially leather if this is beneficial?

Thanks in advance

Go to a reputable boot shop and get them to measure your feet, gait and check your arch. They should then be able to offer you a few different pairs to try on.

Dont know where you are but George Fisher and Keswick Boot company, both in Keswick are excellent and the staff know their onions.

I have a pair of Altberg Nordkaap. After nearly 35 years in a pair of Scarpa Manta’s (that had been resoled multiple times) I was astonished just how good the Altberg’s were. I’m sure this will apply to pretty much all modern boots.

Yep, I’ve found leather boots (with goretex liner) last way better than fabric ones.

Bought my first pair of decent boots from George Fisher and as posted above they were excellent – boots and service! Those boots lasted 15 years, replaced last year with Altberg ones from Whalley Warm & Dry.

I get the feeling that my Altberg Tethera will never die, and have remained totally waterproof despite some fairly infrequent application of proofer.

My only regret is buying some ‘boots for life’ which I now accept are actually half a size too small!

Leather last longer but IME fabric are the way to go. Ive found leather boots stiffer and less comfortable, partly due to arthritis in my toe joint. I have a pair of 5yr old fabric scarpas that I keep going back to or a pair of Hoka Anacapa over even my lightweight Berghaus Supalites.

It all depends on your foot shape / volume and how stiff / cushioned you want you boots to be. Altberg Tetheras are lovely in a stiff, traditional, leather boot way – five different width fittings so a good chance of getting fit right – but are useless to you if you want a more flexible, cushioned boot, maybe lighter too.

Meindl, Scarpa, Mammut, Zamberlan all do nice, well-made boots in a variety of lasts – shape basically. Your best bet, as above, is a good outdoor shop with experienced fitters. Somewhere like Outside in the Peak District or various Lake District shops. Or Scotland. My take is that properly stiff boots are great on snow, with crampons or on some scrambles, but overkill for most other UK walking.

A lot of modern walking boots have upped comfort, by using a very flexible ankle cuff section, but this tends to reduce durability in that area – fabric and foam basically – even if the rest of the boot is thick leather.

Anyway, try lots on is my basic advice. Buy stiff if you like stiff, or not if you don’t. Think hard about cushioning if you’re going to be walking much on tarmac or other hard surfaces. There’s a big variation between mid-sole hardness that’s rarely mentioned in reviews. I’ve been using a pair of La Sportiva mountain boos that have all the underfoot compliancy of a block of concrete. Not fun on the wrong terrain.

Inov8 for me, comfy as from day 1 and very light

IMO no need for burley big leather boots. Actually if it’s dry I would wear trail running shoes/approach shoes.

There’s a big variation between mid-sole hardness that’s rarely mentioned in reviews

By that to you mean boot stiffness? Most boots sold as  ‘mountain’ boots tend to be stiffer sole they work better with crampons or scrambling/climbing etc.

Cushioning is personal preference

Agree with above that without getting too nerdy consider where your mainly walking and buy accordingly. I find my Meindle Bhutans an excellent mid range in terms of stiffness and comfort for the mix of local footpath walks and more rocky hill walking.

As well as the fit of boots being paramount, also consider what you mean by ‘walking’. Are you on proper big mountains? what about scrambling? what season(s)? Ever go out in snow? Wanders of 2-3 hours or full Highland dawn till dusk and at the bothy?

I have three different pairs of hill foot wear – Adidas trail running shoes, Innov8 light but waterproof and ‘big day’ Salomon leather boots.

I used to love traditional boots (Scarpa Delta) but recently switched to Inov8 ones. I’m never going back to stiff soled leather boots. They are much comfier (could be a bit wider in the toebox for me but I can live with that). The grip is amazing, I think because the sole can flex and more surface area is in contact. They have been watertight so far (tested last week on a day of rain/heather bashing).

But I would suggest going to a shop and spending lots of time trying lots of boots on. Fit to your foot shape is the most important thing.

Been wearing a pair of Brasher Hillmaster GTX since 1995 and they still don’t leak!

Picked up a pair of unworn new old stock pre Berghaus/Chinese Hillmasters recently on eBay. They will be brought into service eventually.

Don’t forget Go Outdoors! Although perhaps not a fashionable place suitable for all the bean grinders on STW if you find the right person to advise then some good boots can be had for a decent price. I have found though that just because brand X was brilliant for the last five years the new model, perhaps manufactured in a different place, are not always the same standard.

I wear some leather Berghaus Hillwalker boots for my day-to-day walking, they have a lot more flex than my traditional 3-season Zamberlans and (as BWD suggests) they’re probably ideal for any walking this side of proper snow.

Went up the Glyders in the Zamberlans last month (first time I’d worn them for a few years) and it took a while to calibrate to them again.

I would buy the Berghaus again without hesitation, but I’m lucky to have very standard shape feet.

There’s a big variation between mid-sole hardness that’s rarely mentioned in reviews
By that to you mean boot stiffness?

No, I mean the cushioning/harness of the mid-sole, which is usually EVA – the foam mostly used in running shoes, but a firmer grade for durability, I think. There’s quite a variation between different boots, which doesn’t make much odds on softer surfaces, but if you have to walk on tarmac / slabs / hardpack, for long, it makes a real difference. Footbeds have an effect too, but the mid-sole – the cushioning foam bit between the outsole and the lasting board, is fundamental. You can make a boot that’s stiff underfoot in flex terms, but still reasonably cushioned.

Sole ‘stiffness’ mostly comes down to what sort of lasting board / stiffener has been used, but unlike, say, road cycling shoes, the board is embedded / moulded into the sole unit rather than ‘being;’ the sole unit. So full-on, trad mountaineering boots might use a steel shank, more likely these days some sort of fibreglass or composite one to save weight. The amount it flexes will depend on the material and thickness. You can make a fabric boot with a pretty stiff sole if you want to, AKU’s Trekker Lite has the same thickness board as some of their heavier, beefier boots, but looks like a lightweight fabric one for example.

Anyway… none of this matters if stuff works for you regardless. Inov8 boots and mids are super comfortable and nimble ime, but not as durable as more conventional boots. Salomon does quite a nice halfway house sort of gig,

Sorry for the digression. PU injected sole units, fwiw, tend to be more durable than EVA, but less forgiving in cushioning terms. Those brick-like La Sportivas use some sort of variant on that. Ecco dd trail-running shoes with PU injection, but cut a hole in the lasting board with a bulge of PU directly under the heel to soften the impacts, which worked, a bit.  I  can go on, but I’ll die of boredom soon 🙁

I would buy the Berghaus again without hesitation, but I’m lucky to have very standard shape feet.

Berghaus tends to have quite a high volume fit ime. They inherited the old Brasher lasting. The only way I can fit them is by using a volume reducer under the footbed, but they’re a good call if you have higher volume feet / find other brands a bit snug.

With leather boots you do need to be prepared to do some maintenance to keep them lasting which is easy if you just wear them at the weekends. You’ll need to clean them and allow them enough time to dry before re-applying conditioning/dubbin before you can wear them. This is where I struggle as over the winter they’ll be on twice a day every day and it would be beneficial to have two pairs but at £170 a pair that’s not going to happen. If not you’ll get cracks in the leather. With fabric you can clean them and then apply some spray while they’re still damp and so therefore much easier.

I still don’t think they’ll last anywhere near as long as they used to and still can’t decide whether wearing a cheaper pair until they die makes more sense. Altberg are always rated highly, I’ve got scarpa myself and have had Meindl before. Salomon are good for fabric boots and lighter and more supple than leather. I’d say go somewhere to try some on and have a chat with the person selling them to you.

Of the 6 or 7 pairs of ‘boots’ I’ve currently got on the go  only 1 pair are leather, a pair of calf-length ‘hunting’ boots, best suited for bog and heather bashing over rough ground, but for anything resembling a track or path I’ll choose something lighter. For more technical and winter stuff, I’ve got Scarpa Ribelles, but they’re stiff and not great for long distances on firm ground. Mammut Kentos are more forgiving for general walking duties and pretty hard wearing. LaSportiva Raptors are nice – amazing grip in wet and I can run in them if needed but sole wear is quite rapid. Salomon Alpin for fast mixed stuff but not so good in the wet. Hoka Anacapta for daily wear as I’m on my feet all day, but lack of upper support means I’d not want to take them any more technical – I’ve had 3 pairs of Hoka Tor Ultras and they’re way, way better but getting a bit pricey. I’ve also got 2 pairs of LaSportiva trail running shoes as well – again, great grip in the wet and firm fitting upper for steep and off-camber.

Ideally, go to a shop and try a few different pairs on to find what suits you best – I wouldn’t choose a boot solely on the materials, but how it feels as a package – hard wearing outsole with good grip, decent midsole with a bit of give, an upper that holds the foot firmly. With new boots, wear them for a few hours indoors to make they’re still comfortable when your feet get hot/ swell a little rather thawing them straight outside and finding they pinch or rub.

Also, don’t forget how important a good pair of socks is to overall foot comfort.

A pair of good quality socks (I use Bridgedale) can transform how your feet feel in any given boot,

Altberg Sneakers / tabbing boots if fast moving over usual UK sort of terrains.

I’ve got a big size difference between feet and went to the hassle and expense of Altberg. When they arrived months later one had the wrong width label but they were adamant it was just a final sewing mistake and they were made on the correct last. That boot never fitted properly, and Whalley were very sneery when I asked about steaming / stretching later. Have looked since and the Altbergs just look clumpy and stiff.

Grisport do some on a wide last that is very similar to the old Brasher fit. Soft leather and a membrane which seems to be a good compromise for muddy hills if you don’t need a crampon stiff sole. Less than £100 and lots of independents have a much wider range and better prices than Go Outdoors (eg in our case Blackburn Outdoor Action just down the road that I imagine they thought would shut down when the glitzy chain shop appeared)

I went to Outside in Hathersage when I needed some decent boots. After trying numerous versions I ended up with some expensive leather Hanwag boots – just really comfortable and took very little breaking. And 2-3 years on I still love them.

When LittleMissMC needed boots for DofE she also ended up with Hanwag which have been hammered through to Gold and still as good as new.

I’ve got leather Lomer Keswicks which have been great. Had to try on a few different brands to get a good fit, so it was more by luck than judgement, but they are very comfortable and are still waterproof.

My lad got some Hi Tec Summits, and they are holding up well after various DoE and Explorer Scout camps/expeditions.

Both have been regularly cleaned and re-waxed.

Berghaus tends to have quite a high volume fit ime. They inherited the old Brasher lasting. The only way I can fit them is by using a volume reducer under the footbed, but they’re a good call if you have higher volume feet / find other brands a bit snug

Noted, ta.

Perhaps I have slightly wide feet, as I tend to fit standard or wide fit shoes equally well.

if you have higher volume feet

They’re not very loud, honest.

Danner Mountian 600?

Spendy but very comfortable, reasonably light to me but coming from a low base.

3 years of almost daily dog walking and occasional longer stuff, holding up well.

A pair of good quality socks (I use Bridgedale) can transform how your feet feel in any given boot,

I disagree get a comfortable boot and sock is irrelevant, the boot just works

I walk in trail running shoes with goretex liner, and cheapo aldi waterproof socks.  Latter are double fabric so size up.  Buy a few pairs at a time so can rotate, current faves are hoka speedgoat and scarpa ribelle runs.  When I see them for 100 quid I get a few pairs.

Soles seem to be made of cheese, they wear quickly and I m 90kg, but I do walk every day.

I have spent a ton of time in and a lot of money on walking boots and shoes over the last few years due to dog ownership.

My 2p:

What do you mean by “walking”? Easy stroll round a lake at a country park with the kiddies or proper days out in the mountains?

Fit is everything. (Pray you don’t have odd shaped feet like me.  Narrow at the heel and wiiiiiiide in the forefoot)

Junk the stock insoles.  Superfeet insoles make a massive difference on long walks.

Fabric boots that have trainer levels of comfort out of the box don’t last.  Keen and Merrell are particularly short lived.  They are really really comfy though!

Waterproof liners in fabric boots with open mesh panels are almost worthless.  They’ll be colander like after 10 hours and hot and sweaty in summer.  The more the boot flexes the more likely they are to spring a leek.

In summer don’t discount trail running shoes.  I did some day hikes in the Canadian Rockies over the summer in some Merrell Trail Running shoes and had happy not overly sweaty feet the whole time.

Current hiking boots are Meindl Tonale whoch seem to be lasting reasonably well and are suitably comfy after a brief break in period.

I am currently on my third pair of Meindl Guffert. Billed as a three season boot  they’re medium/ stiff. Goretex lined nubuck, they are cleaned and treated regularly, which is the key to good leather boots.  Guffert also have a large wide toebox, and the lovely people at Whalley Warm & Dry steamed and stretched the right boot to take the pressure off my bunion.

As for comfort, they have a wool and cork midsole and that means after an initial period they fit like slippers. I wear them daily for a couple of hours’ dog-walking, and regular full weekend walking and stalking/shooting.

Terrain and intended use is what really matters in your choice of footwear, and here’s where the first of my anecdotes crops up. I used to sell outdoor sporting clothing, and by far the biggest sellers were Meindl Dovre Pro Goretex. They are a 12″ high laced full leather randed boot and are (or were) the favourite boots of upland gamekeepers.  As a result, every wannabe game shooter and stalker absolutely had  to have them, and soon discovered that a few hours walking through soft woodland or pasture was a nightmare in a massive, heavy, more or less armoured boot. Next, a ‘keeper is likely to have the boots bought for them, so they simply wore them all day every day and never worried that the boots would be shagged within a year. The wannabes expected the (£300+) boots to last several years despite never seeing a drop of conditioner or wax, and got all pissy when Meindl refused to replace them FOC after a season’s worth of abuse.

Wow! Lots of choice. I’ll be using for daily dog walking about two hours and weekend Yorkshire Dales. After consideration I think being waterproof and not too heavy seem appropriate for my needs.

thanks very much

I will add a further recommendation for Grisport in your circumstance

Good prices and the leather boots tend to live forever. I have some Grisport peaklanders that were comfy from day one and look like new everytime I put some dubbing on them.

https://www.grisport.co.uk/walking-boots-c78/mens-t76#sort3

I don’t have huge experience of walking boots (have a lot of experience of work boots), but Salomon Quest 4 GTX are without a shadow of doubt the comfiest boots I’ve ever worn

My Meindl burma pros are comfortable and very durable. When they eventually needed a resole, after about 15 years, they refurbished them at the factory for £80, and they came back good as new.

I purchased a pair of Innov8 after recommendations on here and I have to say that I have been very disappointed.

Only used for local dog walks and after only a couple of weeks the seals started to come away and now after just using this summer are destined for the bin. It could be an isolated case but after a little digging on line, it seems the quality has recently gone down hill.

My Berghaus Supalite’s have been great, hard wearing, light and very comfortable.

I try not to be over-booted. I see people walking the towpath in full-blown mountain boots, when I’ll be going up the Beacons in trail shoes for much of the year.

Zamberlan have been good for me. Mammut seem really robust but don’t happen to fit me, but that’s not their fault.

Mrs. Smiffy was disappointed when the soles fell off her Scarpas last month, and the chap in the repair shop was not surprised. They couldn’t be fixed because the layer the sole glues to was crumbling.

Forgot to mention my experience with Keen and Merrell in the last few years – absolute rubbish, poor quality materials that fell apart rapidly. Stopped wearing Inov-8 years ago for the same reasons. Salomons no longer allowed in the house due to the stink – not just me, but Mrs DBs too.

They couldn’t be fixed because the layer the sole glues to was crumbling

Be aware that all the comfy EVA midsole boots suffer from this. The EVA breaks down spontaneously and either needs replacing or throwing in the bin. I’ve had 3 pairs fail in this way before the sole was done. In the olden days, midsoles were leather, cork etc and the boots would last to the end of time – with regular resoles. Sadly I threw a pair of 1980’s Scarpa Fitzroys away recently in favour of the modern bio degradable rubbish. Mistake.

They couldn’t be fixed because the layer the sole glues to was crumbling
Be aware that all the comfy EVA midsole boots suffer from this. The EVA breaks down spontaneously and either needs replacing or throwing in the bin. I’ve had 3 pairs fail in this way before the sole was done. In the olden days, midsoles were leather, cork etc and the boots would last to the end of time – with regular resoles. Sadly I threw a pair of 1980’s Scarpa Fitzroys away recently in favour of the modern bio degradable rubbish. Mistake.

Dewi knew exactly this – he peeled the sole back, rubbed the midsole with his thumb and watched a pile of crumbs form on the counter and shrugged like it was no surprise at all.

In the last 20 years of walking Exmoor, Dartmoor & SW coast path 20 or 30 miles a week I’ve had

Scarpas – lasted over 6 years but £250, great waterproof boots but wore out eventually.

Zamberlan – lasted 7 years but over £300, excellent waterproof & replaced under warranty after the stitching stared rubbing on my big toe but cracked leather (might have been user error for not cleaning/treating them enough)

Berghaus Supalite’s & Hillwalker GTX lasted 5 years but both under £90 in the sales & I’ve just bought another pair for £69 even though I’ll not even take them out the box for a year or two – great waterproof but soles wore out & happy with them for £per mile value.

Brasher fell walker – £80 a few years old but I’m using them sparingly as they have soft grippier soles so no tarmac!

Yeah, same happened to my Scarpa Mantas.

Criminal really as the rest of the boot was in perfect nick, thought I’d have them till the end of time, wonder what Scarpa’s excuse us, performance or comfort?