Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Gear Questions, Information, Reviews and Competitions => Topic started by: fourman on February 19, 2011
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im on the lookout for a new pair of hiking boots mainly to be used for daytrips and the odd overnighter any advice wud b appreciated
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Well the one bit of advice I always come across when it comes to boots is that the best pair are the ones that fit your feet. I know that sounds obvious, but it would surprise you just how much difference in shape/size there is between manufacturers. When I bought my boots I was lucky and quickly found a pair that suited my feet, but Kat must have tried on at least 8 different pairs before she found a pair that felt right. Either way I would recommend going to a shop and trying plenty on. I'd also ask the shop to size your feet and most of the main outdoor shops are happy to advise on fit.
I have a pair of Salomon Quest boots which I'm very happy with. I recently started to think they had sprung a leak in the Goretex lining, but having sent them back for testing they didn't appear to let any water in. Still need to work out why I've been ending up with damp feet but perhaps it is just sweat or water entering from the top of the boot... regardless I find them very comfortable and they've been durable so far.
That said, it does raise a question with fabric boots. The outer fabric has no water resistance (although I've found Nikwax Fabric Proofer does help water repellancy) so they rely on the Goretex membrane for keeping water out. The problem is that the Goretex membranes tend to be quite easy to damage; all it takes is a stone in your boot or a sharp toe nail to make a hole and cause a leak. When this happens the boots become a nightmare as they easily let water in and take forever to dry out again. Leather boots on the other hand can be proofed on the outside and I think this gives them a much better chance of staying waterproof for longer. That said, I'm just going by what I've read in various places and I'm sure everyone has a different opinion on the matter. Personally I'd be happy enough to buy another pair of fabric boots and in my case Surf Mountain were more than happy to exchange the boots if they had sprung a leak.
Alternatively if you only need hiking footwear for day trips and overnighters then don't rule out trail shoes. I recently picked up a pair of Inov-8 shoes and am very pleased with them. They are comfortable, light and breath well. Of course if the ground is wet there is a good chance you will end up with wet feet, but on a daytrip you can just change into your dry shoes when you get back to the car. On an overnighter I carry a dry pair of socks for sleeping in and can wear them the next day until I get back to the car.
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Everything Suspect just said was spot on.
I have a pair of Quests aswell and have the same problem and I think its down to the gore-tex not being able to get rid of the sweat quick enough.
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im on the lookout for a new pair of hiking boots mainly to be used for daytrips and the odd overnighter any advice wud b appreciated
I've had the Scarpa ZG65 XCR for over a year now and really really love them. Extremely durable but still relatively light weight, very comfortable and have not let a single drop of water in so far.
I'm guessing your feet are probably a very similar fit to mine so check them out. Cotswolds usually have them in stock. Let me know before you buy because I have a couple of discount options from different stores.
http://www.scarpa.co.uk/Products/Product.asp?ProductId=29
(http://i.imgur.com/watZI.png)
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decathlon have a great range of hiking footwear, check out www.decathlon.co.uk
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I dread buying my next pair of boots. How much of an idea can you really get by trying something on in a shop? It is a risk. It's hard to know how they are going to feel at the end of a long day. Or even moreso, how they are going to feel putting them on and walking for a second day.
Is it fair to say that your feet will adjust to your boots? In the same sense at the start of every hockey season I would get some blisters, then maybe a few more, then my feet would toughen up and I'd get no more bother. Ok I don't mean to say that if your boots are too tight your feet will get smaller but that your feet will get used to the comfort level afforded by your boots.
I've always had leather boots and I think that is what I'd plump for again.
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I dread buying my next pair of boots. How much of an idea can you really get by trying something on in a shop?
Is it fair to say that your feet will adjust to your boots?
To be honest I must drive shop staff crazy plodding around in boots for 5-10 minutes before declaring they aren't comfortable! But its worth taking your time and not being pressured into making a quick purchase. Also well worth taking a day off work and going boot shopping on a mid-week morning when its not so busy. On a Saturday afternoon when the store is bunged it's unlikely you'll get the attention you are looking for. Don't be afraid to ask to try the boots with different insoles etc. to fine tune the fit if you feel it might help. Oh, and don't forget to wear the socks you will be hiking in!
Once you've found a pair that feel comfy in the shop then take them home and wear them for a day around the house. I even take mine to work for the day to try them out! As long as you wear them indoors then the shops will exchange or refund if they don't pass the comfort test. I usually find a few hours indoors and up and down the stairs gives me as good an idea as you will ever get.
As for your feet adjusting; if the boots are fabric they should be comfortable straight out of the box. I don't think the fabric changes too much over their lifespan so if they have any tight spots they are unlikely to stretch with a few wears. As for leather boots the recommendation is you break them in gently as they will soften up with wear. Again though if there is any doubt in the shop I wouldn't buy them. If your toe feels a bit cramped or your heel is slipping just walking around a shop for a minute or two you can guarantee it will cause a whole world of pain when you get them in the hills!
Thats just my unqualified opinion on the matter anyway :)
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thanks for the advice so far , had a bit of a laugh abt Kat trying on 8 pairs ,is that not what shopping with the other half is like for all clothing etc, eight visits to the changing rooms later still nothing.lol :-\ im interested in what you guys all finally settled on Dowsers Scarpas seem to get a good rateing.
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I'm guessing you're not the same shoe size, or you'd pull rank and get a good trial done;)
My boots are Crispi (and so are the socks after a couple of wears), they weren't expensive. I've had them a while although the leather is starting to get worn a bit. I like the fact that you can slap on a healthy dose of wax the night before you head out and know they'll do the business. I think Chuck is a leather man too? ;)
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My boots are Crispi
You want to get them cleaned mate. Similarly, when my socks become crispy I give them an airing :)
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I got a pair of Merrell trail shoes from Tiso and they made it very clear that I should wear them round the house for a week and bring them back if I had any bother. I didn't expect to, but actually they were uncomfortable so I took them back and they replaced them for my current Salomons no bother.
My proper boots are an old pair of leather Brasher ones that I got in Lindsays years ago. I can't fault them and I won't be surprised if I'm still wearing them in another 20 years.
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I'm guessing you're not the same shoe size, or you'd pull rank and get a good trial done;)
Not a bad plan whoRya... We would be the same size and fit so I suppose if Fourman, your not bothered about sticking your plates into my boots for a day, your more than welcome to put them through their paces in the hills. They are still very clean, even a year later, so I think you'd be safe enough!!!
8)
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I used to sell boots in Mid Antrim Camping and tried to keep up to date.
My first good boots were Brasher hillmasters, they cut the heals off me, so i sent them back. they said the refunded me out of good will, I'd say the found something amiss. Second boots were brasher trail-lite (i think) which were really good, however i tripped on barbed wire going up donard and punctured them, happy days excuse to buy new boots. I bought a pair of scarpa which I am still using, however they are a little tight in width but great support and have never leaked, plus a nice little scuff cap to protect the toes. Finally I bought a pair of soloman xa pro 3d (again I think thats correct) Great boot...in the dry but I'm convinced they leak, that said I still love them, so light and easy to put on and off. for my next pair I have been told Brasher are pushing out some nice products.
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Whilst on the subjects of boots I came across this article on OM today about the virtues of waterproof liners. Doesn't draw any conclusions, but does give you something extra to think about when buying boots:
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/gear-blog/waterproof-boot-liners---do-we-really-need-them/7937.html
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I used to sell boots in Mid Antrim Camping and tried to keep up to date.
My first good boots were Brasher hillmasters, they cut the heals off me, so i sent them back. they said the refunded me out of good will, I'd say the found something amiss. Second boots were brasher trail-lite (i think) which were really good, however i tripped on barbed wire going up donard and punctured them, happy days excuse to buy new boots. I bought a pair of scarpa which I am still using, however they are a little tight in width but great support and have never leaked, plus a nice little scuff cap to protect the toes. Finally I bought a pair of soloman xa pro 3d (again I think thats correct) Great boot...in the dry but I'm convinced they leak, that said I still love them, so light and easy to put on and off. for my next pair I have been told Brasher are pushing out some nice products.
Gear junky ;)
You're in good company!
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I heard the same thing (from a reliable source) as that article suggests - that liners aren't worth it. The thinking is you are better to save the cost of the breathable liner and use the money for a better quality boot. My personal thinking is it doesn't matter what sort of footwear you plump for, you'll ultimately end up wet if you're hiking in wet conditions so what's the point.
Whilst on the subjects of boots I came across this article on OM today about the virtues of waterproof liners. Doesn't draw any conclusions, but does give you something extra to think about when buying boots:
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/gear-blog/waterproof-boot-liners---do-we-really-need-them/7937.html
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Yep, there's a big hole in the top for the water to pour in when you step in a puddle.
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I got these boots about 3 years ago they only cost me £70 they have never leaked and are really comfy. When i need to another pair of boots it'll be these one's. Bomb proof
http://www.surfmountain.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=21091&PartnerID=2&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=Google-Shopping-UK (http://www.surfmountain.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=21091&PartnerID=2&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=Google-Shopping-UK)
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As you guys know I just got back from Kilimanjaro and my quest held out really well. No blisters and no problems with the Gore-tex. I did get a snapped lace but that was no problem.