smelly boots

[LandyLiam]

my hiking boots got a good soaking last time out and i didn't dry them quick enough so they now smell like something has died in there, actually they smell worse than that  so i gave them a good hose out but they still pong although not quite so bad but still unbearable, i've been told to throw some baking soda in them, any other advice?

[ChuckMcB]

Rinse the insides out with a *weak* Milton Fluid solution...followed by a rince out with fresh water (if they have removable insoles....take them out and do they separately). Biology lesson: it's the bacteria that smells...the Milton Fuid kills off the bacteria...baking soda would prob. do the same thing...I've read folks using it to clean out water bladders...

HTH

[twentyclicks]

Milton Fluid - of course!  I'm going to try this on my trainers which are living outside on the window ledge 

[LandyLiam]

due to a lack of milton fluid i threw a little baking soda in them and very impressed with the massive improvement, and slightly disappointed i've now lost my excuse for a new pair of boots 

[twentyclicks]

due to a lack of milton fluid i threw a little baking soda in them and very impressed with the massive improvement, and slightly disappointed i've now lost my excuse for a new pair of boots 

Out of interest - how much baking soda are we talking here?  A teaspoon/spork?  Tablespoon?

[ChuckMcB]

.... and slightly disappointed i've now lost my excuse for a new pair of boots  

Unless they get a size bigger during really hot weather


(ps. random Wikipedia possible fact about baking soda "Because it can be used to absorb odors, it is a tried-and-true method of used booksellers. The baking soda will absorb the musty smell, leaving the books less odorous." There you go now....)

[LandyLiam]

how much baking soda are we talking here?  A teaspoon/spork?  Tablespoon?

i only put about 2 tablespoons in each boot and gave them a good shake

[LandyLiam]

after another wet sock day (boots leak more than the titanic) i've decided to bite the bullet and hang up the old scarpas and get a new set of hiking boots

currently looking at the "Salomon Cosmic 4d GTX 2010" - they get good reviews but at that price they should
( http://www.surfmountain.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=36195 )

and Meindl Softline Men Ultra GTX (my daily shoes are meindl and i love them)
( http://www.craigdonmountainsports.com/meindl-softline-men-ultra-gtx-2010 )


both shoes cost about £125 with discounts which is about as much as i want to spend (i've bought cars for less   )

any others worth looking at?

may be buying as soon a tomorrow so don't dilly dally with ideas  

[LennyJ1]

I think the Salomon Cosmic 4d GTX 2010 are the way ahead, I am saving upfor apair myself. or might wait  ;Dfor santa

[twentyclicks]

any others worth looking at?

Whatever fits man!  Personally Mammut are the only thing that fit me (narrow heel - slightly wide front).  Although a lot of people buy Salomon, so there is a higher probability they will fit you... can't know until you try them on.  The Quest 4D is the one I'm thinking of about £145 everyone loves.

Scarpa Terra is a lovely light leather boot, or their fabric ZG65 is very stiff (both about £125 before discount).  Mmm - there's maybe Zamberlans in that price range too.  Tends to jump to £170ish for the real hardy 3-season boots.
Good luck.  you'll know they're right when you put them on.

[Matthew]

 meindl softline ultra gtx get my vote



I have had mine for nearly two years and they are still going strong, I really cant fault them

[LandyLiam]

damn i was hoping for a clear winner, i tried the meindl on today and very nice fit, maybe a bit stiff but suppose that'll soon loosen up) but the salomons are getting such good reviews, yet to try them on though, maybe that'll clinch the deal but need to try them on side by side so have to find a shop that sell both, maybe i'll take my time and shop around a bit, no big walks til next weekend and scarpas should be dry by then 

is there any webshops that give weights of boots? i like light ones of course

[suspectmonkey]

I have the Salomon Quest 4D's and they are awesome.  If they suit the fit of your feet then I'd give them a big thumbs up.  The Ortholite insoles are very comfortable and the Gore lining has kept my feet dry in some truly wet conditions.  I hate to sound like a broken record, but I bought mine from Surf Mountain   They are £129 on their website, but they will match the price on the website in store so you can try them on and get the best price.  They also stock the Cosmic's for £138, which were the boots I originally fancied, but having looked at them the Quest's are pretty much the same and cheaper to boot (whadda pun ).

I'm telling ya, with all this advertising for Surf Mountain I'm expecting to be the clear winner of this Leatherman

[billy backpack]

I'm having this boot dilemma myself and have gone crazy trying everything I thought would fit and be comfortable and I have more or less decided to go back for another pair of Scarpa ZG65 !

I really can't fault them as they have served me well and been through a lot in all seasons and weather (probably the reason they are starting to fall apart) and were unbelievably comfortable straight from the box.

[LandyLiam]

so what shops are good at fitting then, hopefully someone will measure my feet and steer me in the right direction