Walking Boots - any recommendations?

sammalone

Hi folks, I'm a new hill walker or at least hoping to get out once a week or so but have no boots yet so I'm wondering has anyone any good advice when purchasing a pair? I live in Cork and would prefer to buy in a shop where I can try them on before I purchase. I presume goretex is a total must have but would anyone advise me on brands or amount of money I should spend please? Thanks lads

SomeFool

Gore-tex is a must IMO. TK max is usually worth a look. It's hard to find value in Cork tbh, Mahers in Parnell Place, Great Outdoors/Scout shop near Paul St and the hillwalking shop in Union Chandlery on Penrose Wharf are all worth a look though. I wear Berghaus explorers which I got in Great Outdoors, very happy with the boot and would recommend them.

ur mentor

Hi
Be careful with soles of boots..i use Vibram and find that others do not make one as sure footed..
do some research... lots of online advice...looking for quality is more important than value.. good boots will last for many many years...
over 5 years 50 euro is not a lot compared to leaking , slipping,uncomfortable or replacing them...
All the above assumes... (always dangerous) that you will be doing a lot of walking! over 8 hours per week is my definition of walking.Enjoy our beautiful countryside!:)

sammalone

Thanks for the quick replies folks. I didn't think of TK Max or Union Chandlery so I'll give them a look. Must look out for Vibram too so. Yes I agree I'd be willing to pay what it takes to stay dry and be more sure footed and I know I'll never do as much walking as I intend but if I have a decent pair of boots it's one excuse less to use to stay at home

doopa

+1 on the Vibram soles and TK Maxx. They currently seem to have loads of Karrimor walking boots, in both leather and synthetic waterproof material. Dunno about Cork though.

hmmm

Goretex isn't needed on leather boots, but is helpful on fabric boots.

Meindl is a top brand but expensive.

Teferi

Don't go expensive to start off with unless you're going to get the wear out of them. I've been involved with Scouts for 10+ years and I've never really used expensive boots. One of my favourite pair of boots was a pair I got from Dunnes for about 20quid. Got years of use out of them and they were always waterproof with a little bit of care after a weekend (wax etc.)

eldile

Bought mine in Lidl 3 years ago €30 still use them. Made by Trex, vibram soles and are fully waterproof. Will buy another pair when the appear again.:):)

lg123

do not buy north face boots, the soles are seperating from the main part of mine after less than a year of use. they are in a box on the way back to TNF aftersales for examination. regardless of the outcome i will never buy tnf boots again, its a shame because they were very uncomfortable.

all my friends recommend scarpa, asolo or meindl, their not cheap but your feet will thank you. i will go scarpa next time.

my girlfriend bought a pair of hitec boots and they butchered her feet and leaked after the first day.

del88

I'd highly recommend "brasher supalite" ..really comfortable, really light and hardwearing....I've had the same pair for the
last 3 years...

lg123

lg123 wrote: »

my girlfriend bought a pair of hitec boots and they butchered her feet and leaked after the first day.

First pair were Hitec, bust on the second hike but got a credit note. Ended up with a pair of Meindl second hand for €50, but that was through a friend of a friend so got lucky - have heard there are fakes of most brands if you rely on youtube, there might be more vetting on climbing and trekking sites. I find Meindl excellent.

a148pro

Glad to see other people's experience of buying cheap ones isn't necessarily bad either. I picked up a pair for £40 in Army Bargains (in Dub - sorry OP) about 10 years ago and they're still going strong and waterproof after 10 years and without any treatment. They're Vibram soles - although my one complaint on them is they have very little grip - and they have some kind of cheaper form of goretex called Spo-tex or something.

Still I'd be inclined to go with Meindls or some brand name if I was buying now.

il gatto

Got a pair of Karrimor with Vibram soles in TK Maxx 3 months ago. Mainly wearing them casually (live in the country) and found them excellent so far. Took a week to break in as they're well above the ankle. €55 reduced from €130.
The Lidl boots ("Crivit") are very comfortable but quite soft. I knackered a pair in six months (sole coming away on one boot) but in fairness I covered alot of miles in them on tar, concrete, forestry road and the beach. And I seem to have a tendency for that to happen my right boot well before the left with most pairs. Will buy another pair if I see them coming up again. Nice summer boot if you're not going too many miles.
I always liked leather or waxy leather, but the Karrimors (nubuck and fabric) have opened my eyes. Might buy another pair to keep in reserve before I really start abusing these ones.