New to hiking. Some pants/boots suggestions?

seachto7

Hi folks. I’m new to the whole hiking scene and need to get myself some pants and semi decent hiking boots in preparation.

I’m new to Dublin, and while I realise there are loads of shops where I can get what I need, anywhere around the city you would recommend for standard enough gear?

Down around Capel st? South of the river? Does it matter? I tried on the Hi-Tec walking shoes, but there’s no support around the ankles so might have to go for something with more protection around the ankle, but at the same time, don’t need hardcore gear either.

chakotha

I just bought a pair of Lowa Renegade GTX (first pair) in 53 Degrees North after a long time of researching. The choice is overwhelming alright.

They are their most popular and come in a wide fitting which suits.

Hi-Tech are supposed to be on the heavy side I think.

seachto7

Cheers, thanks! I'll have a look.

Losty Dublin

A good question to start off with is where and what will you expect to go and what you want from your gear. No point in blowing hundreds on boots if it's only to walk around the local park or, at the far end, if you want to wade in rivers when fishing when it's waders that you actually need. Likewise when it comes to legs and tops; windproofing is something that some walker rate as highly as waterproofing. The ranges out there are huge and it's easy to blow four figures on what is needless as distinct to being rubbish.

seachto7

Ah, it would just be hill walking, like the likes of Glendalough, or Mount Brandon, or down around Killaloe in Clare. I wouldn't need anything hardcore and no need to spend hundreds on footwear either. I won't be wading through rivers, but expect to get into wet terrain all the same.

hmmm

I'd generally recommend you get properly fitted for boots - the Great Outdoors is where I'd go. You also want a no quibbles return if they don't work. Boots are an investment and are expensive, but worth it.

With trousers you can go a lot cheaper. Avoid cotton, too cold when wet. A lot of people will wear trousers like Craghoppers, more expensive "soft shell" trousers which dry very quickly have become popular, and in cold weather you'll often see people wearing lined trousers. Avoid the heavy ski trousers, they're way too warm for most Irish conditions. If it was me I'd drop into an outdoors store (in the city centre - Great Outdoors, a new Cotswalds, therere's a few around Capel Street) and check the sale racks for something you like the look of. Have a bit of a think about pockets - e.g. I like a large side pocket for storing a map.

TheBody

Tk Maxx is good for cheap branded hiking trousers and coats.

bk

Might I make a slightly controversial suggestion.

If you are new to hiking and plan to mostly stay on the paths and not go wandering off in waist deep mud, then forget about big heavy boots with ankle support and instead go with hiking runners or shoes.

Something like Merrell Moabs or Phoenix hiking shoes.

When I first started out in hiking, I followed the standard advice of big heavy hiking boots with lots of ankle support. And god it was misery, dragging those heavy boots around the mountains was a pain in the ass, I frequently got blisters and I even twisted my ankle in them a few times. I almost gave up on hiking!

Then I tried hiking shoes from Merrell and god, what a revelation! It was like wearing slippers. I could almost run up mountains, where before it would be a hard slug. At the end of the day my feet would be barely sore and I haven't had a blister since. It made hiking way more fun.

And most surprisingly I haven't had a twisted ankle since! To be honest I think the idea of ankle support is wrong. Heavy boots make your feet tired, and thus more likely to twist your ankle and when you do stumble, the support actually makes it harder to stop from twisting. I find with lighter shoes my feet aren't as tired, so less likely to twist. And when I do mis-step on a rock, I can feel it going and adjust and stop it from twisting more easily.

Plus you have the advantage of them costing about 1/3rd of the price of full on boots. If you really get into hiking and want to go wading through mucky fields, etc. then you can look at bigger boots later. Though I have to say, I use my hiking shoes with gaiters to do that too now!

Losty Dublin

I've got Craghopper Kiwi legs and they are great, wind proof, pockets aplenty (11), comfortable and easy to wear and while they are shower resistent they are not fully waterproof. I picked up waterproof Crags yesterday so a report will follow.

On footwear, some people find the trainers to be a little easier to wear and good for trails. Off track and they can be found wanting. Don't pooh pooh the cheaper brands too easily; some of the Hi Tec boots have gotten fab reviews and I've a pair of Regattas that really have come up as being waterproof. Whatever boots you want, try them on in one of the outdoor stockists later in the day (feet swell so your fit will need a wee bit of room.) and heed their fitting advice. Oh yeah, get some good outdoors socks as well. Regular socks will let you down big time as will sports socks.

seachto7

The Hi Tecs were ok, but I was looking for something with some more ankle support. The ones I tried, the ankles looked very exposed, and water would get in easily if you hit any kind of a puddle.

Those Merrel Moabs. That type of boot looks good. But I need to try them.

bk

seachto7 wrote: »

Those Merrel Moabs. That type of boot looks good. But I need to try them.

Well the Moabs shoe have no ankle support, so I guess you are looking at the Moab Mid version of them. Sure they have more "ankle support" but to be honest, they are examples of boots I've more often twisted in then the shoes.

seachto7

ah ok, I see.

bk

seachto7 wrote: »

ah ok, I see.

Don't get me wrong, they certainly aren't the worst. They are pretty much as light as you can get for a boot, so if you have your heart set on ankle support then they are one of the best options IMO.

I actually have a pair of Merrell Moab Mid and they were great compared to the old heavy boots I had. But on the other hand, I haven't worn them in 3 years since I started wearing Merrell Moab shoe instead.

troyzer

Craghopper Kiwis and a pair of merino socks are essential.

The type of shoe you get depends on your feet. Hiking boots are extremely specialist and you'd be an idiot to buy without trying. For example, I have extremely wide feet which makes it impossible to get into any Salomon, Scarpa, Sportiva, Merrel or most brands generally. I can get into some Meindl and most Keen boots but Keen is a bit lower end so I'm rocking a pair of Guffert at the moment. However, these are really expensive and really heavy boots that would be ridiculous overkill for just a bit of hillwalking.

I think people here are right, you should consider a pair of trail shoes also known as approach shoes. I think Salomon have some really good approach shoes for less than 100 euro that come with Gore-Tex. In any case, you should definitely get a pair of Kiwis, they've basically been the same for decades because of how bog standard and perfect they are for most applications and merino socks are a must. Maybe sock liners too.

So just to make things clear, would you describe yourself as having a wide foot?

seachto7

I'll have a look around Dublin the weekend. Not too sure what to get, but advice here is great!

bk

troyzer wrote: »

The type of shoe you get depends on your feet. Hiking boots are extremely specialist and you'd be an idiot to buy without trying. For example, I have extremely wide feet which makes it impossible to get into any Salomon, Scarpa, Sportiva, Merrel or most brands generally.

You might be interested to know, that Merrell make some of their models in extra wide width too, might suit you:

http://www.merrell.com/en/mens-wide-width-boot-shoes/

I know this as I accidentally bought a pair once, was WAY too wide for my feet. But they had no problem taking them back and replacing them with a normal width.

hmmm

FYI If you're going to walk with a club, most will look for boots before you can walk with them. You can argue all you want, but they're not footwear experts.

If you're worried about stuff getting in over the top, look for gaiters. They're very popular over here.

Carawaystick

I'd get boots, but any trousers which aren't denim will do until you know what you want/like.

seachto7

Picked up a light pair of Columbia hiking boots in a sale on Capel st yesterday.
They're waterproof and will do the job for what I want them for.

Also got a pair of pants in a shop down the way from Capel st. Name escapes me, just up from Nandos.

Sorted for now. Just need an auld belt for the pants!