Quality waterproof shoes in mountain warehouse /regatta /brand max

deadlybuzzman

I'm looking at getting a good made to last pair of waterproof shoes or trail runners and because I'm going to have to spend a decent bit on them I'd like to try a few pairs in a bricks and mortar shop before I buy.
Obviously the 3 shops I've mentioned aren't bastions of high quality gear but they're the only options I have locally. Will they have much decent stock in there?

hmmm

I don't know much about those stores, but companies like Columbia, Salomon, Merrell would be the brands I'd be looking for in "ordinary" stores. There's a few more specialised trail runner brands, but you tend to find them only in certain stores in Dublin.

Some stores have very good returns policies, so ordering online and returning may be an option. The Merrells in particular tend to be discounted heavily online.

If I wanted to spend a bit, and wasn't comfortable buying online, I'd try and get into a few of the higher-end outdoor retailers e.g. Great Outdoors, Snow & Rock, Cotswold, 53 degrees.

sparrowcar

Decathlon have a good selection

RandRuns

I've a pair of the "Thunder Extreme" shoes from Mountain Warehouse, and I find them surprisingly good.
I also have a pair of the "evadict" (I think that's what they're called!) trail runners from Decathlon, and they are pretty good quality.

deadlybuzzman

It never even occurred to me to try a regular shoe shop! I'm in the North West so I won't be in Dublin for a long time but I'll definitely try those other options!

fishy_fishy

Ive had two pairs of regatta footwear and two pairs of salomon and the difference is night and day. (I've had hiking boots and shoes from both brands). I wouldn't touch the regatta stuff with a bargepole again. Only good for doing the garden in. The salomons I can have on all day, over any terrain really and they don't get uncomfortable, don't develop hot spots. It might feel like you're saving money with the cheaper option but you're probably not, either in the immediate or long term.

spaceHopper

Try Trailblazers in Carrigh-on-Shannon the manager there helped me out with camping gaz for my campervan once well stocked shop and helpful staff.

Tabnabs

If you do go the online route, I find https://www.bergfreunde.eu/ very good and have bought many things through them.

EmptyTree

Call of the wild in Sligo can be a good option if you're looking for bricks and mortor in the NW.

circadian

Wearing a pair of Solomon for the last 2 years, great shoe but the fabric isn't as tough as I'd like. Next pair will be Merrell Moab again, they're still the best shoes I've ever worn. Took me hiking in the Canadian rockies, followed up by a year backpacking around Asia and they were still going for another year or so, daily, on my return.

They eventually started letting water in.

deadlybuzzman

I ended up getting a pair of merrell moabs in sligo. The shops actually got the shoeshop.ie website but turns out they had bigger sizes in store than on their site.
They're a great shoe, comfortable from day 1

deadlybuzzman

deadlybuzzman wrote: »

I ended up getting a pair of merrell moabs in sligo. The shops actually got the shoeshop.ie website but turns out they had bigger sizes in store than on their site.
They're a great shoe, comfortable from day 1

Most comfortable footwear I own, including my slippers !