High milage shoes/boots?

Big thumbs up for Zamberlan from me. I used to do a lot of fieldwork on peat bogs, scree slopes and steep inclines which was murder on boots. Zamberlan Vioz Plus lasted much longer than anything else I used. Get something in single piece leather with a full rand and look after them
 
King4aDay said:
Big thumbs up for Zamberlan from me. I used to do a lot of fieldwork on peat bogs, scree slopes and steep inclines which was murder on boots. Zamberlan Vioz Plus lasted much longer than anything else I used. Get something in single piece leather with a full rand and look after them
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I've just retired my 6 year old zamberlans. They, for want of a better word, warped. Truly bizarre.

Replaced with some salomons which are the most comfortable boots ever.

At work I do about 70 miles a week. Mostly in my work boots which are v12 caimans with composite toes and then the rest in walking trainers which are currently merrels. They're very resilient.
 
tom_e said:
I know @Feek did/does a lot of walking and I'm sure I've seen him recommend some good footwear in other threads.
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I don't wear shoes so much now because I work from home so I generally walk in trainers - I can wear a pair of Nike Pegasus out in about six weeks! Currently wearing some Fila basketball type boots that have lasted me at least six months and although they're worn, they've got a lot of life left in them.

As for shoes - The best pair I've had have been Clarks Dorset Limit brogues. I have three pairs, brown, black and a fancy chestnuty colour and when I was wearing them each day, I'd say I had to have the back of the heels and the front of the shoe re-done every nine months or so. Really comfortable and when properly cared for, they look perfectly good. They've been discontinued now but some places have limited stock still available.

Since July 2013, I've walked 13,047 miles.
 
Clark's shoes are generally about as hard-wearing as you wull get in a proper shoe. You even used to able to re-sole some of them, but I think that's dead now. Realistically though, nothing is going to survive for any long period of time doing 100 miles a week over mixed terrain. But I'd start with proper walking boots, with leather generally better than artificial fabric - if you look after it properly. Expect to pay £100-£160 for something worth buying.
 
I've had my berghaus walking boots for years. I put new inners in them but they've done the yorkshire and national peaks as well as many walking outings there after. YOu get what you pay for and I've certainly had my moneys worth from them. Think I paid around £150 for mine but well worth it. Never had any problems wearing them for long periods of time and actually did the yorkshire 3 peaks in them new, so didn't need wearing in.
 
The best wearing shoes I ever owned were a pair of ECCO's. I got about years out of a pair that I wore everyday to work as well as the odd walk here and there!
 
It’s the soles that I find are the issue, just wear down to nothing, I’ll look into some of the suggestions, but may just be expecting too much with the abuse I give my footwear.
 
I'd be looking at proper walking boots or shoes for this and change at the destination if necessary. I have a pair of Merrel MOAB which have been fantastic for long walks.
 
Zamberlan Vioz - they are top class boots backed up by a superb guarantee.

However, if you are walking that far you REALLY should get your boots properly fitted by an expert - Altberg in Richmond, Yorkshire are brilliant, they are used by the Military and the Police and will even make boots to measure!


Edited: For what it is worth, boots in the past used to have soles made of rubber as hard and inflexible as granite. Modern boots are designed for grip and flexibility, the soles will not last forever.

Think iron horseshoes -vs- decent high performance car tyres.
 
Salomon Quest 4D GTX. I have a pair I go trail running in. I've also worn them all day in around town/country, you barely notice them on in hot or cold weather, and seem to be pretty indestructible. I love them.

https://www.salomon.com/en-int/shop-emea/product/quest-4d-3-gtx.html#848=10750

If they are good enough for some military folks (I think I read that some SEALs choose to wear them), then they are probably good enough for anyone else.
 
I have Salomon hiking boots and I find them SUPER! You could also get Quechua ones from Decathlon for significantly cheaper and just replace them as needed.

I think the priority for that kind of mileage is arch support and comfort. No point the shoe lasting ages if your feet, knees and hips are slowly destroyed.
 
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