Spec me: Walking boots

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Soldato
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So! I am off to India for 3 weeks in February solo style backpacking, all the major details are planned and stuff, just the little things now, I don't actually own a decent pair of walking boots! I own some trainers which have more holes and flaws than the bible, and a pair of steel toe capped boots that could have put a larger hole in the Titanic putting the berg to shame.

So yea, I need light, breathable boots, whilst maintaining comfort and durability. a lot of walking will be done!

Thanks!
 
Walking boots are a very personal thing. Best advice would be to go out to a shop and try some on.
I have meindl boots and would swear by them, where as i know they just don't fit some peoples feet.
Just make sure when you do get some boots, wear them around the house for a week or so, or out to the shops just to wear them in.

Make sure you get some decent socks too!
 
Look at getting a pair of decent walking sandals as well as some lightweight boots or shoes. Meindl boots seem to fit my feet well. Scarpa if you have a narrower fitting. Any reputable make should do for you but try them on and walk around the house for a few hours first so you can return them if they are uncomfortable.
 
Where will you be walking? In the mountains or just out and about? The terrain will obviously affect your choice of footwear.
 
Ging3r said:
Walking boots are a very personal thing. Best advice would be to go out to a shop and try some on.
I have meindl boots and would swear by them, where as i know they just don't fit some peoples feet.
Just make sure when you do get some boots, wear them around the house for a week or so, or out to the shops just to wear them in.

Make sure you get some decent socks too!
Click to expand...

^ This.

Go to a decent shop like cotswolds or a local small specialist. They should have people who will measure your feet and reccomend something to fit, just like getting shoes when you were a little kid.
 
Also if you are carrying a load you will need a stiffer sole plate than just daywalks.

Talcum and zinc plaster too :)
 
My last two pairs have come from Millets. Nothing too posh, they just do the job. The only rules I had were (i) waterproof and (ii) comfortable & supportive (arch & ankle) in the shop.

Both pairs (£80 and £105) did many, many miles without a complaint.
 
Thanks for the replies guys! I have a cotsworld around the corner from my house, so will pop along there. Secondly, at lunch today I will go into town and check out a few outdoor shops.

Terrain wise, it will be a mix between the usual street walking to forest trekking to maybe mountain trekking... So a huge mix really.
 
I'd advise looking into hot weather climate boots, with plenty of vent patches to let your feet breath.
if you are going to be putting a lot of miles in, DO NOT go cheap on boots, my suggestion would be to get some Altbergs custom fitted to your feet.

have a look at these.
http://www.altberg.co.uk/Web/military.jsp
Jungle microlite
Desert microlite
Mountain Desert

theres even the good old fashioned sneeker, very lightweight and thin, but i think even these would end up being to hot and stuffy

also check out LOWA, they are a bit heavier and clunkier for want of a better word, but they are extremly comfortable for walking over long periods of time.
http://www.aarondistribution.co.uk/
elite desert
elite jungle desert
and if you prefer the lower cut boots look at the zephyer mid tf fesert.

my experience with meindl boots have been very poor, just dont hold together, their desert boots fell apart for me after a month, the sole started to seperate and the stitching was disintegrating, on top of that i found them uncomfortable for my wide feet.

What ever you do i'd would highly advise against goretex/waterproof linings, once they get wet inside it will be an absolute nightmare to dry out and you will find your feet sweating like hell, much better to have a nice thin lightweight boot with plenty drainage that will dry quickly.

the key thing here is to find a boot that keeps your feet as cool and dry as possible, you start walking with wet feet either through water or heavy sweating you will go man down fast.
 
Deluxe1 said:
Whatever boots you get make sure to break them in as much as you can before you go.
Click to expand...

Thats why I want to buy either this weekend or next week as I walk 4 miles a day (2 mile trip to work) so that will give me roughly 80 miles not including weekends. So should be more than enough to break them in.

steve45 said:
I'd advise looking into hot weather climate boots, with plenty of vent patches to let your feet breath.
if you are going to be putting a lot of miles in, DO NOT go cheap on boots, my suggestion would be to get some Altbergs custom fitted to your feet.

have a look at these.
http://www.altberg.co.uk/Web/military.jsp
Jungle microlite
Desert microlite
Mountain Desert

theres even the good old fashioned sneeker, very lightweight and thin, but i think even these would end up being to hot and stuffy

also check out LOWA, they are a bit heavier and clunkier for want of a better word, but they are extremly comfortable for walking over long periods of time.
http://www.aarondistribution.co.uk/
elite desert
elite jungle desert
and if you prefer the lower cut boots look at the zephyer mid tf fesert.

my experience with meindl boots have been very poor, just dont hold together, their desert boots fell apart for me after a month, the sole started to seperate and the stitching was disintegrating, on top of that i found them uncomfortable for my wide feet.

What ever you do i'd would highly advise against goretex/waterproof linings, once they get wet inside it will be an absolute nightmare to dry out and you will find your feet sweating like hell, much better to have a nice thin lightweight boot with plenty drainage that will dry quickly.

the key thing here is to find a boot that keeps your feet as cool and dry as possible, you start walking with wet feet either through water or heavy sweating you will go man down fast.
Click to expand...

Wow, what an amazing reply with tons of detail! Thanks, will check it all out later today.

Thanks
 
Ging3r said:
Walking boots are a very personal thing. Best advice would be to go out to a shop and try some on.
I have meindl boots and would swear by them, where as i know they just don't fit some peoples feet.
Just make sure when you do get some boots, wear them around the house for a week or so, or out to the shops just to wear them in.

Make sure you get some decent socks too!
Click to expand...

This! Cannot stress how true this is. Buy decent walking socks first and then try on the boots with the socks you will be wearing. Make sure they are not too tight fitting or too loose (your feet will swell with the heat). Make sure you break them in a bit and get used to wearing them (I would wear them everyday around the house or instead of your regular shoes. You may look a bit of a numpty but your feet will thank you). :D

I prefer Brasher Supalite Hybrid XCR walking boots for walking in hot climates. I have had a pair for about 2 years now and they are the comfiest boots I own.
 
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Another vote for Alt Berg. I live not too far from their factory.... if you can't find anything else suitable down your way and wanted to come up to get them properly fitted.
 
I've got a pair of Scarpa ZG65 boots, use them for walking around the UK in our wet weather and they're great! Might not be the most suitable for India though!

As others have said, get down to your local outdoor shop and try loads of pairs on until you find some that fit right. Get some decent socks too, I love Bridgedale ones myself.
 
As other have said here, try them on. I have a pair of Meindl Maine Mid Gore-Tex which i've owned for over 2 years now (they are a little tatty now). They are really lightweight and do stuff into your backpack quite easily. Pretty much all i wore for 3 months in South america, including Inca trek, amazon treks and general town/city walks. To be honest i tend to wear them most days (general use) as they are comfy, casual and light enough.

I'll be buying a new pair of boots soon for some cold/wet/snowy hikes etc most likely will be a pair of brasher gtx or something along them lines (once ive tried every pair of boots on).

Usualy when you try boots on in shops you'll need a pair of socks that you are likely to be wearing but i think the cotswold outdoor you'll be going to in reading (near morrisons) have socks you can wear. Personally i dont like thick walking socks i tend to use blister socks instead (thin but double layered).

The best shop i found for variety of boots (if you dont mind a short drive) was fox outdoors in Amersham (http://www.foxsoutdoor.co.uk/), huge selection of boots in the shop but a little more expensive than other places.
 
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