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| simon67 Member Since: 18 Jun 2015 Location: west sussex Posts: 569   
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Plus one or maybe three by now for Scarpa
Brilliant boots either in leather or fabric Preference is for fabric, go to Cotswolds and you get military and Scout discount - just ask, don't think they even check anymore |
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24th Aug 2016 7:59am |
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| agentmulder Member Since: 16 Apr 2016 Location: Outer Space Posts: 1324 
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Another happy Scarpa user:
Zero walking in issues, comfortable out of the box. Solved the bowel problem, working on the consonants... |
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24th Aug 2016 8:43am |
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| AMBxx Member Since: 24 Jul 2016 Location: York Posts: 1031  
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Scarpa for me too, but so much depends upon your feet. I used to wear Brasher, but found they were too wide for my feet after they moved manufacturing outside the UK. Scarpa nice and snug.
We spent half a day in Otley with Back Country http://www.backcountryuk.com/ They do a custom fit (adjustment) of boots and really know what they're talking about. Even if a standard boot works for you, their advice is worth listening too. Plus, if you buy in store after fitting and don't get on with the boots, you can return. |
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24th Aug 2016 10:52am |
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| Cupboard Member Since: 21 Mar 2014 Location: Suffolk Posts: 2971 
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Blanket discounts like that annoy me. I've had discounts from Cotswolds, Mountain Warehouse (some of their boots used to be good) and others, most of the time just by asking and sometimes they'll scroll through the list of potential discounts and pick one that seems vaguely right. "Oh, you work on a farm, let's give you the NFU discount" - well I'm not actually an NFU member and that's not what I asked for, but OK if you want me to pay less. If they can do the discounts seemingly for anyone that asks, why can't they just make all their prices like that? It's just ripping everyone else off for the benefit of a few people that are in the know. |
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24th Aug 2016 11:12am |
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| AJC Member Since: 30 Nov 2015 Location: Lancashire Posts: 1361
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A thread i like.
I live in Boots, literally 6am-9pm 6 days a week, if not 7 days, the pair i have now i wear for work, working on the garden, working on the land rover, walking the dogs, you name it, they're on my feet. I am now on my 4th pair of Gronell Gardena, they are absolutely fantastic. They last me about 12-16 months. Now some may say this isn't long, but given the abuse they get and the usage (last monday my pedometer said i did 14.1km just at work) I've only treated my current pair to waterproofing once, which was when i got them and they still water tight, they are getting ready for replacing soon so was going to have a drive to the lakes this weekend to see what shops have them but in the past i have ordered from the website and they get shipped from a country clothing shop based in Aberdeen. They do other styles too, but as mentioned, the Gardena is what i wear. http://www.gronell.co.uk/products.html |
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24th Aug 2016 11:15am |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5804  
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An uptick for Ricky and an uptick for Mash. After 10 years in the Infantry, my two tips relate to what they say.
First, be sure of what you want to use them for and how long per outing. If you are doing day trips with evenings in a pub, place to dry your kit etc, then consider Gore-tex lined as they require little maintenance to remain waterproof. But that inherent waterproofing does make for very slow drying out, so if you're doing overnight (or multi day) trips and perhaps staying in a tent, then (as Ricky points out) leather is an absolute must. Just as waterproof as gore tex, but breaths more, offers greater flexibility, shapes to your foot and importantly dries much more quickly overnight. However you have to really keep on top of reconditioning and reproofing after each and every use otherwise they will become permeable and when dry will risk cracking. So day use, easy life, go fabric/goretex. Long life, multi day, but more work, go leather. And avoid leather-gore tex hybrids. Defeats the object of leather. As far as Mash's point and following on from the above, think clearly about what you intend to use it for and how often. Do you want a Vibram sole, how much flex in the sole, hard toe cap, high/medium/low ankle, what grip type, what will you be walking over, etc etc. Then go and try all the makes noted above on. Lowe, Alt Berg, Scarpa are all excellent. There are more available but you won't go far wrong with those listed above. Consider buying more than one pair for different activities, rather than a lesser boot that does everything, no body part (bar the obvious  ) is as important as your feet when out hiking.
My 'day trip summer boot' (that will in fact be being used tonight), is the Scarpa Zodiac. Cannot recommend it enough. it's an approach shoe, but great for summer walking with shorts or long trousers. Great for slapping on with jeans with low snow on the ground as well, but without the hassle or claustrophobia of higher ankle boots. Finally, can highly recommend gaiters. Maybe a little old fashioned now, but if you're in long wet grass, crossing streams etc, it stops that initial ingress of cold dribbles of water into the top of your boot. Once it's in, it's in...  Monsieur Le Grenadier
I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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24th Aug 2016 11:46am |
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| Rickydodah Member Since: 14 Jul 2014 Location: East Sussex Posts: 1091 |
Oh no! I didn't know that. What a shame, mind you this pair that I've had since 2007 are likely to see me out.  I started with nothing and still have most of it left! |
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24th Aug 2016 3:53pm |
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| LoveTheMud Member Since: 19 Feb 2015 Location: Weybridge Surrey & Pontefract West Yorkshire Posts: 411 
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I can't sing their praises high enough. Depends what you are doing though.
http://www.snowandrock.com/scarpa-mens-sl-...sting=true  |
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24th Aug 2016 7:25pm |
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| Joe the Plumber Member Since: 18 Dec 2013 Location: Midlands Posts: 907 
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If you want a great shop for all the gear, Lockwoods of Leamington Spa specialise in boot fitting (with proper measuring equipment and skilled staff) and I think they're well worth a trip:
http://www.lockwoods.com/ |
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24th Aug 2016 7:45pm |
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| Mac22 Member Since: 22 Nov 2013 Location: Merseyside Posts: 675 
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http://www.rutlandcycling.com/98453/produc...0wod2coFnA
Best I've ever had.... |
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3rd Sep 2016 12:37pm |
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| couplands Member Since: 31 Aug 2011 Location: Peak District & Cornwall Posts: 1826 
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I find choosing boots very difficult. I've had a pair of Berghaus GTX boots for years (10..?) and walked thousand of miles through wet/muddy field & tracks and they have been brilliant. Never leaked, very comfortable and extremely light. I got them from GoOutdoors in Hathersage who spent a long time with choosing them. Excellent service and when my wife bought her boots from there they offered a 3 month trial with a return if you didn't like them.
Mine are now getting worn out, so am interested in the comments here. I'm inclined to get a new pair of Berghaus GTX. I be tried many leather boots ( for work as an NT Ranger) but generally they have leaked when spending days in wet fields, so wary of getting leather walking boots. Need to test some of the recommendations on here. Cheers Simon |
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3rd Sep 2016 7:51pm |
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