Gear

Jon wrote a decent write up of these boots, but what do other users make of them?

Well, mine are currently on ebay. That's what I think.
They're a lovely boot, I think they'd be great if they fitted your feet, the heel is very cleverly padded to eliminate lift, but the forefoot is very wide on me.

Thanks CEPSMRTFMRAFCSG I've got big feet (presently using some well wore Meindl boots with no probs with wide sizing) so will have to try a pair.

Anyone else have any opinions?

I've been wearing mine for about 18 months.

They're very comfy, and they work well with a flexible crampon, but I won't be buying a second pair because they have virtually no grip on wet rock. I don't feel safe in them in the Lakes in wet weather, and have slipped off my crubeens and onto my bum on several occasions. I asked around when I first had that experience, and it's not unique to me.

So... next time I'll be looking at Meindle again, and possibly Scarpas.

Just bought some Mountain somethingorother from Raichle and they are very comfortable.

Not had chance to give them a serious kicking yet so will let you know at the end of the week!

Cheers Mike, look forward to your feedback. :-)

Noticed that thread Peewiglet, I don't think I'd feel safe on wet rock unless I had Spider-Man like grip...

I bought my Mountain Trail XT GTX a couple of months ago after trying out various Scarpas and Meindles at Tisos. They fit my wide feet perfectly, but you may want to size up if you plan to wear mostly thick socks with the boots. I am normally a UK 9 but bought a UK 10 instead. Which, realistically, is about the maximum that a flexible crampon like the Grivel G10 would take. Kept my feet warm, toasty, and comfortable in the Cairngorms recently (8+ hours out in the snow daily), the performance cannot be faulted. The laces are a bit fiddly, however, and are thinner than normal. They also tend to undo after a couple of hours of use, so I always keep them double knotted which solved the problem. The soles have a unique rolling action which takes some getting used to initially, but it is this that makes the boots so comfortable.

Mine replaced a pair of Meindl Lhotses that has developed a crease across the toes (a tad painful after a day on the hills). Similar fit as the Meindls, not as immediately comfortable though & have taken a bit of breaking in, but were fine in the snow on Dartmoor last Saturday. Fingers crossed they don't go the way of my Meindls!

-Thanks Cake, I double knot my boot laces as a matter of course.

-Ian, I noticed my Meindls went the same way, probably due to combination of my walking technique and the sole flex.

I'm gonna try these boots out later in the month will report back on my decision, thanks for all the advice! :-)

I was recommended the GTX boots by Cotswolds, they are not the xt version. I was having problems with my Meindl Burma because they were a bit wide for me. The raichle felt ok at first but now they are rubbish (for my feet!)They may be a narrower fit but there is so much volume in the toes that my feet are just sliding about in them especially on traverse paths. really disappointed because i haven't worn them much but probably too old to take back. My meindl fitted better. Anyone got any sugeestions for a nice snug fitting boot?

Meindl burmas are also slippery on rock imho.

I have wide toes, narrow heels and high instep, so am bit of a mixed bag. I have to pad my Burmas out as they are too wide in the heel, but are now so old they have sorted of moulded to my feet.

I have a pair - tried quite a few pairs on before deciding on these - great boots IMHO and well worth trying on! Nice rolling action...

Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly does this "rolling action" thing mean exactly/in practice?

I have some and they are very comfy. They are for the widder foot though (try them out before buying etc....). My laces broke after a couple of walks, but that was easy enough to fix (they were a bit lightweight).

They seem to be well made and they suit my feet. Mine had the nubuck finish, which I has been trashed despite attempts to clean it in the correct finish. I think I would look at getting another pair as they do fit my wide feet. If I had any gripe it woould be the insoles which are really rubbish with no give.

To answer Peewiglet, I don't think I've ever had a shoe/boot (with or without vibram soles) which is good on wet rock. These seem to be as good or as bad as other boots. The worst experience I had was with some Merrell approach shoes, deadly!!! - like having oil on the soles of your shoes.

It mean the front of your foot rolls from the ball to the toe when you walk, giving grip and an easy action on your knees. Just like a tyre rolling in fact. If you've ever done a walk-in in a pair of flat soled B3 boots, you can really tell the difference.

That above is in reference to rolling action btw.
PS stop dissing the boots, the bidding on mine has slowed dramatically.

My feet are quite wide Bob.
I would never buy footwear without trying on beforehand! ;-)

This version of the Mtn Trail use full-grain letter rather than nubuck so are a little tougher. (my sister-in-law has a nubuck pair and they take ages to dry out).

Thought most folks praised the insole "rolling action" - whatever than means...

Cheers for the info Peter. Can you really tell the difference on a 3-season boot like these?

BTW Do you have a link to your eBay sale?

Alex, I think the curve of a sole can be felt, but it seems to depend as well on the flex of the boot. More flex maybe needs less clever shaping? The Raichles are quite stiff for a 3 season boot, in a confidence on rough ground sort of a way.
I'm breaking in a pair of Salomons just now, they're quite stiff soled, but have a good rolling action and have caused me no grief. Th fit is spot on too, so all the different factors help, or hinder.
I'm not upsetting the management by promoting myself but the friendly tone of the listing might give me away :o)

Question for Chief Engineer Peter S Macfarlane RTFM, RAF, CSaH, ptc*. What boots do you use now? I think you had the same problems with raichle as me