Hi there, I'm having some real problems at the moment finding walking/hiking boots in a size 3/36. I'm a 4ft 10 female and while it's hard enough to find clothes to fit I'm finding boots impossible to find. At the moment I'm wearing a pair of Peter Storm boots that my friend gave me (she only wore them once) which I think are childrens but I don't think that's the solution. Could anyone advise on places to buy small boots whether online or in-store? I'm on a budget but I'm willing to spend decent money on something that fits properly and will last me a while. I'm also looking for a pair of walking shoes that I can take on holiday with me for gentle walks. Thanks.
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 Boots that fit properly? Don't buy on-line. Find a specialist outdoors shop (not Millets etc - they don't sell half sizes, and half the world fit a half size!). Get them fitted by someone who knows what they are about. Without knowing where in the world you are it would be difficult to advise on a particular store.
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My wife is a size 3 and she has a pair of Brasher's and a pair of Berghaus. She likes neither pair as much as her Zamberlan's largely cos the Zamberlan's have no membrane in them unlike the other two. Boots for small feet are avalable but you do need a good boot shop. Where are you? People will be able to recommend decent shops.
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Sorry, I forgot to mention where I am....I live in Manchester but am fairly relient on public transport to get to the shops unless I can persuade a good friend, so out of town retail parks are out of my reach unless there's public transport.
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| Edited: 19/04/08 20:25 |
Might be worth giving Base Camp a ring. They are in Stockport. Ellis Brigham have a shop on Deansgate and a second in Castlefield.
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 I have feet which are 36/3 in street shoes and 37 in boots/trainers. Children's shoes/boots are evil and wrong for me as the width fitting etc is incorrect. I have had problems for years and still have little choice in what I can try on. Some shops will offer to import a (single) pair for you to try on with no obligation to buy - but how can you select a well-fitting pair of boots with only one pair to take or leave??!! The best place I can suggest is a trek to Keswick to George Fishers. They really are experts in boot-fitting and have a large range in small sizes. You even get a fitting guarantee; it will kick in even after the boots have been worn outside for a month or so. Other shops' offers to exchange/refund boots ends as soon as you set foot outside your carpeted home. If you are very confident about self-fitting then Cheaptents/the Adventure Centre in Warrington buy up oddments from other retailers and is the only place I have yet seen who had Scarpa Mantas in stock in 36 when I called. No-one else would import them to carry in stock when I fancied some as they would prolly have been left with them. You can ring them on 01925 411 385. Otherwise, if Salomon fit your feet, they size up small so you may be able to get into a 37 no problem. Hope this helps.
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<bump> so Paulette can find her replies; it had got pushed to page 4 of 'latest posts'.
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 Aku's women's models start at size 3, and there are quite a few to choose from ranging from about £95 - £150ish. Well worth considering. Cotswolds in Manchester certainly stock some Aku models. But, if they don't have your size and you ask them nicely, I'm sure they'd be prepared to get some in for you to try.
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Aku's women's models start at size 3, and there are quite a few to choose from ranging from about £95 - £150ish. Well worth considering. Cotswolds in Manchester certainly stock some Aku models. But, if they don't have your size and you ask them nicely, I'm sure they'd be prepared to get some in for you to try.
The problem, though, Simon, is that due to the cost of importing them, stores, (in my experience) will only ship in one pair. If you don't buy all of them, you see, they'll be stuck with them, so they only risk the cost x1. TBH, all boots manufacturers that I have checked the websites of start at a size 3 or smaller. I'm sure that peeps with size 14, 15 etc have the same problems.
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| Edited: 26/04/08 13:03 |
What do you guys think of the brand Scarpa? I was in Stafford today and tried a pair on of the ladies xcr boots in size 3. They fitted really well but are about £100. If I'm going to spend that much I would want to know that they are up to the job and will last for years. I'm interested in all kinds of walks from gentle strolls to large mountains.
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 My Wife uses Scarpa's in a size 4 which she got in the sales half price. They should last you a few years as long as you clean them and keep them dry when you get home. Look for a good spray to coat them when they are dry.
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Scarpas are OK if they fit your feet but I find them too hard under the forefoot. Cushioned insoles (e.g. sorbothane) prevent hotspots but will affect the fit. It's not always possible to predict if you are one of the many folk who have the hard-underfoot problem with Scarpas unless you have done upwards of 4 miles (in my experience), which is why the George Fisher enduring fit guarantee is good.
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 Aku's women's models start at size 3, and there are quite a few to choose from ranging from about £95 - £150ish. Well worth considering. Cotswolds in Manchester certainly stock some Aku models. But, if they don't have your size and you ask them nicely, I'm sure they'd be prepared to get some in for you to try.
The problem, though, Simon, is that due to the cost of importing them, stores, (in my experience) will only ship in one pair. If you don't buy all of them, you see, they'll be stuck with them, so they only risk the cost x1. TBH, all boots manufacturers that I have checked the websites of start at a size 3 or smaller. I'm sure that peeps with size 14, 15 etc have the same problems.
Acutally we're quite good at doing sale or return with shops. Cotswold in manchester or Paul Braithwaits in oldham both stock Aku, if they quible it get them to call their rep and we'll sort it out! also not to far from you are Outside in Hathersage and Foothills in sheffield both very good boot fitters.
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 I usually get my hiking boots off from the internet. I don't have easy access to public transport and unfortunately I'm not able to drive either. And even when I go to the shop somehow I hate the fact that they don't have the shoes in my size
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All of us who have small feet face problems in getting suitable footwear. I take a six in shoes and a six and a half in walking boots. It seems not so long ago that virtually all bootmakers offered men's boots from size six upwards. Retailers seem to have decided that a seven is now the smallest size normally stocked. I've tried women's boots but they are not wide enough for my broad feet.
It's worth noting that the major chains of retailers (Cotswold, F&T etc) only list men's sizes from seven upwards in their catalogues even though some manufacturers make boots in smaller sizes. Cotswold were helpful enough to get a pair of Meindl Maine in size six and a half. The boots were comfortable but I was not impressed with the quality and they are now only used for lowland walks. Altberg, based in Richmond, North Yorkshire) sold me a pair of excellent boots in my size from stock a few years ago but they are a little on the heavy size.
My favourite boots are Hi-Tec Supalites but they are size seven so I have to wear them with volume adjusters to make them fit properly; this is not an ideal solution.
Does anyone know which ranges of boots are available in smaller sizes? It would be helpful to compile a list for we foot fetishists.
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All Aku boots are made in Unisex 3 - 13 including Half sizes, there are then women specific models which are similar to the unisex but with a narrower heal and higher instep.
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Rob
Thanks for the info about Aku boots which is a brand that I have not yet tried. The company doesn't seem to have a web page and I'm wondering where I can find a list of stockists in the London area. Any ideas?
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