Gear

I live in New Zealand so don't have a massive range of boots available here (I don't want to order online without trying anything on) and have narrowed my choices down to either the Salomon Fastpacker 3D GTX or Salomon Cosmic 4D GTX. The style of boot seems to be the most suited for me and Salomon's last fits me well, based on a try-on of the Fastpackers (I plan on trying the Cosmics in the next few days). The Fastpackers were comfortable on, but I'm not sure about the sizes as US 9s are comfortable (though I am aware of the sides of the boot and am a bit restricted in the toebox vertically) whilst the 9.5s still feel comfortable but with more room inside the boot (I'm not aware of the sides/toebox when I have them on, which makes me wonder if they're too big). After tightening the laces for both sizes there was no little to no heel movement when I walked (only a small amount with the 9.5s) and I could fit an index finger down the back of the 9s (the boots were tried on with two pairs of socks, one merino and one medium thickness wool). While the 9s feel more comfortable, I'm wondering if I should go for the 9.5s to account for the whole feet-swelling phenomena and for if I get thicker woolen socks later on....Is there any fitting advice for such a situation? I know that I should pick the style of boot based on what fits better but my current concern is with finding what size fits best, which may be more of an issue than picking what style to buy! (If only shoes came in size 9.25...)

Anyway, my main concern with the Fastpackers is that they may not hold up too well for more rigorious trips (in case I do end up going on them). For that reason I'm considering the Cosmics as they have a stiffer sole and have higher ankle support. However, they are 300g or so heavier than the Fastpackers which makes them less desirable for shorter excursions and while they've had great reviews on the internet, some people have questioned their durability which is worrying for me. Unfortunately the Quests (a more durable/heavy cousin of the Cosmic) and Wings Sky are not available where I am. I'm aware that the people who have said online that their Cosmics lasted only a few months likely used them a lot more than I plan to, but since durability is a big factor for me I thought I should ask here what the recommended boot for my situation is...Basically I would like a versitile boot that will suit short trips (orienteering, day-walks) and easy-medium difficulty tramps, and give me good value for money in terms of how long they last. At this stage it looks like I'll almost definitely get one of the Salomon pairs, which are going to be on sale a week from now, so if there are any recommendations on what would be best for my situation (assuming both types of boot fit me well) that would be great. I'm still open to suggestions for other suitable, similarly priced boots, on the off-chance they are available where I am.

 Thanks very much for reading this, any help at all would be much appreciated! Sorry for the long speel but I want to make sure I make the right purchase decisions since everything's so expensive (to me at least) and I thought I should outline my situation as clearly as possibly so you can have an idea of what angle I'm coming from.

I have a pair of Fastpackers for soggy Scottish trips; light, comfy (as they suit me too), not very supportive, very little ankle support, bit skippy on wet rock.

The way I walk (like a drunken hairdresser) they will last me one season....two if I am lucky.

That's concerning, I'd want them to last a good 3-4 years of occasional use...How often are you going to be using yours? Are you going to be using them for harsh terrain?

I've had another idea; I could get a pair of Kathmandu (Kathmandu is a New Zealand retailer that also manufactures its own gear of good quality) heavier tramping-specific leather boots for less than half price at $149 NZD (link) and also a pair of Salomon Exit GTX trail running shoes (link) for $229 for orienteering and day-trips...Together they would cost $378, only $4 more than the price of the Cosmics.

Alternatively I could spend another $68 and get the Kathmandu boots with the Fastpackers.

This would mean I'd have two pairs for around the same price as a single pair of Cosmics, and I assume two pairs used for different activities would last longer than a single pair of boots used for everything. Durability is important for me so buying two pairs of slightly cheaper shoes means they'd hopefully last longer overall and be more suited for the activities I want to use them for.

I'm going to go tomorrow to try on these shoes so it will depend on whether they fit me well, but in general would this be a good plan? Has anyone had any experience with the Salomon Exit GTX trail runners? Would the Fastpackers be worth spending a bit more on to get a better boot for orienteering/rogaining/day-trips? Thanks!

A few times a month for several day backpacks. In Scotland or the Alps and frequently (by design ) off-trail.

I would not bother with Goretex shoes personally; too easy to get wet, and once wet too hard to dry.

You sound like you'll be using them more than me then, and in more difficult terrain...I'll still take that into consideration though, as expensive shoes like the Fastpackers should (in theory) hold up well to that kind of treatment.

 Gore-tex does seem to be a bit of a marketing gimmick, but from what I've heard it does at least keep feet dry as long as you don't step in water that goes higher than the boot itself.

 By too easy to get wet, do you mean that the Goretex membrane traps water on the shoe, making it heavier? I thought that goretex would be appropriate for orienteering/daytrips (which most likely wouldn't involve any river crossings), since my feet would be dry providing it's only rain and grass getting the shoes wet. Are there any preferable waterproof alternatives to Gore-tex? Obviously leather is one but I'd want it for my light pair of shoes so it'd have to be something like eVent/ngx/ionmask, but I don't know too much about those and the only Ion Mask shoes I've seen available here are the Hi Tec V-Lite Ultras which aren't waterproof due to the poor tongue design....

Doesn't take a full on river crossing to get above the lining in a shoe Any form of membrane will have this problem.

Basically if you want to waterproof stuff - and won't be on paths and the like all the time - then you might as well give it a chance with a Mid/light boot. (or just give up and use an unlined, quick drying shoe. That works very well.).

At the moment I think I'll got for the Fastpackers, but I'll still try the other types on anyway in case I find a more comfortable pair...How often have you been using your Fastpackers, Robin?

These Oboz Firebrand shoes look quite rugged and durable too, so I'm considering them too...Reviews seem pretty good online, has anyone had them before?

I've used them on all my trips since March 2009, see http://blogpackinglight.wordpress.com/

plus a lot of winter dog walks!

A good all round boot might be the AKU Croda, they're by no means heavy at about 1400g Pair/size 9, have a good height rubber rand for protection against scuffing and are Gore-Tex lined. I found them comfortable straight out of the box but obviously it depends on the shape of your feet and how tolerant you are regarding footwear.

http://maceachain.blogspot.com/2009/05/new-gear-reviewed-aku-croda.html