Hi, I am not much a walker or climber and as such have never owned a decent pair of boots. My main hobby is however fishing and as such I do a bit of hill walking and rock clambering to get to my chosen mark. After a few slips and trips into rockpools I have decided to buy some decent boots. My main requirements are: waterproof, warm and most of all - grippy on dry and wet rocks. I asked in a shop and have read some back reports of vibram on wet rock like surfaces, so what boot can you advise for me - I would prefer mid to high ankle boots. Budget around £100 max. Saw some Salomon ones today (can't remember the exact name but they were 'seamless' with contagrip rubber sole and £109). Thanks in advance.
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 Interesting question, I shoot and fish and could use some boots for clambering around on rocks when down the coast. Have been pondering some
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  Welcome to the OM forum there, BMcN.
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| Edited: 30/11/08 07:55 |
Online fishing supplies places like Fishtec sell boots good for getting into the wilderness environments where the best fishing is. http://www.fishtec.co.uk/And yes, of course they do sell specific outdoors waterproofed boots brands aimed at the fishing market.
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| Edited: 30/11/08 07:59 |
Why not try asking the question again on the specialist fishing related interests partner site's forum to this one though, as there is a Fishing magic site specifically aimed at folks like yourself there, BMcN. Click on the site link at the base of this page here. Most folks here just have a specific interest and knowledge base to do with walking, hiking and climbing boots rather than any other type, you see.
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| Edited: 30/11/08 08:03 |
Having said that though, surely most decent basic hiking boots or trail shoes, with a waterproofed inner built in perhaps, would certainly I think fit the bill for you nicely there, I do actually feel.  If stepping into a lot of salt water seashore rockpools, or fording into streams, then a good pair of waterproofed waders or fisherman's welly boots packed along might well help nicely too, keeping your boots safe and dry for the walk back out of there. I would say buy some Sealskinz waterprrofed socks too maybe, but from experience they don't like salt water in rockpools much, sadly. Salt water seemed to deteriorate my first pair rather more quickly than my previous pair, that only ever had a dunking in fresh water environments.
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| Edited: 30/11/08 08:10 |
I will put the post on fishing magic too, thanks. I am deffinatly looking for more of a boot style than a welly, even if that does mean my legs getting a little wet in the grass. My main priority is the grip on the rocks.
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Well, a hikers mountain style boot or trail shoe will certainly suit there on the rock surfaces, as I say. Might well be the case, was my intended meaning more there though, that for some situations described - like coastal rockpools - that a different approach is too factored into the equation; of packing along and using some kind of a separate set of specialised footwear there perhaps, like some kind of a wader or other overboot maybe. Even a British Army rubberised overboot out of a surplus army chemical warfare NBC pack might be helpful there to protect the boot itself from the corosive alkaline-saline effects of the salt water; and they can be had fairly cheaply, often for under a fiver a pair in many surplus stores, new in their plastic wraps still.
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| Edited: 30/11/08 11:02 |
A pair of simple walking gaiters, too often quite cheap and common in many outdoors kit supply places, would largely stop water getting in your boot tops and prevent much wetting of the trousers below the knee, when walking in long wet grass or reeds.
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| Edited: 30/11/08 11:04 |
 I fish for trout in rivers and spend most of the time wading. The best sole material for grip on wet rocks is felt and that is why most wading boots are felt-soled. The ultimate grip is obtained from felt soles with tungsten studs. Be careful, though, as felt soles are hopeless on wet grass - you might as well be wearing blocks of soap on your feet. There really does not seem to be one sole material that gives good grip on all surfaces. Orvis make some fantastic wading boots that are as comfortable as walking boots. I've got a pair of these: http://www.orvis.co.uk/store/productchoice.aspx?pf_id=95HX&dir_id=441&group_id=9247&cat_id=9251&subcat_id=5777 and they're great.
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Have a pair of felt waders and they do grip well, it is deffinatly boots I am after as I may be walking for a mile or 2 over muddy fields, steep grass/mud inclines. Can anyone advise wether vibram is indeed rubbish on wet rocks or if it is ok? What do you think to these: http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/review/reviewproduct/mps/RPN/3007/prod/Salomon-Pro-Trek-6/RCN/93/rgn/5/sp//v/3 http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/review/reviewproduct/mps/RPN/20937/prod/Merrell-Reactor-Waterproof-Mid/RCN/93/rgn/5/sp//v/3 http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/review/reviewproduct/mps/RPN/14279/prod/Berghaus-GR20-Leather-GTX/RCN/93/rgn/5/sp//v/3
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You could do worse than Muckboots - I use the Avons canoeing, gardening, camping etc. The linings are a little warm for summer, but this model (and a couple of others in the range I think) have vibram (or maybe vibram--style ) soles, so are pretty grippy in the mud. There was a recent thread about them, which may help. I got mine from Oakbury, who had good prices and were very helpful when I found I had ordered the wrong size. Damien
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 I used my new Gill sailing boots for the first time when I went kayaking yesterday and they are great. The tread of the sole doesnt look much but it really grips, and they are nice and warm The footbed is better than the one in my Scarpa SL's too.
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| Edited: 30/11/08 20:49 |
 I've got a pair of muckboots, the Tays, which I wear a lot. I've done some fairly long walks in them and they are great - warm and comfy. That particular model aren't great on wet rock, but you could look at other boots in their range. I wouldn't be without mine now, they get worn for at least a couple of hours every day, sometimes more. Cost me about sixty quid, but well worth it.
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 The problem with Vibram is that it comes in many flavours! None of them are especially good on wet rock; but then not much is. The Salomon Contagrip sole (which I have on a pair of Tech Amphibians reviewed on this site) is pretty good & probably has the edge over Vibram for this kind of activity. It will wear out faster and the lugs aren't deep enough for thick mud, but for what you describe it could be a good all rounder. Another light & grippy option might be the Inov8 Roclite 390. They have a goretex lining & are well reviewed (though Inov8 have developed a somewhat poor reputation for durability & quality control...) Roclite 390 Reviewed on OM here A final wildcard if you can find a stockist (?!) is the Icebug Speed BUGrip
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Hmm, I,m also a lifetime freshwater fisherman as well as fell runner/walker etc. Looks like you are sea fisherman (mention of 'rock pools')? So I guess looking for boots to walk coastal path and then safely down to the rocks and fish? Perhaps I'm wrong? I guess a bit more info would help. I may have it totally wrong, I tend to walk/camp and pack a fly rod for fishing remote mountain lakes, so my needs are probably not the same. But basically I think you are looking in the right place - outdoor gear for walking boots rather than fishing suppliers. Give us some more info. Moley
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Hi Matt, yes it is indeed sea fishing. Boots are needed for walking to the chosen mark over fields and rocks and then most importantly fishing on rocks and traversing down rocks to the water. If you look at ebay item number 330285319604, thats basically what I need (but rather mid height) but I thought it best to buy a boot from a reputable, tried and tested manufacturer.
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I would concentrate on what you need, and then go to a good retailer and find out what fits your needs - and feet. Strikes me you need to be able to walk clifftop paths (carrying gear) and then scramble up & down steep cliff tracks. So I guess fairly agressive soles (big cleats/studs or whatever) for the up down bits. Wet rocks are horrible whatever you wear, so the agressive soles are probably as good as anything. Possibly waterproof (goretex) boots, as you will be standing about for long periods fishing - possibly in the cold, so dry feet are a good idea. Gaiters to help keep seaspray off your lower legs and prevent dripping down into your socks? I don't know enough to recommend any make, and suggest you go openminded and try boots on first. Just work round the criteria you want. That's my idea anyway. Moley
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