Over the years finding a pair of size UK14 shoes has been a difficult and tedious task let alone trying to find more specialised footware. I am looking for a hard wearing hiking boot and the only boots I have come across are the Meindl Burma GTX boot and the Military grade Lowa Mountain GTX boot (that can only be found through army/navy surplus sites), both have mixed reviews but I am wandering if there is someone out there who has a similar problem or more reviews on those boots or even another alternative for me as my budget is tight.
First post so be nice and no 'you know what people with big feet have' puns please...
These are from my Father's gear cupboard. surplus to requirements (he generally wears lightweight boots or trail shoes these days) - they've only seen half an hour of carpet, so are as new. Immaculate and still in box.
They look very similar to the 'Trek' model to me - a traditional walking boot with fairly stiff sole. These are not goretex lined(cambrelle type stuff), reddish brown Hydrobloc leather
Meindl Island Pro MFS (what a name :/ ) can be had up to size UK17 according to a major German online retailer. The Norwegian/Italian? maker Crispi makes their Skarven boots up to size EU50. Lowa Mountain and Combat GTX are made at least up to size UK14. Hanwag special forces LX can be found also in half sizes up to UK14. The Swedish manufacturer Lundhags make most of their boots up to size EU48 and a few up to 49 but larger sizes can be made by special order, which is also true for your UK manufacturer Altberg.
I have a pair of lowa combat gtx, and apart from their tacticool name I have only good things to say about them. Much like the meindl island but at a much better price (ordered new from a military/surplus store in the UK). A bit too cold for winter use (@-15 degrees) but that can be said about most boots without a felt wool insert).
@those Zamberlan boots - my experience is that boots that lack rubber reinforcement in the front are easily damaged by sharp rocks, especially during winter when they are hidden by snow.
Thank you Mole, but I am looking for a more durable boot more suitable for mountain trekking.
@Grönt är skönt Thank you very much for all that information, those other boots look amazing however a little out of my price range, I think in terms of value for money the Lowa boots are way ahead. Do you find the Lowa boots you own to be a little narrow atall?
From what I was told by the retailer the Lowa boots are wider than Hanwag's offerings, and from what I remember of the Meindl Islands that I had before those were about the same when it comes to width, ie they might be tight if you want to wear thick woolen socks in them. Better get half a size larger than what you're used to in formal shoes.
I have walked probably 1500km in harsh terrain during a period of three years in my lowa boots and they have held up very well, no leaks (but no ventilation in them either, but that is life with gore tex).
Posted on behalf of Montgomery Wick (Tracksterman)
Evidently "us big footed bastards need to stick together" but his internet time/connection ran out before he could post, so here are his thoughts...
I have size 14 feet. As you know, it's not what you want, it's what you can get. For a while I've been using a combination of Inov8 Terrocs and Merrel trainers (the former from Needlesports, the latter from Magnus). Neither are ideal, but I've done winter routes (e.g. Liathach) in them with Kahtoola crampons.
For the last year I was using a set of Merrel Gore-tex boots, bought from Magnus for about 150 quid (big red things with a massive rubber rand). These were actually much better than expected, fine for general walking. Unfortunately, they're too bulky for Kahtoola crampons, and too flexy for e.g. Grivel 10s or Airtechs.
I'm now back in an ancient set of Scarpa SLs, which I think still go to 14/49. Again Needlesports may be able to help, and respond well to email queries.
Craigdon Mountain Sports in Inverness had a set of 14 Burmas in stock a few months back. I tried them on - length was OK, fit seemed narrow. You might also consider Altberg (no personal experience). There are other companies doing big boots, but I don't have my computer handy and won't for some time.
Guy -- If you can ever visit the Lake District then have a look at F. W. Tyson's shoe shop, which has several models in large sizes. Most of them are Meindl boots I think, but they also do a couple of Lowa models and might have those in big sizes.
BTW I reckon Mole's Zamberlan boots look suitable for pretty much any mountain walking. Zamberlans are built to last ime, and the lack of a rubber rand shouldn't put you off. Good leather is very tough and although the toes might get a little scuffed that will only be cosmetic damage and easily sorted with a bit of polish if it bothers you.
Thank you all for taking your time to write to me. As many of you know buying a pair of shoes/boots from the internet is never the best idea as you can't try them on before buying, so I stumbled across a local shop who had a pair of the Meindl Borneo boots in a size 14, however I found these a little narrow after being told they has a fairly wide fit and after measuring my feet I then realised my search would become a lot harder as I would now need to find not only a size 14 but a size 14 with a wide fitting. Ultimatly this brought me back to the Lowa Mountain GTX boot which I am now a proud owner of, they don't look as technical as the meindl's but they look the business. I was hoping to go to Snowdonia last week to try them out but the poor forecast put an end to that, instead I had chance to try them on a very boggy trek to the middle of Dartmoor for an overnight camp in the snow, and considering I didn't have much time to break them in they were very comfortable and I am looking forward to getting out with them again.
I'll see how I get on with them and give an update in the near future.
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