What do you guys use for walking hills in Winter. I have just got a pair of Scarpa Mantas home with me to wear around the house before deciding to buy and after wearing Terrocs all Summer I feel like they are 2 big blocks of concrete.

I am going to be walking hills around Scotland after I've done my outdoor skills do I really need as tough a boot as the Manta ?

Thanks

I would have thought it depends whether your winter ambitions extend to graded climbs.

As ALS says it really depends on what you will be doing but even for non-graded climbs you are still probably going to need to either kick steps and/or use crampons so you will need boots stiff enough for this. I've got the Mantas but before this used the 3/4 season Scarpa SLs which are less stiff (but still quite heavy compared to Terrocs!). I'm sure others will advise of lighter winter boots but at the end of the day you're going to finish up with something a bit heavier and stiffer than your Terrocs ;-)

You don't need anything stiffer than Terrocs, but you may well prefer them.

I've happily used Mudclaw 330's in the Cairngorms in winter, with flexible crampons. They work, despite the wailing of 'you need a stiff heavy boot' brigade.

The problems that I have found with light shoes in winter are:

1. Wet feet. I've not found this to be a big problem, as while you are moving your feet stay warm and at night change into dry socks or tent socks. I've proved this to work at -5 deg over several days, and have not used waterproof socks (although a vapour barrier or Sealskinz socks may be of use at lower temperatures).

2. Snow getting down the backs of the heels, especially when descending. I don't have a good solution to this yet, as gaiters will pull up above the back of the shoe. A light boot would work better than a shoe for this, but I've not found anything I like yet.

That's v. interesting, NSJ!

What crampons did you use? I've got a pal who says he runs in Walshies with those half crampony things (I'm having a mental block, and can't remember what they're called).

I did a winter mountaineering course back in Feb and the instructor insisted I hired a stiff-soled boot instead of my Scarpa SLs which i,d been winter hillwalking/borderline mountaineering in for about 4 years along with Grivel G10 crampons. with the crampons on, there was no noticeable difference.
Im sure the Mantas will do the job perfectly well, but I reckon the advantage of the SLs and the like is a much more comfortable long walk in, especially in the Cairngorms.
I wouldnt use anything softer/more flexible than my SLs in winter though (or any time of year for that matter) but I guess Im just old fashioned!
Terrible thing to admit at (only) 33!

Granted, in those flat eastern hills you might get away with it but I wouldn't fancy it on proper west coast mountains ;-)

Seriously though it really does depend how steep you intend to go. There are plenty of times I've not gone as far as putting crampons on but have needed something fairly substantial to kick steps.

I've used both Grivel Air Tech Lights (only 590g, but alloy, so they wear quite quickly) and Kathoola steel crampons (660g including anti-balling plates). Both are full-size crampons, not the instep type.

Air Tech Lights normally carried as a 'just in case' item, the Kathoola ones for when I expect to have to use crampons.

I wouldn't want to do anything very technical in them, but for winter walking, rather than winter climbing, they are fine.

Ta, NSJ.

Basically I will be walking Munros in December / Jan/ Feb and although I have been very happy walking them in my Terrocs since June, I thought I needed something a bit more substancial for the Skye Cuilins for example? NSJ Would you do them in terrocs with flexable crampons?

I am dreading going back to boots after the fast and light ease of the terrocs all summer.

Stevie - if it's the Cuillin in winter I would think you'll need stiff boots and compatible crampons. Although I'm prepared to be corrected if any of the lightweight brigade have actually done anything that serious in Terrocs ;-)

I managed to walk Munros all of last winter in a pair of mid-height Goretex shoe/trainer thingy's without any problems* The mid-height solves the problem NSJ has with snow going down your heels. I guess you could wear gaitors as well.

The Cuillin, however, is a different kettle of fish!




*Okay, i had to turn back a couple of times, but that was more due to deep snow rather than sliding down icy patches.


PS - I don't own any crampons

Yes oot, I heard you had some "interesting" experiences in the Cairngorms last winter ;-)

Taking this a little off topic remember an ice axe can often be of equal use to crampons, especially if you slip ;-)

Yes oot, I heard you had some "interesting" experiences in the Cairngorms last winter ;-)

Did I? I can only think of one, and that was way before I even got to the foot of one particular Munro. A stream had been covered by snow drifts and we had no idea where the banks were. Leaping across would have been a total leap of faith, and probably an icy bath if we fell through.

PS - I wouldn't believe a word of anything that that blonde woman you're seeing has told you ;o))))