New Boots Conundrum

Colonel Blimp

14/06/2011 at 01:36

OK, so I very nearly bought a pair of Merrell Moab boots (not the shoes) today but at the last minute decided against it as I like to read the reviews to get some sort of idea as to what the various products are like. Good job I did - apparently they fall apart after about 10 minutes.

My question therefore is thus, simply: What brand of boots are good, will last, won't break the bank, etc...?

I've looked at Brasher, Hi-Tec, Meindl, Berghaus, Merrell and others and I can't decide. Help!

Bedouin

14/06/2011 at 06:11

I guess you'd need to be a bit more specific as to your intended use and what "break the bank" means to YOU.

I've used La Sportiva, Raichle (now Mammut) and Scarpa over the years and within their remits they've all been fantastic.

My 'go to' boot/outdoor shoe company in the first instance would be La Sportive if pushed to pick one.

Edited: 14/06/2011 at 06:13

Colonel Blimp

14/06/2011 at 09:06

Sorry, I kind of realised I'd missed stuff out after I posted. In my defence, it was late/early...

I'll be using the boots for trail and hill walking, none of that scrambling stuff or climbing mountains in the pitch black at -30 etc...

As for 'break the bank', I live in Ireland so one doesn't get as much for ones money, but €150 is really the most I could stretch to at the moment. Hey, we are being bailed out, you know!

andy youart

14/06/2011 at 09:40

Colonel Blimp you should be ok with any of the makes mentioned, the better makes being Brasher, Meindl, Berghaus you could also try Zamberlan or Mammut. You can often get them heavily discounted if last years model, MOST IMPORTANT thing is to make sure they fit properly before parting with UK tax payers hard earned bailout Money. I must add that we have probably blown up more money in recent military action than used in the bailout. So no hard feelings from here, hey much more and we will want a bail out. Personal boot preference is Mammut, formally Raichle and Zamberlan.

meanderlight

14/06/2011 at 10:10

Just to second, fit is king.

I've had Meindl footwear, beautifully made that just didn't work with my feet. Take recommendations by all means, especially regards quality but remember fit is everything

Colonel Blimp

14/06/2011 at 15:29

Thanks for that, guys. I looked at Berghaus Explorer Ridge and Berghaus Explorer Trek earlier, not sure... Perhaps I'm being a bit too anal about all this - the Merrell's fitted perfectly, perhaps I should have just bought the damn things...

I must add, I am in fact English and live here on a permanent basis...

Bedouin

14/06/2011 at 15:53

Worth remembering what fits nicely for a few steps around a shop MIGHT not be the same as what fits nicely after 18 miles going up and down in the LD.

Craig H

14/06/2011 at 19:43

After wearing Meindl's and Karrimor KSB's before that I tried, and purchased the Salomon Quest 4dGTX last year and have been more than pleasantly surprised. You can sometimes find there for £125 or so. But - as others say its the fit that matters. I tried every other boot in the shop before settling on these.

Edited: 14/06/2011 at 19:43

Simo

14/06/2011 at 21:13

I have the salomans too, degatron do them for £89 from time to time.I too tried on every boot,Scarpas,Raichles,Hanwags all which I liked features wise but my heel would lift in all of them apart from the Salomons.

Having said all that, I wear trail running shoes 80% of the time and boots/sandals the rest and I manage to cover some decent distances in trail shoes so don't bother with boots now.

animals

14/06/2011 at 21:30

I have only ever owned one pair of boots - the berghaus explorers which have been fantastic straight out of the box. They didn't even need breaking in!

I must add that 99% of the time i wear trail shoes because i feel boots are too heavy and restrictive but i don't mind the explorers.

If the Merrells fit and are comfortable then i'd compare them with others then decide whether to buy. If they do fall apart then you can go back to Merrell or the shop and try to claim a replacement/refund under the Sale of Goods Act 1979!

Slioch

15/06/2011 at 13:13

Used loads of boots over the years, but have to say that Meindl Borneo/Burma [with or without goretex liner] are the best I've ever had: comfortable without much breaking in, long-lasting blah, blah....

Colonel Blimp

15/06/2011 at 18:44

OK, so after 2 hours in the shop, trying on 9 pairs of boots - some of them twice lol, I blew the budget and have bought myself a gawjus pair of Meindl Burma Pro with the old Memory Foam System. They ooze quality - I love 'em!

Thanks for all your advice/ideas/help etc. Now, where's the nearest hill...?!

Craig H

15/06/2011 at 19:03

I'm sure you wont regret it

Keith hudson

15/06/2011 at 21:59

Advice on your purchase ditch the insoles soak the leather they are waterproof like they say then put them on and war all day after that they are great. Left mine in water for two days inside was still dry
Before doing this mine were about to be used to walk the dog on short walks
I use Sorbathane insoles and will have these resoled and buy again

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