Boots

Hi Folks,
After a bit of advice if possible, I am looking for a pair of walking boots which have a bit of a higher ankle to provide extra support (weak left ankle due to a break years ago). Anyway, I do pretty standard route hill/mountain walking but ready to progress onto something a little more adventurous (uk stuff mainly). I walk all year round, and with a back pack on so need something fairly substantial and to cope with poor weather, has anybody any ideas or recommendations on a brand/mnodel to look for please? I was thinking about meindl Island pro but not sure if they are too heavy duty? (not likely to need crampons as I am not ready for snow/ice work). I do like meindl boots as I have some already but open to any suggestions. Prefer Leather boots not fabric (I have fabric for summer use).

Cheers

As I read your first few sentences, I was just thinking, 'sounds like the Meindl Island pro would be ideal', and then I reached your mention. Great minds think alike.

It is perhaps a bit heavy by current standards, but an excellent boot all the same.

My advice would be to go for it, particularly since you like Meindl anyway. I'm on my 4th pair, but spread over 8 years and I'm out walking nearly every weekend; I find they're pretty durable.

Wow, quick response or what, thanks for taking the time to get back to me, Im in the midlands so need to find somewhere that stocks them so I can try them on to make sure I get the correct fit. Not an easy task I think.
Cheers again

I bought mine from Fox's Outdoor of Amersham (see OM Shopping Partners list, on left <--- ), which might be a possibility for you if you're in the south midlands, if they still stock them (my current pair is nearly 3 years old now).

AKU Conero GTX worth a look. I got them as I paraglide as well as yomp so needed a bit of extra support without weight. I've poped a review on this site.

I think there's a place that does a decent range of Meindl boots in Tamworth near birmingham.

In Scandinavia folk some folk use much higher boots than is traditional in the UK. I have used a pair of Alfa's bever boots for 4 years now and love them.

I walked the last 1500 km of my "the length of Norway" walk in them and found them very comfortable.

I don't know where you could buy them in the UK, though many shops in Norway stock them.

Jim

thanks to all for feedback, looks like Im gonna have to get out there and try on whatever I can find. Or bite the bullet and order what I want and if it doesnt fit then send em back. Once again thanks all.
I am still open to suggestions for higher boots, anyone know anything about the meindl hunting boots? i.e glockner and or Douvre, they come rated as BC so not sure if they would be ok for trekking in, or if they would be too high? any views???

Hanwag do tall boots, but stockists are thin on the ground.
Some more mountaineering oriented boots have very high ankles, La Sportiva, Kayland but they're only going to be of use if you're heading in that direction.
I've got a pair of Salomons with quite a high ankle. I like the extra support on steep ground, especially in winter.

I have had a nagging ankle injury for about 5 years and despite spending £000's on treatment still have a problem. For the last two years I have been using Meindl boots which seem to give better ankle support than any others I have found. I use Meindl Softline Lite most days leading walks and running navigation courses and find them fantastic in both The Peak District and in Southern Spain.

My Sportiva boots seem to bring on ankle pain.

In the mountains I use Scarpa Manta boots which are o.k. (great boots) but still allow my ankle to ache.