Karrimor KSB 300 GTX

Mark Green
Reviewed: 01 October 2005

GOOD - BUT NOT AS GOOD AS THEY USED TO BE!

Price - got mine at an outrageous £36.
Dont need much breaking in.
Available in size 13.
Good ankle support.

A bit heavy compared to other boots.
Very warm in summer, probably due to the GoreTex liner.

This is my second pair of these boots. I was going to try a different brand, but not everyone does 13's and when I saw these at £36 in the Karrimor sale last year, it made sense to buy. The uppers on this pair dont seem to be as hard wearing as the first pair I had. If you dont keep on top of them re-proofing etc, I have had wet feet on occasions. The sole unit is excellent (Vibram) and I have found the boot good for scrambling and walking.

Alan Crawford
Reviewed: 25 January 2005

GREAT BIT OF KIT - BUY THEM BEFORE THEY ARE NO LONGER AVAI

No breaking in. Still look pretty good after a couplle of years light 3 season trekking, some playing around in the snow and regular casual wear. Great fit, even comes with a pair of self adhesive footbed 'undersoles' to adjust the volume - but wouldnt be needed unless you had your foot was a very small size. Never leaked yet - but I've taken good care of them.

The lower lace holders tend to fray the laces quite quickly. I wasnt to impressed with the usual hard footbeds supplied, but as i always replace these with a sorbothane footbed anyway, proved no problem as thay lined the bin.

I wear boots always for foot protection and ankle support after a crush injury, and these karrimor boots are by far and away the best boots that i have ever owned. The only boot that ever come close is a very old pair of zamberlans that I just cant bear to get rid off. I wear a very expensive pair of Magnum specialist boots in work that the Karrimors leave in there dust for fit, support and comfort - but not protection. I'm still amazed at how well the've lasted, given that I have been wearing them casually at least 3 times a week for the last 2 odd years. Although I do take very good care of them as they are a fabric boot.

i heard a few unsubstaniated rumours that Karrimor might be going out of business - so might be a few bargains out there - well worth snapping up.

James Varney
Reviewed: 05 December 2004

COMFORTABLE BUT....

Very Comfortable from the start, I wore them trekking in India for about a month and I had no problems with blisters. They seemed very waterproof, but then it wasn't all that wet. the grip in the wet is quite good and the sole was stiff enough for fairly heavy walking. I also reckon they look pretty good.

Both bottom right lace holes pulled out after about 10 days trekking, I'm not sure if this was a problem specific to my pair, because no-one else seems to have the same problem with these boots. We were doing no serious climbing or anything like that and the boots weren't abused. It didnt make any difference to the comfort or performance but I got them changed anyhow as it put more pressure on the other lace hole at the bottom. It was a shame because they were v. comfortable boots. Also the suede upper seemed to stay wet for ages, but in my opinion this isn't really a problem as long as the suede isn't damaged and they stay waterproof/

Really comfy, made better by the sole inserts that come with the boots that allow you to adjust them a bit to your own feet. Look good, just a shame that mine fell apart.

Matt Sandiford
Reviewed: 20 May 2004

GOOD BOOTS, NOT THE BEST THOUGH

Very comfortable, took absolutely no breaking in. Supportive enough for all but the harshest terrain. Very grippy even in the wet. Keep my feet dry.

Once wet, the nubuck upper stays wet for days. Not nearly as easy to clean as leather.

Good, reasonably lightweight 3 season boots. I doubt they are as durable as similarly priced leather boots, but they are adequate for most terrain.

Even when re-proofed with Nikwax weekly, the nubuck upper soaks up water and stays wet; I think this is more a problem with fabric boots in general than just Ksbs.

I got mine for £75 and at that price I'm happy with them.

Simon Dunbar
Reviewed: 17 May 2004

NOT A BAD BET, BUT COULD BE BETTER

Pretty solid design with a great Vibram sole. Not too heavy nor too stiff.

Unfortunatly they leak a bit, Ok maybe its due to age or wear and tear. But they still leak. Maybe not stiff enough for some people. Just a little on the expensive side.

Quality boot that served well for three years, despite starting to leak in the last year or so. Once worn in no major problems for fit. Some people might like a stiffer boot with more support. Overall not a bad pair however a little bit expensive.