BOOTS!!!!!

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digs said:
Boots - Altberg - you can visit the factory (well pre CV19 you could) and get a fitted pair, I wear then for work, leather boots well looked after, the soles wear down after about three years on urban environment, then get them resoled.

equally I have used Meindl have had two pairs each lasted about five years of not being looked after and worn nearly every day, outside and on yards etc
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Yes, Altberg are looking likely contenders. I’ve been assured by two friends who swear by their Raby boots (I personally prefer the Barningham) so may well look to see about a pair of them. I wasn’t enamoured by the defenders I’ve got but am told the two country boots are in a different league...... we will see...
 
nick.308 said:
fair enough sorry if I sounded patronising, i get they are expensive boots so you want them to be right. Still though I dont think the perfect boot will exist for you and there may have to be a compromise somewhere along the line. If i were you I would go to your nearest cotswold outdoors and try as many different boots as you can and see if there is anything your happy with because your going to have to think outside the box. good luck
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Apologies, I somewhat jumped on your post, it was uncalled for, and I can understand based on the info I’ve provided that I must/do sound rather precious 🤣
 
No one said Dedito boots yet? I've not actually got them, I've got dovres! But a friend who's a ranger said they were great for him everyday use.
 
There are boots and boots and boots. And only the wearer can really work out what is suitable.

Firstly the shape - every body has different shaped feet and different brands suit different feet.

Second - terrain. There is a world of difference between summertime stalking on the chalk downlands in Southern England, to winter time stalking in Torridon.

Third - your own weight and loads you will be carrying. And to some extent how buggered your ankles, knees and hips are.

Fourth - weather and climate.

Personally to cover all bases I have four main choices for outdoor use.

1) Decent wellies with a good sole. I like the stiffness and warmth of Neoprene lined ones. If its wet, muddy, boggy that’s what I wear. They give reasonable support but keep feet dry - although provided I have good woolen socks I am not overly worried about wet feet.

2) For summer and dry ground use I use a soft walking trainer type shoe. Not so good off trails but good for everything else.

3) For general use I use Lowa Tibet - softish sole that is reasonably flexible. Fine for walking on flat, up tracks etc. The flexible sole makes them comfortable for the flat but if going up and down hill they don’t give your feet the support I need.

4) For Mountain, steep hill, snow and soft mud I love a stiff 4 Season mountain boot. I am currently breaking in a pair of La Sportiva Karakorums as my old Scarpa Manta 4s are on the last treads - been resoled twice. Such a boot gives you lots of support and stability. It allows you kick step and you can support your whole weight on just one edge without your foot having to bend. They are also really good in brash, clear fell etc.

But such boots take time to break in and until they mould to your feet they can be brutal. The super comfy soft boots are great in the shop, around the farm etc, but bloody horrible when you coming down a hill in wet with lots of loose rock in the dark at the end of a long day out. Thats where a really tough boot comes into its own.


Make sure boot is made from ideally one piece of leather. Leather keeps water to one side. Lots of bits of leather stitched together will leak.

GTX linings - waste of time as far as I am concerned. They worked for a short time and then friction breaks down the membrane. A well waxed boot keeps most water out. But your feet produce a lot of sweat, and I reckon linings soon clog and you feet just sweat even more. I would much rather no membrane. If you are in wet ground and don’t wear well fitting gaiters your feet will get wet. If you are working hard no issue. Have a pair of dry socks in your bag. If you are going to be in a high seat for a length of time, take off your damp boots, put on dry socks and use a blanket, sleeping bag etc to keep them warm.

And if its cold I have a pair of sheepskin lined knee length leather boots that are just wonderful.
 
Every foot and every application of boot wearing is unique. Go and try them on. If you're spending north of £250 you want to know they fit properly. There's a huge difference between one manufacturer's idea of a wide fit and another. Even the sizing itself can vary enough to mean a Meindl 45 is a completely different fit to a Scarpa 45 for example, and that's before we start on width, A Form, G Form, Wide Last, Narrow fit, big toebox, narrow heel, can I wear them with ordinary socks?, will I need an insole? and two pairs of thick socks?

Last pair of boots I bought were from a company where you book an appointment to have your feet measured and the guy discusses the shape of your feet and what you want the boots for in the first place. OK, you may be paying full RRP, but better that than being stuck with a pair that will ruin your feet and you can't afford to get any more for the next couple of years.....
 
deerstalker.308 said:
They look very similar to a pair of brasher’s I already own, but I want a high boot with good ankle support and waterproof (ish) above the ankle.
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Im with you here - I’ve got various walking boots from Scarpa and La Sportiva - good in their own right but not what I want from a stalking / shooting boot. I like the height for the ability to cross wet ground, streams etc (especially when paired with good gaiters.

Currently on my second pair of Meindl - first pair lasted about 12 years of regular picking up, shooting and stalking (3x a week or so). Second pair are only about 3 years old and the leather is all cracked and pulling away from the rand etc. Quality isn’t a patch in what it used to be and I’m following this thread with interest as I’ll be looking elsewhere to replace the meindls
 
Following this with some interest, good train of posts. Tend to agree with @Heym SR20

Size and fit - always a real pain and very subjective to each.

If you have very large feet and calves you will struggle as choice is limited as just finding suitable size is an issue, so after months of searching went back to LOWA's knowing I would need to change the insole out, you mentioned this and it is something I do regularly, so not an issue as it is done on all my trainers and even my dress shoes. So know which insoles work and while they add about 28 quid to the cost the comfort and break in gain is worth the extra.

1: Veldskoen - great light weight summer pigeon hide boot / shoe but pair with home made Gaiters
2: Old Hi-Tec Hiking Boots - light weight for dry weather on dry ground general running about they are fine - again home made Gaiters if needed
3: Wellington Style Boots - from USA found at Cabela's a few years ag, actually 10 years old now - 15.5 USA EEE (Wide) - needed a huge calf, thin sock but great for UK winter walked up
4: New Lowa Renegade GTX Mid - semi broken in but so far so good - with alternative insole

Went back to Lowa Renegade GTX Mid (2018) as they were on sale at 99 quid. Used to have a pair that were 15 years old and finally died, searched for awhile with little success.
 
Getafix said:
Following this with some interest, good train of posts. Tend to agree with @Heym SR20

Size and fit - always a real pain and very subjective to each.

If you have very large feet and calves you will struggle as choice is limited as just finding suitable size is an issue, so after months of searching went back to LOWA's knowing I would need to change the insole out, you mentioned this and it is something I do regularly, so not an issue as it is done on all my trainers and even my dress shoes. So know which insoles work and while they add about 28 quid to the cost the comfort and break in gain is worth the extra.

1: Veldskoen - great light weight summer pigeon hide boot / shoe but pair with home made Gaiters
2: Old Hi-Tec Hiking Boots - light weight for dry weather on dry ground general running about they are fine - again home made Gaiters if needed
3: Wellington Style Boots - from USA found at Cabela's a few years ag, actually 10 years old now - 15.5 USA EEE (Wide) - needed a huge calf, thin sock but great for UK winter walked up
4: New Lowa Renegade GTX Mid - semi broken in but so far so good - with alternative insole

Went back to Lowa Renegade GTX Mid (2018) as they were on sale at 99 quid. Used to have a pair that were 15 years old and finally died, searched for awhile with little success.
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Good point re conformable or moulded insoles. They make all the difference.

And quickest way to get good leather boots to fit. Stick them in warm water for a while. Then put on a good pair of wool socks, drain out the water from the boots. Put them on, and do them up, but don’t over tighten and go for a bit of a walk and potter about for an hour or two. They will take up the shape of your feet. Let them dry, rewax etc and then start using them. At first just wear them around the house, then taking dog fir a walk but don’t go for too long so you start getting blisters etc. (Compede is good). It takes a while to break in hard boots to the point where you can wear them all day long hard walking.

I remember my Scarpas took a while to break in, but they have given me 15 years of hard use and feel like a pair of old slippers. A couple of years ago all the internal liner broke through on my heels, hence getting new boots. I got some Lowa Tibets. Good on easy walking, but went hunting in Alps last and i so missed my stiff Scarpa’s. Hunters I was with all were La Sportiva Karakorums. They used ti use Scarpa’s but when they stopped making them they switched to Lowa and Meindke Douvre Hunting boots. Not in their view any good in the Mountains. The La Sportiva are single piece stiff leather boot that gives lots of support on the steep and rough terrain.
 
I find the Dovres don’t for me well at all, too wide and ‘baggy’ at the front but I have Glockners and they are totally different fit which is great for me. Quite a hard boot so take some wearing in and getting used to but I always go back to them.

Had Taigas as well and liked them but they didn’t last, the heather killed them because of the smal rubber rand.

Just bought some Deditos and they are alright but no more. Very warm and that can make them feel damp I think - probably wouldn’t buy them again.
 
I think you answered your own question in post 1. Lowa with upgraded foot beds. This is what i did, i had Meindle and Altberg they were comfortable but didnt keep my feet dry after the second day of bog trotting, the Lowa did and continue to do so. I have noticed they changed the design slightly which i am not sure about (sown in nylon lace) Lowa Pro GTX.
 
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