I don’t notice any difference in mine both pairs are comfortable and watertight and both have lots of miles on them, I also have the Respond light walking shoes they are good
Can gaiters or boots allow to walk in ankle deep water?
- Thread starter Omega
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Rake Aboot
Well-Known Member
If you are wearing low shoes rather than boots, then no, you can’t do anything about wet feet.
Brighty3006
Well-Known Member
2nd pair of Meindl dovre. Absolutely brilliant. Wear with gaiters and crossed deep water and still got dry feet.
Every so slight a leak with mine.
I had a pair of the Harkila leather jobbies and they were waterproof right up to the top. Tested to extremes as my highland mate seems to think its not stalking if you are not wading through the stream. Flogged them cos they were heavy when wet
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
A decent pair of gaiters absolutely can keep keep a lot of water out of your boots. The need to be a decent waterproof with a good tight fit around the ankle, a good strap under the boot and a good fit over the boot. They won’t keep water out like a wellie if you need to stand in water, but for putting a boot into a muddy hole or bog, or quickly crossing a river the no issue.
A couple of tough bin bags in your pack weigh nothing, useful if you do need to cross a river, and useful for wrapping meat when successful.
But a lot of lightweight modern boots are not waterproof. They use an inner goretex liner to keep water out. This is cheap. The boots are also made from multiple bits of leather and fabric with multiple stitch lines. This again is cheap. But each line of stitching is perfect for letting in water. A good boot will be made from just one piece of leather.
But good boots and good gaiters cost money.
Even if you have good boots, in my experience your feet still get wet if you don’t wear gaiters. Wet grass etc makes your trousers and socks wet and water runs down into your boots. Even highleg boots will allow this to happen.
Kneelength gaiters stop all water and snow from getting into your boots whilst you are walking.
I spent four hours on Saturday walking through knee length heather with lots of wet Snow. Feet went into boggy bits several times. Feet were warm and comfortable at the end of the day. Socks a little damp, but from sweat rather than external water.
A couple of tough bin bags in your pack weigh nothing, useful if you do need to cross a river, and useful for wrapping meat when successful.
But a lot of lightweight modern boots are not waterproof. They use an inner goretex liner to keep water out. This is cheap. The boots are also made from multiple bits of leather and fabric with multiple stitch lines. This again is cheap. But each line of stitching is perfect for letting in water. A good boot will be made from just one piece of leather.
But good boots and good gaiters cost money.
Even if you have good boots, in my experience your feet still get wet if you don’t wear gaiters. Wet grass etc makes your trousers and socks wet and water runs down into your boots. Even highleg boots will allow this to happen.
Kneelength gaiters stop all water and snow from getting into your boots whilst you are walking.
I spent four hours on Saturday walking through knee length heather with lots of wet Snow. Feet went into boggy bits several times. Feet were warm and comfortable at the end of the day. Socks a little damp, but from sweat rather than external water.
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Essexsussex
Well-Known Member
Karrimor SF or Iturri made issue extreme cold wet weather boots - I have both and neither leak.
Moray Outfitting
Well-Known Member
Spent 14 seasons on the flow country. One big bog. Most of the locals wore wellies. I cannot last a whole day with wellies. I wore my Lowa boots and knee length gaitors. Went back and fore rivers too. Never got wet feet. Did use 3 pairs of boots so that each was only worn for a day and left to dry themselves then a good coat of Dubbin. Only time I did get water in the boots were when I had to crawl along a wet running hollow. The joys of stalking. J
Was on a great hunt yesterday with Adrian as a guide. Got 3 roe does. However, I later realised that my feet got wet in my Salomon shoes, but not my trousers as I was wearing waterproofs and then gaiters.
Now I am thinking to order Altberg Hogg All Weather Microlite because I often drive to the hunt on a scooter, so having boots suitable for both hunting and riding makes it easier (I once stalked in Daytona Highway boots because I forgot my shoes for hunting at home - still managed ok), they have wide fit and I know my feet are extra extra wide, I can repair them later and I tried Altberg Fremington in two sizes at home to verify what will fit me best
Not sure if Crispi, Mendl or Brandecosse will fit me...
Now I am thinking to order Altberg Hogg All Weather Microlite because I often drive to the hunt on a scooter, so having boots suitable for both hunting and riding makes it easier (I once stalked in Daytona Highway boots because I forgot my shoes for hunting at home - still managed ok), they have wide fit and I know my feet are extra extra wide, I can repair them later and I tried Altberg Fremington in two sizes at home to verify what will fit me best
Not sure if Crispi, Mendl or Brandecosse will fit me...
I won't see it when it is dark
I too now stalk in wellies with vibram soles with Swazi putties in the top to seal off any over-topping. Started wearing them when I got fed up with wet boots on the Arran BASC scheme and realised that Chris and Bob were both wearing wellies every day
Works very well for me, even on tussocky heather. Believe it or not, mine are Harkila Orton zipped wellies and they stand up to the abuse perfectly
Lost count of the number of times I've been "in" up to my thigh and still had dry socks!
Sealskinz.
Dunwaters
Well-Known Member
Use a short piece of stick the same height as your boots, when your fingers get wet, retreat.I won't see it when it is dark
If you're going from shoes to boots you'll find a massive difference. I would never consider stalking / shooting / dog walking in the countryside at this time of year in shoes
Personally, I'd not have another pair of meindls due to the poor quality these days but there are loads of threads on here on decent boots but it's all down to fit. You can't get hung up on wanting a particular manufacturer without trying them on though.
Any decent, high boot paired with good, close fitting gaiters will be miles better than shoes!
Merlyn
Well-Known Member
Vibram Gisport long laceup boots. Relatively cheap and much cheaper than top of the range boots. Had them 2 or 3 years now. Walked miles in them. Very comfortable and never let the water in yet. Worn with overtopping gaiters. BUT - I spray proof them every time I wear them without fail. I have waded up to 1" from the top of the boot.
tim@tcs
Well-Known Member
When these were first available a few of the lads bought them and glued the soles to their boots. Ok if you didnt mind explaining that the issue boots were now user damaged and couldnt be exchanged. The lads then splashed out on Danners and Lundhags. I thought they had more money than sense then.
I wore issue CBH and carried spare socks, jungle boots for summer rural work and high leg padded warm Polish work boots for winter.
Yes it was the Army and in S. Armagh so almost always wet as a dutch boys finger!
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