Boots…

Leica Fortis 6 - Bright and powerful.
gixer1

gixer1

Well-Known Member
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My trusty Le Chameau muflons have finally given up the ghost, can’t complain at all after 12 years.

However, it brings me to the dilemma of what to replace them with, has anyone got any opinions on the below 3 I feel I have narrowed it down to -

Hillman Alpha dry hunt (current favourite I think)

Crispi Highland Mid

Harkila Redimar GTX

I want something with the laceless or anaconda system, open to other suggestions.

My Le Chameau’s were changed to elasticated laces and were excellent - still feel supportive but could be slipped on.

Regards,
Gixer
 
Try them all and fir the ones that fit and suit your style of walking and the ground you wish to cover.

Personal I much prefer a really stiff boot. Others much prefer a softer boot.

Some boots are very wide and fit square shaped feet. Others are better for elegant shaped feet.

And a good conformable insole also really helps.
 
Heym SR20 said:
Try them all and fir the ones that fit and suit your style of walking and the ground you wish to cover.

Personal I much prefer a really stiff boot. Others much prefer a softer boot.

Some boots are very wide and fit square shaped feet. Others are better for elegant shaped feet.

And a good conformable insole also really helps.
Click to expand...
Yes, thanks - although quality boots shouldn’t need an additional insoles! For the price of boots now they should be ready to go!
 
Like you I’m a fan of the laceless system, very convenient! A gamekeeper mate is too and he’s hard on his boots so I’ll throw his experiences in here. The one consistent problem I have with these boots is that the tongue gusset is nearly always some sort of fabric (cordura?), lined with goretex. I find when walking through wet long grass, it’s an easy ingress point for water, I’d much prefer leather gusset but there’s not a lot of options in laceless.
i had some Harkila, (not the new v2 model) but didn’t find them well made, I’m currently using Chiruca, seem better and cheaper, above gusset comment aside.
gamekeepr mate has had the hillman, comfy but had to be returned after a month as the rand came adrift on both feet, took a while to return to him. Also had the harkila but they fully fell apart in a month. He is currently using the crispi highland with the built in gaiter, loves them and they’ve been watertight and hard wearing.
For me, im back with my altbergs and brandecosse for the time being, normal laces, leather gusset in full leather (not nubuck) with the Chiruca as casual, easy throw on, light use boots. When the altbergs/brandecosse wear out, we’ll see what’s around, but tbh I’ll look at altbergs first.
 
I wouldn't buy anything Harkila now ! Its been "Cheapanised " When the soles quickly vanished from those boots I bought dedito they are fine after 2 1/2 years maybe more and that's every day use pretty much. Made in the same Italian factory that USED to be the makers of Harkila
 
gixer1 said:
My trusty Le Chameau muflons have finally given up the ghost, can’t complain at all after 12 years.

However, it brings me to the dilemma of what to replace them with, has anyone got any opinions on the below 3 I feel I have narrowed it down to -

Hillman Alpha dry hunt (current favourite I think)

Crispi Highland Mid

Harkila Redimar GTX

I want something with the laceless or anaconda system, open to other suggestions.

My Le Chameau’s were changed to elasticated laces and were excellent - still feel supportive but could be slipped on.

Regards,
Gixer
Click to expand...

Always been going with high cut boots.

Not tried them myself but the Dedito's get very good reviews.

Now using Hanwag Trapper Top GTX.

Very stiff boot!

Crispi wore out pretty fast on the area above the heel.
 
caberslash said:
Always been going with high cut boots.

Not tried them myself but the Dedito's get very good reviews.

Now using Hanwag Trapper Top GTX.

Very stiff boot!

Crispi wore out pretty fast on the area above the heel.
Click to expand...
I like the lower height boots - the higher ones seem to give me aches in my calf…

I did see the Dedito ones…will have another look. 👍🏻
 
andychas said:
Like you I’m a fan of the laceless system, very convenient! A gamekeeper mate is too and he’s hard on his boots so I’ll throw his experiences in here. The one consistent problem I have with these boots is that the tongue gusset is nearly always some sort of fabric (cordura?), lined with goretex. I find when walking through wet long grass, it’s an easy ingress point for water, I’d much prefer leather gusset but there’s not a lot of options in laceless.
i had some Harkila, (not the new v2 model) but didn’t find them well made, I’m currently using Chiruca, seem better and cheaper, above gusset comment aside.
gamekeepr mate has had the hillman, comfy but had to be returned after a month as the rand came adrift on both feet, took a while to return to him. Also had the harkila but they fully fell apart in a month. He is currently using the crispi highland with the built in gaiter, loves them and they’ve been watertight and hard wearing.
For me, im back with my altbergs and brandecosse for the time being, normal laces, leather gusset in full leather (not nubuck) with the Chiruca as casual, easy throw on, light use boots. When the altbergs/brandecosse wear out, we’ll see what’s around, but tbh I’ll look at altbergs first.
Click to expand...
Very useful info, thanks Andy. 👍🏻
 
Harkila would be a no from me unless they’ve done something drastic (and by that I mean started making boots fit for purpose that don’t leak like a sieve after a few wears)
Crispi seem to get good reviews.
My personal preference are now Lundhags professional high boots, bloody awesome and look new after about 3 years now. I recently also bought a pair of Meindl “Super Perfekt” off Vinted, in as new condition, they are a serious alpine boot, very traditional look, no goretex and rigid sole, I think they will outlive me, proper welted sole too so can easily be replaced if and when the tread wears down.
 
If you do end up getting a set of laceless boots then please do throw up a review.

It turns out my toddler can now get into the cupboard under the stairs making him the prime suspect in the mystery of how a size 11 meindl Bhutan ended up in the washing machine. I can only blame myself for not checking the drum before setting the washer going!
 
Haix is my go to work boot on for 10-12hrs 6 days of week, they are stiff boots and take a bit of breaking in, currently on Trekker Pro 2.0.
Haix also offer a good selection of insoles, I use the narrow foot ones and they make an incredible difference to comfort and fitting.
As soon as the Lowas give up the ghost il be having a pair of the Haix Hunter GTX.
 
Couple folk I know have done this season in the Crispi boots, all very positive so far.
My Meindls spend half the time stuffed with kitchen roll to dry them out, and I'm very conscious of how bloody heavy they are, even when they're not soaked.
In the market for a high leg that's both light and has a stiff sole.
 
Camdig said:
Haix is my go to work boot on for 10-12hrs 6 days of week, they are stiff boots and take a bit of breaking in, currently on Trekker Pro 2.0.
Haix also offer a good selection of insoles, I use the narrow foot ones and they make an incredible difference to comfort and fitting.
As soon as the Lowas give up the ghost il be having a pair of the Haix Hunter GTX.
Click to expand...
I took a chance on a pair of used military issue hiax boots. For 50quid there excellent. Not the build quality of my lowa boots but never had wet feet either of them. Think the hiax are stiffer in the heel. Not so easy to drive in. Definitely worth a punt.
 
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