Bloody boots !!

[jb1]

Stop looking at "hunting" labels. Look for boots designed for 4 or 5 season hiking walking boot. Single piece leather construction, every stich is a place for water to get in. I swear by Scarpa. I've bought others Inc Harkila (18 months fell apart) £260 !!! rubbish, Chiruca they are better. But my go to boot is Scarpa.

 

[Klenchblaize]

I sometimes wonder when I see a post about boots not lasting more than a year. They are worn almost everyday. A picture is put up and the pair of boots in question are bone dry and cracked. Don't look as if they have had any treatment and because they are need everyday, probably dried near a radiator.

Agreed, but many posts relate to something no amount of delivered boot TLC prior to one's own comfort and relaxation after a day on the Hill can do anything about. Namely decomposition of what is a man made midsole such as those used by Meindle.

K

 

[Roebuck9]

I have got through a lot of boots. Last pair fell apart after 8 weeks. The most reliable I have found are:

1. Lundhags shell (unlined) boots - very expensive though and take a bit of breaking in. Totally waterproof in my experience

2. William Lennon boots - again take a lot of breaking in and aren’t totally waterproof. Very good boots but I would say Lundhags are better

A tip to break in new leather boots first soak them in water or wear in the rain all day this allows the leather to take up the shape of your feet.
Allow them to dry naturally not in a hot room or near a radiator.
Rub in your favourite wax dressing and they should be very comfortable.

 

[Heym SR20]

Have a look at the La Sportiva Karakorum, or the Decathlon version- the Hunter. A simple old school style boot made from a single piece of leather. They are a hard stiff boot with a stiff sole, that take some breaking in. Very good on rough hill ground. Once broken in they are comfy and really support your feet on rough ground.

 

[snoozlecracker]

Recently purchased a pair of grisport gamekeeper boots after reading some reviews on here. Had them about a month so early days but very comfortable and look well made. The sweetener is they’re £120 ish a pair.

 

[Nickb]

Recently purchased a pair of grisport gamekeeper boots after reading some reviews on here. Had them about a month so early days but very comfortable and look well made. The sweetener is they’re £120 ish a pair.

I had a pair of Grisport , very comfortable but after 1 season the sole fell off.

 

[Heym SR20]

If you are wearing boots all day everyday run two sets of boots.

And give the boots a wash off - get rid of the blood, sheep shite, mud etc. it just encourages rot.

When I used to cull on estate, we used our hill boots on the hill. Rinsed off when we got back, guns put away gun room along with boots and costs in drying room. Cup of tea and then wellies on etc for all the larder work.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Have a look at the La Sportiva Karakorum, or the Decathlon version- the Hunter. A simple old school style boot made from a single piece of leather. They are a hard stiff boot with a stiff sole, that take some breaking in. Very good on rough hill ground. Once broken in they are comfy and really support your feet on rough ground.

I bought the decathlon ones yesterday for my grandson. They look great seat that price.

Because I bought my boots a few months before I started actually wearing them , they are going back for repair. I live in hope.

 

[DeerHunterUK]

Go old school Scarpa SL’s - quality 3 season mountain boot that’s all leather, no membrane. Keep them treated with HS12 cream and they won’t let you down.

Had to get rid of mine, they were so solid were causing my plantar fasciitis. I read somewhere they needed 1000 miles to break in. Maybe good for Mount Everest with crampons but unfortunately didn’t work for me

 

[DeerHunterUK]

Grisport are good for me, but I am southern woodland and the soles are flexible, not sure how they would cope on the hills?

Which ones have you got? Been looking at the gamekeepers but I think the Brandecosse Rossi are sexy and 3 times the price haha

 

[DeerHunterUK]

Don’t bother with brandecosse.
Fair play I tend to do about 15,000 steps a day, but these have only lasted a year and they’re ****ed. Brandecosse don’t want to know and said it looks like I’ve “walked them out” . Quite what else your expected to do with a pair of boots I don’t know.

Gutted. These do look battered though haha. For the price these cost, expected them to hold up better.

I’ve been tempted by the Cervo Rossi but they’re almost £400, alternative is the Grisport Gamekeeper for £135. Decisions decisions….

 

[DeerHunterUK]

Recently purchased a pair of grisport gamekeeper boots after reading some reviews on here. Had them about a month so early days but very comfortable and look well made. The sweetener is they’re £120 ish a pair.

Been looking at these myself, had a pair of grisports previously and they were great.

Have you tested yours in the wet yet?

 

[Mike L]

Which ones have you got? Been looking at the gamekeepers but I think the Brandecosse Rossi are sexy and 3 times the price haha

Yep, the gamekeepers.

 

[Tralle]

With boots fit is first, brand second.

Sorry to hear the meindels have dropped in quality, I had a pair of islands for more than a decade.
Then the soles fell off.

You try to keep the going, but it doesnt really work



I have a pair of Hanwags and a pair of Alfas now. Both very good boots.

 

[John Gryphon]

my go to boots among the heap I have (incl meindel) are these. Comfortable, great height/support/ankle shin protection for those that get into the rougher places.. Good grip,no leaks blah blah.

 

[Jagged77]

Had to get rid of mine, they were so solid were causing my plantar fasciitis. I read somewhere they needed 1000 miles to break in. Maybe good for Mount Everest with crampons but unfortunately didn’t work for me

Plantar Fasciitis is horrid, I had it for a bit once, not nice at all.. Yes the Scarpa’s won’t help as there’s not much cushioning in them. Only a 3 season boot though designed to take a walking crampon at best, but really at home in most UK conditions.i tend to wear a lighter boot during the drier months.

 

[AJC]

i rate Crispi's personally, Meindl have gone downhill

 

[Scarpa]

As others have mentioned, old style Scarpa SLs are awesome it the fit you, my hiking ones are approx 35 yrs old although I mostly use lighter boots these days. Again, Scarpa, Sportive etc, proper sporting mountain boots with rubber rands and B1 or B2 rated for stiffness tend to last. I even have some Salomon Moumtain Guide high ice climbing boots that are still in use occasionally almost 30 yrs later, they've survived the Alps, Rockies etc but way too stiff to walk in unless in snow.

 

[llwynog]

I'm gutted.
I have a pair of Hanwag Trapper tops, that I've just had to consign to the bin. The rubber has degraded beneath the sole so whatever glue you use doesn't keep the sole attached.
They are over twenty years old though and have been a truly superb boot.
Same again for me.

 

[Navarone]

I have some altbergs (military issue) which I just couldn’t get on with. Horribly stiff and wouldn’t break in and feel cheap. Got some hardly worn iturris off eBay for 30 quid and wow what a difference. A much better made boot that you can feel is better quality.