HDShark
Well-Known Member
Having been through a couple of pairs of boots recently after becoming sick of problems with my Meindls (not the topic of this write up), I thought I'd share some feedback / mini-review of the footwear as it may help others with their buying decisions.
HARKILA
First up was a pair of the new 'Harkila Driven Hunt GTX', a made in China 12" tall boot with an extra thick gore tex lining and a 2 year warranty (we'll get to that bit!). First impressions of these were very favourable, despite being aware of Harkila's poor reputation with footwear. After a few days wear I had concluded that these were, in my opinion, the perfect all round stalking boot. Warm, supportive and look quite good.
I should say that I am very particular about the sole of a boot, especially for stalking and these had a sole which is the best I have ever worn. I believe it a Vibram 'icy trek' or similar and had grip properties that were honestly mind blowing. Not once did I slip of feel unsure of my foot hold on any surface with thee boots. The other factor that I'm a stickler for in a stalking boot sole is stiffness. I find most boots to be far, far too stiff and akin to serious alpine mountaineering boots. Whilst I do like a degree of stiffness, for a stalking sole I like it to also have a lot of 'feel' so that I am aware of what's under my foot and help with walking silently. These were a dream in that respect - I could navigate forestry gravel roads with minimal noise.
Wearing these for nearly every day for a whole month, stalking, picking up and shooting I was very pleased and had forgotten about the poor reputation of the brand. That was until one morning I was lacing the boots up, only to have one of the lace hooks snap off, revealing the extremely poor quality material used in the cast metal hooks. As much as I loved the boot, I need something reliable and components failing like that after only a month, ruined my confidence in them. Back they went.
BRANDECOSSE
Next up, I decided that the way forward was a real quality product...none of this made in China carry on. Brandecosse who distribute the Diemme boots was my first port of call. I opted for a pair of their 'Cervo Rosso' 11" tall full grain leather stalking boots. They arrived after a couple of days with a £20 discount through BASC and a free bottle of Famous Grouse 'Smoky Black', their version of a black friday offer. The whisky should come in handy if I ever need to strip paint off the walls, but it's the thought that counts!
First impressions - you can smell the quality on them. Literally. I believe the leather comes from the same supplier who furnish Italian supercars. With no doubts that these will last the test of time far better than the previous attempt, I set out to wear them in.
Underwhelmed is the word that comes to mind, there is a clumpy feel to walking in them not unlike a clog! Certainly not as comfortable as the Harkila, but my main concern was the terrible creaking coming from the leather with every step I took. After speaking to Brandecosse I was assured this will quickly stop as they are worn in. My main issue with these boots wasn't revealed until I put in my first good shift out stalking with them. The sole is TERRIBLE. I can't emphasize this enough - I went arse over tit at least three times over a few miles on the forest roads. Anything even remotely wet causes you to slide with the speed of an Olympic luge. The rubber of the sole is rock hard, had a very old fashioned grip pattern and is in my mind, completely useless. As I write this I am just back from doing my best Torvill & Dean impression around the wet supermarket floor.
Aside form the grip problem of the boot, I find the sole is also very noisy. The rubber tends to make a squealing sound as you walk on wet grass/pine needles, which is not something I've ever noticed with other boots. Additionally, the wide and sharp edges to the sole have an impressive knack of trapping small stones between your foot and the ground, before firing them out, noisily. During the time that I was able to stay on my feet, I have never walked in such noisy boots and unsurprisingly didn't see any Deer that day. Once up onto the hill/heather, the boots perform much better although still struggle to grip on wet heather stems etc. Being so wide, the soles also cause problems when they sink into mud ro wet moss, requiring a lot of effort to step out of and doing a good impression of the noise a plunger makes as you pull the heel free.
I will persevere with these for the time being in the hope that both the leather and the hard rubber sole soften up over the miles. If not, at least I have the whisky to numb my injuries from all the falls!
HARKILA
First up was a pair of the new 'Harkila Driven Hunt GTX', a made in China 12" tall boot with an extra thick gore tex lining and a 2 year warranty (we'll get to that bit!). First impressions of these were very favourable, despite being aware of Harkila's poor reputation with footwear. After a few days wear I had concluded that these were, in my opinion, the perfect all round stalking boot. Warm, supportive and look quite good.
I should say that I am very particular about the sole of a boot, especially for stalking and these had a sole which is the best I have ever worn. I believe it a Vibram 'icy trek' or similar and had grip properties that were honestly mind blowing. Not once did I slip of feel unsure of my foot hold on any surface with thee boots. The other factor that I'm a stickler for in a stalking boot sole is stiffness. I find most boots to be far, far too stiff and akin to serious alpine mountaineering boots. Whilst I do like a degree of stiffness, for a stalking sole I like it to also have a lot of 'feel' so that I am aware of what's under my foot and help with walking silently. These were a dream in that respect - I could navigate forestry gravel roads with minimal noise.
Wearing these for nearly every day for a whole month, stalking, picking up and shooting I was very pleased and had forgotten about the poor reputation of the brand. That was until one morning I was lacing the boots up, only to have one of the lace hooks snap off, revealing the extremely poor quality material used in the cast metal hooks. As much as I loved the boot, I need something reliable and components failing like that after only a month, ruined my confidence in them. Back they went.
BRANDECOSSE
Next up, I decided that the way forward was a real quality product...none of this made in China carry on. Brandecosse who distribute the Diemme boots was my first port of call. I opted for a pair of their 'Cervo Rosso' 11" tall full grain leather stalking boots. They arrived after a couple of days with a £20 discount through BASC and a free bottle of Famous Grouse 'Smoky Black', their version of a black friday offer. The whisky should come in handy if I ever need to strip paint off the walls, but it's the thought that counts!
First impressions - you can smell the quality on them. Literally. I believe the leather comes from the same supplier who furnish Italian supercars. With no doubts that these will last the test of time far better than the previous attempt, I set out to wear them in.
Underwhelmed is the word that comes to mind, there is a clumpy feel to walking in them not unlike a clog! Certainly not as comfortable as the Harkila, but my main concern was the terrible creaking coming from the leather with every step I took. After speaking to Brandecosse I was assured this will quickly stop as they are worn in. My main issue with these boots wasn't revealed until I put in my first good shift out stalking with them. The sole is TERRIBLE. I can't emphasize this enough - I went arse over tit at least three times over a few miles on the forest roads. Anything even remotely wet causes you to slide with the speed of an Olympic luge. The rubber of the sole is rock hard, had a very old fashioned grip pattern and is in my mind, completely useless. As I write this I am just back from doing my best Torvill & Dean impression around the wet supermarket floor.
Aside form the grip problem of the boot, I find the sole is also very noisy. The rubber tends to make a squealing sound as you walk on wet grass/pine needles, which is not something I've ever noticed with other boots. Additionally, the wide and sharp edges to the sole have an impressive knack of trapping small stones between your foot and the ground, before firing them out, noisily. During the time that I was able to stay on my feet, I have never walked in such noisy boots and unsurprisingly didn't see any Deer that day. Once up onto the hill/heather, the boots perform much better although still struggle to grip on wet heather stems etc. Being so wide, the soles also cause problems when they sink into mud ro wet moss, requiring a lot of effort to step out of and doing a good impression of the noise a plunger makes as you pull the heel free.
I will persevere with these for the time being in the hope that both the leather and the hard rubber sole soften up over the miles. If not, at least I have the whisky to numb my injuries from all the falls!
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Wait till I see you again my lad.
