Best Boots !!

[pumbaa]

SWMBO has just said i can buy a new pair of boots as my berghaus ones have started to come apart !!!
I want something that i can use for bushcraft and walking the dog that will be good all year round . They must be tough as i am likely to destroy most footwear !! I would love to be able to replace the soles on a pair of boots , but havn't found any that last that long yet !!
Would be interested to hear what you lot recomend .
Cost isnt really an issue as long as they will last .
Pumbaa

 

[Great Pebble]

Provided you have no really specialist requirements (skis, crampons) I'd say buy Danner. My second choice would be Danner or failing that Danner.

Some other brands may be their equal, better even (although it's difficult to see how) but I haven't tried them yet. I'd take some persuading to ever buy another brand.

 

[Brian]

pumbaa,

Have you had your feet measured, as someone said on the gore tex or not thread, you might find that your feet won't fit some boots. I got scarpas but they gave me terrible blisters, I now wear Lowa boots for work and Meindl borneo for walking and bushcraft. Might be worth while seeing which boots will fit your foot shape best mate. Hope that helps pumbaa.

Brian

 

[morch]

I've had a pair of Alt-Berg Peacekeeper's for the last 6 months and they are the best boots i've ever had by a mile

 

[British Red]

I love Le Chameau. Not a common brand or cheap but fantastic quality - try a google search

Red

 

[Brian]

pumbaa,

forgot to say that I've had Danner, Trezetta, Altberg, Berghaus, Karrimor, issue Pro boots, issue combat boots and Matterhorn boots. So far the ones I'm wearing are the ones that suit my feet the best, the Meindl Borneo and Lowa combat boots. My advice, for what it's worth, is to try as many pairs as you can or to go to a reputable dealer who will measure your feet and give you a range of boots that best suit your needs.

Brian

 

[Neil1]

Mate, I use either Miendhl Borneos (no nasty Goretex linings) ,an extremely good boot, or my current fave are Lundhag Winter Trekers, a very good boot for cold wet environments - but they are not very forgiving and not everyones cup of tea (bloody ugly too , but they work!).
Neil

 

[Swampy Matt]

Gotta step in here before this thread turns into the usual barrage of attrocious footwear advice when 'Best Boots' are mentioned...

There are NO best boots. My Zamberlan Trail Lite GTX are the best boots FOR ME. But unless you've got a narrow foot, they're going to be uncomfortable.

If you are really serious about outdoor footwear, find a dealer that follows the "Phil Oren Fitsystem" (www.fitsystembyphiloren.com/ ). This bootfitting method ensures that you are fitted with the ideal boot for both the shape of your foot and the type of terrain you would generally use it in.

An experienced bootfitter with the Phil Oren qualification will measure your foot with you both sitting and standing, will assess the condition of your feet for bunions, callousing, bone spurs and other minor foot problems and advise you towards a combination of sock, footbed (insole) and boot that is perfect for you. They should also be able to modify the boots by stretching (for bunions, bone spurs, etc) if neccessary.

Of course, if y'all arn't serious about the single most vital part of your clothing setup, just by a pair of Brasher Hillmasters or a pair of Berghaus Explorer (i've seen 'no-brand' hiking boots for £15-£25 that in my opinion are better made and better designed than either of these boots).

If you use your boots for dogwalking, don't expect them to last more than a year - there is no activity that kills boots quicker than dogwalking. Do the maths: 2-3 miles a day is the dogwalkers average, 350+ days a year = over 1000 miles. More than even the most Rampant Rambler is likely to manage. Best advice I can give here is buy a cheap pair for dogwalking and a quality pair for bushcraft - shouldn't be a problem if cost isn't an issue.

Sorry if this advice seems a little abrupt, but this was my job, A Phil Oren Fitsystem Bootfitter, for 18 months with one of the country's premier Outdoor Footwear retailers (as regarded by the industry). So I do know what i'm talking about here, and when i've looked at 'Boot' queries on BCUK in the past i've seen advice that ranged from 'bad' through 'stupid' right out the other side, all the way to downright dangerous.

Matt

 

[Spacemonkey]

So where DO you find these mythical quality bootfitters? All I ever see on the high street are the ususal suspects, if you're lucky to find any at all!

I would vote for Danners again. They are quality boots, breathe fairly well, can be resoled (mine were done by a specialist as recommended by Danner up in Leicester I think) and repaired, and do actually come in various width fittings, if you ask. I would agree about the dog walking bit though. Get some cheap Hi Tecs or something with a water proof membrane like Gore ( ) as you are unlikely to get water over the top, or have to worry if you do while dog walking, and replace them yearly. Strangely though, I do most of my dog walking off road and this doesn't wear the boots down (it's mud and dirt down sarf you know, not rocky) as much as pounding the high street.

 

[Swampy Matt]

So where DO you find these mythical quality bootfitters? All I ever see on the high street are the ususal suspects, if you're lucky to find any at all!

Well, in case you hadn't guessed from the post, I'm one - or at least I used to be when I was required to be gainfully employed.
Or, by following the link in the post, you could have found a list of UK dealers...

http://www.fitsystembyphiloren.com/FITSYSTEMSITE1/wwwroot/consumer/ConDealers.html#uk

Strangely though, I do most of my dog walking off road and this doesn't wear the boots down (it's mud and dirt down sarf you know, not rocky) as much as pounding the high street.

Yeah, it always amazed my customers that boots with a sole designed for walking off road lasted better when used exclusively off road.
The rubber compound in a walking boot sole is softer and more grippy than in a trainer or casual boot, so it wears faster.


Matt

 

[porsuk]

My first post on BCUK

I have been wearing LaSportiva Tibet Anfibio boots for the past 6 years. I wore the same pair for the first 5 and it is still good to wear. I keep them in the Landy for emergencies. The new pair is being used almost daily.

I have used them in all my outdoor activities in all seasons and SAR operations and in one occasion a forest fire. They have seen mud, rubble, sea water, snow etc. They are tough and durable but need some breaking in. They never turned me down.

Although I would go anywhere with these boots it doesn't mean that these will be the best boot for any other person.

I always think that a good pair of boots is the most important part of the equipment.

 

[Wettstuff]

As has been said before i'd vote for le cheamue(sp) too. I've got the mouflon plus ones that come half way up yopu calf. Not cheap but amazingly grippy and comfortable.I wear mine everyday all day and they haven't worn that much-having said that it is all off road.

Mark

 

[philm4]

Following on from the post below on boot fitting, I have had my boots fitted by Lockwoods outdoor and the experience is enjoyable, fairly time consuming so book an appointment, but results in a boot which fits better than you will get just by trying on the ones that look nice, and they give a fit guarantee which shows their confidence. I would be unlikely to buy a boot by any other method and if you have not experienced a proper fitting before it will be a revelation.

 

[steven andrews]

Another vote for Meindl Borneo.

 

[Lurch]

If you use your boots for dogwalking, don't expect them to last more than a year - there is no activity that kills boots quicker than dogwalking. Do the maths: 2-3 miles a day is the dogwalkers average, 350+ days a year = over 1000 miles. More than even the most Rampant Rambler is likely to manage. Best advice I can give here is buy a cheap pair for dogwalking and a quality pair for bushcraft - shouldn't be a problem if cost isn't an issue.

Sounds to me like you should buy a good pair for dog walking and a cheapo for 'crafting in that case.

 

[Swampy Matt]

Following on from the post below on boot fitting, I have had my boots fitted by Lockwoods outdoor and the experience is enjoyable, fairly time consuming so book an appointment, but results in a boot which fits better than you will get just by trying on the ones that look nice, and they give a fit guarantee which shows their confidence. I would be unlikely to buy a boot by any other method and if you have not experienced a proper fitting before it will be a revelation.

Glad to here of another satisfied customer - It was Lockwoods of Leamington Spa (http://www.lockwoodsoutdoor.co.uk/) that I worked for (till Feb last year - no longer an employee or have any connection with the place other than as a customer!)

When I worked for them the 'Fit Guarantee' worked as follows;
If you accept the boot fitters advice regarding choice of boot, and break the boot in as suggested by the boot fitter, then any problems that you have with the footwear during its reasonable working life will be fixed. If you are not satisfied by the boot then it will be exchanged or refunded - even if you have worn the boots outside.
With this Fit Guarantee, Lockwoods have an increadibly low rate of return on the boots.

If it would be helpfull to everyone, I'll try and write up the boot fitting procedure that I used to follow. There may be something in it that you can all use if you can't find a Phil Oren Fitsystem Bootfitter.

Matt

 

[paul.e]

i'v got danner arcadia's that i'v worn for years, most comfortable boots i'v ever had, fairly worn now though so i got a pair of lowa mountain boots which seem to be ok at the moment, but i'v also had scarpa's that gave me hugh blisters! i think the moral here is one boot does not suit all, find a pair that fits you and feels comfy.

 

[halo]

hia pumbaa,one word imo depending on what you want to spend(LOWA)




halo

 

[pierre girard]

Provided you have no really specialist requirements (skis, crampons) I'd say buy Danner. My second choice would be Danner or failing that Danner.

Some other brands may be their equal, better even (although it's difficult to see how) but I haven't tried them yet. I'd take some persuading to ever buy another brand.

You know, I've used Danner boots for years, and they are great boots. They usually last me two years - and are serviceable as a non-duty boot for some time thereafter.

Fall before last, having spent my uniform allowance on tents, gauntlets, and a geat many things I shouldn't have - I was strapped for cash and bought a pair of used Canadian military boots. Great boots! Couldn't tell they'd been used. All leather, except the sole, inside and out. The leather is also of a superior quality. I'm sold on them and will be looking for the same thing when this pair wear out - which looks to be a lot longer than two years.

PG

 

[ecks]

Does anyone know if any of the above boots come in size 14 wide (US sizing)?