Gambling On Footwear

[Sickboy]

Well it looks like i need some new boots for walking/bushcraftin/wearing down the pub/going round the shop but have found myself at a loss as to what to buy.
Wanted to try something a little different but all the UK stuff, while good just hasn't appealed. I could ramble on here for ages about why any particular boot i've looked at hasn't been right but needless to say nothings ticked all the boxes
Then i found these http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...ductId=733487&catalog_id=TA&sc1=shopping_cart , i'm in love now.
BUT, ordering footwear from the otherside of the atlantic's playing on my mind, to change sizes could double the cost of the boots (though to be honest i'd pay £150 for them) with the postage!
Having spent a good few years selling walking boots for a living and preaching that it's the fit that count's, not the name , price, looks etc etc i'm going to break my own rule
My meindl's have lasted years and thousand's of miles, still not leaking and in a reasonable nick except for the melted rand around the toe (slightly to close to the fire!), just the fit's causing problems around the ball, and little toe, maybe i've put on a few grams below the ankle aswell as above the waist
Thought i'd share this with you all, and i'll let you know how it pans out, you'll know when a pair arrives in the for sale section unworn

 

[woodstock]

My advice to anyone about to buy a pair of boots for serious trekking is try before you buy always, as the best boots in the world may look good on paper; but if they don't feel right you may as well walk on broken glass I have bought boots on a whim and they are still in the closet been worn once; I walk around the shop ....you know if a shoe or boot feels right before yu leave the shop..

 

[woodstock]

Well it looks like i need some new boots for walking/bushcraftin/wearing down the pub/going round the shop but have found myself at a loss as to what to buy.
Wanted to try something a little different but all the UK stuff, while good just hasn't appealed. I could ramble on here for ages about why any particular boot i've looked at hasn't been right but needless to say nothings ticked all the boxes
found these http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...sizes as they can be very different to the UK

 

[Sickboy]

Think i'll email them and see if they'll run an outline of my foot over an insole in the desired size, if i scan it, will it come out at the other end at the right size?:bluThinki

 

[Ogri the trog]

Think i'll email them and see if they'll run an outline of my foot over an insole in the desired size, if i scan it, will it come out at the other end at the right size?:bluThinki

No,
But there are a few shoe-size comaprison sites on the web - a simple google search should bring up a few, UK, USA, Europe, Asia etc.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[JonnyP]

BUT, ordering footwear from the otherside of the atlantic's playing on my mind, to change sizes could double the cost of the boots (though to be honest i'd pay £150 for them) with the postage!
Having spent a good few years selling walking boots for a living and preaching that it's the fit that count's, not the name , price, looks etc etc i'm going to break my own rule
:

I think you have answered your question there...It is the fit that counts....How do you know how those boots will fit you without trying them on and using them.....
Far too big a gamble (unless you have no problems about sending them back) Your footware is very important to get right, as I am sure you know....Get into a specialist shoe/boot shop, like peglers below the knee in arundel, and get fitted out for a pair of boots for your trekking and bushcrafting, then get a pair of approach shoes for pottering about in.....
Are you still sick btw, or are you better now....?

 

[scoops_uk]

I know you've got a particular boot in mind, but I can't reccomend Danner Winter Hoods highly enough.

They really are fantastic boots, absolutely top quality and you can get them in the UK.

Scoops

 

[Sickboy]

Just weighing up the pro's n con's, flicked on my bookmarks for Lundhags, then flicking about and found these, didn't know they were available in this country from anywhere, saw a pair in Germany a couple of years ago.. http://www.tamarackoutdoors.co.uk/d...or Clothing&filterb=Meindl&filterc=Meindl Men , just scroll down to the Dovre extreme and you'll get the picture. Believe they use the same last shape as my island pro's so less risky by mail order
Thanks Ogri, found a few sites comparing the sizes around the world, one even had the mean size of.....actually that'll get me band
Shall sleep on it and make decision in the morning (well lunchtime!), wise move giving the girlfriend my card incase she couldnt get home tonight due to the floods, sorry monsoon

 

[Sickboy]

Well the order's made, found the Meindl's at a bargain price here http://www.go-country.co.uk/shop/fo...indl-dovre-extreme-walking-boot/prod_403.html . £125 including postage you can't complain
Spoke with them on the phone this morning, very helpful, think i'll order some new superfeet footbeds though, mine are looking grotty after 5yrs

 

[Sickboy]

Well had to go down the post office today and collect my new boot's, man are they nice!
A good 3 inches hire than my Island pro's but a little wider on the fit aswell as half a size bigger, comfy as you like but will give em a good testing at the weekend, maybe a few photo's too
True mail order footwear is a gamble, but you can turn the odd's in your favour like i have by sticking with a brand your happy with :sulkoff:
Job's a goodun