Walking boots - recommendations?

[Nikhedonia]

Very boring thread, I know.

I want some comfy waterproof walking boots but I don't want to spend lots of ££ (probably up to £100) at this stage.

Does anyone have boots that they love?

I have some Berghaus ones that are really comfy and in your budget. I got mine from Go Outdoors and got the annual pass so I got a discount.

What are you using them for and how often?

I would advise against brasher as they do feel nice but won't last too long and not great for your feet in the long run.

For cheap and good Karrimor are fine but not as good quality anymore.

Berghaus are Good but expensive. Same for north face.

Salmon are good but it's rare to find boot versions and always try the size up as they are pretty narrow in the foot.

If you do go for an own brand check and recheck the warranty with them as they tend to have issues and tend to not last well.

www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/meindl-mens-bhutan-mfs-boot-B1122581.html?colour=143

Sorry, I know these are expensive. However I have had mine for 7 years and use them daily for 5-10k Forest dog walks and they still look as good as new and don’t let any water in whatsoever. They are the most comfortable and long lasting boots I have ever owned.

@luanmapo thanks for the link but they are more than double the maximum I'm willing to spend

@lpchill I'm using them for dog walking and possibly a couple of walking weekends around the Lake District.

I'll look into Berghaus more as I've seen some on discount which fit into my price range.

Lots depends on your feet. Mine are narrow especially at the heel. I recently bought new ones and ended up with Scarpa which were just over 100 but there was a good range. I recommend going to an outdoors shop with a decent stock and knowledgeable staff, and trying lots on. Take your time, consider a larger size than usual.

Go to a shop and try a few pairs on. They’ll all fit slightly differently, and some will be more comfortable than others.

I have a pair of Karrimor Mendip boots and they are extremely comfortable. Have frequent use out of them with the dog and had them over a year and they still look and feel as they did when I got them. Quite a decent pair consider the lower price tag. Very happy with them.

What's wrong with Brashers?

I have four pairs on the go atm, two Fellmasters and two Hillmasters.

Wouldn't buy anything else.

The seal between the sole and the actual shoe is brilliant for wading through water where others on our walk get soaked.

Has anyone come across this brand of shoe before?

Thanks for the advice re: trying them on. Hoping to order some as I won't be able to get to a shop for a few weeks and I'm getting soaked on the dog walks with all this mud!

Or what about these

Keen are a good brand, very popular here in Canada. I pretty much spend all my free time outdoors in hiking boots or trail shoes and I swear by Salomons though. They have lots of hiking boots - there are 20 different pairs on the Cotswold Outdoor website alone - and you might be able to find a pair in your budget on sale, or for not much more if you could stretch it a bit www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/c/outdoor-footwear/outdoor-boots.html?page=0&size=48&filter=%2526filter%253Duk_fh_gender%253A%2528womens%2529%2526filter%253Dbrand%253A%25281836_uk%2529

Alternatively, Muck Boots are great for cold, wet, muddy winter dog walks. Might be worth a look, I love mine.

Hi-tec is a good budget brand. They can't match up to Meindl, Hanwag, Altberg and other top brands but if you're not doing seriously long hikes or multi day treks, then they should be sufficient for your needs.
Have a look here.

My first walking boots were a pair of Hi-tecs. I walked across the Grand Canyon in them and they served me well.

I recommend that you go for the waterproof ones and also invest in a bottle of nikwax re-proofer and use the it every few weeks during the winter to maintain the waterproofing.

It really does depend on your feet. My DDs are ostensibly the same size as mine but her boots wouldn't suit me and vice versa. You really do need to try them on, with appropriate socks, and walk around in them including up and down a ramp.

Hers are Asolo, something like these www.gaynors.co.uk/footwear-c119/womens-c122/boots-c132/asolo-womens-finder-gv-walking-boots-p6867

Mine are berghaus, previous pair were north face.

These Scarpas look like a bargain and might be worth a look.

I’ve got ancient Salomon boots. Nothing on the internet exactly like them but they are completely waterproof and very comfortable. Husband and I both have them. They’re a bit like the grandfather of these www.wiggle.co.uk/salomon-x-ultra-3-mid-gtxr-hiking-boots/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&sku=101806566&kpid=101806566&utm_source=bing&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Shopping+-+All+Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mckw%7CHl0DhFi5_dm%7Cmcrid%7C74698151113127%7Cmkw%7C%7Cmmt%7C%7Cmrd%7C101806566uk%7Cmslid%7C%7C&mkwid=Hl0DhFi5_dm&pcrid=74698151113127&prd=101806566uk&pgrid=1195169510585093&ptaid=pla-4578297716735113
which seem to be around your budget.

I agree that you really need to try them on to make sure the fit is correct for your foot. I love my salomons, waterproofing is good and they are very comfortable.

Ok as others have said go into an outdoors or cots world shop as the staff will be able to help and are trained. Try lots on. Re brashest I used to sell them and when you can fold the boot in half it's not really going to protect your foot. They where dead comfortable and we would sell loads of the despite staff not recommended if them.

I have tecnica boots which I've had for about 6-7 years and they are lightweight enough for me to wear all the time (not just for hiking but also for going to the park in winter or for gardening).

I've got Keen boots - very comfortable. They fit quite snug at the heel but have quite a wide toe box which I like. Very grippy, with good ankle support too. I'll see if I can find a link ...

Hmm. I've got the Keen Targhee II. Looks like they've released Targhee III now.

I’ve got Scarpas that I’m happy with. I must have had them nearly ten years. They’re great - comfortable and waterproof. I’ve used them for mountain hikes, local walks and they’re my go to footwear when it snows.

Keen are amazingly comfortable, their boots, shoes and sandals. First got some when I was in Canada and I’ve continued to buy them once home. You can hunt around and find them on offer online quite often, and if you go to their own uk website if you sign up to their mailing list they give you 10% off your first order.

I've got some Keen boots similar to the link above and they've split across the toes and are starting to leak a bit. I keep meaning to contact them about it as while I've had them for about 18 months I think, I have worn them for a 6-8 mile hike at least once a week during that time. But I still think they should have lasted longer than that.

Otherwise it looks like a good time to be buying new boots as there's lots of deals around.