Walking boots - your recommendations

[whoami24601]

Can I ask for you recommendations for walking boots?

As walking is the only thing we can do right now I'm trying to get kitted out for winter. I have Salomon walking shoes which are great but a bit heavy. Could also do with some ankle support as I often have a two year old in a back carrier.

Will be doing max of 10 miles at a time so definitely walking rather than hiking. Mixed terrain but mostly countryside/ moorland.

Budget is around £100 but is not set in stone and I'm all for getting cheaper if possible. Would also like some good socks to go with.

Thanks!

I bought the Decathlon walking boots and was impressed how good they are for the price. I tend to do 6-7 miles at a time, however a year later, walking once every 1-2 weeks, and they're still going strong. Good support for my ankles and no leaks or problems.

I paid £39.99 for mine and I love them.

Walking boots are the epitome of one size (or rather, brand) not fitting all. I need a big toe box and don't like too high a rise on the back of the ankle, and not too rigid - berghaus suits me.

Assuming you've got to do this online/mail order, make sure you can try on indoors, walk around for a while (including make yourself some sort of slope) and return if they're not right.

Socks - I use bridgedale liners and their comfort merino socks.

I've just moved from my Berghaus walking boots which I'm very impressed with (been up Snowdon & Coniston Old Man) to Salomon trail runners GTX as I found the boots too cumbersome for countryside local walks. I've been out for 3 walks in them so far of 4 to 8 miles and really impressed.

I got some from Hoggs of Fife last autumn, and have been really impressed with them. I wasn't sure how much wear I would get out of them, so didn't want to spend lots (they were £40). They are the rambler walking boot.

Thanks all for the advice! Yes to having to order online (I've been meaning to get to a shop but kept getting distracted and now they're all shut 🙄). Have been looking at these: www.sportsshoes.com/product/mer1891/merrell-siren-3-mid-gore~tex-women%27s-walking-boots/#sku-mer1891

Can anyone offer an opinion? I know nothing about walking boots and really don't want to spend £90 on something that's not worth it! Thanks

We bought Berghaus boots in the summer a f they have been brilliant- a great lockdown investment!

Merrell is a good brand, I think (I've got walking sandals from them) - no idea about the fit of the boots.

I’ve got a pair of Berghaus super light which are very supportive and comfortable, they’ve been up BenNevis and Snowdon without a single blister.

I've got Merrells, not that sort though, and they're fabulous...worth every penny!

I've got Karrimor, which suit my feet, which are quite wide. I'm more likely to wear walking shoes, but they're also Karrimor.

I think most of the major brands are fine in general, but you need to find ones which suit your feet. Good online camping shops should include a guide on what to look for when buying footwear (walking socks are usually thick, feet can swell, especially in hot weather,) but you can't really beat trying them on, which is a challenge currently.

Merrell are a good make, but they don't fit my feet length wise (to big or too small, and a bit too wide). For narrower feet, Salomon are brilliant and mine have lasted years. Mid height is a sensible compromise between support and flexibility. I always buy goretex, for breathability and water protection.

You can often get the previous years style/colour at a big discount if you aren't fussed about having the latest model.

Oh and I second bridgedale socks

Scarpa are good if you have wide feet. Comfy and my last pair lasted ten years and were worn regularly.

Can you order a few and try them on at home - walk up and down the stairs, squat, walk on clean gravel.

Places like Ellis Brigham might have a chat function where you can find out what woule suits your feet?

Salomon do a "GTX Mid" boot which I see a lot of women wearing, they are light and comfortable but can cope with country walks and moderate hill walking. I've been pleased with mine anyway. Think this is current version. www.salomon.com/en-gb/shop-emea/product/x-ultra-3-mid-gtxr-w.html#color=21629

Another Karrimor vote. I have walking boots but they are very light. I've narrow feet and these suit well. I walk an awful lot and have been consistently using these in the ice as the grip is good.
I think I paid 30-40quid for them.
My sis has a pair from Lidl and they are amazing. I'd have bought a pair at the time only they were snapped up.
The karrimor shoe range look good also and not prohibitively expensive.
All my other shoes are skechers. They have some unreal running shoes out, they also have walking boots but i haven't personally tried them. Skechers give the weight of their shoes too which I find very useful.

Thanks all! I've ordered 2 pairs to try on and I'll send one pair back. Also ordered some reduced sealskinz socks. Does anyone have any opinions on those?

I have zamberlan leather boots which don't feel heavy although they do sell a lightweight version. They are narrow which suits my feet, I tried on few other brands in shop, many incl scarpa were far too roomy. I bought current ones on eBay pretty much as new, they can be repaired & resoled though by cobbler.

I would check out reviews as the sizing with some makes is weird and can need a full size more than usual, I think the Solomon & merrell i tried were like that.

It's pretty normal to need to size up in walking boots to allow for enough sock room IME.