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Original poster

Walking boots

39 replies

Newtrix · 08/01/2023 15:22

I had an amazing pair of walking boots that lasted me about 7 years despite regular use but I'm now struggling to find any that are wide enough. My old ones were Karrimor but now they all seem too narrow.

TIA

OP posts:
DomesticShortHair · 08/01/2023 16:34

Aku are worth looking at. They issue to the armed forces (not often a recommendation) but lots of people in the forces bought them before they did become issue.

DomesticShortHair · 08/01/2023 16:38

Yfory · 08/01/2023 16:10

Any suggestions for genuine real leather walking boots? THe ones Ive looked at so far had synthetic (plu?) uppers. Not what I want at all. My previous pair were basically hightop trainers aka "lightweight boots" also not what I want. I want "proper job" leather walking boots like I had as a kid in the 80s.

My three recommendations for leather walking boots are Altberg, Lowa and Hanwag. I’ve owned several different pairs of all three over the years, they are all good quality, well made boots. Altberg do a fitting service, if you’re anywhere near Richmond, in Yorks.

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 08/01/2023 16:43

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 08/01/2023 15:57

DH used to sell walking boots for a living. You really do need to spend time in a shop with a good range of boots, and knowledgable staff. The type of independent shop you might find in the Lake District (eg:Needle Sport in Keswick) , Peak District (eg: Outside in Hathersage) etc. Different boots fit differently, even within the same manucturer's range.

I have wide-ish feet. I know, after much trying on one wet week on Chamonix, that Scarpa boots made on the "B" last will fit fresh out off the box and cause me no trouble at all. Salomon boots also feel like they fit initially, but are completely the wrong shape for my feet and shred my feet before falling apart very quickly. Not because they are bad boots (they are great boots), but because the stresses and strains are all in the wrong places.

A good boot fitter will be able to advice on which boots will work for your foot shape, and on insoles and lacing patterns to optimise that fit. If you have particularly difficult feet, Altberg do a much bigger range of size/width fittings than most, and also offer a bespoke service.

This is great advice and I can vouch for the service at Outside in Hathersage, absolutely top notch.

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Dilbertian · 08/01/2023 16:50

Yfory · 08/01/2023 16:10

Any suggestions for genuine real leather walking boots? THe ones Ive looked at so far had synthetic (plu?) uppers. Not what I want at all. My previous pair were basically hightop trainers aka "lightweight boots" also not what I want. I want "proper job" leather walking boots like I had as a kid in the 80s.

Dh is a keen hill walker. While our dc's feet were still growing, he would get them fabric and goretex boots, but once they had stopped or drastically showed growing he got them leather boots. Peter Storms were surprisingly good, but for long-lasting heavy wear he really rates Zamberlans. They tend to last him about 8 years. Over the years the leather used appears to have become thinner, with greater reliance on waterproof membranes. He still does all the leather care he would in non-membrane leather boots.

Anotheanon · 08/01/2023 17:00

I had kids grisport for years and loved them. My new ones are lowa and they have been comfortable from day one. I made a mistake in between by getting a pair (can’t remember the make) that shredded my feet. I don’t need a wide fit but I need boots that give plenty of toe space and theses two do.

AnyFucker · 08/01/2023 17:03

I love my Grisport boots. I also found they needed no wearing in.

NannyR · 08/01/2023 17:07

I have wide feet and I've found Lowa and Scarpa brands to fit me very well. I also have a cheap pair of Gelert ones from sports direct that I wear for work that fit well too, although I wouldn't trust them to be as waterproof and long-lasting as my more expensive boots I wear for hiking.

Freysimo · 08/01/2023 17:11

Eustonia · 08/01/2023 15:45

I found these excellent for my wide feet

Northwest Territory Women's Peak Hiking Boot amzn.eu/d/79tHGgb

I find NW Territory boots very comfortable and hard wearing, despite the low price.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 08/01/2023 17:15

Yfory · 08/01/2023 16:10

Any suggestions for genuine real leather walking boots? THe ones Ive looked at so far had synthetic (plu?) uppers. Not what I want at all. My previous pair were basically hightop trainers aka "lightweight boots" also not what I want. I want "proper job" leather walking boots like I had as a kid in the 80s.

I have Scarpa Terra walking boots which are leather. Most boot makers make leather boots, which tend to be at the higher end if the cost range.

Cigarettesaftersex1 · 08/01/2023 17:33

I have some Kathmandu ones I ordered from Australia, mostly full leather and the comfiest boots I've ever worn. Bit pricey but well worth it.

Tiber ngx Women’s Waterproof Hiking Boots

PauliesWalnuts · 08/01/2023 17:54

George Fisher in the Lakes do a good fitting service if anyone is up that way.

Whatever you decide on, it’s always a good idea to take really good care of your boots. A friend and I have the same Hanwags (around £220 a pair) - she wore hers dog walking and I’m up on the moors and fells every weekend. Hers split in 18 months but mine are still in amazing condition. The difference is that I dry mine out with boot bananas and clean and wax them regularly, and she just left them to dry by a radiator until the next dog walk.

CaramelMach · 08/01/2023 22:46

These are fab. Link is US but there's a uk site

I love them so comfy no blisters etc

www.wills-vegan-store.com/collections/vegan-womens-sustainable-fashion/products/vegan-waterproof-hiking-boots-womens-wvsport

Talipesmum · 08/01/2023 23:11

Dilbertian · 08/01/2023 15:42

Cotswold are very good at advising on technical footwear. They carry brands which work for wider feet, and for feet with bunions, which can also work for wider feet. Keene, Meindl and Merrel are good brands for wide feet. Also consider wearing a unisex or men's model, with an extra insole if the volume of the boot is too great. But definitely try a fitting at a specialist, rather than working it out for yourself.

Yes, every word of this. Saved me typing! The fitter in Cotswold outdoors measured me and brought back two of the best fitting pairs of boots to try out I’d ever put on. It was close between my meindls (bought these) and the haanweg bunion fit ones (I am hobbit of foot). They were ladies wide fit meindls.

I’d been round quite a few other shops and tried on mostly men’s (I don’t mind at all buying men’s if they fit me better) but I did find they tended to make them very chunky and heavy - the Meindl women’s wide are very neat and easy to wear.
If I’d not found anything in Cotswold I was going to go back and buy the cheaper ones I’d tried in decathalon. They didn’t feel like they’d last for years but they were a good naturally wide fit and pretty comfy. Def planning to take my quick growing super wide foot son there next time he needs boots.

HikingforScenery · 08/01/2023 23:19

I’ve wide feet and my trespass ones are over 3years and not showing any signs of giving up anytime soon.

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