Men's waterproof walking boots that DON'T have any hooks for the laces, only eyelets

[BoobsOnTheMoon]

I know MNers like a challenge 🤣

DS16 is autistic and dypraxic. He needs replacement shoes. His school has no uniform so these will be the only shoes he wears for most of the next 12 months (he also has some wellies and crocs but they are only worn in absolute extremes of weather!). They need to be properly waterproof with decent grips. They do not need to be "school shoes"!

They must have a lacing system that does not have any hooks for the laces - I'll be replacing the laces with elastic ones with a toggle, and this doesn't work well with hooks because unless he keeps them done up tight and tucks the excess laces in properly (which he won't, because sensory reasons plus dyspraxia) the laces fall off the hooks and then the hooks can snag on each other or on the loose ends of the laces and trip him up. So they need to have eyelets all the way up.

They also need to be ankle boots rather than low profile shoes because he needs the ankle support.

We've previously always gone for Keens, but he doesn't fit the kids range now and we can't find any adults ones that don't have the dreaded hooks 😬 Last year I got a pair of old stock Keen Circadias which were perfect but nowhere has the same ones now, the newer version has hooks.

Budget is around £100, possibly a bit more if we find the right thing. Any suggestions?

https://www.adidas.co.uk/terrex-anylander-mid-rain.rdy-hiking-shoes/ID0897.html

Oooh yes I looked at these before then forgot about them! I was a bit hesitant as I've always thought of Adidas as fashion shoes and was a bit worried about how waterproof they'd actually be, but they're a definite contender. Thanks for the reminder, will do some reading of reviews.

I had meant to look for more, but had to drive somewhere….

https://www.purestep.co.uk/products/barefoot-shoe?variant=43682992652607&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=20333104226&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20337437176&gbraid=0AAAAApGtlj_mzgF4IFMDLIkRqpLJWT9jA&gclid=CjwKCAjwq9rFBhAIEiwAGVAZP-eEfTP3FfrWZdZ0pissiV2NxEUZteSXorrI3_klvuizX1vuJ7zANRoC3EYQAvD_BwE

https://naturcontact.com/products/naturcontact-intemperia-2-0

https://www.pavers.co.uk/products/wide-fit-water-resistant-walking-boots-sunch42003-327-909-navy/Navy/11

I suggest you Google paragliding boots. DH took this up for a while and it is very important not to have hooks as the paraglider's strings can catch in them and cause you to crash!
I expect boots marketed especially are silly money but I bet there are forums discussing cheap options.
Those loops are dangerous for anyone. A friend in our walking group caught the lace of one boot in the opposite boots hooks, fell down a steep path and dislocated her shoulder.

Would he try Solovair boots? They're like Doc Martins, but from the original U.K. factory. Very sturdy and hard wearing and comfortable to break in.

adidas have a good reputation in the trail running community. definitely not just for fashion.

Yes DS has fallen flat on his face before when similar happened, fortunately no serious injury but he absolutely will not wear boots with hooks now!

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions so far, we are going to go and try the Adidas ones on when I work out the nearest stockists.

Back to the drawing board on this as the Adidas ones were too narrow fitting for him! All suggestions welcomed...

Long shot but are these any good?

regatta edge point and they are waterproof

https://www.pavers.co.uk/products/wide-fit-water-resistant-walking-boots-sunch42003-327-909-navy/Navy/11 these are wide fit?

You could directly buy some goretex Salomons, they nearly all have the sort of pull-cord lacing you're talking about putting in anyway

And the barefoot ones I posted before should be a wider feet being barefoot style?

He liked the look of these but I think we need full on waterproof (ideally goretex) rather than water resistant!

I'm pretty sure all the Salomon ankle boots have hooks, the low trainer style ones don't but all the mid ones seem to 😬

Ah okay! Hoka speedgoat mid goretex?

I swear by my scarpa gortex boots. FYI you need to use nikwax waterproof ideally every 6 months or if the shoes get super muddy to restore the waterproof to the outer layer. Gortex also have a lifetime guarantee so you can get free replacements but you have to go through the brand of shoes you bought.

I have had the shoe version of these for years. www.countryside.co.uk/scarpa-mojito-hike-gtw-wide-fit-mens

My husband also likes Merrell brand. Solomons fall apart on him.

Skechers. I had some, wide and comfy. The one thing I couldn’t stand about them was that they only had eyelets, no hooks! So worth a look.

Gah my link is actually hooks. Looked like eyelets in the first pic.

https://www.skechers.co.uk/skechers-slip-ins-relaxed-fit-arch-fit-garza---ridley/205514.html

https://www.skechers.co.uk/relaxed-fit-garlan---deno/205235.html

Have you tried Scarpa?

I have had same problem finding shoes for my ds1 at school, but I was in skechers the other day and saw these.
I think the first pair are not waterproof, but I thought it was brilliant that they were slip on boots!
The second pair are waterproof AND have arch fit. I bought them for my nephew who loves them

The hooks at the ankle are a positive feature of walking boots, and I think you’ll struggle to find any from mainstream suppliers without.

Look for boots where the hooks will be a hindrance. Someone mentioned

Or look at site safety boots - I wear these these - they are light and the “steel” toe cap is actually plastic, so you don’t really notice it.

Reebok version

Or could you get boots with hooks, lace them, then squeeze the hooks shut with pliers?

https://www.scarpa.co.uk/products/mojito-wrap-mid-casual-shoe?_pos=6&_fid=fb58b2c5a&_ss=c

these I think meet all your requirements and are 125