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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Walking boots

56 replies

anothernameagain000 · 07/10/2018 21:30

So I’m thinking of shedding out on a pair of debarry boots, but is that crazy? Aibu to ask - what boots you wear for walking?

OP posts:
BarbaraofSevillle · 09/10/2018 07:26

They will be fine if you are not walking very far and have lots of money

^^ This.

What sort of boots are best depends on what 'walking' you are doing - how far and what sort of terrain, rocky, muddy, steep up and downs etc or flatter smoother surfaces like canal towpaths.

And what is right for you depends on fit. Some are wider/narrower than others, which has a bearing on how they work for you.

I walk 6-8 miles on fairly hilly and sometimes rocky terrain once or twice a week. In the summer, especially this one, I wear running trainers and these are absolutely fine. I also have some Zamblerlan leather waterproof proper walking boots that are good for 'serious' walks but quite heavy.

I decided I wanted some lighter, but still waterproof walking boots and I've just bought some Keen branded ones from Cotswold Outdoors, partly based on a recommendation on here. I have narrow feet and they seem good for me so far. I noticed they had a good sale on, so might be a good place to look?

Isitmybathtimeyet · 09/10/2018 07:29

I love my Salomons. Comfortable, supportive, amazing grip on slippery surfaces and still totally waterproof when walking through snow/streams.

averythinline · 09/10/2018 07:31

I have KEEN as have wide feet/bunions- on my second pair as they just work .... Merril are great but better for narrow feet - Scarpa didn't last as well for us....

DeadCertain · 09/10/2018 07:35

Scarpa for me. Best bet is to try a load on and pick those which suit your feet best.

FlibbertigibbetArmadillo · 09/10/2018 07:47

Currently have leather Scarpa and I find them great. Comfortable but supportive and dry. DP also has a pair but he is less keen. Find what works for you. The ones you posted though look like a fashion thing not serious footwear

AudaciousCockerel · 09/10/2018 07:47

Dubarry’s are not walking boots. They’re just boots.
If you want walking boots try Aku.

randomsabreuse · 09/10/2018 07:58

Dubarry boots are good for long grass, so country shows and dog walks. More posh welly (more supportive than most) than walking boot.

Fine but £££ unless you spend every day in grassy fields

THEsonofaBITCH · 09/10/2018 08:05

Everyone seemed to wear these about 3 years ago to school sports events, even the dads. Personally although distinctive (ie everyone knew you were wearing Dubarry) I thought they looked silly - especially on the dads.

PillowOfSociety · 09/10/2018 08:08

Walking boots are all different. The Italian brands tend to be narrower, though very good quality.

I always wear Salomon or Merril. Scarpa don’t suit my foot shape at all.

Notatallobvious · 09/10/2018 08:09

AudaciousCockerel can you still get Aku boots? My DH loved his years ago but couldn’t find anywhere that stocked them last time he was looking. He assumed they’d stopped making them.

DaCruzon · 09/10/2018 08:15

I have Toggi which are similar to Dubarry but £200 cheaper. I wouldn't describe them as walking boots but they do for walks around National Trusts etc.

THEsonofaBITCH · 09/10/2018 08:16

Aku boots have loads of options on Amazon.co.uk, I would rather buy from a shop but I'm sure you can start there to find sources/places that carry them.

morningtoncrescent62 · 09/10/2018 08:20

For proper outdoor walking it's Meindl for me all the way. They're slightly broader than other makes, which suits me well, and although they're expensive they last for ages.

JennyHolzersGhost · 09/10/2018 08:24

The ‘fashion’ walking gear trend has a lot to answer for.

I wear Brashers for proper hill walking, Solomon lightweights for summer walking and less hilly stuff.

MardAsSnails · 09/10/2018 08:26

I hadn’t heard of Dubarry boots. I now need some. I travel a lot and often end up in cities and countryside in the same day so these seem like a good option to look fairly smart but cope with a bit of off-roading if necessary.

How do they fit around the calf? I have reasonably wide calves and struggle with anything other than ankle boots

Answering the actual question - my proper walking trainers and boots are both salomon. I don’t get on with the trainers at all, but the boots are awesome. I’ve managed 38 degrees in Jordan, and 8 inch deep snow in Kazakhstan in the same boots. They’re fab.

AudaciousCockerel · 09/10/2018 13:02

Yes I’ve got some Aku boots that I bought recently though I bought them from a hill walking shop near me. I wonder if it’s worth finding a ski or walking shop and seeing if they have any? I live in the highlands so there are plenty around here!

THEsonofaBITCH · 09/10/2018 14:17

The Aku website has a retailer search function to find the shop closest to you.

Allegorical · 09/10/2018 14:33

I’ve just bought some. I have got them for the school run, walks to the park and for things like forest school activities, Pumpkin picking etc. They are smart enough to go out to the shops cafes in etc to ( if they aren’t too muddy). They were prob a rip off but I like the way they look and was happy to pay for the name. I like that there is no zip so will last longer than a lot of boots.
Nothing more annoying than a zip going on a proper pair of boots. I hate wellies too - find them cold and Uncomfy.

However if I was going on a proper walk - more than a couple of ours I would definately wear proper walking boots. And for that I would reccoment getting a leather pair rather than fabric. Takes a bit longer to break in but worth it.

Allegorical · 09/10/2018 14:39

mardasnails I have quite muscular calves and really struggle with most zip up boots on the high street but my dubarries fit me fine (I have Longford which is a more fitted boot) but some of the styles such as gallway come in extra wide fit if you need that.

They are absolutely perfect as a multifunctional shoe - taking you from the school run, to something outdoorsy, to cafe after. Only issue is I need a boot jack to get them off so am wary of going to peoples houses in them. They may get easier to take off with time I hope. Or I can just take my boot jack with me!

HostaFireAndIce · 09/10/2018 14:56

We're all talking at cross purposes here, aren't we? Those aren't walking boots; they're boots that you could walk in (as in propel yourself forwards by putting one foot in front of the other).

Original poster
anothernameagain000 · 15/10/2018 21:00

Lol I should have given a caveat - I live in London, so it’s more about walking the dog through long, wet grass - possibly up a steep hill, but not exactly the moors!

OP posts:
Hueandcry · 15/10/2018 21:06

Mine are Ecco. Waterproof& super comfortable.

randomsabreuse · 15/10/2018 21:08

Dubarry's (or similar country boots) would be perfect for long wet grass - actual walking boots are rubbish for that without gaiters (and you'd look an utter dick in gaiters London!)

I wear neoprene wellies with vibram soles for long wet grass type walks. I did have a pair of cheap country boots which lasted a couple of years. I live in a country town so wellies look ok ish. Country boots definitely more sensible for walk followed by cake!

Idontbelieveinthemoon · 15/10/2018 21:10

DH bought me some Dubarry boots for Christmas last year, they're lovely (and the previous pair I've had since I was 23 so they definitely needed replacing). They're invincible but you can get equally good boots for half the price - you really are just paying for the name.

LEMtheoriginal · 15/10/2018 21:11

Ive got scarpa boots and fond them too heavy and unflexible :( had merrels but they were a bit snug so gave tem to dd.

Id like a air ofwaterproof walking boits just for dog walking/woods as im not a serious walker.

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