Walking boots

[ChristmasLightsLover]

I am going on a walking weekend at the end of April. I'm a size 18/20, and have a wide fitting in shoes and trainers.

What brands are good for walking boots? And do you prefer boots or shoes?

Whatever I'm going to wear, I need to buy them and get some miles in the bank..

Bonus points for recc of waterproof trousers and jackets! Thank you.

Boots for hills and rough ground, shoes for good trails and hard surfaced paths

Boots if you are doing more than usual as the extra ankle support is good when tired

Brand is less important than fit and that needs you to try on - even within a brand they will have different lasts

Budget? Is this something to be often repeated or a bit of a one off?

Historically Cotswolds have been good

There was a recent thread about walking boots. Will try to find it.

@midgetastic is right, fit is more important. It doesn't matter about reviews or features, the best boots are ones that fit you.

If you're not going to use them much then an under £100 brand like Karrimor will be OK.

Boots with ankle support. Take yourself off to Millets or Blacks and spend time trying them on. Set yourself a budget and only try on those below budget.

I find boots really difficult to walk in particularly over uneven ground, they dont flex enough in my experience and they cost so much its hard to find ones, Ive worked through qutie a few and none have been comfortable once outside the shop, they're so hard and stiff

I find the ankles always hurt and pull.

Here's the recent thread:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5241702-walking-boots-that-dont-leak-please?page=1

I prefer boots, my first ones were Karrimor, think I got them from sports direct. Make sure you get walking socks too.
Go outdoors has a decent range of boots and clothing, Peter Storm is a decent budget range that they sell.

I have a pair of Regatta Orla Kiely boots and they are great for a broad foot. They have turned out to be properly waterproof - tested on a beach walk. Like these
https://www.regatta.com/orla-kiely-printed-outdoor-hiking-boots-birdy-blue/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4fi7BhC5ARIsAEV1YiaSP0XQviYMsbWe3VCYhRxSU2dPvnSSOCjIP-geCX7dPs7N2d2WbNYaAuHPEALw_wcB

I have wide fret with high instep too. I have some Gelert and they're great!

Scarpa boots, well fitting wool socks. I wear Rohan winter baggies for general winter walks. If wet, I use my paramo over trousers. I have a great Rohan coat that keeps me cost. All purchased in various sales. Currently I’m using walking poles with the spike out to help me in icy areas.

If you are talking very serious amounts of hill walking I can recommend Whaley Warm and Dry. very knowledgable owners and a very good range of both sturdy waterproof walking boots and proper hill walking shoes. they also stock Parmo waterproofs et al in a wide range of sizes inc upto size 20.

Scarpa are good, go for ankle support so always boots. Go Outdoors are good and have different surfaces yiu can walk k we to try them.

My walking boots are from Joules, and they're excellent for yomping. They wouldn't get you up the north face of the Eiger, but for hills and dales they're robust enough. They're fully waterproof too, as tested when I mistook a path full of liquid cow shit for concrete and jumped straight in it.

Vibrams are awesome. I've had pretty standard boots in the past in the high hundreds which have been great but I watched a podcast about a guy who trekked in the jungle for his work and sang their praises.

£210 but 30% off if you sign up to the newsletter etc and the Klarna if you don't want to pay it all at once.

I have really wide feet so have to get wide running shoes too (usually Inov8)

www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/tracker-forest-esc-mens-aw22?colour=Forest%20Bracken

At Cotswold, Blacks and Millets you get a 15% discount if you are a National Trust member.

There have been a few threads on wide fitting walking boots - Meindl, merrells, hagweg(?) scarpa often come up, keen as well, and my son tried some Jack Wolfskin ones that were a great wide fit.
Agree that Cotswold outdoors are brilliant for finding a great fit.

I’ve got wide feet and I love my Meindl ones. Merrell are really comfy and my wide footed son fits them v well - bit cheaper too.

Boots and shoes both good - if it might be wet, boots offer more waterproofness.

Walking trousers / jacket - get yourself to any outdoor shop and try a few on. Loads across many price ranges. Don’t try to do this all online - it’s all about what fits you and is comfortable, though if it costs £15 it’s probably not the best waterproof jacket. There’s always sales on.

Go outdoors does 10% off on 'outdoors organisations' which turns out to include NT too, on top of their store card discount.

Scarpa is the best brand, one of my pairs of Scarpa is over 20 yrs old and still not leaky

After years of trying budget brands and struggling with stiffness and the weight of them. Last year I treated my self to a pair of scarpa boots in the sale at go outdoors. They are the best boots I've ever owned. They're never off my feet they are that comfortable. Amazon sell some good anti blister walking socks too that are great.

Columbia have been good for me, I’ve bought in the sale, after years of thinking walking boots just don’t fit me, and been really pleased. I am same size as you.

I second the vivobarefoot forest Esc, they are SO comfortable, especially if you've got wide feet! Mine have lasted several years of being worn every day in autumn and winter, I love them.

I am going to add Altbergs to the list. Most comfy supportive waterproof and enduring walking boots I have ever had. NOT cheap but a good choice if you do aim to walk hills a lot. Come in a range of widths. I use the smallest men’s thethera as their toe shape is a better fit for my arthritic feet than the ladies styles.
I started with Scarpas but kept replacing them every 18 months as the seams were not so hefty and able to cope. Scarpas are good for less taxing types of walks.

I think the advice for 'boots for steep/rocky ground' might be outdated. A couple of years ago I wanted some lightweight footwear suitable for hiking in Las Alpuljarras in Spain, which is very 'steep, rocky and loose' as the guides repeatedly warn you and I phoned Alpinetrek for advice on brands to try for my narrow feet and was told to buy 'approach shoes' not boots as these were what were recommended by all the mountaineers and climbers.

I ordered several pairs to try on and ended up with some Scarpa shoes which have been great. But in any case, Alpinetrek were very helpful and if you can't access advice locally, you can phone them for advice and make an order, I think returns are free (insert obligatory apology for owning a credit card, useful when ordering hundreds of pounds worth of footwear, most of which will be returned before the bill needs paying).

I think mountain rescue would normally advise boots for rough or difficult ground - reduces risk of ankle twists

Of course rough and difficult depend on the persons strength and experience

I prefer boots but achilles problems are presently forcing me to wear walking shoes. My favourite boots are berghaus (prev. Brasher). My partner hascl also wore the men's for about 20 year - literally wears them all the time if he can get away with it.

I have Merrells walking shoes .

Definitely spend time trying lots of pairs on . The person I got in Blacks was a proper enthusiast as opposed to a Saturday boy, so that helps.