Hiking boots

[PollyThePony]

There was a similar thread on here recently, where someone wanted hiking boots which would work for walks and also in the pub, but I can't find it!

I'm trying to decide whether I need my black lace up nice-ish boots, (they are a bit like classic DM boots and go with everything blah blah and I really like them), AND hiking boots for hiking, or if I can find one pair of boots to do both jobs?

I like the look of the Vivo Barefoot trail boots, but I don't like the sound of the thin soles. I have bony, claw like, feet, which I'm sure you'll agree, makes me sound very attractive . So, I don't think thin soles would work for me.

[PollyThePony]

These are the ones I like the look of.

www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/tracker-ii-fg-womens

Although, looking again, I don't think the white sole is right for normal every day wear, for me.

[Salanda]

What sort of hiking will you be doing? If it’s nothing too serious you could get away with wearing normal boots that would also be suitable for the pub, but otherwise you might need proper hiking boots. If you get proper hiking boots there are plenty out there that are on the more stylish side (on the other thread, I recommended my On Cloudrock waterproofs) but to be honest I’d still take another pair of shoes for the evenings - because it’s nice to have an option of something lighter after wearing boots all day, and because well - even the most stylish hiking boots are still hiking boots!

I’m going to Scotland in a couple of weeks and will have a mix of hiking as well as a bit of a city break so restaurants/pubs and staying in some fancy hotels so have decided just to pack three different shoes/boots....

[PollyThePony]

I think I do need proper hiking boots. My current boots would be alright for short walks with clear paths, but we are planning some bigger hikes over a mix of terrain and up mountains etc.

I'll check out the On Cloudrock ones. Thank you.

I've also seen some by Gleisswein (sp?), which look alright.

It isn't just for a holiday as well, which I think was the other thread. I'd ideally like some I could wear day to day AND then take them hiking. I am short on space, so the more multi-purpose the shoes I have are, the better!

[PollyThePony]

Should say that, until now I've had my every day boots and a cheap pair of hiking boots which my mum bought me about 12 years ago! The sole came off them when I took them off the other day, which is why I'm on the hunt!

A friend said he prefers hiking shoes? His theory is that, your feet are going to get wet anyway, so get something quick drying!

[Salanda]

Ah yeah if you’re doing some longer hikes then definitely worth getting some good boots! Especially as it’s not just for a holiday (completely made that up from your post!)

Hiking shoes can be a nice lightweight option. The reason I got the On boots and recommend them is because they’re light and feel more like a trainer than a boot - I got fed up of very heavy boots. The On ones are waterproof too.

Or how about some of the ‘traditional’ style ones which might be a bit heavier but could look good with jeans, Fracap and Danner are the brands that spring to mind?

[PollyThePony]

Thanks! I've never heard of those, as I've never bought my own hiking boots before . I'll check them out.

[PollyThePony]

Thanks again. I've seen some lovely Danner ones! Two pairs which are definite maybes

[PollyThePony]

I've ordered these to try on! Fingers crossed they are a good fit.

Thanks again!

www.freepeople.com/uk/shop/danner-jag-hiker-boot/?category=SHOPBYBRAND&color=016&type=REGULAR&quantity=1&size=US%2010

[Mrsfrumble]

Maybe too late, but I have the vivo boots and they are fab! I was worried about the thin soles too but they’re fine. I find being able to feel the ground a little more actually helpful for balance. I went up Cadair Idris the back way in very soggy conditions last summer and my feet were the happiest part of me!

[PollyThePony]

Oh no, not too late at all! I might need to order a few pairs to try on tbh. I have been eyeing the vivo ones for ages, so might be worth a go. I have tried barefoot running shoes - remember the ones with toes?! Horrible looking things, but I thought they'd be amazing for me. Couldn't run on anything other than a treadmill in them though, as I could feel every stone under my feet and it hurt! But I'm definitely tempted to try vivo shoes.

[ILoveShula]

I have a proper pair of vintage boots. Not broken them in properly yet but they look great.

[Salanda]

[quote PollyThePony]I've ordered these to try on! Fingers crossed they are a good fit.

Thanks again!

www.freepeople.com/uk/shop/danner-jag-hiker-boot/?category=SHOPBYBRAND&color=016&type=REGULAR&quantity=1&size=US%2010[/quote]
Very retro cool! Hope you like them when they turn up. And happy hiking

[Salanda]

@ILoveShula

I have a proper pair of vintage boots. Not broken them in properly yet but they look great.

They sound cool @ILoveShula where did you get them from?

[chipsndippy]

If you're thinking about going on hikes, then looking stylish in the pub for lunch afterwards, it rarely works as your boots get covered in mud anyway. We usually pack a spare pair of trainers in the car to wear into the pub. As far as boots go, I've found scarpa gtx unbeatable.

[minniemomo]

If you need all terrain I doubt they would double up as going to the pub boots (unless a country hikers pub)because they get dirty! The laces etc not just the uppers

[OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea]

I love vivo shoes, I own many pairs.

For walking boots though I have lomer boots. They are lovely. My old one I've had around 20 years and they are not as waterproof as they were so I've downgraded them to allotment boots. I've got my new ones from winfields outdoor and they were an absolute bargain. They are so soft and supple too.

[shallIswim]

I don't tho k anyone needs rigid hiking boots for anything but going up actual mountains with stony scree and rock.
I walk a lot - at least 5 miles a day, often ten or more and just wear hiking shoes - merrells or meindls are good. I look for flexibility in the sole but protection from sharp bits, and a bit of vibram.
Climbed Scafell abs Hellvellyn on consecutive days in walking shoes. I found boots and their lack of heel flexibility gave me Achilles problems

[PollyThePony]

Thanks! All really useful. I am really tempted by some cross trainers. As a pp said, maybe boots are unnecessarily rigid for my needs, so could actually be counter productive.

I am not necessarily taking them on holiday or wearing to walk and then pub. Think this thread is very similar to another one where the op wanted that

For me, I want something which can do a few things, as I'm short on space for shoe storage. So, either walking boots which can be my winter boots day to day or walking shoes which can be my casual shoes day to day. Now thinking the latter might make more sense.

[UnleashTheKraken]

I’ve got these, which are the best walking boots I’ve ever had and might do for day to day wear (could swap out the laces)?
www.blacks.co.uk/15894211/scarpa-women-s-cyrus-mid-gore-tex-boot-15894211

[ILoveShula]

They are very nice Unleash

[PollyGray]

I've got the Scarpa cyrus ones the same as @UnleashTheKraken and they are very comfortable indeed. My only gripe is the soles haven't lasted as long as I'd hoped and they're expensive to resole I think, but the uppers are great, didn't need any wearing in at all.

[PollyThePony]

The Scarpa ones are lovely! But, now I've got cross trainers rather than boots in my head.

Undecided, but I'm eyeing these a lot:

uk.giesswein.com/products/wool-cross-x-women/?gclid=CjwKCAjwjuqDBhAGEiwAdX2cjzAw1OabNvgDbQTbSfJxr09hE2xAv_T3MStYzUbwmXhjR1qfRgx97hoCYj4QAvD_BwE&color=dark-blue-548

[PollyGray]

The gieswein look nice but I like something I can wear all year and I'm not sure those look like they'd last the kind of punishment I tend to put my hikers through. I wear mine everywhere and with anything - jeans, walking leggings, shorts and summer dresses!
I think I'll just suck it up and have mine re-soled.

[PollyThePony]

I agree with that, BUT, the Giesswein ones are machine washable...which makes me think I could just wash them every time they get battered...maybe.

Also, the very shiny advert had them stomping around in the snow at 3000 metres up. And obviously advertising would never lie to me 🥺.

If I got cross trainers, I could get rid of my running shoes you see and keep the black lace up boots. The running shoes will need to be replaced soon anyway.

But then, the Scarpa ones I could wear all winter and with anything. I think the same could be said for the Danner ones too.

[PollyThePony]

No, I think it's going to be the cross trainers. Thinking about it logically; my running shoes are almost needing to be replaced anyway. My hiking boots are unusable and honestly not worth fixing at this point I don't think. My lace up boots are still good. If I get the cross trainers, I can replace the running shoes and the hiking boots. The lace up boots can stay then. That makes sense I think.

Although maybe when the lace up boots die a death, I'll replace them with hiking boots if I think I need them.