outdoorsy shite;Walking boots otherwise entitled preventing trenchfoot

[saggarmakersbottomknocker]

I have some fairly new walking boots, supposedly waterproof. The first time I wore them I ended up with something akin to trenchfoot they leaked so badly. The weather was horrendous admittedly.

So - recommendations for (reasonably priced) waterproof boots?

Recommendations need to depend on the shape of your feet. Broad span and narrow heel, try Meindl (my beloved boots). I gather Zamberlan are good for those who are narrower all the way along. And wax them regularly.

How much were you wanting to pay?

And this is in the World Cup 2010 topic because?

Sorry, no idea about walking boots - aprt from the need to use plenty of dubbin.

I'm on a bit of a budget Northey. Especially as my lighterweight walking shoes seem to have gone walkabout by themselves.

Chippy - we're staking a claim to the topic as we want an Outdoorsy shite space of our own and this one has been abandoned.

What sort of budget? I would pay £150 ish (on the grounds that they should last at least 10 years, which makes them a bargainous £15 a year at most). And for that I would expect moulded interior, excellent ankle support and total waterproofiness.

Sorry, that's meant to read more like "I would say you need to pay...".

I could probably do £100. My feet are quite narrow but I have dodgy middle toes that mean I need a good bit of room in the toe box area. These boots are really comfy otherwise so I'm gutted that they are so bloody leaky.

Didn't we lobby HQ for an outdoors topic ages ago?
Do they like to keep their hunter wellies pristine?

I got mine in tk maxx for about £30. They are hi tec ones. Take yours back op, they are not fit for purpose.

Hello Chippy!! Good to see you :)

I love a good sit in

Sneeze is right, take them back. I have a fantastic pair of Mendl, that were expensive when I bought them (£120-150?!) but that was 13 years ago and they are still waterproof and amazing :) :)

I had a wonderful pair of fabric boots bjorn goretex because at the time everyone I knew with gotyec boots complained about wet feet). They were dirt cheap but fully waterproof. Unfortunately over about 5 years I walked the soles off them!

I replaced them with a pair of brashers I picked up in the sale. They're ok for a narrow heel and wide toe but probably wouldn't have been my first choice if money had been no object!

I'm due to buy a pair but I'm scared to spend the money on the wrong size. I've heard your toes aren't meant to touch the end but I've got quite narrow feet and they always feel too big when I do this. I'd love some tips on how you check if you've got the correct fit or not.

Go to a specialist outdoors shop, where they have plenty of practice in fitting boots.

The reason your toes shouldn't touch the end is twofold. One, your feet will swell in the course of a long day tramping on them, and you need room for that. Two, going downhill your feet will come forward slightly in your boots, and your toes will smack the end with every step (boot bang). It is relentless and horrid and will give you black toenails. Or extra aching foot and leg and back muscles from holding yourself in a weird way from trying to avoid it.

Italian-made boots tend to be done on a narrower last (like their ordinary elegant sorts of shoe), so perhaps look out for something from at Italian company?

Asolo and Zamberlan, being examples, btw :)

Anyone near St Albans? There's a great little walking shop there where the guy is extremely knowledgeable (and a tad obsessive) about walking boots. He has you make an appointment and spends ages different boots and insoles. We told him the price we were happy to pay and he didn't try to foist more expensive ones on us. I think six of us got new boots for an epic pennine walk we did and we all ended up with different ones. Only person with blisters hadn't been to the shop!

Take them back.

I have a brilliant pair of salomon walking boots. Waterproof and v v v comfy. About £120.

Recommend a proper fitting. I went to a small independent shop. They actually measured my feet and decided I needed a larger size. These are the first pair of boots for years which actually fit properly ....

I had these boots from a small shop in Ambleside. Which means a trip to the Lakes [bonus!] I'm going to have to take them back aren't I? It's been a year though. Although I've barely worn them since the trenchfoot incident.

I could moan to the manufacturer I suppose.

Top tip, get superfeet insoles. Never a blister again and fab for narrow feet espesh, because you can get boots that are long enough not to bash toes on the end while still fitting snugly.

YY super feet are worth the £40 (ish) extra :) also, it really pays to go to a specialist shop (ie not go outdoors) to be properly fitted. It really made all the difference [my crap feet need expensive shoes emoticon]

I agree with seeshell and others about going to a specialised place. They weill look at the size and shape of your feet, what sort of walking you are going to be doing and when and your gait.
Sure it's not cheap but like others have said a great pair will last years and years even with regular mountain walks.
Genreic places such as Go Outdoors are great if you know what you want.

I currently have a pair of Brasher's as my default choice as well as TNF. For big mountain days I have Scarpa's Mantra.

I have brashers too and I've found them great. I have wide feet at the front and there's plenty of room in them. I broke them in on a 20 mile clifftop walk and nary a blister in sight.

Phone the manufacturer

saggar - Ambleside must be about the best place on the planet to aquire walking boots!

Mine are North Face - had them about 8 years, still totally waterproof, very comfortable. I'm not sure the grip is as good as it could be.

I wasted £150 on a pair of Meindl boots for my broad feet. Left me in agony every time I walked, so I had to carry a pair of walking shoes/trainers as well.
For sale: 1 pair Meindl boots, used rarely. Size 6.5.
I've reverted to my old Brasher boots.

You'd think so Grimma.

I'm going to ring the manufacturer, they can have them back and test them whatever - I'd better go retrieve them from the garage I can't even remember who it is.

Thank you, I'll have to save up and get to a proper specialised shop. As a lot of you have said, they'll last years and years so it's worth it, also the difference they make to the enjoyment or otherwise of your walk is amazing. My current pair were found in a Charity Shop, but they fit ok and because there weren't any other choices and they were very cheap I didn't get my usual 'have I made the right decision?' anxiety. They are good condition but I'm aware I could do with a better fitting, chosen for me pair.