Hiking Boots

[Macca81]

Is that a Royalty on all sales
corvus

unfortunatly that was not disclosed... my wonderful peers at national can be difficult to get info out of at the best of times... what a joy that im spending a full weekend with them all again this weekend... woo hoo.....



hey, keep buying anyway, you just might be paying for me to go to sydney this weekend lol

[cal_blam]

I have a boot buying dilemma also you may be able to shed some light on - most of my hiking is in places like wilson's prom in vic - so nothing to hard but if i dont wear very sturdy soles, then i will get pain in the balls of my feet after a day of pack carrying. I need to upgrade from the la sportivas to something more sturdy.
I tried on Asolo Superfly, they are really awesome and fit me great. i'd like to buy them.
but heres the problem - need something to take up to hinchinbrook island in a few weeks.
1. Is a goretex lined boot just way too hot, and how do you cope in hot humid conditions if you got 'em?
2. what's a better option - i kinda like the sound of a leather boot no goretex.

[Macca81]

well,
1) i think leather is most certainly hotter in heat, and colder in the cold...
2) the better option is the one that you prefer...


there is not a clear cut answer to your second question. no matter what anyone tells you, it will come down to what YOU want

[Liamy77]

Hi scarpa owners,

How long did your scarpas take to break in? Ive got a pair of SLs and have worn them on 5 hikes and comming home with heel blisters and sore toes every time.
Doesnt seem to be getting any better.

Ive used mainly army boots and a few other cheap brands but have I rarely gotten blisters. I can do 40 km with a 30kg pack in army boots without even a hotspot on my feet.

Scarpas feel very comfy and I think mine are the right size when i put them on, but I'm starting to wonder if my feet arent suitable for scarpas?

you can try this:

where the (leather) boots are rubbing on your toes... wet the leather with a mix of 50/50 water and alcohol, then while wet (give time for it to soak in properly) shove a rounded wooden broom handle into the parts that rub and stretch out the leather in those spots (from inside towards outside)... allow to dry slowly out a bit and treat the leather with heaps of snow seal and melt it in gently with a hair dryer - you can use neatsfoot oil too but it can rot the stitching over time.

[Ent]

I have a boot buying dilemma also you may be able to shed some light on - most of my hiking is in places like wilson's prom in vic - so nothing to hard but if i dont wear very sturdy soles, then i will get pain in the balls of my feet after a day of pack carrying. I need to upgrade from the la sportivas to something more sturdy.
I tried on Asolo Superfly, they are really awesome and fit me great. i'd like to buy them.
but heres the problem - need something to take up to hinchinbrook island in a few weeks.
1. Is a goretex lined boot just way too hot, and how do you cope in hot humid conditions if you got 'em?
2. what's a better option - i kinda like the sound of a leather boot no goretex.

I have two pairs of lined boots. One is Goretex and one some other wonder fabric. Sadly I was a fashion victum in one case and impluse Ebay buyer in the other so both too small for my feet. I personally did not notice hot or cold feet, probably due to being much more focused on the cramped foot syndrome Of all I have read and heard on Gore-tex line boots the only thing that made sense was a sometime walking companion's comment re waterproofness in warmer climates. In Tassie Snowseal or some other wax is generally used to waterpoof leather boots and it works well in my experience but according to my source in warm weather with creek crossing and using a creek as a track the wax washes out after a day or three and the boots become buckets so in his opinion Gore-tex is better as it does not do this so that is what he uses. For me, I like the toughness of ultra heavy leather and it ability to "eventually" form to my feet.

As for the pain in the ball of the foot I can relate big time to that when using lighter footwear over sharp broken ground hence nearly always wear the Scarpa SL boots that have the very inflexible sole. Admittely I am of solid build and carry a heavy pack so might be a case of recommending footwear that suits that set of events rather than what suits you.

One day someone will get to the "hot" Gore-tex line boot issue with a bit of science but until them people swear it is true and other swear it is rubbish. Might ask an alien to break the deadlock as it appears to be a more a matter of belief at this stage

Cheers Brett

[north-north-west]

I've never felt my feet overheat whilst walking in Goretex lined Asolos. Wear Coolmax socks (or at least liners) and I would think hot feet would be the least of your problems.

[sailfish]

Hi,

It seems to me a bit silly, all the requests and advice on this boot or that boot. The best boot is the one that fits your foot shape. Different boots are made on differently shaped lasts. A brand that is comfortable for one person may be exceedingly painful for another. Such advice is therefore irrelevant. I know a lot of people who use sports walkers because they are light and breathe freely and that's fine. To my thinking, the only real advantage of a boot is waterproof. If it isn't why not wear a light comfortable shoe instead. All you can do is keep trying on as many boots as you can find, then choose the most comfortable fit for you. Forget about brands and the flavour of the month among your circle. If it's pinching your toes, it's the wrong shape for your foot. Get something else. If you’re lucky to find a few that are equally comfy, choose the lightest. I would only consider other features after comfort fit. I like leather because it breaths and will easily fine tune itself to my foot and socks. I don't think there is any need for Gortex in a boot. A rub with Nikwax is all that is needed to make leather waterproof, Dubbin is useless.

When the marketing hype is just that, the thing matters most is that it fits properly. If you get a foot injury, you’re going nowhere and it ain't fun.


Regards,
Ken

[walkinTas]

It seems to me a bit silly, all the requests and advice on this boot or that boot. The best boot is the one that fits your foot shape. ... I would only consider other features after comfort fit. I like leather because it breaths and will easily fine tune itself to my foot and socks. ...the thing matters most is that it fits properly.

Absolutely agree - buy boots that fit your feet. Take your socks to the shop, try the boots on, walk around a bit. If they hurt, pinch, squeeze, rub, etc, then leave them in the shop. Do not make any decision based on the look of the boot. Remember, you have to wear these things all day - sometimes 12 hours or more.

First find boots that fits. Second consider your total walking weight (you and pack), the terrain that you will walk over, and then weather/conditions where you will walk. Pick boots that are suitable. If your boots fail, it is a long, painful walk home.

[johnw]

! agree with both Ken and wT. It's also worth noting that your feet will swell slightly after walking a reasonable distance. For that reason it can be wise to consider going maybe half a size larger than what "feels right" in the shop (using the actual sock configuration that will be worn). Don't go too large of course, so spend as much time as you need in making a decision. I've made a couple of silly mistakes in the past by not following my own advice.

[Ent]

Hi,

It seems to me a bit silly, all the requests and advice on this boot or that boot. The best boot is the one that fits your foot shape. Different boots are made on differently shaped lasts. A brand that is comfortable for one person may be exceedingly painful for another. Such advice is therefore irrelevant. I know a lot of people who use sports walkers because they are light and breathe freely and that's fine. To my thinking, the only real advantage of a boot is waterproof. If it isn't why not wear a light comfortable shoe instead. All you can do is keep trying on as many boots as you can find, then choose the most comfortable fit for you. Forget about brands and the flavour of the month among your circle. If it's pinching your toes, it's the wrong shape for your foot. Get something else. If you’re lucky to find a few that are equally comfy, choose the lightest. I would only consider other features after comfort fit. I like leather because it breaths and will easily fine tune itself to my foot and socks. I don't think there is any need for Gortex in a boot. A rub with Nikwax is all that is needed to make leather waterproof, Dubbin is useless.

When the marketing hype is just that, the thing matters most is that it fits properly. If you get a foot injury, you’re going nowhere and it ain't fun.


Regards,
Ken

No and yes. Yes that footwear must suit your foot. No on being silly asking advice on a particular boot. Recently someone on this site went to replace their footwear and found to their surprise that the same boot came in two lasts and they had ordered the wrong last so a quick email fixed that problem This is a case were a specific request for comment found an important issue. More and more people are buying online so getting it right helps. Something as simple as I am size 47 in this brand but 49 in that brand can help.

As for comfort I recommend people read AKU site as they rate a boot by days it is worn with a light weight flexible boot being for shorter walks while a stiffer boot being the go for a longer walk. Bit like car seats, what is great for around town can become a nightmare for you back on a long drive. BMW used to get a lot of complaints by sales rep that their seats were too hard and BMW reply was that they were designed to be comfortable for long drives. No doubt they are working hard to get the best of both worlds so this nowadays might not be such an issue.

Also what a request for advice can reveal is longevity and how a boot fails. A friend become soleless on Ossa and that particular brand of Rossi boot is supposely well know for losing it sole in a dramatic way.

As for being a fashion victum, I have full membership to that club with more than a couple of pieces of footwear that clutter my cupboard that cripple. Yeap I often forget good advice for the trendy look However, my most trusted boots ares ones that did not initially nor for a long time meet comfort requirments. It is amazing to look at them now and see how much the leather has molded to my foot. Not sure though if I would want to go through the same level of breaking in but I love and trust them with no issue with my feet while I see others tape their feet, etc.

Cheers Brett

[cal_blam]

I've never felt my feet overheat whilst walking in Goretex lined Asolos. Wear Coolmax socks (or at least liners) and I would think hot feet would be the least of your problems.

This was great advice (see my post above). I bought the goretex lined synth Asolo Superflys.

I felt stupid at first spending so much on hike boots that i dont use heaps. But then I realised they kick *&%$#! over any other boot i owned. I tried on so many pairs and these were really the best fit for me.

I took them hiking for days in the heat on hinchinbrook island. This was not an easy trail, and I was all alone. It was hot, humid and raining heaps. These boots gave me heaps of confidence on the tougher parts, and with coolmax socks I didnt get overheating feet. In fat my feet didnt get sore tender until about day four or five.

And now I have great boots I know will be perfect for wilsons prom, tassie, etc.

[vagrom]

Spotted in a gear mag. 2009: "Scarpa SL boots - now 10% lighter!". The low fat boot. Beat that.
They've been a crowd pleaser for many years but a Wild boot suvey in 2000 noted that they were the heaviest boot in the survey. The toughest, no doubt. The leather up front almost feels like there's a steel cap in there. But hard to jam into a crevice when you're sidling and in Tassie, at 850gms each, bog slogging surely brings them up to over a kilo when wet and water filled.

[Buddy]

Walkers who wax eloquent about Scarpas are the ones who don't have Meindls! Your whole body can be shattered at the end of the day and your feet are still good as new in Meindls.

[ollster]

Walkers who wax eloquent about Scarpas are the ones who don't have Meindls! Your whole body can be shattered at the end of the day and your feet are still good as new in Meindls.

I just had a look at their website. Interesting, but every boot apart from maybe the MFS has way too much stitching for my liking. How long have you had yours, and how many walks have they done, what sort of walking etc?

[Drifting]

your feet are getting flatter and spreading..... LOL

[jespong673]

Hi there,
I recommend you vegan hiking boots, I have been using it for 2 years, it's a great pair durable and comfortable.
you can find one pair at : http://www.hikingbootsexpert.com/vegan-hiking-boots-reviews/