Boots - again!

[Taurë-rana]

I am enjoying my La Sportiva mid-weight boots which I've used over the last couple of years. They're the most comfortable I've ever had, but not waterproof like I was told though. They are showing no signs of falling apart.

[north-north-west]

Boots are too individual a thing for advice on anything other than durability to be relevant.

Good way to check comfort of a pair of boots:

Cross knee-deep river in boots without gaiters.
Remove boots and socks.
Remove orthotics from boots.
Drain excess water from boots.
Replace boots (without socks or orthotics).
Lace up tightly around ankles.
Spend two hour (at least) scrub bashing up and down a nice steep hill.

If they still feel good, you've got a great -fitting pair of boots.

[bushrunner]

Um...
I cannot see any boots or shoes or yet-to-be-invented footcoverings passing the above test.
Please do not attempt if you value your feet.

[corvus]

Boots are too individual a thing for advice on anything other than durability to be relevant.

Good way to check comfort of a pair of boots:

Cross knee-deep river in boots without gaiters.
Remove boots and socks.
Remove orthotics from boots.
Drain excess water from boots.
Replace boots (without socks or orthotics).
Lace up tightly around ankles.
Spend two hour (at least) scrub bashing up and down a nice steep hill.

If they still feel good, you've got a great -fitting pair of boots.

Perfect test Scavvy you have my vote
corvus

[rohjoe]

I bought a pair of Scarpa ZG20s when I started serious walking in 2005 and they lasted 4 years (or about 200 peak bagging points). They are nubuck not full leather and hardly needed any breaking in at all. They did receive some maintenance along the way though....
Before....

After (including Shoe Goo)....


Replaced with a pair of ZG10s (also nubuck) which were $340 shipped from UK. Same size but a lot more toe room so I need to wear thicker socks. They seem to be performing well after several months. Fingers crossed will get a few years out of these too.

The thick rubber rand all the way around was a selling point for me although it is already showing some signs of stress....

[ILUVSWTAS]

A lot of good boots ... Mammut/Raichle

Sorrry, but stay away from these boots, they are rubbish for Tassie walking. Apologies SoaB, but I've seen about half a dozen pairs of these disintegrate, sometimes in only a few weeks, they are junk. Just ask Stu B and ILSWT when they get back from the Franklands.

Yup! 3 pairs in under 6 months. They literally fell apart around my feet!
2 were Raichles and 1 Mammuts! Comfy yes! waterproof yes! able to withstand rock and off track walking? NOOOOOOOO. the last pair I had I was cleaning and waxing after every single walk and they still only lasted under 2 months!

[north-north-west]

Um...
I cannot see any boots or shoes or yet-to-be-invented footcoverings passing the above test.
Please do not attempt if you value your feet.

Ummm . . . I didn't make it up. I did this during the New Years ramble around Jagungal. The river crossing wasn't entirely deliberate, but the rest of it was.
And it worked just fine for me. I love those Asolo boots. Absolutely brilliant.

[freemandale]

Further down the track - 7 months after my original post - I did buy new boots when I arrived in Tas (but yes I did bring my old ones with me!). After being fitted well I purchased a pair of AKU unisex boots. They suit me, I did a couple of day walks before setting off on an extended 3 nighter over rougher terrain and they remained dry! No problem with blisters, slipping, anything! The value of a good fit! I've worn them since and have found them a little heavy and warm on easier/drier tracks but they are very comfy.

I would have liked to have purchased my boots in SA before I left and worn them in a bit. As helpful as most SA salespeople are Tas walking does, I think, require some local knowledge.

Did get damp feet last week walking a section of the Heysen Trail (yes- it does rain in SA!) with numerous small creek crossings and with long damp vegetation. Needed gaiters!

It's difficult to get boots to suit two climates. I now own two pairs of boots! Lighter boots for SA and heavier/waterproof for Tas. And I own two sleeping bags .... two sets of hiking clothes (thermals & sun 'stuff')..... On the plus side, I have two distinct walking seasons! Winter in SA and Summer in Tas. Doesn't get better than that!

[freemandale]

Thanks to all for your comments. I did buy new boots as soon as I arrived - Aslo's from a store in Hobart. A unisex fitting that I have had no trouble with in all conditions over the past 12 months. I received lots of great fitting advice, met lots of salespeople that were more concerned with my outcomes rather than theirs!. A nice change and greatly appreciated.

Not sure that the boots would stand up to conditions in the great SW of TAS but have done well on the OT, WOJ - perhaps a bit heavy in warmer/drier conditions but I really appreciate them in the cold and they're not too bad in the wet.

Cheers!

[juju]

It's difficult to get boots to suit two climates. I now own two pairs of boots! Lighter boots for SA and heavier/waterproof for Tas. And I own two sleeping bags .... two sets of hiking clothes (thermals & sun 'stuff')..... On the plus side, I have two distinct walking seasons! Winter in SA and Summer in Tas. Doesn't get better than that!

Yes, it seems you do need two sorts of almost everything, as I'm finding with only four days to Tassie. We're mostly doing day stuff, but would like to be able to do a couple of interesting overnighters - and that seems to change eveything. I have a suitable tent, sleeping bags, mats, warm clothes. It's the footwear and wet weather gear that might 'slow us down'.

[andrewbish]

I was reading this thread avidly, contemplating my next major purchase...when, this morning, my wife presented my with a new pair of boots that she had bought in a warehouse sale in Melbourne. They are Wolverine Compass Hiking Boots. Never heard of them before. All I know is that they retail for $155 in the US and she picked them up for AUS $45. They seem comfortable and sturdy enough. Time will tell, I guess.