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Footwear Advice

Richard Eynon

Richard Eynon

Senior Member & Supporter
Can I have your recommendations for decent waterproof footwear please as my last walk down the river left me with wet feet? I much prefer a walking boot type style to traditional wellies as the banks are often uneven with tree roots which I seem to regularly trip over! I don't need to be able to stand in the river but with the damp mornings and dew all over the long grass I do want to be able to keep my feet dry without sacrificing comfort or functionality. Not too fussed about price, just something good and reliable.

Thanks in advance.
 
I'm on my second pair of these.

www.salomon.com

QUEST 4 GORE-TEX Men - Backpacking | Salomon

Designed for long expeditions and tough conditions, the QUEST is grippy and supportive. We’ve updated the chassis to target sensitive articulations and wrap the foot for extra support, while also keeping your stride fluid. No matter how tired you are or how heavy your pack, the QUEST 4 GORE-TEX...
www.salomon.com www.salomon.com

My first pair were second hand and they eventually gave up the ghost waterproof wise. Still good on a dry day though, and I travel to work in them now. My new pair haven't had as much use yet. But if they're as good as the first pair, I'll be happy.
 
I use Dickies Storm II Black Safety Work Boots Steel Toe Cap Hiker FA23385S

hirstfootwear.co.uk

Mens Dickies Storm II Black Safety Work Boots Steel Toe Cap Hiker FA23

Dickies Storm Hiker boot is a great entry level boot for the working tradesman!, Steel toe-cap to EN ISO 20345 (200 Joules), Steel midsole for underfoot protection, Padded collar and tongue , Suede and mesh upper, Dual density polyurethane sole, Sole slip resistant to SRA standard , Sole...
hirstfootwear.co.uk hirstfootwear.co.uk

In addition I'd recommend Sealskinz waterproof socks

 
Simon Archer said:
I'm on my second pair of these.

www.salomon.com

QUEST 4 GORE-TEX Men - Backpacking | Salomon

Designed for long expeditions and tough conditions, the QUEST is grippy and supportive. We’ve updated the chassis to target sensitive articulations and wrap the foot for extra support, while also keeping your stride fluid. No matter how tired you are or how heavy your pack, the QUEST 4 GORE-TEX...
www.salomon.com www.salomon.com

My first pair were second hand and they eventually gave up the ghost waterproof wise. Still good on a dry day though, and I travel to work in them now. My new pair haven't had as much use yet. But if they're as good as the first pair, I'll be happy.
Click to expand...
Agree
I have a pair - uppers are fine - sole is splitting but they must be over 10 years old and done a lot of miles
Excellent boots - must save for a new pair
 
Agree on merrells, good quality and last well if regularly cleaned and treated with nikwax spray after a good soaking…just get a size larger than normal
 
I have Merrels too but which are very supportive for the ankle, good grip from he soles and comfortable all day, however, just staring to let water creep in after 3 years. In fairness I have never re-waterproofed them and I should do it now the dew is settling in the mornings,
 
Richard Eynon said:
Can I have your recommendations for decent waterproof footwear please as my last walk down the river left me with wet feet? I much prefer a walking boot type style to traditional wellies as the banks are often uneven with tree roots which I seem to regularly trip over! I don't need to be able to stand in the river but with the damp mornings and dew all over the long grass I do want to be able to keep my feet dry without sacrificing comfort or functionality. Not too fussed about price, just something good and reliable.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Scarpa SL Active, I'd like another pair but my first did me for 6 years of hard use. Mainly in the mountains but they were also great on the river. Personally I prefer a wellie when fishing, mainly because I'm lazy but a good boot is hard to argue with.

They are a proper leather boot and if you take care of them and re-wax them, then they will more than pay you back. They will outlast any standard goretex or synthetic boot.

The first consideration for all recommendations is whether they are right for your feet.
 
I could not tell you which walking boot would serve you well these days as I only have two pairs, one of which is probably at least 20 years old.The other pair is about 12 years old .. these..are the oldest and look most beaten about .

IMG_2660.jpeg


Berghouse .OK, they look scruffy, but I was out in them today . When the mud has dried I will give them brush.They have been re soled once by a place in Burnley, Lancs that specialises in repairing and resoling boots for professional mountaineers and mountain guides. . At a cost of about £50.00 it sounds expensive .I let the guys who do the re soleing look at them first , they said I would be hard pressed to find a pair that would equal them, without paying a lot of money so as they were still waterproof and very comfortable after years of use it was a no brainer.The repair shop guy said I had made a good decision.

They get used for fishing, walking the moors, beating etc.They have also been used extensiveley abroad in Italy, Germany , France ,Sweden.
and Spain .

The second pair I bought in 2014 are Brashers, the originals, not made by Berghouse but by the parent company. They are good as well, waterproof, with the proper Brasher sole, not a copy . They are also used regularly .amd are waterproof and comfortable.

As far as modern walking boots are concerned, I would not like a totally man made fibre boot at all, I just do not trust them to last .

Should anybody purchase steel toecap boots , I recently bought another pair of leather slip on ones for use in my workshop, and because they were industrial, there was no VAT to pay, so that was a bonus.

Dave
 
I can honestly say the Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX are the best boots I have had for hiking and fishing as they are totally waterproof also you can choose the width fitting and they also have the Vibram 3D sole which is hard wearing but soft underfoot and the comfort is second to none
They may be expensive but last a decade and tick every box for me as I can't speak highly enough of these boots
 
Richard Eynon said:
Can I have your recommendations for decent waterproof footwear please as my last walk down the river left me with wet feet? I much prefer a walking boot type style to traditional wellies as the banks are often uneven with tree roots which I seem to regularly trip over! I don't need to be able to stand in the river but with the damp mornings and dew all over the long grass I do want to be able to keep my feet dry without sacrificing comfort or functionality. Not too fussed about price, just something good and reliable.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...


Mendle do some excellent boots, I have a couple of pairs, medle Vaccum and mendle Himalaya boots.
I've had the vaccums for about 12 or more years and have worm them an awful lot and they are still in good fettle.


To be honest though, in wet conditions a good pair of snug wellies will always keep your feet dryer than any boots, no faffing about having to keep applying waterproofing to leather boots.
I think its the gortex lining in a pair of good quality boots that actually keeps your feet dry.
 
I’ve got a pair of miendl Bhutan boots and a pair of Grubbs snowline wellies for when it’s freezing.

The bhutans are certainly waterproof, have vibram soles for slippery ground and are very supportive which is perfect for me as I’ve sprained my left ankle 5 times (twice very badly) and broke it once, and sprained my right 3 times, I can walk on uneven ground without wearing my aircast strap with no fear, although I’m obviously ultra careful anyway.
 
I have always wore Lowa boots never had wet feet very comfy, vibram sole and after about 4 years of abuse sent them away for resole as the uppers are bomb proof
 
Whichever Hiking type boots you purchase just ensure they are Goretex lined which will certainly help keep your feet dry and preferably with Vibram soles.
 
As you’ve seen, you’ll get a different reply from each person who replies. It will depends on budget, fit, features etc.

For what it’s worth I concur with Mark and have been using a pair of Lowa Zephyr Mk2 GTX for a couple of years for both fishing, walking and general duties. Very comfy, virtually no breaking in required and waterproof to a degree with the goretex layer.
 
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