However, as has also been said the insole makes a big difference. I
immediately bin the ones that come with the boots and put in a pair of
Superfeet. Another £30 or so, but well worth it.
I was just looking through to see if anyone had mentioned superfeet insoles. I also recommend spending the extra on these, it all adds up though.
Having said that, my first trip with them fitted to my Meindl Borneo was Sugar Bowl to Devil’s Point via Braeriach and back along the Lairig Ghru, 35km in 10 hrs (before I discovered radio). My knees and hips held up well, much better than previous, pre-superfeet expeditions. I paid more than £30 because I got them fitted at Craigdon in Inverness, I think it’s easy enough to DIY.
As for boots, I’ve only ever had Meindls because they work for me. Did the round of Coire Lagan in them, so good for scrambling too.
In reply to G4ISJ:
Hi Pete,
I like Scarpa Ranger GTX. These are Leather boots, Goretex lined with a Vibram sole. They are not too stiff and don’t need any panning in. I don’t generally suffer from blisters and have certainly never had one with these. A pair of size 9.5’s weigh 1.63kg and I have been picking them up for around GBP88 to 97 per pair starting in 2006. I am well into my fourth pair since then but they get a lot of wear. There are two new pairs in the loft for future use. Failure modes are: Breakdown of waterproof membrane within 12 to 18 months and detachment of toe guard/ surround after that along with moderate cracking of the leather where the front bends. I have tended to decommission them after perhaps 2 to 2.5 years.
I use Cuxson Gerrard shaped Powerstep inserts with the above. These cost GBP28 in 2009 and weight 100gm. They were recommended to me by Jim G0CQK and I like the extra arch support that they give.
I also have a pair of Meindl Makalu winter walking boots. These are stiff and weigh just over 2kg but are crampon capable. I seem to get away with the rangers most of the time in winter and have actually only used the Makalu’s once - for Ben Nevis in early February. In comparison the Rangers are like slippers!
Last week I bought some cheap fabric and suede Field Waterproof/ Vibram soled boots from Mountain Warehouse for GBP56. They are waterproofed using an ISODRY lining. These are intended for sub-tropical use and air transport. Weight is 1.02kg for a size 9. They are not intended for continual just occasional use on relatively undemanding terrain and I won’t be using them in the UK.
In reply to G4ISJ:
I use the Lowa Trekker. It is the second pair of this type that I own, the first one lasted ~30 years before the sole disintigrated.
Martyn and I both have Meindl Burma boots, and so far have found them both comfortable and reasonably hardwearing. I have wide feet and the last time I bought boots the Meindls were the only ones I considered which were wide enough. Martyn replaced the insoles with Superfeet insoles and has had no problems with blisters. I’ve stuck with the original insoles, but do wear 2 pairs of socks, plus a tubigrip bandage over heel and ankle since it’s the front of my foot that’s wide.
Previously we had had a series of Brasher boots which we also found comfortable, but the last pairs we had brought hadn’t really coped with heather bashing, and were prone to stiffness and cracking.
My choice of boot is somewhat constrained by the availability of size 13’s
I picked up a pair of Scarpa Mirages ridiculously cheap a few years ago. There were two pairs available, but I only bought one - I’d not had a boot with a fabric component/Goretex to the upper before and was a bit suspicious of it. I’ve regretted my caution from the first time I wore them “in anger” - they’ve been the best boots I’ve ever had - warm, dry and give me a great sense of surefootedness - but are now near their expiry date. I’ve got a pair of Scarpa Mantas waiting in the wings for winter work, but I suspect I’ll be looking for something a bit lighter come the Summer. And thus will be following this thread with interest!
