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Post by ChrisB on Mar 15, 2015 0:10:38 GMT
Planning an upcoming trip to the US, where we will be doing some walking in desert and mountain terrain, I checked over my trusty old boots yesterday, only to find that they looked dangerously close to losing their soles. We're going away in 2 or 3 months, so I realised that if I was going to get myself a new pair and have them properly broken in for some serious activity, I'd better get on with it! So I spent the day trudging around various shops in the Lake District, becoming more and more disillusioned with the quality of customer service that is available nowadays in the UK. Until, that is, I walked into the Keswick branch of Cotswold Outdoor, where I spent well over an hour with an incredibly well informed and helpful member of staff selecting the right pair of boots for me. She listened carefully to my requirements, which were, by no means ordinary and then measured my feet - something which I've not had done since I was about 10 yrs old! They were measured by six separate parameters and I was then talked through the best options for me. We looked at several different pairs and tried some insole tweaks as additions in order to cope with my weirdly shaped plates of meat and closed in on a final choice. Not only was I fitted for the boots themselves, but I was measured up separately for the insoles. The result was that, when I finally slid my feet into the boots of my choice, it felt like my feet were coming home. I now own the most comfortable pair of boots I have ever worn in my life. They were pricey but they fit like a bespoke pair. This is what I ended up with. Hanwag Tatra GTX, SIZE 11 1/ 2 Superfeet Orange Footbeds |
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Barry
Rank: Trio
Posts: 195 
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Post by Barry on Mar 15, 2015 0:40:51 GMT
Finding well-fitting and comfortable walking boots is essential if you are serious about trekking/hill walking. Over the years I've done a fair amount of trekking in many places in the world: Nepal, Tibet, China, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Namibia, Thailand and Burma. In the past I used boots from Millets (don't laugh - they got me up Kilimanjaro) and I have also used Brasher boots (which were used without even 'breaking' them in!). My most recent boots are Meindl 'Burma' www.outdoorkit.co.uk/product.php?product_id=255&category_id=2456, which I used when trekking in Mauritania and most recently in the Sudan. They may look heavy but they're not. I bought them from Blacks and, like you Chris, I was given expert service and advice. They're the best boots I have ever had and are as comfortable as a pair of slippers. Incidently, the choice of socks used with the boots is also very important. With modern materials boot design has come a long way. Look after them and they may well last you a lifetime. Have a great time in the US Regards Barry |
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Post by ChrisB on Mar 15, 2015 0:57:00 GMT
I tried a pair of Meindl Burmas on, Barry and, though obviously well made, they didn't suit my feet. Or, rather they suited my right foot, but not my left! I did try a pair of Meindl Respond, which were not really suitable for the type of activity I'm going to be doing, but they were extraordinarily comfortable, and I may just get myself a pair for the hell of it! I used to be really easily shod, but the ravages of time have obviously changed the shape of my feet and my requirements now appear to be rather demanding! Very happy indeed with my choice today though. |
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Post by Chris on Mar 15, 2015 3:25:25 GMT
I'm in boots every day so for me they HAVE to be good. My faves just now are Forma Rainmasters - which probably won't be much use to you - but are nigh on perfect for me. Those Hanwags look very,very good and as for cost,well tbh I think they offer good value - as long as they are used.
I always like the example of a £400 jacket. If you wear it once then hang it up and never wear it again then that's expensive. If you wear that same jacket day in day out for 5 years then it's cheap.
Sounds to me like your boots will be well used! Hopefully you enjoy Merca!
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Post by jammy on Mar 15, 2015 8:23:14 GMT
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Post by Weecrackpot on Mar 15, 2015 11:11:37 GMT
Errr.... it's walking/hiking boots, have you posted the right thread?.  edit: Ah...soz Jammy it is Biking boots you posted on your post, please ignore. |
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Post by jammy on Mar 15, 2015 11:50:44 GMT
No probs Wii, there aint a lot of difference between Biking and Hiking...!!! And I do occasionally Walk in my Biking Boots..... |
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Post by Weecrackpot on Mar 15, 2015 11:56:11 GMT
No probs Wii, there aint a lot of difference between Biking and Hiking...!!! And I do occasionally Walk in my Biking Boots..... Specially if you have tired old eyes like mine, hence i tend to read posts twice.  When walk in you Bikingboots, zat only yo pick up some McEwans.  |
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Post by jammy on Mar 15, 2015 11:57:44 GMT
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Post by MartinT on Mar 15, 2015 11:58:03 GMT
I need a new pair of walking boots, the ones I bought years ago have not proven to be a good choice, giving me aches and blisters every time. We're probably going to have a short break in the Beacons this year and I need to buy some new boots. Will have a look in Blacks today to see what they have.
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Post by ChrisB on Mar 15, 2015 12:13:41 GMT
I can't comment on Blacks, but if you have a Cotswolds store nearby, Martin, I'd make an effort to try them, as the service I received was fantastic.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 15, 2015 12:24:14 GMT
Never come across one down these parts, Chris.
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Post by ChrisB on Mar 15, 2015 12:34:16 GMT
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Post by MartinT on Mar 15, 2015 13:42:36 GMT
Thanks. I popped in to Blacks just now, got some ideas. Going to return with my walking socks and try out a couple.
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 15, 2015 14:49:25 GMT
ChrisB, I like the idea of getting some 'footbeds' to make my Timberlands more comfortable but there seems to be a huge range of them - how did you choose them?
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Post by ChrisB on Mar 15, 2015 15:06:35 GMT
I was guided by the assistant in the shop - having already measured my feet she narrowed the choice down. When I stand up, my feet grow by one and a half sizes, so I needed something to prevent the arches from flexing so much. This seems to have been the key to making this pair of boots so amazingly comfortable. She identified the size I needed which left me with a choice between two grades of hard/softness. Totally against what I expected, I found I needed the soft ones. The Superfeet deal is that even though you have cut them to fit the boots and you may have manked them up with sweaty feet, you can return them for your money back if after two months, you find they are not for you. That make the high cost easier to swallow!
I bought something similar from a different brand years ago for another pair of boots but I didn't get this kind of customer service and they were awful and a waste of money!
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 15, 2015 17:01:39 GMT
Great stuff, looks like a trip to Cotswold Outdoors is in order for me, as we're heading up to Northumberland for the first time at Easter...
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Post by ChrisB on Mar 15, 2015 19:32:01 GMT
Slightly nervously stepped out the front door today and got a few miles on the boots with no problems, so it looks like they're a winner. The dog loved it, as he got a bit more of an extended outing than usual for a Sunday afternoon.
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Post by yomanze on Mar 20, 2015 12:34:35 GMT
I used to do a lot of hill walking, think 30 milers on a Sunday across Dartmoor via a pub or two. I liked wearing very thin socks underneath my walking socks for a blister-free experience. |
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Post by danielquinn on Mar 20, 2015 12:54:38 GMT
Walking is the thing you do between pubs , surely ?
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