Gentlemen,

I was not quite sure where to post this, but this forum seemed like the most logical.

I have recently (2 months ago or so) taken up walking/hiking as a form of exercise, and have discovered that I love it. It is a little hard on the legs and the feet to begin with but the time I get to spend in the great outdoors is well worth it.

I do have a problem though, I am sure my footwear is wrong, I have light pair of L.L. Bean hikers for ladies that cost me around $69 US.

Unfortunately they are not the greatest of support for my feet nor my ankles, one of which I have had surgery on twice.

I would like to purchase a pair of boots that would serve for walking/hiking trips here in Canada and in the UK (Snowdonia) Is there any suggestions as to the type of boot that would suit the purpose well and give good support to my feet and especially my ankles.

I also need to acquire boots for stalking in the UK. I wondered if it would be better to acquire two sets of boots, instead of relying on one pair for both needs. If so, what would be your suggestions for boots, keeping in mind the extra ankle support needed, and that it would be useful if both pairs could take me from spring into fall, or again is that wrong and should a pair for each season be purchased ($$OUCH!).

Finally, what do you suggest in the area of sockwear for moisture and comfort, etc.

I would appreciate your help as I am lost in this area and do not want to spend money on the wrong footwear for the purpose.

With my upcoming travels I will be able to purchase boots in Canada, the UK and the Eastern US according to your suggestions.

Thank you in advance.

Lynn

Although I've not done it....two sets of boots are supposed to be a good idea as different boots give your feet a break.

I used to wear wool socks with cotton socks as liners. I hated that!! I now wear regular cotton socks, I change them often when hiking. The previously worn pair gets hung on the back of my pack to dry while I sweat up the new pair, then I switch again.

the chef

You might check Cabelas for a pair of medium weight Meindl hikers. Great boots that should serve you well. 2 pair of boots would not only gives your feet a break, but give your boots a break as well.

Personally, I would never recommend cotton socks for anything but in a pair of tennis shoes. Cotton gets wet and stays wet, soaking up sweat from your feet and holding it against your skin (bacteria)and can set up blister conditions in no time. You'll want a liner sock made of a thin polypropelene to wick the moisture away from your feet. In cold climates I would wear a thin poly liner and a good quality wool sock over.

Lynn, what kind of terrain will you be hiking? Makes a difference if you are hiking easy to moderate trails, or if you are bushwacking, sidehilling, scrambling, etc.

Meindle, La Sportiva and Montrail are my favorite names in hiking boots. They each have a wide selection based on your planned use.

One that my GF likes is the Meindle Island Hunter Pro (I think, sounds like that anyway).

Re: socks, my tried and true system is the same as brianbo's. Almost always...Wool socks over a poly liner, particularly if I am putting on lots of miles or tackling lots of vertical (which really works the boots on your heel). Occassionaly, if I am just going for a short or easy walk, I wear just Smartwool socks with no liner.

Cotton socks have never worked out well for me. The are high maintenance in that you have to change them as soon as they get wet, and in the course of a long day or a lot of uphill, that can be very often.

Sadly, I know nothing of the demands of stalking in the UK. Hopefully someone else can chime in there.

Cheers,
Canuck

Socks: thin liners and wool over that, Brigdedale for example, the best I have tried, some of them marked coolmax are good if climate is warm.
Boots: The terrain has a lot to say, but low soft boots can be good for weak ankels if the trail is good because it trains the muscles. I walked most of the trail to Everest basecampe low ankle boots but changed to stiffer and higher in the end.

I try and buy my boots from REI there return policy is the best. A lot of boots feel great till the first hunt or diffferent conditions then you have problems. They just replaced my wifes boots after second season of use when boots were blistering her feet.

While attending the SHOT Show in Las vegas this year we were taking a break and had a conversation with a shoe manufacturers rep telling him I had a heck of a problem getting boots that fit since makers had gone from D width to EE widths eliminating E he gave us some fitting info to try thinner insoles to gain boot fit and comfort I tried it with Mason shoes and it worked.My favorite light weight boots were made by Raichle but they stopped production years ago,I wore them hunting in snow,water,mud,rock and sand with total comfort.

Gentlemen,

I have found two pairs of boots that I like, one available by order here in Canada from REI. They are the:

REI Women's Light Hiker GTX $135.00 CDN



These waterproof hiking boots deliver superb comfort and protection in a lightweight package designed just for women.

Supple nubuck leather is flexible, durable and lightweight for long-lasting comfort.

Gore-Tex® inserts are seam-sealed for total waterproof protection while allowing ample breathability so feet won't overheat.

Nickel-plated steel lacing hardware resists rust from prolonged water exposure; soft padded collars cradle ankles for extra protection.

Fully gusseted and padded tongues keep water out while relieving pressure from lacing
Women's lasting ensures a snug and smooth fit--narrow heels and a wider forefoot provide gender-specific comfort.

Wicking nylon linings absorb excess moisture and disperse it quickly for faster drying.

Removable anatomically-shaped footbeds add comfort to plush EVA midsoles which provide all-day cushioning and shock absorption.

Thermoplastic urethane midsole supports add rigidity and protection on rough and rocky terrain.

Durable Vibram® rubber outsoles with multi-directional self-cleaning lug design delivers reliable traction on wet and dry surfaces.

----------------------------------------------

The others are made by Brasher and are available at Field & Trek in Chester, UK which is very doable as I will be there in a very short span of time. They are the:

Brasher Women's Hillmaster GTX Boot £99.99 UK POUNDS



Hardwearing, lightweight and comfortable, Britain's best selling three season boot.

Water resistant and breathable full grain leather upper

GORE-TEX® abrasion resistant breathable, waterproof lining

Graded 2mm 3D injected nylon midsole for stability

EVAlution 5 anti-clogging rubber outsole

Soft and padded suede cuff keeps boot comfortable at the ankle

Boot Grade: B0

Crampon Compatibility: NOT SUITABLE

Now based on your expertise, which do you think are the most suitable of the two for me ? Thanks in advance for your help.

Lynn

I'd personally look at lowa. You say you're going to be in the UK. Ebay has alot of sellers listed in the UK selling Lowa boots.

Lynn,

Since you mention that your ancles are not as strong as they used to be, have you considered a taller boot, such as the "Elk anfibio gtx" from La Sportiva. Or similar boots from Meindl?

Meindl. No doubt about it. They are the best boots I have had the pleasure to own.

If you are ever in NZ look over the boots here. The locally made ones are done in wide fittings, with a lot of womens fits, and are a lot cheaper than the european boots.

If you are going to wear crampons at all get them with a shank (half).

Scree, glacier moraine and general bluff climbing eat the seams on lighter boots, the one peice thick leather boots will last a lot longer in these conditions and also tend to provide a lot more angle support.

i am 75 years old, and in all the years , many boots have been tried. i have finally settled on HAN-WAG as mfg. in germany and fitted and distributed by lathrop and sons in indiana.

Lynn, I would not touch the Brashers with a 10 foot pole.

For a general purpose ankle height hiker, Meindl Borneo's and Borneo Pro's are hard to beat. I wear these all the time. They do a specific variant of these for the girls. If you are going to be in the UK in the next month or two, you can pick these up at end of summer sales for £60-£80.

http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/Cat/117447?history=search%20results

For a tougher mountain boot, again Meindl Dovre's or Elbrus are excellent. These are rather more expensive, but tough as nails.

You may have guessed I'm a Meindl fan. Hanwag's also have a great reputation but I have not used them.

For UK conditions - damp but mild - Coolmax socks are excelllent.

Smudge

Which brand of NZ boots are you referring to?

I havnt seen anything locally made that you could call a "Hunt/Tramp" boot

quote:

Originally posted by bulldog563:
Meindl. No doubt about it. They are the best boots I have had the pleasure to own.

Yes,i wish i had got a pair 10 years ago

Try some Vasque boots. Mine are ten yrs old now and still great. They are very supportive and protect the ankles. You can hike all day with out getting tired feet. They do make a ladies version. Don't go with the light weight canvas hikers. Get the leather ones. They may cost you around 175 or more.

Ditto that! I bought my first pair of Vasque boots in 1969 when they were still made in Italy. I bought my third pair last February. I like them for the leather outers with goretex liners, Vibram soles and excellent comfort. They are available in 1/2 sizes and narrower widths---which many boots aren't. Mine offer excellent ankle support.

Help please ! I'm trying to locate Meindl foot wear on the web , No luck ! Can someone please give site URL ? Thanks My location PA

concho,

As requested.

http://www.meindl.de/english/

Lynn

Thank you Lynn

I wore a pair of meindls on a dall sheep hunt this fall. It was 15 miles round trip of the worst terrain i could ever imagine with a heavy pack. They held up great and I never even had a hotspot. That says a lot especially since i had to get them wet with 3 miles to go on the way out.get the ones without insulation, my buddy got the insulated ones and said they were way too hot.they were about $260USD but everyone knows your feet are the one place you don't skimp on when it comes to stuff like mountain hunts.

these are the ones i got from Cabelas