Boot rec: hiking, yard or country?

[MAKUSA]

Hi!
I’m new to the forum and am looking to purchase boots for wet muddy walking trails - for dog walking. I love the country boot but I’m mid size and the Dubarrys (once in them) slide and rub against the ankle. I bought a oair of hiking boots that were supposed to be waterproof (goretex not leather) and after one month they leaked (returned for a full refund after the manufacturer tested and said they were faulty). So, I’m looking for a reliable waterproof leather boot with firm grip that will fit and last. Do I get a hiking boot? Country boot? Yard work boot? And what is the difference? I’ll be wearing them every day on soggy grounds and love a good deal - but will pay more if I must.

 

[Widgeon]

Personally I have found that no matter how good the boots, leather will eventually degrade if subjected to mud and wet repeatedly. For that reason I have a pair of leather walking boots for "proper walking", e.g. mountains and walks over about 10 miles - they do get wet and muddy, obviously, but I wash and clean them and they always get a good chance to dry out. Then for non-mountain walking, including anything involving a lot of mud and muck, I have a pair of neoprene lined Aigles (which I do find to be comfortable on walks of up to about 10 miles, but it may just be that they suit the shape of my feet). This setup has kept me going for about five years now, without needing to replace either pair.

IMO the difference between hiking boots, country boots and yard boots is that the former are specifically designed to be comfortable over very long distances, and to support your foot and ankle over rocky terrain, while the latter two are not, particularly. Which I would say is another reason to have a good think and invest in two quite different pairs of footwear!

 

[teddy_]

I have a pair of Le Chameau stalking boots which I use for shooting and walking the dogs. They are honestly the comfiest, warmest and lightweight boot. Made from leather but have a Michelin sole so completely waterproof with grippy tread.

 

[MAKUSA]

I have a pair of Le Chameau stalking boots which I use for shooting and walking the dogs. They are honestly the comfiest, warmest and lightweight boot. Made from leather but have a Michelin sole so completely waterproof with grippy tread.

Thanks! How would they compare to Meindl Bhutans?

 

[MAKUSA]

Personally I have found that no matter how good the boots, leather will eventually degrade if subjected to mud and wet repeatedly. For that reason I have a pair of leather walking boots for "proper walking", e.g. mountains and walks over about 10 miles - they do get wet and muddy, obviously, but I wash and clean them and they always get a good chance to dry out. Then for non-mountain walking, including anything involving a lot of mud and muck, I have a pair of neoprene lined Aigles (which I do find to be comfortable on walks of up to about 10 miles, but it may just be that they suit the shape of my feet). This setup has kept me going for about five years now, without needing to replace either pair.

IMO the difference between hiking boots, country boots and yard boots is that the former are specifically designed to be comfortable over very long distances, and to support your foot and ankle over rocky terrain, while the latter two are not, particularly. Which I would say is another reason to have a good think and invest in two quite different pairs of footwear!

Thanks. I have Le Chameau Wellys and was hoping to not have to wear them so consistently on the dog walk - so I was kind of hoping for a catch all…

 

[teddy_]

Thanks! How would they compare to Meindl Bhutans?

I think they might offer more ankle support as the shortest length is 8", you can also get 10".

 

[teddypops]

I use my ariat grasmeres for most things, but I also have some walking boots. Goretex should definitely be waterproof so you must have had a dodgy pair.

 

[MAKUSA]

I use my ariat grasmeres for most things, but I also have some walking boots. Goretex should definitely be waterproof so you must have had a dodgy pair.

I had a pair of Trespass DLX and returned them. (service was great but the boots lasted a month. Store was ready to exchange or refund) The Le Chameaus are great but sometimes I want to wear something more versatile. Looking for Goretex or Sympatex now. Cotswold died a price match and has a 3 year guarantee which is a comfort.

 

[sbloom]

If you possibly can I would find a good local stockist of walking boots, better than Cotswold Outdoor if possible, they're only "okay" at fitting, and get fitted for walking boots. Personally I wear all barefoot boots but when I wore regular ones I ended up getting fitted after buying brands I thought should fit from previous experience and ending up disappointed.#

 

[MAKUSA]

I’m near Leeds. Cotswold is listed as a stockist… (as is Blacks). What kind of stockist for fitting do you recommend?

 

[Skib]

A good fitting shop will try you with various brands and tell you which is best for your feet. We did this at Ellis Brigham. And I have Meindl boots both for mountains and for local walking., They are not long boots but they have ankle support which is what I need. And they dont let in water. OH has Salomon mountain boots.
N.B. these a walking boots with grippy Commando soles. They are not for riding.

 

[MAKUSA]

Can anyone recommend a good fitting shop near Harrogate?

 

[sbloom]

This may be worth a look https://dunslair.wixsite.com/outandabout

 

[Widgeon]

I know sbloom has said Cotswolds are not great for fitting but I've had good experiences with the Harrogate branch (it's where OH and I both go for our boots as it's the nearest decent place locally) - but I don't know whether we were just lucky to get someone who really knew what they were doing. They measured my feet and then I tried on three or four different brands based on their suggestions. So maybe worth a try, but be ready to smile politely and walk away if you're not entirely happy with whatever they're recommending. It's surprisingly hard to find proper knowledagble boot sellers, there just seem to be countless branches of Millets and Go Outdoors everywhere! I've never bought boots from Out & About, OH is needing some new ones though so we'll have to try it on the next Harrogate boot shopping trip!

 

[sbloom]

It was the contrast in service, the understanding of foot shape, that I saw when my OH went to an independent specialist in Cambridge, compared to my Cotswold fittings. Cotswold also have some cheap Salomons made specially for them which usually aren't up to scratch (Salomons fitted me pretty well before I went barefoot so it was always tempting), so watch out for those!

 

[Skib]

It isnt just the shop. For mountain boots some shops like Ellis Brigham have a slope so you can feel the boot going up hill and down hill. You dont want your toes banging the end of the boot when walking down hills (though I always had blue toe nails after walking in the Alps).

But it is also the shop assistant. Useful if the person is themselves a mountain walker. We were fitted by an Italian. Or for waterproof one who knows the Penine Way?

 

[sbloom]

It isnt just the shop. For mountain boots some shops like Ellis Brigham have a slope

Cotswold Outdoors have slopes too, though the one in the independent store was better.

 

[MAKUSA]

This may be worth a look https://dunslair.wixsite.com/outandabout

I gave them a call but they don’t do boot fittings. There’s a place in Otley that does… they carry the Meindl I’m looking at and Altberg. I dont do real hiking more dog walking through grass and muddy terrain - and a few light trails. I just want a dry reliable durable shoe that looks good. I’m really hard on shoes somehow.

 

[MAKUSA]

I gave them a call but they don’t do boot fittings. There’s a place in Otley that does… they carry the Meindl I’m looking at and Altberg. I dont do real hiking more dog walking through grass and muddy terrain - and a few light trails. I just want a dry reliable durable shoe that looks good. I’m really hard on shoes somehow.

This is the shop I found:
https://www.backcountryuk.com/contact-us--opening-times-2-w.asp