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TIP: The online Bushwalk Inventory System can help bushwalkers with a variety of bushwalk planning tasks, including: Manage which items they take bushwalking so that they do not forget anything they might need, plan meals for their walks, and automatically compile food/fuel shopping lists (lists of consumables) required to make and cook the meals for each walk. It is particularly useful for planning for groups who share food or other items, but is also useful for individual walkers.The reboot thread
Wed 05 Jan, 2011 5:22 pm
I think it would be interesting to see pictures and hear about the history of your old boots once you have splashed out on a new pair. There could be some interesting stories and pics.
I'll start the ball rolling.
I purchased these old Rossi boots 10+ years ago when I used to do a great deal of four-wheel drive touring. In May last year I took up bushwalking and in that 7 months I have walked over 300km (walking most weekends and then walking the Overland Track in December). These boots are getting battered and bruised and hence were ready for replacement. Unlike current Rossi boots, these have a vibram sole. Rossi don't seem to make a good quality bushwalking boot anymore. I was happy with the performance of these, however too many nights close to a roaring campfire in my four-wheel driving days ruined their water resistance. They'll still see a few more walks until I carefully wear in my new boots. These were perhaps one or a half-size too big for me. This meant that my feet slopped around in these unless I wore two pairs of socks and laced them tightly. I've been more careful with selecting a tight-fitting replacement.
You can't see it in this photo, however small holes were worn into the tongue by the laces. The leather of the tongue is not very thick.
The tread is worn quite thin on the soles. I've had trouble with these not being very grippy on wet/slippery rocks recently.
Below is a pic of my boots covered in mud after negotiating a mudhole on the Overland Track. This mud was in the valley between Pelion Gap and Kia Ora Hut. We had 3 x half days of dry weather during our 7.5 days on the track. My boots were water-logged from the 2nd day through to the end of the trip. I was able to drain most of the water out each afternoon and then wind-dry them however they were generally damp the next day. It didn't take long for them to fill with water again.
Below are my brand new Scarpa SL M3 boots. I've known for a while that Scarpas have legendary status. I've always preferred full-leather boots so a pair of full-leather scarpas was an obvious choice. I wasn't sure whether I should get two pairs of scarpas. A cheaper pair for daywalks and a more expensive pair for multi-day treks. My reasoning for this is that most of my walking is in on rough trails in the Blue Mountains so I do give my boots a beating. I have been thinking of having a second more expensive pair for multi-day treks. Since these boots were bought at a bargain price I've decided to see how a single pair of boots goes.
The Scarpa SL M3 have a vibram sole and a nice deep grippy tread. Hopefully these will perform much better on wet / slippery rock.
I'll start the ball rolling.
I purchased these old Rossi boots 10+ years ago when I used to do a great deal of four-wheel drive touring. In May last year I took up bushwalking and in that 7 months I have walked over 300km (walking most weekends and then walking the Overland Track in December). These boots are getting battered and bruised and hence were ready for replacement. Unlike current Rossi boots, these have a vibram sole. Rossi don't seem to make a good quality bushwalking boot anymore. I was happy with the performance of these, however too many nights close to a roaring campfire in my four-wheel driving days ruined their water resistance. They'll still see a few more walks until I carefully wear in my new boots. These were perhaps one or a half-size too big for me. This meant that my feet slopped around in these unless I wore two pairs of socks and laced them tightly. I've been more careful with selecting a tight-fitting replacement.
You can't see it in this photo, however small holes were worn into the tongue by the laces. The leather of the tongue is not very thick.
- IMG_0709.JPG (101.81 KiB) Viewed 2337 times
The tread is worn quite thin on the soles. I've had trouble with these not being very grippy on wet/slippery rocks recently.
- IMG_0710.JPG (136.61 KiB) Viewed 2337 times
Below is a pic of my boots covered in mud after negotiating a mudhole on the Overland Track. This mud was in the valley between Pelion Gap and Kia Ora Hut. We had 3 x half days of dry weather during our 7.5 days on the track. My boots were water-logged from the 2nd day through to the end of the trip. I was able to drain most of the water out each afternoon and then wind-dry them however they were generally damp the next day. It didn't take long for them to fill with water again.
Below are my brand new Scarpa SL M3 boots. I've known for a while that Scarpas have legendary status. I've always preferred full-leather boots so a pair of full-leather scarpas was an obvious choice. I wasn't sure whether I should get two pairs of scarpas. A cheaper pair for daywalks and a more expensive pair for multi-day treks. My reasoning for this is that most of my walking is in on rough trails in the Blue Mountains so I do give my boots a beating. I have been thinking of having a second more expensive pair for multi-day treks. Since these boots were bought at a bargain price I've decided to see how a single pair of boots goes.
The Scarpa SL M3 have a vibram sole and a nice deep grippy tread. Hopefully these will perform much better on wet / slippery rock.
Re: The reboot thread
Thu 06 Jan, 2011 2:14 pm
I like the idea of the thread LOL
Where do old boots go when they die??
Will be many years before my current pair wear out, and I got 7 years out of my Scarpa SLs and that was because the lining wore out not the leather or sole ( I walk a lot on snow and ice )
Where do old boots go when they die??
Will be many years before my current pair wear out, and I got 7 years out of my Scarpa SLs and that was because the lining wore out not the leather or sole ( I walk a lot on snow and ice )
Re: The reboot thread
Thu 06 Jan, 2011 3:41 pm
Moondog55 wrote:Where do old boots go when they die??
they dont go to heaven where the sandals fly...
Re: The reboot thread
Thu 06 Jan, 2011 5:18 pm
Moondog55 wrote:I like the idea of the thread LOL
Where do old boots go when they die??
Will be many years before my current pair wear out, and I got 7 years out of my Scarpa SLs and that was because the lining wore out not the leather or sole ( I walk a lot on snow and ice )
You could post a photo of your current boots now. Add some notes on when, where and why you bought your boots along with some info on the walking you have done in them. When you do get to the point of replacing them you'll have an easy way of comparing them and now.
Re: The reboot thread
Thu 06 Jan, 2011 6:02 pm
With boots I believe that you need to "take care of them " especially full leather after any walk and with mine once dry if they are scuffed I give them a good polish with "nugget" then sit them in a warm place and apply lots of Nixwax or SnoSeal ,keeps them supple, water resistant and prolongs their life and good looks 
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Re: The reboot thread
Thu 06 Jan, 2011 9:43 pm
Don't know if people remember Dachstein boots then made in Austria? heavy full leather which lasted me for years. For the last 10 years or so I have been wearing various brands of the lighter weight boots popular these days, but whilst comfortable with little or no wearing in they tend to be much less durable.
To this end I decided to buy myself a pair of decent leather boots and went in to buy a pair of gortex lined Asolo 520's but found the Euro fitting too narrow for my feet. I eventually went away with a pair of Vasque Summits which I am very happy with. Apparently it is not appropriate to use snow seal on these types as it interferes with the performance of the Gortex lining / breathability.
Phil
To this end I decided to buy myself a pair of decent leather boots and went in to buy a pair of gortex lined Asolo 520's but found the Euro fitting too narrow for my feet. I eventually went away with a pair of Vasque Summits which I am very happy with. Apparently it is not appropriate to use snow seal on these types as it interferes with the performance of the Gortex lining / breathability.
Phil
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