Back on bushwalking boots

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[photohiker]

Actually, I suspect the sizing choices comes about by the marketing research (probably subcontracted) where they actually measure the target consumers and then make template size adjustments accordingly. Even Scarpa say their SL is sized to fit 90% of the market. I bet the RB last only fits 90% of the target market too.

Back in the old days clothing was tailor made to fit. Then we had a revolution called mass production. End of story.

You can get outdoor gear in custom sizes if you look. Some firms even specialise in it. Check out this great little company: Clioch Clothing from the island of Skye They even have some designs that are only made for custom fit.

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[Speculator]

Corvus, Freesole is "urethane formula shoe repair". You can get it at most bushwalking shops.

Roger

'Shoe Goo' (is that the same) used to use that to do the toe cap thing (pre zamberlan )

Good old Shoe Goo! It's holding my current boots together. On our last walk it did remarkably well to keep water out for quite a while. I was surprised.

I too am in need of new boots, no idea what to buy. My last pair did 4 years and cost $150, I'd have a pair again, except you can't get that particular boot any more. I don't think I need to pay $400 for a boot if I can get one that comfortable again!

L8r.

[blacksheep]

Now to be seriously evil. Back on country of origin issues. Well guess what Scrapa say

"Although Italian- Scarpa boots are not narrow- with dedicated lasts for the UK and global markets as detailed below! "

Amazing they say what I have said many time, the country of origin or country of destination results in a different sizing requirement. Just be glad you can not see me dancing behind my keyboards as I type this

It confirms what I have long experienced that sizing has changed to shorter arms and grander bodies with M becoming smaller sleeve length not growing once past L sizing. Maybe I should sponsor a foundation to provide tape measures to marketers.

Cheers Brett

country of destination does of course. dountry of origin does not of course. why is this concept so hard to grasp? Aussies/kiwis grow up in thongs/jandals and it is hypothesised that is one reason we have broader feet than europeans.
make for the market need, and the needs are driven by the market not he manufacturer. I am astounded that someone cannot grasp this concept.. I'll give up I think. Any one else struggle with the concept of making to meet the market needs?

[photohiker]

blacksheep,

I have no problem with it. In fact, it's an imperative to succeed in today's mature market.

Back on boots for bushwalking.

My Scarpas. I have had a communication with the Aussie Scarpa distributor, who suggested Freesole or a good bootmaker to fix. I've located a good bootmaker (well, one who has heard of and repairs Scarpa, and is familiar with the problem) and will give that option a try. Will let you know how it goes.

Zamberlan. Mainpeak in Perth suggested I try their Adelaide dealer Snowy's. I dropped in there yesterday, and there was not a single Zamberlan boot or shoe in the whole joint. Sales assistant had never heard of them. I did pick up a nice Snow Peak solo cutting board on the way out.

Looks like Perth or Melbourne is the go for Zamberlan, at least until there are more active retailers stocking them. I might use up some points and go to Melbourne, I have a couple of other things to do over there waiting for me. Having my gait analysed might not be such a bad thing in any case for my long distance walk.

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[Nuts]

Blacksheep, perhaps you should do a run of larger sizes... just to get Brett of your back
Brett, have you tried REI, I believe they do larger sizings, you may get bigger gear but at least it will fit lengthwise?
I'm not sure about 'womens' specific sleeping bags... usually the first sign of a bag stretching its temperature limit is cold feet, mens sizes are 6" longer. Folding the foot under can bump there rating. It is also a good place to put a few damp clothes. I have heard that many 'serious' climbers (male, female) use longer bags for just these reasons...? Oversize boots, can be fixed with extra socks?

I can remember someone sending a pair of boots back to the manufacturer several years ago. The toe box was separating from the sole (as shown, mentioned) Apparently they concluded that the acid in certain soils was effecting the glue they were using...

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[Son of a Beach]

ZAMBERLANS WILL SOON BE MORE EASILY AVAILABLE in Tasmania and elsewhere in Australia.

A national retail chain of bushwalking shops is about to start importing Zamberlans into Australia, and are expecting to have a reasonable range in stores before Christmas, with a more extended range some time next year. I'm not sure if their deal is locked in yet, or if the information is public or not, so I'll not mention their name yet, but have invited them to post to the Sponsors and Adverts forum.

Yes, they are aware of the discussion in this topic.

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[Nuts]

They were once sold here, as mentioned, though I believe the 'skimming' markup meant people were just trying them on locally and then ordering O/S.... a lesson perhaps?

hmmm, now who is it that wouldnt have an 'Italian' boot line already...?

I think REI have some 'tall' fittings Brett.

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[johnw]

Interesting extract from an Ebay seller re boots.

"*** PLEASE NOTE, as with all hiking boots, if you are hiking with a pack more than 10kg, you should consider getting boots one full size bigger than normal. This is because your feet WILL get bigger and longer during a day of hiking. Apart from swelling, the foot bone is arched and flattens during the days which causes the feet to grow longer. Many people often purchase hiking boots which are too small for them. It is always better to purchase boots that are too big, rather than too small. Even the largetst boots can easily be filled-out with thicker socks or thicker foot-beds or orthotics. If you have ever had blisters, soreness or pressure points from wearing hiking boots, it is likely that the boots you were wearing were too small for your feet."

Brett, I've also read similar analyses and agree with them based on my own experience. Swelling/elongation becomes substantially more pronounced in hot weather of course. When trying on boots I always go a size up from what seems a close but comfortable fit, while wearing my usual sock configuration. I bought a pair once that seemed OK (just) and I regretted it thereafter . Eventually traded them in with little wear when PP had one of those exchange your boots/charity drives, so now likely being worn by a Sherpa in Nepal, hopefully with a better fit.

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[Son of a Beach]

ZAMBERLANS WILL SOON BE MORE EASILY AVAILABLE in Tasmania and elsewhere in Australia.

A national retail chain of bushwalking shops is about to start importing Zamberlans into Australia, and are expecting to have a reasonable range in stores before Christmas, with a more extended range some time next year. I'm not sure if their deal is locked in yet, or if the information is public or not, so I'll not mention their name yet, but have invited them to post to the Sponsors and Adverts forum.

Yes, they are aware of the discussion in this topic.

Note that I've posted the now public details of this in the "Adverts" forum HERE (with permission). Further discussion of this can be done in that new topic.

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[stillfitenough]

It seems that every body has their own idear about what makes a good walking boots. But I think the general rule of you get what you pay for applies. I have had a pair of Trezeters for years and they have served me well, plenty of Snoseal after each walk and the leather is soft and supple, the soles have finally worn down to the point where they no longer stick like "*&%$#! to a blanket" when walking over rocks.Personally I am looking for comfort and durablity.
I recently bought a pair of Meindl's. They are made in Germany and they have been doing so for over 300 years. Have a look at their web site or if you are interested you can contact Stager Sports NZ visit their web site. When buying the boots you will be asked to provide an outline of your feet your weight and thet type of walking you intend doing.The guy in NZ couldnt have been more helpfull and a little bonus was the exchange rate between $NZD and $AUD.
My wife has had a pair for a couple of years now and they are the best boot she has ever had.
I hope this will help somebody get the boots they want.

[iandsmith]

Definitely a topic that gets everyone's attention and, I'm sorry to go into the banned zone but I wear steel capped Blunnies because they have steel caps and so I never have to worry about stubbing my toes.
They also have other inherent advantages to me: 1. They don't have laces to worry about
2. They give good ankle support
3. Because they're not a "name" brand they tend to be cheaper
4. They're the most water resistant boot I've worn.
I don't think you should ban any boots from the discussion personally, just because someone else's preference is different. Let's all have a say in my opinion.
Happy walking.

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[photohiker]

I wonder if anyone has tried boots with Event lining?

I was reading on backpackgeartest the other day about a Teva boot that had Event, and the tester managed to soak it in a river but kept walking and the boot dried out. I'm not sure that would be possible with GTX boots. Certainly my Scarpas have GTX and once wet they don't dry quickly. I don't suffer the heat issue people talk of, but then I'm unlikely to don the boot in hot weather

I think I saw some Keens recently with Event at one of the mass market outdoor stores. Haven't seen any Teva shoes at all, but they seem to have a new model 'Riva' shoe and boot with Event, so maybe that will appear on the shelves in due course.

[ollster]

I currently use the Scarpa Trek Pro. I concur with Brett above - The current Trek Pro has softer leather and is generally less stiff than my previous (I think) Scarpa Trek (standard) boot from ~2005.

Scarpas tend to fit me well, so I have no complaints about the fit. The sole is pretty stiff and grippy. Unfortunately the boot uses softer (thinner?) leather, and I'm not sure it'll stand up to contant beatings on dolerite. Tongue lacing tends to let water in neat the toe. Soft upper with lots of padding takes time to bed the laces in. I find once I wear the boots for an hour they loosen up and require retying. Hopefully this will go away.

They'll do for the moment, but I reckon I'll buy something with stiffer/thicker leather next time.

People who don't buy single piece leather boots because they're not initually "confortable" are kidding themselves. IMO.

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[photohiker]

People who don't buy single piece leather boots because they're not initually "confortable" are kidding themselves. IMO.

Ok, I'll bite

Do you include those people who experience immediate pain upon tying the laces and taking a single step in that group? I have yet to try on a pair of 'proper' boots that do not bring immediate pain. Frankly, I've given up kidding myself that there is a full leather boot that will fit my obviously wierd foot shape.

I'm actually tempted to carry two different shoes on extended trips in the future. A lightweight boot like the ZG Scarpas, and a lightweight shoe like an Inov8. The thing I have noticed with the boots is that they excel in terrain walking, but they are not so good when faced with kms of flat hard surface walking on paths and roads. Given that I carry Crocs already for camp and creeks, If I leave those behind the weight penalty is about 400g. Hmm.

[ollster]

Ok, I'll bite

Do you include those people who experience immediate pain upon tying the laces and taking a single step in that group? I have yet to try on a pair of 'proper' boots that do not bring immediate pain. Frankly, I've given up kidding myself that there is a full leather boot that will fit my obviously wierd foot shape.

That's a bit of bad luck. I also note you're in SA, I was meaning particularly for Tas walking.

Personally, although I use "fancy" goretex, multi panel, ventilated etc, low cut walking shoes for everyday wear, I would never go out in a boot version on a walk. I have somewhat "unreliable" ankles and so really need the support, and I also value durability and stiffness for Tas walking.

A lot of these more fashionable boots coming out are just way over complicated. All the extra stiching would just get ripped up on a lot of walks I do. Also, I hate walking in soles that aren't mega-stiff, as I believe stiffer soles give more control and overall I find them less fatiguing for my feet.

But hey, if I had funny feet, I wouldn't be buying a boot that was like a torture device either.