Bushwalk Australia

Hi guys,
I'm looking for some pair of hiking boots.Maybe you got any advices on should I look at and what shouldn't I.I need them just for basic bushwalking stuff.Can spend up to 300 bucks.Any ideas?
Cheers,
gido

Garmont do pretty good shoes for the mid price range.

Thats the thing, I've seen some photos of garmont boots here in forum.They didnt look nice after a bit of use.Or should I just ignore that post like an exception which sometime happens.
Cheers,
gido

gido, $300 isn't far off being able to purchase a pair from any range. What brands are available locally for you?
Iv'e been a convert to Zamberlan for the last 8-10yrs but there are several other brands that seem popular going by other people's experiences here. Some have noticed that the quality is not as reliable with some of the leading brands. Not sure of your level of experience but I would try on those available to you, you could always ask about peoples experiences with any particular model that you like and that feels comfortable. As a rule for sizing your index finger should be a neat fit behind yer heel once you kick your foot forward.

I'm staying in Sydney at the moment so outdoor stores full of different kind of boots.Was looking at Raichele, Mountain Designs, Asolo every of them seems comfortable and quite durable, so thats what makes difficult to decide.I bought a pair of Hi-Tech one year ago and they already ripped apart but maybe just because I used my shoes for couple times instead of poker with the fire.I learnt the lesson for sure.

I have Scarpa Trek Pro's. I'm very happy with them except:
1 - The do leak very slowly which really doesn't bother me as with my Injinji merino socks I don't even notice my feet are wet until I take them off.
2 - I still need to use some Leukoplast tape on my heels to prevent blisters on longer walks.
Neither of these things bother me and I would consider the same boots again.

I think you can narrow down the selection to ones that have the features you want then it is just a matter of the ones most comfortable to you, everyone has a different foot so it's kinda hard to say what is best.
For me I basically wanted full leather, tough, stiff sole, good grip and a reasonable amount of waterproofness That left only one locally available boot under $300, luckily they were fairly comfy too.

gido wrote:I'm staying in Sydney at the moment so outdoor stores full of different kind of boots.Was looking at Raichele, Mountain Designs, Asolo every of them seems comfortable and quite durable, so thats what makes difficult to decide.I bought a pair of Hi-Tech one year ago and they already ripped apart but maybe just because I used my shoes for couple times instead of poker with the fire.I learnt the lesson for sure.

lol.. i tried a pair of hi-tec once, they lasted a few weeks.... Havent heard bad reports of the Raichele or Asolo you mention...

I can highly recommend Raichles (from personal experience) and Zamberlans (based on the experience of people I know well).

However, you need to make sure they suit your feet. Scarpas are great, but my last pair of Scarpas were very painful because they were not quite the right shape for my feet. This doesn't mean there's anything wrong with Scarpas, but just illustrates that nobody's recommendation is necessarily going to be suitable for your own feet, and should be used merely as a starting point.

Note that most European brands (Raicle, Zamberlan and Scarpa included) have two ranges. Their premium range (usually made in their own country) is generally better quality, and their cheaper range (sometimes made in Romania or China) is reportedly of lesser quality. The quality is not necessarily worse because of the country it's made in, but perhaps merely because it is not their premium range.

Sizing is VERY important too!
I am onto my 2nd pair of Raichles, first pair I had I did have to tape my feet or after 4+ hrs walking i'd start to get blisters. They didnt quitre last as long as I would have liked but the staff at MD very very helpful in assisting me a new pair! This new pair are the Mammut ones and I love them! They seem to be lasting better and I no longer have to tape my feet! I can walk all day (17hrs is my longest in them so far) and they still feel very comfortable! Just a bit more than your $300 limit though!!

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Thanks guys for advices, I appreciate that.
Cheers,
gido

Boot sizing is very important. Even stores who are seemingly knowledgeable get it wrong. A very prominent forum member's better half was fitted up for boots at work the other day only to realise she has been walking in boots a size too small (fitted elsewhere!). All the lost toenails could have been avoided if only the shop assistant had fitted them properly. I guess it really comes down to a duty of care thing.

*sees brett coming and runs for cover.*

I can recommend Scarpas, my wife and I both wear them (me zg10 and her Kailash) and love them. Had a good look at Asolo and they look pretty damn good too. To my knowledge Scarpa are the only brand that blake stitch their boots. This makes a boot just about indestructible. Also with nylon footbed you have no worries of water breaking down the materials of the boot like happens in some of the other brands mentioned.

I'm currently using Asolos, and find them as close to perfect (for me) as a boot can be. They certainly cope well with rough use.

But boots are a very personal thing. Fit, fit and fit are the three most important things.

Joe wrote:... better half was fitted up for boots at work the other day only to realise she has been walking in boots a size too small (fitted elsewhere!). All the lost toenails could have been avoided if only the shop assistant had fitted them properly.

Further to this, more information to fill in the full picture, these original Scarpas, purchased about February 2005, fitted her well for two or three years with no problems / no lost toe nails.
Indeed, to wear the boots in, with no use prior, a seven day Frenchmans Cap circuit, and no feet problems, so they did initially fit very well indeed.
It seems the timing of problems pretty well coincides with the installation of Orthotics to the boots, something I have discovered through a conversation since our recent purchase.

Doesn't take anything away from the fact that proper fitting is essential.

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Well yesterday I went so far as to go into one of the locals, and try on a pair of boots.

I was looking at the Garmot Synchro Pro GTX series - I was drawn to them because they were a leather upper (easier to clean), waterproof lining, vibram soles. I ended up walking out WITHOUT a pair of boots because as friendly as the sales person was, I don't think they had much of an idea about the product (or thats how it came across) and I also wanted to check with you guys first . So here are my questions

• The fitting ws a bit tight over the top of my foot (I have broad feet). It would have been "blister" tight after a few hours. Is this a case of me just needing to wear them in and have the leather give a bit, or should I really be looking at the next size up?
• People here make a big deal about Vibram soles. Looking at them, its appears to be a soft rubber. Given I am a particularly heavy fellow I am concerned about paying $300=ish for a pair of boots in which the soles wear out after a dozen trips. Any advice on the wear of these soles?

Thanks

I can't comment much on the specific model of boot, but there was recently some discussion on the quality of Vibram soles in another topic. The discussion there indicated that although Vibram make great soles, they do also make some soles of lesser quality specifically for cheaper ranges of boots and shoes. So just because it has the name Vibram doesn't necessarily mean it's a great sole, anymore.

I am also looking for some boots, light ones, one problem is my left foot is bigger than my left, so I prably have a 10 for my left and a 10 1/2 for my right, the right foot never fits properly in any shoes I get,maybe I should get a 10 1/2 on the left and right, then probalby the left one wont fit

I don't think stores sell un matched pairs of shoes, or do they ???

Cheers.

John Sheridan wrote:one problem is my left foot is bigger than my left

Another problem is they usually only sell left ones with right ones, so you might be faced with either buying two different sized pairs, or do some slight of hand stuff in the store when they're really busy & don't notice you are leaving them two different sized right boots.
Another option might be to take a look in the topic "Wanted -Knees" and see if you can find something that fits?

(sorry...)


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Son of a Beach wrote:I can't comment much on the specific model of boot, but there was recently some discussion on the quality of Vibram soles in another topic. The discussion there indicated that although Vibram make great soles, they do also make some soles of lesser quality specifically for cheaper ranges of boots and shoes. So just because it has the name Vibram doesn't necessarily mean it's a great sole, anymore.

how well boots will last comes down to
1, how hard the rubber is, which can vary greatly, as to how much carbon is put into the rubber. running shoes can also use foam carbon rubber in he soles which is also soft, but I havent seen this in tramping boots
2. how much tread contacts teh ground, the less tread touching the ground , the faster they will wear especially on hard ground,
3. how deep the tread is. - if there aint much depth it aint going to take as long to wear out and the grip ain't going to be very good for very long.
4. whether the tread is hollow, once you're punched through to the hollow space underneath it won't be much use for very long...

combinations of the above factors can result in massive differences in how well boot soles last....
people say "hey i saw these boots at a great price" and get excited about the bargain,
well inspect the boots for factors like the ones quoted here and you might discover why they are such a bargain.... not to mention issues with how flimsy the uppers might be as well...

lightweight boots can save a lot of weight by cutting back on the soles, just be aware if you're getting lightweight you're probably getting something tht won't last especially in rough conditions....

Seem this old topic has re-surfaced I might change my earlier comments. I no longer recommend the Scarpa Trek Pros. Mine ended up rubbing on the top of my foot/toes where the boot bends, causeing skin to come off. In addition the leather has begun cracking at the same point.

I have since had Scarpa SL M3's for about 12 months now and have done a couple of longer (8+ day) walks in them. So far they are a much better boot and I have no rubbing issues at all. Highly recommend them.
I have also had some Keen Oregon PCT boots. They were great at first but quickly became non-waterproof and have continued to somehow just feel less comfy as time has progressed, still not bad though. I use them occasionally on better tracks and the increased flexibility makes them great of scree hopping, but worse on rough tracks.

sthughes wrote:I have since had Scarpa SL M3's for about 12 months now and have done a couple of longer (8+ day) walks in them. So far they are a much better boot and I have no rubbing issues at all. Highly recommend them.

+1

While these boots may be an overkill for an average tight-budgeted overland track walker, or somewhere that has well established path-like tracks or boardwalk, they are my boot of choice for all my walks.
And my old less-tready pair are great for work around the house - mowing and what not... With many walks done in them, the boots are well shaped to my feet and so are very comfortable.


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You can pick up SL M3's online for between about $150 and $250 depending on the deals going on the day. But really they need to be your second pair so you know what size is needed.

5th...


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Who has had good or bad experiences with Hi-Tech boots, i just need some cheap boots that can last maybe 2 or three days of walking, wont be using them a lot, but I WANT LIGHT BOOTS, would prefer shoes, but if I can gets some light boots that would be better, I have rolled my foot and I don't want to do that when walking

Would take any other suggestions on some cheap light boots.

Cheers.

Hi

Friend had a pair and were bad news but Paddy Pallin was excellent to deal with. Did the usual send them away and came back with a full credit. Friend so impress immediately spent the credit plus some more money at PP for some Trek Pros.

As for cheap and cheerful, work boots from a work supply store can be very good. Steel caps are a pain to me but often you can get the footwear without caps. Some people actually prefer the cap. Such boots are design for a reasonable life and fair price. Red Back use to be ok.

Most Chinese made walking boots are massively overprice when you take their length of service into account.

Cheers

John Sheridan wrote:Who has had good or bad experiences with Hi-Tech boots, i just need some cheap boots that can last maybe 2 or three days of walking, wont be using them a lot, but I WANT LIGHT BOOTS, would prefer shoes, but if I can gets some light boots that would be better, I have rolled my foot and I don't want to do that when walking

Would take any other suggestions on some cheap light boots.

Cheers.

check out momountain designs, columbia boots are reasonably priced, columbia have improved a lot in their design, theres a sale on at the mo, MD have their own branded boots, not sure how resiliant they wil be but a good price...
http://www.mountaindesigns.com/online-store/browse-products.aspx?id=272

depending on yoru budget, ahnu's or scarpa's at macpac are good boots
http://www.macpac.com.au/shop/en_au/gear-and-clothing/footwear

+1 to st hughes: scarpa SL on amazon for 250 bucks. Get fitted in a shop buy online. Morally indefensible but the 150 bucks saving may console you. Sending half the money you save to the Smith Family may assuage your conscience too...

In regards to "Who has had good or bad experiences with Hi-Tec boots,"

I've had bad experience with Hi-Tec Boots. I bought a pair 3 months ago. They said they were waterproof with ion mask technology cause its supposedly "so great".

I have worn them both in normal life and on the track, they are somewhat comfortable. Its nice that you can put your own orthodics into them.

My experience is they appear to waterproof but only in a light rain shower. Otherwise they are NOTwaterproof and cannot be relied upon.

When I recently did an overnight hike up in the blue mountains, in the morning the track had a lot of dew, in a very short period of time my feet were soaked as the dew had soaked through the shoe. Which just made my blisters even worse. Give me tried and trusted GoreTex anyday.

Once back in civilisation I googled 'hi-tec "not waterproof" boot' and sure enough it comes back with 14000 results all with the same complaint, "NOT WATERPROOF !"

So I'm never buying another pair of Hi-Tec boots again, nore can I recommend them to anyone.

Hi in rgeards to Hi-tec Boots, whilst my experience is not "bushwalking"as such it does support what others have said.

I brought a pair of Hi+tec leather golf shoes also ""waterproof"" (LOL).

Lasted 12 months, but the stiching & the glueing came apart.

In fairness though they provided excellent support and I quite liked them, pity about the build quality.

I have just brought a pair of Scarpa Kailish and I guess time will tell, but I went the shop option rather than on-line option as they were my first pair of proper hiking boots and I wanted to make sure the fit was right and so far so good,but only very limited use to date.

Cheers

Steve