Boots. Again. (La Sportiva, Asolo, Garmont experiences?)

[microphenia]

Hi everyone,

Seems like a bit of a recurring topic at the moment but i'd like to talk boots some more. About a year ago I bought some Scarpa Rangers I splashed out as I wanted a boot that could go the distance and last me years i spent alot of time in Paddy Palin getting the size right and trying on various styles. However after my first longish walk the balls of my feet became VERY painful. I have persevered as long as i can, doing a lot more day hikes and a few overnighters, I bought new insoles but the problem just wont go away. I've never had problems with this part of my feet before or with any other (much cheaper) boots.

So in short I need some new boots. I don't mind splashing out if they're going to last. I am now VERY wary of Scarpa boots. I think i will go for lighter weight boots this time.

What experience has everyone had with La Sportiva boots (I love their climbing shoes), Asolo and Garamont boots?

Thanks

[ollster]

I am now VERY wary of Scarpa boots. I think i will go for lighter weight boots this time.

What experience has everyone had with La Sportiva boots (I love their climbing shoes), Asolo and Garamont boots?

Boots are about what fits. I love my Scarpas (I've got Trek and SLM3). If they don't suit your foot then there's no point pursuing that brand. Of the ones you've mentioned, I've only tried Garmont full leather boots, and I found the fit too wide at the heel, and so kept getting blisters, and the area above the toes too low, so I kept getting the tops of my toes chewed off by the boot. It was a well made boot though, so I have no qualms in recommending them if they fit you!

Sometimes it's just luck of the draw. I guess once you find a manufacturer who's sizing works for you, then stick with them.

[Drifting]

I've had TWO pairs of garmonts fall apart on my wife, and nothing from the company at all.

I had a pair of Asolos about 20 years ago, and they lasted about 10 years, despite extreme abuse and usage. They were awesome. I don't know how they are now though.

[stepbystep]

I am now VERY wary of Scarpa boots. I think i will go for lighter weight boots this time.

What experience has everyone had with La Sportiva boots (I love their climbing shoes), Asolo and Garamont boots?

Boots are about what fits. I love my Scarpas (I've got Trek and SLM3). If they don't suit your foot then there's no point pursuing that brand. Of the ones you've mentioned, I've only tried Garmont full leather boots, and I found the fit too wide at the heel, and so kept getting blisters, and the area above the toes too low, so I kept getting the tops of my toes chewed off by the boot. It was a well made boot though, so I have no qualms in recommending them if they fit you!

Sometimes it's just luck of the draw. I guess once you find a manufacturer who's sizing works for you, then stick with them.

Grrrrr
Something weird happened to my carefully considered and perfectly constructed post

Kinda was along the lines of what he said, but I think my Scarpa's areaxagerating and inflaming some knee pain due to their stiffness(read durability), that I didn't notice so much in my Garmont's
Test and test again....

[Ent]

Content removed by poster.

[north-north-west]

If the Asolos fit, I'd recommend them. I've been using a pair for the last 18months and absolutely love them. They've done it all - rock, dirt, sand, snow, water, mud, etc - and with a dab of Nixwax or Snowseal look as good as new.
Just make sure they fit properly, 'cause they aren't one of the cheaper boots around.

[photohiker]

However after my first longish walk the balls of my feet became VERY painful. I have persevered as long as i can, doing a lot more day hikes and a few overnighters, I bought new insoles but the problem just wont go away. I've never had problems with this part of my feet before or with any other (much cheaper) boots.

You're not alone

I've Scarpa'd for years. My old pair basically wore out and the sole started to delaminate, so I lined up for a new pair exactly the same as the last. Fit is identical, but I can't do much more than 20km in them before the pain starts on the soles of my feet. No blisters or hot spots though, just intense soreness with every step. They've done about 400km now so I think if they were going to wear in they would have by now. I think the sole is too stiff for my feet now for some reason. Don't know if that's Scarpa or me, I can walk forever in light shoes or boots.

Currently wearing Salomon Fastpacker mid boots (fabric GTX). These fit like a glove, worth finding out if you have Salomon shaped feet if you're looking for another alternative.

[Taurë-rana]

Sorry about the late reply. I have La Sportiva boots and have been very happy with them. They're mid weight, but seem to be pretty tough, very comfortable except for a lump under the side of the ball of my foot to start with - I got a pair of gel inner soles from the chemist which I'm still using with them and haven't had any more problems. They are the most comfortable pair of boots I've ever had, and also the least blister causing.
They aren't really waterproof though.

[Azza]

Its definately all down to fit. I swear by scarpa SL's, they work for my feet.
Where as they didn't fit my girlfriends feet she found them quite uncomfortable.

I would also say it really depends on the kind of walking you do.
If you're going to walk on well formed hardened track in stiff scarpa boots then I'd expect your feet to hurt after a long day.
In fact I can remember the first time I walked out of pine valley the hardened track almost destroyed my feet.

Scarpa SL's are brilliant for off track walking on rugged ground. The stiffer sole is also useful in the snow.

For day walks and tracking walking I have been using a lighter weight boot to try and reduce the wear on my Scarpa's
as hardened tracks tend to wear through the soles pretty quickly and at the price you pay for them I don't want to be
buying a new pair every year.

[sailfish]

Ah the penny drops. According to my old family MD, stiff soles promote foot injuries especially tendon tears. This was a very common problem with the old metal sole army boots.

For the last 35 years since, I have gone for a flexing sole. Not a soft sole, one that you don't feel the rocks through but can still flex with your foot. Never had a problem since


Regards,
Ken

[leithel]

I have bought some Asolo's about this time last year. Asolo TPS 520 GV: http://asolo.com/eng/prod_det.php?area= ... &itemid=26
Absolutely love them. They are a little heavy but are extremely comfortable. Didnt even need to break them in. My first walk in them (had only worn them for a few hours around the house) was a a two day walk and I didnt get a single blister. Still havent had a single blister on my heal and I've done many 2 and 3 day walks in them. Have had the odd minor blister on the inside of my big toe. A bit of tape around them on longer walks fixes that!
They are not a cheap boot though. I was lucky to get them with 30% off at a sale in Melbourne. My partner picked up a pair of the non Goretex verson online from the US for $180

Check these babies out: http://www.e-omc.com/catalog/products/2 ... edium.html