best place to go for hiking boots (TAS)

[gossy1985]

hey all

where is the best place to go to buy hiking boots in tasmania? im looking for a place that is going to help get me into the best pair off boots for my feet not try and sell me the most expensive boot in the store.

thankyou

[Stibb]

IMO it's more down to individual sales persons than "places". If you get the right guy/gal, you can get great advise from several places (revolutionary, I know). The opposite is also true. That goes for any in product and not just boots so this is a general reply.

In my experience, the guys at Passion8 has always given great advise. Unfortunately they are about to close down but if you're quick you might still grab something at reduced price and get their advise for further shopping around. I have also good experience from several of the guys at Mountain Design. Some avid bushwalkers in there that seem to know what they're talking about. In some of the other stores, when asked about some items (including boots) some sales persons don't have a clue or give downright bad advise.

The best thing is to shop around asking lots of questions and trying out lots of different models then have think, maybe ask here, read reviews and then buy the appropriate, most comfortable boot where you got the best advise. Easy...

[stepbystep]

I've bought boots from Mtn Creek, Mtn Designs and Passion8.

I have received both good and bad advice from all 3. Your best bet is to not be lazy, do your research and ask very annoying questions of the staff, make them do their job and try them all on. If the staff don't know their stuff you should be able to tell if you know your stuff!

It's a pita but hey boots are *&%$#! expensive and the most important bit of kit...

[wayno]

i'd try some on, find the ones that fit the best then don't buy them. go home and research them on the internet for reviews...
sites like gearbuyer.com list reviews. then when you've got an idea you're not likely to be buying a dud, go and buy them....

[wayno]

somewhere like this site does comparative reviews by testers.. but make sure you have tried the boot on and find it comfortable http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Hiking-Bo ... ws/Ratings

[wayno]

I"ve go the cosmics, the all synthetic version of these the cosmics
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Hiking-Bo ... omon-Quest

, great boot, if you can fit them, i'm borderline, i have to wear thin socks to fit them, my foots on the broad side
sort of like a beefed up running shoe. they flex reasonably well at the toe. cusioning is a bit hard though, i put some sofsol all sport inserts in them for improved cushioning and i tried the boots on with those inserts before i bought them...
i prefer after market inserts. most of the ones provided with the boots are cheap and usually collapse and dont support your arches or provide much cushioning, so if you want to go the road of using aftermarket inserts then make sure you have them to try them in the boots you're trying on
i use the allsport model by sofsol because its thinner than most. a lot of the aftermarket ones are rather thick and on the heavy side, and you may find you have trouble fitting into your normal size of shoe with them, again different people have different preferences on if they will use aftermarket insoles or which ones.... dont feel you have to use them.

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Hiking-Bo ... omon-Quest

[clarence]

MD and Paddys in Launceston are a good first option. Last pair I got I went to Hobart, and found MD, Passion8 and Jolly Swagman all pretty good. Go somewhere that stocks reputable brands (Asolo, La Sportiva, Zamberlan, Scarpa) like the shops mentioned above.

It depends whether you get the most experienced person in the shop or the junior as to what level of advice/fitting/service you get.

My decision was based on what shoe best suited my needs and how it fitted, not what any staff member told me. Good fit is the single most important factor in my opinion. A good quality full leather boot will cost about the same, no matter what the brand or where you buy it.

Clarence