Boots for Newbie - where to buy and what qualities

[jackattack]

Hi

I am a big guy (146kg) whom is losing weight rapidly (was 171kg in April) and I want to bushwalk day trips building up to over nighters once I am fit enough. I have done a few walks, one at Lapstone (my parents live at penrith) and the GNW from Charlestown to Merewether (I live in Newcastle) I have feet issues and have inserts from the podiatrist.

The walk from Charlestown to Merewether highlighted the need for ankle support and waterproof/mudproof shoes.

Podiatrist recommended keen boots for their wider fit.

Where is a good hiking or shoe shop that will take the time to fit shoes properly and has a wide range of Keen boots?

I need support, motion control and ankle support.

Willing to travel as far as Katoomba, Sydney and Kogarah.

My boots will be my most expensive piece of kit and there will be no compromise.

Thankyou for your help

Jack

[neilmny]

Hi Jack, Welcome to the forums.
I don't have the answers about the boots but well done on losing so many kilos.
I was a few years ago way overweight myself and bushwalking has been the answer.
So stick with it and good luck. Neil.

[simonm]

Hi Jack,

Mountain Designs usually stock Keen boots. It's been a while since I have been to Newcastle so unsure if MD is still there.

[walkon]

Gday Jack
Keen are one of a few bands that do wide feet. With the weight your carrying I don't see Keens lasting long. Other good quality brands that are good for wide feet are Asolo, Saloman. Good work on the weight front and hope to see you out Bush with a pack on sometime

[Strider]

Well done on the weight loss Jack. I bet you hardly recognise yourself, even if it is but part way through your transformation!

Zamberlan also do a few wide last boots. I wear their Baffins and find them excellent. Try not to focus too much on brands though. The most important thing is that you try on as many boots as you can to find those that best fit you. Note that your feet will be slightly larger later in the day, and make sure you wear the same socks you will be bushwalking in when trying them on. Good luck!

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[jackattack]

Thank you for all the tips! The net tells me MD is at Kotara so will drop in for a look see today.

Keen is a starting point but I agree the fit and function is most important thing.

I have booked a site at Euroka in late July, will drive in, camp then do some walks with only a small day pack. Really appreciate the tips.

[north-north-west]

Berghaus also do some nice boots with a reasonably wide last. MD stock them - and they're on sale atm.

[jackattack]

Went to Mountain Designs at Kotara, found staff really helpful and will be going back before the end of the sale to buy some boots. Budget only extended to a pair of socks and a polartec beanie today.

[Eremophila]

Gday Jack
Keen are one of a few bands that do wide feet. With the weight your carrying I don't see Keens lasting long. Other good quality brands that are good for wide feet are Asolo, Saloman. Good work on the weight front and hope to see you out Bush with a pack on sometime

The reading I've done on this site seems to suggest Saloman are more suited to narrow feet ?

My partner hovers between 120 and 125kg, his Keen shoes look like lasting a very long time, he loves them. They are also one of the few brands to have size 15 readily available. He has the sandals as well.

I've bought Keen in the men's model for the wider toe box, very happy with them so far. But of course it's whatever fits and is comfortable. Sometimes it can take a few purchases, a bit of trial and error, to find what's right for you.

[Hallu]

For comfort I recommend Salomon but I don't know if their boots are wide enough. Zamberlan are tough, but definitely not comfortable. It's like you need a whole year to break them in... Careful about Keen : they size half a size lower than other brands ! Meaning their 11 US is equivalent to a 10.5 US from another brand. Definitely try them on before buying. According to this : http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Hiking-Boots-Reviews , Vasque and Lowa also do a wide option on their boots. But I don't know whether they're easy to find in Australia or not.

To maximize your weight loss and fitness, do some nordic style walking : 2 poles, and a sustained walking pace. It'll lighten the load on your knees, and you'll work on your upper body as well : you'll feel your abs have done quite a lot of work at the end of a 5h walk. Studies have shown it's even better than jogging and you lose 40% more calories than by walking without poles.

[slparker]

Gday Jack
Keen are one of a few bands that do wide feet. With the weight your carrying I don't see Keens lasting long. Other good quality brands that are good for wide feet are Asolo, Saloman. Good work on the weight front and hope to see you out Bush with a pack on sometime

The reading I've done on this site seems to suggest Saloman are more suited to narrow feet ?

Depends on the model. Some are wide in the forefoot and some are fairly narrow. I have a couple of pair that are fairly wide in the forefoot and I have had to sell-on a couple of pair that are just too narrow. They all seem to share a nice narrow heelcup which suits the aussie foot and certainly fits mine.

They are pretty long lasting shoes/boots in my experience.

[Moondog55]

Only two really important criteria in my opinion
At least once you have made the choice on what type of boots suits your needs and from your post you are not after heavy-hiking or climbing boots.
Fit and Comfort
Good footbeds are important for my feet, perhaps they will be for yours as well

[jackattack]

I had a look at the local large shoe shop as my neighbor said there was an old guy working there who knew his stuff re fit and he gets all his work boots there. Was really impressed with Redback boots -UEPU "Everest" Water Resistant - Puma Brown. I can wear them to work as well as my day walks. They are not budget at $189.00 but not 300 plus dollars either. Time will tell but they felt good in store, are water repellent and fit my feet with their orthodotic inserts well.

Thankyou for all the advice, especially the tip to wear the socks for intended use at the fit!

http://www.redbackboots.com/ecommerce/l ... -brown.cfm

[Eremophila]

Hopefully they will be good for you Jack.
In the meantime enjoy your walking

[nickthetasmaniac]

For comfort I recommend Salomon but I don't know if their boots are wide enough. .

I find Salomon amongst the least comfortable brands. I don't mention this to claim you're wrong Hallu, but just to stress to a newbie that shoes in particular really need to be tried personally. Having worked in outdoor retail, I've found there's basically zero value telling folk a certain brand is comfy, when it's so dependant on the individual.

[Hallu]

What particular pair did you have ? I have the Salomon Men's X Ultra GTX (low hiking shoes). I've tried Keen, Zamberlan or Patagonia as other brands (and a few less known ones) and it's by far the most comfortable. Great lacing system, and the insole isn't the regular thin sole you get, it's almost like orthotics . The outer sole is very thick, I love this for rocky terrain. I also have the SALOMON Cosmic 4D 2 GTX (hiking boots) and they're comfortable as well. I'm desperately prone to blisters, especially in hot climate, and only Salomon suits me to prevent that problem =/

[jackattack]

Well I did buy some boots but due to losing a heap of weight (who knew feet shrink a size and a half!) they now no longer fit. I have done some 10-17 k walks in my Brooks Beasts joggers and do up to 5 k walks in my Dunlop Volleys. I wish my feet were up to all walks in my Dunlop Volleys as I love their grip! I should have waited till my weight stabilized before I got the boots...

I did get some hiking poles as suggested and I love them. They make walking up hills and going over rough terrain much easier.

[Bogong Moth]

Dude! You should be so proud of your weight loss feat. Certainly nothing to be sneezed at.
Maybe consider selling the boots second-hand (on this forum, or Gumtree, or eBay) if they haven't seen really heavy use

[jackattack]

yeah Bogong Moth - super stoked and still getting my head around and recovering from weight loss! Boots have been offered to my dad, if he doesnt like I will sell them in the Market place.