Anyone still rocking the older style boots?

[ggorgeman]

Curious if many are still rocking the older style leather boots eg Scarpas or similar? Or is the momentum towards the newer, lighter goretex eg Salomon and such?
I’ve just sourced a great pair of Scarpas from the Op Shop… in good knick and actually quite light.
Am curious..

[north-north-west]

Leather boots all the way: Asolo or Zamberlan (my feet do not like Scarpas) or a very battered pair of Keens Pyrenees for easier daywalks.

[Moondog55]

As above.
La Sportiva although I can wear Scarpa too
When they soften up too much for white season they became summer boots, one pair still going after 25 years although I did replace the soles when Skywalk soles were available from Paddys

[Redtail]

Off-track, proper bushwalking, it's leather trad style (Zamberlan for me) all the way!

On track, it's them or softer Lowa's. Similar style, just more flexible and much lighter.

[Moh]

Full leather here also, mostly for their durability in rock and scree off-track. Asolos fit my feet best. Scarpas not so much. I’d love to give the gortex a miss, but it seems all boots have it these days.

[Avatar]

Great pickup. Scarpa Attaks. Handle wet, mud, slush, slippery steeps, ice and cold much better. Get them serviced by a good boot repairer when needed. Nugget and beeswax only. Trail runners are for trails.

[Aardvark]

When i first discovered boots for walking (1991 Inverness Scotland) i had already gone through many pairs of runners.
Now i know boots are the No.1 piece of gear. Price is still important but I don't hesitate any more at paying more than $900 if its the boot i want.

Any one who says boots are unnecessary, hasn't done anything to challenge themself enough in order to gain the benefit of a boots' security, stability and support.

[Biggles]

SCARPA, bought 13 years ago and remaining pristine. Conditioned with Waproo Zorbell once or twice a year, depending how often they are buried in bumpf, like rainforest bogs, river/creek crossings or the very brutal business of rock scrambling.

Boots are worn with Sea to Summit Quagmire gaiters every time.

Thirty, forty years ago, soft ROSSI boots were my go-to shoes. I have not seen those shoes around for many years now.

___________________________________________
EDIT: These boots are actually 13 years old!

Last edited by Biggles on Mon 15 Jul, 2024 10:31 am, edited 2 times in total.

[Last]

Scarpa for me too. SL's. The last time I got a new pair they fitted like an old pair of slippers. Previously they'd taken some breaking in. Loved them so much I went back and bought a second pair "for later". The first pair wore out, am now on the second pair. Have never considered anything else. I have fairly crap feet and need all the support I can get. Sometimes I do wish they were a little lighter though, especially at the end of a long day.

[agent13]

Yes I only ever wear leather boots. I have two pairs of Scarpa SL's. I still have the first pair I purchased - I wear these everyday, they are well used and have had 2 sole replacements. The newer SL's I keep for typical bush walking.
For the more demanding trips I wear Alico Summits. The Summits have stitched construction for reliability. They also have a seamless leather inner lining that is very comfortable.

[Bill P]

I abandoned leather boots a long time ago for the comfort and agility of trail runners. I have just bought a pair of Zamberlan leather boots for use in extended alpine winter trips
in the hope my feet will be drier.

[Huntsman247]

Full leather boots all the way. The ones with not much stitching. I'm just waiting on my Asolo boots to come back from the shoe shop. Got new soles put on them. Will see how that goes.
I'm often waking offtrack with a heavier pack due to camera gear and ditching dehydrated food for anything less than 5 or 6 days. I don't mind the weight but I find trail runners just don't give you the same stability and comfort in those circumstances.
I'll only wear trail runners when following a creek or river and your in and out of water.

[headwerkn]

Both. Trail runners for the good trails and lighter packs, leather boots for everything else.
The latter doesn't necessarily mean 'super heavy' these days, though the last pair of Scarpa Delta GTXs are pretty much wrecked after 10 months of use... both holed uppers and tread worn from soles.

[Camminata]

Have ditched wearing full leather boots and opted for the lightweight Salomon gtx boot , kept me dry in their maiden snow strips but not so warmish compared to Vasque full gtx leather boots . for warmer months I wear a pair of $100 Under Armour boots sneakers.

[crollsurf]

I only just threw out a pair of Zamberlan Vioz GTX boots I had for close to 20 years. I'm not sure why you'd make leather boots with a Gortex linner, but they were 100% waterproof. And paired with S2S event gaiters, I could walk up to a foot of water and still keep my feet dry.

Great for Tassie and day walks in the rain.

Problem with leather boots is weight and having to clean and nourish them after a decent walk. But there is a loving pleasure in doing that. You can't help but become somewhat attached to leather boots. So long as you look after them.

Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk

[ggorgeman]

Loving the Scarpa's so far although haven't put them through a lengthy test yet. In fact, have also landed a pair of the full leather Zamberlans that the big store starting with "A" had on 60% off. They feel great too.

Would the Zamberlan Hydrobloc conditioning cream be equally suitable for the Scarpa BX's? Interested keeping both in good shape.