Hiking boot info needed.

Jim10000

Hi, I need some boots to wear for hiking/mountain walking, but I don't have any experience and need some advice.

Any brands or particular features i should look out for?

Also, is it possible to get boots which can be worn in summer and winter? (could be about 25 - 30 degree heat in summer and snow in winter) or is it necessary to get two different pairs?

Thank you!

Evil Phil

A good pair of 3 or 4 season boots will do, you won't need to get two pairs. If you're out in the snow you may consider a pair that will take crampons (which help you walk on ice) but that's up to you. Where are you based? If you're in Dublin go to Great Outdoors and they'll custom fit a pair of boots for you.

neilled

Evil Phil wrote:

A good pair of 3 or 4 season boots will do, you won't need to get two pairs. If you're out in the snow you may consider a pair that will take crampons (which help you walk on ice) but that's up to you. Where are you based? If you're in Dublin go to Great Outdoors and they'll custom fit a pair of boots for you.

Feel free to pop down to millets and try on a few pairs or Raichle's - I recommend mountain trail gtx's.

Hanwags - pretty much the same deal as meindls are available from both millets (mary street )and Outdoor Adventure Store (Liffey Street) for €170-200.

Alun

Errm ... if you look at his "Location:" field, he says he's in Switzerland, so a) Liffey St. is rather a long way to go for a pair of boots and b) his requirements will be quite different for walking in the Swiss mountains than bog-hopping in Wicklow, methinks

Jim10000

thanks for the help so far guys, it's all useful.

As Alun said I am in Switzerland and so those particular shops are a bit far but the price/crampons/season etc stuff is all good to know.

I was hoping to go snowshoeing so they'll need to be water/snow proof, but i would also like to do a bit of mountain-climbing in the summer and i was hoping i could still use the same ones without getting the feet burnt off me.

I don't need anything TOO specialised though - I can't see myself jogging up the alps just yet - but I would like to be a bit forewarned about the ins and outs of it before attempting to negotiate in an outdoors shop over here.

thanks again.

BeardyGit

I'd heartily recommend the Meindl Lhotse boots which you should be able to pick up easily in your neck of the woods. I'm just back from a winter holiday in France where I walked around 60k wearing them with Grivel G-10 crampons....Dry and warm feet all the way (good socks are not optional). I've also worn them all summer putting in around 650k since I bought them late in July. Also, great wide fitting with the Meindl range!

Cheerio,

Gil

neilled

Jim10000 wrote:

thanks for the help so far guys, it's all useful.

As Alun said I am in Switzerland and so those particular shops are a bit far but the price/crampons/season etc stuff is all good to know.

I was hoping to go snowshoeing so they'll need to be water/snow proof, but i would also like to do a bit of mountain-climbing in the summer and i was hoping i could still use the same ones without getting the feet burnt off me.

I don't need anything TOO specialised though - I can't see myself jogging up the alps just yet - but I would like to be a bit forewarned about the ins and outs of it before attempting to negotiate in an outdoors shop over here.

thanks again.

If your in switerland go with the Raichle's - they may be cheaper over there!!!