Did a stupid thing

[bibio1]

Thanks...they're a good price as well.

I'll pop along to go as they're not far away. Need to get. my feet measured.

Cheers

Paul

[Highlander]

Paul you might ant to look at Karrimor KSB boots. They are as cheap as chips from Sports Direct. Yes I know I do not like the guye, I don't like David Cameron or his ilk either but needs must sometimes.
Not by any means "Top of the Range" or indeed purpose hillwalking boots but for local outings they are ideal.
For example 
http://www.sportsdirect.com/outdoor-footwear/mens-outdoor-footwear/mens-walking-boots
They range from as cheap as £20 odd to just under £100
I have three pairs, recent ones have Vibram Soles which I find are good  for grip. Around £30 on special if I remember right. Not fully waterproof but out with the dog in the snow for a couple of hours they held up reasonably well, Wee bit of damp around socks at the toes area but other than that feet not cold.
Tight Lines

[Wildfisher]

My advice is do not buy hill boots on-line just to save 20 or 30 quid. Go to a proper climbing / outdoor shop and have them professionally fitted! I tried on loads of different quality makes in the shop and bought alt-berg because they fitted best - reason? They come in 1/2 sizes!

I have never had even a slight blister. Now if you are just walking The Dug or walking round Grannie's nature trail a 35 quid pair of boots on Ebay will be  fine. If you are going to the hills - get properly fitted real LEATHER  boots. Expect to pay at least £150 - probably more. Look after them and they will last for many years.

[Bobfly]

Just a thought on this one ... you obviously popped out the car and dandered up the hill. I always have a pair of GOOD QUALITY wellies in the car. Aigle ones with their all-terrain tractor tread are in during the "summer" and in the winter I have a pair in the car of Seeland neoprene lined wellies and they have an excellent and firm Vibram sole. Wellies are often a sight better than many many boots. I do not get any blister problems and have worn wellies on many long hill days. You will get a very good quality pair of wellies for quite a bit less than so-called decent hill boots and they will last you a longer time than many hill boots.

[tomcatin]

well, you wouldn't buy a fishing rod made by next, would you....?

Brilliant 

[SoldierPmr]

well, you wouldn't buy a fishing rod made by next, would you....?

Nope but I would get one from George  :lol: (heard it's the same factory but half the price)

[Wildfisher]

well, you wouldn't buy a fishing rod made by next, would you....?

Don't be daft Dave, that would be like buying fly tying materials from a haberdashery  :lol:

[corsican dave]

Nope but I would get one from George  :lol: (heard it's the same factory but half the price)

yes, you want to be careful about what you hear, who you hear it from & what it actually means. many premium outdoor brands have some of their gear made at the same factories as budget brands. that doesn't mean the products are the same. they don't use the same raw materials, they're not constructed in the same way and the quality control process is far more stringent. I can assure you that the Polartec material used in some premium brands is NOT the same as that used in budget brands, for example

most outdoor brands have a core product that they specialise in. interestingly, most of the specialist footwear brands are just that. you don't find the likes of meindl, hanwag, lowa, scarpa etc selling waterproof jackets, for instance; except perhaps as the odd promo item.

a lot of the Scandinavian brands started out manufacturing rucsacs, hence the generic term "bergan" (Bergans of Norway). north face were known for quality tents & sleeping bags when they started out, but they have (quite rightly, to be fair) decided that the street-wear market is far more lucrative than outdoors. most hillwalkers are as tight as fishermen and like to believe they're getting a bottom end bargain that's the same as the premium product. but then once again, to be fair, most don't actually need the premium product to have a good time on the hill  :

[SoldierPmr]

Thanks Dave it's great to learn about the inside goings on. Since I have been saving up and buying quality items I have noticed a huge difference and will not go back to scrimping on poor kit.

[troutmaddave]

2 pairs of boots have served me well. A pair of scarpa's and a 30 year old pair of asolo.
My reasoning is "buy sh#te, but twice"!!