Thread: Boots Boots Boots???????????

Had meindls for just over 18 months and find them a good all round boot aoart from the fact that the rand on the toe peeled back after 3 months. Might buy another pair when these go. Like the look of the new full rand andrew boot in the latest mag.

Had lowas before this and were shot in under a year. Raichles before that and they were good all round too hut a big stiff.

Dad had his asolos for prib 8 years.. replacdd with haix

If you are not actually doing any alpine climbing then you may want to consider lace up gumboots, they are cheap for one thing, waterproof and are quite as the runner tenses to absorb rather than transmit the sound of your walking, know I guy who swears by them, just a thought.

Originally Posted by Shelley

If you are not actually doing any alpine climbing then you may want to consider lace up gumboots, they are cheap for one thing, waterproof and are quite as the runner tenses to absorb rather than transmit the sound of your walking, know I guy who swears by them, just a thought.

Thanks Shelley, I used to use skellerup Bullers in the bush when I hunted up north.....did a lot of hunting in the kaimais and a bit around the central north island ie upper whirinaki minginui lake waikarimoana, rubber boots like the bullers are great for this kind of bush stalking, but offer no support for the steep screes and rock bases of the otago/Mackenzie high country, a hiker may be ok during summer months, but will not last very long in this demanding environment, this kind of country requires a 3 to 4 season boot with at least 1/2 shank and good torsion rigidity. Winter hunting brings a whole new list of issues for boots in this type of country as I'm sure you are aware of having ascended ruapehu. snow and ice are a constant during winter months and a good sturdy sole unit that will take a crampon or be able to kick footholds is essential...Yes I do, do a bit of low country bush hunting and so am looking for a boot that will be able to stalk thru thick scrubby regen, and kanuka type bush. with a bit of luck I can repair my Asolo's to be able to use on the low country/bush hunting, but they are no longer capable of hunting the high country and I wouldn't trust them to last up there.
Thanks for your input tho, bought back a few memories.....back when I was a lot younger fitter skinnier and not so broken.
I have had some major leg injuries and ongoing knee problems so really do need the support of a good boot.
am expecting this will cost me in the region of 600-700 and am willing to pay that for a decent boot that's gonna last me
Cheers
Matt

For steep hill work/unstable footing/adverse weather you need a decent pair of leather boots with a decent rubber rand. Either half or 3/4 shank. Full shank boots can be a bit of a mish to walk in on flat country for hours on end. Steer away from rubber boots, they are no good when it snows, or becomes icy.

I've tried Meindls, Lowa, La Sportiva, Gri Sport, Hitec, Gronell, Bestard, Haix. All "NZ Alpine" type models, none of the "tramping track" versions.

Used all year round. So wear varies from hunting paddocks to alpine, farming, running about in the forest at work, to office/street wearing on pavement, mountainous country, mud and snow.

None of these pairs of boots have been in a state I would comfortably and safely wear in the hill country after 18 months use. They may still look ok, but either the inners are shot to pieces, they leak like a siv, or the soles are f**ked and are down right dangerous on steep country.

As far as durability and value goes, my Gronell Tibets and Stevios have by far been the best boots for the money, being cheaper than most but both models lasting longer than 18 months.

I am currently wearing Bestards for hunting and Haix Mountain Trekkers for work. Both appear to be wearing well, and were ~$500.

In my experience wearing boots daily, unless you get a pair of Lowas/Meindl for around ~$500 OR they are the only boots that fit your feet (Lowas are a good wide foot boot), then they are not worth the extra up to $200 more you pay for them (both usually $650+ pair).

If you aren't wearing them everyday I would expect any pair of "higher end" European boots to last you a few years.

You will get hugely varying responses from different people, trying to justify their $500 pair of boots! At the end of the day, get what fits your feet best. Your feet are what carry you into the bush and what get you home again.

Originally Posted by JoshC

None of these pairs of boots have been in a state I would comfortably and safely wear in the hill country after 18 months use.

I guess 18 months of daily use is equivalent to over 5 years of using them every weekend, so thats probably not bad considering.

Meindls are less than £200 from the UK, about $350 last I checked

Originally Posted by gimp

Meindls are less than £200 from the UK, about $350 last I checked

That's a good option if you can find the pair you want at a good price, know the size you're after, and are willing to wait. Even at ~200 pound today you'd be looking at around the NZ$450-500 figure to land a pair of top end Meindls, including freight, GST and customs charges, if you get stung.

I've imported a few pairs of boots, its a good option when the dollar is high and you know exactly what you are after. Saved a couple hundred each time.

For alpine work I use boots with crampons strapped on, summiteed Ruapehu in leather Garmont with vibram soles a few times ( ex president of alpine club) and also salmons xadv with some weird sole, salomoms more comfortable but the Garmonts seem to be holding up to the abuse better, mine must be over 20 years old now and still going strong, lots of sno seal and let them dry naturally away from a fire makes leather last. May have replaced the laces few times but...

Josh shouldn't you be wearing steel toe at work

Sent from my GT-S5360T using Tapatalk 2

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Josh shouldn't you be wearing steel toe at work

Sent from my GT-S5360T using Tapatalk 2

Only for about a quarter of the work I do but my Miendls and grisport were steel toe. My haix boots I bought this are full specced forestry boots too. Steel toe, chainsaw protection etc.

Originally Posted by JoshC

Only for about a quarter of the work I do but my Miendls and grisport were steel toe. My haix boots I bought this are full specced forestry boots too. Steel toe, chainsaw protection etc.

I wish my boss would spring for decent boots.

Sent from my GT-S5360T using Tapatalk 2

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

I wish my boss would spring for decent boots.

Sent from my GT-S5360T using Tapatalk 2

Me too...I pay for them myself! Lol

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

I wish my boss would spring for decent boots.

Sent from my GT-S5360T using Tapatalk 2

He should be, Health and Safety and all that jazz

My employer will foot the bill for a maximum 1 pair of safety boots of our choice (the term use common sense was used) in a 12 month period cause the salt water wrecks em quick smart.

Yep same here mikee
welding gas cutting etc I get around 6 months if i look after them

Sent from my GT-S5360T using Tapatalk 2

Meindl are great but do burn a pretty hole in your wallet we had this recent discussion about boots on a CUTC page and Meindl came up as a popular boot for alpine tramping and lasting.
Another boot bran I would also recommend especially in terms of support is Zamberlans. I swear by these boots in the mountains, I've had mine for 8 years or so and not a single problem. They only look like they've been worn for a month in the hills, broke in great, fantastic heel and ankle support (and I've been wearing a kids size! about to upgrade soon on my next pair of Zamberlans, but the only store I've been able to find who stocks them are Mountain Designs.... and they're shutting up shop for good in NZ, and getting rid of all stock :/ )
Before you make your decision it might be a good idea for you to hit up a shoe technician at a place like Shoe Clinic, or Foot Runners - and get your feet profiled for the necessary support you need. Especially with your injuries you don't want to get a boot with the wrong support - because it could be that you need a sturdy boot with arch and heel support, or the complete opposite and you actually need a boot with no support but a lot of cushioning instead. Last thing you want is to fork over the money for a boot that causes you even more pain and injury. Then after that you'll find that particular models for specific boots in a brand will have certain supports, so once you know what you need, you can look for something with that right feel and support for you

Also noting that other users who have given advice about particular brands/shoes and their faults, some people have mentioned shoes/brands but added that those boots they've had has a particular fault over a certain number of years; just wanna let you know that almost every year shoe designers and brands update their technology on the models of boots. So a model that was bought 5 years ago, it's 2014 version will have 5 years of updated technology (generally fixing any faults of the past and improve sole/cushioning units) not discrediting anyone's advice but just sharing some information if it helps your decision making

Hope this helps.
Source: I work at a shoe store and hiking boots are my assigned specialty for customers because I'm the "outdoor" freak haha