Boot recommendations

Hick81

Panama Jack. 10 years and still going strong. 

LastMantra

ThePrettyDamned said:

Are cat boots any good? Seem a favourite on construction sites. 

Mine do seem very good. As I said, maybe a tad on the heavy side but I was wearing very light trainers before and am used to them now. Very sturdy, waterproof but comfortable and not overly hot or sweaty. Great soles. Hoping I'll not need to buy any more for a long time. 
Look pretty cool to IMHO. Not too poser-y. 

Sassafras

Doc Martens crazy horse leather.
Best DMs I've ever had.

chillidoggy

Do they still do the ones with the badger paw prints on the sole?

SteveRobinson

Clarks Wayfinders?

CHRISB50

Difficult to do at the moment, but you really need to try some. Fit will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some manufacturers will use multiple lasts, and fit will differ between each of those too. 

I’ve always been a fan a Lowa as they fit me well. 

I have a pair pair of non Goretex Zephyr boots. And a pair of Goretex Innox boots. 

Jeremiah

Regardless of brand, I've always found that Gore-Tex linings fail after about a year - that doesn't mean the boots are useless after that if they're well made, but they won't be as waterproof as they were when new.

Benm39

vasselmeyer said:

McSwaggerty said:

Can't really go wrong with a pair of Doc Martens... 

I was looking at the UK-made Solovair boots, which are made in the original factory before the brand was sold to China.

Solovair definitely an upgrade on Docs... especially if full grain leather. 

Redwing or others with Horween leather excellent. 

If budget really no issue then look at something in Shell Cordovan with a proper Goodyear welt construction...

TheMarlin

I have a pair of Brasher Hillmaster GTX walking boots that have lasted 30 years.  They still function perfectly, but look a bit scruffy. Bought a new pair last year. 

I do a lot of light walking in a pair of Doc Martin Chelsea boots. Slips on and off, easy to clean, very comfy, pretty bulletproof for day to day stuff. 

Another vote for Merrell trainers and boots. 

JerkMoans

All deeply subjective, but when not in a suit I live in Meindl boots for walking/arsing about with the dogs, and Blundstone for rugged yet sensitive masculine urban chic.

Birkenstocks all summer long.

Sassafras

It doesn't matter how long you've had a pair of boots if you only wear them once or twice a year.
I mostly wear DMs every day and they've worn very well.
Can be a bit slippy on ice once the soles have worn smooth.

Snap

Moleman said:

I love my boots! I recall once owning a pair of Dunhams - they were really hard wearing. Agree that Timberlands aren’t what they were. These days I wear Palladiums - not the canvas ones but the same style in leather:

https://palladiumboots.co.uk/products/72992-228-m?_pos=9&_sid=debb173f7&_ss=r

I meant to mention Palladiums. Brilliant boots. I have some of the Pampa Hi in canvas, and they last forever and are really comfortable mile after mile. I've hiked through the valley at Petra in a pair of those, up hills, scree, rock, you name it, no problems at all.
Through the first lockdown, I used a pair everyday walking for about 5 miles a day in the Peaks, fields, hills, trails, again no problem. 
They don't fall apart, and they keep their shape and support. And IMO look v cool.

If I know I am going to be walking a fair bit, and want something lightweight, they would be my first choice really.

Better still, if you keep your eye out you can get some for a snip online. Lowest I paid was 20 quid, but you are more likely to pay about 40.

A word on DMs and Timberlands - neither are what they were IMO, don't last too well. Not cheap either.

rustneversleeps

vasselmeyer said:

McSwaggerty said:

Can't really go wrong with a pair of Doc Martens... 

I was looking at the UK-made Solovair boots, which are made in the original factory before the brand was sold to China.

Don’t buy Martins.Solovair are still handmade in England and are top quality.