OV9

Well in a flurry of consumerism, I replaced my 18 year old Scarpa walking boots with......... the new version.

OV9 the thrill of middle aged purchasing.

They are lightweight, not leather so still attempting to cling to some last vestige of youth!

I recently bought Solovair vegan leather boots to replace my DMs.

The company took over the old DM factory when they moved production to China and they make a very similar style boot, just without the patented air cushion sole.

They feel really well made, take some breaking in though. My feet are still sore

The Raichle boots my wife bought me a decade ago are still going strong, only had to replace the laces once.

She's had her walking boots for very nearly a quarter century and they're still fine too.

Seems to be some serious quality kit compared to much other footwear.

ZedLeg wrote: Fri Feb 19, 2021 11:26 am The company took over the old DM factory

Is that in Wolloston??

Yeah, that's right

https://uk.nps-solovair.com/

I got a pair of Salomon X-Ultra at Christmas. Have only ever had boots from Decathlon previously. These are great.

Gwaredd will be along soon to explain that you don’t need diamond encrusted Gucci boots to walk along a pavement.

Wtf is Vegan Leather

Makes you feel better though

Carlos wrote: Fri Feb 19, 2021 11:46 am Wtf is Vegan Leather

It's made of non animal materials but it looks and feels like leather, depending on the source it's not the best environmentally but neither is real leather

Pretty hard wearing too. My DMs outlasted my last pair of real leather ones by a full year. The uppers are still fine as well, I could just get them resoled.

In my defence, mine have done the 3 peaks as well as many Munros and Corbetts and trails etc.

My first ever walking boots were Hi-Tec K2 Ultras and they lasted me from 14ish up until I got the Scarpas so at 45 I am on only my third pair.

You heard of a guy called Kevin Woods Gavin? My eldest is into hill climbs and bumped into him by chance the other day when out with the dog. He ended up doing some general winter training and specialised ice-axe training with my boy a couple of days later.

(All within our area and respecting social distancing Rich)

Pic from the day


http://www.kevinwoods.co.uk/

mik wrote: Fri Feb 19, 2021 11:56 am You heard of a guy called Kevin Woods Gavin? My eldest is into hill climbs and bumped into him by chance the other day when out with the dog. He ended up doing some general winter training and specialised ice-axe training with my boy a couple of days later.

(All within our area and respecting social distancing Rich)

Pic from the day


http://www.kevinwoods.co.uk/

Wow, no, I just like walking and hiking but not enough to follow it or know who is top of the field. That looks like great fun though!

mik wrote: Fri Feb 19, 2021 11:44 am Gwaredd will be along soon to explain that you don’t need diamond encrusted Gucci boots to walk along a pavement.

We've still got boots we bought in TK Maxx about 15yrs ago . One are Rohan no idea what the others are

Whilst were on the subject - anyone got any recommendations for walking shoes/boots for a 5yo? Obvs don't want to spend too much given they'll only fit for a short while but he definitely needs something better now than a pair of scruffy trainers

Ooo I'd be interested in those recommendations too.

My 4 year old has some from Decathlon at the moment which are pretty good but worn out after 3 months.
Can't argue though, iirc they were very cheap!

I bought a pair of Handmade Italian boots by a company called Demon in 1992 for £140. A huge amount for a poor student and represented an entire summer job saving. (*)

22 years later they were still waterproof, still had plenty of thread on the Vibrams but the ankle support was gone - far too soft so bought a pair of Meindl Lhotse’s for... £140. 5 years later, the rand is splitting and they’re already looking fucked. A product of China mass production I guess...

(*) - the following summer I spent my entire savings on a set of Schlegael Tech III paddles. It was the only way I could ever have anything nice...

Swervin_Mervin wrote: Fri Feb 19, 2021 1:04 pm

mik wrote: Fri Feb 19, 2021 11:44 am Gwaredd will be along soon to explain that you don’t need diamond encrusted Gucci boots to walk along a pavement.

We've still got boots we bought in TK Maxx about 15yrs ago . One are Rohan no idea what the others are

Whilst were on the subject - anyone got any recommendations for walking shoes/boots for a 5yo? Obvs don't want to spend too much given they'll only fit for a short while but he definitely needs something better now than a pair of scruffy trainers

I bought my daughter some HiTec walking boots when she was six. They've been great and cost buttons.

Just looking for some new ones for her as they're just starting to get a little snug. I've been looking at Keen as I have a pair and they're superb! (Big boy size not toddler )

At that age, it really doesn’t matter what brand

However, get at least 2 sizes larger than normal and get proper outdoor insoles. It’ll save you having to replace them too early.

How the golly fuck do you make walking boots last long enough ?

Solomon, Berghaus, enter all other makes here last me about 6 months to a year depending on weather as in horrible weather I stay away from the muddy tracks and do more walks on paths.

The best lasting pairs are Solomon.

Dave!

Not weighing the size of a small planet helps...

They’re not strictly walking boots as they’re steel toe work boots. I wear them for work everyday, 40 hours a week+ and get about 6 months out of them