Walk Wear
Hiya folks.
Looking ahead to next year, we’ll no doubt be spending some time in The Lakes, and plan to do a fair bit of walking. So, looking at getting some decent walk wear. There seems a lot of choice, so looking for some pointers. Leather uppers? Canvas type uppers? Trainer style? Brands? We did pop into a shop in Keswick that had a large range, but they seemed a bit pricey. Spotted a pair of leather boots that looked good, but were priced at around £160. Maybe I’ve got it wrong and this is what one has to pay to get “decent” walk wear? Some advice on poles would be good too.
Cheers...Freddy.
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Hi Freddy
pop along to your mountain warehouse shop ask to be kitted out for your journey and we can advise you what your choices are and recommend suitable items for your needs.
Bring your membership card to any store and get a further 15% discount on all your purchases.
Phil
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Another past fan of Brasher here, but as DD says, they were bought out a while ago and the quality and reliability are not the same. So much so, many quality gear shops no longer stock them due to quality issues.
Decent walking boots will be expensive on the whole, but it depends what you want to do. Goretex material, used by a number of brands is usually very good at keeping feet dry and don’t take any “walking in”. We don’t do the long distance and high peaks stuff that we used to do any more, but I have found some of the Mountain Warehouse products, trainer type and Boots very good value. I have to fit custom insoles inside, and find MW boots very comfortable. Good discounts as well.
I would look at buying waterproof socks as well (Sealskinz). Trust me, it will be wet in the Lakes. Comfort, ankle support, good grip from soles, keeping out wet and mud are essentials. As far clothing, nothing beats Paramo, but you’ll need deep pockets. My Paramo is coming up for 20 years old, still does all it needs to do.
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I've been walking the mountains in the Lakes for years and boots are the one thing I would not cut corners on, really.
You can buy cheaper equipment at places like Mountain Warehouse and for layering, insulation... they will function OK but I have noticed a difference in quality (certainly) and performance and you will be able to manage to get down if a little colder, sweatier, wetter... Also I feel the advice given by MW is variable.
However with poorly fitting boots you will maybe get blisters, or they won't offer as much support, or your feet will hurt or get tired quicker. Just don't chance it. Also it will depend on the type of walking, for example paths, rougher ground, and will you be using them all year round or just three seasons? This will affect the question if you get leather of not.
I would really think about using Fishers in Keswick, they will really accurately measure your feet (in all directions) and they will take time over, expect 20 minutes plus. Yes it will be more expensive but worth it and they know what they are talking about. I have a pair Meindl Bhutan boots, yes they are expensive but they have never let me down and have had then for a number of years with nothing going wrong or letting me down in all conditions.
Don't forget (and forgive me if you know this) but the mountains in the Lakes although small by Alpine standards and the paths are generally easy to follow and walk on they can still kill (and do) so take appropriate safety equipment and clothing. At the top of Helvellyn in April this year it was sunny and 16C in the valley and -12C with windchill on the tops.
For me being on the tops is the best part of being in the lakes.
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Another fan of Meindl shoes and boots. They did stray a few years ago when they changed their last. Despite having small feet I need a slightly wider shoe and Meindl now supply a few of their range in wider fitting. I almost cried when the 12 year+ pair of Meindl walking shoes started to go. Good quality socks are just as important as the boots.
I've had 4 season boots that cost £150+ that were a mistake and had 7 years out of a pair that cost £50. (None of them Meindl)
Want expensive and top of the range quality waterproofing then buy Paramo. Want good quality mid range price then buy Rohan, want cheap then look at MW's own brand.
Really all of this advice is subjective. Depends of taste, cost, seriousness of the walk, whether it is usually done in all weather conditions, summer and winter or just low level walking in generally good weather.
If you are looking for something specific Freddy, say just 3 season walking shoes or boots, then I, and others like CS who walks regularly, can be more specific.
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Anything with gor-tex, helps keep your feet dry and for me, lightweight as I don't do big hills anymore so I like good walking shoes that don't weigh my feet down. I've got lightweight Brasher boots but they don't support my ankles well so I'm using tough but flexible walking shoes now. Things have got to be waterproof and breathable, there's nothing worse than overheating in clothes. I've got a pair of gaiters if I don't want the full gear of waterproof over trousers.
Lots of pockets in things too, very useful if you don't want to carry stuff. I've got a small lightweight rucksack with a waterproof pull out cover.
Friends and family love their walking poles but they're not for me at the moment.
I'm a fair weather walker now, I spent years walking on family holidays as a child so I just enjoy the easier stuff and I see a lot of the countryside at a slower pace!
Have fun Freddy!
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Hiya folks, some great replies, ta 👍
My apologies, I should have given more info. I wouldn’t call myself a serious walker, but I do enjoy it, as does the wife. I would say that we are ‘fair weather’ walkers (I know, we’re bad😀). Whilst I realise that The Lakes can be a bit wet (😉), we will be in a position to choose when we go at the drop of a hat pretty much as the wife is retiring this December. This year, we did a walk out of Elterwater, the last part of which was quite tough as it was down a bridle way that was very stoney, wearing just trainers. My feet and knees were a bit sore after that. I’ve mentioned before that I have suffered with my knees, and have a couple of problems with my feet, so I need to be careful with the walks chosen. I’m guessing poles would help?
Corners, we did actually pop into Fishers, and it was obvious the girl I spoke to knew what she was talking about. I wouldn’t rule out paying those sort of prices, but bear in mind we’ll need two pairs.
Years ago, we did a few of the higher walks, Scafell Pike, Fairfield, Skiddaw, Crinkle Crags etc and thoroughly enjoyed them, but not sure we’re up to that now? That said, I certainly wouldn’t rule them out, the draw is still there.
I’ll possibly just wait until we’re up there next year and pop into Fishers, but had thought I might be able to get a better deal if bought out of season.
Hopefully, that all made sense 😀
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Gortex fabric boots with Vibram soles are lighter and take little or no time to break in. Whatever you buy I would say it’s best to try them on with your own socks that you intend wearing with them. We wear 2 pairs, a thin pair plus a thicker walking sock. Have found poles to be helpful – bought a cheap pair in Lidl last year and they are still OK but we no longer walk for more than 3 hrs on any walk and have a break half way as our walks usually take in a cafe. Exminster club site to Copper Kettle @ Dulverton was a recent enjoyable walk for us. Good Luck.
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Yes, I caught that bit. When we did Skiddaw, I found the local reports to be very good.
It seems something like this would suit?
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Walking poles will definitely help with your knees if used correctly (the straps go under your wrists) as they take your weight onto your forearms as well has being useful for stability, a really expensive pair will cost as much as expensive boots but just make sure you get the ones with some suspension/springs in them and they will really help.
Most major paths now have been made better by Fix the fells with large stones in place to stop erosion so if you stick to those you perhaps won't need tough or that supportive heavyweight boots.
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Yes they look perfect. My son has a pair like that.
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We use Walking poles for the higher hills but to be honest any good walking stick will suffice on low level walks. I'm using a stick that I picked up over 20 years ago, my wife found hers beside a river after a storm. We hardly ever go out without them if there is the possibility of an uphill or downhill. They help the knees no end and also provide stability.
If you're good at whittling you could fashion your own.
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Cotswold Outdoor also give 15% discount to members.
They usually have a good selection of walking boots.
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The problem with buying the boots once you get to The Lakes is that you will not be able to run them in. Your local outdoor shop will carry a good range. Go on lots of walks close to home to limber up and make sure they fit you well. I haven't found the need to spend more than £80. Water proof and breathable is important, and for your kind of walking not too heavy.
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