Bushwalk Australia

Hi all

After spending two days in running shoes on a wet trail and now being covered in blisters, I have decided to buy a boot.

I have my eye on these $550 boots on sale for $300: http://www.mountaindesigns.com/store/me ... a-nw-gtx-m

The Zamberlan size chart is weird.

Everywhere else a EU 47 is a UK 12. On the zamberlan and mountain designs website, it coverts eu47 to a US 12 UK11.

Is this just a mistake or do some companies do a different conversion?

Also, does anyone have any experience with zamberlans? Do they usually run small or large compared to your normal shoe size?

Thanks

They're a good boot, no idea about the size but - go into a store and try them on! Never buy boots online without first making sure they fit properly. Nothing ruins a walk more than ill-fitting footwear.

+1

Try on as many boots as you can get your hands on. Buy whatever fits best.

Wow! That's pretty dramatic jump from joggers to a pair of high boots. Just curious of the terrain and application you need them for. Apart from a pair of top end priced high boots, there are so many types of shoes/boots designed for the outdoors out there. Would a low cut boot suffice? Do you really need the extra weight of a pair of high boots. If it's just a wet trail, would you be better served with a lighter pair of boots with gaiters? Many options that may be significantly lighter and cheaper.

I have decided to buy a boot.

Rookie mistake. I strongly recommend buying two.

Like stated above, try them all on and see which brand or style is best for you. If big feels good or small whatever get them. Make sure that your are warm when you try them on and have thick socks, feet swell when they are hot and your toes don't like hitting the end of boots.

Like drew I've found that two are always better for me as well. Sometimes see that a person has left one on the track somewhere or in a hut, mmm maybe they started off with three, but two is good

Thanks guys

Are high boots overkill for long distance trail walking with a 20kg pack?

If they are heavy its going to make it harder. Are high boots really necessary? Is it just to keep the water out?

If so, it seems like a restriction (weight, limited movement, heat build up ?) for an often unavoidable damp foot. They won't necessarily save you from blisters either.

And this is my opinion only and I wear sandals and socks

That depends on the trail surface. Snow? Deep mud? Rocky? Flat? Hilly? Climbing? All depends.

I think you're overreacting buying such a burly boot just because you had an experience with wet feet, and it is a GTX boot. If it's wet feet you're worried about, your feet may well end up just as wet from sweat or just one puddle over your ankles.

Have you considered a lighter, more flexible mid or high top, GTX if you like (but free draining is likely better), with ankle or full gaiters? Basically a high top trail running shoe.

Buying shoes online can quickly turn into a very expensive exercise. Definitely try before you buy.

Big burly boots have their place but don't go there if you don't have to.

Walkingnowhere where abouts will you most likely wear them and what is your idea of long distance walking.

After shoe failure, I had my Kinesis Pro Tech boots brought to me when doing the AAWT. I walked over 400kms in them and they were a dream. More support, comfort and protection than the lot lighter footwear. They didn't make any difference to my fatigue or distance travelled each day and I wish that I had of started the track in them. The only drawback was they took away ankle movement a bit so I couldn't do 7.5kph easily in them if I wanted to. They are hot in summer to wear.

Thanks guys

I will be wearing on the cape to cape walk in wa which is 135kms in 5 days. I do this 4 times per year and walk around 20kms 3 times per week on bush tracks.

This boot is probably overkill but they seem to get rave reviews all over the net from people just using them as work boots to mountain climbers.

Many boots get rave reviews on the net and if the particular model doesn't fit your feet or purpose, they are meaningless. Reputable outdoor stores permit home trial of their boots. Wear them around home on carpet for a few days, if there are problems, take it back for an exchange. It really is a case of finding a pair that suits you. A few reviews and a few minutes in the shop are really not good enough.

WalkingNowhere wrote:Thanks guys

I will be wearing on the cape to cape walk in wa which is 135kms in 5 days. I do this 4 times per year and walk around 20kms 3 times per week on bush tracks.

This boot is probably overkill but they seem to get rave reviews all over the net from people just using them as work boots to mountain climbers.

That boot is overkill for the cape to cape. There's nothing wrong with them at all -and I'm not trying to dissuade you - but the terrain and climate doesn't warrant it, in my opinion. I wore mid height hybrid boots which was perfect. If I did it again I'd wear trail runners, probably.

The goretex might be nice if it rains (which it did excessively on my walk), but I got by perfectly well without it.

I would start with synthetic boots that are supposed to be comfortable like these : http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Hiking-Bo ... -4D-II-GTX . Zamberlan isn't for everyone. I had some. They are heavy and need a very long break-in period. Do not expect to be comfortable right away. I sold them now, and have the Salomon which I use in winter. In summer, I use low cut Salomon hiking shoes. Not as grippy on slippery ground, but comfortable. I still get blisters, but only in hot weather (I should have a sized up pair for 30°+ weather). And yes Zamberlan tend to size different to others, definitely try them in a store first.

Every boot has rave reviews. From the people who they fit properly. Boot selection is about trying on boots. Not looking at reviews on Amazon.

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Thanks again all

Well, looks like heavy leather boots are a thing of the past with only the army using them.

Will look into gortex trail runners.

Cheers

I think a lot of soldiers now wear mid-height Merrel Moab Ventilators, or similar. I read a great article listing the footwear of armies of the world, but can't for the life of me relocate it now.

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Katmandu and Mountain Designs carry some nice light Salomons if you have narrow feet. Goretex though.

Merrels and Keen work for wide feet, and they have ventilated models. There's a lot more out there, I'm sure.

Consider your choice of socks and evening foot care regime as well if wet feet are giving you blisters.

WalkingNowhere wrote:Will look into gortex trail runners.

Also consider lightweight boots or low cut boots. After all, you are still carrying 20kg in weight over significant distances.

Walking Nowhere..

Zamberlans usually true to size iv'e found from their own charts over several models. I always size up (I think they come in half sizes though max. 1cm is only a liner or another pair of socks) 46 for 10 1/2 here

Their 'Skill' model is a light leather boot, iv'e found they (that model) are fine from the box relative to other leather boots. Zamberlan also now make a mid and shoe, good brand.

Always a gamble online shopping as mentioned.

Strider wrote:I think a lot of soldiers now wear mid-height Merrel Moab Ventilators, or similar. I read a great article listing the footwear of armies of the world, but can't for the life of me relocate it now.

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We just walked the Jatbula and a friend purchased the Moab Ventilators
They are used by the U.S. Military in Afghanistan
They are light and performed well
I would only suggest them for warm or hot climates as I'm not sure how they would stand up to mud, roots and Tassie conditions
They are hard to get in Australia and most stores suggested we purchase them online from the U.S. After selecting the best size by trying on the Gortex version of the same boot that is stocked in Australia

I have Moab vents and bought them at Mountain Designs. Expensive compared to the US but nothing fits me better.

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Interesting how the Moab has such a following. When I examined it in the shops, I didn't see anything particularly outstanding when compared with the many other synthetic lightweight boots. I have nothing against Merrill, as a matter of fact, I have one of their synthetic low cut from 1998ish that's just refusing to wear out.

Thanks again all

Took your advice and went into mountain designs and tried everything on.

No zamberlans fit me in any size due to my wide foot.

Tried on some trail runners but probably a bit minimal for my current fitness level.

Ended up with super comfy keen mid boots. http://www.mountaindesigns.com/store/me ... e-ii-mid-m

Walked 10kms on the road with them and no probs so that should do me.

Thanks again

Keens, such as your Targhee, are great comfy boots for many tasks. I am now on my second low cut pair and wear them as an everyday shoe during winter and on rainy days. Also use it as my international travel shoes, especially for the northern winter. The Keen.Dry waterproofing works well and the grip is decent. The thing to know is that they can get a bit warm in the summer but that's neither here nor there. Also, toe protection is brilliant but make sure you have it sized correctly so that your big toes don't bang on the toe caps. That's key. Enjoy!