walking boots

barry makepeace said:

I have been a runner for many years but now I am starting to do some
hill walking.
I am only doing hills and not any really heavy climbing
e.g. hadrians wall.
I have always bought good running shoes (asics gel nimbus) and use a
sports orthotic for foot control.
My question is can anyone recommend a good boot for me.
I don't think I will be able to handle a heavy rigid boot.
I am looking for a flexible boot, light and with an insole I can take
out so I can get my orthotics in.
Any help would be gratefully received.

Use a good quality running shoe designed for the fells ?
Plus perhaps waterproof socks for the wet.

Its a serious suggestion, not a [censored]-take; there is a tendency to
over-specify the weight of boot/shoe needed for most conditions. Unless you
plan to go ice-climbing, you don't need rigid heavy boots.

Beyond that, its pretty hard to recommend anything specifically. What fits
your feet won't necessarily fit mine. And fit is all important on shoes and
boots. So find a shop which understands fitting and doesn't push you towards
the heavy end of things.

- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

barry makepeace said:

I have been a runner for many years but now I am starting to do some
hill walking.
I am only doing hills and not any really heavy climbing
e.g. hadrians wall.
I have always bought good running shoes (asics gel nimbus) and use a
sports orthotic for foot control.
My question is can anyone recommend a good boot for me.
I don't think I will be able to handle a heavy rigid boot.
I am looking for a flexible boot, light and with an insole I can take
out so I can get my orthotics in.
Any help would be gratefully received.

Use a good quality running shoe designed for the fells ?
Plus perhaps waterproof socks for the wet.

Its a serious suggestion, not a [censored]-take; there is a tendency to
over-specify the weight of boot/shoe needed for most conditions. Unless you
plan to go ice-climbing, you don't need rigid heavy boots.

Beyond that, its pretty hard to recommend anything specifically. What fits
your feet won't necessarily fit mine. And fit is all important on shoes and
boots. So find a shop which understands fitting and doesn't push you towards
the heavy end of things.

- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

barry makepeace said:

I have been a runner for many years but now I am starting to do some
hill walking.
I am only doing hills and not any really heavy climbing
e.g. hadrians wall.
I have always bought good running shoes (asics gel nimbus) and use a
sports orthotic for foot control.
My question is can anyone recommend a good boot for me.
I don't think I will be able to handle a heavy rigid boot.
I am looking for a flexible boot, light and with an insole I can take
out so I can get my orthotics in.
Any help would be gratefully received.

Use a good quality running shoe designed for the fells ?
Plus perhaps waterproof socks for the wet.

Its a serious suggestion, not a [censored]-take; there is a tendency to
over-specify the weight of boot/shoe needed for most conditions. Unless you
plan to go ice-climbing, you don't need rigid heavy boots.

Beyond that, its pretty hard to recommend anything specifically. What fits
your feet won't necessarily fit mine. And fit is all important on shoes and
boots. So find a shop which understands fitting and doesn't push you towards
the heavy end of things.

- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

barry makepeace said:

I have been a runner for many years but now I am starting to do some
hill walking.
I am only doing hills and not any really heavy climbing
e.g. hadrians wall.
I have always bought good running shoes (asics gel nimbus) and use a
sports orthotic for foot control.
My question is can anyone recommend a good boot for me.
I don't think I will be able to handle a heavy rigid boot.
I am looking for a flexible boot, light and with an insole I can take
out so I can get my orthotics in.
Any help would be gratefully received.

Use a good quality running shoe designed for the fells ?
Plus perhaps waterproof socks for the wet.

Its a serious suggestion, not a [censored]-take; there is a tendency to
over-specify the weight of boot/shoe needed for most conditions. Unless you
plan to go ice-climbing, you don't need rigid heavy boots.

Beyond that, its pretty hard to recommend anything specifically. What fits
your feet won't necessarily fit mine. And fit is all important on shoes and
boots. So find a shop which understands fitting and doesn't push you towards
the heavy end of things.

- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

Nigel Cliffe said:

barry makepeace said:

I have been a runner for many years but now I am starting to do some
hill walking.
I am only doing hills and not any really heavy climbing
e.g. hadrians wall.
I have always bought good running shoes (asics gel nimbus) and use a
sports orthotic for foot control.
My question is can anyone recommend a good boot for me.
I don't think I will be able to handle a heavy rigid boot.
I am looking for a flexible boot, light and with an insole I can take
out so I can get my orthotics in.
Any help would be gratefully received.

Quoted message said:

Use a good quality running shoe designed for the fells ?
Plus perhaps waterproof socks for the wet.

Or approach shoes. Have a look in an outdoor store at the range of
footwear: from something that is basically a trainer with a better outsole
to something with a bit sturdier upper as well.
I personally don't mind wet feet.

I use fell running type shoes for orienteering and find them a bit lacking
in cushioning for longer walks, especially if some of it is on hard
surfaces. And some of them don't take orthotics very well.
There is a balance between thin flexible and thicker sturdier soles. I
really like thin ones so I can feel what I am doing and can move my feet
any way I want, but for long walks with lots of sharp stones I prefer the
thicker soles.

And there is the fit issue, so go into the shop and try them all on!

Roos

Nigel Cliffe said:

barry makepeace said:

I have been a runner for many years but now I am starting to do some
hill walking.
I am only doing hills and not any really heavy climbing
e.g. hadrians wall.
I have always bought good running shoes (asics gel nimbus) and use a
sports orthotic for foot control.
My question is can anyone recommend a good boot for me.
I don't think I will be able to handle a heavy rigid boot.
I am looking for a flexible boot, light and with an insole I can take
out so I can get my orthotics in.
Any help would be gratefully received.

Quoted message said:

Use a good quality running shoe designed for the fells ?
Plus perhaps waterproof socks for the wet.

Or approach shoes. Have a look in an outdoor store at the range of
footwear: from something that is basically a trainer with a better outsole
to something with a bit sturdier upper as well.
I personally don't mind wet feet.

I use fell running type shoes for orienteering and find them a bit lacking
in cushioning for longer walks, especially if some of it is on hard
surfaces. And some of them don't take orthotics very well.
There is a balance between thin flexible and thicker sturdier soles. I
really like thin ones so I can feel what I am doing and can move my feet
any way I want, but for long walks with lots of sharp stones I prefer the
thicker soles.

And there is the fit issue, so go into the shop and try them all on!

Roos

Nigel Cliffe said:

barry makepeace said:

I have been a runner for many years but now I am starting to do some
hill walking.
I am only doing hills and not any really heavy climbing
e.g. hadrians wall.
I have always bought good running shoes (asics gel nimbus) and use a
sports orthotic for foot control.
My question is can anyone recommend a good boot for me.
I don't think I will be able to handle a heavy rigid boot.
I am looking for a flexible boot, light and with an insole I can take
out so I can get my orthotics in.
Any help would be gratefully received.

Quoted message said:

Use a good quality running shoe designed for the fells ?
Plus perhaps waterproof socks for the wet.

Or approach shoes. Have a look in an outdoor store at the range of
footwear: from something that is basically a trainer with a better outsole
to something with a bit sturdier upper as well.
I personally don't mind wet feet.

I use fell running type shoes for orienteering and find them a bit lacking
in cushioning for longer walks, especially if some of it is on hard
surfaces. And some of them don't take orthotics very well.
There is a balance between thin flexible and thicker sturdier soles. I
really like thin ones so I can feel what I am doing and can move my feet
any way I want, but for long walks with lots of sharp stones I prefer the
thicker soles.

And there is the fit issue, so go into the shop and try them all on!

Roos

Nigel Cliffe said:

barry makepeace said:

I have been a runner for many years but now I am starting to do some
hill walking.
I am only doing hills and not any really heavy climbing
e.g. hadrians wall.
I have always bought good running shoes (asics gel nimbus) and use a
sports orthotic for foot control.
My question is can anyone recommend a good boot for me.
I don't think I will be able to handle a heavy rigid boot.
I am looking for a flexible boot, light and with an insole I can take
out so I can get my orthotics in.
Any help would be gratefully received.

Quoted message said:

Use a good quality running shoe designed for the fells ?
Plus perhaps waterproof socks for the wet.

Or approach shoes. Have a look in an outdoor store at the range of
footwear: from something that is basically a trainer with a better outsole
to something with a bit sturdier upper as well.
I personally don't mind wet feet.

I use fell running type shoes for orienteering and find them a bit lacking
in cushioning for longer walks, especially if some of it is on hard
surfaces. And some of them don't take orthotics very well.
There is a balance between thin flexible and thicker sturdier soles. I
really like thin ones so I can feel what I am doing and can move my feet
any way I want, but for long walks with lots of sharp stones I prefer the
thicker soles.

And there is the fit issue, so go into the shop and try them all on!

Roos

Thanks for the info
I have done a 10 mile walk along hadrians wall in my running shoes.
I did have a problem with my ankles turning a little in the uneven terrain.
I also had very achy knees after the walk.
The knees are probably just age related but I thought I might get a bit
more support around the ankles with a pair of boots.
I wear boots for gardening but if I wear them too long I get a lot of aches.
I think it may be the lack of flexibility in the boots. I notice that most
boots nowadays have a thin metal strentghener running along the sole and
think this could be the reason.
What I really want is a pair that has the qualities of my gel nimbus which
are like slippers with maybe a higher ankle and goretex.
The only fell running shoes I know of are walsh but I will look for a show
in that range as you suggest.
oos Eisma" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Nigel Cliffe said:

barry makepeace said:

I have been a runner for many years but now I am starting to do some
hill walking.
I am only doing hills and not any really heavy climbing
e.g. hadrians wall.
I have always bought good running shoes (asics gel nimbus) and use a
sports orthotic for foot control.
My question is can anyone recommend a good boot for me.
I don't think I will be able to handle a heavy rigid boot.
I am looking for a flexible boot, light and with an insole I can take
out so I can get my orthotics in.
Any help would be gratefully received.

Quoted message said:

Use a good quality running shoe designed for the fells ?
Plus perhaps waterproof socks for the wet.

Or approach shoes. Have a look in an outdoor store at the range of
footwear: from something that is basically a trainer with a better outsole
to something with a bit sturdier upper as well.
I personally don't mind wet feet.

I use fell running type shoes for orienteering and find them a bit lacking
in cushioning for longer walks, especially if some of it is on hard
surfaces. And some of them don't take orthotics very well.
There is a balance between thin flexible and thicker sturdier soles. I
really like thin ones so I can feel what I am doing and can move my feet
any way I want, but for long walks with lots of sharp stones I prefer the
thicker soles.

And there is the fit issue, so go into the shop and try them all on!

Roos

barry makepeace said:

I have done a 10 mile walk along hadrians wall in my running shoes.
I did have a problem with my ankles turning a little in the uneven terrain.
I also had very achy knees after the walk.
The knees are probably just age related but I thought I might get a bit
more support around the ankles with a pair of boots.

You do, but it's a two-edged sword. If you really turn an ankle
excessively it will actually help push things over, and in normal
walking it will restrict the full movement of your ankle and foot
directly in proportion to the amount of support it gives.
I've given up on boots mostly unless I'll be using crampons or skis,
where I appreciate the extra ankle support, but for walking I like
letting my ankles support themselves. I do turn an ankle every now and
then, and typically I say "ouch" and carry on, and within a few minutes
I don't notice it ever happened

Quoted message said:

I wear boots for gardening but if I wear them too long I get a lot of aches.
I think it may be the lack of flexibility in the boots.

Yup. The extra weight adds to fatigue as well.

Quoted message said:

What I really want is a pair that has the qualities of my gel nimbus which
are like slippers with maybe a higher ankle and goretex.

http://www.inov-8.com/Products-Detail.asp?L=26&PG=PG1&P=5050973007 might
be what you're after, though as ever with shoes you need to try them on
to be sure they fit /your/ feet well (Inov-8 are a bit narrow across the
forefoot for me).

Quoted message said:

The only fell running shoes I know of are walsh but I will look for a show
in that range as you suggest.

As well as Walsh there are Inov-8, Felldancers and Bew Balance and
Adidas do some well regarded fell runners these days. As Roos
suggested, they're not much fun on hard tracks because they assume the
ground will be doing the cushioning (that allows them to be made lighter
and lower, and in turn lower makes them more stable, so less ankle
turning and less leverage when it happens so less of a problem).

"Trail running" shoes are now available from lots of makers and may well
do what you want. The biggest problems of road-runners on the hills are
the outsoles tend to leave one a bit grip-free and a surplus of
cushioning (assuming a hard street on every step) makes the shoe higher
and thus easier to turn an ankle, and that hurts more when it happens.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

thanks preciate the help
"Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

barry makepeace said:

I have done a 10 mile walk along hadrians wall in my running shoes.
I did have a problem with my ankles turning a little in the uneven
terrain.
I also had very achy knees after the walk.
The knees are probably just age related but I thought I might get a bit
more support around the ankles with a pair of boots.

You do, but it's a two-edged sword. If you really turn an ankle
excessively it will actually help push things over, and in normal
walking it will restrict the full movement of your ankle and foot
directly in proportion to the amount of support it gives.
I've given up on boots mostly unless I'll be using crampons or skis,
where I appreciate the extra ankle support, but for walking I like
letting my ankles support themselves. I do turn an ankle every now and
then, and typically I say "ouch" and carry on, and within a few minutes
I don't notice it ever happened

Quoted message said:

I wear boots for gardening but if I wear them too long I get a lot of
aches.
I think it may be the lack of flexibility in the boots.

Yup. The extra weight adds to fatigue as well.

Quoted message said:

What I really want is a pair that has the qualities of my gel nimbus
which
are like slippers with maybe a higher ankle and goretex.

http://www.inov-8.com/Products-Detail.asp?L=26&PG=PG1&P=5050973007 might
be what you're after, though as ever with shoes you need to try them on
to be sure they fit /your/ feet well (Inov-8 are a bit narrow across the
forefoot for me).

Quoted message said:

The only fell running shoes I know of are walsh but I will look for a
show
in that range as you suggest.

As well as Walsh there are Inov-8, Felldancers and Bew Balance and
Adidas do some well regarded fell runners these days. As Roos
suggested, they're not much fun on hard tracks because they assume the
ground will be doing the cushioning (that allows them to be made lighter
and lower, and in turn lower makes them more stable, so less ankle
turning and less leverage when it happens so less of a problem).

"Trail running" shoes are now available from lots of makers and may well
do what you want. The biggest problems of road-runners on the hills are
the outsoles tend to leave one a bit grip-free and a surplus of
cushioning (assuming a hard street on every step) makes the shoe higher
and thus easier to turn an ankle, and that hurts more when it happens.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/